Well, last night was our monthly Maui Stampers Teem Meeting.  The meeting began at 7:00– we chatted, stamped, but as soon as Anne’s clock DONGED 8…. we RACED to the computer, busted out the laptop so we could see what more items were going to be removed from the SU supply lines to join the others in the long, blissful rest of retirement.  Well.  Shocked doesn’t quite cover it….  It’s 12 pages long.  Holy Moley.

There are LOTS of 12×12 cardstocks, markers, and inkpads on the list.  Before you freak out that SU is changing their colors again (I had a small hiccup in my heart rhythm), they are changing the ink pad itself.  Not the color, but the actual design of the pad.  So, colors are the same.  But, they are doing away with the CRAFT ink (only will be offered in white or black).  So if you love craft ink, you should stock up.  The decor elements are gone…  Lots of bigshot dies retiring…    Well… why don’t you just look yourself:

Retiring Accessories

These items are ONLY available while supplies last.  So, the best way to get them is to order directly from my online store  There will be a link to the retiring products.

Also… in the middle of the retiring accessories list hoopla, we actually managed to make a card:

It’s beautiful.  Anne had it figured out for us to make.  And, FYI:  All the stuff on this card is retiring.  Sincere Salutations is one of my go-to stamp sets for a nice sentiment.  The ribbon is going too..  That Mocha Morning DSP.  It’s excellent…. I am quite sad that I waited until now to actually experience it.  The black swirls on this are actually flocked.  It gives a very elegant feel.  It’s wonderful.  And, all the other papers are beautiful.  I actually bought a pack just now…  This is one of those things that will go fast, so the faster you order, the better…

I’m actually going to copy some text from Anne, my friend, and downline…who can write things much more succinctly than I… just to summarize…  (Thank You, ANNE!)

• Stampin’ Up! has announced that Classic Ink pads are being redesigned.  You will notice all colors of Classic ink are retiring but are not discounted.  The new design includes a different type of pad that promises a better image – exciting news!!
• Craft Ink pads will only be available in Basic Black and Whisper White.  Stock up on your Craft Ink Refills!
•  2010-2012 In Color products are all retiring.  The Stampin’ Write marker set, 12 x 12 smooth card stock and 12 x 12 textured card stock are discounted.  So are some of the Stitched-poly ribbons.  All other products from the 2010-2012 In Color line are discontinued (Pear Pizzazz, Poppy Parade, Peach Parfait, Concord Crush and Blushing Bride).  If you have ink pads and don’t have refills, I recommend buying them.  If you waited to get the markers, wait no longer.  If you’re low on paper, buy now!
•  12 x 12 TEXTURED card stock is retiring and will no longer be available.  12 x 12 SMOOTH card stock will only be available in select individual colors and in color family collections.
•  Only select Stampin’ Write markers will be available for purchase individually.  Those markers not available individually will only be sold as part of a color family set.  Stock up on your favorites!!
•  A lot of Big Shot items are being retired but most are not discounted.
•  Are you a fan of MDS?  The MDS Collection DVDs found on page 7 of the Idea Book and Catalog are all discounted 60%.

I was trying to figure out a way to post a really cute picture of ribbon, but the more I fussed around with it, the goofier it looked.  So, there is no picture… SORRY.

But, I was talking to my co-worker and fellow stamper, Bronwyn, and she told me that I needed to do a ribbon share with the Taffeta and Seam Binding ribbons.  Said it was the ribbon she could tie the best.  And, she, like many has no need for a million yards of a single color, but would rather a couple yards of many colors.  So, this one is for Bronwyn….and any one else in the same situation.  Both of these ribbons have a subtle sheen to them and are simply gorgeous.  They both are low profile…so they are easy to include on cards without them being too bumpy to go through the mail.

I have 2 ribbon shares:

3/8″ Taffeta Ribbon Share:  Receive 2 yards each of 10 colors for $20. (all colors on pg 195 of IBC)

1/2″ Seam Binding Ribbon Share:  Receive 2 yards each of 9 colors for $18. (colors on pg 195, plus pool party (in mini catalog) and daffodil delight (April special)

These are great shares…. the prices work out to $1/yard!

