Retirement Party
Saturday was my Retirement Party Open House. Kelly and my newest friend, Lisa, stopped by to take advantage of all of my supplies and make some fun cards. I think we've created a new stamping addict in Lisa! Kelly also discovered a new use for the Stampin' Scrub - it works as a curtain when you want to secretly create a card for the person sitting across from you. Silly girl - she doesn't think we know what she's doing back there.

I started working on my swaps for Convention (July 30 - August 2). I'm taking a risk and using ribbon. Some of the ribbon is being retired, but I'm taking a risk that they will come back in next year's catalog in a different format. Otherwise, I'll have to remove it from 30-40 cards!!! So far, I've designed 3 different swaps for Denver. The first one is the Thank You card that I sent out to many of you after the Pampered Chef party. I've already posted a sample online - it's Green, Red, and Brown using the Baroque Motif set with a script "Thank You" at the bottom. I've made an additional 20 of them.

Next, I did a Christmas Card. I'm really celebrating Christmas recently. I've been listening to a lot of Christmas Music on my iPod. I'm stuck on "The Christmas Sessions" by Mercy Me. I'm in love with Purely Pomegranate with Certainly Celery!!! This one takes a bit more time because I'm very picky about the background swirls. I only made about 12 of those last night but have plans to make at least 8 more. This card was inspired by a card that another of "Claire's Kids" designed last week.

Finally, I made one that I'm still trying to decide if I like. I figured everyone and their brother would be using the Baroque Motif's set since it's the BEST set in the Preview Catalog. So, I decided to try Double Line Doodles. Here's what I came up with. The jury's still out on this one. You may notice that the main focal point is multi-colored with the new In-Colors!!! I've always wanted markers in the In-Colors. This year I broke down and made some. I had an extra pack of blender pens (are you surprised?). A pack of Blender Pens has 6 "ends" on 3 markers. Therefore, there's an "end" for each, new color. To make a marker, here's what you do:

1. Open your stamp pad for the color you are working with.
2. Over the open pad, hold the blender pen point.
3. Slowly drip a few drops of re-inker directly onto the point of the blender pen.
4. Use the ink pad to catch any extra drips or to "mop" up extra ink.

The color in the blender pen marker will last longer than simply picking up color with a blender pen from an ink pad lid. However, you may still need to "refill" your blender pen as the color fades over time.

I have one last card to share. I made this one yesterday while procrastinating...