Behind the Scenes info, and a Card to share

Wow, yesterday was an exciting day for Stampin' Up! demos! You have no idea how frantic we get waiting for catalogues, retiring lists, and anything else SU to be announced. Retiring lists always bring surprises!

And then there is the twitter back and forth between demos - oohing and ahhing, and getting all our details straight. Some demos (whose name(s) shall not be mentioned) even take their little laptop to bed so they can check the info at 3am without having to get up.

But enough behind-the-scenes action. I finally have a card to share with you again!

When I made this card I had no idea that two of the major elements would be retired, and I will be sad to see them both go.

The colours used are Rich Razzleberry, Pretty in Pink, and Old Olive. The punch (which is being retired) is the Pinking Hearts Border Punch. The stamp set is Vintage Vogue (also retired), and the sentiment set is Perfectly Penned.

This card takes less than fifteen minutes to make and is a simple stunner in real life. I especially love the Vintage Vogue set because it is so versatile, and it will not be leaving my collection!

I hope the sun is shining where you live and that you have a wonderful day!

Carol

Accessories Retirement List - Get Them While You Can

While the Retiring Stamp Sets are available until May 31st, the Retiring Accessories lists are 'while supplies last'. That means some could be gone today, some tomorrow, some next week. But there are dozens of items (some up to 70% off!), so have a look!

Retiring Accessories and Décor Elements

Click here to see the lists with images.

When you look at the retired accessories list, you'll note that all of our Stampin' Pads are listed. This is for two reasons:
 (1) Craft Stampin' Pads will now only be available in black and white; and
 (2) we are introducing a new Firm Foam pad in our Classic Stampin' Pads with the 2012-2013 annual catalog.
The Firm Foam pads offer better ink coverage and, in turn, better stamped images.

• Only select Stampin' Write Markers will be available individually (Stampin' Write Markers in color collections will continue to be offered)
• 12" x 12" Textured Card Stock will no longer be offered
• 12" x 12" Smooth Card Stock will only be available in select individual colors and color collections

The best way to order is directly on my Store site http://www.attherookery.stampinup.net so that you can order as soon as possible - especially if there is something you 'must' have before it's gone. 

If you have any questions, please contact me.

Happy Shopping!
Carol

The Retirement List is Here!

Be sure to check out the list to see if you have any of these 

stamp sets on your 'must have' list before they are gone 

on May 31, 2012!

CLICK HERE TO READ THE LISTS

You can order on-line or contact me.

Happy Easter, Happy Spring!

Even though we're supposed to have 10-15 cm (4-6 in) of snow tonight I'm still in a spring mood! And I wanted to share it with you!

Here is a set that I made using the Heaven Blessed stamp set from the Occasions Mini:

The watercolouring is done on watercolour paper* using our Watercolour Wonder Crayons and an Aquapainter. The bag on the left is made with the Fancy Favour die, embellished with the new Paper Doily die. The card and the Number 2 box uses the new Framelit dies. The Designer Series Paper is from the Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack.

And just for fun I cased these bunnies from Kay Sha:

I couldn't resist them!

*Tip: Using watercolour paper makes such a difference in your projects. It allows you to blend colours, add or take away colours, all without the paper pilling or warping. Although it is more expensive than regular paper, it is well worth the price when you see the finished product.

Happy Stamping!
Carol

Upcoming Catalogue Changes for Stampin' Up! & A Sneak Peek!

Even though today is April Fools Day, this is no joke! Stampin' Up! is making some changes to its catalogues and its catalogue schedule.

First of all the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalogue will run only until the end of May this year as the new annual catalogue goes live on June 1st instead of July 1st (this means you won't have to wait as long to see all the gorgeous new products!!). So mark you calendars!

In a nutshell, starting June 1, 2012, Stampin' Up! will release one annual catalogue, comparable to (but smaller than) the current Idea Book & Catalogue, and two seasonal catalogues, comparable to (but larger than) the current mini catalogues.

