Retro Rubber #106 has a cool stripes challenge for this week - nice!
While I was browsing the retired shelves, I came across my old Epic Alphabet - loved this one!  I have a real weakness for alphabet sets, lol, I think I have 10 or 12, and many framelits and dies besides, too!  But this one is STRIPEY!  How cool is that?  I've kept it super simple, just a touch of detail added, for the perfect love note!  This was another one of those sit-on-my-hands moments, too - I had ribbon, sequins and candy dots all standing by, lol.  I even thought about a marker to color in some stripes, lol.   Funny, saying no is getting easier!
Epic Alphabet (retired, 2015); Whisper White, Real Red & Basic Black CS; Real Red Ink; Sweet Heart Punch (retired); Love Notes Framelits (retired); #RRCB106.

Yay - another FAB-ulous day ahead, because it's Fab Friday #158 time!  Check out these lovely Spring colors!
It didn't take much thought for me to return to our gorgeous new Wonderful Romance suite for these colors - they're just perfect for this sweet bouquet!  I got use the beautiful framelits again, this time including the amazing edged oval for the sentiment - love it!  I added a touch of my hoarded Calypso Coral 1/8" Organdy and did an embossed Layered Leaves background.  I know it looks very detailed, but this was actually super simple to put together, thanks to the amazing framelits.
So, I hope you'll be joining us - I can't wait to see YOUR creations over at the challenge!
Wonderful Romance Stamp Set; Whisper White & Mossy Meadow CS; Memento Tuxedo Black; Mossy Meadow, Calypso Coral & Petal Pink Blends Markers; Wonderful Floral Framelits; Layered Leaves DEF; 1/8" Calypso Coral Organdy Ribbon; #FabFri158.

Time for another one-layer challenge from this week's AAA #133 - with an optional love theme that I think we'll need to honor for the day!
With all the new goodies around here, I decided it was time to do a browse for stamps that could use a little inky love!  This week's winner was Hanging Garden, which I feel like is also a good one for the one-layer theme!  I even squeezed in a little "love" with the sentiment.  I kept my colors nice and springy, inspired by my desert garden starting to take off!  Calm and simple is the watch-word today!
Hanging Garden Stamp Set; Whisper White CS; Memento Tuxedo Black Ink; Mango Melody, Granny Apple Green, Mint Macaron, Pool Party, Flirty Flamingo, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black & Cajun Craze Blends Markers; #AAA133.

Check out this fun tiled sketch we have for you at Try Stampin' on Tuesday #393!
So, even though we didn't SAY the squares could be any shape, I'm just going to act like we did, lol - gotta go off trail sometimes, right?  I decided I wanted to do 8 of something, and I realized that the pretty X and O heart in our sorely missed Takeout Treats would be perfect - there's even a sweet sentiment to go with!  And of course, the Takeout Thinlits have the heart shape included, along with that cute little 3D banner - I love it when a plan comes together!
So, what will YOU create??  Can't wait to check it out over at the challenge!
Takeout Treats Stamp Set (retired); Whisper White & Basic Black CS; Memento Tuxedo Black, Poppy Parade, Pumpkin Pie, Mango Melody, Daffodil Delight, Granny Apple Green, Coastal Cabana, Bermuda Bay & Gorgeous Grape Inks; Takeout Thinlits; #TSOT393.

Thank You Cards Class Feb 7 & 9!
I don't know about you, but I ALWAYS need Thank You cards!  It's so handy to have a little stash on hand - and we have some gorgeous new sets for them right now, too!  Class will include all supplies needed for 6 cards and envelopes (bring your own snips and fave adhesive!), drinks, snacks and a special gift from me, all for $25!  Class could also be FREE with your order of $30 or more!  Class is on for Thursday, Feb 7, at 630 pm, or, Saturday, Feb 9 at 3 pm!  RSVP now to save your spot today! 

We have some glorious pinks and reds for you this week at Sunday Stamps #197 - just in time to get ready for Valentine's!
So, surprise, surprise - somehow I didn't get any new Valentine's sets!  So I switched gears and pulled out my Ribbon of Courage set - I've never used this floral ribbon before.  I pulled out all my pink Blends Markers, and went to town - so fun!  I kept the card front fairly clean and simple - lots of white space!  Then I remembered that I have my old style enamel shapes in a drawer, and I still have every heart on those sheets, lol, so out they came, too.  Love the final card - pretty sweet!
I can't wait to see what YOU have for us over at the challenge - see you over at Sunday Stamps!
Ribbon of Courage Stamp Set; Whisper White & Melon Mambo CS; Memento Tuxedo Black Ink; Melon Mambo, Lovely Lipstick, Flirty Flamingo Petal Pink & Pink Pirrouette (retired) Blends Markers; Support Ribbon Framelits; Brights & Subtles Enamel Shapes (retired); #SSC197.

Good times!  Retro Rubber #102 is back, kicking off 2019 with a black and white color challenge!
I really browsed for a while looking for a likely set to play with for this one!  I don't often do black and white arrangements - I'm one to throw on at least one color to highlight something, lol.  Eventually, I landed on TWO sets I could work in here!  World Map was a short-lived background stamp from 2013 - I loved it!  I hoarded "map" DSP for a long time til this beauty came out, lol.  My sentiment is from a lovely 2016 set called Going Global, that I always thought of as kind of Valentine-y.  I figured this phrase was perfect for the map background!  I added some Black Metallic thread, too, since it was still on my desk from butterfly antennae, lol.  What a fun project to make!
World Map (retired 2013) & Going Global (retired 2016) Stamp Sets; Whisper White & Basic Black CS; Memento Tuxedo Back Ink; Layering Circles Framelits; Black Metallic Thread; #RR102.

