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The Going Places suite includes the stamp set Going Places and the paper stack Going Global. It has a wonderful masculine feel to it. I used a modified Rip & Flip technique on this card. instead of vertical placement I made sure my patterns would look good laying horizontal. Adding details to the card using the triple banner punch and the leftover patterned paper adds interest without adding ribbon which can seem to be too feminine at times. This card could be for a birthday, Father's Day, or missing you like shown.

This card is perfect for graduation, a new job, a promotion, or any "proud of you" moment. It is also gender neutral so make up several to have on hand when you want to let someone know how amazing you think they are! The Subway technique has always interested me and the Bravo set is perfect for doing the technique. I pulled out my set and used a card front to layout the location of each greeting. The stamps were placed greeting side down so once I had it arranged the way I wanted I sat the largest clear block on the stamps to get them all perfectly placed. Then I just inked it up with my color choice and was able to stamp multiples easily!

Once upon a time and happily ever after still happen. So when they do, wouldn't it be great to have the perfect card for that perfect couple? That's what the stamp set Big News provides, the greeting Happily Ever After and so many more. This stamp set is retiring at the end of the month, so be sure to get your copy while you still can!

It is always a mix bag at this time of year, so many of our favorite stamp sets and many products start to retire, but then as demonstrators we start to get a sneak peek at the new catalog and new products. I was able to preorder a few items that will be new in the catalog that starts June 1! It is always a tough choice, and extrememly difficult not to buy EVERYTHING! I learned a few years ago that I don't need everything right away, the catalog runs for a year, so I can spread out my excitement with new items. I ordered the new IN Colors in ink, cardstock, markers, and a new type of ribbon. So, for today I will leave it at that, and focus on saying good bye to the retiring sets that mean the most to me! 

I want to start with the Swallowtail stamp set. 

This background stamp can be used as the focal point of the project, like this Blackberry Bliss card. Using almost all the stamp on the card front gives a bold feature that needs very little embellishment. It is paired with a retired ribbon and matching cardstock. I added a Basic Rhinestone that I colored with a Blackberry Bliss marker, it is not permanant color, but for now matches beautifully!

The Swallowtail stamp can also be used as a background like it is on this sample:

I received this card idea in a swap from my dear friend and fellow demonstrator Lynn Dunn a few years ago. This card design was the most popular card I have ever demonstrated so you can imagine how much I am going to miss it! The Swallowtail was stamped in Versamark and then heat embossed with white embossing powder. After allowing to cool down, Wisteria Wonder ink is sponged over the Swallowtail to bring out some of the detail. Focal point details are added with the Papillon Potpourri stamp set (not retiring!) stamped or punched in Elegant Eggplant and punched out with both butterfly punches - Bitty and Elegant which are not retiring either (YAY!). Final details added with Basic Rhinestones to make this card extra special. If you don't have the items shown here, I suggest you get them right away before they are gone forever!

I fell in love with the Timeless Textures stamp set in the Spring Occasions catalog. I imagined using it for scrapbook pages and to add depth to so many projects. For a recent swap I was in I cased a card by Angela Lorenz. I loved every detail of her card, but I made some very slight changes for mine. My color scheme is slightly different and the layering sizes are slightly different. My greeting embellishment is different so I could be sure to use two soon to be retiring punches, the washi label (sold out already) and the word window punch. This is a great masculine card, but with color scheme change could easily transition into a more feminine feel.

I have a hand full of layouts that I use over and over again for cards. This is one of them. A pop of color with the diagonal paper, but imagine if you will that you could easily put a layer of textured cardstock or simple stamped background on cardstock in it's place. The greeting and the main focus stamping on the same panel with an accent cardstock frame. This card is purposely easy so I can mass produce it. My suggestion to you is to use this layout with your choice of stamps, colors, and featured background to make a series of cards to fill your stash!

A masculine card that lets you use scraps for most of the embellishments. The compass lets him know he'll never be Lost without you. This card can be a birthday card like shown or any greeting needed. The banner punches give a fun accent on this card.

I know if I were just a little patient then Spring would be here, but I can't wait so I made my own bright flowers! It is a snap with the Bloomin' Botanicals framelit dies! You can stamp and cut or in my case, just cut and layer to add realistic looking blossoms. This card could be used for so many upcoming occasions, such as Mother's Day, a birthday, or just thinking of you! I love the bright colors I used, but as you know, it is easy to use the same layout but change up the colors to create a completely different looking card. I'd love to see what you create!