Leaf Collection: Happy Birthday

Last week was a whirlwind of new catalog fun as I prepared for the Host Appreciation
Open Houses. Because I didn’t receive the bulk of my items for the gatherings until 7:30 p.m. on Friday, you can believe I did some serious creating to get some samples, items for the goody bags, and make-and-take projects ready for Sunday afternoon and Monday evening! I am grateful for my hosts from the 2023-2024 catalog year — they deserve a celebration!

This was one of the cards participants made:

Leaf Collection | This simple card has enough drama for any guy!  Please click to read more! | Stampin' Up! | HeartfeltInkspiration.com | Debra Burgin

I wanted to hold back using this background stamp until it was “time” for autumn cards, but I simply had to see how it looked, tone-on-tone, in Basic Beige. I was immediately in love with this color — the stamp set, too! An easy trim of the stamped panel, a quick knot, and a Very Vanilla sentiment panel (stamped and cut with a brand new bundle) completed this card.

Leaf Collection | This simple card has enough drama for any guy!  Please click to read more! | Stampin' Up! | HeartfeltInkspiration.com | Debra Burgin

If Basic Beige looks green here, it could be a camera issue, but I think this neutral definitely has a green feel. It’s beautiful, and I took the easy option by using black as a card base. I “checked” with my husband, and this card is guy-worthy.

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Allow me to introduce …

… the Stampin’ Up! 2024-2025 Annual Catalog! After you pour yourself another cup of coffee or tea, click this cover image to open a pdf version. Then we’ll talk a bit!

Stampin' Up! 2024-2025 Annual Catalog

First, a few tips for enjoying this publication:

  • You can use your phone to scan a QR (quick response) code to get more information about a product or topic. I just aim my phone’s camera at the code and it gives me a little “go to” window with a link I can tap. You can see a QR code on page 8 for the Kits Collection.
  • The little icon that looks like a shopping bag with a heart on it (see one next to the Scalloped Gift Card Boxes on page 28) tells you that product details and artwork are available online. Typing the product name or item number in the Search box in the online store will get you there. You won’t find anything more in the catalog for these products.
  • There are some “anomalies” that I have found (and probably others I haven’t yet). For example, the Everyday Details stamp set and dies did not retire; the item information for the stamp set appears on page 110 of the new catalog but the dies seem to have evaporated unless you search for them online. I am sure Stampin’ Up! will issue corrections and clarification.

I was wondering if we’d ever make it to May 1 so I could start sharing some of my favorite things with you about this catalog, and that will be happening soon! Meanwhile:

  • The 22 card templates at the bottom of page 22 are wonderful! If I tried just one of these each week, design paralysis would be a thing of the past! The Stampin’ Up! concept artists interpreted these templates on page 23 — amazing for the color choices, too.
  • The Color Theory section (beginning on 132), with its stunning color wheel, is fabulous. Stampin’ Up! knows color, and the new 2024-2026 In Colors prove it.
  • There are many stamp sets I love, like Choose Happy (below, page 24). Only a few were available to demonstrators during the pre-order period, so I added some to my order very, very early this morning. I can hardly wait till my Host Appreciation Open House this weekend to show you!
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Starter Kit Special (May 1-31)

Sweet! During the month of May 2024, Stampin’ Up! has a fantastic offer for anyone who becomes a demonstrator! Join my team and receive FOUR brand new In Color products in your Starter Kit at no additional cost. These products include:

  • 2024–2026 In Color Classic Stampin’ Pad Bundle
  • 2024–2026 In Color 8-1/2″ x 11″ Cardstock
  • 2024–2026 In Color 6″ x 6″ Designer Series Paper
  • 2024–2026 In Color Stampin’ Write Markers

Altogether, you’ll get the four In Color products (a value of $80!), your choice of $125 worth of products, free shipping, and free business supplies for just $99! Being a part of Stampin’ Up!’s creative community also comes with several perks, including early access to products, special discounts, earned product credits, exclusive training, demonstrator-only events, and so much more!

As a demonstrator, I am here to help you throughout the joining process and beyond. If becoming a demonstrator is something that you are interested in, either as a business builder or a “happy shopper” for yourself, please reach out! I am excited to answer all your questions and help get you started on your creative journey. Find out more here.

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Bird’s Eye View — is it in the new catalog?

