LAST DAY TO ORDER RETIRING PRODUCTS FROM 2011-2012 CATALOG...

Today is the LAST day to order retiring products from the 2011-2012 Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog! 

Get them before they are gone!  Over 200 stamp sets are retiring today and they will NOT be available again!  Retiring Accessories and Definitely Decorative (including Décor Elements) retire today as well and  are only available WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!   There are some BIG discounts up to 70%, so be sure to check out the amazing savings!

Available through today, May 31 ONLY!  Retired stamps sets will never appear on Clearance Rack or anywhere else!

PDF 2012 Stamps Retirement List

Sortable Excel 2012 Stamps Retirement List

Available through May 31, 2012 - while supplies last.
An "X" on the right side of the list indicates the product has already sold out.
Select products are up to 70% off!

 PDF 2012 Accessories Retirement List

 Sortable Excel 2012 Accessories Retirement File

Available through May 31, 2012 - while supplies last. 

 PDF 2012 Definitely Decorative Retirement List

To order these retiring products or any others, you can order online, call me at (757-463-2714) or email me with your order.

SHOP ALL RETIRING PRODUCTS NOW!

PLEASE NOTE:

• Be sure to check out my Occasions Mini Carryover post.  These products will definitely be carried over into the new Stampin' Up! 2012-2012 catalog as well as the stamp sets listed in my Occasions Mini Stamp Sets post! 
  
  
• In the new catalog:
  •  Only select Stampin' Write Markers will be available individually (Stampin' Write Markers in color collections will continue to be offered)
  • 12" x 12" Textured Card Stock will no longer be offered.  12" x 12" Smooth Card Stock will only be available in select individual colors and color collections.
  
  
• If you plan to order your retiring favorites, be sure to check my Stampin' Up! Clearance Rack for great deals on punches, albums, paper and more.  Clearance rack items can ONLY be placed through an online order and are available while supplies last!  Loyalty Rewards & Stampin' Rewards still apply to your orders! 

DRUM ROLL, PLEASE:  The new catalog begins tomorrow, Friday, June 1.  You can begin ordering new products at NOON MST (which is 2:00 PM EST).  I'll post the online link to the new catalog here when Stampin' Up! makes it available.

LOYALTY REWARDS - When you purchase $50 or more, you qualify for my Loyalty Rewards program!  This Frequent Stamper program is my way of saying "thank you" to my returning customers in appreciation of their business and is in addition to other Stampin' Rewards.  Earn FREE stamps with MarieStamps.com! 

KISS SUNDAY, Easy Blossom Punch Flowers...

Today I have a card from a beginner stamping technique class with a KISS (keep it simple stamper) layout.  The focal piece was a flower made with both the Faux Suede technique and my Flower Mum technique.  I love the Blossom Punch for this technique.  It gives a very different look than the Fancy Flower Punch.  This time I used less layers (four) as I had a Japanese exchange student in my class and we agreed to keep the cards flatter, so she would have an easy time packing them for transport back to Japan.  I actually really love the flatter look and it certainly makes for easier mailing.  I would probably still like another layer or two though!  :o) 

FLOWERS ARE BEST SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – Mixed Bunch (W#125535 $27.95, C#125537 $21.95),  Friendly Phrases (W#126149 $18.95, C#126151 $14.95)
• Card Stock – Old Olive, River Rock, Blushing Bride, Whisper White, Paisley Petals DSP (retiring)
• Ink – Calypso Coral Classic
• Ribbon – Victoria Crochet Trim (#118781, $6.95)
• Punches – Blossom (#125603, $16.95), Itty Bitty Punch Pack (#118309, $16.95)
• Accessories – Antique Brads (#117273, $5.95), Basic Pearl Jewels Accents (#119247, $4.95)
• Tools – Paper Piercer, Sponge Daubers

LOYALTY REWARDS - When you purchase $50 or more, you qualify for my Loyalty Rewards program!  This Frequent Stamper program is my way of saying "thank you" to my returning customers in appreciation of their business and is in addition to other Stampin' Rewards.  Earn FREE stamps with MarieStamps.com!

TECHNIQUE THURSDAY, Stained Mosaic Open Sea Porthole...

Today I have a new technique to show you called Stained Mosaic.  There is a free mini tutorial for this technique at the end of the post.  I thought the technique really cried out for a masculine card, so I knew I wanted to use The Open Sea stamp set.  I also included the Faux Burned Paper technique on the ship's log stamped piece.