Pretty simple, right? Here are the details:

Annual Catalogue

• The annual catalogue will run from June 1, 2012 through May 31, 2013.
• The annual catalogue will be reduced from over 240 pages in the current Idea Book & Catalogue to 208 pages.(This is mainly due to the reduction of the Home Decor Vinyl Art and the Jewellry lines)
• The annual catalogue will be printed on lighter-weight paper.

Seasonal Catalogues

• The Occasions, Summer, and Holiday Mini Catalogues will be replaced by two seasonal catalogues called the Holiday Catalogue and the Spring Catalogue.  
  • The first Holiday Catalogue will run from August 1, 2012 through the beginning of January, 2013
  • The first Spring Catalogue will run from the beginning of January, 2013 through May 31, 2013.
• The seasonal catalogues will be larger in both size (8 1/2" x 11") and page count (about 40 pages) than the current mini catalogues. 

So there you have it, annual catalogues that are more environmentally friendly and  seasonal catalogues that are larger (be still my heart!!). I'll have more information in the near future so stay tuned!

AND even better, here's sneak peek of what will be coming in that new catalogue...

These adorable little purses (3" wide at the base, 1 1/4" deep, and 2" high - not including the handle) are made in a snap from the brand-new Petite Purse die!!

Oh, and did I mention that you can purchase this die NOW, during the month of April, along with other selected items that will be in the new catalogue!!! (You can see them all at my Stampin' Up! store)

But before you go, look at some of the extra cute ideas demos have come up with that you can use to dress up your petite purses for special occasions:

 

Baby Showers or New Moms

Wedding Favours/Shower Favours

Girls Night Out

And just so the men won't feel left out

here's one for Father's Day/Birthdays/Fishing Fiends

(All of these special purses were designed by 

Stampin' Up! demo Cristy Butzen, 

and cased by me!)

I hope that got you excited enough to play with your stamping toys today.

Happy Stamping!

Carol

Special Cards for Special Friends

It's important when doing workshops and classes to keep in mind that everyone is not an experienced stamper, so often I make simpler cards with not a lot of embellishments.

But in the past week I've had occasion to make two cards where I really wanted to create something special. So I went searching for inspiration and ended up casing two beautiful cards.

The first was for a wonderful neighbour who has just been diagnosed with lung cancer.

I cased this card from Karen Squires and many of the supplies used are found in the Occasions Mini catalogue:
Rue Des Fleurs Stamp Set
Paper Doily Sizzlits Die (the outer rings have been cut off in both the white doily and the base blue doily.)
Attic Boutique Designer Series Paper

The second card was for a dear friend who is going through a rough time.

Sharon Field is the designer of this card and I changed it very little.
The umbrella image is also from the Rue Des Fleurs set.
The daisy is made using the smallest image in the Flower Daisies #2 die.
The butterflies are from the Kindness Matters stamp set.

Next time I update I'll be talking about some exciting new catalogue news!!!
Until then
Happy Stamping!
Carol

Playing Catch-up!

OK, I was away for a month visiting our lovely daughter, her handsome husband, and our two gorgeous granddaughters

and we had a wonderful time!!!

But now I'm back and I want to show you the rest of the swap cards:

 

 

Sure hope you're enjoying a wonderful spring!

I have recently participated in a SUDSOL swap and I want to share them with you. Everyone used products from the Occasions Mini or the Sale-a-bration catalogue.

The first card is by Cynthia Stevenson from Fort St. John in British Columbia.

 

Isn't it great! I really like the combination of Designer Series papers (from the Twitteredpated pack) and the Sale-a-bration stamp set "Sprinkled Expressions". The cardstock is Island Indigo, Pear Pizzazz, and Whisper White.

The next card is by Catherine Black. This could be a Valentine card or a card for any occasion.

 Catherine used the stamp set "Take it to Heart", and the colours are Daffodil Delight, Going Gray, and Basic Black. She also used the Pinking Hearts border punch, the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder and the Hearts Framelits. I love the finished product!

