Latest News and Stampin' Up! Promotions

The launch of the brand new 2013-2014 Stampin' Up! Catalog also means there is a slew of news to share with you.  Buckle up and get ready to love new products and new promotions that will make you smile.

NEW 2013-2014 CATALOG:  I have gushed over the catalog plenty.  There is so much to love in it.  Here are a few observations I have made:

• The stamps sets are amazing.  And I have noticed something about them: the vast majority are under $20 for the clear mount version.  That means you (and I) can buy even more stamp sets!
• The layout is clean and beautiful.  The project pictures are bigger and many pages offer tips on ways to use the products featured.
• Bundles!!  I counted seven bundles in the new book that feature new stamps with coordinating framelits, punches or embossing folders.  When you buy them together, you save 15%.  There isn't one of these that isn't on my wish list! (If you have the book in front of you, they are on pages 12, 32, 83, 95, 113, 123, & 125).
• New Color Families.  I wasn't so sure about these at first, but as I've had a chance to play with them the past week or so, I have come to love them!  There are new Color Family Designer Paper Stacks with fabulous new prints in them.  Also, Candy Dots to replace brads (no more holes to punch) and they come in every color in the family.  And to help you update your color families, Stampin' Up! is offering a New Color Kit for the markers that includes the 10 new markers and an updated insert to put in your case. 
• New Accessories.  I already mentioned the Candy Dots, but not the brad bases to stick them in if you still love that option.  More washi tape, new buttons, chevron ribbon, Simply Pressed Clay and so much more to love!
• And my single most favorite item in the new catalog: the magnetic platform for the Big Shot!  No more taping framelits down!  Now when you stamp an image and place the framelit over it,  the framelit stays in place!  I cannot wait to get my hands on this item.

GRAB YOUR GREETING PROMOTION: To celebrate the launch of the new catalog, Stampin' Up! is offering 25% off select greeting stamps: Sweet Essentials, Sassy Salutations and Petite Pairs now through  June 30.  This is a great deal on some now "old favorites" and you will want these sets!


WONDERLUST PHOTOPOLYMER STAMPS: You may have noticed that Photopolymer stamps are not in the new catalog.  But they are still available.  And Stampin' Up! introduced another new set today: Wonderlust.  This set is perfect for your adventurous side and is perfect for scrapbook pages, cards and more.  If you are keeping track at home, Stampin' Up! now offers five Photopolymer Stamp sets (Click on the name to get more information):

• Wonderlust
• Show and Tell 1 & 2 (two sets offered in a bundle with an online class for an even better deal)
• Bombs Away Birthday
• Designer Type 

RIBBON SHARES: I mentioned the new chevron ribbon before.  It is beautiful and trendy and you will want this in every shade.  However, to buy a roll of each of the 12 shades will run you over $100 plus shipping and tax.  But join my ribbon share, and you will receive 2 yards of each of the 12 colors (24 yards total) of the 3/4" Chevron Ribbon for only $25 (includes tax and handling).  And the new In Color Ruffle Ribbon is also beautiful and you'll want some of that too, right?  In this share, you'll get 2 yards of each of the 5 colors of ribbon (10 yards total) for $10.50 (includes tax and handling).  If you don't live close to me, I will mail the shares anywhere in the United States for an additional $3.  I need the orders for the share by June 15.  Shares will be returned to you or mailed out by June 25.

CUSTOMER APPRECIATION/ALL YOU CAN STAMP BUFFET: Next to my Halloween class, this is my most popular class and it is by far the most fun!  Come for three hours and stamp as many cards as you can and enjoy a light lunch or dinner for $18.  You are guaranteed to go home with at least 8 cards (if you don't make that many, you can pick from my premade cards to get to 8) but most people go home with more than that.  This is also the first opportunity to shop from my stash of recently retired products and I'll have hundreds of premade cards and other samples to purchase too.  And if you place $40 order at the event, you will receive a package of Candy Dots from your choice of color families FREE!  I am offering this event twice:

• Saturday, June 15 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Friday, June 21 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

That's all the news I have for today!  Check back next week for a look at more new products!

New 2013-2014 Catalog is Here!!

This is one of the happiest days of the year in the Stampin' Up! World.  And it might be the only time ever (or maybe just the first time ever) you can order from three catalogs for 12 hours only.  Starting at noon today you can combine orders from the old catalog, the new catalog, and the Spring Catalog.  But at midnight tonight, the Spring Catalog goes away forever.  On Monday, the old catalog goes away forever.  But we get to keep the new catalog for a whole year!

