Retirement Showcase

I don't know about you, but I tend to keep many of my stamp sets and supplies even after they retire.  Sometimes though, they do get shoved to the back of the shelves and not used very often.  So I thought I would show some love to the retiring sets and products this month for a little inspiration.

I am kicking myself  a bit over not purchasing this set sooner; I just purchased it from the retiring list. Although Awash with Flowers is not my typical style, I really like how this card turned out. This is a two-step stamping set and was really easy to use with the cling mount stamps.  You can use the Stamp-a-ma-jig if you have the wood mount to help with alignment.


All the stems and flower outlines were stamped in Basic Black.  I first stamped the stems for the larger flowers and the stem with the buds.  Next came the three large flowers.  I then filled in the space with the two smaller flowers along the bottom.  I drew in the stems for the flowers along the bottom with the Black Stampin' Write Marker.  Once the outlines were done, I simply went back in with the solid stamps and color.


"Hello" is stamped in Poppy Parade and is from Elementary Elegance (SAB set).  I used the small oval punch on it and also punched an oval in Daffodil Delight to mat it.  I raised the sentiment on dimensionals to give the card a little depth.

Stamps: Awash with Flowers (retiring), Elementary Elegance (SAB)
Paper: Poppy Parade (retiring), Basic Black, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Daffodil Delight, Pear Pizzazz (retiring), Poppy Parade (retiring)
Misc.: Small Oval Punch, Dimensionals

Wisteria is such a pretty color and it goes wonderfully with Concord Crush.  I love purples so I am sad that Concord Crush is retiring.  This was a very quick and easy card and could be given to either a female or male.  

I colored an image from Pocket Silhouettes (retiring) with Stampin' Write Markers in Wisteria Wonder and Pear Pizzazz and then matted that on Pear Pizzazz.  After attaching a tab with the sentiment, created using the Round Tab Punch (retiring), I mounted the entire piece on Concord Crush and used dimensionals to place it on the card.  The sentiment is also from Pocket Silhouettes; I used the Concord Crush marker to color just the word friend.


Only a few select colors of Stampin' Write Markers will be available for individual purchase in the new catalog June 1st. [We don't know which ones yet. :)]  However, all current SU colors of the markers will be available for purchase in color assortment packs.


Stamps: Pocket Silhouettes (retiring)
Paper: Concord Crush (retiring), Pear Pizzazz (retiring), Wisteria Wonder, Whisper White
Ink: Stampin' Write Markers in Concord Crush (retiring), Pear Pizzazz (retiring) and Wisteria Wonder.
Misc.: Round Tab Punch (retiring), Concord Crush 1/2" Stitched-Poly Ribbon (retiring), Dimensionals

This wasn't where I was going with this card when I started and I am not sure that I totally love the layout;   but, I do like the flocal point of the pear from Faith in Nature.  It is a Hostess set that will be retiring at the end of this month.  You can earn it for free with a qualifying workshop or purchase.


I stamped the pear in Versamark on Crumb Cake and then heat embossed with white embossing powder.  Once that was cool I used a sponge to "rub in" the Pear Pizzazz ink around the image.  Once I had the coverage I wanted, I took a paper towel to wipe off any ink on the embossing.  I attached a Mini Library Clip (retiring) tied with Hemp Twine (retiring) and then mounted the image on alternating pieces of Crumb Cake and Not Quite Navy Textured card stock.  The 12 x 12 textured card stock is retiring, so if you like it as much as I do, stock up while it is still available.


Each of the mat pieces was torn at the bottom and then inked for some depth.  I used Pear Pizzazz on the Crumb Cake pieces to coordinate with the focal point.

Stamps: Faith in Nature
Paper: Crumb Cake, Not Quite Navy Textured (textured is retiring)
Ink: Pear Pizzazz (retiring), Not Quite Navy Craft (Craft inks are retiring), Versamark
Misc.: Mini Library Clips (retiring), Natural Hemp Twine (retiring), White Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Sponges

You can see all the retiring stamp sets and accessories HERE.  Stamp sets are available to purchase through May 31st.  Retiring accessories are only available while supplies last, some are even discounted, so don't miss out!

Make it a great day!