I participate in a monthly swap where I receive 20 fresh, new ideas each month. I send 21 hand-stamped samples all the same to Carol in Minnesota and in about a week I receive back 20 different swaps! Each month as a theme and this month's theme was "Fancy Folds". Here's my swap I just put in the mail today:

©Stampin'Up!™1990-2010

I use my new Summer Mini set, "Watercolor Trio", and the "En Francais" Background Stamp. I LOVE this set! It will only be around until the end of August, so if you love it like I do, you better get it now!

I have no idea what the name of this fancy fold is, I learned it from my upline years ago and I don't think she had a name for it either, she learned it someone else (which is how it goes in the stamping world!) I know I've done different versions of it over the years, including making the square/diamond shape look like a graduation hat! One of my stampers asked me for the pattern for this card fold a couple of weeks ago which got me thinking about it again, so decided to freshen it up and use it for this swap. "Old becomes new", which is great! With new stamps, products, and techniques coming along all the time, being a Stampin' Up! demo never gets old!

(Note to my downline: This card is in the running for the Shoebox Swap on the 22nd, let me know if you want to make this one!)

Here's how it looks from the end:

©Stampin'Up!™1990-2010

And the back:

©Stampin'Up!™1990-2010

The new product I used on this card is from the Summer Mini, "Smooch Spritz"! This cool stuff comes in 4 different colors: Vanilla Shimmer, Log Cabin, Gold Glow, and Silver Foil. It comes in a GLASS vial and you have to shake it up ALOT before you start spritzing it so it doesn't glob on your card, but it give a gorgeous, all-over shimmer to your project! Lookie:

©Stampin'Up!™1990-2010

"Smooch Spritz" is a reasonable $4.95 per vial and SU! also offers a very helpful "Color Catcher" for $5.95 that is a MUST when you use the spritz (ask me and the drawers under my stamping table know this!).

I also am announcing my June Hostess Special:

Every hostess in June who has at least $400 in sales and one future booking will receive $20 in extra free stuff from me! Hostess who qualify will be able to choose their $20 free the night of their party, no waiting till later! I currently still have June dates available, so contact me to get your date set! SU! announces the Retiring Stamp List on June 1st, so June is a GREAT time to have a party with all the sets we will be saying farewell to!

Also, if you would like to make this card at your June party, just let me know!

Now, on a non-stamping note, here's my granddaughter, Ava, in our apple tree! Her mom is a photographer, and you can really tell it by her darling pose!

And let's not forget her little brother Cohen, who was actually just inches off the ground!

Have a STAMPENDOUSLY GREAT weekend! Be back on Monday with more stampin' ideas for you!