A very warm welcome to Stop no. 2 on the Stampin’ Addicts Retiring Sets Mega Hop – you just arrived from Tanya at Tinkerin in Ink where she showed you cool things she made using the halloween set From the Crypt.
Every stop on this hop is showcasing a stamp set that Stampin’ Up! is retiring on June 30th – they will no longer be available after that date…today I am going to be showing you my creations using the stamp set A Cardinal Christmas that you can find on pg 39 – it is a set featuring a GORGEOUS cardinal that I will be very sorry to see go…
Please read on to see my projects and for details of my retiring blog candy…you can click on each photo for a closer view…
Now I choose A Cardinal Christmas because it can be a daunting set because it is one of those sets that appears to need good coloring skills in order to use it – but I am here to show you that is not the case…there are ways to use this set with fabulous results without needing to color it in.
For my first card I decided to go with a black and white theme…so here is my elegant Holiday Card…
So very simple and yet very effective & eye-catching – simply black and white alternating layers with some texture and a piece of luxurious ribbon added…
I love this untraditional take on a holiday card and this beautiful cardinal is just the perfect image for it – it is large and provides a fabulous focal point plus you don’t need to color it in!
And for a little holiday sparkle I added a Rhinestone at the beginning of the “M” on the Merry Christmas sentiment – I thought that this was very elegant bling to put on my black and white holiday card…
For my second item I decided to do some coloring…and created a Seed Packet Pouch…
I wanted to demonstrate that this gorgeous Cardinal is not just for the holidays – he can be used throughout the year and what gave me this idea was that for the last month or two we’ve had a family of cardinals nesting in our garden and the male is always hopping and chirping around…
Which got me to thinking about springtime…which in turn led to me thinking about seeds…and, well, here you go…
These would make perfect summer party, BBQ, wedding or shower favors and are so fun, quick and easy to make using just half a sheet of cardstock and whatever decorations you want to add.
I decided to pop in a packet of Texas Bluebonnet seeds to keep my springtime theme going…and added some texture, edging and a piece of luxurious Satin Ribbon…and then laughed at myself…
Want to know why? Well check out my color scheme – look familiar? Mmmm…somehow I have used classic holiday colors on my springtime item LOL!!! Ah well…you can’t go wrong with Cherry Cobbler & Old Olive at any time of the year, I decided…what do you think?
Want to know how I made this Seed Packet Pouch? Come back on Monday and you will find more photos along with my FREE tutorial!
For my third card we are going back to the holiday season and no coloring required…
When I realised that we are in the middle of June and my Festive Friday holiday card & project making begins in August , it really isn’t too early to start planning your cards…and this stamp set really is a BEAUTIFUL one to use…
Now to really see what I did on this card you need to click on the photo above to get a larger view – and then you will see that glossy glazed sheen on my Cardinal…
See it? Isn’t it cool? It really makes him pop out and look GORGEOUS! I love the natural look of stamping him onto that Crumb Cake cardstock…
And using it with Early Espresso and Cherry Cobbler…well, this is just one of my most favorite color combos. To add to my look I added texture, a piece of Crochet Trim and a sentiment…and I love how he turned out.
Want to know how I gave him his glassy sheen? Come back on Monday and you will find more photos along with all the deets!
Well, don’t forget to come back and visit me on Monday for more details, photos and tutorials about my projects…and of course to find out the winner of my blog candy…speaking of which…
Leave me a comment to let me know which item is your favorite and you will be entered into a prize draw – the winner will be chosen by random.org on Monday and one lucky winner will win one retiring stamp set of their choice from my own stash – the winner will get to choose one set from the 20 or so retiring sets that I have here, so GOOD LUCK!
Thank you for visiting – now you’re off to visit Betty at Kitty Stamp where she will show you some cute things that you can make using the sweet set Blowing Kisses…enjoy!
Here are the images in this beautiful set A Cardinal Christmas…do you need any more convincing that you need to get it before it’s gone for good?!
If you want it HURRY – on June 30th it RETIRES for good!!!
Beautiful cards Sarah. I love the black and white cardinal.
Beautiful stuff, Sarah! I can’t believe how you can pull these out so quickly. I love how you illustrated that coloring isn’t required.
