A Passion for Stamps

Merci (thank you) Card-Using Retired Accessories & Stamps

Created by Debbie Van Gieson Images © Stampin' Up! 1990-2008
(click on image for larger view)

Now that the RETIRED ACCESSORIES LIST is out and is being updated daily on this site HERE, many products are going fast....if you want some of the products on the list, you really have to work fast because items are being depleted every day. I used almost all retiring products to make yet ANOTHER THANK YOU CARD including the Carte Postale stamp set, Le Jardin Designer Series (double-sided) paper, Antique Brass Hodgepodge Hardware, and of course the In Color River Rock cardstock and coordinating ink pad. Unfortunately, the hardware I used for the embellishments is already sold out (all colors)! There are still lots of accessories left (some at 25% off)  so if you haven't checked out the list yet, click on the links here (or on the left sidebar for Retired Stamps list) and contact me asap so I can *place your order!

The only products NOT retiring in this card are the Simon Lower Letters Chipboard and the Taffeta Ribbon! First, I cut a piece of Le Jardin paper, and attached it to the left side of the card with SNAIL Adhesive. Next, I stamped the decorative motif design from Carte Postale stamp set (LOVE this set and will really miss demonstrating with it!) with River Rock ink on RR paper (tapped off ink on scrap paper to get lighter stamped images).

Next, I traced the letter (face down) onto a different Le Jardin paper, cut it out and  attached it to the letter with a Stampin' Up! Anywhere Glue Stick (GREAT product!) and used the Sanding Block to smooth out the edges and get rid of any excess paper on the letter. I Tied the ribbon on the left and attached a brad from the hardware kit in the center. I adhered the elegant hardware pieces to the bottom of the letter with SNAIL, then attached the letter to the card.

Did you know you can stamp on the Taffeta Ribbon? It's easy with StazOn ink-didn't smear, dried quickly and is permanent! Just don't load up the stamp with too much ink or it will smear and look bold-instead of crisp. I measured where I wanted the two connector pieces and made a dot for both with a pencil on the cardstock. Then I attached one of the hardware connectors with the brad, looped the ribbon thru it and adjusted it so the Merci saying would be centered-used SNAIL to attach the ends of the ribbon underneath, then attached my second connector.

This is an elegant card, in every way! I am so glad the Simon Lower letters are not discontinuing! But I will really miss Le Jardin papers and Carte Postale!

Don't forget about Stampin' Up!'s current Discounted Retiring Accessories Promotion   where you will find  products that are 25% off! This is a great deal....while supplies last!

If you still haven't placed your order for retired stamps and/or accessories, time is running out....take a look at the list today...and check the ONLINE CATALOG for those products you can't live without, before they are gone!


*orders can only be taken for US and it's territories
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View SU RETIRED ACCESSORIES LIST & 25% DISCOUNT PROMOTION!

All Artwork & Images © Stampin' Up! 1990-2008

THIS POST WILL STAY ON THE TOP OF THIS BLOG UNTIL AUGUST 10-THE LAST DAY YOU CAN PURCHASE THESE RETIRING ACCESSORIES.

LOOK FOR NEW POSTS BELOW THIS ONE.

DISCONTINUED ACCESSORIES LIST

ONLY 4 MORE DAYS TO ORDER!

AS OF AUGUST 7, 2008 

UPDATED 9:40 AM EST

(CLICK ON TIME ABOVE TO SEE LIST)

Some of these accessories will be offered at 25% off, again, ONLY WHILE SUPPLIES LAST! Click on the following link to see the flyer:

Discounted Retiring Accessories Promotion   

The long-awaited Stampin' Up! RETIRED ACCESSORIES LIST is here! This list will be updated every day so be sure to come check it out regularly! Check the list for your favorite accessories and contact me if you would like to order from this list as soon as possible-supplies ARE LIMITED and will go quickly..once they are gone, they are gone forever! Check the link on the left sidebar titled "RETIRED STAMPIN UP Stamps and Accessories LISTS" for the updated list each day...so you know which accessories are available and which have been depleted. The list is updated daily in the afternoon.

