of us who attended Leadership in San Antonio back in February. It's featured in the Occasions Mini Catalog which ends April 30th. All the cards this month will be made using products/sets from this Catalog.
There is also a coordinating punch that goes with the MIXED BUNCH stamp set. Both the stamp set and BLOSSOM PUNCH can be seen on page 17 of the Occasions Mini. I cut the petals on the flower to give the card some depth. The other punch I used ~ the LACE RIBBON BORDER PUNCH ~ is in the 2011/12 Idea Book & Catalog.
The BORDERING ON ROMANCE stamp set,
Other items used can be found in the 2011/12 Idea Book & Catalog: Basic Gray and Whisper White card stock; Stampin' Write Markers and Basic Rhinestone Jewels. The Basic Gray Taffeta Ribbon is retired.
and I wanted to make a little something different for her special occasion. So this is what I came up with. It's all about paper folding.
The sentiment "just thinking of you on your birthday" pops up as the card opens. Also inside the card, I stamped another sentiment on a piece of vanilla card stock and that's where I signed.
Then I made a belly band to hold the folded card together. I used the FANCY FLOWER stamp set, First Edition Specialty Designer Series Paper, Wisteria 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon and card stock, Old Olive and Very Vanilla card stock and the Bird Builder punch.
In preparation for Stampin'Up! to unveil their 2012/13 Annual Catalog they are retiring a number of stamp sets and accessories. The retiring stamp sets were announced yesterday and the accessory list will be published the 25th. Please go to my website, http://www.shirleybmckay.stampinup.net, >Products>Shop Now>Retiring Products, to view the list. These retiring sets can be ordered between now and May 31st. So, if there are sets you've been wanting but just haven't ordered, now is the time to get them. After May 31st they will be gone forever. 
Here's the 42 sets from my stash that's retiring. I was pleasantly surprised at how many sets I still have that will remain in the 2012/13 Annual Catalog.
Last week Stampin'Up! added an additional 55 items to their Clearance Rack. Some of my customers have already taken advantage of the 34" Simply Adorned Chain that is currently $5.19 (plus shipping, handling and taxes). To view other items on the Clearance Rack go to my website, http://shirleybmckay.stampinup.net >Products>Shop Now>Clearance Rack.
The charm, shown above, can be seen on page 200 of the 2011/12 Idea Book & Catalog. It includes tempered glass on the front and back and has a lobster clasp. The locket style charm with hinge lets you insert custom artwork or photos. It comes packaged in a nice box ready for gift giving. The Simply Adorned line will NOT be carried over to the 2012/13 Annual Catalog so order now while supplies last.
so here's what I came up with.
I used the FANCY FLOWER die and made this cute flower as I didn't have enough white ribbon to make a bow. Now the black and white paper was something I had on hand but I think it worked out nicely. Remember you don't have to use Stampin'Up! products just for cards and/or scrapbooking....use your imagination. You'll be surprised what you can come up with. Have a fantastic day! See you again soon.
With Ronnie's recent retirement he needed a few more thank you cards so this is what I came up with. Even though both stamp sets that I used are retired I'm going to hold on to them (like so many others LOL). But the SAIL AWAY and THE OPEN SEA are both great sets for those men in your life.
My first share was designed by Linda K. I love the color combination and the butterflies remind me of what Easter is all about....the resurrection.
This card was designed by Ginger E. What a coincidence that Linda and Ginger both used the Polka Dot Embossing Folder on their backgrounds.
My last share is from my sister, Sue. She and Ginger used the same stamp set but their cards look entirely different. Thanks ladies for the Easter remembrances.
Of course, I couldn't resist showing off our granddaughter. Here she is with her basket ready to find some Easter eggs. We had a great day celebrating the Resurrection!
And for the inside I ran a piece of Very Vanilla card stock through the Big Shot using the Top Note Die. The sentiment is also from the On Your Birthday stamp set.
I know Easter is over but I had to share with you these treats I made for our family get together.
