Happy Friday Stampers!

I had planned to show you the Poppin' Pastels technique today, but I've gotten progressively sicker all week with this head & chest cold, so my energy level has been pretty zero for the past couple of days. I just didn't have the gumption to work on taking the pictures needed to show you this technique, so I had to shelve that idea until next week. I've even had to reschedule a workshop this week because I was too sick and contagious, so you know it's really been bad. I think I've actually plateaued today, not better, but not worse, so I hope I start improving tomorrow. But fortunately for all of us, I received my May swap package in the mail today, so I have some good cards to show you!

Remember when I showed you my swap:

©Stampin'Up!™1990-2010

I did change it a bit to make 21 of them. I used the "Friendly Words" jumbo wheel on the base of the card instead of the En Francais Background to speed up the process.

When I opened my package, I found that two other gals had thought of the same "fancy fold" to use for their swaps too! This one is by Jan Rodrian:

©Stampin'Up!™1990-2010

Kathy Morgan used the same fold for her "Motorcycle" card! She also coated the fenders and gas tank with Crystal Effects, which gives the red a glossy, intense look!

©Stampin'Up!™1990-2010

Diane Tritz created this "stairstep" card with "Elements of Style"! Black & White is so elegant and classy!

©Stampin'Up!™1990-2010

Another stair-step by Nancy Hall with Tropical Party, Birthday Block, Party Hearty, and Island Oasis Designer Paper:

©Stampin'Up!™1990-2010

And a modified "stair-step" with Tropical Party  and the "Happy Grad" stamp by Raedeen Shibata:

©Stampin'Up!™1990-2010

This swap came with no name, but it's a fun fold called a "spring card"!

©Stampin'Up!™1990-2010

Here's a cute little "grass skirt" card by Kelly Acheson. (Hi Kelly!) Kelly was one of my evening dinner table-mates on the cruise!

©Stampin'Up!™1990-2010

and the inside:

©Stampin'Up!™1990-2010

"Tropical Party" is a very popular set, Susie Wood used it for her swap too, along with the "Square Lattice Embossing folder!

©Stampin'Up!™1990-2010

Elaine Paget used "Elements of Style" with the Easel card fold and the "glitter windowshade" technique!

©Stampin'Up!™1990-2010

Ruth Anne Lilley used the "Z-fold" for her "Watercolor Trio" card:

©Stampin'Up!™1990-2010

Carla Storry  created this great grilling mitt card to complement "King of the Grill"! She used Bordering Blue cardstock, one of the retiring colors:

©Stampin'Up!™1990-2010

Beth Weinstein used "Party Hearty":

©Stampin'Up!™1990-2010

and the inside is an easy-peasy gift-card holder!

©Stampin'Up!™1990-2010

Cherri Gustafson created this box-top folded July 4th card:

©Stampin'Up!™1990-2010

Which opens up, of course, "like a box" where you can write your sentiment or tuck in a treat:

©Stampin'Up!™1990-2010

And last but not least, a cool triangle tri-fold by Jackie Ordway using "Sweet Scoops" and Island Oasis Designer paper!

©Stampin'Up!™1990-2010

I plan to make some of these and add a pocket for a gift-card or money!

©Stampin'Up!™1990-2010

That's all for today, stampers! Have a great weekend and I hope to see you back here on Monday, hopefully with that "poppin' pastels" tutorial!

Have a Stampin' Rox! weekend!

Carol