A happy hello, a sad goodbye, weekly deals and a fun new product!

I have a lot to share with you today.  First the good news!  We have a new photopolymer stamp set available called Just Kidding.  I've already ordered this set, so we'll be using it soon.

Just Kidding Photopolymer Stamp Set 140667 Price: $15.95 This funny new set is just what you need for laughs that will last. It's so versatile, you'll find yourself using it over and over again. Recommended clear block sizes are D, G (not included in the set). Our photopolymer stamps offer a versatile all-clear stamping option. You'll find that our photopolymer is top-quality and gives a perfectly stamped image every time. The stamps stick amazingly well to our clear blocks and are easy to place just where you want them. And best of all, you get to enjoy tons of images for a great price! Set Quantity: 15

We also have new weekly deals available through next Monday.  For more details, click here!

ALL ABLOOM DESIGNER SERIES PAPER STACK  Price: $6.95 $5.21	GOLD STAMPIN' GLITTER Price: $3.95 $2.96	MARINA MIST 1/4" COTTON RIBBON  Price: $5.95 $4.46	OLD OLIVE BAKER'S TWINE  Price: $2.95 $2.21
TANGERINE TANGO BAKER'S TWINE  Price: $2.95 $2.21	WILDFLOWER MEADOW CLEAR-MOUNT STAMP SET  Price: $13.95 $10.46	WILDFLOWER MEADOW TEXTURED IMPRESSIONS EMBOSSING FOLDER  Price: $7.95 $5.96

Now for the sad news.  

BLENDABILITIES UPDATE:  There have been continued quality issues with the Blendabilities Markers product line.  Due to the nature of the defect (see below), Stampin' Up! has concluded that difficulties, dissatisfaction, and product returns will only become more widespread. The manufacturer is unable to correct the problem in a manner that Stampin' Up! is certain would meet their high quality standards and provide them with a stable, long-term solution. Therefore, after a great deal of deliberation and in order to prevent further disappointment, the Blendabilities product line has been discontinued.

BLENDABILITIES Q & A

Q: Will the Tuxedo Black Memento Pad (item #132708) and the Tuxedo Black Memento Pad Refill (item #133456) still be available for purchase?
A: Yes. These items will continue to be available for purchase.  

Q: What are the quality problems with this product?
A: When the tip is welded to the barrel, the welding process can leave microscopic (invisible) holes in the marker tip. This leads to accelerated evaporation of the alcohol in the ink.

Q: Are all Blendabilities markers defective?
A: No. Most Blendabilities markers work as intended and I haven't personally encountered this problem.   

Q:  What if I have Blendabilities markers that are defective?  If you ordered them through me, please email me for assistance.  

Today's project is a fun card we made in our workshops last month and features our new Chalkboard Paper and Chalk inks.

For the card base, I stamped the Hardwood background stamp in Smoky Slate ink on the card front and used a square framelit to cut the bottom out to create legs for the chalkboard stand.  

I used the Rose Coral Chalk Ink pad for the words and embellished with a clip, twine and sequins.  

Supplies used:
Big Day (SAB) and Hardwood stamp sets
Smoky Slate, Calypso Coral card stock and Chalkboard Paper
Smoky Slate and Rose Coral Chalk inks
Basics Hodgepodge Clips, Tangerine Tango Baker's Twine, Gold Sequin Trim
Squares Collection Framelits

Hardwood Clear-Mount Stamp Set 133035 Price: $13.95 When you walk into a house and see beautiful hardwood floors, you instantly drool. Get that same reaction to your cards with this clear mount background stamp. Set Quantity: 1. First appeared in 2014-2015 Annual Catalog.

Big Day Wood Stamp Set 139109 Price: $0.00 Help someone celebrate their big day with a card filled with your biggest birthday wishes. Set quantity: 5. First appeared in 2015 Sale-a-bration brochure.

Chalkboard Paper 137786 Price: $7.95 One side of this heavy paper has a smooth grain that pairs perfectly with ColorBox Chalk Ink Pads; the other is perfect for Craft Stampin' Ink or Chalk Markers. 10 sheets: 6" x 12" (30.5 x 15.2 cm).

Rose Coral Colorbox Chalk Ink Pad 138091 Price: $5.95 Permanent ink creates realistic chalk effect. Use with Chalkboard Paper to create distinctive designs.

Bundles of Balloons!

I had a productive day today - I attended a bridal shower for one of Kim's friends from high school, cleaned downstairs, finished many loads of laundry, sent some emails and then plan to get to bed fairly early for our Monday morning stamp class tomorrow.  It feels like I did more than that, but I did sleep in late, so it seems like more.  Ha!

I wanted to share a couple cards with balloons today.  This first card was one we did at a few classes last month.  I features the Balloon Bash stamp set in the Occasions Catalog along with some of the coordinating Birthday Bash Specialty DSP and a cute punched owl.

The #HAPPYBIRTHDAY stamp is actually part of one of the images.

