Lovely As A Tree Retirement Party (Updated Version of My Very First Stampin' Up! Card)

Sadly yes, Lovely As A Tree is retiring and will not be in the new 2019 2020 Stampin' Up! Annual Catalog.  It is one of the longest running stamp sets in Stampin' Up! history, and probably one of the best.  I think everyone I know owns this stamp set.  I personally own two.
Lovely As A Tree was one of the first stamp sets that I got when I signed up almost four years ago as a demonstrator, and I find that I return to it a lot when creating.  There's nothing like a stamp set that you can keep going back to and it never fells to deliver. This was one of the first sets that I used to create one of my first videos on YouTube as well.  So, in honor of Lovely As A Tree retiring I wanted to throw a little party for it and I have recreated my very first card I did in a video and have redone that video for today's post.  You will see that a little bit later.  Let's have a look at my very first card shall we.

I can see so many design mistakes with this card after doing this for almost four years.  I have linked to the original post here.  I tried to find the original card I thought I still had it but I think I gave it away or it sold at a craft fair one.  But, since it was online it was super easy to find on my first blog.  For the original card I used the Baby wipe technique and ink refills to create this card.  You can find the list of the supplies I used on the original post.  I think it was Watermelon Wonder, Crushed Curry, and Bermuda Bay.  Okay as I said I redid this card, so let's have a look at the updated version.

For the updated version I used Lovely Lipstick, Pineapple Punch and Blueberry Bushel for the ink refills and recreated the Baby Wipe Technique.  I have learned a lot about card design in almost four years.  It's amazing what you learn and think you know when you first start out.  LOL, after redoing this card for today I realized I knew nothing at that time.  Sometimes it's so good to look back at a design you did years ago and see what mistakes you made or how things have changed.

Video Tutorial: 

If you are viewing this post by email you may not see the video tutorial.  Some servers do not show the embedded so please click here or on the image below to view the video.  

OMG! What Do I Do Now!

So you may be wondering what in the world are you going to do since this long time running stamp set will not be available in the new catalog.  Well, thankfully we still have a few options to create wonderful cards with beautiful tree imagery.  If you don't own Lovely As A Tree and you're in the United States; you can still pick it up in my Online Store.  (I've linked to the last chance stamp list in my online store to help you out a little.  Just scroll down till you find it on the list.)  In some markets it has completely sold out, so I wouldn't wait to long to grab it.  Plus if you already own Lovely As A Tree this option is a win win, because Rooted in Nature which came out last June in the 2018 2019 Annual Catalog was designed to act as compliment to our beloved Lovely As A Tree.  

I wanted to share with you how lovely this set was also so I created the same card using it as well.  One great thing I love about the Rooted In Nature Stamp Set is that it not only has wonderful tree images but it also comes packed with some great sentiments as well.  Plus there are matching dies to cut out the images.  Yes, you read that correctly there are matching dies, which we didn't have with Lovely As A Tree.   Right now you can grab both the Rooted in Nature Stamp Set and the matching dies as a cost saving bundle and save 10%.  Here's a look at the card I did using the same technique and supplies but using the Rooted in Nature Set.  

You can see the large tree image is just as lovely as the ones in Lovely As a Tree, but it also had the wonderful sentiment as well.  It stamps just as well as Lovely As a Tree and comes in Red Rubber just like it as well.  The images have the same feel but with a little more modern approach.  One of my favorite images is the inside of the tree trunk.  I think that's just a beautiful image.  

This is a great set if you are just starting out on your stamping journey just like I did almost four years ago or you have been stamping for years.  And they both make some beautiful #simplestamping cards.  With either set you really don't have to have more than stamps ink and paper to create a wonderful card.  But, if you want to dress it up you can do so with ease.  Which is as Martha would say "It's A Good Thing!".   To me when it comes to a great stamp set that is one of the things I look for how versatile it is.   Can I dress it up or down depending on what I want to create.  And, both Lovely As a Tree and Rooted In Nature accomplishes that.  

Special Offer:  

So as I said this is a party and demonstrators all over and the Home Office are sharing stories and examples of projects using Lovely As a Tree today.  The Home Office will be planting a tree in honor of Lovely As a Tree on the Riverton Utah Campus.   I have a little special offer for you to help with this transition of Lovely As a Tree Retiring.  I know I know Rick get to it.  

Okay so here it is!  If you purchase a Rooted in Nature Stamp Set or Bundle from me in my Online Store from now until June 3, 2019 using the host code (CC2HECY2) above I will send you a pack of the Leaves Trinkets FREE (a $8.00 Value) as a thank you.  Plus if you order the wood stamp set, or one of the bundle you will automatically qualify for my May Creative Stampers Tutorial Bundle.  This month's bundle features eight masculine themed projects with all the details on how to recreate each project along with measurements.  You will find a full list of the supplies I used today, and all the available Rooted in Nature options in the Shopping List below.   Keep the love for Lovely As a Tree going even after it retires with the addition of Rooted in Nature to your collection today!  

image by Stampin' Up!

