COLOR RAMBLINGS......

Okay, when SU first announced its major color overhaul, it took me a little by surprise. But, no big deal. Who doesn't like new stuff? And I had some of the old In-Colors that were turning into standard colors. I have plenty to work with for any swaps I participate in that require current items only. As it turned out, I have in my possession a little of all of the new colors except two. Then I started planning on what I wanted to do on a swap I have signed up for --- I would need Bashful Blue, Pink Pirouette and a pale purple. What??? We no longer have a pale purple of any kind. Not even in the new In-Colors. How could that happen? We have two standard darker purples (Elegant Eggplant and Perfect Plum) and a dark purple In-Color (Concord Crush), but no Pale Plum-ish or Almost Amethyst-ish color at all. Not even something close to Lovely Lilac or Lavender Lace. It seems to be quite a major oversight, to me. Am I missing something?

And then last night I started rearranging my cardstock and markers for the new stuff. Man, I did not realize just how many colors we were losing. Granted, alot of them I could live without (some I never really used anyway --- like Really Rust, Apricot Appeal and Barely Banana), but there are so many of them retiring. Now that I have the hands-on perspective, I am shocked. But, of course, time moves on and things change. The colors I can't live without will be replaced with new colors I can't live without --- and those colors will change over time.

So on to my card that uses some of the new colors. I needed a sympathy card for a friend of mine. These are not easy for me, kind of like manly cards. You don't want any color that is too bright, but none that is too dark either. It's a hard combo to mix, but since I had just received my new catalog pre-order (one of the demo benefits I adore) I pulled out the new cardstock I got. I also pulled out of my order the new Color Coach, hoping it would help me on a combo. And that is just what it did. I think that the new design of the Color Coach is great. So, the combo I came up with was Early Espresso (in the Neutral Collection), Blushing Bride and Pear Pizzazz (both In-Colors). I think it is a soothing mixture. The ribbon is the new Taffeta Ribbon in Early Espresso. The stamp sets are Thoughts & Prayers for the image and Close as a Memory (retired) for the sentiment. I colored the image up with my markers --- I love how we can now have a marker for all of the colors. I used the sketch challenge my sideline, Sherri, came up with for this past weekend. See it here.

Thanks for stopping by & have a Great Day!!!!!!

A LITTLE BIRDIE TOLD ME.............

For the monthly swap for June with my SU! group, the theme was watercolor. The aqua painter was one of the first tools I purchased when I got involved in Stampin' Up. Love it, love it, love it!!!!! This card was one I cased from here. The little birdie is from Fun & Fast Notes, a great set to watercolor. I used some of the old In Colors/new Standard colors --- Pink Pirouette, Pacific Point and Baja Breeze. Pacific Point is one of my favorite colors. I made my own DSP using the little flower from Flight of the Butterfly. It goes well with the flower my little birdie is holding, don't you think? The "Hello" is from Fundamental Phrases and it is punched out with an oval punch & popped up on dimensionsals. All of the sets used are in the new catalog. I blinged up the flower a little with a brad center.

Thanks for visiting & have a great week!!!!

REACH FOR THE STARS.....

I only received one graduation announcement this year. It was from a girl that I have known since her birth. My hubby actually grew up with her father. She is a great girl and I wish her all the luck in her future. I wanted to do her a card using one of my favorite (but soon to be retired) sets -  Animal Crackers. I just love the giraffe with the Reach for the Stars sentiment and I thought it was very appropriate for a graduation. I did it in her school's colors of red & black, with Whisper White and a little gold thrown in. I color spritzed the white paper with black and red. I used a star embossing folder for the big red piece. The star in the giraffe's mouth was stamped on the gold and cut out to be attached to the card. The other gold stars are punched out and popped up on dimensionals. This is a case of one I saw on Spitcoast here.

This is what I did inside. The left panel is a pocket where we placed a little cash for her (what kid wouldn't rather have cash?)

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GRADUATION TIME!!!!

It is that time of year again --- GRADUATION!!!!! Whether your child is graduating from college, high school or even from elementary school, it is a stepping stone to another phase of their life. Another step towards independence (we hope). Another step away from us. Very bittersweet, but time marches on. My daughter is taking the step from elementary school to middle school and, while I am very proud of her achievements, I really (REALLY) miss my little girl. You know, the one who thought I did no wrong, who thought I could do anything, fix anything better than anyone else. But, as I have said, time marches on.

She had a small graduation/awards ceremony on Wednesday. This is her receiving her award from her homeroom teacher for her excellent math skills. She also was acknowledged as having straight "A"s for the school year.

In addition to all of her hard work on her grades, she also received an award from the principal for perfect attendance. This is the second year in a row for her.

And, to top it all off, she was one of two chosen to read an essay she wrote about her time at elementary school. She was very, very nervous, but did a great job. Her essay was pretty darn good, too.

Logan had his awards ceremony on Tuesday. He, also, was honored for his excellent math skills. (So, they not only got my good looks, but they got my brains, too). This is him receiving his award.

Great job, Logan & Lindsey!!!! We love you!!!!!!

ANIMAL CRACKERS......

The retiring list from Stampin' Up was announced on June 1st and, sad to say, the Animal Crackers set was on it. This is such a stinkin' cute set. And it is fairly new. Hopefully, it will be replaced by a set just as cute. I made this card as a birthday card for my friend and upline Debbie Naylor. She is an awesome leader --- so much talent. Check out her blog here. I was casing a card made by Diana Gibbs that you can see here. I switched up the DSP from the Sweet Pea pack that she used to the Tall Tales shown on mine. I also used the awesome chocolate chip satin ribbon. I used the branch out of the Two-Step Bird punch. I am surprised I have not worn this punch out --- I seem to use it all the time. The sentiment is from Heard from the Heart. I colored the giraffe with my aqua painter.

Happy Birthday, Debbie!!!!!

Thanks for stopping by & have a great day!!!!!

BUTTERFLY, BUTTERFLY....

Wow, time has flew by. I hope everyone had a great Memorial Day holiday. I had this ready to post last week, but never actually clicked the "Publish Post" button. This was what I did for the May 21st weekend's Little Debbie challenges. I did the sketch & color challenge all in one card. The sketch challenge chosen can be found here. The color combo can be found here. I love these colors together. This could easily be used for a sympathy or thinking of you card, as well as a birthday card. The only ink used on this is a little of the Baja Breeze that was sponged onto the Whisper White oval. Everything else is punches & Big Shot dies. This was the first time I have used the butterfly die and, I have to say, I love it!!!! They are just so pretty with the embossed designs. You get that cool 3D look when you bend the wings up, it really makes the card.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!!!