VERY nice, Retro Rubber # 119 has a lovely Autumn color challenge for us this week!  I can also JUST sneak in this week's sketch from TGIF Challenges #229 - yay!
I still have just the set for this combo, 2016's gorgeous Thoughtful Branches.  I love all the tree-building options it has, along with some truly wonderful sentiments - images AND words is totally the way to my stampin' heart, lol.  I sponged both Pumpkin Pie and Real Red onto my leaves, and stamped and stamped off a few times to add some fullness over this cool trunk.  I added one leaf for a full-size accent, my lovely big sentiment, and even some words inside: "and always in my heart."
Thoughtful Branches Stamp Set (retired 2016); Crumb Cake, Whisper White & Pumpkin Pie CS; Early Espresso, Pumpkin Pie & Real Red Inks; Stitched Shapes & Beautiful Branches (retired) Dies; Corner Rounder Punch; Orange Sequins; #RRC119; #TGIFC229.

I'm so thrilled I can squeeze in this week's technique challenge from 52 Christmas Card Throwdown #32 - Joseph's Coat!
So, I'm not sure I've actually ever done a Joseph's Coat technique before - at least, not on purpose, lol.  I do like emboss resist a lot, and this seems pretty similar, with a multi-color aspect thrown in.  I decided to try something a little different, and play with the little buffalo check stamp in my new Tiny Keepsakes set, that goes with the new Mini Curvy Keepsake dies - so fun!  I brayered some Christmas-y Brights on white, then clear heat-embossed the stamp.  Another brayer layer in Black, a bit of clean up, and here we go - kind of an ombre plaid, lol.  I like it!  Definitely a candidate for our next Let's Get Messy Class!
Tiny Keepsakes Stamp Set; Whisper White CS; Poppy Parade, Mango Melody, Granny Apple Green, Versamark & Memento Tuxedo Black Inks; Sponge Brayer; Mini Curvy Keepsake Dies; Real Red Baker's Twine; Poppy Parade Glimmer Dots; #52CCT32-19.

Fall & Thankgiving Class Sep 12 & 14!
Ah, it's finally starting to cool off around here, so it's time to start thinking about our lovely Fall occasions - better break out the scarf!  This class will feature six cards all about Autumn, and all from our new Holiday Mini Catty - there might even be a little spooky sneaking in there somehow, lol.  Class includes all supplies (bring your favorite snips and adhesive), snacks, drinks and a special gift from me, all for $25!  This class can also be FREE with your order of $30 or more!  RSVP to save your spot today!  Class is on for Thursday, September 12 at 630 pm, or Saturday, September 14 at 3 pm.  See you soon!

We're mixing it up again over at Try Stampin' on Tuesday #422 this week - there's even cake!
With that pretty stacked cake in our inspiration pic, I totally had to pull out Piece of Cake to play with.  I wanted some fun party colors, so I pulled out my retired Picture Perfect Party DSP and took my colors from there.  I did a couple simple layers, squeezed in some ribbon, and colored a fancy bright cake to go with!  Yummy!  I want to eat every bite!
So, what will YOU create for us this week?  I can't wait to see your creations!
Piece of Cake Stamp Set; Picture Perfect Party DSP (retired); Whisper White, Basic Black & Berry Burst (retired) CS; Memento Tuxedo Black Ink; Pool Party, Bermuda Bay, Berry Burst (retired) & Lemon Lime Twist (retired) Markers; White Gel Pen; Cake Builder Punch; Stitched Shapes Dies; Metallic Edge Berry Burst Ribbon (retired); #TSOT422.

Summer is in full swing over at the Sisterhood of Crafters "play ball" challenge!
So, I keep the venerable Have a Ball set around for all my sporting needs - I think this baby is from 2007!  I'd update it if something close to how awesome this set is came along, but I'm still waiting!  I've gone with a baseball theme today, since we just finished All Stars not too far back, and my hubby is faithfully following his beloved Cubbies for the season, lol.  I did a mixed background panel, and then matched it with Praiseworthy Prose - this sentiment seems perfectly sporty to me!  I'll drop it in the kids section of my cards for sale, I think.  So fun to give this oldie and goodie some field time again!
Have a Ball (retired 2007) & Praiseworthy Prose Stamp Sets; Whisper White, Real Red & Soft Suede CS; Soft Suede, Real Red & Crumb Cake Inks; Rectangle Stitched & Hand Lettered Prose Dies; #TSOCPlayBall.

