You may have noticed that this year the wheels being retired were included in the list of "to be retired" stamp sets.  But supplies of these wheels are limited, and when they’re gone, they’ll be gone.  SU will publish from time to time (once daily, I believe) the status of the current supply of each retiring wheel.  Click here for the latest update.

Hot off the press!  The "To Be Retired" list is here!  In either page number order or stamp set name order. 

One of the traditions my Sea to Sea Stampers group and I enjoy is our monthly card swap.  Well, it’s *usually* a card swap, although from time to time we’ve swapped other non-card ideas, too.  Since we’re spread all over the country (hence, our name "Sea to Sea Stampers") this swap is accomplished by mail, and we take turns hosting it.  So this month it has been my turn to host the swap and set the theme.  I particularly love the visible versatility of "template" swaps, so that is what I chose.

The template we’re using is the card shown at the top of page 82 of the ’06-’07 Stampin’ up!(r) Idea Book & Catalog.  The instructions were to recreate that card, but with different colors and different stamps – in one’s own interpretation. 

So here’s my contribution – featuring "In Full Bloom", "Canvas", and "Amazing to Zany".  Colors are Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Rose Red, and Certainly Celery.  The background effect began with ink stippled onto Whisper White cardstock (with a Stipple Brush), then additional ink applied with wadded-up plastic wrap.  The flower was stamped and embossed in white onto vellum paper, then colored from behind with markers – then mounted onto more white cardstock & cut out.  Then *that* whole piece is mounted onto the white background piece as shown.

Here’s one of several "Mini Books/Albums" we’ll be doing at my Spring Mini Stamp Camp in March.  Wish you could see the inside, too, but…..

Here’s one of my very fave’s from the new Spring 2007 Mini Catalog – the new 5" x 5" Art Journal!  I’ve covered this one with the new Designer Series Double-sided paper, "Petals & Paisleys" (which, btw, is part of the Spring Fever special for March).  And oh my gosh! – the new Spiral Punch is just too cool!  I’ll be showing some tips for how to punch those holes at my upcoming events this March, and I’ll bet you’ll fall in love with this great little tool, too! 

Oh, and btw, you’ll want to know there’s a bit of a typo on page 16 of the Spring Mini Catalog with regard to this art journal.  Page 16 states that there are 50 pages in this journal, but there aren’t; there are really only 20 pages – but room to add more of your own custom pages and pockets , which you can easily create with your new Spiral Punch! Just way too much fun!

March 1 marks the beginning of "Spring Fever", another exciting month-long promotion at Stampin’ Up!(r), featuring products from their delicious Spring 2007 Mini Catalog.  You can check out the particulars here.

Just wanted to publicly thank all of you who helped make this a wonderful Sell-a-Bration Season!  The only downside is that I’ve been so BUSY I haven’t been able to keep up with my posts here!  But I’m hoping to get my samples albums updated here in the near future, so stay tuned….

Here’s a Pocket Note & envelope set I did for a swap last month.  This was a bit of a stretch for me; the stamping is only incidental, rather than the main thing.  Pocket Notes come in 3 colors and include envelopes, and can be found here.

Well, it’s been said it’s not possible to outsmart Mother Nature, but we’re gonna try by rescheduling last Saturday’s Stamp-a-Stack for this weekend.  You’ll find the specifics here…… and keep your fingers crossed that the lights stay on this time!

Well, I’m afraid I’ve been MIA here, lately.  Guess our repeated power outages recently have taken their toll on my computer time.  But I’m determined to get at least 1 item posted before I call it a day – and I’ve chosen to feature the darling card that Gloria H. stamped as an invitation for her upcoming Stampin’ Up!(r) workshop.  This popular  stamp set, "Like it a Latte", is shown in the Winter Mini Catalog – pages 12 & 13.