Final Day!

It's the last day of winter (yay!), and the last day to order from our current Catalogue.
Don't miss out on any of your Faves! I'll be taking last-minute orders from the Retirement List until 9pm tonight.

Goodbye Upsy Daisy!

Another set I'll be sad to say goodbye to, but one that has served me well... Upsy Daisy. Such a pretty set, with some very useful sentiments too. It makes a lovely silhouette with a brayered background, in shades of purple:

Goodbye Fox and Friends

Fox and Friends definitely belongs in my "old fave" category. I'm so sad to see this one go. Here's a "Viewmaster" card I made using this set. You spin the wheel at the side to see a different animal.
First the friendly fox:

Then the cheeky monkey:

Then the little lion:

And finally, you can fill in the age of the recipient:

There's even a pun there. Look who's "turning"...geddit? hee hee
I made my spinner a scalloped circle, so it's easy to get a grip on it.

Goodbye Round Tab Punch!

I'm actually kinda surprised that this one didn't sell out really quickly. Maybe it's because we all know how useful it is, and so we've all bought it already!
The Round Tab Punch is so useful for all sorts of things. Here's an Ideas Sheet I put together for it (quite a few years ago now...remember Mr Crabby??)

The main thing I use mine for these days is do make tabs for my catalogues. It helps me find the section I am after really quickly. My daughter pinches it on occasion to do the same thing for her school books and assignments. This is one punch that I think I'll be hanging on to!

Goodbye Timeless Portrait DSP

I love making these handbags out of Designer Series paper. I use them all the time for gifts. This one is 12x12 size, but they are cute in a smaller version too. You can make them any size you like.
Here's one I made using the Retiring Timeless Portrait Designer Series Paper, Retiring Very Vanilla Satin Ribbon, and Retiring Round Tab Punch:

Here's the inside view. I love that these purses show off both sides of the paper:

I used velcro to hold it closed. There are lots of instructions around the place for these (often called a "Mini note purse"). Email me if you'd like a copy of the instructions I wrote for my class.

Goodbye Ocean Commotion

Here's a card I made for a "Polished Stone" Technique class, using retiring set Ocean Commotion:

"Polished Stone" is a technique using rubbing alcohol and reinkers on Gloss cardstock. It's lots of fun, and you get a different background effect every time. It makes a perfect underwater background for my fish to swim in!

Goodbye Growing Green

Can you believe it...Only a few days left to order from the Retirement List! This week I'll be showing you a few old faves. Some of them are from a while back, but I neglected to blog them, so I thought I had better show them to you all before they are gone forever.
Here's a Stamp-a-Stack using Growing Green:

I love the open outlines of this set. If you're a fan of Fifth Avenue Floral, you'll love this set too. The two sets are great partners for each other. I like that this set has leaves in it too, so it gives you an option for masculine cards. I've added a splash of colour, using a sponge dauber.

Sold Out Already!

The Frenzy has begun! A few items have already sold out:

Peach Parfait Classic Stampin' Ink Refill
Concord Crush Classic Stampin' Ink Refill
Pear Pizzazz Classic Stampin' Ink Refill
Poppy Parade Classic Stampin' Ink refill
Blushing Bride Classic Stampin' Ink refill
Blushing Bride A4 cardstock
Concord Crush A4 Cardstock

More Mustard Stampin' Write Marker
3/16" Gold Brads
Dotto Refill
Stack n Store Containers
Stampin' Scrub Replacement Pads
Card Stock A4 Confetti White
Circle Scissor Plus Replacement Blades
Well Worn Designer Series Paper
Mini Library Clips
Stampin' Scrub Replacement Pads
5-petal flower punch
Color Caddy Extender Kit
Stampin' Around Wheel Storage - Standard size
Five Petal Flower Punch
Timeless Type Junior Alphabet Dies
Neutrals Stampin' Spots
Paper Cutter replacement blades
Hemp Twine

Stamp Sets
Christmas Greetings Stamp Set Wood
D is for Dog stamp set wood
Short and Sweet stamp set wood
Just Surfing Stamp set wood
Curvy Verses Stamp set wood
Calendar Alphabet and Numbers stamp set wood


I'll keep you posted as more items sell out.
Email me if you would like to place an order!

Magic Slider Class - Card 2

My apologies if you have had trouble accessing my blog in the past week or so. Apparently I had conflicting A records??? Heaven knows what that means, but it is all fixed now.

