REMINDER: TODAY is the very last opportunity to purchase retiring items from the 2011-12 Idea Book and Catalog! Do not delay!

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New Ink Pads available June 1st noon Mtn. Time!

This sweet little number is created with the stamp set "With All My Heart." It has bold richness with Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler, and Very Vanilla colors.

The base card is 4.25" X 11" and scored at 4 1/4" and 8 5/8". Give this fancy fold a try!

New ANNUAL CATALOG starts June 1st!!

"With All My Heart" Stamp Set of six images is sadly retiring on May 31st. This thank you is made with Early Espresso and Very Vanilla colors. The large image fits nicely into the Fancy Flower Punch.

I used a Vintage Brad in the center of the flower. This is such a useful stamp set that you can purchase until May 31st at 11:50 pm Mtn. Time.

This duo features the Designer Series Paper STACK - it's such a bargain with 40 double-sided sheets! The coordinating envelope made with the Simply Scored Tool and Diagonal Plate addes a lot of "class!"

The greeting is layered on the NEW Apothecary Framelits Die coming June 1st!

"For All You Do" stamp set is such a useful set that it was in the demonstrator starter kit! I love these colors: Pool Party, Island Indigo, and Calypso Coral.

Add detail with Pool Party Ruffled Ribbon and the Square Lattice Emossing Folder with the Big Shot Die Cutting Machine! A very pleasing layout!

Very special relatives have just ADOPTED a newborn baby BOY! I am just sooooo very thrilled for them - it was a longgg wait! As part of my baby shower gift, I made sweet little thank you notes with Easy Events Stamp Set.

I used Stampin' Up!'s pre-packaged Notes with Envelopes and some quick chalking.

I'll tuck these notes in with my little clothing item to help the "new Mom!" GIVE cards as gifts because they are ALWAYS appreciated!!

Oregon friends will remember my red-headed brother, Jeff Lillie. He and his wife live in Marathon, FL which is in the middle of the FL Keys. They are owners of Marathon Bio-Diesel, processing used cooking oil into planet-friendly diesel fuel! Visit their website at http://www.marathonbiodiesel.com/

Watch his video to learn about GREEN fuel to keep our planet healthy!

An iguana on Jeff's dock.

We've just returned from "The Conch Republic," aka Key West! It's a VERY interesting Laid-back island only 2 miles by 4 miles! Current population 2300. The FAMOUS Duval Street is about 1.25 miles long and has over 150 bars...that tells you what they do in Key West! After all, it's warm and you need fluids!!

Key West was discovered in 1513 by Ponce de Leon, and was first called Cayo Hueso, Spanish meaning Island of Bones, probably Indian burial grounds. There was no fresh drinking water until 1942!!!! They used rainwater. Now water is piped down from the mainland 137 miles!

There are three bars in this corner building. See the next pic to learn about the upstairs...

I did NOT go upstairs!! What a town! Anything goes!

In early days, Cock Fighting was popular. When it became illegal, the roosters were forgotten. So now they roam freely and ...

REPRODUCE!!

Route 1 ends in this Southern Most City in the USA! Elevation is 16' which is NOT MUCH when a hurricane hits!

There are lots of surprises in this unique city...I found my hubby flirting with Marilyn Monroe!!

We went to the top of the lovely old La Concha Hotel to watch the sunset. There was a BIG fire in 1859 that burned for 8 hours and destroyed 71 buildings and 40 outhouses. Now code enforces metal roofs on all buildings which I think gives a nice quaint uniform look.

Key West's record low temp is 41 and record high is 97. We had a great adventure in the Conch Republic! Stop back for my Marathon, FL pictures tomorrow!

This is a TOTALLY different look from the same stamp set as yesterday, "Inspired by Nature." The grass is stamped in two shades of green. It's EASY to create cattails using the versatile Word Window Punch!

"Inspired by Nature" stamp set of 4 images is retiring May 31st. It's such an awesome set I have used over and over!

For this card, I inked up with Pink Pirouette ink, then sponged Riding Hood Red into the rubber before making the print. This gives a nice soft image! The message is printed on vellum and wrapped around the top layer. MANY great stamp sets are retiring May 31st so click SHOP NOW on the right and get yours!

We headed south to the barrier island of Sanibel to kayak Commodore Creek with our boat club friends! It's a nice marked trail thru mangroves in a nature preserve.

This is a graceful Egret, not sure which egret as there are several.

This is an Anhinga, a peculiar bird that swims very low in the water. It's drying it's wings after diving for a fish. It was an interesting paddle, a great way to "SEE" Florida!

This stamp set is LOVELY AS A TREE, a true classic and it will NOT retire this year. This ancient oak is sooo detailed and a perfect guy card!

This is a GATE card that swings open from the middle. The Grosgrain ribbon adds texture without a bow!

I used Stampin' Write Markers in two shades of green for the foliage. This tree looks amazing in autumn colors, too! I hope you have enjoyed this week's blogs of guy cards! Now give these ideas a try!

Autumn Days Stamp Set has 6 very versatile images that can all be masculine. This card could be a get well or sympathy for a man.

I used Crumb Cake ink, cardstock and Designer Series Paper paired with Always Artichoke. The wheat was stamped twice with one inking. That gives an illusion of movement! This stamp set retires May 31st.

Does this remind you of John Deere equipment? Garden Green is the perfect color for the I DIG YOU stamp set!

