Last Chance at the Last Chance List!

Just a reminder that there is only ONE MORE DAY TO GO of the 2010-11 Idea Book & Catalogue. That means this is your last chance to purchase retiring items (those that haven't already sold out, that is). Last orders are taken tomorrow, August 31, 2011.

Take a quick look at the list on my Google Docs page or download a PDF copy from my webpage. The sold out items are marked so you can quickly see if you still have a chance at your favourites :-)

And keep your eyes peeled ... I will be posting links to the NEW 2011-12 catalogue in all its glory on Thursday, September 1.

UFOs

The bane of the crafter - well, probably any hobbyist, really - the UnFinished Objects that clutter up your workspace.

The other night I picked up one of the many UFOs I have tucked away (no wonder they're unfinished - out of sight, out of mind!) and actually converted it to a Finished Object.

The fact that it looks nothing like the original prototype is neither here nor there.

Originally this was supposed to be a very simple colour scheme - Rich Razzleberry and Whisper White and nothing else. But much as I love Rich Razzleberry, even I had to admit that there really can be too much of a good thing.

When I ran out of monochromatic possibilities, I remembered this colour combination from a while back - and voila!

Images © 1990-2011 Stampin' Up!®

Supplies used:
Stamp(s): Cottage Garden, Friendly Words Stampin' Around Wheel
Ink: Rich Razzleberry
Cardstock: Pink Pirouette, Rich Razzleberry, So Saffron, Whisper White
Other: Scallop Edge Border Punch, Basic Rhinestones

CAS

What's CAS? That's "Clean And Simple" card styles, a sample of which is shown to the left.

Notice anything ... "new" ... about this card?

What, you mean aside from the stamp set (Creative Elements, soon available from the 2011-12 Idea Book & Catalogue).

Yes, you guessed it, new In Colors!

Shown here is a combination of Island Indigo and Pool Party, available from September 1.

Island Indigo is a sort of teal colour, and Pool Party is a pale aqua, and they look just gorgeous together!

To give you a better idea of the shades, here is a comparison shot showing Island Indigo and Pool Party next to Not Quite Navy and Baja Breeze:

Of course, to really appreciate the colours, you need to see them "in person" so to speak ... contact me if you'd like to know more!

Supplies used:
Stamp(s): Creative Elements
Ink: Island Indigo
Cardstock: Island Indigo, Pool Party, Whisper White
Other: Scallop Trim Border Punch, Basic Pearls

No time to stamp!

I honestly haven't had the time to do much in the way of cardmaking lately :-( and really wanted to get some posts up with projects using retiring stock.

In the meantime, click the links below to have a look at stuff I've made in the past. Hopefully I'll get back to "regular programming" sometime soon!

Priceless
Tart & Tangy (on special at 25% off)
Wonderful Favourites (I highly recommend this set - it was already a bargain, and is now reduced by 25% - AUD29.96 is an exceptional price for a stamp set this large)
Bella Toile
Always
Cheep Talk
Cheers To You
Choo Choo
Eastern Blooms (on special! 25% off!)
Forest Friends

As you can see, some of the sets are a special reduced price, and you really can't knock back a bargain!

Don't forget that all retiring stamps and accessories are only available until August 31, and only while stocks last. Some supplies are already gone for good, and while the ones I've shown above are currently still available, there is no guarantee there will still be stocks through to the end of August.

Colour Inspiration

A new Stampin' Up! catalogue is not only exciting for all the new products it contains, but also the new samples and ideas on every page. This year, inspiration hit me before I had even turned to page 1!

Those of you who are lucky enough to have seen the new catalogue (and it's a beauty) may recognise the colour scheme I have used here. And if you've turned to page 67 you'll see where I got the inspiration for the basic layout of this card.

(Actually, I have used Cherry Cobbler instead of Poppy Parade - so sue me, I looooove Cherry Cobbler).

There was a few moments while making this card when I thought it was going to end up in the bin, but it turned out quite well, don't you think? If I hadn't seen it on the 2011-12 Idea Book & Catalogue, I would never have considered these colours together.

If you haven't seen the new 2011-12 catalogue yet, drop me a line - they are $10 (plus postage and handling) or FREE with a workshop - but remember, the goodies inside are only available from September 1, and you won't see it online until after that date!

Supplies used:
Stamp(s): Cottage Garden
Ink: Peach Parfait, Cherry Cobbler, Soft Suede
Cardstock: Peach Parfait, Soft Suede, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla
Other: Circle Scissor Plus, Scallop Edge Border Punch, Boho Blossoms Extra-Large Punch Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Metallic Brads

Cutout Butterflies

A couple of months ago, I attended Stampin' Up's annual convention here in Melbourne. One of the highlights of convention is seeing fellow demonstrators present a Workshop Wow on stage - they are all so clever, and we always come away with some nifty little trick to share with out customers.

Kirsty Brown showed us a stunning way to use our Beautiful Butterflies Sizzix die. I would try to explain it, but a picture would do the job way better. Here's my take on her nifty technique:


And a closeup:

I'm not sure if it shows up in the photo, but I spritzed the Bashful Blue butterfly with a Frost White Shimmer Paint spray after embossing it.

Once you have the positioning correct, these double cut butterflies are a snap to make - just ask the ladies I taught it to the other week!

Supplies used:
Stamp(s): Baroque Motifs, Vintage Vogue
Ink: Pear Pizazz, Concord Crush
Cardstock: Conford Crush, Pear Pizazz, Whisper White, Bashful Blue
Other: Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Die, Finial Press Em3/16" Corner Rounder, Basic Rhinestones

Say Goodbye - updated

Okay, I'm back with more information following on from my post this morning.

This morning, Stampin' Up! announced which stamp sets and accessories will be retiring at the end of August 2011. Each day at 8am, SU will update their availability listing, and I will have mine up to date shortly after that for you to check prior to placing your order.

At this stage, availability for all retiring items looks good, although that may change at any moment, and remember, once something's gone, it's gone for good.

Check out my Google Docs spreadsheet here (and please let me know if you have problems with the link), then contact me to place your last chance orders!

Say Goodbye

It's August, and you know what that means! Some stamp sets, cardstocks and accessories are soon to be retiring FOREVER.

I will have a chance to talk more about this later today or tomorrow (it's also the first of the month everywhere else as well, including my "real life" job LOL), but here's a quick link to the Retiring List - have a quick look and see if there's anything there you've had your eye on - grab it now, because once they're sold out, that's it ... no more chances!

And don't forget, a Retirement List means that a new catalogue is only just around the corner :-) I will be placing an order for new catalogues soon - if you want your copy (only $10 each, or FREE with a workshop) contact me today.