Looking for the Retired List?

Check back here on December 8th!

Christmas Clock

My husband came up with this idea while we were folding socks and watching Martha Stewart. I was complaining on how all she was doing today on her show was to promote her circle cutter. I guess if you have your own t.v. show you can do that. Anyway, Frank said, "HEY, do you know what would be cool?" Then he goes on about how I should take the plastic cover off of the clock and make an insert for each holiday. I thought it was a good idea, but wasn't ready to go to the basement to start. He then says, "You should go downstairs and do it. Right now." So, I did. But first I had to vacuum about 3 million dead ladybugs and clear off a bunch of junk off of my tables.
I used a Stampin' Up! jumbo wheel for the background, Stampin' Up! patterned paper for the presents, Riding Hood Red and Basic Black cardstock, my Cricut Beyond Birthdays and one other cartridge I can't remember..
This turned out pretty darn cute, I must say. Who would have thought that my husband would have sent me to the basement to craft today? :)

What happens at Stampin' Up! on Halloween?

The Stampin' Up! corporate offices go all the way on Halloween. Check out Kristina Werner's blog below for photos and a video. The video shows the marketing department re-enacting Michael Jackson's Thriller, which I love. I've always wanted to be in that dance.
Check out the "stick person" costume. Very creative!

What goes on at Stampin' Up!'s corporate office on Halloween?

$99 Starter Kit Promotion

Dates: August 11-October 11, 2008

Promotion details:

(click here or in the download section on the right for a brochure)

From August 11-October 11, potential recruits will have the option of becoming a Stampin' Up! demonstrator by purchasing one of three special mini Starter Kits* priced at $99.

Stamp-Focused Starter Kit:

Item Code	Description	Price
109515	Fun & Fast Notes stamp set	$30.95
105548	Bold Brights card stock assortment (8-1/2" x 11")	$7.95
101179	Basic Black Classic Stampin' Pad	$5.25
104332	SNAIL Adhesive	$6.95
100730	Whisper White card stock (8-1/2" x 11")	$7.50

Scrapbook-Focused Starter Kit:

Item Code	Description	Price
111570	Contempo Alphabet stamp set	$40.95
113059	Simply Scrappin' Petal Party	$19.95
105212	Pixie Pink Classic Stampin' Pad	$5.25

Home Décor-Focused Starter Kit:

Item Code	Description	Price
111656	Inspired by Nature stamp set	$23.95
114088	Décor Elements Chocolate Classic Ff	$3.95
114126	Décor Elements Medium Chocolate Long Stem Silhouettes	$17.95
114285	Décor Elements Applicator	$1.95
111835	Kiwi Kiss Classic Stampin' Pad	$5.25

*Each kit also includes the same business supplies that are found in the standard Starter Kit (the Home Décor-Focused Starter Kit also includes 25 Décor Elements brochures). While all items in the Starter Kits are recommended, a new demonstrator may substitute a like item of equal or lesser value.

Sampler Special Details

The following specials have been announced:

Never Before Seen Promotion- August 11-September 30
15% discount on selet brand-new die cut stamp sets. No additional purchase necessary! See details in the "download" link on the right.

New Recruit Incentive: August 11-October 11, 2008
Join as a demonstrator with the standard $199 Starter Kit and choose one stamp set out of the Fall-Winter Sampler or Idea Book & Catalog for free.

Hostess Incentive: October 1-November 30, 2008
Host a $350 workshop and choose one stamp set from the Fall-Winter Sampler for free.

Item #	Description	Retail Value
111564	Flight of the Butterfly	$31.95
112911	Vuelo de la mariposa (Spanish Flight of the Butterfly)	$31.95
111676	Puns from the Past	$27.95
111660	Just Jawing	$25.95
111624	Dreams du Jour	$18.95
111700	Thank You Kindly	$13.95
111714	Wow Flowers	$12.95
112955	Flores llamativas (Spanish Wow Flowers)	$12.95

Product Offer: December 1, 2008-January18, 2009
Spend $20 and get 20 percent off any stamp set from the Fall-Winter Sampler.

