Playful Alphabet Dies

Top 3 Retiring Items To Not Miss

Annual Retiring Items List

Every year, we see the annual retiring list from Stampin’ Up!. There are always the expected retiring items like:

In Colors, by way of ink pads, ink refills, markers, blends and paper.

Designer Series Paper and other specialty papers, embellishments and the like.

Assorted stamps, dies, punches and embossing folders.

Limited Time and Quantity For Retiring Items

But, there are some surprises on the retiring items list too! And to make things worse, we only have a limited time to get these retiring items. Even more difficult for us is the quantity of what is left in stock.

The items slated for retirement are only available until May 2, or sold out. Sadly, I have to report that a lot of items are already “sold out”.

To add to the disappointment of not getting retiring items, Stampin’ Up! is not making stamp sets to order as they have in the past. Yup…you heard it, gone is gone. Forever.

My Top 3 Most Missed

So from that long retiring list, how did I come up with my Top 3 to not miss? It was easy! I chose items that do not have a comparable replacement in the new upcoming catalog.

Question: What does that mean?

Answer: You won’t find anything like this retiring item to take its place. If you don’t get it before it is gone, you won’t be able to buy anything similar that will take care of a papercrafting need.

Let’s take a look at my list now:

1. Deciduous Trees Dies

This came as a shock to me, but all of the deciduous looking tree dies are retiring. And the only tree dies left will be “pine trees”. There are 2 die sets on the extinction list: Inspiring Canopy Dies and the Beautiful Trees Dies. If you enjoy tree themed cards (great for masculine and sympathy cards!), get your dies while you still can.

*The matching Beauty of Friendship Stamp Set to the Beautiful Trees Dies is also retiring.

*The bundled Inspired Thoughts Stamp Set to the Inspiring Canopy Dies is not retiring, the stamp set will be back in the new catalog. The dies will not.

2. Playful Alphabet Dies

Once upon a time, Stampin’ Up! offered Large Alphabet Dies, that were roughly 2″ tall per letter. When they retired, along came the Playful Alphabet Dies, at a mere 3/4″ tall. These adorable dies made it easy to spell words on card fronts and scrapbook pages alike.

But, now the alphabet dies are going away. And there is no other die set that is going to replace them. If you are a fan of stamping individual letters, your needs will be met when the new catalog drops. If you prefer a perfect die cut, better get a set of letters while you still can!

See these cards and more in another blog post by clicking here.

3. White Stampin’ Chalk Marker

Even though it made my list, the White Stampin’ Chalk Marker is already sold out. I am still sad that is has left. This minimal cost but highly productive item was featured in my January Winter White Bootcamp on my Positive PaperCrafters FaceBook Page. (Join our community to view all the trainings from this free event!)

I loved adding in touches of white with this special marker. First, we lost the White Gel Pen, and now this. There is nothing of its kind to replace it in the new Stampin’ Up! catalog. If you have one (or two!), good for you, enjoy it for as long as you possibly can.

The Days Run Short…

Time is really running out to get items off the retiring list! As I mentioned earlier, the last day to shop for them is May 2. And, if they sell out first, you are stuck with higher prices on Ebay and secondary sellers, if you can find them at all.

So, don’t delay any longer. Take a look at what is left by shopping my online store. Under “Shop Now’ look for ‘Sales & Specials’, then ‘Last Chance Products’. You may even save up to 50% on essential craft supplies. This really is your “last chance”!

Pampered Pets Bag Cards

Finished Pampered Pets Cards.

Using Ordinary Objects For Cardmaking

My Pampered Pets cards are in the bag…literally. Have you considered ordinary objects for cardmaking? Sure, there are beautiful designer series papers for sale! But, what about something you can use that is “free”?

Now, you might argue that some of the things I suggest, like this cute bag, are not really free. You probably paid for the item inside the packaging. Yet, when you recycle or toss out these ordinary objects, it becomes a “freebie” for cardmaking.

A visit to the vet provided this cute bag for cardmaking.

