Ok, so the list of retiring accessories was published this morning (the list itself is actually designed for demonstrators’ use only; there is not a customer-intended version), but there are not *too* many shocking things I have noted yet. (Although a few things *I* will personally miss.) 

As I’ve been sharing with my customers for a long time now, everything that has a current “In Color” in it is included, of course; that includes ribbons, Designer Series Papers, and Simply Scrappin’ Kits, as well as the cardstocks, inks, refills, etc.  And the HodgePodge Hardware kits we already knew about.  But beyond those items I also note (at a quick glance):

• Accents & Elements
• Acrylic graph & grid
• Brushed copper cardstock
• Various cards & notecards with envelopes sets
• Some envelopes (but not the “open end” ones so many of you love – whew!)
• Lots of (if not all) DSP’s and Prints
• Lots of (if not all) Simply Scrappin’ kits
• Lots of (if not all) small eyelets
• Several On Board Chipboard packages
• A couple of punches (another big “whew!” that we’re not losing more of ’em)
• Mulberry paper (yikes!)
• Pure Color and Metallic Art Pencils (another “yikes!”)
• Lots of (if not all) Ribbon Originals
• Several rub-on sets
• Some Simply Sent kits
• Color index labels
• Stipple Brushes (and another “yikes!”)
• Kids’ markers
• Zig Painty (and yet another “yikes!”)
• And several standard & jumbo wheels

As I have been advising for several months now, if there is something here that you really have your heart set on, *now* is the time to order it – either through me or your regular demonstrator.  And just announced over the weekend, *some* of the items listed above will be offered at a discount beginning today – while supplies last.  I’ll address that in my next post.

On Monday, July 21, Stampin’ Up!® will publish a list of accessories that will retire with this catalog.  Historically, once this list publishes, items on it tend to vanish rapidly.  That is why for the past couple of months I have been encouraging my stampers to order any accessories they want – now!  Please do not wait until Monday (or even later) to order an accessory item you may have your heart set on.

In the meantime, there are a few things that I *do* know are retiring: The HodgePodge Hardware kits currently in the catalog (in fact they are 25% off while supplies last), and anything with a current “In Color” in it – including Simply Scrappin’ Kits and Designer Series Paper.  And we have already been informed that Purely Pomegranate and Blue Bayou Double-Stitched Ribbon are sold out.  Expect that other such items will sell out soon, too. 

Don’t forget – if you’ve got your heart set on a particular accessory, contact me right away!

I’m so excited about our upcoming Stamp Camp this Saturday!  It’s been a long time since we’ve hosted one, and I’m particularly jazzed that we’ll be meeting at the gorgeous new Freeland Windermere Real Estate building.

Tuesday night Jennifer and I cut all the papergoods for the project supply packets, and I thought I’d share the results.  I estimate we have about *2000* individual pieces of paper here!  A couple other demonstrators from our host team will come tomorrow for a packet-stuffing party, and then the real fun begins Saturday morning!

Today's the day that we're trying to escape from the email and focus on communicating in a more traditional format.  I'm hosting an all-day "Come Stamp with Me" today (9 am – 9 pm), so if you're within travel distance, grab your stampin' gear and come on over to share a piece of my big table. 

And every so often we're gonna stop and actually WRITE in those cards and address the envelopes, lol!  (So bring your address book, too.)

Stampin' Up!®'s to-be-retired stamp set lists are out!  Here are the stamps that will retire along with the Spring/Summer 2008 Catalog:

Alphabetical order

Page number order

If you've still got one or more of these stamp sets on your wishlist, be sure to get 'em ordered before this current catalog retires!

  I'm so excited that we're going to be bringing another Stamp Camp to Whidbey Island!  I think it's been a couple of years since we've enjoyed an all-island Stamp Camp together, so it's definitely time!  But this time you'll notice a couple of changes.  The first is that we're going to be using the lovely training/conference room at the Freeland Windermere building! 

And the other main change is that we'll be making just one project, but as you can see from the picture it'll have multiple parts to it!  Yes, you'll get to make 12 pretty cards (3 each of 4 designs), AND the special box to hold them all!  Give the whole set as a super-special gift to someone, or keep it for yourself.  Either way, I know you'll have a great time putting this together with your friends. 

