Gift card & Color Renovation

Good Evening stamp friends!

I'm sorry it has been a while since my last blog entry. We made a last minute decision to take the kids to the beach for Easter. The weather was chilly, but we had a nice time. I even got a "little" stamping done. I always like to take something with me, because the hotel that we stay at has a nice table and I feel very comfortable. This time I went a little crazy when getting something together to take with me. I had to pack in a hurry. (I'm always doing something at the last minute:) I had a project in mind, (to make a baby shower invitation for my sister-in-law) but the only stamp set I took with me was "Fox & Friends". I've been wanting to sort my scraps by color for a few weeks now, so I took that big box with me too. (Isn't that nuts?) Other things I brought with me included the "Chit Chat" rub-ons, a couple sheets of Baja Breeze & Chocolate Chip card stock, "Parisian Breeze" Specialty designer paper, Baja Breeze & Chocolate Chip Classic Ink pads & when I went to grab the Baja Breeze ribbon, I thought to myself that it looked a little thick, but I grabbed it anyway and I also grabbed the "Soft Sky" retired "In-color" ribbon. I held it up to the Parisian Breeze paper and it was a pretty close match. I grabbed the little bag that I carry all of my basic stamping tools in and my paper cutter and was ready to roll.

One evening, my husband took the boys to the arcade to play games, so I sat down at the table with my big box of scraps. I had taken 4 clear envelopes (8x8) that I had at home and I sorted the scraps into the 4 main color families. I was left with the "In-Colors" and "Neutrals". That's when I pulled out the other things that I brought and decided to start with just a simple 3x3 card, but I wanted to use the color scheme I had planned for my sister-in-laws baby shower. I decided to make a gift card. I first tried using the Baja Breeze Striped Grosgrain ribbon, but just like I thought, it was too thick, especially for a little 3x3 card, so I tried the Soft Sky and loved the way it looked. Then I pulled out the Chit Chat rub-ons and used only part of the sentiment "for you and baby".

Here is the final result:

The turtle was stamped using the Baja Breeze stamp pad, because that's all I had with me, but the colors are a pretty close match. What do you think?

Speaking of colors, I have some exciting news to share with you! Stampin' Up! has undergone a Color Renovation! At first, I didn't know what to think of it, with so many colors leaving...especially a lot of colors that I really like and used quite a bit. Then when I actually sat down and looked at the new Color Collections, I thought to myself how beautiful they are. I rarely used Soft Subtles, but now with this change, I can see myself using every one of them. Now the biggest test will be dealing with my impatience until the new Idea Book and Catalog is released in July. I can't wait!!! I love how Stampin' Up! has simplified the colors by including the neutrals in the 4 core collections. It makes life so much easier!

Here are the colors that will be retiring:

Though it may seem a little overwhelming, once I sat down and looked at them, there were so many that I didn't use. (Don't get me wrong, I am a little disappointed to see a few go, but I will make sure to stock up on anything I can't live without. I'm so glad that they gave us extra notice so I will have time to make decisions before the new catalog comes out on July 1st.) Now take a look at the new color palette, which includes 5 brand new colors and 10 In-Colors from the past that are returning. Isn't it gorgeous?

Though I've only been a demonstrator for a little over 6 months, I've been using Stampin' Up! products since I started stamping in September 2006. Since then, with each catalog that has come out, I've added the things I had to have to my wish list and it never fails, I wind up falling in love with many other sets once I see the beautiful creations that were made with them.

I have one last thing to share. I went to a meeting on Friday night and we were looking at some of the older Stampin' Up! catalogs. It was comical seeing what was popular then and seeing how far they have come. Change is definitely a good thing:)

I hope you have a wonderful week!

Julie