Supplies used:
Balloon Bash stamp set
Whisper White, Tangelo Twist and Bermuda Bay, Soft Suede & Crumb Cake card stock
Birthday Bash Specialty DSP, Owl Builder Punch, Bermuda Bay & Tangelo Twist ink

Our second card today is from one of our newest CrEW Stampers, Teresa Belk.  This fun card was inspired by the Disney movie "Up"

Teresa used the You Brighten My Day stamp set from the SAB Catalog  and a 1" Circle Punch to make the balloons - too cute!!

Balloon Bash Photopolymer Stamp Set 137144 Price: $25.95 Turn a big day into a big deal! Balloons, candles, confetti--this set has it all. Set quantity: 8.

Birthday Bash Specialty Designer Series Paper 137783 Price: $12.95 Make birthdays super festive with cards and packaging made with Birthday Bash paper. 12 sheets: 2 each of 5 double-sided designs; 1 each of 2 single-sided embossed gold foil sheets. 12" x 12" (30.5 x 30.5) cm. Acid free, lignin free. Coordinates with Bermuda Bay, Calypso Coral, Crushed Curry, Gold, Mossy Meadow, Night of Navy, Tangelo Twist, Whisper White.

Builder Owl Punch 118074 Price: $16.95 Punches are a quick and easy way to add interest, dimension, and color to your cards, tags, and scrapbook pages. You can glue punched shapes directly onto your projects or layer a sheet of cardstock that has been punched over a coordinating cardstock for a reverse effect. ■ Sleek body style ■ Large surface area offers precise cutting and leverage ■ Locks to store ■ Slim and stackable

You Brighten My Day Clear Stamp Set 139106 Price: $0.00 - Free with a $50 purchase There is always something to be thankful for. And a reason to thank someone. Use the images in this set to help you send words of encouragement or thanks. Set quantity: 9. First appeared in 2015 Sale-a-bration brochure.

A couple of Lotus Blossoms!

Yesterday was a good day.  I dropped off Samantha and her friends to go sledding, ran a few errands and played Catan with Katie and Jackie.  Katie, Samantha and her friends made us dinner and I made some dessert crepes.  Today I'll be cutting some fabric for our t-shirt quilts which we'll be working on tomorrow, paying bills (gross) and then we're out to dinner with some friends from John's work.  They plowed our street in the middle of the night, so I hope we have enough snow melt to have our class on Monday.  Keep your fingers crossed!

Today I have two great cards to share with you.  They both use the Lotus Blossom stamp set from the Sale-a-bration catalog.  The first one is from CrEW Stamper Laura Diamond.

I love how she used the flower as a water lily - beautiful!

All the sponging, white highlights and swirling water effect make this simple layout perfect.

 Our next card was a make and take that CrEW Stamper Janet Hathcoat provided at our last Demonstrator meeting.

I love the colors and layout on this card!

A little closer look at this flower made with Calypso Coral and Crisp Cantaloupe.  I also loved the little scallop trim detail added to the tag.  

The left front side of the card was also scalloped and a strip of Typeset DSP was added to the inside for a nice touch.  

Ornate Tag Topper Punch 137416 Price: $22.95 Most tag punches punch out the entire tag, so you're limited to one size. But the Ornate Tag Topper Punch cuts out just the top of a tag so you can choose how long you want your tag to be. It also punches out the hole for a tassel or thread so you don't have to do it separately. Make quick tags, bag toppers, bookmarks, and more. Tag width: 2" (5.1 cm). Tag length: any length you want! * Push to punch--no squeezing * Large surface area offers precise cutting and leverage * Slim and sleek--easy to store

Scallop Edge Border Punch 119882 Price: $15.95 Punches are a quick and easy way to add interest, dimension, and color to your cards, tags, and scrapbook pages. You can glue punched shapes directly onto your projects or layer a sheet of cardstock that has been punched over a coordinating cardstock for a reverse effect. ■ Sleek body style ■ Large surface area offers precise cutting and leverage ■ Locks to store ■ Slim and stackable

4 New Sale-a-bration items & Butterfly Basics!

For the first time ever, Stampin'Up! has added 4 new items to our Sale-a-bration sale!  Until the end of March, purchase $50 in merchandise and get a FREE item from our Sale-a-bration catalog or our 4 new additional items below!

In Color Accessory Pack 138637 Price: $0.00 Includes Thick Baker’s Twine, 4.6 m ea. of 5 colours; 30 small designer buttons, 6 ea. of 5 colours. Blackberry Bliss, Hello Honey, Lost Lagoon, Mossy Meadow, Tangelo Twist.

Sheer Perfection Designer Vellum Stack 138639 Price: $0.00 24 sheets; 2 ea. of 12 one-sided designs. 15.2 cm x 15.2 cm. Translucent vellum paper ideal for showing off colours underneath. Acid free, lignin free.

Nature's Perfection Clear Stamp Set 139100 Price: $0.00 Set of 5. Coordinates with Sheer Perfection Designer Vellum Stack.

For Being You Clear Stamp Set 139120 Price: $0.00 Set of 4. Coordinates with Hearts Border Punch (AC p. 222).

