It has been a while since I've had time to blog. Supervising my elderly mother's care and the other demands of being a mom and wife have been consuming of late. Add in my full-time job and it's a full plate like so many of us face. Stamping is always a welcome respite and I hope to find time to more regularly share ideas here online so thanks for visiting.

Here is a cute card that my Stamp Club stampers made this past week with the Bear Hugs Bundle of stamps and coordinating framelits from the current Occasions catalog. I love how so many different sentiments go with this set -- and how it can be used for masculine cards as well. The fish that can be cut out for the bear to hold are adorable. 

The bit of silver sparkle was inspired by the Shine On paper from the Occasions Catalog -- which is our kraft card stock with silver foil accents on one side and bright prints on the other, including the Bermuda Bay stripes on one of the little banner strips.

On the inside of this one I stamped "best mother ever" from the set And Many More which is a favorite greeting set that is on the new retiring stamps list -- I will miss it.

That brings me to more on retiring items!

Stampin' Up! has announced the stamps, accessories, tools and paper from the main Annual Catalog and the Occasions Catalog that will be retiring as of May 31 -- and many are on sale. Everything on the list besides stamps is available while supplies last. We make our own stamps so those can be ordered without sellouts through May 22 -- then from that date through May 31, stamps are also while supplies last.

Click here to view the retiring list -- and it's a live link so if you refresh the list each day, the right column will have an "X" if an item has sold out and is no longer available.

I am happy to help with ordering retired items -- but ordering online is the best way to go because you will get a live response if something has sold out -- and you can browse the online Clearance Rack and add those items to your order.

Back soon with a sneak peek of the new In Colors that will be out come June 1.