A Passion for Stamps

Merci (thank you) Card-Using Retired Accessories & Stamps

Created by Debbie Van Gieson Images © Stampin' Up! 1990-2008
(click on image for larger view)

Now that the RETIRED ACCESSORIES LIST is out and is being updated daily on this site HERE, many products are going fast....if you want some of the products on the list, you really have to work fast because items are being depleted every day. I used almost all retiring products to make yet ANOTHER THANK YOU CARD including the Carte Postale stamp set, Le Jardin Designer Series (double-sided) paper, Antique Brass Hodgepodge Hardware, and of course the In Color River Rock cardstock and coordinating ink pad. Unfortunately, the hardware I used for the embellishments is already sold out (all colors)! There are still lots of accessories left (some at 25% off)  so if you haven't checked out the list yet, click on the links here (or on the left sidebar for Retired Stamps list) and contact me asap so I can *place your order!

The only products NOT retiring in this card are the Simon Lower Letters Chipboard and the Taffeta Ribbon! First, I cut a piece of Le Jardin paper, and attached it to the left side of the card with SNAIL Adhesive. Next, I stamped the decorative motif design from Carte Postale stamp set (LOVE this set and will really miss demonstrating with it!) with River Rock ink on RR paper (tapped off ink on scrap paper to get lighter stamped images).

Next, I traced the letter (face down) onto a different Le Jardin paper, cut it out and  attached it to the letter with a Stampin' Up! Anywhere Glue Stick (GREAT product!) and used the Sanding Block to smooth out the edges and get rid of any excess paper on the letter. I Tied the ribbon on the left and attached a brad from the hardware kit in the center. I adhered the elegant hardware pieces to the bottom of the letter with SNAIL, then attached the letter to the card.

Did you know you can stamp on the Taffeta Ribbon? It's easy with StazOn ink-didn't smear, dried quickly and is permanent! Just don't load up the stamp with too much ink or it will smear and look bold-instead of crisp. I measured where I wanted the two connector pieces and made a dot for both with a pencil on the cardstock. Then I attached one of the hardware connectors with the brad, looped the ribbon thru it and adjusted it so the Merci saying would be centered-used SNAIL to attach the ends of the ribbon underneath, then attached my second connector.

This is an elegant card, in every way! I am so glad the Simon Lower letters are not discontinuing! But I will really miss Le Jardin papers and Carte Postale!

Don't forget about Stampin' Up!'s current Discounted Retiring Accessories Promotion   where you will find  products that are 25% off! This is a great deal....while supplies last!

If you still haven't placed your order for retired stamps and/or accessories, time is running out....take a look at the list today...and check the ONLINE CATALOG for those products you can't live without, before they are gone!


*orders can only be taken for US and it's territories
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Thanks for visiting!

Surfing anyone? Tearing cardstock-freehand or need help?

WOW -two posts in one day! I'm playing 'catch up' after the long holiday weekend!

There are many perks to being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator: discounted purchases, free products and stamps, the Stampin' Up! demonstrator website....including the Stamper's Showcase Gallery-a source of thousands of ideas contributed by Stampin' Up! employees and demonstrators, of stamped cards, boxes, pouches, scrapbook pages, templates, techniques and so on and so on !

I got the idea for my surfer card from Gigi Isaac...a demonstrator who made this card which was showcased in the Gallery:

Images © Stampin' Up! 1990-2008

"Cool" idea-isn't it? (don't you just wish you were there right now?!!!) This card uses Wild About You, It's Your Birthday and Itty Bitty Background. For some reason, cute as it is, I never got the Wild About You stamp set, so I went looking thru my stamps for another animal and decided I love the whole penguin idea for this card  (the bird being from up North vacationing at a wonderful sunny beach resort...)  so I did a C.A.S.E. (copy and share everything) and just expanded on it. Here is the card I made spinning off from  Gigi's:

Created by Debbie Van Gieson Images © Stampin' Up! 1990-2008

Fun-isn't it? One of the things I found intriguing as a child when we went to the Jersey Shore was the way those banner planes flew over the water at the ocean's edge, capturing the attention of thousands of folks on the beach and in the water, advertising the Coppertone Baby, local seafaring restaurants etc. So, I searched and finally found the right penguin for me-would you believe, in a Christmas set--of all places, called Punch Pals! I especially liked the scarf as an added touch for my polar based friend...

I used the Floral background stamp and large Oval Punch to make the tropical surf board.

The banner is White cardstock cut freehand and stamped...then attached to plane (from retired Fun Frame Borders set) with "white gel pen" strings...

The clouds are also sponged with White Craft ink. The water is cardstock TORN freehand, into pieces, then the torn edges are sponged with White Craft ink. If you are one of those stampers who just can't bring yourself to  tear the paper freehand (to reveal the layered edges) you will be thrilled to learn that believe it or not, Stampin' Up! even has a product called "The Tearing Edge" (page 184 of catalog) which has two different cutting blade edges that will create perfect torn edges every time! To use it, lay the Tearing Edge on card stock, paper or vellum and holding it tightly, slowly tear the paper with your other hand-pulling towards you. If you want a straight torn edge, use Stampin' Up!'s Grid Paper!  Here is what The Tearing Edge tool looks like:

(click on image  to enlarge)

Tearing cardstock is really a fun way to add interest to a card...and your cardstock goes a long way because you can get many tears from a sheet of 8 1/2 x 11 and even more from 12x12 if you have alot of cards to reproduce!

Here are the Supplies used to make my Surfin' Penguin Card:

STAMPS: Punch Pals, Stem Sayings, Fresh Cuts (new set upcoming in 2008Fall-Winter catalog), Fun Frame Borders (retired), Floral (background stamp)

INK: Craft White, Basic Black

CARDSTOCK: Whisper White, Taken w/Teal, Not Quite Navy, Tempting Turquoise, Going Gray (retired)

ACCESSORIES: Large Oval Punch, Stampin' Write Markers, Stamping Sponge, Dimensionals, Signo Gel Pen

You can place an order with me from the Stampin' Up! catalog  ANYTIME-just click on the catalog on the left sidebar, to view the catalog. Jot down what you need, and email me to place your order!

And if by chance, you are also curious and want to to learn more about becoming a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, please visit my website where you can view 3 FIRST IMPRESSIONS VIDEOS for more information or email me . You can even sign up ONLINE from my website should you decide to join my S.O.S. Team of demonstrators (S.aving O.verwhelmed S.tampers). I'd love to talk with you about it!


Happy Stampin'!