What a birdbrain I am! Somehow I thought Bird’s Eye View was retiring tomorrow. So I made sure to create one more project using this most adorable set of birds:

Happily, I was wrong. Here is the card I made for the recent Let’s Color! class, this one featuring Watercolor Pencils.

Bird's Eye View | Coloring and shading using Stampin' Up! Watercolor Pencils is easy and fun.  Get my point?  Please click to read more! | Stampin' Up! | HeartfeltInkspiration.com | Debra Burgin

We practiced coloring and shading using Stampin’ Up! Watercolor Pencils, but 4½ hours was not a long enough class when we were also covering Stampin’ Blends and watercoloring with Water Painters. Still, working with Watercolor Pencils is easy and fun. Get my point?

Bird's Eye View | Coloring and shading using Stampin' Up! Watercolor Pencils is easy and fun.  Get my point?  Please click to read more! | Stampin' Up! | HeartfeltInkspiration.com | Debra Burgin

So, is this set in the Stampin’ Up! 2024-2025 Annual Catalog? According to the index, you will find the set on page 105. But something I am getting used to is the fact that there may be a card sample using a set (or even just one stamp image), but the set itself is not pictured in the catalog. You will see a symbol next to the product name, item number, and price. If I had savored the catalog page by page instead of racing through it like a mad woman when I first got it, I would have seen that symbol explained in the table of contents on page 3:

Samples in this catalog may feature products that are shown more completely in our online store. Visit our online store to see complete artwork and product information.

I hope you find that helpful — simply search for the item by its name or number and you’ll see the details. Here is my online store.

Click the images below to add current products for this card to your cart in my Stampin’ Up! online store. Disclosure: I get a commission for purchases made through these links, at no additional charge to you. Thank you!

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Zany Zoo: Happy Birthday to You

Stampers at April stamp camps heard me admit that creating this card was the first time I had inked the set. I hate when that happens: I find a set/bundle irresistible, yet somehow I do resist it! Will I ever learn my lesson?

Oh, and in my haste to assemble this set, I became frustrated when one of the labels didn’t fit the stamp correctly. Yes, I put it on upside-down. Explain that to the stampers who will use it …

Zany Zoo | I don't know what made me wait so long to use this fun stamp set!  Please click to read more! | Stampin' Up! | HeartfeltInkspiration.com | Debra Burgin

And now the stamp set and die set (and the discount for the bundle) are retiring next Tuesday. Did I say “retiring”? Ditto for the gingham paper and the tag dies.

Zany Zoo | I don't know what made me wait so long to use this fun stamp set!  Please click to read more! | Stampin' Up! | HeartfeltInkspiration.com | Debra Burgin

On the positive side, there’s plenty to smile at when you look at this singing cutie!

Click the images below to add current products for this card to your cart in my Stampin’ Up! online store. Disclosure: I get a commission for purchases made through these links, at no additional charge to you. Thank you!

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Filled with Happiness: Zesty Birthday

The retiring Filled with Happiness photopolymer stamp set and Modern Oval punch are a match made in stamping heaven! I’m happy the punch is not retiring, as it is so useful as a substitute for a tag (that is, in case someone says that I overuse tags).

Filled with Happiness | This stamp set and the Modern Oval punch are a match made in stamping heaven!  Please click to read more! | Stampin' Up! | HeartfeltInkspiration.com | Debra Burgin

I have used this set a lot, and it shows. I stamped this image on Thick Very Vanilla (another retiring product!) so I could pop it up without it sagging.

Filled with Happiness | This stamp set and the Modern Oval punch are a match made in stamping heaven!  Please click to read more! | Stampin' Up! | HeartfeltInkspiration.com | Debra Burgin

On this stamp-a-stack card, I used a background created with the Sweet Citrus Hybrid Embossing Folder — it’s also retiring on April 30, but I’d be surprised if it lasts that long as it’s reduced to just $16.50! Here’s a video from about a year ago that shows this folder in the first minute:


Click the images below to add current products for this card to your cart in my Stampin’ Up! online store. Disclosure: I get a commission for purchases made through these links, at no additional charge to you. Thank you!

Posted in 2024 Jan-April Mini, All-Occasions Stamp-a-Stack, Birthday, Stamp-a-Stack, Stampin' Blends, Video | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Filled with Happiness: Zesty Birthday

Cheerful Daisies: Brightest Birthday

It’s way past time for me to get back to posting cards, I think, so I have dusted off the spreadsheet I use to manage my blog posts and resumed. It’s not that I haven’t had anything to show (or tell), but it has been a busy and unsettled past few months with family coming and going and going again, celebrations and losses, transitions and decisions, lists and more lists.

