Stamping with Michelle

It's time to say goodbye....

Well, the long awaited moment is here!  This morning, Stampin' Up! released the retiring stamp lists:

The picture shows just the first page of the stamp list.  If you click on the link, it will open the PDF with the full document.

The list of retired accessories was also released today, and you can view the complete list here.  Several of the accessories are available at discounts of up to 60% off!  Please be aware that the accessories are available only while supplies last, and several of the retiring colors are already sold out.  If you really want any of these items, I would highly encourge you to place your order online now for the greatest chance of getting everything you would like.

I thought this would be a fun time to run another online mystery hostess event.  Place your orders online now through May 1, and for every $25 you spend, you will receive one entry into a drawing to receive the hostess benefits from these orders.  Not only can your order retiring producs, but you can also order items off the clearance rack! You MUST apply the hostess code Q49EHHXB to qualify.  Once you have entered your first item into your shopping bag, a little box will pop up in the lower left for you to enter the code.  After you have entered the code, you should see my name as the hostess.  I will change that after I have done the drawing, but this way you will know you've applied it correctly.

You can get started placing your orders by going to my online store here

The last day to order any of these retiring products is June 3.  Have fun!  I've seen a sneak peek of the new catalog, and you are going to love it!

Happy Stamping!

Michelle

A fun, happy card with A Round Array

I apologize for the blog silence last week.  Between the fact that it was school vacation and the tragic events in Boston, I was more than a little bit off kilter!

But..I'm back!  Wednesday is a big day...I promise you are going to want to mark your calendars and watch your email.  Wednesday is the day that Stampin' Up! releases it's long awaited retiring list.  I actually got a sneak peek at the new catalog on Saturday night, and OH. MY. GOSH.  It's a good thing I'm already enjoying the benefits of being part of Stampin' Up, because I'm going to need my commission to get all the new goodies I want!

In the meantime...perhaps I can distract you with a card sample?

• A Round Array                    129090 (c)    $14.95 (c)
• Whisper White card stock    100730    $8.50
• Old Olive card stock           100702    $6.95
• Melon Mambo card stock    115320    $6.95
• Daffodil Delight card stock  119683    $6.95
• Old Olive ink pad                126953    $5.95
• Melon Mambo ink pad        126948    $5.95
• Daffodil Delight ink pad     126944    $5.95
• Old Olive Striped Organdy   129291    $9.95
• 7/8" Scallop Circle Punch    129404    $12.95
• 1" Circle punch                   119868    $12.95
• Petite Curly Label punch    129405    $12.95
• Stampin' Dimesionals          104330    $3.95

In honor of the new catalog coming out, I thought I'd use the sneak peek set A Round Array.  This adorable set will be available in the new catalog, but you can get it NOW!  Even better, when you purchase it with the coordinating 7/8" Scallop circle punch, you can save 15%.

Now, some of you eagle eyed readers might catch another little thing on this card.  The Petite Curly Label punch was initially offered as a Sale-a-bration item, but, you can now purchase this punch.  Doesn't it coordinate nicely with the 7/8" Scallop circle?

You can get any of these products by clicking the online ordering button in the upper right side of the blog.  And, don't forget...that retired list comes out of Wednesday!  I promise to post it just as soon as I can!

Happy Stamping!

Michelle

God Bless America

This is a stamp that Stampin' Up! produced in the aftermath of 9/11.  I thought it was a good time to get it out and dust it off.

God Bless America.

NEW Hostess and Starter Kit promotion

I don't know about you, but I've been thoroughly enjoying the sunshine today!  It feels so good!

The other thing I've been enjoying are these fabulous promotions that Stampin' Up! has been coming up with.  They just posted a new one today:

You have TWO opportunities to get an extra $30 in Stampin' Up! products for FREE!  Hostesses who have a $350 party between now and May 30 will receive and additional $30 in hostess dollars for a total of $80.  Also, anybody who purchases the starter kit by May 30, will also receive an addtional $30.  The starter kit is $99, and you will recieve a total of $155 in products.  There is no obligation, and you will enjoy all the benefits of being part of Stampin' Up! until the end of your first full quarter.  Contact me for more information.

OK...it's been a little bit since I posted a sample, so I thought it was high time I did!

• Just Thinking                                         129940    $11.95
• Early Espresso card stock                        119686    $6.95
• Very Vanilla card stock                          101650    $8.50
• Cajun Craze card stock                          119684    $6.95
• Parker's Patterns Designer Series Paper   131021    $10.95
• Early Espresso marker                            119680    $2.95
• Big Shot                                                113439    $99.95
• Window Frames Framelits                     129021    $26.95
• Silver Basics Designer Buttons                129325    $5.95
• Linen Thread                                        104199    $4.50
• Stampin' Dimensionasl                           104430    $3.95

I really like the Just Thinking stamp for masculine cards.  What's even better is that it coordiantes perfectly with the Window Frames framelits.  It makes it super easy to cut it out just so!  I used the Daffodil Delight markers and Cajun Craze markers to add a little color to the top of the image.

You can purchase this or any other product by clicking the Online Ordering button in the upper right side of the blog.

Happy Stamping!

Michelle

New: April Photopolymer stamp set released

If you didn't get a chance to try the new Photopolymer stamp sets, Stampin' Up! just came out with their second edition today:

Aren't those sayings just hilarious?  I think this would be a really fun stamp set to work with, and you just can't beat the price!  You can view the other benefits to the photopolymer stamp sets at this link here

You can order this stamp set by going to my website.  While you're there, be sure to check out the fabulous deals on the clearance rack and make sure you stock up on those colors that are retiring.

