Flores Suaves

Flores Suaves is another one of my "go-to" stamp sets. I'll bet you don't recall seeing this stamp set - unless you have been to one of my downline meetings, come to one of my card classes, or have the Spanish Supplement. Yes Virginia, the Celebrando Creatividad Hispanic catalog (some refer to it as the Spanish Supplement) also retires tonight at midnight. The good news is that there is also an MDS/Digital Download available here!

So using the retiring InColors markers, I began with this card.
Flores Suaves Stamp Set
Just used Poppy Parade and Pear Pizzazz markers on Blushing Bride cardstock.
Don't forget to decorate the envelope too!

Then, because I hadn't used the Peach Parfait color yet (I did stamp the butterfly inside using Concord Crush), I added the script in Peach Parfait - I wanted to use ALL FIVE retiring colors on this card. So, this bumped the card up just a bit with the masking technique (let me know if you want this technique demonstrated at YOUR workshop!).
Added the script stamp in Flores Suaves using Peach Parfait.
Really steps it up, huh?

And finally, because I did want to add some of the Concord Crush to the front of the card, I added some Concord Crush Stitched Poly ribbon, to really amp it up!
Added just a little bit of the Concord Crush Stitched Poly Ribbon.
REALLY amps up the card!
AND I used all five of the retiring InColors on this card!

And here are the cards, side-by-side. I like all of them!
Left was the starting card, using only two markers and one stamp.
Middle adds another marker and stamp.
Right adds a bit of ribbon.
Three cards.
You decide which YOU like the best and then make it yours!

If you wish to recreate this card, here are the supplies you will need - AND you'd better hurry - They retire tonight! Some of them are even REDUCED! Oh - the MDS download will still be available...
Blushing Bride Cardstock - individual package is now sold out!
  (or the InColor Assorted Cardstock, if you want all of the colors - available in 8.5"x11" size ONLY)


Let me know if you have any questions!


Change to Stampin'Up!'s Policy

Crafters -

As many of you know, I just rejoined Stampin'Up! after waiting six months (their rules, not mine). Believe me, every time I called them, emailed them or had contact with them, I let them know that I thought six months was a little long. Everyone does things for different reasons, and I won't get into all of that right now, but sometimes changes need to be made.

Well, Stampin'Up! listens to their demonstrators (I'm confident I'm not the only one who contacted them about this). They are changing the 6-month waiting period to just 90-days! While this didn't help me, because it was not effective until this month, it may help someone else.

There is not a card or creative post today. We worked on 5-yards of mulch this evening. Team Stock completed it within 6 hours! And I'm a little tired...  :)  But in a good way. I'll be back at crafting tomorrow - remember the old catalog ends on the 31st. You have but a week to order from the retired lists. Here's what five-yards of mulch looks like in the driveway in the early afternoon.
Five cubic yards of mulch.
When it was delivered, I thought... that doesn't seem like very much.
My body is now telling me that it WAS very much!  :)
And here's what it looks like after dark! But it is DONE!!!! Thanks so much to my wonderful husband for all the help with it. Isn't it nice to have help?
And it is all gone!
YEAH TEAM STOCK!!!!

Jobs and chores just seem to go faster when you are working WITH someone, huh? Crafting time just SPEEDS by when I'm with my friends. How about you?


Then the Lord God said,
“It is not good for the man to be alone.
I will make a helper who is just right for him.”
- Genesis 2:18 (New Living Translation)


Alrighty then, onto the statement from Stampin'Up! If you are a former demonstrator or thinking about changing your upline for whatever reason, here's what Stampin'Up! listed:
********************

Change to Rejoin Policy

May 22, 2012
We regularly evaluate our demonstrator policies, and review your feedback on how they impact you and your businesses. We have recently reviewed several policies based on feedback, and would like to announce a change to our rejoin policy that became effective May 1, 2012 

The previous rejoin policy states that, once a demonstrator drops, she can either sign up again immediately under the same upline (if that upline is active), or wait six months and sign up under a new upline. The change, effective May 1, is that now a demonstrator must only wait 90 days from her effective drop date before signing up under a new upline. The effective drop date is the last day of the month in which she resigns, or the last day of the pending month if she fails to meet her quarterly minimum.

The purpose of this change is to reduce a barrier to returning to Stampin' Up! once a demonstrator has dropped. We recognize that many circumstances can contribute to a demonstrator deciding to drop or resign her business with Stampin' Up!, and there may be legitimate reasons for a demonstrator to join a new downline group. While we want to accommodate these demonstrators' needs, we still need to protect the stability of an upline's business, therefore in addition to the 90-day waiting period, sales history, downline, and title cannot be restored when a demonstrator is dropped and rejoins, and she will be considered a brand new demonstrator.

Over the next couple of months, we will announce a few more changes in policy designed to make your business a little easier, so stay tuned!
********************

Happy Mother's Day!

Crafters -

Today is May 13th and it is Mother's Day. This morning, our son woke up and gave me his store-bought card. He picked out a wonderful card. Then I was served Cinnabon cereal, complete with him pouring the milk for me, I made my cup of coffee and we enjoyed breakfast together - WITHOUT THE TV SET ON!!!!   :)  The boy even read me the comics - wasn't that sweet?

Then the best part happened. He said "mom, why don't we make a Mother's Day card for you?" Well... what could I say? Of course! He told me that he was going to use his own stamps (he has several!).

SO, this is what his work area looked like while he was crafting.
The acorn doesn't fall far from the tree, huh?
And here is the final result
Front of card - in English and Spanish (thanks to Google Translate!)

Inside of the card - in multiple colors!

And the back of the card!


Let me assure you, THIS card will be treasured for years to come.

...his mother treasured all these things in her heart. - Luke 2:51b


AND, he had ink on his fingers - as the saying goes "If there is ink on my fingers, there's a smile on my face." When I told him that, he smiled. What a wonderful gift...

Enjoy your day with family and friends.

OH - he also wanted to make a Mother's Day card for a friend of mine, Donna. She doesn't have children, but she and the boy have a running count of how many more hugs she has than I do (last count was around 700 or so but I'M NOT COUNTING!!!!). Anyway, he told me "she's like a mom to me, so I'm going to make her a card too." We're hoping to see her at church so he can give it to her. Hope she likes it!

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