You probably have seen this posted on just about every demonstrators blog, Facebook page, etc.  So you know that June is the month to get some good deals on Stampin UP products that are being discontinued.  

I often stock up on some of my favorites and pick up the stamp sets that are on my wish list.  What about you?  Check out my Facebook Page, Creating Treasures with Janice, to see information about my favorites from this catalog.  And post what your favs are too.

Sending Hugs Card

Sometimes using stampsets from two catalogs provides a new way to use your retired sets.  In the card below, I used items from the new  2021 - 2022 Annual Catalog.  I love the new In Colors and am using Pale Papaya cardstock and ink color.  the coordinating color, Balmy Blue, is one of my favorites from the Subtles Collection.  The Sending Hugs Bundle (#1155859) from the new annual catalog and the Pretty Perennials Bundle (#156234) from the retiring January - June Mini Catalog make a simple card that could be sent for several occasions.   

First, the Basic White Thick Cardstock was used for the card base (5 1/2" x 4 1/4").  A Pale Papaya mat size 5 1/4" x 4" was glued onto the base.  A 5" x 3 3/4" piece of Basic White cardstock was stamped with the small linear flower stamp to create a background.  I started with a few stamped images and then went WILD!  After all a few is good, but a massive amount of flowers is better.  Right?  Well, this makes it easy, there's no "messing it up".  Just place them from the upper right to the lower left.  

The "HUGS" circle was cut from Balmy Blue cardstock.  I centered the word die inside the circle, so that both were cut at the same time. Using a piece of tear tape helped to keep them in place. The negative was used (I'm storing the letters to be used later.) The circle dies are from Layering Circles (AC #151770).  I used the plain circle for the top Balmy Blue layer and a Pale Papaya scalloped circle for the bottom layer.  Dimensionals  were placed between the two circles and between the Basic White mat and the layered circles.

Finally I die cut the larger flower and smaller flower from the Pretty Perennials dies and used a mini dimensional to stack and separate them.  A Pearl Basic jewel was added in the center of the flower.  The words "For You", from the same stampset, were stamped in Balmy Blue on a piece of Basic White cardstock and cut into a small flag.  This was added to the flower and attached by the same dimensional used to connect the two layers.  Using the sentiment, For You, allows the card to be used for several purposes.  

I plan to continue to use my older stamp sets with my new ones and see what I can create!  You're invited to post pictures of your creations using old and new products!

 Where have I been?  you probably are asking this.  After all, I had started this blog with the expectation to write something, maybe not everyday, but at least once a week.  And well... let's just say I've been "away".

Like this past week, I've been sorting, throwing away, labeling, and organizing.  Actually, it's more like the past three weeks.  And I've only made a SMALL dent into the messy rooms.  I've been trying to have one "work" room for actually creating and having everything at my finger tips.  And one area for zoom and FB Live presentations.  And the other room back to our guest room.  It's coming along ok, but I'm already having problems of finding stuff, not having a creating urge, and just in general wondering what to do with all the stuff still in the rooms.  So, do you have any suggestions of getting me back on track?  Do you work best with candy beside your table?  with TV on? with everything prepped before starting?  HELP!  Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

 Really?  It's 2021?  And it's almost March?  Where have I been?  Good question and I wish I had some wonderful answer like I took a trip around the world, or at least visited some great place...but as we all know, travel isn't possible in this COVID atmosphere.  So I must have been creating and have tons of new handicrafts to share?  Not really.  But I have been working on getting more technology knowledge.

Do you see any improvements on this blog?  Well, I finally was able to clean up the header.  I added a link to my store (check it out on the right).  This link will take you directly to the Stampin' Up area under my name.  Hopefully, this will make it easier for you to find and purchase great SU products.

And speaking of products, I now have links for the new January - June Mini Catalog filled with adorable Spring critters and gorgeous flowers.  And there's a link to the Sale-a-bration booklet that shows the FREE products you can earn based on your purchases.  There is only one week left for this sale so if you haven't looked at the booklet, I recommend you do it NOW!!!

Some of my favorites in the Sale-a-bration booklet are the Donkey stampset, the Ombre paper pack, and the Berry Delightful DSP and Berry Blessing stampset.  If you haven't seen the Donkey stamp projects, check out Pinterest.  It's filled of some of the cutest cards.  I have a feeling this cutie will be "kicking" up in future catalogs.  The ombre paper comes in 6x6 inch size.  These beautiful colors are such a great addition for your Spring cards.  And the berry set of DSP and stamps of strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries look delicious on cards and boxes.  

But there's also a previous favorite that has made a comeback...the Chicken!  Yes, that red-haired cockie bird is back.  And this time there's dies too!  They include a barn, coop fencing, and cornstalks too.  And if that wasn't enough, there's another Chick BUNDLE!  The Happy Birthday Chick! bundle is released to add more chicks and birthday surprises to your cards.  They have limited availability.  So don't delay!

And yes, your purchase of the Chick bundles, anything from the new Jan-June Mini Catalog, and the 2020-2021 Annual Catalog as well as PaperPumpkin (6 most and 12 most subscriptions only) can be used to earn FREE products from Sale-a-Bration! 

And another change...Whisper White cardstock and envelopes are no longer available due to COVID issues with the distributor.  But the Basic White cardstock and envelopes have made their debut.  And everyone seems to love them.  The color is a purer, brighter white.  If you compare Whisper White to the new Basic White,  you can see the difference.  Many customers have said they didn't even realize that Whisper White wasn't a pure white and love that the new Basic White is so pretty.  Sale-a-bration would be a great time to order your supply of Basic White and receive FREE gifts when you do!

Basic White Cardstock (8.5 x 11 inches)  #159276. $9.75

Basic White Thick Cardstock (8.5 x 11 inches)   #159229. $8.25

Basic White Medium Envelopes (for cards 4.5 x 5.5 inches).   # 159236   $7.5036 $7.50

Remember the sale ends February 28th.

Hey Birthday Chick Bundle  #158631   $43.00

Hey Birthday Chick Stampset    # 154464    $21.00

Birthday Chick Dies. (19 dies)    #158200   $27.00

Hey Chick Bundle  #158627    $44.00

Hey Chick Stampset  # 158190  $17.00

Hey Chick Dies. (11 dies)   #158199    $32.00