Welcome Home

What a Spring this has been! April flew by in a flurry of activity while we prepared to go on our trip of a lifetime, and May is already half way through. I apologize for not posting for a while but it was with good reason.  My husband and I have just returned from 3 wonderful relaxing weeks cruising from Fort Lauderdale to San Francisco via the Panama Canal. Can you say FABULOUS!!! What a holiday! 

We've been waiting to go on this trip with our good friends Doug and Kathy for such a long time and today we're pinching ourselves that it's over and we're actually back home again. The four of us go way back and this trip was about celebrating our friendship and our respective wedding anniversaries - their 40th and our 41st. And, I've got to tell you, we did that and more! The cruise was so much fun and we enjoyed relaxing in the sun, eating, exploring new places, eating, shopping, eating (OMG the food!!!!) and sharing memories of our friendship over the years.  I'm sure that between the two of us Kathy and I took a couple of hundred pictures (yeah I know "you only need a few...") along with all the ones the cruise ship photographers took, so I can't wait to get them developed and start putting together my vacation photo album(s).  Thank goodness May is National Scrapbook Month - how timely and what a great incentive to start scrapbooking!!!

Announcing Big Shot Event

Dawn Raspas has done it again. She's continuing to share her love of creating and her overwhelming passion for Stampin' Up! with demonstrators and non-demonstrators from ALL around the world. WooHoo!! And I'm thrilled to announce opening day for "UStamp with Dawn & Friends!! "Hey, Big Shot!! Worldwide That's How We Roll!!" will be May 7th and will run through June 4th. Every member will enjoy 29 days of creative fun with 24/7 access to the "Hey, Big Shot!! Worldwide that's how we roll!!" blogsite.

Dawn is planning on showcasing Stampin' Ups Big Shot in a BIG BIG way!! Her International Design Team are working with the Big Shot to create amazing and unique projects and for the past month they've been  rollin', rollin', rollin' that Big Shot like crazy!! In fact, their Mojo is cranked up so BIG BIG BIG!! that you're going to be amazed at what you'll see and learn at this event. The possibilities are endless when the Big Shot is at work, and this Design Team is out to prove it. The Hey Big Shot 2010! event will have you looking at cardstock and a whole host of other crafting and household materials in a BIG new way.

And, drum roll please............I'm super excited to announce that I've been invited to join the POWERHOUSE of many fantastic returning and new designers for this event! My tutorial has been completed and I think you're going to love it - but you have to sign up to see  it. I KNOW you're going to be impressed by all the BIG talent in this line up and the fantastic projects that have been created. 

UStamp with Dawn & Friends!! "Hey, Big Shot!! Worldwide...that's how we roll!!" offers everyone the same opportunity to do something REALLY FUN, even if only for a few minutes a day, to check out a project or peak into the chat room to say hello to some friends around the world. Come each day to the website and stay as long as YOU like!!  Here's what's in store for you:

• New projects shared everyday!!
• Several "Double Designer Days"!! 2 projects on 1 day...DOUBLE the fun!!
• All projects include a step by step tutorial, including LOTS of Photos!!
• EVERY Tutorial is available in English, Spanish, German and French
• All measurements are available in Inches and CM
• Prizes, Prizes and MORE Prizes!!
• Live Chats
• Every member gets a cool Big Shot Member Badge for their blog/website!!
• Friendships around the world...happens every event!!
• Way Cool SWAP!! (Optional... but really fun!!)

Don't we all deserve a few minutes of fun to help us re-charge and enjoy what we love??!! Of course we do!! One of the many great things about UStamp is that YOU create when YOU are ready. LOVE the projects, but don't have time to make them yourself right away?? No worries!! The website is available 24/7 and will remain open for many months after the last project is posted and is ready when you are to create, so you won't miss out.   Want more information or have questions about what's on site, then click here to check out the UStamp with Dawn & Friends!! is all about YOU!! blogsite and sign up for this next exciting round.  What a great value for only $24.95 US. 

Clearance Rack Has Been Updated................. Check It Out While Supplies Last!

Have you taken a look recently at the "Clearance Rack" on my Shop On Line site for Stampin' Up?  If not, you should check it out as there are some awesome new deals available especially on the following items:  Designer Series Papers, Ribbons, Brads and Buttons, Rub-ons and many, many more items............. eight pages in fact.  So go check it out.  Don't delay as these items go quickly. 

Color Renovation - Stampin' Ups! New Color Collections for 2010/2011

Out with the Old and In With the New!

Stampin' Up! has just released the news that they are making big changes in their color families for the coming year.  This "Color Renovation" means they will be retiring some of their current colors, bringing back some of the past In Colors and introducing some BRAND NEW COLORS in July!! OMG this is such exciting news for me as I just love new colors.

Here is a photo of the NEW Color Collections including the NEW colors that will be introduced in July, you can click on it to make it bigger. Note that Crumb Cake is the new name for Kraft.

Some past and present In Colors will be a part of the Core Colors: Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry, Pacific Point, Tangerine Tango, River Rock, Soft Suede, Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirouette, Baja Breeze, Wild Wasabi

Stampin' Up! is introducing five new In Colors in July: Daffodil Delight, Early Espresso, Cajun Craze , Cherry Cobbler, Marina Mist. 

