Hooray for Weekly Deals from Stampin' Up!

CLICK {HERE} TO SHOP!

Calypso Coral Chevron Ribbon, #130018 -- Originally $8.95, but on sale this week for $6.71!

Fun Frames TIEF, #133727 -- Originally $8.95, but on sale this week for $6.71!

Jumbo Sticky Rounds, #127852 -- Originally $4.95, but on sale this week for $3.71!

Little Buddy Birthday *WOOD*, #133860 -- Originally $21.95, but on sale this week for $16.46!

Settin' Sail Photopolymer, #133453  -- Originally $13.95, but on sale this week for $10.46!

 Soft Sky Seam Binding Ribbon, #131210 -- Originally $6.95, but on sale this week for $5.21!

Spook Central Digital Download, MDS, #127589  -- Originally $12.95, but on sale this week for $7.77!

Zig Zag TIEF, #133738 -- Originally $7.95, but on sale this week for $5.96!

I've been on nursemaid duties this week with a sick kiddo, but I'll be returning to the blog shortly with a few new projects, including my latest installment in my {12 Weeks of Christmas} series!

Stampin' Up! and SuperCat to the Rescue -- Weekly Deals and a New Photopolymer Set!

Holy Bargain, Batman!  They're here -- a whole bevy of new deals...

Bitty Banners Big Shot Die (129267), originally $14.95, but on sale this week for $11.21!

Calypso Coral Celebration Add-On Kit (133431), originally $9.95, but on sale this week for $7.46!

Celebration Basics Kit (133007), originally $14.95, but on sale this week for $11.21!

Crushed Curry 3/4-inch Chevron Ribbon, (130019), originally $8.95, but on sale this week for $6.71!

Curly Label Punch (119851), originally $16.95, but on sale this week for $12.71!

Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch, (119275), originally $15.95, but on sale this week for $11.96!

Pumpkin Pie 3/4-inch Chevron Ribbon, (130015), originally $8.95, but on sale this week for $6.71!

Summer Happiness Kit Digital Download MDS, (130076), originally $9.95, but on sale this week for $5.96!

And now for the project...

I love the new Calling All Heroes set (138002).  There are *SO* many possibilities!

I paired it with the darling cat from You Little Furball for a bit of fun...  

• The word bubble was fussy-cut and I used my Circles Collection Framelits.  

• Basic Gray, Night of Navy, Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise and Real Red make up the color palette.  

• Glimmer paper adds to the Kapow! factor.

Father's Day {Paper Pumpkin} Delivery Stepped up for a Birthday Card!

Today’s project comes to us courtesy of the May delivery of my Paper Pumpkin subscription.  This fun kit came with supplies to make four full-sized cards and two smaller notecards (envelopes included for all!).  The stamps include a “Happy birthday” sentiment as well as “Happy Father’s Day.”  There are also smaller stamps with “Bro,” “Dad,” and “Son.”

Here’s a {stepped up} version of the cards, made with the materials from the kit as well as “happy” from the newest photopolymer set, Endless Birthday Wishes.  I also used my 1 3/4-inch Circle Punch upon which to base the sentiment stamping (sponged with Wild Wasabi ink to make it stand out).  The Soft Suede Baker’s Twine came in the kit, but I added a scrap of Linen Thread (it actually came from my April Mother’s Day Paper Pumpkin delivery).

Paper Pumpkin kits provide a quick and successful creative escape and then once the projects are complete, you’ve got yourself a fun little set of versatile stamps!  I have really enjoyed both creating the projects as directed as well as altering and {stepping up} the project to my own design.

Need another reason to try Paper Pumpkin?  You can prepay for Paper Pumpkin subscriptions and if your entire pre-shipping/tax order totals $150+, you can also earn Hostess Benefits (these prepaid subscriptions can be combined with merchandise orders)!

Artist's Flair:

• I sponged Wild Wasabi Classic Ink on the 1 3/4-inch Circle piece to make it stand out against the larger Very Vanilla flagged piece.

• My Paper Snips came in handy when it came to making the flagged ends on the Wild Wasabi "Happy" piece.

• Tiny knots at the ends of the Linen Thread and Soft Suede Baker's Twine tidy up the ends of the bows.

