I've had a number of requests recently to run another My Digital Studio class, and while I've WANTED to do one, I've had quite the difficulty figuring out WHERE to fit it into my schedule.  When I looked at my calendar I found an unusual and glaring emptiness for the upcoming weekend, but of course the reason for that is that it's Memorial Day!  So, the best I could do was squeeze in a couple of classes on Friday just prior.  Unfortunately that means there hasn't been much time for advance warning, but at least the subscribers to my "MDS" newsletter updates have heard about it, as have my FB page followers.  (One reason it's a good thing to BE a subscriber – and then designate your topic preferences…. hint, hint, hint.)

Ok.  So here's what's up:

I am going to present my new "Level 2" MDS class tomorrow, Friday, May 25th. Twice, actually.  Once in the morning in a hands-on format where I can help as you work through a hands-on assignment, and once in the evening as an online "just log in and watch it" style of presentation. 

Because these events have come together so quickly, JUST THIS ONE TIME there will be no fee for either one, so you are welcome at either one or both.  To reserve a spot at the hands-on class Friday morning session, please click the button below.  If the system asks for a password, the password is:     STAMP  (lowercase is ok, I think).

To "attend" the evening session, I encourage you to log into my online classroom a few minutes before start time Friday night (which will be 6:00 pm Pacific time, 9:00 pm Eastern), in case you find you might need to download and update something on your computer…. so you can be ready to go at 6:00.  And just because it's been known to happen before, I'd better share that if *I* don't show up right on time it's either because MY computer decided at that moment to get tangled up and require a reboot…. or the power here went out.  BOTH of those ill-timed events have occured in the past, so just hang in there and wait for me if I'm tardy myself, lol!

http://www.gvolive.com/conference,stamptherock

Oh, and btw, if you'd like to view my first MDS video as an introduction to this program (or as a refresher), I am streaming it from my classroom right now (through roughly noon on Friday), so you can use that same link (above) to go and watch it. It's about 30 minutes long, and it takes you through designing an entire scrapbook page from beginning to completion.

Please feel free to share word about these two class sessions among your friends!  While obviously the hands-on class will only work for locals and will be limited to 6 participants, the online evening class is open to my customers, downline demonstrators & THEIR customers, and theoretically we can accept up to 50 people logged in at once!  🙂

Just learned yesterday of a HUGE upgrade to My Digital Studio – soon to be known as "MDS 2"!  Here's the little bit I know about it as of this point, but I'm SO gosh-darn excited!  Sara talks fast; listen close!

Oh, and don't forget it's TUESDAY, so that means brand-new digital downloads available!

Sometimes letting go is hard to do.  And letting go of this particular stamp set (Flower Fancy) is gonna be a perfect example of that, I fear.  I've always found it such a cheerful set to work with – always perfect in just about any color combo, and for all kinds of occasions.  And stamped in 2-step – or not:  either way looks great.

But now it's time to say good-bye. 

So this was the combo I showed at a workshop last weekend: a coordinating card & Fancy Favor bag.  Colors are Calypso Coral, Wisteria Wonder and Lucky Limeade.  Some of you who've been attending my Card Classes for a long time may recognize the card design from long ago….. but now done up in updated colors.  But with my 16th anniversary with Stampin' Up! just around the corner (good grief…… REALLY?!?), coupled with the retiring products so fresh on my mind, it seemed appropriate to give a little nod to nostalgia.  So this pair was the result.

Flower Fancy was introduced so long ago that it has only been available in wood-mount, so it was helpful to use the Stamp-a-ma-jig stamp positioner to get the detail image aligned with the solid image underneath.  But a modern-day stamp set of similar style, offered in clear-mount option would be a piece of cake to align, don'tcha think?  Let's hope there's a suitable substitute in the upcoming catalog.

And wouldn't you know that just as I showed how to use the Crop-a-dile to punch those holes in the Fancy Favor bag (die cut on the Big Shot), only days later would we receive a list targeting the Crop-a-Dile as a "to be retired" product, too!  Not really sure how I'm gonna get along with THAT fact; I still use my Crop-a-Dile usually several times a week.  (As evidenced by how the gears and springs were grinding and squeaking that day….. before I hit it with some spray grease and it magically became years younger again.)

