Kindness Matters

Hello stampers and welcome to a fresh new week at The Classic Card!

I hope that each one of you had a chance to slow down a bit over the weekend and just take a deep breath and relax.  I know many of you lead very active and stressful lives and that you need a break from being "crazy busy."  My hope is that you were able to carve out a few minutes of the weekend to play with your stamps.  There's nothing like being creative to refresh your spirit!

For the next week or so, I'll be reviewing cards made from stamp sets that are retiring.  Giving these sets a moment in the spotlight seems like the right thing to do, before they are gone for good.  We have until the end of May to order stamp sets on the retired list.  After that, you may be paying an exorbitant price on ebay for that special set you simply must have.

Today's set is "Kindness Matters" and it is a good reminder to treat ourselves as kindly as we treat others.  Take a look ...

Of course that great striped grosgrain ribbon is long gone, but the Kindness Matters stamp set is still with us, for just a little while longer.  You can see this great set on page 74 of the current annual catalog and it's only $8.95 for the 5 piece set.  I've used this set over and over again and I'll be very sorry to see it go.  Also retiring is the gorgeous Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder ( page 189 of the annual catalog).  Again, this is a product that I've used often.  In fact, I may not be able to part with it!  I keep very few retired products, but this just might be one that I stash away in my cupboard of favorites.

The colors on this card are Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, and Daffodil Delight.  Some sponging around the edge of the Daffodil Delight panel ups the vintage feel of this card.

Thanks for stopping by today!  I'm off to Symposium Coffee to meet with the Stamp Out Stress group.
Hugs,
Susan

A Sunny Friday for You...

Hello my stampin' friends!

It's Friday, it's sunny, and it's all good!  I don't know about you, but this sunny week has been good therapy for a sun-starved former Californian (that would be me).  Oregon is beautiful all the time, but so much more beautiful in the sunshine.

It's been a very busy week for Stampin'Up! Demonstrators.  First, we got a sneak peek of the new catalog, then we were able to order a few new items (new colors, a couple of new stamp sets), then the retiring stamp list was revealed, as well as the retiring accessories list and then we placed our orders for our boxes of new catalogs (the ones I'm going to give to YOU!)  It was a crazy week, but a fun one!  Seeing a new Stampin'Up! catalog for the first time is sooo exciting.  You are going to love it!  By the way, please take a close look at the retiring accessories list, as there are tons of good ribbons on sale, not to mention DSP, brads, and other accessories.  These items should be ordered online, as the availability changes by the minute.

If that wasn't enough Stampin'Up! activity for the week, I also got together with other demonstrators at our monthly Stamp2gether.  This month our swap theme was fun folds, so I received some cards that showcase "different" openings... ones that open in the center, off center, or have some other unique feature that sets them apart from ordinary cards that have the fold on the left.  The card I'm sharing with you today is my swap card, but in the days ahead I'll be sharing some of the cards I received from other demonstrators in the group.  Here is my sunny contribution to a sunny Friday...

I love, love, love the zig-zaggy chevron pattern in Parker's Patterns DSP. This fun paper is on page 20 of the    spring catalog. The colors of card stock I used are Whisper White and Daffodil Delight.  The stamps are from A Round Array, a spring special and the "You are my Sunshine" stamp is one of the single stamps that are available until the end of July.  I'm not sure if this fold has an official name.  I'm calling it a double Z fold.  If you'd like the measurements for this card, please drop me an email and I'll send the directions right out to you. I stamped both sentiments in Early Espresso. For the 3-D flower,  I punched two scalloped circles with the 1 3/4 inch Scallop Circle Punch.  I carefully cut a little slit between each scallop, so I could pull the petals up a bit.  The center of the flower was punched with the new 7/8  inch Scallop Punch which is in the spring catalog.  I added a strip of the Stitched Grosgrain ribbon in Daffodil Delight for a nice vertical accent.

I hope your day is as fun and as sunny as this card!  Happy Friday, everyone, and please come back on Monday when I'll be sharing another fun fold card with you.
Enjoy the weekend!
Susan

So Exciting!

Hello Stampers!

