New Stuff, FREE Stuff and Swap Cards!

Here is a picture of some of the free things I have gotten from Stampin' Up the past month. I love it when they give me free stamps and stuff! The company is so good to it's demonstrators, that is another great reason for you to join my team! I got the 6 new colors of ink pads and cardstock and 13 markers, the 6 new colors and 7 from the past In Colors that are returning as permanent (at least until the next color renovation) colors to our palet. Since there were problems in production (not Stampin' Up's fault) they gave everyone a new hostess stamp set called Because I Care. That helped me be more patient while I waited :~)

I also got 2 free stamp sets from the Sale-a-Bration promotion we did Jan-March. I could have ordered something sooner but I wanted to wait until I could get some of the new sets when the catalog pre-0rder came out. I ended up getting an alphabet set and a level 3 hostess set. I used the alphabet set on the July layout that I will be posting in a few days, keep your eye out for it!

As much as I like to get free goodies, I love to give them away too! I'm going to be giving away free stuff starting June 30. I'm getting my post ready for the details of my 35th wedding anniversary give away. I have ink pads, markers, reinkers, wheel cartridges and stamp sets - 35 gifts for you! Check back Wednesday to see how you can earn free Stampin' Up products too. These products will be retired but they still work!

In the mean time, enjoy a few of the swap cards I got last week at my Stampin' Up team meeting. There were lots of cards with that beautiful free set Because I Care. I love that hydranga, I'm seeing so many ways to color the flower, I can't wait to try them all! The pink and purple hydrangia is from Sue Erickson. She used the 2 colors of ink to show the highlights and shadows as well as the different colors you can get from hydrangias depending on the soil, sun and moisture. Her flower is beautiful on a Crumb Cake embossed background.

Top right is another beautiful card. the creator didn't put her name on the back which is a shame, it is so beautiful I'd love to give her credit. I love how she made a lacy border and used the little long stamp in the Because I Care set down the middle of it.

The other 2 cards weren't signed either but show some other great ways to use this stamp set. Notice the background blue paper on the lower right one? It is stamped with a single hydrangia bloom stamp from the set. did I mention that I really like this set that I got free, hey, you can get it free too! It is a level 1 hostess set!

4 more swap cards and then I reckon I'll go start supper. Another no-name card on both the left ones, isn't the top on nice with it's neutral colors and simple design? And the talented lady who made the lower left one did a great job of coloring the Courage stamp. On the right side, the beautiful card on the top was made by Stacy Bowers. She used the new Greenhouse Gala paper and the Friends Never Fade stamp set which are both so pertty but her ribbon treatment makes this a fantastic card! I need to get my sewing maching out to use on cards more often!

The last card is a fun card that Linda Cathey cased from Mary Fish. I love the lollipop flower with the butterfly sitting on it, what a fun touch. I like how she embossed the Old Olive paper with the polka dot embossing folder before cutting the leaves and stems from it. Very nice touch.

I really don't like it when life gets so busy that I don't have time to stamp or scrapbook! The past few weeks have been like that. Of course, during the Spring and Summer when the garden needs to be planted and weeded I expect to have less free time. I replanted 2 rows of purple hull peas today and still have a lot to replant. At least the corn is doing well! It is higher than knee deep and most of it came up and survived all the storms and floods. In no time at all I'll be canning, freezing and drying all the fruits and veggies!

In the first picture I thought I would share part of my yard. There are iris bulbs planted along my grape vines. Last year I noticed some blackberry briars in the grapes too. This year there are lots and lots of blackberry bushes, see all the white flowers among the grape leaves! We will be eating blackberries soon. I think I might need to move them to somewhere else so they won't shade my grapes too much though. Sounds like a prickly plan, doesn't it?

Anyway, I still have lots of swaps from the Spring Retreat I went to that I haven't shared. The first one was made by Ruth Hatch from Huntsville, AL. It features a set called Nature's Nest. Isn't the bird's nest beautiful? And I love the color choices for the card, Bashfull Blue, Chocolate Chip and Craft.

The second card I want to share today has a simular feel, a very realistic stamp design in natural colors. This one uses a set called Garden from the Heart in an Old Olive, Chocolate Chip and Very Vanilla color pallet. I love the hanging herbs and the wide brimmed hat. The creator of this card didn't put her name on the back of it so I don't know who to tell you made it. It is beautiful though.

I think I need a hat with netting over the face to wear when I pull weeds, there are so many gnats flying around my face every time I get in the garden! They seem worse this year than ever. It's a lot of work but I love being in my garden when I'm not stamping. I loose track of time when I'm doing either one!

The new 2010/11 catalog will be starting on July 1st. I'll be getting my copy in the next week or so and I'm very excited to see all the goodies! We are promised not only the color renovation that will bring our colors current with the latest styles but lots of new stamp sets to create with. The catalog has more pages than last year's and we will also be adding new accessories. Lots to look forward to. I hope it is delivered on a day when I have time to sit down and look at it for a long time!