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!

Of The Earth Part II

I've mentioned before that I like this hostess set, Of the Earth and here is the promised part II of some recent cards I made.  This one is for my niece.  She recently decided to be baptized and I made her this card to congratulate and encourage her on her walk with God.  I selected Lavendar Lace for the based of my card stamping the flower image on the bottom using Versamark.  I then used layers of Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper, Certainly Celery and more Lavendar Lace to frame my image.  I also layered Pretty in Pink Ribbon onto my long piece of Certainly Celery.  My image is stamped onto Whisper White.  I stamped the image using Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery and Lavendar Lace.  I used my Stamp-A-Ma-Jig to line up the image and then applied my ink and used a damp cloth to remove the color from the parts of the stamp I did not want in that color. 

For my butterflies, I used mostly Sweet Pea Designer Series paper, though a bit of Sale-A-Bration Welcome Neighbor may have made it's way in since I was just using up scrap pieces.  The butterflies were punched using my Big Shot and Stampin' Up!® Beautiful Wings Embosslits die.

On the inside, I used similar techniques, just layering butterflies and paper.  On the left side, that strip of paper is one of those "creative opportunities."  I started to write a scripture verse and then got distracted and messed it up.  I was using ink of course so I opted to cover with some paper.  No mistake, just a creative opportunity. 

God Bless and Happy Stampin'!
Charity

He is Risen!

He is Risen Indeed!  Blessings to you and your families this Easter.  Our family has enjoyed the Lenten Season looking forward to Easter and now we celebrate Easter together.  We will head to church in the morning for brunch and then worship.  I really enjoy our Easter worship service.  Our pastor usually plays his trumpet and it is really a joyous celebration of the resurrection of our Lord.  Our kids love to say, "He is Risen!" knowing that we will respond to "He is Risen Indeed."  On Easter we will be in the Lord's house about our Father's business!

After church the kids will come to Easter baskets.  At Christmas, we decided to give the girls "mom and dad certificates" - these are gift certificates that I make which entitles them to a small solo shopping spree (less than $50) with the parent of their choice.  In a family with four kids, the solo spree is key.  We had done store gift cards before, but this allowed them to pick the store and go to different stores if they didn't find what they liked.  This was a big hit so we decided on something similar as part of their Easter baskets for all four kids.  I added to the spree a treat of ice cream or hot chocolate afterwards.  This will be particular fun for the older ones who are approaching that key age where we need to have good communication with one another.

Using my Build A Bear Dies (including Beary Hoppy) I created little bear versions of the kids using their favorite colors.  My paper selections are mostly soft subtles or colors which compliment those found in the Sweet Pea Designer Series Papers.  I also used a bit of scrap from my Welcome Neighbor package.  These bears will be included with their Easter baskets and gift certificates.

Have a blessed Easter.  May God bless and keep you and your family.
Charity

Of the Earth - Part 1

As a demonstrator, I'm also eligible for hostess benefits whenever I place an order of $150 or more.  On one of my recent orders, I selected Of the Earth for my hostess benefit.  I really love this set and have made several cards using it.  I'll be sharing some more soon.
For this card, you will need the following items:

• Card stock:  Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Rich Razzleberry
• Classic Stampin' Pads:  Bermuda Bay, Certainly Celery, Barely Banana, Rich Razzleberry
• Tools and Accessories:  Modern Label Punch, Black Satin Ribbon
• Stamp Sets:  Of the Earth, Teeny Tiny Wishes

To create this card, you will stamp your flowers onto the Whisper White beginning with your lightest color first and working your way to the darkest color.  Then, cut four even squares.  Set aside, remembering the order they go in.  Wrap the ribbon around your card front.  I created two small loops.  I arranged my four squares in order on my card front leaving just a bit of space between each one.  I stamped the "Thinking of You" sentiment onto the Certainly Celery and punched it with the Modern Label punch.  I then adhered this onto the card front with part of it tucked under two of the squares.  Looks far more complicated than it really is. 

If you like the Of the Earth stamp set, host a show and it could be yours!  It doesn't take much to reach the minimum in sales for a Level 1 Hostess set.

God Bless and Happy Stampin!
Charity