Happy Stamping!

Michelle

Color Inspiration is everywhere!

A couple of weeks ago, I thought it would be fun to troll the internet for various pictures that I could gather color inspiration from.  I found a bunch and I started putting them up on Pinterest.  Yesterday, I thought it would be fun to start blogging them.

Here is a picture I found on the Home Decorators website of some bedding and the colors I pulled from it:

I love the calm effect you get from putting these colors together.  I sat down to design a card with these colors, and it screamed masculine to me.   This is what I came up with:

•     The Open Sea                                123030 (W)/123032 (C)    $26.95 (W)/$18.95 (C)
•     Teeny Tiny Wishes                         115370 (W)/127802 (C)    $36.95 (W)/127802 (C)
•     River Rock Card Stock                    108640    $6.95
•     Early Espresso Card Stock               119686 $6.95
•     Very Vanilla Card Stock                 101650    $6.95
•     Baja Breeze Card Stock                 111352    $6.95
•     River Rock Ink Pad                        126977    $5.95
•     Early Espresso Ink Pad                   126974    $5.95
•     Baja Breeze Ink Pad                     126960    $5.95
•     Big Shot                                      113439    $99.95
•     Square Lattice Embossing Folder   119976    $7.95
•     7/8" Cotton Ribbon                      127844    $7.95
•     Stampin' Distress Tool                  127562    $4.95
•     Stampin' Dimensionals                 104430    $3.95

What do you think?  Isn't this a great combination?  Well, if you love this combo, you'll want to act fast.  River Rock and Baja Breeze are two of the colors that are retiring at the end of next month.  The retiring colors are available while supplies last, and it is impossible to predict what is going to sell out and how soon.

To help you stock up, Stampin' Up! is running a free shipping promotion this weekend, April 6-8.  All orders placed during this time qualify for free shipping, with no minimums!  There has never been a better time to stock up on those colors that are retiring.  And, don't forget ink refills!  Our new pads are fabulous, but they do require more regular reinking to stay in fabulous condition.

You can access my store by clicking here.  For every $25 you purchase this weekend, you will get an entry into a drawing to receive some of the new colors when they are released.  The exact prizes will be determined by the amount of the orders placed.

Happy Stamping!

Michelle

NEW!! Color Refresh from Stampin' Up!

Can you believe it's been three years since the last time Stampin' Up! did a color change?  Hard to believe.  At the time they told us that we could plan on changes to our color line every three to five years.

Well, here we are...and this morning Stampin' Up! released the new colors that will be available beginning with the 2013-2014 catalog.  I use the word "new" loosely, because you will recognize many of these colors as returning In Colors.  As a matter of fact, four of the five In Colors from this year will be sticking around.

I'm so excited!  I think that these are all really good changes.  The colors that are going are ones I haven't been using much of anyways and I'm excited to get back some of the previous colors I loved...can you say "Hello...Pear Pizzazz!"

Now for the nitty gritty.  The colors that are retiring are available, beginning today, while supplies last or until June 3.  Additionally, Stampin' Up! announced that for three days, April 6-8, they are offering free shipping on all orders!  When you order online from me on those dates, you will be entered into a drawing to receive some of these new ink pads and markers as soon as they become available.

Place your orders via my website here and be sure to use the hostess code KQFBCKWM. You will receive one entry for every $25 you spend.  The exact number of prizes will depend on the total of the orders.  Remember, you MUST use the hostess code when checking out in order to qualify for the mystery hostess event.

Happy Stamping and happy color refresh!

Michelle

This and That has arrived!

I haven't quite figured out the whole smash book thing, but when Stampin' Up! released their version last week, I gamely ordered my package.

Well, it arrived yesterday, and, oh my gosh! This stuff is seriously cool!

Here's my products straight out of the box.  You can purchase any of these things individually, but until April 30th, if you buy them as a bundle, you save 15%.  Here's a link to the flyer with the pricing information.

I thought that cover on the journal was quite interesting with the honeycomb look, but then I opened it up:

Look at those pages!  Aren't they awesome?  And the Designer Series paper?  Amaaazzing!  I am in serious love.  The colors are my colors, and the aged vintagey look, while not normally my style, is absolutely gorgeous.  

I know I'm awfully gushy, and I'm starting to gag myself on my sweetness, but I'm can't wait to play with these products.  Now I just need to figure out what kind of "This and That" I want to put in my journal.   Does anybody have any suggestions?

You can purchase any of these products by going to my store...Here, I'll even give you the link directly to the This and That page!

Happy Stamping!

Michelle

Best of Butterflies anniversary set

Stampin' Up!'s 25th anniversary celebration continues today with the April edition of the "Best of" stamp sets called Best of Butterflies.

Butterflies always make me so happy!  They come in such pretty colors and you can't help but feel lighthearted watching them flit through the air.  April is my very favorite month, and I think this is the perfect set to be released this month.

Remember, each of the "Best of" stamp sets is $14.95 and will be available through March 31, 2014.  You can see the flyers for past stamp sets by clicking the links on the left of the blog.  Make sure you save your "25" sticker that comes in each set.  When you collect six of them on your collector's card, you can mail the card in for a free $14.95 stamp set.

Happy, happy April!

Michelle