Beautiful cards Sarah! I love your seed packet idea!
Great projects Sarah! I love your seed packet idea! Beautiful work!
These are all so awesome! I think my fav in the last one. I can’t resist anything in Crumb Cake :)
Gorgeous cards, Sarah. Looove the cherry cobbler/espresso card. GORGEOUS!
Absolutely awesome cards and the details…I love it!
I just love this set, and what you’ve done with it, Sarah! Your bluebonnet seed pack is superb. . . .
Sarah,
The black and white card is my favorite. It is so striking!
Lisa
Great ideas for this set! Love the seed packet!
I love the seed packet card. Can’t wait for instructions to get started.
What a great selection of cards. I love the texture in all three. The matting is lovely.
The black and white is very sophistacated. My
first choice but the other two are almost as lovely.
Sharon L
Gorgeous cards and love the seed packet pocket card. Everyone needs bluebonnets!! I’ve loved this set since it came out, but it’s never made it on my final order. I’ve wondered if when coloring the bird you use different colors for the breast than you do the rest, or if it’s the same color and the stamp just makes part of it look darker. If you could touch on that on Monday with your tutorials, I’d be most appreciative! This set and bugs and kisses are two I always meant to get, and am sorry to see them go. Love the circle embossed with the bg and the color combo on the espresso/cobbler/crumb cake card!
Another set that I love! I never in a million years would have thought to stamp him with a black and white color scheme and it is so beautiful! Really lovely projects as always!
Beautiful, as always!! I love the black/white card and seed packet is a great idea!
I love the espresso/cobbler/crumb cake card. I love that you’ve shown how to get three different looks from one stamp.
Just lovely, as always Sarah! The black and white card is SO striking- especially which the elegant ribbon and little touch of bling!
My favorite is the black and white Christmas card, so very classy! This set has always been a favorite of mine and I ordered it as soon as it came out. I think it will be staying around in my stash for a long time.
My fave is the last card!! Love the colour combo and the lace!! :)
Didn’t realize how versatile this stamp set really is. Each creation here is so very different. Love the black & white for a different Christmas card, but your seed packet pocket card is so very clever and adorable. But for a Christmas card, my favorite is your last one with the crochet trim and tag dangling beside the cardinal. Great stop on the blog hop!
Black and white is so classic and this is my fave. They are all great and you have a head start on the holidays!
I love the third card! I love how the brown circle is embossed! I had never thought of laying paper before I emboss it. I can’t wait to try it! Thanks for the idea:)
I love the classic black and white card! It’s classy and beautiful, as is all your work! Thank you so much for the inspiration!
Oh my word! To pick a favorite when all are so great! I have the stamp set but have yet to ink it up. I guess I would say the black and white one is my top favorite though I love the seed packet and those colors and the last with the crumb cake and gotta check in to see how you did the sheen etc. All are top notch in my mind!
Really great cards, The seed packet card is my favorite. You could use it as a gift card holder.
I too am one who has admired this set but have never ordered it. I have so many Christmas/holiday sets, but I will miss that cardinal! Beautiful projects.
Just love that cardinal! Love all your cards, but am thinking the seed packet card is my fav! Thanks for always sharing your talents with us!
LoVE the black and white for Christmas! So elegant! Great job as always!
That last card totally ROCKS!!!
TFS and the opportunity to win a stamp set!
Susan
Hi Sarah! I love the seed packet pouch the most. It’s gorgeous and I will be back to find out how you made it!Thanks for sharing your beautiful creations!
What fantastic projects! I love that seed packet holder!
Your cards are all great, but I like the black and white the best. It is very striking.
Thanks for offering blog candy.
Theresa in Kitimat
The seed packet is amazing–never thought of spring and this set!
Sarah,what a great set of cards, using just one stamp, but yet they are so different. I really love that first black and white one. Sooo very pretty. Great job!
You did a great projects with this Cardinal stamp set. They are soooo beautiful!!
Love the black and white card. Great job on all the projects
I just love the Black/White Christmas card! So beautiful! The Red/Crumb Cake is also gorgeous with the added texture. The seed packet card is just too cute!