I really don’t know where this year has gone! It is time to transition to a new catalog and that means we have to say goodbye to some wonderful sets and accessories to make room for the new ones! Today I am posting all of the retiring products. I am so sad to see some of my favorites go. Not that I will necessarily be getting rid of my set, but that means I can no longer share them at workshops. Be sure to check the lists and see if any of your must have sets are on there. In most cases the stamps will be available till the end of June, but the accessories (many at a discount) and Decor Elements items are first come, first served and when they are gone, they won’t be available again!

You can view the products directly in my online store by clicking the link in the specials section of my sidebar or you can download the printable file here.

These accessories are only available while supplies last, so order early. The best place to view them and order is in my online store where you can grab them immediately. Many of these are at a discount. You can link to all of the discounted products below.

All the Decor Elements will be in the new Idea Book and Catalog due out in July, there are some great ones retiring this year so get them while you can. Download a printable list or view them in my online store.

And finally, many of the retiring accessories are being sold at a discount!!  View the items that are 25-40% off and grab them before they are gone. You have to click on the individual items to see the discounted price.

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Hello everyone! I am back, I promise! I have just had huge distractions, and the break has been nice, but it’s time for a new catalog and I am jumping back in full throttle! Thanks for checking in.

So one of the distractions that I have had over the last few months, has been learning to use the My Digital Studio program. Aubrey’s daddy is entering the military in August and I wanted to send him off with a photo book.  I was so excited when I heard about the May special, so I waited to order my books and got them at a great price!

When I first started playing with the program, I was really surprised how easy it is to use. I say that because I also own Photoshop Elements and I can’t do anything in that program. Even resizing my pictures was a daunting task, so I have never done anything with it. My Digital Studio is easy to learn. I made all of my pages without doing any of the webinars that Stampin Up has made for demonstrators , and it was still fairly easy to navigate. My plan was to just play with it a little to familiarize myself and then I just never took the time. I did spend a little time on the MDS website . There are lots of samples and many helpful people over there. If you have the program and haven’t jumped in yet, just go for it! You will be churning out pages in no time!

My favorite digital items are the overlays. I use a lot of those. Did you know you can purchase the digital downloads and use them in other software programs as well? You can! I still love to scrapbook the old fashioned way too, but I have to admit that I am getting hooked on My Digital Studio! I love the instant gratification of ordering a digital download and then playing with it within seconds!

Aubrey loves her some chocolate! I love her Cheshire Cat smile in the first picture. She stole Nana’s cookie and her chair and was pretty proud of herself!

This is the facing page. I always try to keep some of the elements the same on facing pages even if they are a different event. The circle pieces are made by simply choosing a punch shape, resizing it and then filling it with  background paper.

I’ll be back tomorrow with some more projects and the retiring list for this catalog!

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Hello Everyone!

Sorry to have gone missing in action so long. After an extremely busy few weeks and my allergies kicking off the worst season I have experienced in years, I just took some much needed time to regroup, organize, rest up, kick out a few home projects and get ready for the upcoming New Catalog Release! I know, I can’t even believe it is time to be uttering those words! The release of the retirement list is just a couple of weeks away!

Here are a few exciting new promotions to keep us busy this month!

Yes, May is National Scrapbooking month and we have some really exciting things on sale at 30% off! Go to  my specials page for all of the details including direct links to see all of the  Stamp Sets that are being offered at 30% off!

We are also offering 30% off  My Digital Studio Printing

We have FABULOUS My Digital Studio Digital Download Bundles at 30% off!

We also have a new scaled down version of the My Digital Studio Software for only $39.95. The My Digital Express version is down-loadable and comes with $50 worth of content, allowing you to personalize your version.

Last but not least, you can sign up to be a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator at 30% off when you purchase the Digital Starter Kit containing over $320 in stamps and supplies for only $122.50!

But of course, that’s not all! We are kicking off a new Summer Mini Catalog! This link will take you to a down-loadable .pdf version or you can click on the link in my sidebar to view a flash version.

Finally, as part of our Making a Difference program, Stampin’ Up! is proud to partner with The Breast Cancer Research Foundation in the Strength & Hope Campaign.

Throughout the 2011 Summer Mini Catalog sales period, Stampin’ Up! will donate $2* from the sale of each Strength & Hope set and Strength & Hope digital kit to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF). View this lovely set in the Summer Mini Catalog or directly, by clicking on the link above.

These are the card design choices for Stamp a Stack this week. Stamp camp is Thursday at the Community Center at 6:00 PM. Each stack is 5 cards of one design. The first stack is priced at $7.50 and each stack after that is $5.00 or you may stamp 5 stacks for $25.00. You may also choose to do the standard stamp camp which is one of each card design for $10.00. You must RSVP for this event, please call or email me with details on how many stacks of which design you would like to stamp.