Here are the new Color Collections:

New Subtles Collection will include:
Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink, Rose Red, Perfect Plum, Marina Mist, Bashful Blue, Baja Breeze, Wild Wasabi, Certainly Celery, So Saffron

New Brights Collection will include:
Regal Rose, Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry, Pacific Point, Tempting Turquoise, Old Olive, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Tangerine Tango, Real Red

New Regals Collection will include: Elegant Eggplant, Night of Navy, Not Quite Navy, Always Artichoke, Garden Green, More Mustard, Cajun Craze, Riding Hood Red, Cherry Cobbler, Bravo Burgundy

New Neutrals Collection will include: River Rock, Chocolate Chip, Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake (new name for Kraft), Sahara Sand, Very Vanilla, Whisper White, Basic Gray, Basic Black

Retiring Colors:

There will be some colors retiring at the end of June and they will be available while supplies last so order your extra card stock, Classic and Craft Ink refills, Markers, and other items in these colors early to ensure that you get the products in the colors you want. Remember to order early as these are other people's favourites too!!

Here is a photo of all the retiring colors

Note that Kraft has been changed to one of the new colors and is now called "Crumb Cake".

Two-Step into Spring (April 1-30, 2010)

Well, Sale-A-Bration is over for another year, and I know I'm going to miss it!  However, with it's end come some new Spring promotions and a new Spring Mini Catalogue, so the excitement of seeing what's new starts all over again. Here's the latest news on what's coming.

Sneak Peak into Two-Step into Spring (April 1-30, 2010) -From April 1-30 only, you can buy the brand-new Awash with Flowers Two-Step Stampin' set--or get it FREE when you host a $460 workshop! Plus, get 20% off a selection of springy Two-Step Stampin' sets. Awash With Flowers has 18 stamps in it so you can build the perfect floral scene.  It's an awesome set that looks so great when painted with watercolors........ so many different combinations and looks, all with one stamp set. 

• Awash With Flowers Set of 18 - wood $52.95 Item #117062
• Awash With Flowers Set of 18 - Acryllic $36.95  Item #120549

You can also save 20% off a selection of perfectly springy two-step stamping sets from the 2009/2010 Idea Book and Catalogue. 

• #113824  Page #94  Greenhouse Garden   Reg. Price $34.95  Sale Price $27.96
• #113734  Page #98  Fifth Avenue Floral    Reg. Price $32.95  Sale Price $26.36
• #111578  Page #101 Flower Fancy           Reg. Price $48.95  Sale Price $39.16
• #113258  Page #112 Trendy Trees            Reg. Price $23.95  Sale Price $19.16

If you've never done two-step stamping before contact me today to get started. 


Country Living Cards à la Carte Stationery Kit (January - April 30, 2010)

From now until April 30, 2010, Stampin’ Up! and Country Living magazine are offering a special Country Living Cards à la Carte stationery kit intended to help people stay connected and revive the art of the handwritten note.  I would love to meet or talk with you about the importance of staying connected the old-fashioned way through handwritten notes, as well as some creative crafting ideas for menus, place cards, and other projects that can be created with this versatile kit.

Cards À La Carte Kit 119113 Regular Price: $29.94

Order On My Shopping Link for the Preferred Price of : $26.95
This exclusive Cards à la Carte stationery kit comes complete with 24 sheets of uniquely-designed 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" printed paper and has everything you need to create a one-of-a-kind dinner menu or handwritten letter.
■ 24 sheets of 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" paper
■ 12 Medium Very Vanilla envelopes
■ Dinner Party stamp set
■ Ballet Blue Classic Stampin' Spot

Only 3 more days before Sale-A-Bration Ends

Sorry I haven't posted in a while gang, but I've just come home from our sojourn in California and there's been so much to catch up on and do!  One of the things I've been catching up on was making sure all the last minute customer orders have been sent in so you, my wonderful customers can take advantage of Sale-A-Bration before it ends at midnight on the 31st!   The fastest way to get your order in and save with your preferred customer rates is to order on line.   Just click here and you can go to my fast and easy shopping service.  Don't forget a $65.00 order will get you one free item from the Sale-A-Bration cattie!  Got them all?  Don't despair........... if you've already received all the free products from the SAB cattie you can flip to the last page and there is a large assortment of punches from the 2009/2010 Idea Book and Cattie that you'll qualify to receive.

Friend Swap

In February I had the pleasure of doing a swap with Sheri and Anett two of my great stamping friends.  The theme for the card swap was "Any or All Occasion" and was for two full cards inside and out and envelopes.

For my cards I used the Vintage Vogue Stamp Set which I truly love.  The images were stamped in Chocolate Chip ink on Whisper White and mounted in various layers in Crushed Curry and Chocolate Chip on the "Happy Birthday" card and Melon Mambo, Whisper White and Chocolate Chip for the bottom "Friend" card.  Here's a glimpse at the insides of both cards.  I've really been having a lot of fun with layering flowers and for the Melon Mambo card layer flowers and then added brads for the centers.  The Crushed Curry card has a 3-layered flower punched with the new large flower punch.