A crafter can never have too many accessories...they add charm to any craft project and for stampers and scrapbookers, they are invaluable!

While I am sad to see some of these great accessories retire, on the bright side, I am anxiously waiting to see what wonderful and fun NEW accessories will be offered in the 2008 Fall-Winter Idea Book & Catalog!  (You will be able to view the online catalog and can purchase from it starting August 11).

Have you reserved a copy of the NEW catalog yet? You have until July 31 to contact me to get on my list of LUCKY stamp enthusiasts who will have a copy of the new catalog IN HAND on August 11, so you can be one of the first to place your order and receive your NEW stamps and accessories! Beat the crowd...order your new catalog today!

 

Get Stampin' Up!'s HODGEPODGE HARDWARE at 25% off! IN Color products are fading fast....

All HODGEPODGE HARDWARE IS SOLD OUT as of July 24!

Just a reminder that there is special discount on Stampin' Up!'s Hodgepodge Hardware right now!  These accessories WILL BE DISCONTINUED, but you can currently purchase them at 25% off until August 10, or WHILE SUPPLIES LAST! Here are the details once again:

Promotion Details:

The following Hodgepodge Hardware finishes are being offered at a special 25 percent discount:

Item #	Page #	Item Description	Regular Price	Limited Time 25% off Discount
105532	188	Aged Copper Hodgepodge Hardware	$27.95	$20.96
105531	188	Antique Brass Hodgepodge Hardware	$27.95	$20.96
105515	188	Pewter Hodgepodge Hardware	$27.95	$20.96

Both of the following card samples are embellished with ribbon and hardware....it only takes 1 or 2 accessories to really make a card complete!

remember to EMBRACE LIFE-or send a Thank You card!...

I am so glad that the stamp set EMBRACE LIFE is not retiring because I really love this set! Here is a card I made with the soft, mellow River Rock IN Color cardstock and MATCHING double-stitched ribbon (which are retiring August 10, 2008):

Created by Debbie Van Gieson Images © Stampin' Up! 1990-2008

Here is basically the same card, with a few changes, for a bolder, brighter affect:

Created by Debbie Van Gieson Images © Stampin' Up! 1990-2008

I love the contrast of the bright cheerful Green Galore cardstock against the black and white!  I colored the leaves using the AquaPainter and ink refills! I made the design you see on the left side of this card with one of the borders from the All Scallops stamp set (page 111 Spring-Summer Collection), and used it to enhance the inside of the card as well as pictured below:

Which card/colors do you prefer?

Here are the products I used to make these cards:

Stamps: Embrace Life, Holiday Blitz (thank you), All Scallops
Ink: Basic Black, River Rock, Green Galore
Cardstock: Basic Black, Whisper White,River Rock, Green Galore
Accessories: Black Grosgrain ribbon, IN Color River Rock Double-stitched ribbon, Hodgepodge Hardware, (the diamond-shape is retired), 1/16" Circle Punch, SNAIL adhesive

THE IN Colors for 2007-2008 WILL ALSO BE DISCONTINUED and supplies for two of the six colors of ribbons are already exhausted-Blue Bayou and Purely Pomegranate DOUBLE-STITCHED RIBBONS are no longer available!  And the Retired Accessories List  doesn't even come out until Monday July 21!

BE SURE to come back on Monday July 21 to see the Stampin' Up!  Retired Accessories List which I will post right here!  As a demonstrator for over 12 years, I have this advice to offer: do not procrastinate-these products will be going like hot cakes as soon as this list is released! These are products that will never be offered again!
 

You can view all  Stampin' Up! stamps and products right now, even if you don't have a hard copy of the catalog on hand-check out the USA ONLINE CATALOG!

