Spring Sadness

Please don't read my title wrong.  Today's challenge at Hand Stamped Sentiments is about SPRING!

I'm super happy about spring's arrival, super sad about some of the products on my pages that will retire May 30.  I strayed away from the flower and tree images, and headed to another favorite spring event...parent day at my youngest's classroom.  This is our one day to go into the classroom and see what they've been talking about all year.  I found four pictures I loved and decided to do a two page layout.  Take a look:

Okay, now on to the sad part:  Stampin' Up released their retiring list of stamp sets just over a week ago, and I was a bit sad that some of my favorite stamps are going.  Well, going for them, staying for me!...you'll see I used some other retired products.  Here's a closer up of the left page:

The base is Sahara Sand, layered with a piece of retired DSP (the polka-dot), and then a piece of DSP from the Just Eat Cake pack.  (I'm away from my craft area, so I apologize if I forget names. I think this is what that pack is called.) I love the lined paper!--I would take an entire pack of this paper.  Here's the lower corner closer up:

I used the set You're Just My Type-love how it coordinated with the second picture.  I stamped with Crumb Cake and cut it out. Then used a sentiment from the set and used the A to Z stamp to create the "paper."  Sadly, A to Z is going, but as long as my girls are in school, it'll stick around in my room.  I journaled using the School Lines stamp (also going...sad face) and then used a set called Calendar Letters and Numbers that has been retired to stamp my message.  I usually am a "has to be lined up" stamper, but since a four year old's writing is never perfect, I thought that this didn't need to be either! The heart is from the Owl Punch and I added a little rhinestone.  Here's a look at the upper portion of the page:

I added the date with a stamp from the Notes and Details set...you guessed it...retiring!  I can't wait to see what Stampin' Up comes up, I hope they think of us Scrappers!  I added the little notes using the School Lines and the letter set again and used a library clip to add them on.  On to the right side of the layout:

There's a "splice" in the notebook DSP, but I didn't want the "red" part of the notebook carried over.  I had to pick my battle!  A closer view of the top details:

Again more notes on each picture.  PARENT is from the Timeless Type dies.  The apple is stamped from Tart and Tangy, also retired but I love this apple image!  day is cut with the Simple Letter dies.  I used the A to Z to stamp Crumb Cake ink onto the Sahara Sand card stock. A closer view:

Well, if you've read this to the end pat yourself on the back.  Sorry, for the long post! This year's parent day is on the 7th, and she gets to do a science fair project...can't wait!

Head over and see what the other design team members have come up with...I'm sure someone stayed with the flower/tree image.  We'd love to see what you can create!  Last week we only had two crafters who played along. :(  Challenge blogs are what get me in my craft room, keeps me crafting...sane, and gives me inspiration by seeing all the creativity out there.  Please consider playing with us!  Have a great Tuesday!