I stamped the image with Basic Gray. Then I stamped it again in Garden Green on a white scrap and cut out the body to mount over the Gray using Dimensionals. This card works for a "construction guy" or little boy.

Here is a light-hearted man's card...or maybe a 16 year old boy getting his license! This little olde truck is an oldie, but a goodie! This stamp set, LOADS OF LOVE, retires May 31st. It has really fun accessory stamps! Buy it quickly by clicking SHOP NOW on the right.

The clouds are actually "cupcake frosting" from the Cupcake Builder Punch! I love the 5/16" Jumbo Brads for hub caps!

A majestic Bald Eagle from In Wilderness Stamp Set of 4 images make a wonderful nature greeting for a man.

I used Stampin' Write Markers on the rubber image to color the features...then stamp onto cardstock. Then I distressed the edges of the cardstock with the tool in the retiring Cutter Kit.

I met the the UPS truck yesterday, bringing my NEW ANNUAL CATALOG!! I'm still excited after 15+ years as a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator!! SOOO MANY wonderful new items - my list is longggg and I haven't even been to Convention yet! Life would be darn BORING without Stampin' Up!!!! If you have EVER thought about being a demonstrator, new catalog time, JUNE 1st, is the best! Let's chat, or email me your questions. Stampin' Up! certainly has enriched my life!

For the next week, I'm featuring cards for males. NO frills, buttons, or bows! The first card is a fast and simple idea -

These are 1" strips of WELL WOREN Designer Series Papers, a collection of rugged prints. It could not be easier! This is a great one to remember when you need a card in a flash!

These 5/8"Jumbo Brads are PERFECT hardware for male cards. They are big, bold... yet flat for mailing! Come back Monday thru Friday of next week for MORE MASCULINE!!

The "I Dig You" stamp set of 8 images is a must for little boy greetings! I posted another from set on May 7th. I stamped the digger with Tempting Turquoise onto the card. I stamped again with Real Red and Soft Suede onto a scrap and cut them out. The "arm" is cut in one piece. Then I glued them onto the card for a bold primary color combo.
The BRADS are a must for the mechanical monster! giggle....

I am SOOO pleased!! Today I received my daughter's wedding album, my first MY DIGITAL STUDIO book! The cover is glossy, the photos crisp, and pages high quality!! I just couldn't be happier with the printing service from Stampin' Up!! I have created and printed MANY greeting cards with MDS! I love this unique way of creating. It has not replaced my rubber stamping, but it has expanded my options. You can get a FREE 30-day Trial of MY DIGITAL STUDIO by clicking Shop Now on the right.

All my Stampin' Up! orders arrive right on schedule via UPS! What a great company - LOVE BROWN! Now, this is an oldie but a goodie card I made with LOVES OF LOVE Stamp Set that is retiring May 31st.

I modified the standard truck and turned it into a delivery van! Cute, huh?? This is a great guy stamp set, too! Get it before May 31st!!

I bought this "I Dig You" stamp set thinking of our two young grand-nephews. Well....I got distracted by that great Occasion Mini Catalog and am just getting to the boy cards. Better late, than never! Pennie McCallum's recent grandson card got me going! This is a FUN little set!

The 5/16" Neutral Brads are PERFECT hardware for the big tires! I create a sign for the "Dirtday" greeting! Adding brown sponging creates earth so the truck isn't "floating." Later this week I'll have another boy card so check back. I'm glad you stopped by!!

TOMORROW is the day!! I'll be awake early to order NEW CATALOGS!!! I'm very excited to see Stampin' Up!'s next collection of creative items. I know it will be sensational, because every catalog gets BETTER!! Get ready, the new catalog begins June 1st when you can see it here on my BLOG!

You can tell I designed this card at the same sitting as yessterday's card! LOVE these snappy colors in the "Summer Smooches" Designer Series Papers!!

I used the 1" square, 1 1/4" square, and BoHo Blossoms Punches to create this sweet little greeting!

Primary colors on white are so clean and crisp...cheerful! These are the "Summer Smooches" Designer Series Papers coming in the next NEW big Catalog June1st!! I CAN'T WAIT!!

These are 1" strips each embellished with a button. Life could not be simpler! This is a great way to use up your scraps, too! ENJOY!

This is a SPRING greeting for sure! This stamp set is called "Send ME Soaring!" If a youthful design for any age.

I added white chalk to the clouds, because I didn't want to stamp on white cardstock and cut out!

Pocket Silhouettes Stamp Set has been a FAV of mine for a longggg time! It's retiring May 31, 2012 and I can highly recommend it for it's great versatility!

Here I paired it with the softness of Beau Chateau Designer Series Papers and Twitterpated buttons!

The time is PERFECT to join me as a Demonstrator because:

* The Starter Kit has just been reduced to only $99!

* The Starter Kit is now TOTALLY customizable - get just want you want!

* Shipping is FREE for the Starter Kit!

* When you join this month, you get in on ALL the NEW Catalog excitement!

* You will be eligible to attend Stampin' Up!'s 2012 CONVENTION and have the time of your life.

* I have 15+ years of experience to guide you!

* Stampin' Up! is FLEXIBLE and fits around your lifestyle.

* You will have a full Stampin' Up! year to earn TONS of incentives!

* You'll receive at least a 20% discount on every order for yourself!

* You can focus on stamping, scrapbooking, or digital creating...or all 3! It's business "YOUR WAY!"

* I guarantee you fun, friendship, and creativity in my Stampin' Up! Demonstrator Family!!

Contact me today with your questions. Or JOIN NOW!

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