If you would like to purchase any of the products used in these samples, take advantage of the Hodgepodge Hardware 25%  Discount, get the IN color products or any other stamps that will be retiring, check out the Online catalog, make out your WISH LIST, and e-mail me!

I'm looking forward to hearing from you! Remember to tell me which card you prefer!

Traveling warning for vacation-goers!

Are you off to an exotic island to get away from it all this summer? How about Stampin' Up! Convention? Or other conventions? or even a business trip?

If you are staying at a hotel, you may want to read an article I came across HERE, regarding extra charges some hotels are hitting travelers with AFTER they check out-which will greet them in their mailboxes upon returning home-on their credit card statements! Even weeks later...charges may show up that you did not incur!

Fancy hotels which provide snacks and mini-bars in your room are where this is becoming more of a problem, and sometimes people are being charged for items they do not even consume!

You may not be able to prevent things like this from happening-but by being aware that they DO happen, you may be more vigilant in checking your credit card bills and keeping track of what you do consume at hotels when traveling. If you do find charges for items you did not consume, contact the hotel as soon as you discover the discrepancy, to have it corrected.

This happened once to a demonstrator friend of mine and I while staying at a big hotel chain when we attended Stampin' Up! Convention several years ago.  Upon returning home, extra charges were added after we got home, on our next credit card statement! We challenged the hotel and they did remove the charges.

Has this every happened to YOU?Tell your story here in the comment section after this post...it just may help another one of my readers! But don't be too upset about this and don't let things like this prevent you from enjoying your vacation, Convention or other venture-just be aware-to be forewarned, is to be forearmed!

Happy traveling!

Help At LAST for Stay-at-Home Working Moms!

THREE posts today-wow! I just had to tell you about this right away!

I recently learned about a terrific resource for moms with home businesses who struggle with balancing time with the kids and working on their businesses. Summer is especially tough when the kids are home 24/7! After all, business doesn't take the summer off, just because the kids are off!

What's a stay-at-home working mom to do? To find out, read this article about a wonderful new book called Moms Need to Work written by Liz Sanpietro,  (the wife of my stamping coach, John) HERE!  Don't forget to tell her I sent you!

Surfing anyone? Tearing cardstock-freehand or need help?

WOW -two posts in one day! I'm playing 'catch up' after the long holiday weekend!

There are many perks to being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator: discounted purchases, free products and stamps, the Stampin' Up! demonstrator website....including the Stamper's Showcase Gallery-a source of thousands of ideas contributed by Stampin' Up! employees and demonstrators, of stamped cards, boxes, pouches, scrapbook pages, templates, techniques and so on and so on !

I got the idea for my surfer card from Gigi Isaac...a demonstrator who made this card which was showcased in the Gallery:

Images © Stampin' Up! 1990-2008

"Cool" idea-isn't it? (don't you just wish you were there right now?!!!) This card uses Wild About You, It's Your Birthday and Itty Bitty Background. For some reason, cute as it is, I never got the Wild About You stamp set, so I went looking thru my stamps for another animal and decided I love the whole penguin idea for this card  (the bird being from up North vacationing at a wonderful sunny beach resort...)  so I did a C.A.S.E. (copy and share everything) and just expanded on it. Here is the card I made spinning off from  Gigi's:

Created by Debbie Van Gieson Images © Stampin' Up! 1990-2008

Fun-isn't it? One of the things I found intriguing as a child when we went to the Jersey Shore was the way those banner planes flew over the water at the ocean's edge, capturing the attention of thousands of folks on the beach and in the water, advertising the Coppertone Baby, local seafaring restaurants etc. So, I searched and finally found the right penguin for me-would you believe, in a Christmas set--of all places, called Punch Pals! I especially liked the scarf as an added touch for my polar based friend...

I used the Floral background stamp and large Oval Punch to make the tropical surf board.

The banner is White cardstock cut freehand and stamped...then attached to plane (from retired Fun Frame Borders set) with "white gel pen" strings...