Have I gushed enough about the new catalog yet?  It is spectacularly fabulous.  I don't think my initial wish list has ever been this long before.  I am anxiously waiting for noon to roll around so I can place my own big order.  When it arrives, I may just spread it all on the floor and roll around in it for a while and take it all in.

At the Salt Lake Regional event last month, we had the opportunity to make a card with some of the new products.  Then I brought the card home and put it somewhere super safe.  I finally found it this week and saved it to share with you today:

Colors: Whisper White, Raspberry Ripple, Primrose Petal, Basic Gray, Pumpkin Pie and Old Olive.  Stamps: Remembering Your Birthday.  Big Shot: Deco Labels Framelits Collection, Modern Mosaic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  Bunches: Scallop Ribbon Border, Elegant Butterfly, Small Circle from Itty Bitty Punch Pack.  Accessories: 2012-2014 In Color Dahlias, Polka Dot Parade Designer Series Paper, 2012-2014 In Colors Designer Series Paper Stack.

If you already have your new catalog, you might recognize this card.  It is very similar to the one on page 16 of the new catalog.  Notice the new Deco Labels framelits on here as well as the new stamps, Remembering Your Birthday, as well as some old favorites.  The other thing to point out here is the new Designer Series Paper Stacks.  These replace the previous versions with fresh new prints you are sure to love.

So after noon today, click on the shop now button and take advantage of this most magical of Stampin' Up! Days.

Farewell Baby Bundle

One last fond farewell to a retiring stamp set: Baby Bundle.  I bought this stamp set when it first came out because I didn't have a current baby set.  Now that it is retiring, I will be back to not having a current baby set.  That will have to be fixed soon.

Colors: Coral Calypso, Pool Party, So Saffron and Whisper White.  Stamps: Baby Bundle.  Big Shot: Labels and Ovals Framelit Collections.  Punches: Scallop Border, Word Window and Modern Label. Accessories: 2011-2013 In Color Prints Pack, Occasions and Essentials Paper Piercing Templates.

I discovered this color combo for a baby card when I was making one for a neighbor that recently had twins: a boy and a girl.  I wanted the colors to be fresh and fun and more gender neutral.  Then we made this card for my express card class last month.

The new catalog starts this Friday, May 31 at noon and I will be showing a project from the new catalog here on Friday.  Come back and see what you'll have to put on your first order too.

Open Seas Father's Day

My favorite masculine set is The Open Seas.  I'm pretty sure I use it every year to make Father's Day cards.  My father and my father in law are probably sick of it, but it is perfect.  Thankfully it is in the new catalog so I get to use it for at least one more year.   Here's this year's version:

Colors: Not Quite Navy, River Rock and Whisper White.  Stamps: The Open Seas and Teeny Tiny Wishes.  Punches: Modern Label and Word Window.  Accessories: 1/8" Brads.

While the stamps are not retiring, Not Quite Navy and River Rock are.  I have already mentioned here how much I will miss Not Quite Navy, but River Rock is one that I am OK with it going.  I like it when it was an in color, but I haven't used it much since it returned.  It also features the simple, yet fabulous "Triple Stamp" technique.  I showed this technique and explained how to do it last fall on this card: Happy Fall.

We're down to the last week before the new catalog begins.  If you have not already received a copy of it and would like one, let me know.  I have a case of them arriving today.

Happy Father's Day

I'm trying to find the balance between showing you retiring product and new product.  But with time running out on retiring product, I will probably be showing you more of that then new.  At least this week anyway. 

With May winding down, that means that Father's Day is creeping up on us too.   While it's still a few weeks away, it will be here before we know it. At my recent Card Buffet, I offered a couple of different Father's Day Cards.  This is one features the retiring Comfort Cafe Designer Series Paper:

Colors: Soft Suede, Baja Breeze and Very Vanilla.  Stamps: Delightful Dozen.  Punches: Decorative Label, XL Oval and Scallop Border.  Accessories: Soft Suede 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon, clear embossing powder.

Before this card, I had not even used the Comfort Cafe Designer Series Paper.  It is beautiful but the colors in it are more fall colors and I didn't get the paper until this spring. One side of the paper is pretty feminine but several of paper feature prints on the other side that would be good for masculine cards too.  That makes the paper very versatile and perfect for a variety of crafting needs. 

Delightful Dozen did make it into the new catalog.  Here I used clear embossing powder over the stamped image so add a little texture to the card and then colored in the "Father's" using the Baja Breeze Marker.  Most of the Baja Breeze items are sold out but I am trying to use up my stash of some of these retiring colors still.