I had a fantastic time at Stamp Camp. It's amazing that crafting and chatting all weekend and not having to cook or clean can be so exhausting! But I think all 40 ladies enjoyed themselves, so that's the main thing :o) I don't think they'll let me get away without running another one next year....let me know if you would like to join us. I love to welcome new ladies to my team!

A little later than planned, but here is the second card that we are making in this week's class:

And the magic part:

These cards are so much fun to make, and even more fun to give :o)
I've used (retiring) Blushing Bride cardstock and Twitterpated DSP on this card, and "Under the Big Top" stamp set (also retiring).

Magic Slider Class - Card 1

I've been super busy this week getting ready for Stamp Camp on the weekend. I'm so looking forward to a girly weekend away. No cooking, no cleaning, just lots of craft and lots of laughs with the girls! There will be 40 of us this year, and I know we're going to have heaps of fun :o)

I've been doing lots of creating lately (using new stuff!), but I haven't taken any photos yet, so thought I would show you the cards we'll be making at my Magic Slider Class next week. I had such fun making these! Here's the card before the magic happens:

and here the magic begins:

and ta-da!

How fun is that?? I've made another version too that I will show you next time. I still have places in my class next week if you would like to come along and learn how to make these. The class is on Wednesday night or Thursday morning. Email me if you would like to come along.

Leo's First Birthday

Can you believe my nephew Leo is one already?? Hasn't the year flown! We had a little birthday soiree for him on the weekend (on his actual birthday), and his Big Bash is this weekend. My sister's place is pretty small, so it will be at a local hall. It will be a nice chance to catch up with lots of family and friends too :o)
Here's the card I made him:

Kim showed us a Punch art Lion at Convention, made using the Blossom Punch. As soon as I saw it, I knew it would be perfect for my little man. I've made a whole 'pride' of them to go on some lollie bags. I also made a big sparkly Number 1 using Sticky Sheets and Turquoise glitter, and I've also used some (retiring) Big Top Birthday DSP.
The little "Happy Birthday" banner is a Sneak Peak from our new catalogue...so cute!

And here I am with the gorgeous boy. We're playing with some of his new toys :o)

Inspired by Nature Stamp-a-Stack

Inspired by Nature is definitely a set that I have made good use of, and it's definitely one that I'm going to miss. I love the size of these images - they fill a card beautifully, and quite spectacularly too, even when you do something simple like inking with markers.

In this case, I have inked with markers, spritzed the stamp lightly with water, and then stamped on Confetti cardstock. I'm so sad that this cardstock is retiring. I like the 'fleck' in it, that stops it from being too plain, and I also like that it is a bit sturdier than our Whisper White and Very Vanilla cardstock. It makes this cardstock more suitable for techniques that require a little extra water, like spritzing or watercolouring.
And more retiring products on these cards - Striped Ribbon, Lace Ribbon Border Punch, and Short and Sweet stamp set.

Awash with Flowers Stamp-a-Stack

We're using Retiring Stamp sets in this month's Stamp-a-stack classes. I picked a few of my favourites so that I could give them one last hurrah. Some of them are sets that I've loved and used to death, others are sets that I really wish I had played with a bit more. "Awash with Flowers" falls in to the latter category. Here's what I came up with for the Stamp-a-Stack, using Retiring In Colors:

I have to say that Poppy Parade wasn't my most favourite In Color, but it's my favourite card here!
I've also used lots of other retiring products on these cards too - Sincere Salutations stamp set (so useful!), French Filigree Background, Wonderfully Worn Background and the Clips Assortment. These little clips are perfect to jazz up an empty corner. They look so cute with a little piece of ribbon tied to them!

Retired List Q&A

I've been receiving a few queries about some items on the Retired List so I thought I would clarify a few things with a Q&A:

Why are there so many markers and 12x12 cardstock on the List?
In the new Annual Catalogue, you will no longer be able to purchase all of the colours of markers and 12x12 cardstock individually. Selected Colours* will be available individually, and the rest will only be available as part of the Assorted Colour Family Packs.
Textured 12x12 Cardstock will no longer be available at all.

Are Stampin' Spots all Retiring too?
The Stampin' Spots (mini ink pads) will only be available in the "Getting Started" colour collection

Why are there so many inkpads on the List? Are the colours retiring?
The only colours that are retiring are the 2010-12 In Colors (Poppy Parade, Pear Pizzazz, Peach Parfait, Concord Crush and Blushing Bride). All of the other colours remain current. Stampin' Up! have just improved the surface of the inkpad (not the actual inkpad case, just the area that holds the ink). Instead of felt, the new pads will be a firm foam that provides a superior stamping surface.