Click here to view or order Stampin’ Up! products 24/7

I got online today, feeling a little post Saleabration let down. You know, kind of like the day after Christmas.  Let me tell ya, that didn’t last long! I logged onto the Stampin’ Up! demonstrator site and all I can say is, Stampin’ Up just keeps on delivering the fun! I don’t know where to start or what to get the most excited about.

Some of the things were totally demonstrator related, like I had forgotten that today is the day I can pre-order new goodies from the Summer mini catalog that is coming in May! Then I read about some really fun convention happenings. I think they are really pulling out all the stops to make this one of the best convention experiences ever. I’ll be talking more about that in future posts! There were several other things that I’ll talk about in the next few posts, because they deserve some space all their own.

And then there was this!

This is only available in the Online store, but don’t let that deter you. It is really easy to order there. This is the product detail from the website.

Grab a bag of Stampin’ Up! products! The $5 Grab Bag contains at least $20 worth of discontinued products ($40 in the $10 bag and $60 in the $15 bag), including any combination of products like the following: ribbons, Accents & Elements, chipboard, Designer Series Paper, or Simply Sent kit components. Grab bags do not contain stamp sets or tools.All grab bag sales are final. No refunds or exchanges.

When these are gone, they are gone! It is first come, first served.

I’m adding one to my Summer mini pre-order, I’ll show you what I got when it gets here!

And last but not least, you can pre-order some exciting new products too! These will be in the upcoming new catalog. I know! I can’t believe it’s time to start thinking about the catalog! Here are the details……..

OK, now we can talk about today’s sweet and springy card. This set is from the Occasions mini catalog and yes, I do, I love it!  Love the silhouette girl and basket, love the cherry blossom stem, love it all!

Stampin’ Stuff

Stamps: Easter Blossoms

Ink: Blush Blossom and Basic Gray Classic Ink

Paper: Whisper White, Blush Blossom and Basic Gray card stock

Fun Stuff: Big Shot and Lattice embossing folders, Oval dies and movers and shapers die, Modern Label punch, Basic Pearls

Click here to view or order Stampin’ Up! products 24/7

Today is the last day of Saleabration, so be sure to get your order in to me by 9:00 PM tonight(March 31st) to earn those last minute, FREE goodies!

Whether it is a sewing project or sewing images, the sewing trend is hot right now. This card was made using our Sew Suite set from the current mini catalog. Hostesses may choose this card as a make and take project for their April workshops! We have so many fun products with a sewing theme. In addition to the Sew Suite set, I used the Button Button and Pattern Pieces sets for this card. Just simple stamping and cutting out, but I love how this came together!

Stampin’ Stuff

Stamps: Sew Suite, Button Button and Pattern Pieces

Ink: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Marina Mist, Daffodil Delight and Wild Wasabi Classic Inks

Paper: Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake and Marina Mist card stock

Fun Stuff: Daffodil Delight Satin ribbon, hemp cord

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This is different color version of a card we did for Stamp a Stack. Love this set, nuff said.

Stampin’ Stuff

Stamps: Bliss

Ink: So Saffron and Basic Gray Classic Ink

Paper: So Saffron, Basic Gray, Very Vanilla card stock and Newsprint DSP

Fun Stuff: Tulip Border embossing folder, Decorative Label punch, Basic Pearls

Here is a quick tutorial on how to make  a second layer for your punched image using the same punch.

Start by punching a second piece in a contrasting color. Trim the end pieces while trying to maintain the curve of the rest of the piece.

After trimming both ends, cut the remaining piece in half

I like to use a sparse amount of Tombow Multi glue to attach these pieces.

Adhere the pieces to the back of the stamped layer as shown. You will end up with a shadow effect rather than a full mat. I really like the look and it is a great way to make your punches do double duty.

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Here is another card using the Punch Bunch Saleabration set. Very quick and easy. This color combination is so bright and vibrant! I used the In Color Poppy Parade and Tempting Turquoise.

Stampin’ Stuff

Stamps: Punch Bunch

Ink: Poppy Parade and Tempting Turquoise Stampin’ Write Markers

Paper: Whisper White, Poppy Parade and Tempting Turquoise card stock, Poppy Parade DSP (Hostess pad level 1)

Fun Stuff: Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Big Shot Machine, 1 3/4 Scallop Circle punch, 2 3/8 Scallop Circle punch, Temping Turquoise grosgrain ribbon 

Click here to view or order Stampin’ Up! products 24/7