Exciting News to Share!

If you are like me, you follow many different blogs, message boards, mailing lists, etc. related to stamping and will likely be hearing some rumors about a color renovation over at Stampin' Up!®  So, I want to set the record straight and say that yes, beginning in the next Idea Book and Catalog (July 2010), we will see a color renovation for our color families. 

Based on market trends, customer/demonstrator focus groups, and even suggestions, Stampin' Up! has decided to change the color families.  We will be bidding farewell to some old favorites, welcoming back some former In Colors, and welcoming some brand new colors.  I can't share images just yet, but I can list the new color collections and retiring colors (an * indicates new colors, ** is a returning In Color):

Say Hello to our Brights Collection:  Regal Rose, Melon Mambo**, Rich Razzleberry**, Pacific Point**, Tempting Turquoise, Old Olive, Daffodil Delight*, Pumpkin Pie, Tangerine Tango**, and Real Red.

Our Neutrals Collection:  River Rock**, Chocolate Chip, Soft Suede**, Early Espresso*, Crumb Cake (formerly known as Kraft), Sahara Sand, Very Vanilla, Whisper White, Basic Gray, and Basic Black.

Our Regals Collection:  Elegant Eggplant, Night of Navy, Not Quite Navy, Always Artichoke, Garden Green, More Mustard, Cajun Craze*, Riding Hood Red**, Cherry Cobbler*, and Bravo Burgundy.

And Our Subtles Collection:  Pink Pirouette**, Pretty in Pink, Rose Red, Perfect Plum, Marina Mist*, Bashful Blue, Baja Breeze**, Wild Wasabi**, Certainly Celery, and So Saffron.

Stampin Up! will also offer a Getting Started Collection which draws 10 colors from the above collections that will be complimentary and help a new stamper get going without feeling like they need all 40 colors.

This means in July we will be saying our fond farewells to:  Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango, Bermuda Bay, Basic Brow, Going Gray, Glorious Green, Green Galore, Gable Green, YoYo Yellow, Only Orange, Pink Passion, Pixie Pink, Orchid Opulence, Lovely Lilac, Brilliant Blue, Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel, Really Rust, Ruby Red, Cameo Coral, Summer Sun, Bordering Blue, Brocade Blue, Ballet Blue, Taken with Teal, Handsome Hunter, Pale Plum, Blush Blossom, Apricot Appeal, Barely Banana, Mellow Moss, Sage Shadow, Almost Amehyst and Lavendar Lace.

What does this mean for you?  Well, if some of your favorites are on the "Retiring List," consider buying them now.  If you are excited to see some returning favorites or the new colors, then look forward to the new catalog and make room on your shelf.  As we approach July, I'll have more information.  Also, you can see the new color collections at any of my upcoming classes or workshops. 

There will also be some changes with the In Colors.  In July, Stampin' Up! will add 5 new In Colors as always.  However, these colors will stay around for 2 years.  In July 2011, Stampin' Up! will add 5 new In Colors for a total of 10.  From that point, 10 In Colors will be maintained at any given time, with 5 retiring each year. 

There will also be some changes regarding Craft Stamp pads, but I'm still getting all the details as this was just announced to demonstrators today.  Feel free to email me with questions and I'll answer to them to the best of my ability.

With any change, there will be some anxiety and maybe some frustration, but I think overall, you will be excited about these new offerings.  The new colors are great and I'm excited to see some favorites come back (HELLO BAJA BREEZE!).  I hope you will join me in my excitement.  I look forward to sharing more information as I receive it and will be happy to answer your questions.

God Bless and Happy Stampin!

A Few of My Favorite Things

Don't you love... the fall? "It makes me wanna buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address. " - You've Got Mail, 1998


One of my favorite movies is You've Got Mail, and I love this line, probably because it absolutely speaks to me. I honestly love to buy school supplies, not sure why, but I love shopping for them. I must say that browsing the new Idea Book and Catalog for Stampin' Up!™ also gives me the same thrill. So, instead of newly sharpened pencils, I'd send you a bouquet of newly released In Color markers.


I think these markers are one of my favorite new products in the current Idea Book and Catalog. I enjoy using markers for applying color to my stamps to allow me to get multiple colors in my image. However, until this catalog, this was not easy to accomplish if you wanted to use the In Colors. So when these markers were revealed, I was very excited.


One of my favorite movies, one of my favorite new products.


God Bless and Happy Stamping!

My Future Downline

I may not have a downline now, but if I wait another 12 years or so, I could have one sleeping under my roof! I just purchased a Stampin' Up! apron so Tessa just had to try it on, and as is perfectly normal in our home, when my latest Stampin' Up goodies arrived, Tessa was the first to give it a try.

Here is Tessa showing off my new Stampin' Up! apron as well as one of the recent Stampin' Success magazines that demonstrators get each month. Instead of saying "cheese," Tessa opted to say, "Stampin' Up!"

Liam couldn't be out done so I had to get a photo of him with my magazine as well. Here's his photo. Isabel and Phoebe were both off to softball practice while Liam, Tessa, and I were getting ready for Open Studio.

Once she had donned an apron, Tessa headed straight to the Big Shot to try out my new goodies- Texturz plates. If you have been thinking of getting a Big Shot but are holding back because it looks like too much to handle, check out this photo of Tessa punching some flowers. The Big Shot comes with a great multi-purpose platform which allows you to use a variety of dies and tools. The platform also has very clear directions on how to use the big shot and what layers you need when using the thinner dies and Texturz plates. Pretty straightforward once you get the hang of it. And, as you can see, so simple and easy to use, a four year old has it mastered.

Tomorrow, I hope to share some additional projects with you. I just spent the evening stamping and creating with a great friend and my kiddos. I finished a scrapbook page using the project materials provided to us during Stampin' Up Regionals and I made a nice framed project combining Decor Elements with stamps. I hope to have photos of these up in the next day or so.

Now, off to clean up my stamping area.

God Bless and Happy Stamping!