Art & Silhouettes Class Aug 15 & 17!
So excited for our first focus class of the new catty!  This month we'll zero in on two suites:  the gorgeous It Starts With Art AND Silhouette Scenes!  We'll do three cards in each suite, and class will includes snacks, drinks, and a special treat from me!  All you need to bring is your favorite snips and adhesive, I provide everything else!  Class is $25, or can be FREE with your order of $30 or more!  RSVP to save your spot for Thursday, August 15 at 630 pm, or Saturday, August 17 at 3 pm - see you soon!

Time to party - SU Only #226 is hosting a birthday challenge this week - woo hoo!
I have to admit, when I think birthdays, I can't help but think of cake, lol, so out came our adorable Piece of Cake set!  Who wouldn't love to get a fancy birthday cake like this??  I decided to browse my DSP real quick, and came across this bright sheet from the Follow Your Art collection, so I took my cake colors from this a little.  A tiny bit of sparkle and we are set - quick AND tasty!
Piece of Cake Stamp Set; Follow Your Art DSP; Whisper White & Calypso Coral CS; Memento Tuxedo Black Ink; Gray Granite, Calypso Coral, So Saffron & Soft Sea Foam Blends; Cake Builder Punch; Stitched Labels Dies; Iridescent Sequins; #SUOC226.

Christmas in July 2019, July 11 & 13!
You know my philosophy:  it's never too early to start thinking Christmas!  Christmas in July is always our "Part 1" class, and features our holiday stamp sets and goodies from the Big Book - look for Part 2 in October!  Class includes all supplies needed (bring your own snips & fave adhesive!) for 6 cards and envelopes, plus drinks, snacks & a special gift from me, all for $25!  This class can also be FREE with your order of $30 or more!  RSVP to save your spot, for either Thursday, July 11 at 630 pm, or Saturday July 13 at 3 pm!  See you soon!

I love our landscape sketch at this week's Try Stampin' on Tuesday #413 - like an ocean view!
Following that theme, I just HAD to try out my new 3-D Embossing Folder, High Seas!  I'm pretty sure it was made for the whole gorgeous Sailing Home suite, BUT, we also still have High Tide to play with!  TWO lighthouses, people!  Amazing!  So, I had to play around a little bit to get the right sandwich in my Big Shot for this folder - the new 3-D folders are just a tiny bit slimmer than the old dynamic jobs.  The sandwich that worked for me was original platform with no tabs, one chipboard insert from a Paper Pumpkin kit, and the new folder with the CS inside.  I guess all machines might be a tiny bit different, and I may try to add just a hair more depth to my homemade "plate," but I did find that a regular cutting plate was just too thick.  Learning new skills - yay!
High Tide Stamp Set; Whisper White, Pretty Peacock & Seaside Spray CS; Memento Tuxedo Black, Seaside Spray, Smoky Slate & Pretty Peacock Inks; High Seas 3-D Embossing Folder; Pretty Peacock Sequins; #TSOT413.

Wow!  AAA #141 is turning 5!  They're celebrating with an extra long birthday party, lol, can't wait to get in on it!  I think I'll use Inspire Create Challenge #044's perfect versatile sketch to help me along, too!
Now that we're in the new catty, but I'm still waiting for my first order, lol, my pickins' are slim!  I decided to combine my two silhouette sets for this one, and bring these ladies out for some air.  And how about a new dress??  I love this miss from Wonderful Moments - I usually have her holding balloons, but today she gets some flowers!  And my fave birthday sentiment is this one from Beautiful You - the best of everything!  I'm giving my new 2019-20 In Color DSP some air time, too, and I pieced a coordinating dress from Woven Threads.  Even without any ink yet, Purple Posy can get some play!
Beautiful You & Wonderful Moments Stamp Sets; Woven Threads & Purple Posy DSP; Whisper White CS; Memento Tuxedo Black Ink; Nude, Cajun Craze, Old Olive & Highland Heather (shh!) Blends; Rectangle Stitched Dies; Faceted Dots in Purple Posy; #AAA141; #ICC044.