This card was one stampers made at the last All-Occasions Stamp-a-Stack. It seems like a long time ago, but I was surprised to realize it’s only been a month since that event. (In the meantime, other stamping things have been happening here!)

Cheerful Daisies | Charming Sentiments | This "brightest birthday" card is perfect for these spring days!  Please click to read more! | Stampin' Up! | HeartfeltInkspiration.com | Debra Burgin

The Cheerful Daisies bundle was new in the current Annual Catalog; you’ll find it on page 75 of the 2024-2025 Annual Catalog, but not offered as a bundle. There’s still time to save 10% on the bundle before it retires on April 30.

Cheerful Daisies | Charming Sentiments | This "brightest birthday" card is perfect for these spring days!  Please click to read more! | Stampin' Up! | HeartfeltInkspiration.com | Debra Burgin

This is indeed a cheerful daisy, especially in these colors. It’s a good thing I seem to have a bottomless supply of this sweet gingham ribbon!

Click the images below to add current products for this card to your cart in my Stampin’ Up! online store. Disclosure: I get a commission for purchases made through these links, at no additional charge to you. Thank you!

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Shop the Clearance Rack!

Stampin’ Up! has just added new items to the online Clearance Rack, with up to 60% off select products. But during this Clearance Rack refresh, there is a unique opportunity for a second chance to add the Favored Flowers and Dandy Designs Designer Series Papers to your craft supplies. If you loved these two offerings from January-February 2023 Sale-A-Bration, this is your chance! (PS: Dandy Designs DSP has 48 sheets of 12″ x 12″ paper in the pack!)

These items are only available while supplies last, so act quickly — visit my Clearance Rack online store to start shopping.

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Big error in my price increases list!

Wow. I totally overlooked a major price increase for a Stampin’ Up! product I use almost every day: the Medium Basic White Envelopes (#159236). In the current (2023-2024) Annual Catalog, they are $8.50 for 40 envelopes. That price is good through the end of April. In the upcoming Annual Catalog, they will be priced at $11.00. I assume the quantity is the same, but it isn’t stated in the new catalog (page 107).

That’s an increase of nearly 30%, so you can be sure I am stocking up before the price goes up! Why are the Stampin’ Up! envelopes important to me? Can’t you buy cheaper ones elsewhere? Of course. But Stampin’ Up! understands ink + paper, so my experience is that SU! envelopes are superior for stamping — and if you’re going to send a handmade card, don’t you want the envelope to provide a sneak peek? Also, I believe Stampin’ Up! envelopes are a heavier weight, which provides some protection for the contents.

You can find my corrected Prices Increases list here. (You may need to refresh your screen.)

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Last Chance Products sale begins tomorrow!

The January–April 2024 Mini Catalog and the 2023–2024 Annual Catalog are retiring on April 30! Of course, you knew that and, just as I am, you’re probably looking forward to all the new products on their way. Meanwhile, from April 9–30, you can stock up on your favorite products and save up to 60% on some essential craft supplies! So, what are you waiting for? Start making your list! After all, Last Chance Products will only be available while supplies last. More details:

  • Here are the lists of retiring products:
  • Make a plan, but do not begin your order until Tuesday, April 9. To qualify for discounts, your order cannot be started before April 9.
  • All retiring products are available while supplies last, and there are no purchase limits.
  • Discounted items can be added to a Starter Kit and redeemed as a 50% off item or with Stampin’ Rewards.
  • Only orders opened and closed during the promotion period apply. 
  • Stamp sets are not guaranteed during this promotion and are while supplies last.
  • Aside from items retiring, remember that there will be price increases in the new catalog effective May 1 (and also for Paper Pumpkin subscriptions effective April 11):
    •  Classic Stampin’ Ink Refills
    •  Stampin’ Blends
    •  Select Specialty Inks
    •  Embossing Pastes
    •  Stampin’ Spots
    •  Cardstock
    •  Select Note Cards and Envelopes
    •  Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machines and Plates
    •  Punches
    •  Select Storage
    •  Select Tools
    •  Select Adhesives

I’m sure you got the “while supplies last” message — so make that plan and get ready!

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