They were a hit and the Snicker eggs were enjoyed by all!
I punched out a piece of REGAL ROSE card stock wth the FANCY FLOWER PUNCH and used the GEL PEN to make the dots on the petals. I then stamped on WHISPER WHITE card stock the TRIPLE TREAT FLOWER in REGAL ROSE ink. The leaf was punched out of PEAR PIZZAZZ card stock using the BIRD BUILDER PUNCH. I layered the three pieces with GLUE DOTS and topped the flower with a Hershey Kiss. 
To add a little dimension to the platter (see below) I made this little basket using a 6 x 6 piece of REGAL ROSE card stock and decorated the four sides. Then I made the topper using the SCALLOP CIRCLE and CIRCLE PUNCHES. These little baskets can be made and decorated for any occasion.
And here's the finished project.
I am having two "Easter Parties" today and this is one of the cards my ladies will be making.
The inside verse is out of the HE IS RISEN stamp set featured in the Occasions Mini Catalog which ends April 30th.
(Not all products used on this card are Stampin'Up!)
I love the way Bernice used the circle punch on the flap of the envelope showing the "pinch proof" stamp!
Here's Laura fixing our breakfast bars and her cereal. Notice she's using the crystal once again. Gotta love it! The things we do for our grandchildren. Have a great rest of the weekend and until next time, happy stampin'. 
We've had a busy couple of days. My hubby finally threw in the towel a week ago and it didn't take him long once we got back to TX to get signed up for social security. So happy for him after 43 years of service with Cardinal Healthcare in Charlotte.
On our drive to Brenham to the SS Office, we got to see fields of Blue Bonnets. They are so pretty and I'm hopeful that we'll be able to go to the Blue Bonnet Festival in April.
It's spring break this week in Katy so we've been so fortunate to have our granddaughter with us for several days. Here she is with her LEGO's. Never thought she'd love them like she does. Hate to say it but LEGO needs to come out with some new sets for girls....she has just about all that's out there.
Have a great Friday and weekend. Until next time, happy stampin'!
The basket is made using a 6 x 6 piece of card stock or designer series paper, scored at 2" and 4" on two sides. You then score all four cornersfrom the edge of the corner just to the middle square. Punch a hole on the score line of the four corners to run your ribbon through. Draw the corners up to form the basket.
This card was CASED from another SU Demonstrator, Penny T. I did tweek it by adding the piece of Garden Green behind the top piece of white. I also used a different sentiment.
Here's a closer view of the four leaf clover. You'll notice the hearts were embossed and then I took a white craft ink pad and ran over the polka dots to give them more texture.
It's been very gloomy and rainy here in TX these last few days so as I was searching for something to post, I ran across this picture that I took while in Charlotte at my sister, Sue's, house. I love the Carolinas in the springtime.
Thank you for joining me today and I hope you will stop by again soon. Take time to do something good for yourself; stamp daily!
Even though this stamp set was designed for Easter, it could easily be used for most any occasion.
I failed to get a picture of Karen with her downline. But here is Karen to the left and below is Rhonda on the left and Norma on the right. It's not often that I'm able to spend time with my "sisters" but it sure was a fun evening sharing ideas with them! Thanks Karen for making this possible while I was in Charlotte!
And the below swap was made by Norma. Norma just became a demonstrator and I am so impressed with her work. Now I should say she's been a "Karen follower" for sometime but she finally took the plunge. I'm so glad to have her in the Stampin'Up! family.
You've heard the expression "less is more". Well this is a fine example of that. The simplicity is so elegant. This card can be used for so many occasions. I can't wait to make up a bunch leaving the sentiment off until the need arises.
I couldn't resist showing you up close the Pearl Jewels. Just that little touch adds to much!
Who would have thought to make a four leaf clover out of a "heart" stamp?
Love it Sis! I will be casing this for sure at my class just before St. Pattie's Day.
And don't you love this color combination? This photo was taken while in Charlotte for my downline meeting. There's nothing like springtime in the Carolina's. Beautiful!