I had seen a porthole card somewhere a while back and it stuck in my mind, so I instantly thought of it for this card.  For mine, I cut a 3-1/2" Circle and a 3" Circle with the Big Shot.  Then I punched a 2-1/2" Circle from scraps and placed it on the back of the 3" Circle and traced around it.  That way I knew exactly where to place the 2-1/2" Punch on the 3" Circle to make the porthole frame.  After watercoloring the ship image on a 3" Circle, I used the Stained Mosaic technique on the piece and adhered it to the center of the 3-1/2" Circle.  I placed 6 Gold Brads around the circle close to the edges.  Finally I added Shaker Frame pieces to the back of the 3" punched circle frame and mounted it over the ship's image.

The distressing on the paper edges was done with the Cutter Kit.  It is such a great tool set and is so underused.  It is retiring on May 31, so don't miss out on getting yours today!  You won't regret it.  Enjoy!

PORTHOLE TO THE OPEN SEAS SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – The Open Sea (W#123030 $26.95, C#123032 $18.95)
• Card Stock – Whisper White, Not Quite Navy, Brushed Gold, Nautical Expedition DSP (only $4.39 in my Clearance Rack)
• Ink – Not Quite Navy, Marina Mist, Soft Suede, Early Espresso Classic, Tea Stain & Navy Stain from Distressing Essentials (#118762, $19.95 retiring - while supplies last), VersaMark, White Signo Gel Pen (#105021, $3.95)
• Ribbon – Early Espresso/White Bakers Twine (#123124, $2.95)
• Punches – 2-1/2" Circle (#120906, $16.95)
• Accessories – Gold Brads (#104337, $6.95 retiring - while supplies last), Shaker Frames (#124155, $4.95), Clear Embossing Powder (#109130, $4.75)
• Tools – Big Shot, 3-1/2" Circle Die (#121811 $17.95), 3" Circle Die (#122125, $17.95), Cutter Kit (#106958, $16.95 retiring - while supplies last), Paper Piercer

STAINED MOSAIC TECHNIQUE DIRECTIONS:

1.  Cut rubber trimmings (from the rubber that surrounds new stamp sets) into small pieces.
2.  Adhere the rubber pieces close together on an acrylic or wood block, filling the entire block.
3.  Stamp an image with blackon neutral cardstock.
4.  Color your image with vibrant colors.
5.  Cut your image to the desired finished shape and size.
6.  Ink mosaic stamp with VersaMark™ ink and stamp it over your colored image.
7.  Add clear embossing powder (EP) over your image. Tap off excess. Heat EP with heat gun until it's completely melted.
8.  Rub a black or dark ink pad over the entire piece. Buff image with paper towel to take black ink off the embossed parts of your image. Repeat if necessary.

LOYALTY REWARDS - When you purchase $50 or more, you qualify for my Loyalty Rewards program!  This Frequent Stamper program is my way of saying "thank you" to my returning customers in appreciation of their business and is in addition to other Stampin' Rewards.  Earn FREE stamps with MarieStamps.com!

DON"T MISS OUT ON THESE FABULOUS PUNCHES...

Last Friday, I posted a Graduation Cap Card card featuring some retiring punches.  I wanted to post about these and other punches since there are so many GREAT ones that are retiring at the end of the month.  If you follow my blog, you know I LOVE punches!   I do not sell any of them after they retire (unless I have extras) as I do with other retiring items because I love them and use them ALL!  You don't want to miss out on any of these--especially since some of them are on sale!  Here is a list of the retiring ones:

• 5-Petal Punch (sold out)
• Blossom Bouquet Punch (on sale $14.37)
• Doily Punch (on sale $14.37)
• Large Tag Punch (on sale $11.96)
• Lace Ribbon Border Punch (on sale $14.96)
• Pinking Hearts Border Punch ($15.95)
• Pinking Hearts Corner Punch (on sale $7.46)
• Butterfly Punch ($16.95)
• Eyelet Border Punch ($15.95)
• Heart to Heart Punch ($16.95)
• Round Tab Punch ($15.95)
• Snowflake Punch (sold out)
• Ticket Corner ($6.95)

Also, as a heads up, the following punches will be going up $2 each in price from $10.95 to $12.95 beginning on June 1:

• Jewelry Tag
• Small Oval
• 3/4" Circle
• 1" Circle

If you would like to see all the retiring products, you can CLICK HERE to see them in my online store.  If ordering online with me, be sure that you are still signed it to my site (my name will appear on the upper right) when completing your order as it does time out after a while and then the prices will be are higher.

