They have another fun combo for us to choose from over at In{k}spire Me #392 this week - a sketch AND colors!  Sweet!
This combo really made another one of our new pre-order sets jump out at me - take a look at A Little Lace!  The stamp set is sweet, with a delicate floral focus stamp and lots of great sentiments, but the Stitched Lace die that bundles with it is to die for!  You can cut a big card front-sized sheet of paper into lace, and then chop it up to use in any form you want, as I have done to meet the sketch!  I ran it back and forth a couple times to make sure all the tiny little bits cut through really well, but really, it worked like a charm - can't wait to try adding bits of lace to many projects!
A Little Lace Stamp Set; Whisper White, Granny Apple Green & Crumb Cake CS; Early Espresso Ink; Mango Melody & Granny Apple Green Blends Markers; Stitched Lace Dies; Brown Sequins; #IM392.

ANOTHER flower challenge today with the Sisterhood of Crafters "it's all about flowers challenge" - flowers for everyone, lol...
I decided to pull out the fabulous Wonderful Romance suite for this one, and since I'm having such a flower revival this week, I went with MY fave purples and greens for this one, lol.  I'm a bit sad that this bundle is retiring - it's such a sophisticated and comprehensive suite, and so versatile.  I was surprised it's not carrying over - though I'll hang on to mine for some time, of course!  I kept this layout fairly simple, as a clean background for that exuberant bouquet!  Sweetness abounds...
Wonderful Romance Stamp Set; Floral Romance DSP; Whisper White & Blackberry Bliss CS; Memento Tuxedo Black Ink; Mossy Meadow, Old Olive, Mint Macaron, Daffodil Delight & Blackberry Bliss Blends Markers; Wonderful Floral Framelits; Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch (retired); #TSOCFlowers.

Spring has sprung for sure, and Retro Rubber #110 is here to help us smell the pretty flowers!  I'm combining this week with Hand Stamped Sentiments #314's appropriately floral sketch!   I hope everyone's garden is growing!
Checking over the retired shelves, I came across 2008's Inspired by Nature set - I could never let this one go because of the amazing blades of grass image that I use most - almost a background stamp!  But it also has this field flowers image on the other side, and I almost never used it, so I decided to give it a go!  I colored it up with markers so for a soft brush-stroke look, and then spent a quiet 10 minutes fussy cutting to my heart's content.  I think it looks SO sweet over this scrap of DSP from the Botanical Butterfly DSP!
Inspired by Nature Stamp Set (retired 2008); Botanical Butterfly DSP; Whisper White & Basic Black CS; Memento Tuxedo Black Ink; Early Espresso, Daffodil Delight & Lemon Lime Twist Stampin' Write Markers; Gingham Gala Sequins; #RR110; #HSS314.

I think my two fave words in the stampin' world (besides "new catty," lol, almost here!) are "any shape!"  Yes!  So I'm super thrilled we have them on our sketch this week at Try Stampin' on Tuesday #408!
And wouldn't you just know it, I get to combine ALL FOUR of my fave words on this card, because my pre-order arrived just in time to join the fun!  I couldn't resist kicking off the new catty on the blog with the fabulous It Starts With Art suite:  a super cute stamp set of all our crafty faves, generous dies, funky DSP, and even a sweet embossing folder!  Yowza!  The winning combo for sure!  I'm especially loving how this DSP is leading me to try some color combos WAY outside my comfort zone, lol.
So what will YOU create??  Can't wait to see you over at the challenge!
It Starts With Art Stamp Set; Follow Your Art DSP; Blushing Bride, Pacific Point, Coastal Cabana & Whisper White CS; Memento Tuxedo Black Ink; Smoky Slate, Daffodil Delight, Calypso Coral & Bermuda Bay Blends Markers; Button Button EF; Stitched Shapes, Rectangle Stitched & Arts & Crafts Dies; Brights Sequins in Blue; #TSOT408.