The clouds are also sponged with White Craft ink. The water is cardstock TORN freehand, into pieces, then the torn edges are sponged with White Craft ink. If you are one of those stampers who just can't bring yourself to  tear the paper freehand (to reveal the layered edges) you will be thrilled to learn that believe it or not, Stampin' Up! even has a product called "The Tearing Edge" (page 184 of catalog) which has two different cutting blade edges that will create perfect torn edges every time! To use it, lay the Tearing Edge on card stock, paper or vellum and holding it tightly, slowly tear the paper with your other hand-pulling towards you. If you want a straight torn edge, use Stampin' Up!'s Grid Paper!  Here is what The Tearing Edge tool looks like:

(click on image  to enlarge)

Tearing cardstock is really a fun way to add interest to a card...and your cardstock goes a long way because you can get many tears from a sheet of 8 1/2 x 11 and even more from 12x12 if you have alot of cards to reproduce!

Here are the Supplies used to make my Surfin' Penguin Card:

STAMPS: Punch Pals, Stem Sayings, Fresh Cuts (new set upcoming in 2008Fall-Winter catalog), Fun Frame Borders (retired), Floral (background stamp)

INK: Craft White, Basic Black

CARDSTOCK: Whisper White, Taken w/Teal, Not Quite Navy, Tempting Turquoise, Going Gray (retired)

ACCESSORIES: Large Oval Punch, Stampin' Write Markers, Stamping Sponge, Dimensionals, Signo Gel Pen

You can place an order with me from the Stampin' Up! catalog  ANYTIME-just click on the catalog on the left sidebar, to view the catalog. Jot down what you need, and email me to place your order!

And if by chance, you are also curious and want to to learn more about becoming a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, please visit my website where you can view 3 FIRST IMPRESSIONS VIDEOS for more information or email me . You can even sign up ONLINE from my website should you decide to join my S.O.S. Team of demonstrators (S.aving O.verwhelmed S.tampers). I'd love to talk with you about it!


Happy Stampin'!

Decorating on a budget-Stampin' Up! introduces Decor Elements, affordable WALL ART!

I've been so excited about a new product that Stampin' Up! is introducing to expand their Definitely Decorative product line called Decor Elements-self-adhesive vinyl images that can be used to decorate WALLS, MIRRORS, GLASS, METAL, and many other smooth surfaces! At a time when folks in the USA are faced with higher prices for heating oil and gas  consumption, which has also driven up the costs for many other things (as basic as FOOD),  Stampin' Up! has come through with a product that enables those who need to be able to decorate their homes on a budget, or still want to give lovely gifts at a bargain price-much more affordable than what others offer! Stampin' Up! is presenting a wonderful alternative to other similar, yet much higher priced products! The images coordinate with Stampin' Up! stamp sets, which provide the perfect harmony for home decorating or  gift-giving to those who may not be interested in traditional rubber stamping or scrapbooking crafts.

What exactly does this new product look like ? In the photo above, the Long-Stem Silhouette is featured as WALL ART in chocolate, and a smaller version in the HOME frame, in white! Currently these colors and Kraft are available in these colors and images, letters, words and designs. This is Phase 1 of this product...Stampin' Up! already has two more phases they will be unveiling in the coming months...WAHOO!

I found an interesting article written about Stampin' Up!'s new product line HERE. Great News travels FAST! See what others are saying...

I've added a link to my left sidebar called "Decor Elements"; just click on it and you will be able to view the beautiful new brochure Stampin' Up! has provided that explains more about this wonderful new product! I've also provided a link with instructions for applying these self-adhesive vinyl images to walls and other hard surfaces, as well as a video you can watch.

To watch it now, click on this photo:

SO-DID YOU WATCH THE VIDEO? What did you think? Do you think you can use some of these new images to decorate your home? It seems easy enough to apply, doesn't it?

I will be using the CREATE expression in my stamp studio Long-Stemmed Silhouette and the word FAMILY, in my living room-I'll post those photos when I get them on the walls!

