Going going gone......

I have this love /hate attitude at this time of year. I love all the new things in the new catalogue coming in September but I hate hearing that some of my favourite stamps or punches are about to retire and I never got around to getting them.
Well we have just been given the retired list of stamps and accessories from the 2011 - 2012 Idea Book and Catalogue. Last day to order any of these retiring products is 31 August. So I am going to attach the Retiring lists for you all to peruse and I am also going to add some of the ones I think are real bargains if you had been thinking of purchasing them. So grab yourself a bargain today and reward yourself knowing you've scored quality and exclusive items that will never be released again at discounted prices

Retiring stamps

Retiring Accessories

These  products are only available while stocks last, so be sure to get your favourites before they go. 

Crop-A-dile 25% OFF Now $41.21
'Some demonstrators are expressing shock that the Crop-a-Dile is being retired and I’m hearing them – I use this tool all the time. I can only imagine that it is because eyelets are no longer a current trend in paper crafting at present. However, this is a tool well worth having for it’s magnificent ability to punch holes through chipboard and multiple layers of card stock with ease!'

Fiskar's Paper Cutter 25% OFF NOW $29.96
Replacement Cutting Blades and Scoring Blades $11.50
This is my absolute NEED!!! I believe they will be introducing a new paper cutter to replace this one. But if you are like me, I could not live without this cutter. It is so simple to use, effective, lightweight and portable.  When you cut your card stock and the edges start looking fluffy and rough, it's probably a good time to change blades.  It's a good idea to have some spare replacement blades for quick convenience.

Timeless Types Junior Alphabets Dies 25% OFF Now $104.96
This set of classic fonts includes 12 dies of Letters and Numbers, upper and lower case.  If you've always fantasied having these alphabet dies, or they've been on your wish list time after time, this is your last chance and it's 25% off.Compatible with the Sizzix Big Shot Machine and Cuttlebug machine.

Simple Letters Alphabet Bigz Die 25% OFF Now $119.96
Bold and fresh font includes 4 dies in this set. This set provides you with lowercase letters in the alphabet. The 'b' is used as the letters 'd' and 'q' and 'p'. The letter 'n' is used as the letter 'u'. Big and Bold, die cut to make up any names and words effortlessly. Compatible with the Sizzix Big Shot Machine and Cuttlebug machine.

Stampin' Scrub 25% OFF Now $21.71
Replacement Pads $16.95
'Don’t cry – this fabulous stamp cleaner is not actually being retired, rather it is being reformatted into a larger square version. I’m guessing this is to make cleaning the larger background stamps easier. Having said that, this current model does the job and if you don’t yet own one and would rather get a discount than wait for the bigger version, now’s the time to buy one.'

Classic Ink Pads 25% OFF Now $8.96
Like the Stampin' Scrub and other fantastic products, the ink pad is not being retired so don't panic! They will be replaced with a new firm foam pad. This old version is still a great pad and has the exclusive flip top lid that we all love, so if you want to save and enjoy the benefits of this great product, Stampin' Up! is offering these old models at a very great price. Take a look at the retired accessories list to see all the specials for the ink pads.

Lace Ribbon Border 40% OFF Now $23.37
'Loving this ‘continuous’ border punch, which stands alone, is great as a border tucked under another layer, or also looks great with ribbon threaded through it. Unbelievably this punch is 40% OFF'

Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch 40% OFF Now $26.97
'Finally the Triple Layer ‘Blossom Bouquet’ Punch is also 40% OFF and instead of $44.95 you’ll pay ONLY $26.97! What a bargain when you consider that this punch actually punches 4 different flowers which either stand alone or can be layered in different colours' 

***Don’t forget, these products plus the rest of the retired list, is only available whilst stocks last. I cannot order them once they have run out OR past the 31st August.***

Cards and kisses

Here are the cards  we made for Christmas in July, Stamp a Stack. We made 2 each of 4 different styles and then one that was a little fiddly.
The stocking card used the Stitched Stocking stamp set and the Builder stocking punch. We stamped 2 stockings out in Old Olive and one in Real Red. Then used Tombow glue on the toes, heel and top of stocking and then dipped into gold glitter.
The green strip was embossed with the Square Lattice embossing folder and then the strip and the stockings were attached to Letters to Santa DSP onto Real Red Card. Finishing the card off with the Very Merry sentiment from the Short and Sweet stamp Set.

The Joy card used the Welcome to Christmas stamp set. I really love this set. The Whisper White card was embossed with the Square Lattice embossing folder and adhered to Real Red card . We stamped the Wreath with Wild Wasabi and then stamped Joy in Real Red. Then we stamped Joy again on Whisper White and cut out the letters and stuck on using dimentionals to give it a 3D look. This was then adhered to the Wild Wasabi green card and then using dimentionals it was adhered to the Whisper White.

The Peace on Earth card used the Merry and Type stamp Set and the Striped embossing folder and Oval Frame embossing folder. The Christmas ornaments were stamped with Versamark and then clear embossed on River Rock card. Used a strip of Pumpkin Pie wrapped in Crumb Cake Seam Binding ribbon. Finishing the card off with ripping around the oval and adding half pearls.
With the Seasons Greetings card we glued different sized strips of Letters to Santa DSP and then cut out shape using the Top Note in the Big Shot. The little Christmas wreath was added to the Old Olive Scallop circle and adhered to the strips with dimentionals. The Seasons Greetings was stamped in Real Red and then the strip was folded to form a banner. Cute ey?
Finally the fiddly one, phew we were pretty tired by this time. The Wreath was made from leaves in  Wild Wasabi and Garden Green. We used the Build a Bird punch for the leaves. The leaves formed the circle and then it was adhered to the Real Red card. Seasons Greetings from Welcome Christmas stamp set was stamped in Real Red on to the bottom of the Whisper White card and then the top layer added. What a night. What fun. What great people. We had a ball.

Christmas is over

Is she crazy?

I know, I know, it's July not December.
My Samp a stack Christmas in July sessions are now over.  We had so much fun and produced heaps of lovely cards. As this was my first Christmas in July I decided to dress up the room for the event. So out came all the Christmas decorations. I sprinkled stars down the middle of the table and also punched out snow flakes and embossed them in various Christmas glitters.
I also made a cute little gift for everyone. Well what is Christmas without pressies? The design of these was thanks to fellow Paper Angel Anna Wheaton. She handed these out as swaps at Convention. Thanks Anna. I popped Kisses in my packages.