It's a Retirement Party! It's the Pals Blog Hop! It's the Pals Retirement Party Blog Hop! Today the Stampin' Pretty Pals are sharing some fabulous cards and projects showcasing our favorite retiring products! You've probably hopped over from Leslie Davis at Ellalicious Elements, I'm stop number 6 on the Pals Hop and I'm glad you hopped in! I'll help you "hop along" from blog to blog where you'll find great ideas for retiring Stampin' Up! products from the Stampin' Pretty Pals! Should you hop off course, simply click on any of the links in the Pals Hop Line-up below and you'll be back on track.

Today I'm sharing with you one of my favorite things, family.  Specifically my husband and one of our newest members.  This was taken at a birthday party recently and I just love it.  What's not to cherish?  At standard A2 card size (4.25 x 5.5) it's perfect to have at my desk.  With Mother's & Father's Day coming up along with graduations, this would make a perfect gift.

Tips & Tricks:  My coloring trick? Blender Pens.  You can control the intensity of the color and place it right where you need it by using Blender Pens and my Classic Ink Pads.  For these flowers, sponge the flower centers and petals first with sponge daubers. Then apply the shading and detail with blender pens.  For the leaves, apply the ink directly on the stamp with sponge daubers to give them a softer look.  Then add detail using blender pens.  Finally, cut around some of the petals so you can curl them to give them dimension. The result is a quick piece of art that will wow the on-looker.

Now that you've learned some quick tricks, time to try it on your own. But hurry, these flowers and sentiment stamp are only available until May 31st.  Then, they're off to rubber stamp retirement!

Nuts & Bolts:
Project Dimensions:  4-1/4" x 5-1/2" (A2 envelope)

Supplies:

* Card stock:  Old Olive, Basic Black, Whisper White

* Designer Paper: Paisley Petals #122367 (Retiring at 25% off!)

* Ink & Coloring – Always Artichoke, Basic Black, Marina Mist, Not Quite Navy,

Baja Breeze,Tangerine Tango & So Saffron Classic Ink;

Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker;black permanent marker

* Stamps – Fabulous Florets #123027, Baroque Motifs #113490, (Retiring)

Tools:

* Punches –  Modern Border #119849

* Big Shot #113439; Sizzlet Die – Paper Doily #125592

* Blender Pens #102845

* Sponge Daubers #102892

Adhesives:

* SNAIL Adhesive #104332

* Stampin' Dimensionals #104430

* Glue Dots #103683

Other

*  Chip Board

 

Now hop along for more inspiring ideas from  Laurie Mercer at My Stampin' Blog, stop number 7 on the Pals Retirement Party Blog Hop!  Thanks for "hopping" by!

 

1. Angie Blake at Angie's Musings
2. Mary Fish at Stampin Pretty
3. Kim Luithle at Kim's Stampin
4. Jennifer Takacs at My Stampin' Blog
5. Leslie Davis at Ellalicious Elements
6. Rae Harper at Wild West Paper Arts <==  You Are Here
   
7. Laurie Mercer at My Stampin' Blog
8. Nicole Watt at Impressions By Nicole
9. Patti MacLeith at Papercrafts by Patti
10. Kylie Nicolosi at Kylie's Crafty Corner
11. Maggie Mata at Maggie Made Cards
12. Max Conrad at Stamp to the MAX
13. Mikki Sarkisyan at Mikki's Creative Corner
14. Beth Beard at My Little Craft Blog
15. Shannon Jaramillo at EZPeasyCards
16. Susan Lankford at Stamp and Scrap with Susan
17. Nancy Gleason at My Stampin' Space
18. Barb Furlong at The Love of Stamping
19. Dawn Tidd at Tiddbits from Dawn