Today's project is from CrEW Stamper Sue Warrington.  She uses the Butterfly Basics stamp set and coordinating Butterflies Thinlits Dies.

I love the combo of the Blackberry Bliss, burlap and Pool Party.

A little closer look.  I like the strings from the Burlap ribbon looped around for an added detail!

Here's Sue with her card - isn't she adorable!

Supplies used:

Butterfly Basics stamp set 

Butterflies Thinlits Dies, Chalk Talk Framelits Dies

Blackberry Bliss and Naturals Ivory card stock

Crumb Cake and Pool Party ink, VersaMark ink

Pool Party Embossing Powder, Antique Brads, Burlap Ribbon

Butterfly Basics Photopolymer Bundle 138865 Price: $41.50 Bundle and save 15% with the Butterfly Basics Stamp Set and Butterflies Thinlits Dies

1-1/4" Burlap Ribbon 132140 Price: $7.95 Stylish burlap in a pliable ribbon. 5 yds.

Pool Party Stampin' Emboss Powder 129398 Price: $4.95 Turn stamped images into glossy raised designs. Just use VersaMark Pad, powder, and Heat Tool. 1/2 oz.

Antique Brads 117273 Price: $5.95 20 brads: 4 ea. of 5 designs. 11/16", 5/8", 1/2", 7/16".

CrEW guest stampers!

Today, I have 2 guest stampers and their fun creations!  Our first card is from CrEW Stamper Brenda Fasulo and features a party theme:

Brenda used several new products including the Celebrate Today bundle, the Spring Flowers Embossing Folder (both from the Occasions Catalog), and the You Brighten My Day stamp set from the SAB catalog.  

Isn't she adorable?

Our next card is from CrEW Stamper Carrie Ray.  She made a July 4th card using supplies from her June 2014 Paper Pumpkin kit - woohoo!

Carrie used a few of the Project Life products - PL Day to Day stamp set and the PL Cards & Labels Framelits, along wtih the Decorative Dots embossing folder.  

Here's Carrie with her card - adorable!

Project Life Cards & Labels Framelits 135707 Price: $24.95 Cut your stamped images, create layers and frames! Coordinates with Project Life Day to Day, Project Life Point & Click, Project Life Remember This Stamp Sets.

Spring Flowers Textured Impressions Embossing Folder 137365 Price: $7.95 Shower your projects with flowers. Quickly, easily add texture to your cardstock with a raised floral design. Folder size: 4-1/2" x 6-3/16" (11.4 x 15.7 cm). Use with Big Shot and Standard Cutting Pads.

Celebrate Today Photopolymer Bundle 138869 Price: $36.25 Bundle and save 15% with the Celebrate Today Stamp Set and Balloon Framelits Dies

A Sale-a-bration Trio!

Our project today is from CrEW Stamper Mary Harvey.  She uses 3 of our great Sale-a-bration products for this beautiful card.

Best Year Ever and Irresistibly Yours Designer Series Papers combined with the Lotus Blossom stamp set combine to make this stunning card and envelope. 

I love the flower stamped in Coastal Cabana and the Bermuda Bay Sequin Trim goes perfectly. 

Here's Mary with her card - isn't she adorable?!

Supplies used:
Lotus Blossom stamp set (SAB)
Irresistibly Yours DSP, Best Year Ever DSP, Whisper White card stock
Basic Black, Pear Pizzazz, Coastal Cabana ink
Bermuda Bay Sequin Trim, Chalk Talk Framelits Dies

Chalk Talk Framelits Die 129983 Price: $24.95 Cut your stamped images, create layers and frames! 7 dies. Largest image: 2-3/16" x 3-1/2". Coordinates with Chalk Talk, Day of Celebration, Lovely Romance Stamp Sets.

Bermuda Bay Sequin Trim 137910 Price: $4.95 Sparkly accent for any project. Use as a border or trim or take off individual sequins. 1/4" (6.4 mm) wide; 10 yards (9.2 m).

Best Year Ever Designer Series Paper 138633 Price: Free with a $50 purchase It’s time to get busy with these bright, detailed patterns. 12 sheets: 2 each of 6 double-sided designs. 12" x 12" (30.5 x 30.5 cm). Acid free, lignin free. Coordinates with Calypso Coral, Coastal Cabana, Crushed Curry, Sahara Sand, Soft Suede, Whisper White. First appeared in 2015 Sale-a-bration brochure.

Irresistibly Yours Specialty Designer Series Paper 138635 Free with a $50 order This white paper with a glossy white pattern is perfect for coloring using a variety of techniques—coloring reveals the pattern. 12” x 12" (30.5 x 30.5 cm). Acid free, lignin free. 12 sheets: 2 each of 6 designs. First appeared in 2015 Sale-a-bration brochure.

Lotus Blossom Photopolymer Stamp Set 139143 Free with a $50 purchase Stamp detailed, dimensional flowers by layering stamp images and colors. These Two-Step stamps give you so many creative options--combine individual stamps to build the final image in the colors you want. Set quantity: 7. First appeared in 2015 Sale-a-bration brochure.