Last Chance for these stamps???

I am so sad -- some of my most favorite stamp sets are going to my "retired" closet (notice I said closet, not out the door). But then it only took me about 6 hours to look at SU's sneek peek of the new stuff coming July 1, and I started feeling a "little" better. Yep, took me 6 hours to put my big demonstrator order in for all my new stuff. WHERE AM I GOING TO PUT IT??? Wasn't it just wonderful that SU is having their Summer Fun Promotion at the same time we are putting in our orders for all the new stuff -- I don't think I have ever gotten $85 in free stuff before!

After that I decided to go right down and pick out some of my most favorite stamp sets (that will soon be in the closet) and make some cards. Of course, I still had to get my graduation and birthday cards done for Emily -- so used my very favorites on these two cards. And that would be Zoofari and "She's All That" I so love those little wonka birds (my personal name for them). I decided to use my favorite technique -- sponging. Colors include Bravo Burgandy (card base and school color), Always Artichoke, Mello Moss, Apricot Appeal, and Whisper White; with Black StazOn ink. Sponged with the same colors (and then some). Used Forest Friends (top of tree) for the ground cover with some thumping with the Always Artichoke marker. Sky is sponged with Bordering Blue, Bashful Blue, and a touch of Craft White (yah, I had a little over-kill on the blue in spots to cover). The flag is not SU--it is Basic Grey cloth ribbon already stenciled with letters and I just cut around to make it look like a flag and attached a thin strip of our Bravo Burgandy 1/4" grosgrain ribbon with Crystal Effects.

The 2nd and 3rd cards are both hinge cards (directions posted on Splitcoast Stampers). These are so easy-peasy to make, but turned out really awesome. For Emily's birthday card I used the "She's All That" stamp set (is this retired???). I thought it looked more her age than the "Soft Summer" card. I tried something different (at least I haven't seen it done before) by applying a rub-on to my Jumbo Brad and the Baja Breeze Corduroy Button -- aren't they just the cutest! I used the textured Parisian Breeze designer series paper; and Kraft, Baja Breeze, and Whisper White cardstock for both of these cards (sorry about the poor color on these pictures, my camera battery was dead so had to use my useless scanner).

Have a great day!!
Sandi