Anyhoo, if you're a fan of bright, bold & versatile flower stamps, this one definitely belongs in your collection.  See all its images and check out its details here.  

And watch for more Blast from the Past ideas this upcoming month or so, too….. in both my classes and my workshops! That "16-years" thing is really making me feel old, lol!  (Sign up for May's Card Class at the link just under the banner at the top of this page.)

Hot off the press!  The 2012 retiring Decor Elements and Accessories lists have just been published.  And SOME of the products are even discounted!   

REMEMBER THESE ITEMS WILL ONLY BE AVAILABLE WHILE SUPPLIES LAST, so it there's something here that you'd really like to have, better order it right away before the last one disappears. 

I think the best way to view what's included is to check out the retiring category at my online store:  http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/CategoryPage.aspx?categoryid=736&dbwsdemoid=3992

And if you see something you want, you can order it right then and there.

Have fun choosing!  🙂

Editted 4/25/2012 – 10:00 am (Pacific) to update: 

• This posting will remain at the top of my current postings for at least a week or so.  So scroll down to view any more current postings I may post in the meantime.
• We have just been notified that 2 items were accidentally added to the retiring accessories list, but are NOT actually retiring:  Paper Snips (103579) and Craft Scissors (108360).  Consequently, the Paper Snips will NOT be offered at the discount that was shown on the original listing that was published.  The listing has now been updated to correct the boo-boo.
• Fabric Brads from the April Summer Smooches preview special are now sold out.  They were only an "as supplies last" item for April anyway, and as of this morning they are now gone. 
  

Something new this evening and I'm really excited for it:  the MDS (that's shorthand for "My Digital Studio") Fan Club's very first meeting!  Looks like we'll probably be starting out "small, but mighty", but I expect once the word gets out there, we'll have more and more wanting to join us. 

Tonight will largely be about deciding what exactly this will be:  what it will look like and the details surrounding that.  We've already got the main stuff figured out; we may just need to tweak some of the details, perhaps.  Participants will bring their laptops (with MDS already installed), and have up to 2-1/2 hours to work on their own MDS projects…… with the added resource of having me there available to answer questions, as well as each other to share tips and tricks with.

I know there are many questions still out there among my newest MDS users, and this will provide the opportunity for them to continue to grow their skills, while moving forward on their projects! 

Wanna join us?  Contact me for time, location, etc.

This just in:  the biggest-ever Stampin' Up! Retirement Party has just begun.  The retiring STAMP SET list is hot off the press!  And while the list is long, Stampin' Up! has released the list earlier than ever this year, so you'll have all the way until May 31 to collect the favorites you haven't yet had a chance to order.  AND, for that matter, you've even still got time to date and host a workshop (party) or class with me!

Click here for the list of retiring stamp sets (PDF)

Viewing tip for older eyes:  The print on this list is not real dark, and it's very, very tiny.  So while obviously it's intended to be printed for viewing, if you find it difficult to read, try reading it right from your screen, viewed in a magnified format. 

Note that the list is two pages long this year, but that's because many stamp sets are actually listed more than once due to wood vs clear mount.

So if you see something you haven't yet had a chance to add to your collection, well, you can schedule a workshop/party or class with me and get some of your wishlist for free…….or email or phone an order, or quicker yet, just jump online and order it here!

Looking to the future, the retiring ACCESSORIES list will publish April 25th.  But remember I always recommend not waiting until then to order the accessories on your wishlist because of how fast supplies of retiring accessories often sell out. 

EDITTED TO ADD: 

If you prefer "pictures", you can view pictures at the above "jump online" link, too.

Also, I am working on creating a list that will be easier to read.  I hope to get that completed later today, and will post it right here – so please come back later to look for that.

ADDED MANY HOURS LATER:

Ok, so the sun was out today and it got up into the 60's (pretty rare for these parts), so I had to take advantage of it by getting some work done in my folks' garden, lol.  But here are the "easier to read" lists I promised (each in PDF format):

Download retiring stamps list in page number order

Download retiring stamps list in alphabetical order

I also learned today that all wood-mount SPANISH stamp sets are being retired, and Spanish sets will ONLY be available in clear mount beginning with the new catalog of June 1.