A View from My Current Studio and new Weekly Deals from Stampin' Up!

Every summer, my husband and I take our children on a Great American Wild West Roadtrip.  My family lives in Colorado and Wyoming, so we normally include a visit to a new-to-us national park with our visits with them.  In years past, we've enjoyed Dinosaur, Mesa Verde National Park, Yellowstone and this year we spent some time with my husband's parents, fly fishing on the Blackfoot River in Montana.  

As we enjoy our time in Rocky Mountain National Park (where my mom lives), this is my current "studio."  Love it?!  While I'm not able to stamp right now, you'd better believe I've picked up one of this week's Deals (guess which below).  I'm able to take questions, though, and I'm currently filling my fall schedule with classes and private workshops.  Drop me an email -- the reception is spotty, depending on where I am, but I will get back to you ASAP when I'm in coverage.

And now for this week's Weekly Deals...  Shop {HERE} for some great inky and TIEF bargains (among others!).

Alphabet Press TIEF (130916), Originally $7.95, but on sale this week for $5.96!

Bermuda Bay Classic Ink (131171), Originally $5.95, but on sale this week for $4.46!

Delicate Designs TIEF (127023), Originally $8.95, but on sale this week for $6.71!

Hearts A Flutter (130159), Originally $24.95, but on sale this week for $18.71!

Oh Baby Photobook Digital Kit MDS (129350), Originally $17.95, but on sale this week for $10.77!

Pear Pizzazz Classic Ink (131180), Originally $5.95, but on sale this week for $4.46!

Smoky Slate Classic Ink (131179), Originally $5.95, but on sale this week for $4.46!

Travel Log Digital Kit MDS (126022), Originally $9.95, but on sale this week for $5.97!

Wisteria Wonder Chevron Ribbon (130017), Originally $8.95, but on sale this week for $6.71!

Oh, and when I get home, I'll be getting my 2014 Holiday Catalogs ready to send.  Are you a Studio-Sara Select Customer?  If not, drop me an email and I'll get you on my list...

{Studio Sneak Peek} and Weekly Deals

Here's a sneak peek at what I've been working on lately.  I've also got the latest Weekly Deals below. Enjoy!

This pennant project features the Pennant Parade stamp set, which is retiring.  Check the list {HERE} for stamps and {HERE} for retiring accessories.  These items are only available as supplies last (this is the first year in which stamps haven't been available until the end of the Annual Catalog).

The sweet doily (shown below) is in the Delicate Doilies set, which has retired.  While both the clear and wood versions of a desired set might be retired, there are sometimes versions available digitally on My Digital Studio!

And now for the Weekly Deals:

Alhambra Stampin' Around Jumbo Wheel (126940), originally $8.50, on sale this week for $6.38!

Card Base Pop'N Cuts (130099), originally $39.95, on sale this week for $29.96!

Hearts A Flutter Clear Stamp Set (129252), originally $18.95, on sale this week for $14.21!

Holiday Ornaments Framelits (127816), originally $24.95, on sale this week for $18.71!

I Am Me DSP (130138), originally $10.95, on sale this week for $8.21!

Pacific Point Striped 1-1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon (132981), originally $8.95, on sale this week for $6.71!

Real Red Stitched Grosgrain (126875), originally $4.95, on sale this week for $3.71!

The Man, the Myth Download MDS (130104), originally $14.95, on sale this week for $8.97!

A Valentine with Seasonal Sayings and Hearts A Flutter from Stampin' Up!

Today's project was created for a few challenges (which I promptly forgot to enter).  Ugh...

The first challenge was the Freshly Made Sketches #122:

Another challenge I was planning to enter this card in was The Shabby Tea Room, #204, "All that Glitters in Love" challenge:

Finally, I successfully (!) entered this card in the Cute Card Thursday Challenge, #307, which was "Lots of Love."  Nothing like getting totally sidetracked and missing challenge deadlines!

I am loving the Glimmer Paper and I've got a couple of fun new ideas to share in the coming weeks.  It's such a simple product to use with my Stampin' Trimmer (#126889) or my Big Shot (#113439).  Below, I used my Hearts A Flutter framelits for the banner (#130159).  My 7/8-inch Scallop Circle (#129404) punched three times gives me the bloom and I finished it off with a Basic Rhinestone brad (they're retired, but you could easily use a Large Rhinestone Basic Jewel (#129324).

"Love you" is inked in Strawberry Slush and stamped on Whisper White from the Seasonal Sayings set (W131937, C128009) and the heart comes from the Hearts A Flutter set (a match made in Heaven with the coordinating framelits! W131922, C129252).  

The Whisper White piece has opposing corners rounded using the 3/16-inch Corner Punch (#119871) and is popped up with Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430).

Finally, I used my Simply Scored tool (#122334) to make the raised bevel around the outline of the card base for dimension.

Remember that for each $50 spent in any Stampin' Up! merchandise (including downloads!), you can choose from the fun Sale-a-Bration freebies!  Click {HERE} to shop!

{Studio Spotlight}: Latest Stampin' Up!dates and What I've Been Working On

Here's an update on the latest Basic Black Classic Ink. Stampin' Up! has been hard at work improving its formula to make it better compatible with the Whisper White card stock:

What's changed?