2019 New Catty Preview Class June 13 & 15!
OK, shout it with me now:  who's ready for a NEW CATALOG!!!  How about a sneak peak with 6 fun projects, all from our brand new book??  Get a look at all the new goods, and of course, our new In Colors, and get inky with some hands-on stampin' time!  Class will feature 6 all-occasion cards, all from our 2019 Idea Book & Catalog, envelopes, drinks, snacks and a special gift from me, all for $25!  Class can also be FREE with your order of $30 or more!  RSVP to save your spot!  Class is on for Thursday, June 13 at 630 pm, or Saturday, June 15 at 3 pm.  See you there!

I'm seeing layers this week at our beautiful new sketch at Try Stampin' on Tuesday #409!  We're also teaming up with Double Trouble #29 this week and celebrating National Brown Bag It Day!  Awesome - bring on the brown bag!
I went with a Crumb Cake base to Double Trouble, and the brown made me think "nature," so I pulled out Peaceful Place.  I just got this set, once I realized it would be carrying over - I thought it would be fun to color!  I tried today with Blends markers, but I'm thinking aqua-painting or watercolor pencils would be even better!  I added this lovely sympathy sentiment, and a couple matching Faceted Dots.  I think this could definitely be my peaceful place!
So, what will YOU come up with?  I can't wait to see, over at the challenge!
Peaceful Place Stamp Set; Nature's Poem DSP; Crumb Cake, Whisper White & Petal Pink CS; Memento Tuxedo Black Ink; Mossy Meadow, Old Olive, Granny Apple Green, Soft Sky (retired), Pool Party Soft Suede & Crumb Cake Blends; Stitched Shapes Dies; Faceted Dots in Petal Pink; #TSOT409; #DTPC029.

Sketch time again at this week's Try Stampin' on Tuesday #406!  At the last minute, I decided to add in this week's color challenge from Color Throwdown #540 - I needed the inspiration!
I decided to feature another retiring set - today it's teh Eastern Beauty bundle.  I've had so much fun with one, building delicate and colorful patterns and designs - I love all the tiny detail pieces to play with!  The gorgeous Eastern Medallions thinlits really take this one over the top, too, I squeezed in one little shape to show those off, too!  The colors were perfect for adding little splashes of color - good times!  Better get this one before it's gone!
Eastern Beauty Stamp Set; Whisper White, Granny Apple Green, So Saffron & Mango Melody CS; Memento Tuxedo Black, Blueberry Bushel, Granny Apple Green & Mango Melody Inks; Eastern Medallions Thinlits; Rectangle Stitched & Stitched Shapes Framelits; Iridescent Sequins; #TSOT406; #CTD540.

Fancy Folds Card Class May 9 & 11!
I'm so excited to bring on the techniques this month with Fancy Folds!  We'll be learning how to make it fancy the easy way, featuring 6 all-occasion cards each using a brand new idea for some extra fun in the folds!  I promise you will love them all!  Class will be $25, and will include all supplies needed, plus drinks, snacks and a special gift from me!  Class can also be FREE with your order of $30 or more!   Classes will be held on Thursday, May 9 at 630 pm and also on Saturday, May 11 at 3 pm.  RSVP today to save your spot!

Such pretty layers in this week's As You See It #198 "wings" sketch!
It's so funny, I just wrapped up my "Butterflies Galore" class, so I wasn't feeling like pulling in any more wings, lol.  Then the retiring lists hit, and I realized I was gonna need a LOT of room on my retired shelves for all the new items about to migrate over, lol.  While I started my "purge" (have I used this in the last year?  two??) I came across this old lovely, Watercolor Wings.  And I realized I maybe have one more butterfly in me this month, lol.  I kept it fairly simple, and featured one of the large wings arrangement front and center - good times!  I added a few details for a bit of shine, but that's it.  I forgot how much I miss this beauty!
Watercolor Wings Stamp Set (retired 2018); Whisper White & So Saffron CS; Early Espresso DSP; Early Espresso & Crushed Curry Inks; Stitched Shapes & Bold Butterfly Framelits; Gold Cording Trim; Crushed Curry Glimmer Dots; #AYSI198.