Floral District Designer Series paper

Time for a little confession: the first time I set eyes on Gumball Green, I thought “Forget that!” I’ve softened a bit:

I Dig You stamp set
Whisper White, Cajun Craze and Gumball Green card stock
Floral District Designer Series Paper
Daffodil Delight, Cajun Craze and Gumball Green FFIP (Firm Foam Ink pads)
Cajun Craze Stampin’ Write marker
Piercing tool and new piercing template
Daffodil Delight 1/4 inch stitched grosgrain ribbon
Rhinestone jewels
Stampin’ Dimensional

The Big Dump Truck definitely needed a driver! It might not have NEEDED the sparkly hub caps, but they are certainly an improvement. Work with me here.

I splurged on our new piercing tool and templates and I’m really glad I did. The piercing tool is made in the same ergonomic model as the stylus that comes with the Simply Scored tool, and it’s very comfortable in my hand. The template is much larger and I didn’t have to skootch it along in order to get a nice long pierced lines. Definitely a lot of bang for the buck!

I cannot imagine getting this kind of ink coverage with our old style ink pads. FFIP RULE.

Gumball Green is not a timid green by any stretch, but it’s a fun color to play with. I would call it a Kelly green. Matter of fact, last weekend I saw a gorgeous Kate Spade handbag at the Nordstrom Rack in just this shade of green. I was sorely tempted, but I bought a new bag in Boston and the Rack’s price was a big savings but it was still Kate Spade if you get my drift. The new Gumball Green bag will have to go to another home…this time.

Isn’t it odd how stamps you didn’t think you needed or wanted become your favorites? I don’t understand but I’m willing to embrace the paradox.

Betsy’s Blooms and Itty Bitty Banners stamp sets
Gumball Green, Primrose Petals and Whisper White card stock
Floral District Designer Series paper
Gumball Green, Primrose Petals and Daffodil Delight FFIP (Firm Foam Ink Pads)
Basic Black Stampin’ Write markers
Big Shot; Labels Collection and Bitty Banners Framelits
Daffodil Delight Seam Binding
Rhinestone Jewels

This is a square card. I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of square cards I’ve made, but I love the design possibilities. I also love the way these birds fly across the front of the card – they remind me of all the little birds I watch in the morning zooming around outside my kitchen window.

I liked this concept of a flock of birds so well I wanted to stamp it again in A2 format (that’s 4 1/4 x 5 1/2). At the time, I didn’t have the FFIP in all of our luscious Stampin’ Up! colors so I used my old ink pads:

That’s Baja Breeze and Lucky Limeade; can you see why I’m in love with the FFIP? In all fairness, some of my old-style ink pads are more than 5 years old – but Lucky Limeade is only a year old!! I’m thrilled with the results I’m getting with these new ink pads.

I have something kind of exciting to share, but it’s also a little bit scary. I’m within a reach – well, a real stretch – of earning the Stampin’ Up! Hilton Head incentive trip. If you had told me a year ago that I would be in this place I would have laughed and offered to pour you another glass of your favorite refreshing beverage, but it’s true! I have some hard work to do but I’m excited by the challenge.

If you’re thinking about ordering Stampin’ Up! product and don’t have your own demonstrator, I would LOVE to take your order. If you’ve bought Stampin’ Up! product from me in the past and are thinking you might like to purchase more, I would LOVE it if you placed your order before June 30th!! Every person who orders between now and June 30 at my Online Store will receive a special hand-stamped thank you and two yards of new ribbon from the 2012-2013 catalog. Thank you in advance for helping me to achieve this dream!