The only trouble with this is that we don’t have much time.  The retiring accessories list will be posted on April 25 (Wednesday).  So, this share has to go in by Tuesday.  Though I am not certain what ribbons will be retiring, if the retiring accessories follow the path the retiring stamps did, we will be out a lot of ribbons.  This may be your last chance to stock up on some of these ribbons before they are gone forever!!!

Please RSVP to me with which share you want to be part of by noon on Tuesday (April 24).  This will ensure I can get the order in in time!!

I’ve had the My Digital Software for about 3 years.  Well, I can’t exactly remember…. it may not have been out that long, but I’ve had it since it’s been out.  it’s was maybe 6 months ago that I actually OPENED the box and installed it on the computer.  And, I am happy to report, that I FINALLY made something with it.

This is a perpetual calendar.  Or sometimes called a birthday calendar.  It’s really great because it is all the months with dates, but the dates are not assigned to days of the week.  So,  you can use it EVERY year.   You write special dates, birthdays…anniversaries… anything needing to be remembered.  And, this beautiful calendar is something you are going to want to look at every year.

It was super easy to made.  It was a template that you can order from my online store .  It’s called the Book of Birthdays Swatchbook (Item #129923 for 12.95).  You can customize it or print it as is.  And, it comes with several beautiful digital papers.  In the template, there was space for 4 pictures.  I just filled that space with those papers.  Very sweet.  And, I had them printed through the Stampin’ Up! print services.  If you like these little birthday books and would want one for yourself, I’m selling them packaged (as in photo above) for $15.  Just let me know you want one.  They would make great Mother’s Day gifts, or gifts for a new graduate or bride…  (moving out, starting life on her own, this would be a great cheat sheet for family occasions).  Or,  you could make one for yourself. 

If you are new to the whole digital papercrafting/scrapbooking (that’s okay… I am VERY new to it all, we can learn together) you can download a free trial of the My Digital Studio Software by going to my online store and entering item number 129600. Before you do, I would suggest getting the photos together that you may want to use.  That’s the part of the process that takes a while.  Then, have it it!  I can see that MDS is going to be a very useful addition to my crafting experience!

Well… before I get to that, you probably have heard, the SU list is here.  That’s how I was able to chose the winner.  ALL the entries I received were on the retired list, so competition was FIERCE.  So, without further adieu…. ANNE is the winner with “Season of Joy”.  Congrats to Anne, and thanks, everyone, for playing.  Anne will get the ribbon and brad pack from SAB!! (YAY!!)

And, here is the Stampin’ UP retired list:  Retired_List_stamps-LG-Page

A special thanks goes to Dawn Olchefske for creating the list in a larger and darker type…  Boy, my eyes are pretty good, but I was having a hard time reading the original list…

So, here are the details about the retiring lists:

• Over 300 stamp sets are retiring (including all HOSTESS sets)
• You can purchase any retiring set THROUGH May 31, 2012.  After that, you will be left to scouring ebay and other places for your long lost loves… and risk having to pay oh so much extra….
• You can order your favorite retiring sets through me personally (by call or email) or you can check out my ONLINE STORE.  And while you are there, you might want to check out the Clearance Rack for other items you might want to have WITH  your retiring set.  There are things up to 60% off.  And over 50 new products were just items.  Clearance Rack items can only be ordered through my online store and are available while supplies last… so (as Isaac would say…hurry hurry…)  There are TONS of punches available (they’re the older design, but are current punches…)  A customer recently bought punch that was $16.95 for only $7!!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR APRIL 25!  The Retired Accessories and Décor Elements Lists come out on April 25, 2012.  These items are only available while supplies last. Also… this is the end of the road for the Décor Elements line…. SU! will no longer be offering these decals so be sure to get what you like…and get it soon as they are sure to run out quickly!