April, already?

Wasn't it February a week ago?  My kids are all home how for school holidays and it is "Easter Bunny Eve" as my baby says.  Phew! Lots to show and tell you - first, there is a fabulous limited time Bonus Bundle promotion being offered by Stampin' Up! from 1st April (whoops, I'm late) to 17th April.

Here are the details:  

Stampin' Up! does the co-ordination thing so well.  It's reason #15 that I love them so much!   I know you'll want to buy all of them, so pop over to my Online Store over in the sidebar.   Hurry because they are only available for a couple of weeks! The next thing I wanted to let you know about was the Backorder situation - it's the worst I've ever seen in the almost 7 years I've been a Demonstrator. Here's what's currently on Backorder:

WHY is this happening?  Well, as with most natural disasters, it's caused by a number of factors: 1.  Higher Sales of particular products than SU! expected (YAY!  but d'oh!); 2. Contract negotiations between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Association in the USA.  Nearly 40% of all US imports pass through LA and Long Beach, California.  During the contract negotiations (which are now resolved), freight vessels were arriving and not being unloaded.  there is now a huge backlog of containers; and 3. Chinese New Year, which shut down SU's Chinese manufacturers from 19th Feb-5 March, meant that the products shipped before/after this time were caught up in the contract negotiations dispute and are sitting in containers waiting to be unloaded.   These last two factors are of course totally beyond the control of Stampin' Up! Finally, a reminder about the upcoming retirement of the 2014-15 Catalogue and the 2013-15 in colours.  Take note of these dates:
The current catalogue will be ending on 2nd June 2015 (not 30th June as it says on the cover).
The retirement list will be released on 21st April 2015.
The New 2015-2016 Catalogue will now be starting in our market (South Pacific) at the same time as the US, and Europe, and Japan on  2nd June 2015.  
I'll have more details later this month.
I don't know yet what will be on the retirement list, but I do know the 2013-15 in colours will be replaced by new in colours.  I also know from past years that if you love a retiring in colour, you NEED to make sure you order it NOW, because some always sell out prior to the retirement list being released.  Here's a handy list to remind you of the in colour products that will disappear - don't forget the ink refill if you have the ink pad! The pictures will take you straight to my online store.   Product List

Baked Brown Sugar Classic Stampin' Pad

[131174]

$9.95

Baked Brown Sugar Classic In Color Stampin' Ink Refill

[131163]

$4.95

Card Stock A4 Baked Brown Sugar

[131301]

$11.95

Baked Brown Sugar Thick Baker's Twine

[135639]

$5.95

Coastal Cabana Classic Stampin' Pad

[131175]

$9.95

Coastal Cabana Classic In Color Stampin' Ink Refill

[131164]

$4.95

Card Stock A4 Coastal Cabana

[131302]

$11.95

Coastal Cabana Thick Baker's Twine

[135638]

$5.95

Crisp Cantaloupe Classic Stampin' Pad

[131176]

$9.95

Crisp Cantaloupe Classic In Color Stampin' Ink Refill

[131165]

$4.95

Card Stock A4 Crisp Cantaloupe

[131303]

$11.95

Crisp Cantaloupe Thick Baker's Twine

[135636]

$5.95

Pistachio Pudding Classic Stampin' Pad

[131177]

$9.95

Pisatchio Pudding Classic In Color Stampin' Ink Refill

[131166]

$4.95

Card Stock A4 Pistachio Pudding

[131299]

$11.95

Pistachio Pudding Thick Baker's Twine

[135635]

$5.95

Strawberry Slush Classic Stampin' Pad

[131178]

$9.95

Strawberry Slush Classic In Color Stampin' Ink Refill

[131167]

$4.95

Card Stock A4 Strawberry Slush

[131300]

$11.95

Strawberry Slush Thick Baker's Twine

[135637]

$5.95

2013-2015 In Color A4 Cardstock Classic Stampin' Pads New Color Kit

[131293]

$47.95

2013-2015 In Color 12" X 12" Card Stock

[131195]

$16.95

2013-2015 In Color Backgrounds Designer Series Paper Stack

[130136]

$37.95

2013-2015 In Color Sequin Assortment

[133631]

$8.95

2013-2015 In Color Stampin' Write Markers

[131260]

$25.95

2013-2015 In Color A4 Cardstock

[131289]

$11.95