Keep watching for more details as they arrive – but in the meantime, please reserve Saturday, July 19 on your calendar, and set up a plan with your friends to come share the day with us!

In July 2008, I hope to complete the transition to my new newsletter-mailing company. Many of you know I already attempted sending a message through them last month (April), but results were a *disaster* for half of my subscriber list – especially for those of you who use WhidbeyTel for your ISP.  Delivery rates to WhidbeyTel addresses were miniscule, to say the least!  And I am very sorry for that.

I have worked with tech support on both ends since then, and it appears we have taken the "help" about as far as either end is willing to go with it.  Beyond that, it seems that if you use WhidbeyTel for your ISP, you will HAVE to add the following 3 addresses (and my email address too, just to be safe) to your Trusted Sender list in your WhidbeyTel account in order to receive my newsletter delivered to your inbox, rather than having it filtered out as spam.  If you don't know how to do this, please contact WhidbeyTel tech support for assistance; I know they have already helped some of you to do it.

While I recommend that *everyone* add these 3 domain names to your Trusted Sender lists at your ISP level – it appears to be critical for WhidbeyTel subscribers to do so if you wish to continue receiving my newsletters and future emails.  Thank you for taking a few moments to add these 3 domains as well as my email address to your Trusted Sender list:

icpbounce.com

icontact.com

app.icontact.com

While the format for inputting domain names into your Trusted Sender list may vary from ISP to ISP, the format for WhidbeyTel’s Trusted Sender list is to put a    *@     immediately in front of the address.  Again, I urge you to contact your tech support department if this is foreign to you.

Please remember to add these 4 lines (the 3 domain names above and my email address, too) to your Trusted Sender list before the 1st of July so you don’t miss any of my future newsletter issues.  It is my plan to stop using my current newsletter-mailing company at that time, and I’m sure most of you who subscribe to my newsletter don’t want to get lost in the process.

And one final thing:  you’ll notice that there are now two links at the upper left-hand corner of my website for subscribing to my newsletter.  The top one will subscribe you through my old newsletter-mailing company (which I’ll only use through June ’08), and the other one is for my new company.  If you are just now subscribing to my newsletter, please be sure to click BOTH links and subscribe to BOTH.

Thank you for your patience while we work through this transition.  Once we get it accomplished and newsletters delivering as they’re supposed to, I think we’ll both like this new company, as it offers several options that my current company does not.  AND it has better delivery to *common* email addresses such as yahoo, hotmail, msn, etc.  

Give the gift of memories with this “Family Treasures” Mini Scrapbook.  Makes a perfect gift for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Grandparent’s day, another friend or family member…or just for yourself! The original design and beautiful layouts are the perfect place to preserve your family’s memories!

This stunning 5” x 7 ½” mini scrapbook album is created with Stampin’ Up!’s Home Again Simply Scrappin’ Kit, the Book Basics chipboard and a variety of Stampin’ Up!’s coordinating accessories and punches. With 10 page layouts, you'll have plenty of space to highlight your family's memories!

Because this album would be such a lovely Father's Day gift, I am offering 2 sessions of this class prior to that day:  Thursday, June 12 (9 – 5 Open House format) and Saturday, June 14 (3 – 7 pm). 

If there is sufficient interest, I can also hold a 3rd session on Tuesday, June 24th (also 9 – 9 Open House format).

Editted to add the following pricing & registration info:

Registration is now open for the June 12th & June 14th sessions - and if you qualify, you may enter one of the following discount codes when registering:

• Earlybird   (valid when paid by May 27 at 11:55 pm – $5 discount)
• StampClub (for current Stampers 30 Club members – $5 discount)
• SeatoSeaStampers (for active-status Sea to Sea demonstrators – $11 discount)

And if you register for both this class and a Portfolio & Cards class you'll get a coupon for $5 off catalog product. (Your coupon will be included with your class materials.)

Here's the class you've all been swooning over and waiting for!  This project includes a portfolio, with 4 coordinating cards (and envelopes), and a slip cover into which it all fits.  The details on these cards will amaze you; make one set for yourself and some more for gifts.  (Tip:  It's not too early to start thinking about holiday gift-giving if you like to do handmade things.)   

Registration is now open – for either June 13 or June 14.    Earlybird discount available through Monday, May 26. 

Sign up for your class here!

Once you have registered, be sure to email me immediately if you would like to make duplicates!