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Ahoy Matey! The Swirly Bird stamp set and Framelits are such versatile pieces. At my most recent local stamping event I used the set to make this masculine card with a sailing theme and also used it for a more feminine feeling card which I will share in the days ahead. There are many parts and pieces to the stamp set, so depending on how you put them together, you can make a sailboat or a bird or kites or flowers, swirls, and anything you can imagine. I expect this to be my "go to" set for along time to come!

I have often talked about having a classic layout, and being able to use it over and over to create a new look. Well this week I have a classic layout copied almost identically, just changing the colors, and a few of the greetings. I had posted this Graduation card a few weeks back. Then I posted it on my team group page and I got lots of compliments and people asking if they could CASE it. CASE is Copy and Share Everything. It is an honor to be CASEd by fellow demonstrators!

In the weeks since, my teammates have been flattering me by posting their version of my card. It is very humbling to have so many like my card design, that they are making their own versions of it to give as graduation cards this year too. Here are there versions: The first one to post was my dear friend and stamping sister Bonnie. Bonnie makes the most amazing designs, so it is so flattering to have her like one of my designs so much that she made her own version! Thanks friend! I am so touched!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next one to post was my sweet teammate Julie. She is so talented and makes such exquisite designs that seeing her make a version of the card just made me want to cry. I love her work and am happy that she likes mine!

The last one to post was my long-distance teammate Jill who is such a HOOT to talk to in person but she is able to share her personality so well online! She also creates such fun projects for her stampers to make, that seeing her taking a turn at my design is just so flattering. It really, really is.

Thanks to all my stamping friends who have shared their version of this card with me! I hope it will inspire you as well, to take a card you like and make it into your own! Casing is the greatest compliment a stamper can get!

 

This fun card uses an awesome technique that allows you to get maximum results from a paper pack or 12x12 sheet of paper. Cut your 12x12 sheet into 9 4"x4" squares. Then layer two of the squares (opposite patterns up) and cut both at the same time at an angle (either direction). Then match the top of one square with the bottom of the other. Once matched, then adhere on half at the top of the card front (3 sides equal) and the other at the bottom of the card front (3 sides equal) this leaves a gap between the two. I layered my pieces on a Whisper White piece that is 4" wide x 5 1/4" high. This gave me a white gap between the pieces. I stamped the greeting and confetti as desired. Then I used two strips of coordinating scrap cardstock that were longer than needed. After I adhered them to the cover the seams, I trim them to width. Finish up with embellishments as desired.

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.