Retired Stamp Set Samples

Well over 100 stamp sets are retiring this month.  They will be available until June 30 and then they'll be gone.  You can see samples made with some of these stamps by clicking on the stamp set name below.  I have made a lot more cards using the retiring sets.  I will post some over the next couple of weeks, so be sure to check back.  Also, there are many accessories and Decor Elements retiring.  See this post for details on all last chance (retiring) items.

A Rose is a Rose A bookmark made with the large rose.
Animal Crackers Chick breaking out of the egg.
Close as a Memory
Happy Everything
Itty Bitty Backgrounds
One of a Kind Sentiment from set with punch art flowers.
Sprinkles
Very Thankful  SU! will donate $2 to Ronald McDonald house for each set purchased.

If you'd like to order any of these sets, just let me know.

Last Chance Lists

Well, Stampin' Up has released the last chance lists.  The items on the accessories list are only available while supplies last (and some are already gone), but no later than June 30.  The stamps and Definitely Decorative items will be available until June 30.

Accessories List:

http://204.228.150.61/2010lastchancelist/Retiredaccessories-USENG.pdf

Stamp List:

http://204.228.150.61/2010lastchancelist/LastChanceStamps_0510_US.pdf


Definitely Decorative List:

http://204.228.150.61/2010lastchancelist/LastChanceDefinitelyDecorative_0510_US.pdf

The stamp and Definitely Decorative lists are available in a sortable Excel spreadsheet.  I can't figure out a way to link those, but if you are interested, I can try to e-mail them to you.

I will be happy to order any of these items, or any other Stampin' Up products, for you.  Feel free to contact me with any questions.

So, the list is posted.  What do you think?  Would love to hear your thoughts.  I'll start:  I'm really surprised by the number of Big Shot dies on the list.  Knew the items with retiring colors would have to go.  Was surprised by the number of punches until Tiffany (from the morning club) pointed out re-configured column.  Looks like they'll be back in a different form (most likely the new flat style).

I'm surprised by some of the stamps going, but not others.  And surprised by some that aren't going.  I need to spend more time with that list.

I'm very excited, though, because with all the products going that means more room in the catalog for new products!  Stampin' Up has announced that the catalog will be 16 pages bigger this time, too.  Lots of new stuff!!!

Please keep in mind that these are only my personal thoughts and do not represent Stampin' Up in any way.

Okay, your turn.  Leave a comment with your thoughts on the last chance lists.

Birthday Cards

I have been busy since I last posted. I got sick (YUCK!) -- knocked me out for a couple of days, had a birthday (Yeah!), am in the middle of a visit from my in-laws (also Yeah!) and today we celebrated my daughter Catherine's birthday (she's 15 -- where does the time go?). Today I am posting 3 of the four hand crafted cards that I received for my birthday. I am not posting the fourth because it was a postcard (from the Card Ministry at my church) done on glossy cardstock. Think I have trouble photographing cards? Try getting a good picture of a glossy one!

Because I think somewhere I've written that all products are Stampin' Up unless otherwise noted, I'm noting that the card from my friend Doris and the one from my daughter aren't all Stampin' Up.  Also, I want to mention that all of these cards are much (MUCH) prettier in person.  I just can't seem to get good photos.  I'll keep at it, though, and one of these days...

This is the card my daughter Nicole made.  I taught a class on making hinge cards at Easter and she thought they were pretty cool.  Without me knowing it, she took one of the cards I had made and figured out how to make her own.  This is her birthday version of a hinge card.  She's a pretty talented little card maker (I know, spoken like a proud momma -- well, I am).

This pretty card came from my friend Doris.  We both enjoy all kinds of crafts and have enjoyed "talking crafts" for years.  She's also my UMW Prayer Partner.

This last card totally surprised me.  I belong to an online demo group called NCSU Demos (that's North Carolina Stampin' Up, not NC State University -- though I do like them, too).  We share tips, project ideas and business information.  Just another great resource available to demos.  Anyhow, this card was made by Jana Suthers and sent on behalf of the group.  How nice is that?

