Crush On Colour: Pieces & Patterns & Bears

Good morning, friends!

As April marches on, Stampin' Up! is in full-on retirement mode - planning vacations, turning off the alarm, donating business wear, and getting a nice Hawaiian shirt, so to speak! - and my morning routine consists of checking on the demonstrator website to strike off items that are GONE, sold out, discontinued, never to return. And with a group of cards that are made, photographed, and ready for blogging, I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that my favourite items aren't gone before I get a chance to feature them!

Today's cards were two birthday cards for two special people, so I've been hanging onto this post until they both arrived. I've been so excited to share these cards because this stamp set - Pieces and Patterns - was the very first stamp set that I ordered from the 2017-2018 Stampin' Up! Annual Catalogue, so it holds a special place in my heart! It was an early favourite when the catalogue was released, and a year later, it's still one of my go-to sets. I love this one and I know you will too.

I used the same layout and general technique for both of these cards, but changed up the colour and the background images for the two recipients. I love how such a simple change creates a very different project!

The background was a snap to create, stamping the image repeatedly with Archival Basic Black Ink on Whisper White Cardstock and then using a Sponge Brayer to layer Lemon Lime Twist and Bermuda Bay ink - it makes it feel a little more artistic, and provides more depth than just using coloured cardstock. I love this look! The bold patterns from the Tutti Frutti Designer Series Paper add a nice contrast, and the sentiment - Eat All The Cake! - from Birthday Banners completes the card with a bit of fun. Lucky for us, Birthday Banners is sticking around... but the same cannot be said about Pieces & Patterns, Tutti Frutti Designer Series Paper, and the fantastic ribbons and twines I've used on these cards... and even the Archival Basic Black ink pad! It's cleaning out its desk drawers and getting ready to sail off into paradise too!

Most supplies on the retiring list are only available while supplies last, and they've already started selling out! Check out the links below, make a shopping list, and head over to my Online Canadian Stampin' Up! Store to get shopping while selection is still available!

See you again soon - have a fabulous day!

Shopping in my Online Canadian Stampin' Up! Store? Lucky for you, I'm bursting at the seams with ribbon, and I'd love to give you some for FREE! Please use the April host code - Q7NTFBCU - for regular orders under $200 and you'll receive a FREE bundle of current ribbon, twine, and trims as my thanks to you! Valid only in Canada, until April 30, 2018, on orders of $60 before shipping and tax.

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