My Ponderings on the 2008 Stamp Set Retirement List

With each new catalog, there is some sadness in seeing previous favorite stamp sets hit the dust so to speak. This new retirement list is no different.

As a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, it is in my best interest to showcase stamp sets that are available to purchase. That is why I rarely keep retired stamp sets. I do hold on to a very few (I can count 8 stamp sets I have saved since 2000 - mainly religious and children/school related). I also have a customer garage sale that is always a huge hit. My customers get first dibs on my retired stamp sets. I then list the ones that didn't sell on my website garage sale (we are not allowed to sell the stamp sets until they are retired).

What will I miss from this year's retired list?

Happy Camper - this one was so fun to work with, but I had always hoped there would be a phrase accessory stamp set

Yappy Day - although I do not have a dog, I really enjoyed working with this set

Unfroggettable - Perfect set for those in-between kid cards

Peaceful Wishes - I thought this set was so elegant - it was one of the few non-snow holiday stamp sets I had!

Touch of Nature - I especially loved the Shakespeare phrase in this set

Although I will miss these stamp sets, I know Stampin' Up! has many new and exciting stamp sets that I will love with the new catalog!

Care to eScape?

eScape with Stampin' Up!

Put down the phone, turn off the computer, and break free from the 'e'!

Remember when you got letters in your mailbox instead of your inbox? On June 25, 2008, Stampin' Up! is taking the day to unplug and unwind, and reconnect on a personal level with friends and loved ones through handmade cards. And we invite you to eScape with us throughout the month of June!

Take advantage of the 25 percent discount on select items in the eScape bundle to help you create that special message from the heart.

eScape Bundle (item 113700):
Description Page Number Price
Circle of Friendship stamp set p. 143 $17.95
Love Notes assortment p. 167 $8.95
Rose Red Classic Stampin' Pad p. 165 $5.25
Very Vanilla 5/8" grosgrain ribbon p. 191 $7.95
Total (non-bundled) $40.10
eScape Bundle price $30.00

eScape in June! Contact me today for details about this exciting special.

Basement Flooding

It has been a while since I have been online due to the recent Midwest flooding. We were very lucky as we had just an inch or so of rainwater in our basement (thank goodness it wasn't sewage). I am praying for all those who have been affected by the flooding...we lost items (including computers and tax documents) and a few personal items like my childhood dollhouse, but really it was a blessing in disguise. We really cleaned out!

I haven't had much urge to stamp, but I did upload lots of cards to my card gallery before the flood.

Bleach Brushing Technique

I have been neglecting my blog while I have been feverishly updating my card gallery website. In the last few weeks, I have posted about 200-300 cards (including several new stamp set pages) as well as linking my technique classes with example pages. If you haven't checked out my card gallery, it is worth the trip!

http://www.stampwithjane.com/

On the index page, there is a card using the Winds of Grace stamp set.

The technique used for this card is called Bleach Brushing. So many variations happen to cardstock when bleach comes in contact with it. For this technique, all you need to do is use a bristle brush, sweep it in some bleach, brush it over the cardstock, and let it dry. In this card, however, the bleach pooled a bit on the bottom of the Not Quite Navy cardstock. I searched my stamp set inventory for just the right image. The Winds of Grace sailboat, which was embossed on top of the dryed bleach brushing technique, was perfect! In fact, the excess bleach pool left an image of rushing waves hitting the sailboat.

However, best results happen when you are lighter to the touch with the bleach and leave some unbleached areas on the cardstock. Be sure to thoroughly rinse out all materials used when bleaching. Bleach can wreck art supplies, clothing, furniture...you get the picture.

Hershey Bar Slider

I recently did a workshop and featured the Enjoy Every Moment from the April Free Wheelin' Special. For my hostess, I wanted to create items for her hostess bag in the same theme of the card. Every woman loves chocolate - so I knew I had to include at least one chocolate item in her bag. This candy bar slider was perfect!

I loved the color combination of Bashful Blue and Chocolate Chip. The three-flower punch was perfect for some punched embellishments. I do hope my hostess enjoys every moment of eating her chocolate!