Thanks Nicole, Doris and Jana (and the NCSU Demos) for the beautiful cards.  I certainly appreciate each of them.

Color Renovation Update

Cardstock in retiring colors is now only available as supplies last.  Sage Shadow cardstock is gone and Only Orange is only available in 12 x 12.  Re-inkers, pads and markers are available through 5/31 and then as supplies last.

Full list of retiring items, called the Last Chance List, will be released on June 1st.  Everyone on my mailing list will receive the information as soon as I have it.  Contact me if you'd like to be added to my mailing list.

Happy Stamping!  Sue Root

Very Thankful in Bermuda Bay

Keeping on the simple card theme, here's a format I just love.  Quick, easy and uses up that darn half inch strip you get whenever you cut down 8 1/2 x 11 cardstock to layer on a card.  It uses the Stampin' Up sets Very Thankful and Sprinkles,  plus the current In Color Bermuday Bay.  Bermuda Bay will be retiring and is only available while supplies last, so order yours now.

If you don't already have a demo, I'd love to be yours. Leave a comment on this post or contact me at the e-mail address in my header.

Thanks for stopping by, Sue Root

Fifth Avenue Florals in Vase

This design is adaptable to many different sets.  This is a variation on the card we made at the new stamper class (May 12th post).  I also did the same type card with a kids' Sunday School class at church, but we used Awash with Flowers.  Change the set, change the vase, change the look.  Great for a beginner!  This card and the one from the class were done with no layers, but I've made them layered before.  I've also added ribbons and other embellishments.  So, this idea can be modified to suit your needs and your style.

Elements of Style

I created this card because I wanted something quick and easy made with this Stampin' Up set, Elements of Style.  This set is so beautiful that it doesn't take much to make a really nice card.  You can do more with it, you just don't have to.

Hope you enjoy it!  Sue

Elements of Style Butterfly Card

I saw this card by carddiva on Splitcoast and had to try it.  It uses the Stampin' Up set Elements of Style from the new mini catalog.  Buy this set, or one of several other select sets, during May and get a free package of designer brads.  It also uses the Bigz die Beautiful Butterflies.

Punch Flowers

This is one of the items we made at the May Stamp Club.  We also learned how to do the Embossed Reinker Spread technique and made a card using that technique.

The flowers on this card are made using the following Stampin Up punches:   five petal flower punch, the heart to heart punch and the trio flower punch.

Cards for the Troops a Big Success

Had a great night making cards to send to our military personnel.  We made over 200 cards to be sent overseas for our soldiers to use to send back home to their loved ones.  Here's one of the cards I designed, but it had a Ruby Red Background (like the flowers) instead of Not Quite Navy.

The top part is perfect to fit on one of the notecards sold by Stampin' Up.  Makes a quick, simple, nice card.

In real life, the card is not blurry.  I just couldn't seem to get it to photograph well.

Did you know that Vintage Vogue is still available?  It is.  Clear mount is $17.95; wood mount is $23.95.  Contact me to order this stamp set or any other Stampin' Up items.  I'd love to be your demonstrator.

New Stamper Class

I had a class Monday night for new stampers.  We had a good time -- learned some stamping basics, made a couple of cards and then had refreshments.  Here's the card we started with -- the essence of basic; great for a beginner, but still cute!

The stamp comes from the Stampin' Up set Eastern Blooms and the Designer Series Paper is Pink Flamingo.

Sorry about the picture quality -- it's much better in person.

Thank for reading, Sue

Cards for the Troops

Come make cards to be sent overseas to our servicemen and women.  These will be cards that they can send back to their loved ones.  All cards will be prepped, just like in my classes.  Supplies are provided.  We just need people to help assemble the cards.

Wednesday, May 12 at 6:45pm.  St. Andrews UMC (1201 Maxwell Drive in Garner, NC)

Beginning at 5:40 there will be a fellowship supper, which you are invited to attend.  Donations will be collected to help our work team which is going to El Salvador to build houses through Habitat for Humanity.  The menu is ham, green beans, potatoes, etc.