Would you like a hard copy of the Decor Elements Brochure? Do you have any questions about this new product?  Feel free to post them here and I'll do my best to provide you with the answers..

If you are within a reasonable distance from where I live which is the Sussex County NJ area, I would love to show you this new product! Look for upcoming classes OR host your own Home Decor Elements party (or book a regular stamping/scrapbooking party) so you and your friends can see how wonderful it is to create with Stampin' Up! products and how easy it is to apply these lovely Decor Elements designs in your home! Would you be interested in inviting your friends over for this new type of party so they can see this awesome product? If this interests you, or you have questions about any of our products, please contact me for more information via email or by phone: 973-827-2893 .

Can't wait to hear your reactions to the new Decor Elements! Don't forget to leave me a comment...

NEW LOOK TO MY BLOG: LOVELY LILACS! and custom signature too!

Did you have a fun Fourth of July weekend? I haven't posted in a few days because we were just enjoying the holiday weekend and catching up on the flower beds and vegetable gardens, which are suddenly exploding with new growth (including weeds!) from all the rain and hot, humid days we've been experiencing!

All this color and bloom has inspired me to make my blog more colorful! Typepad came out with some wonderful new templates for banners...and this Lovely Lilac floral caught my attention-it's PERFECT for me! I love pinks, purples and blues and of course-flowers and gardening are my "other" passion besides rubber stamping...until I get my own custom banner, I think I will stick with this one...it's so pretty, isn't it?

You may have noticed in my past few posts I have this new look to my passionstamper signature:

I found this great site where you can create your own personalized signature very quickly in just a few easy steps, and-it's free! This new signature is totally me! Click HERE to get your own pretty signature!

While we are talking about pretty things, here are some new photos of the gardens...and Stampin' Up! ink colors that they remind me of:

Sidalcea-Candy Girl (SU! Orchid Opulence)

 

Zinnias (SU! Only Orange, Yo-Yo Yellow, Pink Passion, Regal Rose & Pretty in Pink)

 

Impatiens by front door (SU! Almost Amethyst & Orchid Opulence)

 

More Impatiens-rock wall garden (SU! Whisper White & Orchid Opulence again!)

 

Tiger Lilies by the Stream (SU! a mix of Summer Sun & Pumpkin Pie!)

 

The North 40! Our Veggie Garden...Remember Caddyshack???? We have such a problem with a family of woodchucks that lives under our front deck, devouring everything from flowers to vegetables, that this year, we've resorted to this temporary fence to protect the vegetable garden. So far, it is working and they haven't dug under it yet! If this fails, we will resort to Have a Heart Traps...so they can be relocated. I will NOT give up gardening to a bunch of brown furry eating machines!

and last of all,

 

This is our way of cammoflaging our Septic Field Pipe from our new "State of the Art" Septic System! According to Code, this pipe is now required to be above the ground about 2 1/2 feet! It sticks out like a sore thumb right in the middle of our front lawn! I had to be creative in order to disguise it...and discovered that a small flower pot of Petunias fits nicely on top. Then I found these gorgeous hanging baskets for this low to the ground double iron plant hanger...The pot of Zinnias sits on top of the access plate, behind the pipe. Voila!  I had stamped the pipe two years ago with ivy leaf stamps (yes I STAMPED IT!) ...but after 2 Northeast winters, it finally disappeared. I may stamp it again in the late fall after the flowers die off with a new design, so it has some interest during the winter months!  Yes, I do literally stamp EVERYTHING! If I decide to stamp it again, I'll be sure to post a photo so you can see the new "work of art"!

Hey-I just had a thought...maybe I will try Stampin' Up!'s new decorative line called Decor Elements to decorate the pipe! That would be a hoot! Hmmmmmm....haven't I told you about it yet? Well, I will definitely  have to take care of that in another post....come back and visit again soon!

Thanks for taking a walk in my garden  with me!

Have a great stampin' day,