Item #	Description	Retail	20% Off
111564	Flight of the Butterfly	$31.95	$25.56
112911	Vuelo de la mariposa (Spanish Flight of the Butterfly)	$31.95	$25.56
111676	Puns from the Past	$27.95	$22.36
111660	Just Jawing	$25.95	$20.76
111624	Dreams du Juor	$18.95	$15.16
111700	Thank You Kindly	$13.95	$11.16
111714	Wow Flowers	$12.95	$10.36
112955	Flores llamativas (Spanish Wow Flowers)	$12.95	$10.36

Stampin' Up! Catalog Sampler and Big Shot brochure

Can't wait until next Monday for your copy of the Stampin' Up! Fall-Winter Idea Book and Catalog?

Here is a link to the Sampler Catalog.

And here is a link to the Big Shot customer brochure.
Did you know by purchasing the Big Shot starter kit or the Big Shot and a set of dies, you qualify as your own workshop, which means you automatically earn free product and a free hostess set?

Happy Shopping!

News from Convention

Stampin' Up! is wrapping up their 2008 Convention today and there is lots of exciting news coming from attendees. Here are some highlights of what we have to look forward to:

• Big Shot die cut machine
  
• Exclusive Big Shot dies
• Decor Elements in new colors
• Ribbon in more colors
• All new double-sided designer paper in cool colors like Blueberry!
• All new scrapbooking kits
• 12x12 available in all colors
  
• Vanilla Hodgepodge kits
• New punches
• New Rub-ons
  
• Signature line from Shelli, the founder of SU!
• Shelli will have a blog called SoShelli that will open on Aug. 4th
• Aug 11-Oct 11- Additional Free set with Starter Kit purchase
• Oct 1-Nov 30- Host a $350 WS earn a free set from the sampler catalog
  
• Dec 1-Jan 18- When you spend $20 you'll receive 20% off any stamp set in the catalog sampler.
  
• More info later....

Here is the SCS gallery with photos coming from Convention.

Stampin' Up! Online Ordering

WooHoo!

Stampin' Up! announced today that we will begin having ONLINE ORDERING! Customers can go straight to my website www.stampinrubber.stampinup.net to place an order! We don't know when it will begin, but more details will be available tomorrow.

Here's what you should know as a customer:

1. Customers can order through a demonstrator's Stampin' Up! website OR through Stampin' Up.
2. Customers ordering through www.stampinrubber.stampinup.net will pay the same catalog prices and shipping as if ordering in person with the demonstrator. They will also receive the regular hostess benefits.
3. Customers ordering through Stampin' Up! customer website will pay 10% higher than catalog prices and also higher shipping, and not be eligible for any benefits. They will be able to choose a demonstrator to get the lower prices throughout the order.

There are other details for demonstrators, but I won't outline them here!

More details tomorrow!!!!

Retired Accessory List

Last updated August 1

Items on this discontinued accessories list will be available while supplies last or through August 10, whichever comes first.

Products are marked as available or unavailable. If an item is unavailable, our supply is exhausted and the item can no longer be ordered. This list will be updated every afternoon through August 10.

If you want to order an item, choose a backup item in case that item is no longer available once your order is placed.

Keep in mind that the status of any product may change quickly based on demand.

With most catalogs, some accessories are completely discontinued while others are redesigned or reconfigured for the new catalog. Sometimes popular items are "discontinued" in their current packaging or style to come back with improved packaging or added product features. This year, no accessories are being reconfigured.

We hope this explanation helps. If you want the products as shown in the Spring-Summer Collection 2008, now is the time to purchase them.

