Bella Cosa

Sorry for the absence; I got hit bigtime with the flu/cold that seems to be going around . . was in bed for three days, and still sort of “recovering” . . .with a cough that I hear can last 4-6 weeks!!! Yikes!! Here’s one of the cards we did this month in my groups; almost time for the summer wedding season, and I think this “big bird” die along with some embossing folders, makes a really elegant wedding card! Could have other uses too. .. isn’t he pretty?

We’ve just gotten used to the idea that some of our favorite stamps are retiring . .. now it’s time for the retiring accessories list! I used to experience major sadness at these lists .. .but over the years have come to realize that what “goes away” will be replaced by something even more wonderful!! So – if you love something on these lists, please place an order now! But know that what’s coming is also going to be SUPER! Over the years I’ve come to realize that Stampin’ Up does NOT disappoint!!

As I mentioned yesterday, it’s getting to be time to say “farewell” . .. to LOTS of things! I had a lot of fun during Girlfriends Weekend, pulling out my packets of “Designer Cuts” cards and decorating them. They’re such a fast and easy “fix” if you need a pretty card “right now”!! These packets of 8 cards (4 each of 2 designs) and matching pink envelopes, are on page 9 of the Occasions Mini Catalog . .which retires the end of April. If you need some, click on the Stampin’ Up picture here and go to my Stampin’ Up website to order some!! Hurry!! They’ll be gone soon! I think I’m going to put the red heart ones away for next Valentines Day, since I didn’t get them done in time for this year!




I think this is my favorite . . .and I CASEd it from one of my favorite stampers, Diana Gibbs . .isn’t it pretty? (uses the designer paper from the Saleabration catalog, which, unfortunately, is retired). This would be pretty with many other designer papers, too, however!

After a brief absence . .. part of which was because of another wonderful “Girlfriends Weekend” stamping in Oregon . . .I’m back with lots of things to show you! First, I’ve pulled all my retiring stamp sets . .. pretty bare shelves now!! The new Stampin’ Up catalog debuts June 1st instead of July 1st this year, so it’s getting to be time to say goodbye. I can’t believe I waited so long to use this lovely set . .. I’m not sure if I’m going to keep it for awhile or not; I do love it . . and I think the four herbs and the sayings that go with them make such a beautiful set of four cards to give as a gift!! So . . .it may stay here for awhile, so I can get some more of those sets made! This set is an old one, and only comes in wood mount, page 121 in the big catalog. Of course, you can get it an mount it yourself for clear blocks . . or use it on the wood blocks. Click through to my Stampin’ Up website (icon on the left) to see a list of all the retiring sets, and place an order online through my site, to get preferred pricing. There’s probably at least one or two sets you “didn’t get to” and “can’t live without!”
I’ve used retiring Designer Series Paper on each of these cards, too . .. you can order all of those yet, also. The retiring “accessories” list comes out this Wednesday, so you’ll want to check it out, too!

I can’t believe how long I have had this set . .. and how I love it . . .and yet have never used it!! I have several sets sitting on the shelf, as yet unused . .. just so many cool things from Stampin’ Up, that I can’t get to all of them!! This set is in the big catalog and is called “Field Flowers”. I could easily go nuts with this set, just like I did last summer with “Fabulous Florets” . .. .making cards in a million different color combinations!! This time I used Melon Mambo and our In Color Lucky Limeade. . . perfect, because my favorite color combo is hot pink and chartreuse (I know . .. probably very outdated names for these colors!!) The 2nde layer of flowers is embossed, and then you can barely see it, but there’s some of our white/clear Dassline Details in the centers.

This new die from Stampin’ Up, called “Petite Purse”, is soooo much fun to play with! I’ve made some quick and easy purses this month, to give each of my club stampers one . .. but now I’m excited to do some “really fancy” ones! I’ve seen a lot of cute ideas online, so one of my projects to work on when I’m in Oregon this next weekend, is purses!!! I’ll be sure to show you what I made next week.

I had a lot of fun preparing this month’s club projects. One of my club members had been requesting a “pinwheel card” . .. so we’re doing one! Then I loved the cute baby girl card with the dress made from the owl punch, so we’re doing a version of that. And finally, some turquoise embossed hot air balloons on bright “Big Top Birthday” designer paper . . .with clouds punched from the top of the cupcake punch!! What fun! Here they are!

More of my swap group cards today . .. . they are soooo fantastic, I love showing them to you each month!

Jill did this adorable baby card . .. tooooo cute!! She did some in pink and some in blue. . . perfect!

I love Michelles unusual folds on this card . . .had never seen this! Isn’t it pretty?

Another darling St. Patty’s Day card from Nancy. I always love layering, but this is so cute!

And the final “green card” is Ruth’s . .. beautiful! Interesting that all 3 St. Patty’s cards were so cute, and so different! Just shows what you can do with all the great papers and embellies, and stamp sets we have!

Shannon used the pretty flowers from Saleabration, but what I thought was an unusual but GREAT color scheme with them! She’s got a knack for doing that!! Soooo pretty!

And this was my card . . . .an exact CASE from Diana Gibbs . . thanks Diana! I just loved the vintage feel of this card.
These were the February swaps . ..so I’m a bit behind! I’ll be posting the March ones soon . .. happy stampin’!!

Good morning! Time to show you some more swaps from my swap group . . . some of the most creative women I know!

We were all blown away by this adorable baby card from Barb, using the “owl punch” for the cute dress. The ruffle is our pre-pleated ribbon . .. sooooo cute!

Sorry my photography on this card is really lacking – but Denise’s design, with so many beautiful little details, is amazing! I was sorry this was a Saleabration set, as I would l have liked to have it around longer!

Now here’s a “man card” if there ever was one! I love how Diane used metal sheets for her embossed background!

We can count on Donna for a “happy, cheerful” card and this one fits the bill! These flowers are one of my favorite sets in the current mini catalog! Love the card!

I’m not much of a St. Patty’s Day “celebrant” but this cute card from Francine put me in the spirit!
More beautiful cards tomorrow . .. stay tuned!

As a Stampin’ Up Demonstrator, I can pre-order new items a month before they become available to everyone. April’s “promotion” is a suite of products called “Summer Smooches”. I got the stamp set as a gift at Leadership in January, but all of the other products are so fun! There’s designer paper, fabric, adorable fabric brads, Daffodil Delight seam binding ribbon, and other goodies. Mine came just the other day so I “played” for awhile last night. This is really fun stuff to just let your own creativity guide you with. Usually I have to be “inspired” from something to create a card: with these products the ideas just “come”!!! I can’t wait to show these new items to all my stamp clubs the next two weeks!