Here they are!  The links to the lists of retiring products.  Hundreds of products from the 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalogue and Definitely Decorative brochures are retiring, and now is the time to get them before they're gone - they're only available while supplies last.  Take a peek on my website for details or click any of the following links.  Some of these products are even being offered at 40% off!!!!

When viewing products online, change the drop down box from "8" to "All" so you don't miss anything! :)

Last Chance Stamps


Last Chance Accessories


Last Chance Definitely Decorative




Happy Stamping!

Saying Goodbye...

Every year we must say farewell to a number of retiring stamp sets, wheels and accessories to make room for new ones in the upcoming catalogue. Tomorrow morning Stampin' Up! will be releasing this list.

As always, all Last Chance items are only available to purchase June 1 - 30 and only while supplies last.  If any of these retiring items are still on your wish list, be sure to place your order as soon as possible. 

Happy Stamping!

A simple thank you....

At the beginning of the month, I mentioned that Stampin' Up! is donating $2 from the sale of every "Strength & Hope" stamp set to Breast Cancer Research during our Summer Catalogue sales period.  Not only does this stamp set support a great cause (which really hits home for me as my SIL is currently going through chemo for breast cancer), but it's just so darn cute, how can you NOT order it! 

There are some adorable projects you can make with it.  I've got a few that I'll post over the next few days, but thought I'd show you a really quick card I stamped this afternoon.

I pretty much copied this from the back of the Summer Mini Catalogue with a few minor changes.  It didn't take me more than 10 minutes and I can't wait to stamp more of them.  (Click the pic for a closer peek).

The "flag" at the bottom is actually a leftover piece I had in my scrap bin when I cut out a project using my Petal Cone Bigz Die.  I just love that die.

This particular card has been tucked into a customers order as a thank you for ordering this stamp set.  With the purchase of this set, I will be including a stamped card that I have personally stamped as a thank you for your support in Breast Cancer Research.

Watch for upcoming details regarding a class I am putting together for next month using this stamp set.


Happy Stamping!

DIY Buttons

Here it is - FINALLY! I know I said I'd post a DIY Button tutorial last week, but I wanted to show my stampers 6 clubs first (one of the many perks of joining a club!) and my 2nd club didn't end up meeting until last night, so I decided to wait.

BUT, here it is! A quick and simple way to make your own buttons that will coordinate perfectly with any card, scrapbook page or other project you're creating!

The products you'll need are:

Scrap cardstock or Designer Series Paper
Paper Punches of your choice (I'm using 3/4" & 1/2" circle punches)
Crop-o-Dile
Sanding Block
Post-it Note
Anywhere Glue stick (or other liquid-type adhesive)
Crystal Effects
Tweezers
Paint brush
Parchment Paper



Punch out five 3/4" circles and one 3/4" "donut".

To punch out my donut shape, I first punched out one 1/2" circle.

Then, I lined up my 3/4" circle punch around the punched 1/2" circle and punched again.

 
This gave me a perfect donut shape.

Line up four of the full circles and the donut on a post-it note.

 Apply an even amount of glue to cover the circles.

Starting with the non-glue covered circle, start layering the punches ending with the donut. Wipe away any excess glue and make sure your circles are perfectly lined up on top of each other.

With the pencil, mark button hole placement (with a larger button, 4 holes looks cute as well).

Punch holes with the crop-o-dile.  Punching through this many layers with a regular hand punch would be next to impossible, but the crop-o-dile is engineered in a way that it'll punch through SO easily.

Using your sanding block, lightly round the top edge/side of your button.

Pick up button with tweezers.

With the paint brush, brush on a layer of Crystal Effects around the outside edge to seal the paper layers together.

Place the button on the parchment paper and apply a thick even coat of Crystal Effects to the top.

Once dry, peel off the parchment paper and adhere with mini glue dots to your project!

There are so many different punches available, so don't limit yourself to just circles!

I hope you'll try your hand at making your own buttons.  I'd love to see what you come up with.

Happy Stamping!

Paper & Flowers & Buttons...Oh My!

Hello! It's been another busy week in our household which unfortunately means little time for me to be creative (and doesn't give me much to blog about!).

I had an opportunity to head into my craft room last night and one of the first things I wanted to try was my new Fun Flowers Bigz die.

This particular die was introduced in our Occasions Mini catalogue (Jan-Apr) and because it was SO popular, it ended up being back ordered when I finally decided to order it! AND, because of its popularity, it's been carried over from the mini and is STILL available to purchase!  I've had it for about a month now, but hadn't really taken the time to try much with it.

I ended up with three very different cards using this die last night. The first is a simple design with very clean lines. I used Melon Mambo for the flower and LOVE the bright pop of color.

I sponged the edges of the cut petals with Melon Mambo ink for some extra color and cut the largest petals from Wild Wasabi cardstock to use as leaves.  With a Wild Wasabi button (which I MADE) and a little Linen Thread, it was the perfect finish for the flower..

Curious how I made the button?  Check back next week and I'll show you a quick and simple tutorial on how to make your own buttons that will coordinate with any of your projects!


The second card I stamped has more of a vintage feel.  The embossed squares remind me of vintage tin ceiling tiles!

This particular flower has the petals sponged with Early Espresso classic ink and distressed.  I added a stamped and punched oval which is tied to an Espresso button with more Linen Thread.

The third card is my favorite.  I layered a piece of our gorgeous Paisley Petals Designer Series paper on an Always Artichoke card base and added some Always Artichoke Seam Binding Ribbon along the bottom edge.  This particular designer paper was a special sneak peek last month, but if you missed it, it'll be available in our new Idea Book & Catalogue in July!

This is a very simple layout, but the wow factor is definitely the carnation-inspired bloom! 

This gorgeous flower literally pops off the paper!  With a beautiful large Rhinestone center and softly sponged and ruffled edges, it truly is beautiful on its own!  I finished the card with another homemade button, a small tag and three sparkly diamonds.  Love it.

Happy Stamping!!!

Strength & Hope Campaign - Support Breast Cancer Research

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 Catalogue 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).

The effects of breast cancer are far-reaching and have touched many of us in one way or another. Now with the Strength & Hope Set or Digital Kit, you can help make a difference in the fight against breast cancer.
 
Order these exclusive Summer Mini products--and help contribute to an amazing cause!



*Stampin' Up! is donating $2 from this purchase to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation® . BCRF is dedicated to preventing breast cancer and finding a cure in our lifetime by funding clinical and translational research worldwide. For more information about BCRF, visit www.bcrfcure.org


Happy Stamping!

May 1 = Lots of new goodies!!!!

YAY!!  I am so excited to let you know that as of today, our new Summer Mini Catalogue is available!

New stamps, new Designer Paper, new Punches & new accessories! WOW! Definitely take a peek here!



May is also National Scrapbook Month and Stampin' Up! is offering a great promotion to celebrate!

Receive 30% off a wide selection of scrapbooking products including

• Select stamp sets
• Select professional print products for My Digital Studio
• Special digital download bundles for My Digital Studio

Click here to see the products being offered at 30 percent off!   If you're new to scrapbooking or maybe you've been scrapping for years, you'll definitely want to take a peek!


Happy Stamping!