You are invited to attend the supper, but you do not have to do so to help with cards.

Please e-mail me or comment on this post if you have any questions.

Thanks for reading.  I'll be back soon with some new project ideas.

National Scrapbooking Month Promotion

REMINDER:  There's still time to register for the class on Thursday, May 6 (Embossed Reinker Spread Technique and Punch Flowers) or on Monday, May 10 (for beginning stampers).  Contact me or see the Classes page for details.

NATIONAL SCRAPBOOKING MONTH PROMOTION:


You don't have to be a scrapbooker to take advantage of the current promotion offered by Stampin' Up!  Scrapbookers, card makers and paper crafters of all types will enjoy receiving free brads when they purchase a qualifying product.  And, there is no limit to the number of free brads you can earn!  For each  qualifying product that you purchase, you can select one of four items for free.


Qualifying products:


* Stamp Sets from IBC (the big catalog):


Extreme Elements (p. 81),  Framed with Love (p. 119), Certified (p. 128),  Circle Circus (p. 129),


* From Summer Mini Catalog:


Elements of Style (12),  Mementos (13),  Elements de style (13), Rough Type (14), Sentimental Journey (22), First Day (25), Camino a la Escuela (25)


* My Digital Studio software.


** Designer Brads you can choose for free (p. 179 in the IBC):
Flower Designer brads, Filigree Designer brads, Circle Designer brads, Star Designer brads


LAST CHANCE LIST:


SU! has said that the Last Chance list will be announced on June 1st.  I'll pass it on to you as soon as I have it.


We already know about the colors that will be retiring, which means all of the papers, inks, markers, etc. for each of those colors will be retiring.  Stampin' Up has said these items will be available through May 31.  After that, once they are gone, they're gone for good.  And, like all retired items, they will no longer be available after June 30.


Here's a sneak peak at two sets that will be retiring:  Framed with Love (p. 119) and Certified (p. 128).  Both are included in this month's promotion, so get them now rather than next month after the official list is released.


Let me know if you'd like to take advantage of this promotion or want to get any of the retiring items.

Thanks for reading,
Sue Root, your Stampin' Up Demonstrator

Craft Fair

Thanks to everyone who came out to the St. Andrews Craft Fair.  A lot of money was raised for several good causes.

One of the tables at my booth, before the event started:

Me, standing by the sign:

Congratulations to Corothy Sims' cousin Dru, who won the drawing for a huge box of Stampin' Up goodies!  There were multiple stamp sets, a dozen Stampin' Write Markers, card stock, designer series paper, accessories and lots more!

St. Andrews UMC Craft Fair and Plant Sale

St. Andrews UMC, 1201 Maxwell Drive in Garner, NC is having their annual Craft Fair and Plant Sale on May 1st.  There will be lots of vendors, great plants, a bake sale and more.  Plan to eat breakfast and/or lunch there.

I will have a booth with a basket (or two) of goodies to raffle off to support Race of Grace.  Thanks to Stampin' Up for donating items to help.

This event benefits the Race of Grace and UMW missions projects.  Come on out and support some great causes while having fun shopping for gifts or for yourself.

(If you mapquest St. Andrews, the address is 1201 Maxwell Drive, Raleigh, NC -- even though it's in Garner.  Those of you who live in Garner understand.)

Stampin' Up Color Renovation

Stampin' Up is having a major color renovation -- out with several of the current colors, bringing back some favorite In Colors, adding new colors and re-vamping the color families.  Exciting changes will be coming in July!!!

In the meantime, be sure to stock up on your favorite colors before they are gone forever.  Stampin' Up has said that all color products will be available through the end of May.  After that they will be available as supplies last.  Edit 5/23:  For those of you that haven't heard, retiring cardstock is no longer guaranteed to be available through 5/31.  Sage Shadow is already sold out.  Only Orange is only available in 12 x 12.

