Here’s a little peek at this week’s Pals Paper Arts challenge card.  It uses a Big Shot die I purchased when it was first released last year.  I had never even taken it out of the wrapper.  Now that I have finally used it, I wonder why I waited so long!  I hope you will join me Thursday for the reveal!

(To view the list, CLICK HERE)

I greeted the newly released Last Chance List with both sadness and anticipation! I will miss some of my old favorites, like Baroque Motifs and Nature’s Silhouettes…and some of my newer favorites too, such as Friends Fur-ever and A Christmas Carol.  Each stamp set I own has its own little story that makes it difficult to say good-by.  For example, I will always treasure Baroque Motifs because I purchased it with Christmas money I received from my friend, Shirley.  It will always hold a cherished spot in my collection.  The same is true of Loads of Love.  It was in my Starter Kit. Even though I seldom used it, I will never part with it.  It is part of my Stampin’ Up! heritage.  A Christmas Carol was only available for one year, but it will be a keeper for me.  I love the image and the cards I have made with it. Here is one last look at a few cards made with A Christmas Carol (W 122635, C 122637). 

So…what about you?  Is there a favorite that you hated to see on the list?  Is there something on the list that you just have to have before it is too late?  Won’t you let me know in today’s comments?   Until next time…

The wait is over!  Stampin’ Up!’s Retired List has been released! Over 300 sets will be officially retired effective May 31st! Now is the time to purchase your retiring favorites!  Just CLICK HERE to see “The List”!

(This is today’s second post.  Don’t miss out on this week’s The Paper Players challenge card in today’s first post: Watercolored Thoughts of You!)

It’s Sunday, and time to play with The Paper Players! This week the lovely Jaydee is hosting a Clean and Simple Watercolor Challenge.  Although my card may not be the cleanest and the simplest, it is indeed watercolored.  I hope you enjoy “Watercolored Thoughts of You”.

The finished card measures 4-1/4″ wide by 5-1/2″ long.

• Faux watercoloring! The Floral Cluster image from Bordering on Romance was inked in Jet Black StazOn and stamped onto Whisper White cardstock.  Using Blender Pens, I transferred the following inks:  Poppy Parade, Pool Party, and Pear Pizzazz.  To shade, I outlined using the corresponding Stampin’ Write Marker and blended with a Blender Pen. 

• Double Bow! A sweet Pear Pizzazz double bow, created from Stampin’ Up!’s fabulous Seam Binding, adds a “pop” of contrasting color!

• Fluttering by! A Pool Party butterfly, courtesy of the Beautiful Wings Embosslit, graces the curled end of the Thoughts of You banner.  I love stamping sentiments onto textured card stock for a brocade look.

• Pearls! Of course, Pearls are always the perfect finishing touch…whether embellishing the flowers or adding interest to the Tasteful Trim Large Scallop Border!

Today’s card was created for a dear friend of mine who received word this past week, that after winning her battle against breast cancer fourteen years ago, she has bone cancer.  It will be hand-delivered, so I have no worries about the embellishments I used.  I selected what I knew she would love.  She has indeed been in my thoughts and prayers…

As always, your comments are important to me.  I do read each and every one of them, so please, won’t you let me know what you think of today’s card?  And of course, if you ever have a question about the cards that I create or the techniques that I use, I am only an email away! Until next time…

(Mitzi…the background paper on last Sunday’s card was Well Worn.)

Stamp Sets: Bordering on Romance (W 125840, C 125482), Loving Thoughts (W 125843, C 125845); Inks:  Jet Black StazOn (101406), Poppy Parade (119782), Pear Pizzazz (119784), Pool Party (122938), Crumb Cake (121030); Stampin’ Write Markers:  Poppy Parade, Pear Pizzazz (123002 – set), Pool Party (119801 – Set);  Card Stock: Whisper White (100730), Pool Party (122924), Poppy Parade (119793), Lucky Limeade (122926), Textured Whisper White (121078 – Neutrals Collection); Tools:  Big Shot (113439), Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (119976), Tasteful Trim Bigz Die (120893), Beautiful Wings Embosslit (118138), Paper Snips (103579), Blender Pens (102845), Sponge Daubers (102892);  Glitz and Glam:  Pear Pizzazz Seam Binding (122330), Basic Pearls (119247), Large Pearls (125577)