Oh wow - LOVE Fusion's Galaxy combo this week - gorgeous!
First thing I did was pull out our beautiful Twinkle Twinkle DSP - perfect background for what I had in mind!  I had "any shape" on the brain, I'm afraid, so I landed on Beautiful Ride pretty quickly, lol.  And I must say, if I'd had this gorgeous Mango Melody Bug when I was in high school instead of the oxidized pine green one I did, I bet I'd still have it to this day!  Ahh, starlit snuggles - the best!
Beautiful Ride Stamp Set (retired - 2016); Twinkle Twinkle DSP; Whisper hite CS; Memento Tuxedo Black; Dk Mango Melody, Dk Daffodil Delight; Lt & Med Soft Sky (retired), Nude, Lt Crumb Cake, Lt & Dk Night of Navy, Lt Basic Black & Lt Smoky Slate Blends; Frosted Enamel Drops; #FusionGalaxy.

Another dynamic sketch from TGIF #172 - love the slant!
Another new pre-order set calling my name on my desk is the super cute Takeout Treats bundle.  It has a sweet little stamp set for several holidays, that coordinate with the Takeout Thinlit dies - used it for making a mini takeout box - eek!  Can't wait to try that, but I also wanted to check out the possibilities for making a card with the stamp set - and it works a dream, of course.  It's never too early to start pouring on the love - I think this might be another one bound for the UA dorms, lol.  Poor bug will be getting more mail than everyone, lol...
Takeout Treats Stamp set; Subtles DSP in Calypso Coral; Whisper White CS; Calypso Coral & Memento Tuxedo Black Inks; Takeout Thinlits; Shimmer Ribbon in Calypso Coral; Clear Epoxy Droplets; #TGIFC172.

All About the Stamparatus Make-up Class Aug 18!
This class will include SIX (I just got so excited!) mixed occasion cards that all feature how to get the most out of our amazing new tool, the Stamparatus!  You will never go back, lol.  Every card will use a fun new stamp set from our still new 2018-19 Idea Book & Catalog, so you can play with as many fun sets as possible!  All supplies provided and prepped, as usual (bring your own snips and fave basic adhesive) plus snacks, drinks, and a special gift from me!  Class is $25, or can be FREE with your order of $30 or more!  EXTRA:  There is a make-up session already scheduled for this class on Saturday, August 18 at 1pm, make sure to RSVP if you plan to attend!

Love these gumdrop colors over at Global Design Project #149 this week!  Yummy!
With these bold and pretty colors, I couldn't resist pulling out my Love You to Pieces set once again.  Seems like it'll be a while before I get tired of playing with puzzles, lol!  I changed the shape of the background die by adding an extra row of pieces, and floated my sentiment pieces on top.  Two tiny rhinestones finished it off - and I'm still in love, lol.  This set is really reminding me, when you love what you do, it's like playing all the time!
Love You to Pieces Stamp Set; Whisper White, Night of Navy, Bermuda Bay & Lovely Lipstick CS; Night of Navy, Bermuda Bay & Lovely Lipstick Inks; Puzzle Pieces Thinlits; Basic Jewel Rhinestones; #GDP149.

All About the Stamparatus Class Aug 9 & 11!
This class will include SIX (I just got so excited!) mixed occasion cards that all feature how to get the most out of our amazing new tool, the Stamparatus!  You will never go back, lol.  Every card will use a fun new stamp set from our still new 2018-19 Idea Book & Catalog, so you can play with as many fun sets as possible!  All supplies provided and prepped, as usual (bring your own snips and fave basic adhesive) plus snacks, drinks, and a special gift from me!  Class is $25, or can be FREE with your order of $30 or more!  Classes are on for Thursday, August 9 at 630 pm, or Saturday August 11 at 3 pm.  RSVP today to save your spot!  EXTRA:  There is a make-up session already scheduled for this class on Saturday, August 18 at 1pm, make sure to RSVP if you plan to attend!

I'm super excited to jump in on a new challenge for me this week - Stylin' Stampin' Inspiration - who's running a gate-fold challenge right now!  I think I can make Freshly Made Sketch #333 work for it, too!
I tried to keep my card front pretty simple, while I worked out whether I could make this sketch work as a gate-fold - I think I made it!  I did add some stitched circles behind my balloons, though originally I was trying to go without them.  I like it better so much more with them, and they really help keep the card closed.  I did put some more cloudy Soft Sky inside, too, though!  Soft and pretty - and here in Arizona, yes we DO have Calypso Coral clouds - get over it, lol...  It's been a fun little technical morning here...
Lift Me Up Stamp Set; Whisper White & Soft Sky CD; Soft Sky, Calypso Coral, Pear Pizzazz & Memento Tuxedo Black Inks; Stitched Shapes Framelits; Up & Away Thinlits; Tutti Frutti Sequins; #SSink4; #FMS333.