As mentioned in our last current update, we have accepted a formula with our supplier that shows improvement. The new formula has a reduced dye concentration that will allow it to better absorb into the cardstock. Reducing the concentration didn't change the rich black color we all know and love; it only affects how the cardstock takes the ink.

What about drying time?Because the ink absorbs better into the cardstock, it will dry in under a minute in some cases. It can take longer depending on the run of your cardstock and the age of your ink pad. If you are using an old ink pad, one of the refills with the improved formula will rejuvenate your pad. Also keep in mind that larger stamps or a more solid image may require a longer drying time.

What's the deal with Whisper White Cardstock? We initially discovered that our specification tolerance is too broad, meaning that there is a broad variance in ink absorption and drying time. Our Whisper White Cardstock is not a custom cardstock for Stampin' Up! like our other cardstock colors, so we don't have control over its tolerance. We have since requested that our supplier provide us with cardstock within a tighter range of tolerance. Still, our tests proved that the new ink formula works better on most, not all, of our Whisper White Cardstock. The performance of the ink depends on the run of the cardstock. It is not possible to tell when a packet of Whisper White Cardstock was produced. If you are concerned with the quality of your cardstock, we recommend using StazOn ink, instead of Basic Black.

What if I need to exchange or return my Basic Black Classic Stampin' Pad?If you have experienced problems with your Basic Black Classic Stampin' Pad, contact Demonstrator Support. Please have your pad in hand-it will help the agent know how to best help you.

When can I get my hands on the improved Basic Black ink?The improved Basic Black ink pad and refill are currently being sold. Surprise! Remember, depending on the Whisper White Cardstock you are using, you may still experience smearing and high drying times. We recommend that you use StazOn instead of the Basic Black Classic ink pad.

We are pleased with these results so far. Not only has our Basic Black ink formula improved, but the testing process has also shown us how to make improvements to the quality of our Whisper White Cardstock. We will continue to see improvement in the future.

There are new Photopolymer Stamps (stay tuned for a post on that tomorrow, including a video!) and My Digital Studio Downloads available...

{Studio Spotlight}: Print Poetry Designer Series Paper Stack, Project #1

Hello, there!  I thought I'd do a series of posts about projects I've made recently with the Print Poetry Designer Series Paper Stack.  This lovely stack of 48 double-sided sheets (4 by 6 inches) can be found in the 2013 Spring Catalog (129312, a steal at $6.95).

The body of this card is made with Old Olive and I've layered Daffodil Delight and Raspberry Ripple.  The "faux stitching" and scallop detail on the right side of that piece of Old Olive are courtesy of another Spring Catalog goodie, the Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Needlepoint Border (129383).

The hearts are punched using my Big Shot and the Hearts a Flutter framelits (130159 -- guess where that came from?).  If purchased with the Hearts a Flutter stamp set in the bundle, there's a 15% savings!

Both the striped piece of DSP and the polka-dotted piece come from the Prints Poetry stack (and there are cool-color versions of both designs, too).

The banners are made using my fabulous paper snips...

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps:  Surprisingly, none!

Papers:  *Print Poetry Designer Series Paper Stack* (129312 in the 2013 Spring Catalog), Raspberry Ripple (2012-14 In Color), Daffodil Delight and Old Olive

Inks:  None

Accessories:  Big Shot (113439), Hearts a Flutter Framelit (130159, unless part of the bundle -- see 2013 Spring Catalog for specifics), Needlepoint Border TIEF (129383, 2013 Spring Catalog), Raspberry Ripple Stitched Satin Ribbon (126845), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430).

Click {here} for more projects and {here} for my 2013 Spring Catalog Wish List.  

My Wish List for the {2013 Spring Catalog}

Hooray!  The new 2013 Spring Catalog is here!  Please click on the link {here} or you can always find it by looking to the right and clicking at the top of that sidebar.

Let's take it from the top and see what's on my Wish List this spring:

1.  Tea for Two DSP (p. 3)
Anything "tea" and I'm a goner...

2.  Needlepoint Border TIEFs (p. 5)

 3.  More Amore DSP (p. 10)

4.  Hearts a Flutter Bundle (p. 11)

5.  1-1/4" Two-Tone Ribbon (p. 13)

6.  Ciao, Baby (p. 16)

7.  7/8-inch Scallop Circle Punch (p.16)

8.  Print Poetry DSP Stack
I *LOVED* the Festival of Prints stack in the last catalog and I'm so glad there's more in this catalog!

9.  Spring Sampler (p. 23)

10.  Itty Bitties (p. 25)

11.  Simply Scored Borders Scoring Plate (p. 26) (**I think I'm most excited about this!**)

 12.  All Dressed Up (ALL OF IT!!, p. 32)

 13.  Stacks of Wishes Hostess Set (p. 39)

I have hard copies of both the 2013 Spring Catalog and the 2013 Sale-A-Bration Catalog (SAB starts on January 22).  If you don't already have a demonstrator (or aren't one yourself), please contact me today about getting your copy in the mail (for free, with no obligation).

Enjoy!  Happy New Catalog Year!