Is the Stampin' Scrub no longer going to be available?
The Stampin' Scrub is just being reconfigured. The new Scrub will be larger.

Why is the Paper Trimmer Retiring?
Stampin' Up! will be offering a new, improved Trimmer, with more features. The new blades will not fit our current trimmer, so if you have the current trimmer you might like to stock up on blades now.

Let me know if you have any other questions!

* The colours that WILL be available individually are Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, Rich Razzleberry, Certainly Celery, Marina Mist, Pretty in Pink, Cherry Cobbler, Night of Navy, Basic Black, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso. If you have any other favourites, stock up on your markers and 12x12 cardstock now!

Last Chance List Highlights

I know how daunting that long, long list of products can be, so I thought I would put together a few of my List Highlights for you.
I'll try to keep you updated on Sold Out and Running Low items on here, but my advice would be, if you don't want to miss out, get it now!

Here are my Retiring Stamps List highlights for you. These items are absolute bargains!

There are 21 stamp sets that are 25% off. My picks out of these are:

• Dasher -that gorgeous reindeer on page  15 (wood) now only $11.21
• Pendant Park (page 45) is now $20.96 (clear)
• If you have a little girl, she would love Pony Party (page 55) now $19.46 (clear)
• Cottage Garden (page 67) is now $24.71 (wood) or $18.71 (clear)
• Flight of the Butterfly (page 76) is now only $40.46 (wood) - and the matching punch is down to $25.46!
• Seaworthy (page 79) is perfect for masculine cards, now only $28.46 (clear)
• Background stamps are so useful. French Filigree and Medallion (page 99) are only $25.46 each

Of course there are lots more wonderful sets that are disappearing forever....it was hard to pick just a few!

There are lots more bargains on the Retiring Accessories List (6 pages worth, in fact!)

• The ultimate bargain has to be that Fabric - Candy Cane Christmas and Deck the Halls fabric packs (page 140) are 75% off - only $4.99 a pack!! This fabric is not just for Christmas. You could definitely use it all year round.
• Inkpads for only $7.17! Blushing Bride, Calypso Coral, Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade, Peach Parfait, Pool Party, Poppy Parade, Wisteria Wonder, Rich Razzleberry, Cajun Craze are all 40% off! Lots of other inkpads are 25% off!
• 2010-12 In Color products that are 40% off - Markers (pack of 5 for only $16.77), 12x12 assorted smooth cardstock (pack of 20 sheets for only $11.37), A4 cardstock (pack of 20 sheets for only $8.37)
• Confetti White cardstock is 25% off - pack of 40 sheets for only $12.94. I'll miss this cardstock :o(
• Square envelopes are 25% off - $8.21 for a pack of 20. Sad to see these go too :o(
• DSP for 40% off - Just Add Cake, Paisley Petals, Letters to Santa, Nursery Nest - only $11.37 for 12 sheets. Lots of other packs are 25% off
• Denim Jean Ribbon (great for masculine cards) 40% off, only $8.37 per roll
• Pear Pizzazz Seam Binding Ribbon (LOVE this) 40% off, only $7.77 a roll
• Great time to buy a Crop-a-Dile - 25% off - $41.21
• 2 Punches are 40% off - Blossom Bouquet and Lace Ribbon Border. Bargain! 4 other punches are 25% off!
• There are Big Shot Dies at 25% off! That makes the alphabets so much more affordable. I use my alphabets ALL the time. They are a fantastic investment.

Remember that inkpads are on the list because Stampin' Up! is introducing a new firm foam inkpad. The colours will remain the same, it is just the surface of the inkpad that is changing.

I hope that helps you navigate the LIST...email me if you NEED anything ;o)

Retired List is Here!

I love this time of year! Stampin' Up! have a giant clearance, to make room for lots and lots of new stamps and accessories.

You can view the list of stamps HERE
You can view the list of accessories HERE

You might like to print them out and then highlight the retiring items in your catalogue.

Some of my old favourites are going....in particular I'll be very sad to say goodbye to Inspired by Nature, Pocket Silhouettes, Fox and Friends and Medallion *sob*

We are also losing a set of 5 In Colors - Poppy Parade, Peach Parfait, Pear Pizzazz, Concord Crush and Blushing Bride are all retiring. You'll notice lots of inkpads on the list too - that's because Stampin' Up! is introducing a new firm foam inkpad. The colours will remain the same, it is just the surface of the inkpad that is changing.

The fantastic news is that some items are discounted by 40%!!

So, check the list to see if anything you love is disappearing forever - but order it fast, because these items are only available while stocks last! Email me to place your order