Item Number	Page #	Product Description	Availability
109200	177	Accents & Elements Build A Flower	Not Available
110718	177	Accents & Elements Lucky Star
110719	177	Accents & Elements Messenger
103158	184	Acrylic Graph & Grid
108638	163	Card Stock 12 X 12 In Color
108642	163	Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Blue Bayou
108643	163	Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Groovy Guava
108637	163	Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 In Color
108640	163	Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 River Rock
108639	163	Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Soft Sky
108641	163	Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Wild Wasabi	Not Available
108644	163	Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Purely Pomegranate	Not Available
103975	166	Card Stock Brushed Copper	Not Available
108694	163	Card Stock Textured 12 X 12 In Color
107312	167	Cards & Envelopes Gift Whisper White
107292	167	Cards & Envelopes Greeting Whisper White
109116	167	Notes & Envelopes Long Notes
109118	167	Notes & Envelopes Love Notes
109117	167	Notes & Envelopes Pocket Notes*	Not Available
110729	167	Notes & Envelopes Scallop Notes
109119	167	Notes & Envelopes Gift Notes
109018	163	Classic Stampin' Ink Blue Bayou	Not Available
109019	163	Classic Stampin' Ink Groovy Guava
109017	163	Classic Stampin' Ink Purely Pomegranate	Not Available
109016	163	Classic Stampin' Ink River Rock	Not Available
109015	163	Classic Stampin' Ink Soft Sky
109020	163	Classic Stampin' Ink Wild Wasabi	Not Available
109013	163	Classic Stampin' Pad Blue Bayou
109012	163	Classic Stampin' Pad Groovy Guava
109011	163	Classic Stampin' Pad Purely Pomegranate
109010	163	Classic Stampin' Pad River Rock
109009	163	Classic Stampin' Pad Soft Sky
109014	163	Classic Stampin' Pad Wild Wasabi
110751	171	Designer Series Paper Azure*
110696	169	Designer Series Paper Bali Breeze
110749	169	Designer Series Paper Berry Bliss
109154	169	Designer Series Paper Cutie Pie
110699	168	Designer Series Paper East Coast Prep*	Not Available
109160	170	Designer Series Paper Fall Flowers	Not Available
109159	169	Designer Series Paper Flowers For You*
110697	169	Designer Series Paper Ginger Blossom
110479	168	Designer Series Paper Jersey Shore*
109151	170	Designer Series Paper Le Jardin
110748	170	Designer Series Paper Notebook*
110750	171	Designer Series Paper Olive Press
109153	170	Designer Series Paper Porcelain Prints*	Not Available
109175	171	Designer Series Paper Prints Almost Amethyst*	Not Available
109177	171	Designer Series Paper Prints Always Artichoke
109173	171	Designer Series Paper Prints Blue Bayou	Not Available
109174	171	Designer Series Paper Prints Brilliant Blue
109178	171	Designer Series Paper Prints Certainly Celery
109169	171	Designer Series Paper Prints Close to Cocoa*	Not Available
109168	171	Designer Series Paper Prints Groovy Guava*	Not Available
109171	171	Designer Series Paper Prints Lovely Lilac
109172	171	Designer Series Paper Prints More Mustard	Not Available
109176	171	Designer Series Paper Prints Old Olive
109170	171	Designer Series Paper Prints Pumpkin Pie	Not Available
109164	171	Designer Series Paper Prints River Rock*
109167	171	Designer Series Paper Prints Rose Red
109166	171	Designer Series Paper Prints So Saffron
109165	171	Designer Series Paper Prints Soft Sky	Not Available
109163	171	Designer Series Paper Prints Tempting Turquoise	Not Available
110698	168	Designer Series Paper Spring Break
110273	169	Designer Series Paper Spring Fling*	Not Available
110271	170	Designer Series Paper Spring Silhouettes
110272	170	Designer Series Paper Western Sky
107299	167	Envelope Confetti Cream Medium
105320	189	Eyelets Basic
100375	189	Eyelets Bold Brights
100381	189	Eyelets Earth Elements
107233	189	Eyelets Fresh Favorites I
107234	189	Eyelets Fresh Favorites II
105316	189	Eyelets Rich Regals
100378	189	Eyelets Soft Subtles	Not Available
105515	188	Hodgepodge Hardware Pewter	Not Available
105531	188	Hodgepodge Hardware Antique Brass	Not Available
105532	188	Hodgepodge Hardware Aged Copper	Not Available
101120	183	Metallic Art Pencils
107307	179	On Board Accents
109181	178	On Board Blossoms & Basic
109179	178	On Board Ginormous Pieces
107306	179	On Board Simon Lower
102678	166	Mulberry Paper White	Not Available
109227	181	Punch Box Three For You
102686	180	Punch Handheld Rectangle
100271	183	Pure Color Pencils
109060	191	Ribbon Double-Stitched Blue Bayou	Not Available
109063	191	Ribbon Double-Stitched Groovy Guava	Not Available
109061	191	Ribbon Double-Stitched Purely Pomegranate	Not Available
109062	191	Ribbon Double-Stitched River Rock*
109059	191	Ribbon Double-Stitched Soft Sky	Not Available
109058	191	Ribbon Double-Stitched Wild Wasabi	Not Available
109189	190	Ribbon Originals Beachfront*
109187	190	Ribbon Originals District*
109188	190	Ribbon Originals Fairy Tale
109185	190	Ribbon Originals Jersey*
109184	190	Ribbon Originals Sherbert
109186	190	Ribbon Originals Theater
110716	191	Ribbon Striped Grosgrain Wild Wasabi*
110281	182	Rub-Ons Cherished Memories*	Not Available
110284	182	Rub-Ons Eastern Elegance*
110285	182	Rub-Ons Urban West*
110557	174	Simply Scrappin' Boho Blend
109610	174	Simply Scrappin' Confetti	Not Available
110572	172	Simply Scrappin' Crew Kids Boy
110567	173	Simply Scrappin' Crew Kids Girl
109597	175	Simply Scrappin' Home Again
110562	174	Simply Scrappin' Rose Cottage
109648	173	Simply Scrappin' Special Delivery Boy
109627	173	Simply Scrappin' Special Delivery Girl	Not Available
110587	175	Simply Scrappin' Summer Days
110577	175	Simply Scrappin' Tie The Knot
111184	15	Simply Sent Friendly Notes
109228	16	Simply Sent Simple Delights	Not Available
109229	16	Simply Sent Three Thoughts	Not Available
106662	197	Stampin'Around Wheel Daisy Field
107561	197	Stampin'Around Wheel Garden Annuals
109681	197	Stampin'Around Wheel Good Dog
109678	197	Stampin'Around Wheel Kisses
107482	197	Stampin'Around Wheel Lily Pad	Not Available
109680	197	Stampin'Around Wheel Meow
109677	197	Stampin'Around Wheel Mistletoe	Not Available
106610	196	Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Basics Outline
107467	196	Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Birthday
109571	196	Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Dilly Dally Baby
109570	196	Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Dilly Dally Friends
109569	196	Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Dilly Dally Party
108423	196	Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Leaves A La Carte	Not Available
107468	196	Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Nature Hike
108980	196	Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Petals
107464	196	Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Rough Texture	Not Available
111261	196	Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Spunky Spots
109554	193	Stampin' Color Index Labels
106694	194	Stampin' Kids Markers
102673	183	Zig Painty