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps:  Hey, Man (May, 2014 Paper Pumpkin), Endless Birthday Wishes (137553)

Papers:  Contents from Hey, Man kit, Very Vanilla (101650) and Wild Wasabi Card Stock (108641)

Inks:  Wild Wasabi (126959) and Marina Mist Classic Ink (a Stampin' Spot is included in the May kit) (full-sized pad = 126962)

Accessories & Tools:  1 3/4-inch Punch (119850), Linen Thread (104199), Paper Snips (103579) and Stampin' Sponges (101650)

School's in and I'm back!

Hello, patient Visitors!  After a three-week roadtrip to Yellowstone, Colorado and Wyoming and a camping trip to the Pacific Coast, the dust is settling and I'm back in the Studio.  One of the things I'm doing today (my birthday, by the by) is making a list of items to order.  There are a slew of new delicious things to consider!

Here's just a smidge of what's been going on at Stampin' Up! lately:

A new photopolymer set!  Another Thank You (#133454), $13.95

I make more Thank You notes than any other type of card, so I'm thrilled at this new addition  I love the fonts and the little heart and gem images, too.

--

Hooray for Thinlits!  Flip cards (which I've made painstakingly by hand) are now a snap with the Big Shot...  

Circle Card Thinlits die (133480), $32.95

 Label Card Thinlits die (133479), $32.95

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September's "Best of" Series stamp set is Best of Autumn (134390), $14.95

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Create 66 different sizes in envelopes for your projects (as well as simple inserts)!

Envelope Punch Board, (133774), $19.95

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Another fantastic Bundle offering is here!  Purchase the Papillon Potpourri set and the Bitty Butterfly Punch together to save 15% (use this item number: C135311, W135312 for the savings), $30.90C, $34.90W

There are more lovely things to share, so stay tuned!  Hope your summer was restful and fun and that you're ready to attack the fall with fresh vigor!

More News from Stampin' Up! and the {NEW} 2013-2014 Annual Catalog

Holy moly, what a day!  Yesterday started for me in my daughter's kindergarten classroom as I taught our final art docent lesson of the year:  a self-portrait inspired by Frida.  Whew!

Next, Stampin' Up! launched its new 2013-2014 Annual Catalog and it happened an hour EARLY!  Woo hoo!  Demonstrators and customers everywhere were flooding the phone lines and getting busy online placing their first orders.  Yesterday provided a rare opportunity; the Spring Catalog, retiring 2012-2013 Annual Catalog and the *NEW* 2013-2014 Annual Catalog were all available from which to order!

Here's what you need to know today:

• While the 2013 Spring Catalog is retired now, we can still order from both annual catalogs through Monday.  Retiring stamp sets {list here} are guaranteed through Monday; retiring accessories  {list here} are only available as long as supplies last.

• Are you a fan of the photopolymer stamp sets?  If so, I've got good news for you.  Stampin' Up! will be releasing a fun new set each month!  Another woo hoo!  Here's this month's set, Wanderlust:

Here are links to the previous sets:  Show and Tell 1 and Show and Tell 2, Bombs Away Birthday, and Designer Type.  

• Now, through the end of June (can't believe we're there already!), you can order any or all of the following three sentiment sets and get them for 25% off!  

Sale Price	Regular Price	Stamp Set	Item #	Page #
$17.96	$23.95	Sassy Salutations, Wood-Mount	132070	39
$13.46	$17.95	Sassy Salutations, Clear-Mount	126707	39
$14.96	$19.95	Sweet Essentials, Wood-Mount	132085	41
$11.21	$14.95	Sweet Essentials, Clear-Mount	126457	41
$21.71	$28.95	Petite Pairs Wood-Mount	128706	73
$15.71	$20.95	Petite Pairs Clear-Mount	122497	73

Sassy Salutations:

 Sweet Essentials:

Petite Pairs:

• Finally, Stampin' Up! released its latest "Best of" stamp set in commemoration of its 25th anniversary, Best of Greetings.

That's a lot of new stuff!  Whew!  Contact me if you're without the new 2013-2014 Annual Catalog and please let me know if you have any questions!

{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...