Technique Tuesday Faux Denim Colored Ribbon Slide Card

This card was a big hit at my recent Technique Tuesday class. I showed my customers the faux denim technique (see the background strip). I also showed them how to color the new ribbon slides in the Spring Hodgepodge Hardware kit using Crystal Effects and ink refills.

Colored Embellishment - On a deli lid, pour a dime-sized amount of Crystal Effects. Add 1 drop of Brocade Blue ink refill. Mix with toothpick. Using the same toothpick as a paintbrush, paint the inner part of flower embellishment. Let dry before completing card.

Faux Denim - Swipe Brocade Blue inkpad over the Brocade Blue cardstock in long swipes lengthwise. Set aside to dry a bit. In the same direction, swipe the Night of Navy inkpad in long swipes. Again, set aside to dry a bit.

Lightly swipe the white craft ink over the blue ink in the same direction. Let this dry or use a heat gun to speed up drying process. Turn cardstock 90 degrees. Apply long stroke of the Night of Navy ink over the piece. Allow all inks to dry before finishing or matting faux denim pieces. Be aware, your Craft White pad will suffer a bit from this technique in appearance - but the effect is so worth it!

Stamp main flower in Stazon. Color with WCCrayons/Aquapainter. Sponge edges. Stamp small flower/phrase and punch out. Punch out label. Attach pieces.

Where is Spring?

If you live in the Midwest, you may be asking the same question. We've certainly had a quota for snow and winter weather this year. Well, if Spring needs a little nudge, I've got the perfect little card for it.

This card uses two very simple techniques - the spotlighting technique and one of my favorite background techniques - smooshing (yes, that is a technical term). For spotlighting, stamp the image twice and leave one of them uncolored. Then punch out the spotlighting section on the other image and color in and mount to another but slightly larger punched out piece. Attach on top of the uncolored image. For "smooshing", use your inkpad to make marks on the cardstock. I prefer to use the same color ink on cardstock, but coordinating colors look good on most cardstock as well.

Maybe this little birdie will chase the winter blues away!

Stampin' Up! March Special - Going for the Green (Wasabi)

Stampin' Up! has a unique March special! They are offering a Wild Wasabi card stock pack for only $3.95. The pack includes 16 sheets of 4-1/2" x 11-1/2" Wild Wasabi textured card stock that has been scored at 1-1/8" and 5-5/8". Item number is #110294.

This special product offer is the result of a miscalculation in cutting and scoring on one batch of Wild Wasabi textured card stock for the Holiday Glitz promotion; while this paper did not meet specifications for the Holiday Glitz kits, it is excellent for creating other fun and exciting projects.

This is a no-limit special. If you love the Wild Wasabi color, you'll love it in textured card stock!

In addition, anyone placing a $25 order and including the Wild Wasabi card stock pack will receive a yard of the Wild Wasabi double-stitched ribbon from me!

Don't forget about Sale-A-Bration - it ends on March 17th! Make a purchase of $50 of merchandise and receive a limited-edition stamp set or rub-on set! I will be placing my next order on Wednesday, March 5th.

Jane's Stampin' Up! Web Garage Sale

On this gloomy and rainy and soon to be snowy Sunday, I was very productive! I have been wanting to upload my stamping garage sale items for a long time! Right now, I have most of the items up on the website.

You can view them on my personal web gallery at www.stampwithjane.com . I did separate the stamp sets from the accessories. The link is right after the link for the February Fun Reasons to Stamp!

Hopefully, you will find some must-have retired items. There may be additions throughout the year including a web page designated for hand-crafted items.

Happy Shopping!

SALE-A-BRATION IS HERE!

YEAH! One of the highlights of the Stampin' Up! year is finally here!

Stampin' Up!'s SALE-A-BRATION is being held at a different time this year - from February 1st through March 17th. When you purchase $50 worth of Stampin' Up! merchandise, you will get to select a free limited-edition stamp set (there are 5 different ones) or a limited-edition rub-on set.

You can check these items out here:

http://www.stampinup.com/us/documents/US_SAB_08.pdf

Now, go make your list!