I have one more Father's Day card to share with you on Friday with my favorite masculine set: The Open Seas.  We'll see you then!

Spring Catalog Ends Soon!

I cannot believe that we are rapidly heading for the end of May. Don't forget that besides the end of the big catalog and the retirement lists and promotions, the Spring Catalog also expires at the end of this month.  Today's card features a few things that are not carrying over to the new catalog:

Colors: Basic Gray and Very Vanilla.  Stamps: One in a Million.  Big Shot: Oval Framelits Collection and Lacy Brocade Textured Embossing Folder.  Accessories: Silver Glimmer Paper, Flower Trim, Occasions Paper Piercing Template Pack, Basic Gray/Basic Black 1-1/4" Two-Tone Ribbon.

What exactly on this card will soon be gone?  First of all, the Lacy Brocade Textured Embossing Folder that debuted in the Holiday Catalog and carried over to the Spring one.  This is a great folder for adding an elegant touch to cards for any occasions.  But it is especially nice for wedding cards.

Second, the beloved Flower Trim from the Spring Catalog.  I love this beautiful trim as I have mentioned a few dozen times here on my blog.  If you haven't purchased some, you should do it now before it's too late.

Third is this two-toned ribbon from the Spring Catalog that I haven't mentioned much about here on my blog.  It is very pretty in Basic Gray/Basic Black as shown here but it also comes in Rose Red/Pink Pirouette.  It is a delicious size for wrapping around cards as shown here or for wrapping around packages.  Just gorgeous and also only available until the end of this month.

So don't miss out on any of this gorgeous product.  Click on the shop now button to get these and other items that will soon be gone for good!

Sneak Peek: Simply Stars

As promised, here is another Sneak Peek look at a new stamp set that is in the 2013-2014 Catalog that begins on May 31. 

Colors: Island Indigo, Summer Starfruit, Coastal Cabana and Whisper White.  Stamps: Simply Stars and Really Good Greetings.  Accessories: Island Indigo Baker's Twine.

This was a quick and simple card I whipped up last evening in between making dinner and a wedding reception we needed to go to for our neighbor's daughter.  I didn't even use my Big Shot.  *GASP* I have been working on some stepped up cards the past few days so it was nice to get back to a quick and easy card.  Now that I look at it, it could have used some texture. 

Stars are one of my favorite shapes.  Stampin' Up! hasn't had a set devoted to stars in a couple of years so I was thrilled when we received this set at the Salt Lake Regionals. I will let you in on a little secret, the larger star shapes fit the old Star Punch that retired last year (or was it the year before?).  So if you held on to that punch, you will be excited to not have to hand cut those stars. 

Just two weeks until the new catalog goes live.  That also means that there are only 2 weeks to get the retiring products you want.  Don't miss out!  Click over to my online store and get those stamps before they are gone for good!

Two Tags Box and Matching Card

The project from the Blog Hop that had the most comments was the Two Tags Box and today I am sharing the details of it with you.

Colors: Certainly Celery, Marina Mist, So So Saffron and Whisper White. Stamps: Just Believe.  Big  Shot: Two Tags Die.  Punches: Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch.  Accessories: So Saffron Taffeta Ribbon, Many Marvelous Markers.

I know I said it during the hop, but I am really sad that this die is going away.  It was one of the first ones I bought that I use all the time.  If you don't have it, get it before it's gone!

I also mentioned on the hop that I used markers to color directly on the stamp to make the frame then cut the image out and stamped a greeting inside.  The So Saffron Taffeta ribbon is also retiring.  I picked up a couple extra rolls of this already because I love So Saffron and I will miss this beautiful ribbon.

This box is made the same way as the Valentines Two Tag Basket I shared back in February.  I linked to a tutorial in that post, but basically you need 2 of the wider tags from the Two Tags Die (for the front and back of the box) and a piece of card stock that is 2-3/4" x 6-3/4" for the sidewalls and "frame" of the box.

• Place the card stock on your score board horizontally and score at 2" and 4-3/4"
• Flip the card stock vertically on your board and score at 1/2" and 2-1/4" 
• Snip along the shorter score lines into the 1/2" score line in all four places and fold along the score lines
• Place Sticky Strip along the tabs and adhere the frame together
• Fold the tags along their score line and place Sticky Strip on the lower portion (this is the time to stamp them now if that is what you want to do)
• Place the back tag on first with the bottom portion adhered to the bottom of the frame then repeat with the front tag
• Decorate your box as desired

There aren't a lot of details to share on the matching card, but in case you wanted the recipe, I've included it:

Colors: Certainly Celery, Marina Mist, Whisper White and Early Espresso.  Stamps: Just Believe.  Punches Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch. 