Update:  The Round Tab Punch and the Heart to Heart Punch have now sold out as well.  Please act quickly to be sure you don't miss out on these awesome punches!

LOYALTY REWARDS - When you purchase $50 or more, you qualify for my Loyalty Rewards program!  This Frequent Stamper program is my way of saying "thank you" to my returning customers in appreciation of their business and is in addition to other Stampin' Rewards.  Earn FREE stamps with MarieStamps.com!

STORAGE SATURDAY, Updated Dauber Cases & Templates Now Available...

NEW Updated Dauber Cases Available

Would you like your very own Dauber Case featured in my original post from last year:  DAUBER CASES?  Here's your chance! 

DAUBER CASES INCLUDE:

• One Dauber Case -- see available case types below
• Design top, as pictured, and label grid on the inside top (these two attached with temporary adhesive so that you can change the top, if desired) and the individual labels on the inside bottom (permanent adhesive).  
• 40 Sponge Daubers and the color labels for them (for you to attach).
• Cost:  $57 plus shipping (unless local pickup)

TYPES OF CASES AVAILABLE:
STAMPIN' UP:

• Core Colors.  These are available with grids in three different orders: 
• ROYGBIV Order (rainbow)
• Stampin' Up! Color Collection Order
• Alphabetical Order
• Plus versions of all three orders with Colored Top Grids (see example below)
• In Colors, etc. (beginning with 2010-2012 colors)
• ROYGBIV Order
• Alphabetical Order
• Alphabetical Order with Shimmer Paints 
• Alphabetical Order with & without Shimmer Paints and Colored Top Grids
• Retired Colors with 40 colors retired in June 2010 & 2013.
• Alphabetical Order
• Alphabetical Order with Colored Top Grids

CLOSE TO MY HEART:

• Close To My Heart Color Palette available in two orders: 
• CTMH Color Colletions
• Alphabetical Order
• Close To My Heart Retired Colors (Alphabetical)

SHIPPING INFO:

Cost is $57.00 plus shipping ($5.50 for one case or $11.30 for two to six cases).  Insurance against loss or damage is optional, but recommended as the case is a tight fit and plastic ($1.95 for one case, $2.45 for two cases, $3.05 for three or four cases). 

The Dauber Cases are basically the cost of the items only with no charge for my time in assembling and processing them or PayPal fees.  No cases will be sold individually.

If you are interested in purchasing a Dauber Case, please email me with the following information:

1. Type of case(s) you are interested in (including grid order selection)
2. Whether you would like insurance against loss or damage or not
3. Your PayPal email address
4. Confirm that you are a US resident

I will then send you a PayPal invoice and upon payment order your sponge daubers.

*U.S. Residents only as Stampin' Up! does not permit shipping over international borders.

DAUBER CASE TEMPLATES

PLEASE NOTE:  All templates may be printed out for PERSONAL USE ONLY!  They may not be copied, shared with others (via link, file or print), rewritten, sold individually, gifted or put in dauber boxes for resale.  PLEASE respect my copyright on these templates and refer others to my website to purchase their own.  I feel I priced them very reasonably to allow others to purchase the template themselves.

STAMPIN' UP!

For those in Canada, etc. or demonstrators who already have their own case, you can now purchase the templates for the Dauber Case inserts and the Dauber Labels.  The templates have been updated with the Stampin' Up! 2013 Color Refresh and the 2013-2015 In Colors as well as new Colored Top Grids.  Included are three documents: 

• PDF with 18 pages of box templates - all the grids offered above plus the two styles of design tops and instructions.  
• Dauber Current Color Labels (current, in colors and retired that you can print on your own return address labels to apply to your daubers.  
• NEW colored top grids are here!

All this for ONLY $5!  Click the PayPal link below to purchase your very own templates.

CLOSE TO MY HEART

The Close To My Heart Templates include:

• PDF (5 pages) with the 3 grids offered above for Dauber Cases plus the design tops and instructions.
• PDF with Dauber Color Labels that you can print on your own return address labels to apply to your daubers.

All this for ONLY $4!  Click the PayPal link below to purchase your very own templates.

Upon payment receipt, I will send you the files via email - usually within 24 hours.  If you have not received them after 48 hours or if you have any questions, please email me or give me a call as I may not have received the payment notification.  Thanks!

updated 7/1/13

CAS FRIDAY, Tool Time for Dad Card...

