BIG CONVENTION NEWS!

There is a lot of chatter on the internet about news being announced at the Stampin' Up! Convention, and all of it is very exciting! I don't want to spoil anyone's first look at the new catalog, so I won't tell you what I've heard about stamp sets, accessories, etc.... BUT, I will share with all of you that yesterday's big announcement was that Stampin' Up! has partnered with Sizzix, and they will even have several dies that are exclusive to Stampin' Up! and will coordinate with Stampin' Up! stamp sets and accessories! I can assure you that the catalog will be full of surprises that are as wonderful as this announcement was!!

Don't forget that if you pre-ordered a catalog, you can pick it up on August 10th, 2008 and do a little make-and-take project while you're here. August 10th will also be the beginning day for my big SALE! You can take advantage of great savings on the retired stamp sets and accessories, so mark your calendar and make plans to attend! Check out my calendar for details and don't forget to RSVP.

NEW STUFF!

With all the convention chatter going on, I have finally accepted the fact that I really do miss not being there; so I decided I had best treat myself to a little play time with my new catalog goodies. I got the idea to make a "female" sock monkey from antoher blog (I apologize that I don't remember whose blog it was to give you credit~~if it's yours, please let me know, so I can give credit where credit is due). After I got her all dressed up, I thought she definitely needed a bag, so I added that. Accessorizing her could have been an all-day event with shoes, a cell phone, perhaps some earrings.... With the help of friends, I did manage to limit my endeavors to a bag and hat. I used the new Sock Monkey and Wow Flowers stamp sets. I had lots of fun with these sets, and it makes me very anxious to see what other goodies will be in the new SU! catalog :o)

WHERE IN THE WORLD HAS CHRIS BEEN?

I know it has been a while since you have seen a new post from me, and I didn't mean to leave you all stranded! I had to paint and add a new "Decor Element" to the Rubber Room. This meant I needed to re-arrange and that meant lots of clutter that needed to be cleaned out, and that meant... I'm sure you get the idea--I took a little job and turned it into a three-day affair. Now I am excited to be back to stamping, and I have lots of new things to share with all of you. I will start by getting ready for my August classes and getting my samples posted for those. Hopefully by focusing on upcoming classes, I won't get sidetracked and be off playing with new stamp sets and papers and dreaming of getting the new catalog in my hands! I promise to be back soon with more creative posts--until then, keep your hands in the ink (wink, wink).

TECHNIQUE TUESDAY IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER!

I am certain the gals signed up for my Techniques Tuesday class will be having a ball! These are the five cards we'll be making, plus they'll receive instructions and a sample too. The Fresh Cuts card uses the Crayon Resist Technique. The Punch Pals penguin card uses the Glitter Window technique. The Together Forever (blue flower) card uses the Faux Tearing technique. The Year After Year (heart) uses the Classic Ink watercolor technique. And, the Lovely As A Tree card uses the Brayer Resist Technique. Of course there are a few cards that use the new word set (available in the Stampin' Up! new catalog) Heard From The Heart. I can already tell that is going to be one of my favorite word sets!

RETIRED ACCESSORIES LIST!!

Okay, ladies, the Retired Accessories List is here! Remember, all items on this list are available only while supplies last. Please don't delay in ordering, as some things are already unavailable. Simply click on the link to your right (below the Decor Elements Brochure link) to view/print the entire list.

Be sure to check out the Discounted Retired Accessories List link on the right for a full listing of accessories that are retiring and can be purchased at a discounted rate, and save yourself a few dollars!

Have a great week, and don't forget to order!

DISCOUNTED RETIRING ACCESSORIES!

Some of you may be thinking that the Retiring Accessory List is not available until Monday, July 21st, 2008; and you are correct! I am anxiously awaiting its availability.

BUT the big news today is that Stampin' Up! has announced that for the first time it will "discounting" some items on the Retiring Accessory List! How cool is that?

Click here DISOUNTED ITEMS to see the list of discounted retiring accesories!

You can't start ordering until Monday, July 21st, 2008; but you can get your order to me today, and I will send it to Stampin' Up! first thing Monday.

REMEMBER: All retiring accessories are available only until stock runs out. Which means you won't want to delay ordering only to find that you've missed out on those accessories you NEEDED! Be sure to check back tomorrow for the full Retiring Accessoriy List!

FRESH CUT CRAZED!

I wanted to use my die cut cards and Fresh Flowers stamp set (instead of just "saving" them as I usually prefer to do ;o). These are some of the ideas I came up with. They were lots of fun to use and made the whole stamping process quick and easy. I love the immediate gratification!

SAYING GOODBYE!

It's time to say goodbye to some of our favorite stamps as they retire! These are photos of the five cards we'll be making at my Retirement Party on July 21st. We're going to use Best Blossoms, Greetings Galore, Happy Camper, Never Ending Joy and Artfully Asian to make these wonderful cards. Please RSVP with an email to me at ckolly@stampingismybusiness.com if you want to join the fun as we ink up these wonderful stamp sets one last time!