This time of year is always a chance to get excited about what is retiring from the Stampin' Up catalog -- because it means new stamps and accessories will be able to join the SU family in the new catalog that starts May 31.
Here are the links to the lists of retiring items -- available through June 3 or while supplies last for accessories (we make our own stamp sets so those will not sell out). FYI -- SU made the date June 3 for these retiring things so it's a weekday.
Introducing the new and improved Stampin' Trimmer! Although paper
trimmers are a common crafting tool, this trimmer was designed
exclusively by paper crafters for paper crafters-and because it was made
by Stampin' Up!, you know it's a cut above the rest!
I was so excited to get to pre-order one a couple of weeks ago and test out the new feaures. I love it and am so glad it's available to everyone starting today!
Features of the All-New Stampin' Trimmer
An extra-wide 6-1/4" cutting base and an extended 14-1/2" ruler
The extra-wide cutting base provides a large work area and is marked
in 1/4" (4 mm) increments, allowing for small measurements.
The right-side grid helps you measure and cut very thin strips.
The extended cutting arm has a stabilizing leg to provide a sturdy and steady cutting surface for longer cuts.
When fully extended, the extended cutting arm sits flush with the
trimmer base, providing more accurate and consistent measurements across
the entire surface.
The cutting base and track include a full ruler, incorporating
measurements down to 1/16" and grid lines that mark each quarter inch.
All rulers and measurements on the base are printed under a plastic cover so your measurements won't wear off.
The base has nonskid feet, which keeps the Stampin' Trimmer securely in place on your work area.
A full 12" cutting and scoring track
The extra-long cutting track has space at the top and bottom so you
don't have to take the cutting and scoring blades out when you're not
using them.
The track gives you enough space to cut or score a full 12" (30.5 cm) without having to remove or switch out handles.
The cutting track locks in place for secure storage or transport.
The track includes an insertion point for cutting and scoring blade
handles so you can easily insert handles into the cutting track.
Specially designed handles and cutting track to ensure straight cuts
The hook on the scoring and cutting blade handles keeps the handles stable so the cuts are as straight as possible.
Handles come in two colors: dark for cutting, light for scoring.
The precision tip on the cutting blade allows you to pinpoint precisely where you're cutting.
The point on the side of each handle shows you where the blade will
cut, making it easy to see exactly where your cuts and scores will
begin.
Storage compartment under base
The storage compartment holds scoring and cutting tools such as a
Bone Folder, Simply Scored Stylus, extra scoring and cutting blades, and
even business cards.
Separate compartments within the storage compartment keep your tools
organized, and the clear cover makes it easy to see what you've stored.
Product details: item 126889; $29.95
Here's a video that lets you learn more about all these great features.
The other very exciting news that starts today is that hostesses who reach the $450 hostess level from now through Dec. 16 get to choose a free set of ink pads in the Brights, Subtles or Regals family in addition to their other hostess benefits -- and this same offer of a free set of ink pads applies to anyone who signs up with me as a demonstrator during that time! It's so great that Stampi' Up is offering this awesome deal. Let me know if you have questions about the demonstrator opportunity -- it's something that is fun to do as a part-time or full-time business or as a hobby so you get a discount on your own supplies.
Hope you're enjoying the new catalog. Among the new items in there are our redesigned ink pads. Same custom colors -- but the material used to make the pad part has changed from felt to firm foam. So it takes a little change in your technique. You'll want to use a lighter "hand" -- light tapping. The foam gives great coverage on bold stamps especially.
The ink used to refill the new pads is the same as the old ones -- EXCEPT for five reformulated colors: Basic Gray, Basic Black, Tempting Turquoise, Marina Mist and Perfect Plum. Bottom line: you will want to use the new refills in these five colors when reinking your pads. All other colors, old or new refills are both fine to refill either the old or new versions.
I'm going to share a video with more info and then below that, a question and answer item that has has some more info. I love the coverage that the new pads provide -- but I'll keep using some of my current felt pads and just add news ones a little at a time.
Q: Why did we switch from felt pads to firm foam pads? A: We have worked very hard to improve the functionality of our Classic Stampin’ Pads. The firm foam allows for better ink coverage; plus it stays juicer and lasts longer.