*Items are 25% off and part of our discounted retiring accessories promotion

Stamped Summer Library Bags

Every year, the kids sign up for the library summer reading club. The problem is that with three kids, we end up getting about 30 books each week and they end up everywhere. So last year, I made Kylie this bag and never got around to finishing the bags for Carter and Makenna. We took our first summer trip to the library last week and I quickly remembered why we needed the bags.

The bags come from Michael's and come in a three pack for $9.99, but if you use the coupon they're cheaper. They come in both the tan color and white.

Makenna wanted a zoo bag and Carter wanted an Elvis bag. I stamped the names with the Big Deal Alphabet (page 155). Makenna's is stamped with Wild About You (page 70). I think I'm going to go back and sew some ribbon along the top edge and "glam" it up a bit. I stamp the image, but because of the rough surface of the bag, I go back over and colored it with Sharpies. I used the Elvis line from Cornish Heritage Farms for Carter's bag.

These boots are made for walkin'

Today I came home from work and had two new stamp sets in the mail from My Favorite Things! It was my first order from them and I was super-excited to try them out. I also gave my new Gina K. order a try...mineral spirits, blending stumps and Koh-i-noor Woodless pencils. Let's just say, I'm no Gina K. (Did I ever mention my mom's name is Gina K.?...every time I read Gina's blog, I think of my mom.) Anywahoo....I definitely need another tutorial on using these pencils because I have no idea what I'm doing. Any of you who can post a great tutorial, it would be mighty appreciated. A video tutorial would be even more awesome!

