May Stamp Class Reminder

Reminder:  Tuesday, 5/9 is the Deadline to save your spot for this month's Stamp Class.

Note that I should have the brand new catalogs here by the class date, get yours FREE with any $50 order plus a FREE class too!! Order date for new items is June 1st, so you'll have lots of time to shop and make your wish list for next month's class!

I'll try to get my act together and pull out some of my new/slightly used retired items to sell at greatly discounted prices to make room for new stuff!  I have stamps, accessories, ribbons, and more! (Note that only new orders count towards a free class, not purchases of retired items, but at these prices they are still bargains!)

This is the last month that you can order the current bundles that are 15% off.  If the items continue into the next catalog, they will not be offered as a bundle, only retail price so no discount.  Also, new bundles will be discounted at 10% starting June 1 -- so if you like it now, get it now!

Below are retiring items that I'll miss.  If you don't have them yet, consider them to have in your stash:
Stamp sets (words): 
Petite Pairs - 122497
A Dozen Thoughts  - 131056
And Many More 134276
All Boxed Up - 139340
Something to Say - 134180 and -25%!

Kind Koala - 134360 --so cute!

Bases for Candy Dots 132293  - make a brad from any color
2-Way glue pen - 100425 - easiest/ neatest way to adhere small items
Circle Framelits - 130911 - must have for any Big Shot user
Ovals Framelits - 129381 -  must have for any Big Shot user

As mentioned before, I'm using many of my favorite retiring items in class this month, so come on by and see them in action!

May Stamp Class

It's the last month of the current Stampin' Up catalog, so I challenged myself to include many of the stamps, papers, colors, and accessories that will soon be retired.  I was tickled to use these great products and come up with creative cards that are unique, usable, and fun on both the front as well as the inside!  I'll let you tell me which one is your favorite, I can't decide between the four of them!

The top left card with Bohemian papers is so much fun with the crafty Love You Sew stamp set, I just love the puns!  Below that is
the "sweet pea" card, perfect to accompany your gift for a little one, either boy or girl.  In the middle is a fancy silvery vellum card with a unique front opening.  Sheer and elegant, it would also be beautiful wedding card (with another to come next month too!) Lastly, the very dimensional ice cream birthday card show is a show-stopper.  Note that I "CASED" the inside design from my stamping friend Minerva, I love it!

CLASS DATES:
Friday, May 13; 7:00 - 9:3-pm
Sunday, May 15; 2:00 - 4:30pm (minimum 2)

DEADLINE to save your spot: Tuesday, May 10

Class Fee = $15 (includes envelopes)
Completed Card Set = $18 (if you miss class or want an extra set.)

Hostess Code = FM4EN64S (Order is sent directly to you, see Top Tab for details.)

May Accessory Pack:

(Includes supplies used this month, counts towards FREE class; see Top Tab for details)

1 yd White 1 1/4" Jute Ribbon

1 yd. Smoky Slate 5/8" Chevron Ribbon

2 yds Silver Sequins Trim

 5 yds. Silver Metallic Thread

6 Honeycomb Embellishments - 2 ea of 3 colors

Cost = $7.00 (plus shipping and tax)  

OPTIONS:

6 - 12"x12" sheets Bohemian Designer Paper - 1 ea design = $5.50
6 - 12"x12" sheets Bohemian DSP - 1 ea design = $5.50
3 - 12"x12" sheets Fancy Foil Designer Vellum - Silver - 3 ea of 3 designs = $3.67
6 yds - 3/8" stitched satin ribbon - 2 yds ea. Blackberry Bliss, Tangelo Twist, Mossy Meadow = $5.40
2 yds - 1" Dotted Lace Trim - 1 yd ea. Mint Macaron, Tip Top Taupe = $2.40
6 Tea Lace Paper Doilies -  4" diam = $.75

NOTE: Above retiring items may be in short supply, amounts may be altered if necessary.

Be sure to save the date and come on over to stamp, it's going to be great fun!!

The Retiring List is out!!

Each year, Stampin' Up is forced to retire many favorite products, both stamps and accessories, to make room for new ones with the next new catalog on June 1st.  Here is a list of the Retiring Products, some of which are discounted up to 50% but all will removed from the active catalog after May 31.  The list is updated daily to show the availability of all retiring products while supplies last.
Be sure to check it out while the selection is best, some of my favorite stamps and pretties will soon be gone!
New SU policy: if a "bundle" price has been offered during a first release in a catalog, it will not be offered again at a discounted bundle price in the next, even if it is still available to order. So get those discounted bundles when they come out to save $$! (Ask me if you have questions.)
But to ease your "sadness", you can apply your order amount towards the $45 minimum needed to get a free stamp class for May!  Just be sure to use the Hostess Code CECFJBWH when you order.  If you can't make it to class, I'd be happy to send you a hand-stamped gift instead!  (Just be sure you don't use "No Contact" or I won't know where and whom to send it.)

Okay, check it out now, the best ones go quick!

Weekly Deals will be ending April 18!

If you're looking for some Stampin' Up bargains, be sure to check out the Weekly Deals by Monday, April 18, as that will be the last day they will be offered!  There are some Big Shot dies, punches, Baker's Twine, and more so be sure to take a look pronto!
Weekly Deals will be replaced by a less frequent but better promotion called Special Offers, which will occur every few months as inventory allows.  These will have more products and discount tiers than previously offered, so stay tuned!

April Stamp Class Reminder and Flattening warped Big Shot plates

Just a quick note that the Deadline for this month's Techniques Stamp Class is Tuesday, April 5th.  These three cards are so special and downright cool, I hope you can come and make them!  Contact me to save your spot, and new stamping buddies are welcome!

Flattening warped plates: 
With so many people using the Big Shot in stamp classes, my acrylic cutting plates get warped very quickly.  On my own, I try to rotate the position of where I do the die cuts as well as flip the top plate each time, but in class with many users, this is harder to manage. Warped plates are more difficult to use since the dies tend to move around on the paper and it's also harder to crank through. I've tried to flatten them with hot water, but haven't had any success.  Doing them in the oven has worked, here is what I tried so you can see if you want to also.

• Preheat your oven to 325 degrees, with the rack positioned in the middle of your oven. 
• Wrap each plate individually in foil and place on a cookie sheet or in a Pyrex baking dish.  
• Place another baking dish (or two or three) on top for weight. 
• Place everything in the oven and heat for 20-30 minutes, (see note below).  I tried 20 minutes and there was still some warpage, so continued to 30 minutes.
• Remove entire assembly from oven and set aside to cool without separating anything.  
• When cool to touch, unwrap foil and brush off any paper scraps that have now been released from the plate -- a bonus!  

Hooray, clean and flat!  The score lines are still there of course, but the plates are much flatter and easier to use.  At last, a simple, effective solution! 

Note:  on the plates that I left in for 30 minutes, there is some white opacity into the plastic, perhaps getting too hot around the edges. Still usable, but doesn't look so good. When I completed the process on different plates for 25 minutes, this didn't happen, so check out what works for your oven, adjusting time and temperature for best results.