Happy Stampin' 

Rick Adkins 

Get my May Creative Stampers Tutorial Bundle featuring 8 masculine themed projects for the men in your lives.  by using this month's host code with a minimum $50 order (before shipping and taxes) 

 Stampin' Up! Shopping List: 

Lovely As A Tree Clear-Mount Stamp Set [127793] $20.00	Lovely As A Tree Wood-Mount Stamp Set [128655] $28.00	Rooted In Nature Clear-Mount Stamp Set [146482] $42.00	Rooted In Nature Clear-Mount Bundle [148353] $72.75
Rooted In Nature Wood-Mount Stamp Set [146479] $55.00	Rooted In Nature Wood-Mount Bundle [148352] $84.50	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730] $9.75	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [140272] $7.75
Lovely Lipstick 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146970] $8.50	Lovely Lipstick Classic Stampin' Ink Refill [147179] $3.75	Pineapple Punch Classic Stampin' Ink Refill [147180] $3.75	Blueberry Bushel Classic Stampin' Ink Refill [147176] $3.75
SNAIL Permanent Adhesive [104332] $7.00	SNAIL Permanent Adhesive Refill [104331] $4.50	Stampin' Dimensionals [104430] $4.00

All That You Are Stamp Set is Retiring....So Sad

Image by Stampin' Up! 

I am sad that the All That You Are Stamp Set is Retiring.  It has been one of my favorites to use these past few months since it came out in the 2019 Stampin' Up! Occasions Catalog.  The Stamp set is guaranteed to be in stock until May 24, 2019 after that it will be while supplies last.  So if this stamp set was on your list and you haven't gotten it yet I encourage you to visit my online store and get it now.   Let's have a look at a few cards I made using it shall we.

On the first example I used ink blending to create a ombre' background using a few of my favorite Stampin' Up! blues.  Then I dried the ink and heat embossed the flowers from the stamp set using white embossing powder.  I then used just plain water and showed you in the video tutorial how to do the flux bleaching technique.  If you missed that video you can watch it here.  

  

 The next card I did I did in watercolors.  I stamped each of the flowers in a light color ink and did a no line watercolor card.  This takes a little time and isn't something that I would say a beginner should try if you've never watercolored before.  This technique takes a little time to master and it's one that you have to keep going with even if you don't think it's right.   It will all work out in the end.

It has such fun bold flowers that's great for many different techniques.  Here's a closer look at the stamp set and the cards that Stampin' Up! created for the catalog.

image by Stampin' Up! 

You can see from the stamp images above that you can use this bold lined images for your favorite coloring technique or would work well just with a simple stamped card.  If I did a simple card using this set I think I would do a tone on tone card base stamping the large flower image everywhere to create a dramatic background on my card base.  And, then stamp the sentiment on another piece of paper that I may have punched from whisper white cardstock, adding it with a few dimensionals.  I love the font on this stamp set, they are great.  And, the sentiments are great for any occasion.  Here's a little closer look at the cards from the Occasions Catalog.  

The smaller flowers coordinate with the Frosted Floral dies from the 2018 Holiday Catalog.  So that makes cutting them out so much easier.  

Thanks for dropping by today I hope that you have found a little inspiration today and that you have fallen in love, if you haven't already, with the All That You Are Stamp Set.  Remember that this stamp set is retiring and will be gone after June 3, 2019.  So if you want it you need to place it in your shopping cart now.  

Happy Stampin' 

Rick Adkins 

Use my May Host Code on orders of $50 (before shipping and taxes) and receive the May Creative Stampers tutorial bundle Free.  The may tutorial Bundle features eight masculine themed projects.  In the tutorial bundle you will find sizes for the US, Canada and International A4 users.  If your order is over $150 please don't use the host code I will send it to you as a thank you gift.  All other orders do have to use the host code to get it.  Not sure how to use the host code click here.  

Live outside the US or you're a demonstrator or you just want to purchase the bundle; you can still purchase the Creative Stampers Tutorial Bundle in my Tutorial Store.  Cost is $20 USD and will be emailed to you with 48 hours of purchase.  

Join my 2019 Annual Catalog Paper Share and get 166 6 x 6 pieces of new designer series paper from the 2019 2020 Stampin' Up! Annual Catalog.  Find out all the details and Sign up here.  

Stampin' Up! Shopping List

All That You Are Cling Stamp Set [148664] $23.00	Frosted Bouquet Framelits Dies [147895] $33.00	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [140272] $7.75	Night Of Navy Classic Stampin' Pad [147110] $7.50
Blueberry Bushel Classic Stampin' Pad [147138] $7.50	Pacific Point Classic Stampin' Pad [147098] $7.50	Balmy Blue Classic Stampin' Pad [147105] $7.50	Calypso Coral Classic Stampin' Pad [147101] $7.50
Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin' Pad [147094] $7.50	Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad* [102277] $5.95	Flirty Flamingo Classic Stampin' Pad [147052] $7.50	Shimmery White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [101910] $9.00
Aqua Painters [103954] $17.00