It's Wednesday here at The Classic Card and there's lots of excitement in the air if you are a stamping fanatic like me!

Last night at midnight Mountain Time (11pm our time), the new 2013-2014 Stampin'Up! catalog went online for demonstrators to see.  Oh, and it's a gorgeous one, just full of new stamps, colors, accessories, and many, many new ideas.  I'm sorry you can't see it yet, but I promise it will be worth the wait!  The only reason demonstrators get to see it early is that we need to order some of the new products so we can start working with them, try them out for ourselves, and make samples to show you, our fabulous customers!  So we are allowed to order a limited number of things.

Another exciting thing that was announced last night is the retiring stamp list.  For customers, there's really no downside to the retiring stamp list, other than making sure you have all your favorites before they are gone forever.  Of course there are many favorites that won't be around anymore, but I'm excited to have some NEW stamps to play with! We need to get rid of the old to make way for the new!  Watch your email... I'll be sending out the list sometime today.

Don't forget, my annual Retirement Party is on Saturday, May 4th at 11am.  This is your opportunity to make some cards with two of my favorite retiring sets, enjoy some yummy brunch treats, and of course order some wonderful stamps before they retire.  There is no cost to attend!  Come, stamp, and enjoy some time just for you!  The cleaning, weeding, and grocery shopping can wait!  You can send me a quick email or reply to the evite I sent.

Oh, did you come here hoping and expecting to see a card?   Well, I can't let you down, so here's a card for you...

This photo isn't the best, so let me describe the colors for you.  The base of the card is Basic Black, and the blue layer is Pool Party.  I'm so very thankful that Pool Party is staying around as part of the Subtles family.  I love how fresh and bright it is!  The focal point is made with the baby wipe technique, a technique that's been around for a long time, but is still fun to do.  First I cut an oval from Whisper White Glossy card stock.  Using a tiny bit of double-stick tape on the back, I secured it to my scratch paper.  Next I folded 2 baby wipes into a pad about 3 inches long and 2 inches thick.  I used a binder clip (or you could use a clip that holds a bag of chips closed) to clamp over the little pad I created so as not to get my hands stained.  I put a line of Pool Party ink along the folded edge of the baby wipe, then I added a shorter line of Daffodil Delight ink, and then a line of Pumpkin Pie ink.  Then, holding the clip, I just swiped the baby wipe across the oval, creating the blended colors.  After letting the paper dry for just a few moments, I stamped the image (it is from the set Love and Sympathy, page 54 of the annual catalog, only $11.95 in clear mount). in Jet Black Staz-On ink.  The top of the Pool Party panel is embossed with the Fancy Fan embossing folder, but I left the bottom half plain so that the sentiment could be stamped on smooth paper. The ribbon is the Scallop Dots ribbon in Basic Black (page 172 of the annual catalog), just turned over so the solid side shows.

Once you've created your little custom-colored pad with the baby wipes and ink refills, why not use it several more times?  So before you start, cut a few more ovals and make multiple cards. That way, you aren't wasting any ink.  You can also re-ink the pad by just adding a few more drops of each color to your pad.

I'm getting off the computer now and heading to work in my stamp room.  I have lots to do to get ready for the Flower Fair class that is coming up this Saturday at 1pm at my house.  I still have room for 2 more, so if you'd like to come over and make 6 cute and colorful cards (and go home with a kit worth $15.95), please let me know.  The cost for this class is $25.  I would love it if you'd come and join us!

Hope you'll all have a wondrous Wednesday!  Get outside and enjoy this fabulous weather, because the weather guy says it could start raining again on Saturday.

Hugs,
Susan

Manly Monday

Hello Stampers!
Happy Monday and thanks for stopping by The Classic Card today.

Today, in case you forgot (or didn't know) is Earth Day, 2013. I showed you a card last week with recycled corrugated cardboard.  I'm wondering if you've tried finding some recycled paper or other recycled materials to use in card-making.  By the way, did you know that your Big Shot will cut aluminum soda cans easily?
Just take a pair of utility scissors and cut the top and bottom out of an aluminum can.  The bendy sheet that is left will cut very cleanly in the Big Shot if you are using one of the black foam-covered dies. A sizzlit is not strong enough to cut through the metal.  It might be fun to experiment with a soda can and one of the black, foam-covered flower dies.  A shiny metal flower might be a fun accent piece for a card!