Today I have a Clean and Simple card to share with you.  I went for a monochromatic, slightly vintage look for this card - perfect for Father's Day or a male birthday card.  The Tool Shed background stamp is a natural match-up with the Totally Tool stamp set.  Totally Tool is a great stamp set for masculine cards.  Unfortunately, it is retiring at the end of the month.  I'm so sad... this is one I won't be selling!  I love the sentiments that accompany the images!  Of course, you can always use markers on just the tools to stamp them alone, which I did on the inside of the card.  Enjoy!

TOOL TIME 4 DAD SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – Tool Shed (#123688, $17.95), Totally Tool (#113256, $25.95 - retiring)
• Card Stock – Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake, Naturals Ivory
• Ink – Chocolate Chip Classic & Stampin' Write Marker
• Ribbon – Hemp Twine (#100982, $2.21 on sale retiring)
• Accessories – Mini Library Clips (#109857, $12.95 - retiring), Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430, $3.95)
• Tools – Stampin' Sponges

LOYALTY REWARDS - When you purchase $50 or more, you qualify for my Loyalty Rewards program!  This Frequent Stamper program is my way of saying "thank you" to my returning customers in appreciation of their business and is in addition to other Stampin' Rewards.  Earn FREE stamps with MarieStamps.com!

GARDEN PARTY PETITE PURSES: Tips on Keeping the Pattern Straight with the Petite Purse Die...

Tomorrow night it is my turn to host my monthly Bunco group.  I always make little favors for everyone to go home with.  This year my theme is a Garden Tea Party, so I decided that the adorable purses made with the Petite Purse Die were just the the thing!   Two Ghiradelli Chocolate Squares will fit perfectly inside the purses.  Unfortunately I didn't check the pictures I took and they are a little fuzzy.  So there are two photos, one with the front four purses in focus and one with the back purses in focus.  Sorry about that!

I used the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch for the base under the purse handle for added strength and a lacy touch.  Most of the brads I used are retiring on May 31.  They are available while supplies last only and many of them are on sale!  

The cutting pattern for the purse is tipped at an angle on the die.  That is not a problem when cutting solid colored card stock.  However, when using Designer Series Papers with patterns that are not random, if you place the DSP straight on the die, your purse pattern will look crooked once it is assembled. 

How can you cut the paper so that the pattern will be straight?
Try this tip for placing DSP on the die, so that your purse pattern will be straight.  Be sure to bookmark this post, so that you can use it once you can order these dies again on June 1.

1. Place a strip of masking tape on your die that is parallel with the straight part of the bottom of of the die cut and about 1/2" away from it.  This will allow the paper to completely cover the cutting area of the die.  Use a ruler to be sure it is perfectly aligned.  Please note:  I allow for a very narrow margin in covering the cutting area on my die.  The measurements given are a bit more than you see on my die.   You may be more comfortable with an even more generous allowance. 
   
   
2. Place another strip of masking tape perpendicular to the purse bottom.  I used a square to determine the angle.  Be sure to allow for enough space that the paper will completely cover the cutting area.  
   
   
3. You can place another strip of masking tape on the left side perpendicular to the purse bottom, if desired.  After you have placed all masking tape, you can trim the outside edges until even with the edge of the foam as I did.
   
   

4. Cut a piece of DSP to 5-3/4" x 8".  Place the DSP so that it just meets up with the bottom and right pieces of masking tape and cut.
   

GARDEN PARTY PETITE PURSES SUPPLIES:

• Card Stock – Melon Mambo, Pumplin Pie, Paisley Petals DSP, Flirtatious Specialty DSP (retiring)
• Accessories – Clear Rhinestone Brads (#113144, $8.21 on sale-retiring), Ice Circle Rhinestone Brads (#109111, $8.21 on sale-retiring), Flower Designer Brads (#112579, $5.95 retiring), Filigree Designer Brads (#112577, $3.57 on sale-retiring), Neutrals 5/8" Brads (#112533, $4.17 on sale-retiring), Basic Pearl Jewels (#119247, $4.95), Large Pearl Basic Jewels (#125577, $4.95)
• Punches – Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border (#119275, $15.95)
• Tools – Big Shot, Petite Purse Die (#125606 , $32.95 beginning June 1)

LOYALTY REWARDS - When you purchase $50 or more, you qualify for my Loyalty Rewards program!  This Frequent Stamper program is my way of saying "thank you" to my returning customers in appreciation of their business and is in addition to other Stampin' Rewards.  Earn FREE stamps with MarieStamps.com!