The final card I'm sharing today is by Jenna Innes:

 

This card is so cute in real life. Jenna has used the Baby Prints stamp set and an unusual combination (for me) of Cajun Craze, Basic Grey, and Baja Breeze. But it sure does work!!! She also used the Curly Label punch and the Eyelet Border punch, the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Baja Breeze pleated ribbon, and Basic Rhinestones. Lovely card Jenna!

Look for more swaps coming soon!

Carol

The Day Before

Can it be the middle of February already? And I haven't shared these cards with you as yet!

These these are the cards from our Atlantic Stampers Ink February swap.
The first one is a swing card - here it is closed:

 

And here it is opened:

This next card uses a gate fold technique:

 

 Here are some unconventional colours used in a Valentine card but it is still lovely:

 

Finally we have a delightful card using one of our retired stamp sets:

I'll have more for you tomorrow!

Happy Stamping

Carol

Sale-a-bration is here at last!

 
A little something to make winter days go faster... it's our Sale-a-bration catalogue!!

Inside this cover are delightful stamps and papers and ribbons and brads and more, that you can obtain FREE
during January 24 - March 31.

And here's how:

 You can order on-line at my Stampin' Up Store, or email me with your order. You're going to love the freebies!!!

Happy Stamping!
Carol

P.S. I love you Coupon Portfolio

This is an adorable project from the preview of the latest Create With Connie & Mary collection. It also includes a sneak peek from the Sale-a-bration catalogue!

I love anything that even remotely resembles a book, and I love pockets for surprises and this project has it all!

Isn't the cover cute! I added some sparkle on the Poppy Parade heart, and Crystal Effects on the chocolate of the strawberry. And I love the combination of DSP - Stampin' Up!'s package coordination works every time!!


Inside a ten pockets (made from the Pillow Box die!) where you can tuck secret messages or coupons for special gifts!

And if you pay attention to the directions you can make your tag bottoms match your pillow pockets (I didn't, except two by accident!!)

 

And guess what?! You can get the directions FREE from Connie & Mary here.

Just click on the link and scroll down the page and you can download the directions.

This project would also make a good Mother's Day or Father's Day gift as well.

Happy Stamping!

Carol

So Many Things to Show You!

Yes, and well I should have after all this time. Call it holiday anti-climax...la la land (between New Year's and gardening).

Actually there are only two seasons in my life - Christmas and Gardening, everything else fits into those two. We garden from April to October, think about/prepare for Christmas from October to December, then relax with the gardening catalogues (and new books from Christmas) until April arrives. It's a great life I know!

But I do have something to share with you at last. Have you checked out the Simply Sent "Create & Keep" kit on page 42 of your new Occasions Mini? (If not, just click on the image in the side column to see everything in the mini). This kit goes together in minutes, and it's great to have on hand. Even if you haven't put it together you can whip up a card in five minutes!!

It's perfect gift for someone who likes to dabble in creativity but is new to Stampin’ Up! There is everything to make 10 bright and beautiful cards, a box with dividers to organize cards, and 10 printed envelopes to make the kit complete! 

Here are samples of the cards I put together:

 The kit includes borders, and sentiments.

 Along with colourful flowers that you can layer.

 And you can design the cards however you want!


Plus I had all this left over for other projects!

 It's also a great kit to make with your children (or in my case grandchildren!!)

Happy Stamping!
Carol

The NEW Occasions Mini is here

 

It's so much fun when a new catalogue comes out - large or small! And Stampin' Up! has add some totally NEW products this time. Things like:

Framelits - Two different collections to use with your Big Shot! The Hearts Collection of six dies will cut hearts from 5 1/4" wide down to 7/8" wide.  The Labels Collection of six dies cuts a decorative label from 5 7/16 wide down to 2" wide. So great for layering, making labels, or specialty shaped cards.

Coordinating Edgelit Dies, Textured Impressions Embossing Folders and a Stamp Set!!! Don't you just love it when everything works together!

There's also a new coordinating punch and stamp set, gorgeous Designer Series Paper, and adorable stamp sets. And more! Check it out by clicking on the icon in the right hand column.

Enjoy!
Carol