Since we've already taken care of Earth Day, let's move on, shall we?  Today I've got a great card for you that we made at Elena's party over the weekend.  It's a fun card to make and would be fun to receive as well, because when you slide off the "belly band," the card opens up accordion style.  There is room for a bit of writing, some stamping, and even a small photo or two.  This was designed as a Father's Day card, but by changing the colors and the sentiments, it could be a birthday card, a baby announcement with photos of the new arrival, or just about anything you wish!  Here you go... take a look.

The colors are Midnight Muse, Cajun Craze and Very Vanilla.  The DSP is from the Comfort Cafe collection.  The watch is from a new set in the spring catalog called Dapper Dad.  If you would like to have the measurements and the instructions for making this card, just send me a quick email to sjrstamps@gmail.com and I'll email them out to you right away.

I'm so excited for Wednesday the 24th.... that's when the list of discontinued stamps comes out and as soon as I get it, I'll be mailing it on to you so you can see what is going away.  Then I will be doing a massive purge of my stamp room, in preparation for my big garage sale, which you do not want to miss.!  You'll be receiving more information about that as the time draws closer.

Unless the weatherman was just teasing us again, we are in for a great week of sunshine and I can't wait!
I plan to spend some time in the back yard just soaking up some of those awesome rays of golden light.
Please come back on Wednesday when I'll have another classic card for you!
Hugs,
Susan

Super Simple

Hello again, Stampers!

It's Friday, my very favorite day of the week!  How about you, are you a Friday fan too?  Even though I'm retired, I still love Fridays.  They signal the start of the weekend and weekends are a time to relax, perhaps go out to dinner, attend an event, or---in my case--- party with stampers at a Stampin'Up! party!
What's on your calendar for the weekend?  Please don't tell me you plan to clean house, do laundry, and weed the yard!  Well, do those things if you must, but please don't spend the whole weekend that way or you might need to go back to work on Monday just to rest from your weekend labors.

I've got a very busy stampin' weekend ahead, so I can't linger too long here, but before I run off to tackle my to-do list, I have very quick and simple card to share with you today... one you could make in under 5 minutes.
Check it out...

The colors seem to be a bit "off " in this photo, but the actual colors are Daffodil Delight, Crumb Cake, and Early Espresso.  The flowers were stamped on Daffodil Delight DSP from the designer series paper stacks, page 162 of the annual catalog.  I stamped them in Early Espresso, then punched them out with the new 7/8 inch  Scallop Circle Punch that you can find on page 16 of the Spring Catalog.  The daisy is from the "Best of Flowers" set (item # 133342, just $14.95 in clear-mount).  The sentiment is from Sassy Salutations ( p. 143 of the annual catalog).  The chevron patterned paper is from the Sunshine and Sprinkles DSP pack, page 28 of the Spring Catalog.  I love the cheery look of this card and I think anyone who's under the weather would love to get a card like this.  Why not get out your stamps and make a few get well cards? Then you'll be prepared the next time you need to send one.

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!  Don't forget to take some time to be creative, as time spent in creative pursuits really refreshes you!  Enjoy!
Susan

If the Shoe Fits....

Hi there stampers!  Thanks for coming by for a visit today!

I'm sure you've heard the saying  "If the shoe fits, buy it in every color!"  Well, today I have a shoe for you that will definitely fit many occasions.  With a quick change of sentiment, it could be a friend card, a birthday card, a card for your daughter, or sister, or aunt.  And of course it makes a perfect Mother's Day card too!
Pocket cards are perfect for any occasion that requires a gift, because you can easily tuck in a gift card, a gift certificate, concert tickets, etc. and there's no shopping or wrapping required!

We'll be making this fun pocket card at Elena's party this Saturday at my house.  If you'd like to attend, please send me a quick message via email and I'll add your name to the list.  Here you go, take a peek...