Wow, look at this gorgeous new collection cover from The Library Challenge #32's All Creatures Great and Small challenge - now that is some seriously gorgeous countryside!
Since this cover is such a beautiful study in greens, I decided to make my own with the arty Seize the Day set.  This has such dramatic silhouette images, with amazing gradation in the stamps from our Dist-ink-tive stamp style.  So retro looking!  I used all three image stamps to create a little overlook scene, and finished with some leafy details.  It's a different look for me, but I like it!
Seize the Day Stamp Set; Whisper White & Tranquil Tide CS; Lemon Lime Twist, Garden Green, Old Olive, Tranquil Tide & Basic Black Inks; Stitched Shapes Framelits; Old Olive Glitter Dots; #TLC32.

Fancy Folds Card Class May 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!   Class is still on for Saturday, May 11 at 3 pm.  RSVP today to save your spot!

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!

Another fun twist this week from Back to Basics & Beyond #26 - use a spray!  I need to remember to get my spritzers out more, so this is perfect!
Since I already had a prepped spritzer on my desk (left from CHRISTMAS - yikes!) I knew I'd be working in greens.  This inspired me to pull out the wonderful Sheltering Tree, also retiring this year {SOB!}  This has been such a staple set for me - I love being able to accessorize this tree, and pull in accent leaves for a layered and multi-color look!  I staretd with a spritzed background on Natural White - I should use this more often too, lol.  I stamped in the tree and details over the spritzing, and added a few bright sequins to brighten things up.  I'll miss you, ST - it's been great having you!
Sheltering Tree Stamp Set; Naturals White & Early Espresso CS; Early Espresso, Garden Green & Mossy Meadow Inks; Stampin' Spritzer; Iridescent Sequins; #BBB26.

Now here's a fun idea - and "along the edge" challenge from AAA #138!
It didn't take me too long to hit on my beloved Flowering Desert to show off my "edgy" design, lol.  I don't care if this set is retiring - it's a keeper for sure!  I know my picture looks a little funny, but I wanted to lay it down flat so you could see my fussy cut edge against the darker strip of Mossy Meadow I put inside the card - it really pops!  (Good idea, DL Sarah!)  With enormous strength of will I resisted adding any sparklies or droplets, ribbon, ugh, I have to stop even thinking about it, lol.  I can SO do clean and simple, lol!
Flowering Desert Stamp Set; Whisper White & Mossy Meadow CS; Mint Macaron, Old Olive, Poppy Parade & Memento Tuxedo Black Ink; #AAA138.

Oh, good times, the Sisterhood of Crafters has an April Showers theme for this week!
So when I think of April Showers (which the Sisters ASKED us to do, lol) I can't help but think of the garden, because this is when I get to set aside all the planning and dreaming and get to DOING!  Here in Arizona, this actually starts closer to March 1, but now we're here in April, everything is going gang-busters, and I'm out watering and fussing every day, sometimes multiple times!  I love seeing everything coming up - super excited about my potato towers this year, and my artichoke jungle, lol.  What's in YOUR garden??
Gift From the Garden Stamp Set (retired 2016); Whisper White & Calypso Coral CS; Memento Tuxedo Black & Soft Sea Foam Inks; Calypso Coral & Basic Gray Markers; Stitched Shapes & Layering Circles Framelits; Calypso Coral Enamel Dots; #TSOCAprilShowers.

I'm so excited that Paper Craft Crew #333 is having a two-week challenge for their sketch this week - it gives me a chance to get in on the fun!
As I was browsing my stamp shelves (eee!  almost time for new catty, new stamps coming!!) I got to thinking about how well the Apron of Love set could creatively address the shapes on the sketch.  And you know how I get as soon as I have a thought like that!  I wanted something sunny and fresh - how about a gingham apron, in Daffodil Delight??  I'm loving this bright and light card, and I added just a couple details to keep the eyes moving.  I think I need to go bake something now, lol!
Apron of Love Stamp Set; Gingham Gala DSP; Whisper White, Lemon Lime Twist & Daffodil Delight CS; Memento Tuxedo Black Ink; Stitched Shapes & Apron Builder Framelits; Iridescent Sequins; #PCC333.