When the new catalog comes out, add on bundles will be available for many products like markers, watercolor crayons and Stampin' Pastels.  This will be great for those of you who already have these items in the current color families.

Because I can't figure out how to put a .pdf into my blog post, I am going to refer you to one of my favorite Stampin' Up sites, Patty Bennett's blog.  She is full of wonderful ideas and obviously knows more about this computer stuff than I do b/c she has the color charts on her blog.  I think that she forgot to add Pacific Point to the returning colors list, but other than that there's lots of good info here.  You can see her post on this subject here:

http://pattystamps.com/pattys_stamping_spot/2010/04/new-stampin-up-colors-im-sooooo-excited.html

I sent this info to my customers back when it was released, but I decided to post it here for easy reference. If you have any questions about the color renovation (whether you are my customer or not), please feel free to e-mail me at the address in my blog header. I look forward to hearing from you.

Thanks for reading my blog.  Be sure to check back soon.

Stampin' Up Close As A Memory

This card mixes the flowers from Stampin' Up's Close As A Memory set with a sentiment from the current hostess set Kind and Caring Thoughts.  It uses the retiring colors Green Galore and Pixie Pink.  The corners of the Whisper White cardstock are punched with the Eyelet Border Punch.

Stampin' Up Promotions

Stampin' Up has two good promotions going on right now.

Two-Step into Spring Promotion

Stampin' Up!'s Two-Step Stampin' sets allow you to quickly and easily take your creativity to the next level. And now, from April 1-30 only, you can purchase the brand-new Awash with Flowers Two-Step Stampin' set--or get it FREE when you host a $350 workshop!




Item   Description    Price


117062 Awash with Flowers (wood mount; set of 18)   $39.95


120549 Awash with Flowers (clear mount; set of 18)   $27.95


Plus, get 20 percent off a selection of perfectly springy Two-Step Stampin' sets from our current catalog:

Item   Page     Description    Regular Price   Sale Price


113824 94 Greenhouse Garden $25.95 $20.76


113734 98 Fifth Avenue Floral $24.95 $19.96


111578 101 Flower Fancy $36.95 $29.56


113258 112 Trendy Trees $17.95 $14.36

Contact me today to order any of these items or to schedule your workshop so you can earn Awash With Flowers for free.

Become A Demonstrator

From April 1-May 31 (while supplies last), join Stampin' Up! as a demonstrator and receive two FREE technique DVDs (2007-2008 and 2008-2009 Workshop Wow DVDs).  That's over 250 minutes of great project ideas presented by SU demonstrators from across the county.



Details about the Color Renovation will be posted soon.

Stampin' Up Very Thankful

VERY THANKFUL CLASS

Join me on Wednesday, April 14 after the Fellowship supper at SAUMC to make 3 cards using the cute set Very Thankful.  The cost is only $7.  Here are two of the three cards we'll make.  Remember that if you decide to purchase this set, the Ronald McDonald house will receive $2 from Stampin' Up.  (You don't have to attend the Fellowship supper to attend the class -- just meet in the Bible Classroom at 6:30pm).

To register, leave a comment or e-mail me and I'll get back to you with more details.  Hope you can make it!

The Very Thankful stamp set comes with four unique stamps that you will love using.  This set sells for $14.95.  You can order it even if you can't make it to the class.

(I posted the cards previously, but I wanted to show you what we'll be making w/out you having to scroll through a bunch of old posts.)

Stampin' Up Lattice Die Frame

The first time I used the Lattice Die with my Big Shot, I knew I had to use the leftover parts.  This card uses the part that's left as a frame.

I originally posted this card back in September, when my blog was fairly new.  You can click on Lattice Die in the labels to see  more details on this card and several other ideas using this die.

Don't forget the Very Thankful Class on April 8th.  Scroll down to the previous post to see cards made with this cute set.  I'd love to have you join us.  Leave a comment or e-mail me for more details.