One of the things I will miss about this set is how easy it is to make quick cards with it.  The images are detailed enough add interest on their own without a lot of help. 

On Friday, I hope to have another sneak peek to share with you so come back then!

Punch Art Santa

Wasn't this weekend's blog hop fabulous?  It has me reconsidering some stamps sets I've overlooked before, even if I won't be able to use them in my business.  If you missed the hop, it is not too late.  The blogs are all deep linked together so you can still follow along, just start here on my blog: Just Believe.

I promised the details on my Punch Art Santa card.  I feel a little silly sharing a Christmas card in May, but this greeting won't be around later in the year when it is time to start sharing Christmas Cards again:

Colors: Cherry Cobbler, Gumball Green, Basic Black, and Very Vanilla.  Stamps: Just believe. Big Shot: Fancy Fan Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  Punches:  XL Oval (hat), Circle from Itty Bitty Punch Pack (pom pom on hat), Scallop Oval, Large Oval, Cupcake Builder (Eyes), Owl Builder (nose),  Elegant Butterfly (mustache), Ornament (beard), Decorative, Curly and Modern Label. Accessories: Be of Good Cheer Designer Series Paper, Metallic Brads, White Gel Pen.

As you can see from the supply list, I used a plethora of punches to make this card between the Santa and the greeting.  Did you notice the mustache made with the butterfly punch?  I just cut the top of it off to make it. From this list of punches, the only one that isn't carrying over to the next catalog is the ornament punch so if you like the look of the beard on this, get that punch before it's too late.  The Be of Good Cheer Designer Series Paper is also retiring.  I have really enjoyed this paper and will miss it.  I'm already crossing my fingers for an equally awesome holiday Designer Series Paper in the Holiday Catalog.

I personally believe in the magic of Christmas so I love how well this greeting works for a Christmas card.  So don't miss out on this set before it's gone for good.  On Wednesday, I'll be sharing the details of the the box and 3x3 card. I'll see you then!

Stampin' Addicts Blog Hop: Good Bye Just Believe

 

It's Stampin' Addicts Blog Hop time once again!  I love hopping with this group of talented stampers.  This time we are all featuring stamp sets from the retirement list.  If you are hoping in order, than you've arrived here from Tanya's Tinkering in Ink and her fabulous tribute to Dig It. I know I will be missing that stamp set for little boy cards.  If you are starting here, all the blogs are linked together in a circle so you won't miss anything. If you get lost along the way, you can head over to Stampin' Addicts for a complete list of hop stops or just to chat it up.

With such a large retirement list, I had several stamp sets from which to pick.  But I went with Just Believe because it is an old favorite that is simple to use and really quite versatile.  

For my first project, I actually CASEd a card I made a couple of years back with this set.  I switched up the colors to feature (read "use up") retiring Baja Breeze card stock and ribbon and the First Edition Specialty Designer Series Paper.  This is my favorite image from this stamp set because it is so pretty just stamped as a silhouette but could also be colored for a beautiful floral scene. 

For my second project, I wanted to show how easy it is to use this stamp set for some clean and simple cards.  This is a little 3x3 card with a matching envelope featuring another retiring color: Certainly Celery.  I made this card to match the next project:

Another thing on the retirement list that has me heartbroken is the Two Tags Die.  Here I used it to make a little treat box filled with chocolate squares.  I used one of the label stamps from Just Believe and colored it directly with my markers to put a little tag on the front of it.  I added some So Saffron taffeta ribbon to the top (also on the retirement list) of the Certainly Celery and Marina Mist box. I'll be sharing more details on the box and the matching card here on my blog on Wednesday.

My last project is a little more out of the box, although not my original idea.  When this stamp set first came out, this greeting kind of puzzled me: "Some things have to be believed to be seen."  I wasn't sure when I could give a card to a friend that said that.  Then another friend paired it with a Santa stamp and I thought it was just perfect.  Instead of a Santa stamp, (which I don't even own) I've paired it with a punch art Santa and some retiring Designer Series Paper.  Come back on Monday to see all the details of this creation.

Have I convinced you yet that you really should own this stamp set if you don't already?  Then I have done my job. Don't forget to check back her next week to see more details about these projects. Next stop on the hop is Katherine's My Magical Inkery Tour and her tribute to another great stamp set: Kindness Matters.  Happy Hopping.