Graduation time

Hello again!  Being a teacher, I always look forward to Graduation time each year.  For one, it means that it's almost time for summer.  Plus it means a group of kids that I've taught and loved (mostly loved) are finishing one journey and preparing for another.  This year's class was a very special group for me.  They are intelligent, athletic, hard-working, and (for the most part) fun.  There are some that I won't miss.  For the most part, it will be sad not to see their faces in the halls everyday.

This year, I have two family members graduating high school.  One is my cousin Adam, who lives in Virginia.  He is Grandchild #5 of 6.  He's a smart young man and is planning to attend college not too far from home.  His school colors are red and black.  Now, anyone who knows me will realize that those are colors I don't typically use together.  Why?  Well, my school colors are black and silver (GO MINERS GO!) And our big rivals are red and black.  Tough, but I did it.  My mom also needed a card to send to my cousin, so here are the two cards I came up with.

I'm sorry, but I had to use retired paper again.  But, there are some current Stampin' Up elements to both cards.  First, the paper for both are Real Red, Basic Black, and Whisper White.  The stars on both cards are the Stars Framelits (currently available from SU).  The ink for both are Real Red and Basic Black.  On both cards, I used the red glitter paper which is retired.  The card on the left used the red polka dot paper from the DSP called Polka Dot Parade.  I was very sad to see this one go, because it has been so easy to use.  The tags are also framelits, but those are current. That set is called Banners.  The sentiments from both cards are unfortunately retired. The one on the right is from the 2013-14 catalog, called Pure Gumption.  It only lasted one year, but I love the phrases in it, along with the cap.  The one on the left is from the set called Word Play.  It was a very popular set and I've used it so very often.  The cap is also from the Pure Gumption set.

I mentioned two graduates in my family.  The second is the son of my BFF.  They live in Tennessee and he, too, will be going off to college.  Again, I used colors that were difficult for me to combine.  Why?  Because my high school was maroon and gold (GO WOLVES GO!) and this is maroon and grey.  Ugh!  For this card, I found my inspiration from another SU Demo and here is a link to his card.  Justin does an amazing job and I love to see his ideas.

So here is my take:

I used the retired color Bravo Burgundy.  It is a perfect match for maroon that you see in school colors around here.  I also used Bravo Burgundy ink, silver glitter paper and whisper white paper.  The stars are from the Framelits Stars (those are current!) The sentiment and the star "streak" are from a new and very popular set called Work of Art.  I am having so much fun with that set and many others are, too.  If you look at Pinterest, you'll see it being used in so many ways.

Hope you enjoy these cards, using so many retired elements.  I apologize for that, but it could at least give you inspiration for yours.

Until next time,
Micki