My New SU Items Just Arrived

I am so excited - I could just burst! The UPS man just rang my bell and delivered my new Stampin' Up! items. As a demo, I could preorder from a selected group of new items (we haven't seen the new catalog yet - this is just a sneak peek)!

Here are the stamp sets I ordered:

This one is called Dreams du Jour

Here is Sock Monkey!

This is Heard from the Heart

This is WOW Flowers

Remember - these are all die cut!!!! Now, all I have to wait for is my husband to seal my blocks!

The new 2008 In Colors (from left to right) - Pacific Point, Baja Breeze, Tangerine Tango, Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss, and Pink Pirouette:

New Designer Series Paper - LOVE IT!!!

New Scallop Punch

New Buttons!

New Simply Sent Kit

Can't wait to show my customers who are coming to my Christmas in July Stamp Camp tomorrow!

New Stampin' Up! Stamp Sets

This morning, there is a lot of information to share. On the demonstrator side of the website, we have a sneak peek of items from the new 2008 Fall/Winter catalog. Here are some exciting tidbits:

#1. ALL BRAND-NEW STAMPS SETS WILL BE DIE CUT!!!!!! Any stamp sets from previous years will NOT be die cut however.
#2. Stampin' Up! will be carrying a long scallop punch
#3. We have different buttons - with a raised flower in the middle! (Unclear if we will have the old-style buttons yet)
#4. We will have a new Flower Power Simply Sent Card Elements Accessory package - really cute!
#5. Bella Rose Designer Series Paper - really pretty with Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red, Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel colors
#6. The new In Colors are: Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Pacific Point, Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red, and Tangerine Tango (look for these on my blog as soon as I get my new products in my hands)

Want the scoop on some of the new stamp sets? Since this was a sneak peek, we didn't see very many, but here is a rundown of customer stamp sets:

#1. Heard from the Heart - if you love the script-style stamp set (Wonderful Words), this is a 4-piece set with phrases and the main word is in script.
#2. Wow Flowers - Bold 4-piece set with Thank You (flower is the "o"), Circle with Happy Birthday and Flower, Large Dotted Flower, and small birthday wishes (There is also a Spanish Set for this one too)
#3. SOCK MONKEY - Ok, all you Carol Duvall fans - this is it!!!! REALLY cute 10-piece stamp set with sock monkey, banana, balloon, pennant, cupcake and candle, heart, flower, birthday hat, and the phrases just for you and thanks a bunch!
#4. Dreams du Jour - 4-piece set with the feel of a seed packet - LOVE you in a square with a flower, butterfly, WE GROW GREAT BY DREAMS -Woodrow Wilson with flower and leaves, and the phrase The way to KNOW LIFE is to LOVE many things - Van Gogh

Want the scoop on some of the new HOSTESS stamp sets? We only saw a few of the Level 2 and Level 3 hostess DIE CUT stamp sets...GET OUT YOUR CALENDAR AND MAKE A DATE FOR A WORKSHOP WITH ME - You are going to want these for sure!

Level 2 - Fall Flair - 8-piece set - Flowers and leaves - bold and pretty
Level 2 - Deer Friends - 8-piece set - THIS IS JUST ADORABLE - holiday images with cute sayings in a circle (comes in Spanish too)
Santa Face- from the guy with the red suit
Snowman Face - season's greetings
Present - a little something
Angel Face- little angel
Christmas Tree - o christmas tree
Reindeer Face - deer friend
Baby Jesus and Star - o holy night
Gingerbread Man - sweet treat
Level 2 - Occasions Collection - Set of 14 - sayings with a line of images you can punch out to fit in circle stamp (comes in Spanish too)
HAPPY st. patrick's wedding halloween thanksgiving new year valentine's day birthday christmas to you Easter
Level 2 - Serene Spring - Set of 4 (Comes in Spanish too)
Bunny in Basket with Flower and Bird
Clay Pot with Flowers, Bird, and Butterfly
A friend is what the heart needs all the time. - Henry Van Dyke
A kind word is like a spring day.
Level 3 - Happiness Always (Set of 14) - 2-Step Stamping Style (bold phrases) (comes in Spanish too)
Butterfly (2)
Half-Flower (2)
Leaf (2)
Full Flower (2)
Stem (2)
Stamen (2)
happiness always
Be ALL that you DREAM to be.
Level 3 - Window Dressing - set of 10 (comes in Spanish too)
Large Window
pumpkin grouping
trio of vases with flowers
kitty cat
little girl head and hands (peeking out of window)
group of 2 snowmen
bird
3 Curved phrases (to fit over window) so thankful for you; you make me smile!; very merry christmas
Level 3 - Holiday Happening Bundle
Large Rub-on Sheet with holiday phrases
Set of 4 Seasonal Icons Stamps (snowflake, leaf, heart, flower-bold images)
Holiday Happenings Designer Series Paper - 9 sheets - 3 each of 3 designs)

Watch for more information in the coming weeks!!! If you have been interested in becoming a demonstrator, this may be the year to do so! Stampin' Up! is celebrating its 20th anniversary, and they are giving demonstrators many reasons to celebrate!!!!

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.