Q: Do old Classic Stampin’ Ink Refills work with the new firm foam pads? A: Yes, with the exception of Basic Black, Basic Gray, Marina Mist, Perfect Plum, and Tempting Turquoise, which have been reformulated to work with the new foam pad material. We do not recommend using old ink refills in these colors with the new firm foam pads.
Q: Before I use my firm foam pad, do I need to tap it and massage the ink around? A: No. The firm foam pads are ready for use immediately. The best stamping technique with the firm foam pad is light tapping.
Q: My pad is too wet. What should I do? A: We suggest using a paper towel to remove some of the ink. The amount of ink in each pad is carefully monitored in production to ensure the two-year shelf life.
Q: The firm foam on my lighter color pads looks blotchy. Is this normal? A: Yes. The blotchiness is caused by the characteristics of the pad material. It does not affect the stamped image.
Q: When I first stamp with certain colors, my images seem a lot darker. Why is this happening? A: When stamping with your old pads, you had to work hard to get even ink coverage on your stamp. With the new firm foam pad, the stamp gets a lot more ink on it so when you stamp, your image will appear darker. Once your stamped image dries, the color will look normal.
Q: When I compare the firm foam pads to my felt pads, some of the colors don’t seem to match. Why is this? A: The firm foam and felt will not match exactly. Ink reacts differently to different materials. We have quality checked each ink color to ensure that the stamped ink color is true.
Q: What is shelf life of the firm foam pads? How long will the pad last before I need to re-ink it? A: Shelf life is two years from the manufactured date, which means if you do not use the pad for two years, it should remain well saturated. If you use the pad frequently, the pad may need to be re-inked before the two years.
Q: What is the best way to remove the color labels from the bottom of the ink pad? A: Start at the right bottom corner (just above the barcode) and slowly peel the corner up by removing both layers.
Q: Which end of the case do you apply the label to? A: The label goes on the end where you open the case.
Q: If the ink pad becomes saturated with ink or liquid, will it cause the label to fall off? A: No, the label should not be affected. However, like most labels, if you pick at it or try and remove it, it may start to peel up.
Q: What are some additional features of the new firm foam pads? A: See additional features below:
The firm foam is nice and flat and will not become wavy.
The firm foam material does not imprint on the stamp images like the felt pad sometimes did. However, because the firm foam material is a foam base material, the stamp image can momentarily leave an imprint on the pad, which can transfer to a second stamped image. By inking your stamp on different areas of the pad or waiting momentarily for the ink to rise back to the top, you can easily avoid this situation.
The firm foam material is soft and has a nice bounce to it. It’s not hard like the felt is.
The ink lay-down (how the ink is absorbed into the card stock) is even, not blotchy, and dries quickly. It has an increased opacity and stamps solid images beautifully.
Q: Will the ink color collections include the newly formulated five colors (Basic Black, Basic Gray, Marina Mist, Perfect Plum, Tempting Turquoise) during the preorder in May? A: They will include the new formulations of Basic Black (Neutrals) and Marina Mist (Subtles). However, if you are planning on purchasing the Neutrals, Subtles, or Brights ink color collections, we recommend you wait until June 1, at which time the new ink formula will also be available in Basic Gray, Perfect Plum, and Tempting Turquoise.
Q: Will Stampin’ Spots use the new firm foam pad? A: No. Stampin’ Spots will remain the same.
Q: Can I use the reformulated ink with my Stampin’ Spots? A: Yes.
Q: Can I use the reformulated ink with my Stampin’ Around Wheels? A: Yes.
The wonderful Occasions mini catalog is here and you can download it in the right column and also the supply list for mini catalog projects. You can order items online. Be sure to sign up for my monthly newsletter in the left column because the January special project sheet will focus on all the great new Big Shot die cutting products in the Occasions Mini -- you will not want to miss it.
December was a roller coaster month with some family emergencies that limited my time to post ideas. I hope to get some things photographed and return to the world of blogging very soon so thanks for hanging in there and Happy New Year.