The colors I used are Regal Rose (one of the colors that is being discontinued), Whisper White, and Basic Black.  This color combination is often used for feminine cards and it works particularly well with this shoe, as it is easy to stamp it in Jet Black Staz-On ink (it won't run or smear when you color it) and then just add accents of color here and there.  For this card, I just colored the flowers with a Pink Pirouette marker.  The center of each flower is accented with a rhinestone, which I colored pink with a permanent marker.  If you wanted to, you could color each and every little tiny petal and leaf on the shoe, but I'm thinking your eyes might be permanently crossed when you finish.

The stamp set is called Fabulous You (page 39 of the annual catalog).  It sells for just $11.95 in clear-mount.  The sentiment is from Delightful Dozen (page 140 of the annual catalog).  The black and white polka-dotted grosgrain ribbon adds a fun girly touch to the little pull-out panel, which is where you can write a short note and sign your name.

Well, I've got to run, as the Seattle troops are arriving this afternoon.  Emma's school is on Spring Break and Amy is bringing the kiddos down for a couple of days.  I'm hoping for nice weather so we can take the kids to the park.  Please come back on Friday when I'll have another classic card for you!

Have a great Wednesday!
Susan

I

A Classic Combination

Hello there stampers!

Goodness!  Here comes another Monday, ready or not!  The weeks just keep swishing by and that's OK with me, as we are drawing ever nearer to summer--- my favorite time of year!  But we do have about about 10 or 11 weeks of icky weather left to get through before we arrive in the season of sunshine, cookouts, beach trips, fireworks, ice cream cones, sandals, flowers, bullfrogs, and watermelon.  Just think of all the good things we have to look forward to!  Meanwhile, we can keep ourselves entertained and keep our minds off the bad weather by indulging in our favorite addiction.... stamping!

I'm sure you've heard me say more than once that I'm "not a blue person."  I've just never been a huge fan of blue, but it is starting to grow on me.  Perhaps it's just old age creeping up on me, but I have to admit that I'm becoming fond of the classic color combination of blue and white, perhaps because it reminds me a bit of summer.  For whatever reason, a couple of days ago I decided to try a simple blue and white card and I loved how it turned out so I thought I'd share it with you to see if you like it too.

It's a very simple card... just some Midnight Muse flowers on a Whisper White background with a simple ribbon accent.  You could easily make this card in under 10 minutes, possibly in under 5 minutes.  I don't have a stopwatch so I can't tell you exactly how long it took me, but not long at all.  Take a peek and you'll see how simple it is...

The flowers are from the Elements of Style set, page 113 of the annual catalog.  I stamped them in Midnight Muse ink on a Whisper White panel, wrapped it with some Midnight Muse Stitched Satin ribbon, then adhered the panel to a Midnight Muse panel.  I slipped a long piece of ribbon underneath and tied it in a simple bow.  The sentiment is from the stamp set "Kindness Matters," page 74 of the annual catalog.  I stamped it on a Whisper White scrap and punched it out with the Large Oval Punch and then adhered it to a Midnight Muse scrap punched with the Extra Large Oval punch (both punches can be found on page 184 of the annual catalog).  With a change of sentiment, this card could work for just about any occasion, except for a manly card.  You know my rules about those.... never flowers and never, never, never a bow!

Here's an idea for you, in case you have nothing else to do this fine Monday.  Get out your stamps, some white card stock, and some ink and stamp up a set of cards like this.  You could use Cherry Cobbler and White, Always Artichoke and White, Early Espresso and White, and/or Old Olive and White.  Vary the sentiments... Happy Birthday, Thinking of You, Get Well, Thank You... then package them up with some envelopes in a clear cello bag and you'll have a lovely gift to give the next time you meet a friend for lunch or coffee.  Of course if you need any supplies for this project, you know who to call, right?

Well, friends, I'm off to Curves to do my Monday morning penance and seek forgiveness for the sins of the weekend (breakfast at Hayden's).  Hope you'll have a creative and productive Monday.  Thanks for being my readers and I hope you'll come back on Wednesday when I will attempt to inspire you with more stamping ideas.

Hugs,
Susan