Another Wacky Watercooler Blog Hop

This month the Wacky Watercooler gang is hosting a "Best Of" blog hop.  You may have just arrived from Deborah's blog--isn't she a genius?  We've each created three samples highlighting the Best of new products, the Best of retired products and the Best CASE (we were all assigned another Wacky Watercooler member and asked to copy one of their previous projects--what fun!).  As always, our "hop" is a circle; click on the links below to take you to the next or the previous blog.  Thanks for peeking in on my site, and enjoy the hop!

I'll start with my Best CASE.  I was lucky to pull Jean Fitch's name.  For those of you who don't know Jean, she is a much-loved Stampin' UP demonstrator (even winning the Heart of Stampin' UP! award) who spends countless hours helping other demonstrators.  So it was my honor to CASE her.  Researching her previous projects I found one I really liked for this time of year:




And here's my version:

I loved how she used the Little Letters framelits dies to spell words, and shaped it like a Christmas tree.  So I made an actual "tree" (which is popped up over my Night of Navy background).  I used the beautiful All is Calm Specialty Designer Series Paper for both the tree and the background.  Lining up the letters is easy using the Magnetic Platform for my Big Shot.  And I finished it off with Silver Foil and Silver and Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper stars.  Thanks, Jean!  I enjoyed the challenge!

Next up:  Best of New Stampin' UP! products.

Who doesn't love stars for Christmas?  The new Bright and Beautiful set just begs for heat embossing!  I used Early Espresso Stampin' Emboss Powder on Very Vanilla, and Gold Embossing Powder on Early Espresso (small star) and for the banner greeting.  I love the look!  And the matching Star Framelits make this so easy!

Here's the full card:

Who would think to use brown and red for Christmas?  But isn't it just perfect? The Woodgrain Embossing Folder, Cherry Cobbler 1" Sheer Linen Ribbon and Gold Sequin Trim help finish my card.

Now for my retired products.  Oh my...I had trouble choosing what to use!  So I used it all (well, hardly, but there are a LOT of retired products on--and in--my project):

 

The Fancy Favor Box die was first; I made a Real Red box.  Then I added the white scalloped trim, using my Tasteful Trims die.  On this side, I used the Ornament Punch, for Santa's beard, Blush Blossom cardstock for his face, and an old Real Red Polka Dot brad.

One side holds a tag, with the retired Merry Mini's punch pack, and some really old red/white checked ribbon.  The Silver Glimmer star on the back is from a retired Star punch, and the Garden Green star uses old DSP.  The red/white polka dot panels are also from retired paper packs, and the red brad is no longer available.

OK, gimme a break--I broke down and used the Festival of Trees and Tree punch for the last side, but then I stuffed my box with old Stampin' UP! fabric.

A true "oldy but goody" don't you think? 

What do you do with your old products?  Won't you leave me a comment and let me know?  (I have tons more to use, and really need some suggestions!)

I hope you enjoyed my projects and have a wonderful holiday season.  Now it's time to move on; go visit Marie and see what she has created.  Thanks for stopping by!