Stylish Bags

I certainly spent plenty of money at my local veterinarians on my Pampered Pets to get this fabulous bag! But the pattern on it brought out the crafter in me. Too sweet to throw out, I just knew I needed to make some pet cards with it.

First, I cut the bag along one of the long seems and across the bottom. By making the bag “flat”, I could really see what I would have to work with. Now that it looked like regular paper, I could envision using it like regular paper.

Coordinating Colors

In order to have any project flow, the colors have to go together. After thinking about the fun colors used on my paper bag, I pulled out a few samples of Stampin’ Up! cardstock to see what would match.

The green was an easy decision: Granny Apple for this bright spring like color. I tried a couple versions of pink before settling on the boldness of Magenta Madness. These two over-the-top colors matched almost identically to my bag colors.

Granny Apple Green and Magenta Madness cardstock.

Coordinating Stamp Set

In searching for stamps and dies to use for my pet cards, pulling out the Pampered Pets Stamp Set and Pets Dies was an easy decision. This cute stamp set covers both dogs and cats. Having coordinating dies is a bonus too!

Because I did not want to do any coloring, I kept my pets simple. First, I used Memento Black Ink and stamped the cat on Smoky Slate Cardstock. Next, I used the same ink and stamped the dog on Soft Suede.

Stamping Pampered Pets for my card.

Design Elements

My die cut Pampered Pets needed a background behind them. I pulled out my Layering Ovals Dies (retired) and found just the right size for the slightly bigger dog and slightly smaller cat.

After using my Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine for a white oval to showcase each pet, I chose a larger scalloped die to cut out a bright pop of coordinating color.

Die cutting ovals for my Pampered Pets.

Next up, my Pampered Pets needed a little love. I punched some small hearts using Magenta Madness Cardstock and a (retired) small heart punch. After that, I added some Magenta Madness Ink with a small sponge to deepen the color on my hearts.

Small punched hearts sponged in Magenta Madness Ink.

Simple Sentiments

For the sentiments on each card, I chose designs from the Pampered Pets Stamp Set. I stamped each sentiment on a scrap of white cardstock using Memento Black Ink. One of my favorite ways to change the shape of the rectangle sentiment is to add a slanted edge on one side. All you need to do this is a pair of scissors, like my Paper Snips.

Stamped sentiments from the Pampered Pets Stamp Set with cut edges.

Putting It All Together

Once I had everything I wanted for my Pampered Pets cards, it was time to assemble. I chose Granny Apple Green for my dog and Magenta Madness for my cat. But, in reality, either color would have worked for both.

When I cut paper from my bag, I looked for designs on it that would go best for the dog, and also the cat. I used my paper bag pieces exactly how I would use designer series paper. I layered each along the top of my card front and added coordinating paper from the Brights Collection along the bottom.

Adding base layers to the card front.

Instead of ribbon, I chose to cover the seam of my paper with another strip of cardstock. I find this method a great way to use up scraps of paper too.

Using cardstock scraps instead of ribbon.

From the bones of my card base, to the first layers, I am loving the look. Next, I added on the oval die cuts with their Pampered Pets, using dimensionals to add lift. My heartfelt sentiments and my hearts were the last things I placed on my cards.

Pampered Pets cards in Magenta Madness and Granny Apple Green.

And More!

Of course, I couldn’t stop with just a couple of cards using my “free” bag. I also played with the Heart Punch Pack, and the Playful Alphabet Dies to create more cute cards. Check these pet cards out:

Alternate pets cards.

Perfect Packaging

It helps to have a great supply of items that you can coordinate and craft with. As you can see in my Pampered Pets cards above, I used my bag as inspiration and searched my stash for the perfect go-withs. If you haven’t discovered my online store, look for something you need to complete your next project.

Being crafty and creative with ordinary objects is so much fun. Look around and find the perfect patterns surrounding you…a mail flyer, a tissue box, a recipe card. The only limits are your imagination. What will discover and what will you create?