So, my new sets from MFT are called Ride 'Em Cowgirl and Essential Sentiments. I thought the cowgirl stamp would go well with my Stampin' Up! Bronc Buster set (which it did!). The cowgirl image and sentiment on the front are from MFT, the star-swirly thing is from Bronc Buster and the sentiment inside says "I'm Here for You" is from Essential Sentiments.

I plan on sending this card to a friend at work. Her husband is being a poopy-head and she needs some cheering up!

Stamps:
Ride Em' Cowgirl (My Favorite Things)
Essential Elements (My Favorite Things)
Bronc Buster (Stampin' Up!)

Ink:
Chocolate Chip (Stampin' Up!)
Memento Black

Koh-I-noor Pencils

Cardstock (All Stampin' Up!):
Kraft
Pretty in Pink
Whisper White

Other stuff:
Gina K.'s Blending Stumps
Gina K.'s Mineral Spirits
Twine
Mini-glue dots (Stampin' Up!)
Brads (Stampin' Up!)
Transparent Glitter

Sale-a-Bration is HERE!

Today is the first day of the highly anticipated Sale-a-Bration! Any order of $50 earns a FREE stamp set from the SAB catalog. There are also rub-ons! SAB starts today, Feb. 1st and runs until March 17th. Click HERE for more details.

You should have already gotten your copy of the Sale-a-Bration mini catalog in your mailbox. There is a link to the download the SAB mini catalog HERE at the bottom of the page. Not on my mailing list? Contact me. :)

Want to try some of the sets yourself? I am having a workshop on February 23rd at 10a.m. and you are welcome to join us! Click on my Stampin' Up! website link here to find out more info!

Don't forget that there is an added incentive for Sale-A-Bration this year--all new recruits will get 20 percent off the Starter Kit in addition to the regular Sale-A-Bration benefit of a free stamp set from the Spring-Summer 2008 Collection!


Do you want to see some awesome examples with cards made with Sale-a-Bration stamp sets? Click HERE! These are some of my favorites:

Embossed Chocolate Cake

Birthday Scallops

Birthday Blue

Friends Together

Lots of Thoughts

Pink and Green Merci

Sale-a-Bration is coming!

The *best* Stampin' Up! event is only a couple weeks away! From February 1-March 17th, Stampin' Up! is giving away FREE stamp sets! The yearly event is called Sale-a-Bration (previously called Sell-a-Bration). When you spend $50 in merchandise, you get a FULL stamp set for free! There is no limit, so if you spend $100, you get TWO free sets. In addition to stamp sets, there is also a set of new rub-ons!

If you're on my mailing list, you should be getting your own Sale-a-Bration catalog in the mail soon.



So Many Scallops (set of 4)

Birthday Whimsy (set of 5)

Lots of Thoughts (set of 6)

Friendship Blooms (set of 5)
Rub-ons (4 sheets)

Merci (set of 6)

How does this demonstrator thing work, anyway?

I've had two people in the last couple weeks ask about being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator. Here are a few things I explained to the last person:

The "quota is always the first question!

The "quota" is $300 per quarter. It can be spread throughout the quarter, or all at once. So, for example between now and March, I need to sell (or spend!) $300. I knew I would be able to do this on my own, so I found friends who were willing to be part of a "buyer's club." I'll explain that in a minute... However, you do not have to make a minimum until your first FULL quarter. So, if you were to join between now and March 31, you wouldn't have to make your $300 quota until the end of June. It gives you the first quarter you join time to build your customer base, or whatever.

The demonstrator kit is shown in the back of the catalog. You can substitute most items if you want, like ink pads and stamp pads. The cost is $199 and there is an additional scrapbooking set that you can add on if you'd like.

I would be your "upline" and would be there to support you. I attend a quarterly meeting (optional) at my upline's house and we do projects and get updates from her. They're really fun. :)

You get access to the catalogs early and can pre-order items before customers. The best part is that you only have to send in 80% of what the "merchandise" is. This is your 20% "instant income". So, when you have a workshop or order that is $150 (not including tax and shipping), $30 is yours to keep and the rest goes to Stampin' Up! Orders are submitted online (or you can phone them in).