It's September 1st so that means Stampin' Up's great Holiday Mini Catalog started today and runs through January 3. There are SO many great things in here so check it out at the link in the right column of my blog, complete with a link to a supply list for the project ideas shown in the mini catalog.
I wanted to share a Fall card set idea that would be a great hostess gift to take along if you're invited somewhere for Thanksgiving this year -- plus they'd just be fun to make for yourself. Stampin' Up CEO Shelli Gardner and her daughter Shalae Brown shared this great project at our convention this summer. It is four notecards, with matching envelopes that all feature the new Gently Falling stamp set, the colors More Mustard, Pool Party and Soft Suede -- a beautiful, unusual color combination inspired by the great new Spice Cake Designer Series Paper and matching fabric.
First the four cards:
Shelli and Shalae used the fabric as torn accents on the cards, to tie around the stack of envelopes and to sew an easy little pouch to give the cards in. Naturals Vanilla card stock is the paper that you see stamped on or embossed with our new Snow Burst embossing folder -- and torn and either glued or sewn to the notecard. And notice how a spritz with a Soft Suede marker and our Color Spritzer tool tones down the white base of the notecard. ( I love our notecards because they are smaller in size and come in a package of 20, pre-scored and with envelopes. One package would make 5 sets of these cards!)
Here are the envelopes and the pretty pouch:
Here's the supply list: Gently Falling and Hand-Penned Holidays Stamp Sets; Naturals Ivory Card Stock; Whisper White Note Cards and Envelopes; Early Espresso, More Mustard, Pool Party, and Soft Suede Classic Stampin’ Pads; Soft Suede Stampin’ Writer Marker; Spice Cake Designer Fabric and Buttons; Vintage Trinkets; Stampin’ Dimensionals; Color Spritzer Tool; Big Shot; Snow Burst Textured Impressions Embossing Folder; sewing machine and thread.
I'm not sure what I love most in the new mini -- the fall items or the Christmas ones! I do know that Spice Cake may just be my most favorite designer paper in a long time!
It's July 1 and that means it's "Happy New Year" day for Stampin' Up. You can see the new catalog in a great "flip-through" online version by clicking the photo link for it in the right column of my blog -- and if you want the list of supplies for all the great projects in the new catalog, the Stampin' Supplies link is right below that, which will download a 33-page pdf right to your computer with a list of supplies by page # and project.
As always, if you want to order online from the new catalog, just click on the link in the upper right column.
Enjoy and can't wait to share all the new ideas that a new catalog inspires.
Thanks to my fabulous fellow Stampin' Up! Demonstrator Dawn Olchefske here is a look at the new In Colors that will be available to customers starting July 1 and that will join our five current In Colors as nice extras in our color palette. Dawn was nice enough to grant permission to share this photo and a link to a great comparison of the colors to other SU colors. Click here to view her great blog post.
It's transition time at Stampin' Up as we get ready for the debut of a new catalog and idea book on July 1. Here are the PDF files of items that are retiring from the 2010-2011 Stampin' Up Catalog as of June 30. We make our own stamps so we never sell out of those but all other items can sell out as quanities are exhausted so shop through my Order Online link to get the items you want before they're gone.
I love, love, love so many of the things in this new catalog. Many of you should have gotten these in the mail. If you're my customer and did not receive one and would like one, send me an email. If you don't have a Stampin' Up demonstrator and would like your own copy of the mini, you can also send me an email. And if that's too long to wait -- just click the catalog picture in the RIGHT COLUMN of my blog to download a pdf version. Enjoy and happy shopping.
UPDATE: The new catalog is LIVE and can be downloaded at the Current Catalog link in the right column. Check out the new Definitely Decorative catalog as well with the best chalkboard elements!
If you're planning to stop by my New Catalog Open House this Thursday night between 6 pm and 9 pm (and if you live nearby you're welcome!) -- here's a sneak peek at one of the projects. I've loved working with the new colors and can't wait to share them. I'll show them in full after the event. Just send me a note if you want to come and need more information. Of course the star of the show will be the new 2010-2011 Idea Book and Catalog. I'll also have LOTS of retiring items for sale!
