Using Retired Products Creatively

 As I was planning my cards for this weekend's In Home Card Classes, I decided to dive into my retired products (for the most part) and see what I could come up with. Here's a lovely Thanksgiving Card for the result! This card was inspired by Mary Knabe.

Starting with a Early Espresso base, I layered on strips of the retired Painted Autumn Designer Series Paper (DSP). The bottom piece is 2" x 4" and the top three strips are 1" x 4" spread out evenly. On top of that went a layer of Mango Melody 2-3/4" x 3-1/2", then a layer of Very Vanilla 2-1/2" x 3-1/4", From my very old wooden block stamp set, Teeny Tiny Wishes, went the greeting stamped in Mango Melody.

For the focal point, I started with the 3/8" Early Espresso Woven Ribbon (retired) wrapped around the two layers as shown. Then I fussy cut  the triple pumpkin image from the Painted Autumn DSP. Next was a die cut leaf from retired Seasonal Layer dies cut on Granny Apple Green. Then a Gold Foil leaf from the Nature's Roots Dies was prepared (cut and embossed). I layered those as shown, scotch taped it all together on the back side, then used Dimensionals to attach to the card front. Last step was adding the bow with glue dots.

I think the result looks great! You can use this layout idea with any combination of paper, ink and stamps. Go crazy and give it a try!

Thanks so much for stopping by today. I'd love to read your thoughts/comments on this design. You can comment at the end of this post. 

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Very Belated Holiday Projects and Cards

So sorry to have fallen so far behind, no excuse really, but my new years resolution is to get back in the saddle and post more regularly!

Here's the collection of class projects for December. Many thanks to the wonderful Demos who post and share their creations online for others to see!

CASEd design from Lynn Gauthier, another SU Demo.

Product List

Candy Cane Lane Designer Series Paper [141981] $11.00	White Gift Boxes [142000] $8.00	Layering Circle Framelits Dies [141705] $35.00	Tear & Tape Adhesive [138995] $7.00
SNAIL Permanent Adhesive [104332] $7.00	Envelope Punch Board [133774] $20.00	Stampin' Dimensionals [104430] $4.00	Real Red 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [102482] $8.00
Crumb Cake 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [120953] $8.00	Early Espresso 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [119686] $8.00	Silver Sparkle Dazzling Details [127845] $2.50	Candy Cane Lane Designer Washi Tape [141985] $8.00
Big Shot [143263] $110.00	Stampin' Trimmer [126889] $30.00	Paper Snips Scissors [103579] $10.00

CASEd from Wendy Young Waldman, but trimmed the scarf down to be more in proportion to the snowman. 

Product List

Snow Friends Framelits Dies [139664] $27.00	Kraft And White Corrugated Paper [138317] $7.00	Basic Black Baker's Twine [134576] $3.00	Glue Dots [103683] $5.25
1/16" Circle Handheld Punch [134363] $9.00	Paper Snips Scissors [103579] $10.00	Warmth & Cheer Designer Series Paper Stack [141991] $10.00	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [121045] $8.00
Big Shot [143263] $110.00

CASEd from Erica Cerwin of Pink Buckaroo Designs

Product List

Real Red 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [102482] $8.00	Very Vanilla 1-1/4" (3.2 Cm) Subtle Stripes Satin Ribbon [139616] $8.00	Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad [126949] $6.50	Gold Cording Trim [139618] $5.00
Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder [109129] $5.00	Heat Tool [129053] $30.00	Oh, What Fun Photopolymer Stamp Set [140386] $21.00	Versamark Pad [102283] $8.50
Antique Tags Clear-Mount Stamp Set [140494] $10.00	Antique Tags Wood-Mount Stamp Set [139855] $14.00	Simply Scored [122334] $30.00	Label Bracket Punch [132153] $16.00
Tear & Tape Adhesive [138995] $7.00	Stampin' Dimensionals [104430] $4.00	Paper Snips Scissors [103579] $10.00	Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [101650] $9.00
Circle Card Thinlits Die [133480] $33.00

To many designers inspired these creations  to be named but all you have to do is google Calendar Easel and you will see lots of ideas to work with.  The mini calendars came from Vippies calendars and were very inexpensive and came very quickly. I was impressed!

The post-it notes came from the dollar store so I tried to match colors as best I could.

Product List

Stampin' Trimmer [126889] $30.00	Watermelon Wonder 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [138334] $8.00	Peekaboo Peach 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [141417] $8.00	Cucumber Crush 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [138335] $8.00
Fruit Stand Designer Series Paper [141660] $11.00	Paper Snips Scissors [103579] $10.00	Peekaboo Peach 3/8" (1 Cm) Ruched Ribbon [141427] $8.00	Cucumber Crush 1" Dotted Lace Trim [138423] $6.00
SNAIL Permanent Adhesive [104332] $7.00

CASEd from a wonderful explanation by Brenda Quintara on how to make these "Kissmas" Trees.

Product List

Stampin' Trimmer [126889] $30.00	Liquid Multipurpose Glue [110755] $4.00	Tear & Tape Adhesive [138995] $7.00	Paper Snips Scissors [103579] $10.00
Window Word Punch [119857] $16.00	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730] $9.00	Twine Baker's Whisper White [124262] $3.00	Teeny Tiny Wishes Wood Stamp Set [128748] $37.00
Cherry Cobbler Classic Stampin' Pad [126966] $6.50	Real Red 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon [126875] $4.95	Chocolate Chip 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [102128] $8.00	Emerald Envy 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [141415] $8.00
1/16" Circle Handheld Punch [134363] $9.00

CASEd from Katharina Frach. I just loved the easy, yet stunning design.

Product List

Santa's Sleigh Dies Thinlits [140278] $30.00	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [140272] $7.00	Big Shot [143263] $110.00	Stampin' Trimmer [126889] $30.00
Cherry Cobbler Thick Baker’S Twine [138414] $3.50	Crumb Cake 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [120953] $8.00	Crumb Cake Classic Stampin' Pad [126975] $6.50	Glue Dots [103683] $5.25
Warmth & Cheer Designer Washi Tape [141994] $8.00	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730] $9.00	SNAIL Permanent Adhesive [104332] $7.00

This card's design layout was inspired by Ronda Wade, but I made it my own and I really love the bright colors!! The bright green sequins are not Stampin' Up! but I'm sure you can find some at your local craft store and stick them on with the glue dots.

Product List

Presents & Pinecones Designer Washi Tape [141988] $8.00	Emerald Envy 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [141415] $8.00	Cherry Cobbler 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [119685] $8.00	Cherry Cobbler Classic Stampin' Pad [126966] $6.50
Layering Squares Framelits Dies [141708] $35.00	Big Shot [143263] $110.00	Stampin' Trimmer [126889] $30.00	Paper-Piercing Tool [126189] $4.00
3/8" (1 Cm) Ribbon Silky Taffeta Combo Pack [141989] $9.00	Glue Dots [103683] $5.25	SNAIL Permanent Adhesive [104332] $7.00	Holly Jolly Layers Clear-Mount Stamp Set [142223] $12.00
Holly Jolly Layers Wood-Mount Stamp Set [142220] $17.00	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730] $9.00

Thanks so much for stopping by and taking a peek at the December class projects. You are always welcome to order by clicking on any of the item pictures and they will take you directly to my online store.  Have a great day!