Back to the buyer's club...I knew I couldn't spend $300 every quarter myself. I had 5 friends get together with me and we all spent $25 on anything in the catalog each month. They email or call me with their order and we never actually got together as a "party". By all 6 of us spending $25 each month, the order was at least $150 each month, therefore, I went over the quota. Also, because the "workshop" was over $150, it qualified for hostess benefits. So, each one of us got a turn being the "hostess" on of the months. Some of the "hostesses" wanted to earn more hostess benefits, so I actually did a workshop at their house and they invited their friends. The orders from the workshop got added on to the buyer's club orders and she earned more. Also, because there were 6 of us, the club went for 6 months. I have been doing this for almost 2 years and it's been very successful. At one point, I had three buyer's clubs going.

Everyone is different as a "demonstrator". Some people want to build a business and make money. I wanted to do enough business to support my hobby, but I wasn't going to go tracking people down or being a pushy sales lady. Other people want to be a "hobby" demo and will support their quota with their own orders any maybe those of a few friends. (There is no difference between a 'business' and 'hobby' demo in SU!'s eyes...you are either a demo or you are not).

That's a lot of information for now, so take a look and let it sink in. Think of some questions and I'll give you a call or you can email or call me too! :)

Sets for sale...REDUCED PRICES

As of 12/30, here is what is left. I erased the photos of what is already gone...

Here we go...All sets will be shipped in a flat-rate priority mail envelope for $4.60. I'm sorry, but I don't have extra envelopes and packaging around the house to mail them otherwise. I will combine shipping if you buy more than one set. I accept PayPal and all credit cards.

Scribbles $10 NOW $8


Block (Open Check Frame) Background $6 NOW $4


Quilt Background (Wood Cellar Graphics) $6 NOW $4


Rocking Chair (A Day in the Country-Diane Marcum) $6 NOW $4


Stripes Background $8 NOW $6



Stars Background (Penny Black) $8 NOW $6


Bold Check Frame Background $8 NOW $6


Burst Into Bloom $8 NOW $6


Borders Mini $8 NOW $6

C r A z Y K i T t Y!

CLICK ON THE PHOTO FOR A BETTER VIEW...look at his cute little C r A z Y face

It felt *so* good to get downstairs and get stamping again. I thought I had lost my MOJO. It was late one night...all the kids were in bed, husband was asleep on the couch, so I went downstairs and stared at a big mess on the tables. Cardstock, ink, punches, scraps, stamps....oh it was a mess! I had been trying to work out another card that was just not cooperating. So, I cleaned up the entire mess, put away all the supplies and started over with my pretty, pretty new square Amuse cards.
Now, I am a Stampin' Up! demonstrator and I *love* Stampin' Up! But, this kitty was just calling out my name. I ended up at the LSS after a work meeting one day. It's not very close to my house and it was only a few blocks from the meeting.
I had to have him. He's got this one gigantic CrAzY eye and the other one is this little dot. I didn't know what I would do with him but brought it home anyway. The square notecard color just isn't justified in this photo, but it is a GORGEEOUS mango color. It matches up *almost* perfectly with Stampin' Up!'s Apricot Appeal cardstock, which is the layer under kitty. I tried several punches and layers until this one was just right...circles, squares, ovals....I ended up stamping in clear VersaMark and then embossing with black. To top it all off, I colored in his little ears, nose and mouth with marker. This little coloring made a HUGE difference in the way the card looked.
I think I'll let my kids take these to their teacher's and maybe I'll give a few away at work. I love the simplicity of this and how cute it turned out. Still debating on the ribbon....

Here are the "deets"....

From Amuse:

• Mango polka-dot square notecards, pkg. of 10

From Penny Black:

• "Black Cat" rubber stamp
  

From Stampin' Up:

• Basic Black cardstock
• Apricot Appeal cardstock
• Basic Black Classic ink
• Whisper White cardstock
• 1 3/8 square punch
• Trick or Treat stamp set (retired)
• VersaMark
• Black embossing powder
• Pretty in Pink marker
  

Sorry....I cannot remember who makes the large square scallop punch....it's lavender in color and is either "Giga" or "Mega" in size. I'll update when my lazy rear can get off the couch and down to the basement.