The Retired List - gone for ever

I've just cut and pasted this list from the Retirement List Page of my blog.  I'm always surprised at which stamps sell out first, although Choo Choo isn't a shock due to the number of people with small boys who love trains.....sadly now gone.  Put your order in TODAY  if you don't want to miss out on something you've had your eye on.

As at Friday 12th August the following are no longer available:

Stamps:

Choo Choo (116887)

Garden Whimsey (116362)

Sanded (112356)

Full Calendar (115812)

Card stock:

Marina Mist 12 x 12 (119687)

Bashful Blue 12 x 12 (119973)

Early Espresso 12 x 12 (119691)

Night of Navy 12 x 12 (119932)

Chocolate Chip 12 x 12 (119926)

Punches:

Star Punch (119875)

Photo Corners Punch (119878)

Spiral Punch (119872)

Small Oval Punch (119863)

Accessories:

Antique Brass Jumbo Eyelets (108431)

Metallic Eyelets (105319)

Pewter Jumbo Eyelets (108432)

I'll be selling my own retired stamps at the New Catalogue Launch, as well as (blush) unopened packets of DSP, some retired accessories....look forward to seeing you there!

My Foray into Retail!

Forgot to mention, when updating my blog earlier with the New Catalogue Launch details, my exciting news:  my cards are for sale in a shop!

The Mistress of Spice (link to her website HERE) is a fab local shop in Gordon Park, Brisbane, where you can purchase ready-made delicious curries and other yummies plus spices, cooking related gifts, etc.  The Mistress herself, Elise, is an old friend of mine (by old, I mean we went to school together, not admitting my age!) and she mentioned that she is often asked by customers if they have any cards to purchase when they buy a gift.   Hopefully her customers will fancy a Handmade by Lou card!

Elise is incredibly talented and has even written a cookbook.  Her food is to die for!

New Catalogue (2011-12) Launch

Don't miss it!  This is always a fun day, where you not only get your own copy of the new catalogue, you get to play with new products, chat, and have a fun Girl's Day Out!  We will also be offering for sale our retired products at reduced prices, as well as door prizes, raffles, etc.  Get a group of friends together and contact me to book your places!

The End Is Nigh...

...the end of the 2010-11 Idea Book & Catalogue, that is!

Over on my sidebar you'll see a button that links to the Retirement List. These are stamps and accessories that are being discontinued, and will not be available to purchase in the new Catalogue which goes live on 1st September.

The Retired stock is only available as stocks last, no backorders, no rain checks. If you miss it, you miss it. Please make sure you let me know right away if there is anything you've had your eye on that is scheduled for retirement.

I've seen a PDF copy of the new IBC and it will be fabulous! So while I'm sad that some things are leaving for good - like eyelets - I'm excited about all the new stuff that is coming. As a Demo, one of my favourite things is getting to order new stuff a month before anyone else - my preview order will be coming this week!

This month I'll do my best to feature some of the retiring products so they can go out with some applause.

I will make a page letting you know which items have sold out as soon as I know.

I'm planning a class showing the retired stuff some love - not sure when I'll hold it yet, with the Ekka Public Holiday, etc. But I'll be sending invitations once I've decided.

Make sure you let me know if you want to be one of the first to get your hands on a copy of the NEW Catalogue and I'll put one aside for you when my box arrives!

The Ship Song Project

OK, not at all stamping related, but I've just discovered the Ship Song Project, a tribute to the iconic landmark, The Sydney Opera House.  I love it.  You can download the video for free in iTunes at present.  I've been playing it over and over.

Don't Be Shocked...

But I'm posting again! LOL!

The kids are back at school, and I am determined to get better at posting regularly. Can you believe it is only a couple of weeks until we find out which things in the Catalogue are retiring, and only about six weeks until the new Idea Book & Catalogue? Can't wait!

In the meantime, here are some recent scrapbook pages to show you:

This is a very "clean and simple" one that I can't remember posting - my apologies if I have previously!
I loved how the card stock (Pacific Point) just went so well with the photos.

This one features a favorite photo of mine - I love the cheeky look on my baby's face! The flowers are all punched or die cut with the Big Shot, and some are then embossed as well. This is CASEd from our SU! Demo publication, I love it! I have also stamped various flower stamps there. Stamps: Printed Petals, Petal Pizzazz, Vintage Vogue. Big Shot dies: Floral Fusion, Flower Folds, Island Floral, and the Elegant Lines, Perfect Polka Dots, Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impressions Embossing Folders. Punches: Fancy Flower Extra Large, Boho Blossoms Extra Large, Itty Bitty Shapes punch Trio. Other: brads, adhesive pearls. I added some dimension to the petals by curling them slightly with my bone folder.

While I was on a roll with the flowers, I did this page:

Big Shot Dies: Blossom Party. Other: Spiral border punch, tea stain ink (distressing kit), buttons, linen thread.

I finally broke down and purchased the Leaves die, I couldn't resist using it with this gorgeous paper from the current Mini ( it ends at the end of the month). I love these earthy colours.

I was supposed to go for a run today....it is now 9:30pm so I guess it isn't happening tonight! Maybe if I go to bed now I can get up early tomorrow? Hmm, we'll see how that pans out!

An Old Fave

I was fortunate enough to be invited to hold a workshop in Cherie's home yesterday, which was heaps of fun! Can you believe that one of her guests, Vanessa, used to work with me at Target when we were both fifteen doing Thursday nights and Saturday mornings? Brisbane has 2 degrees of separation.

I wanted to use a versatile stamp set which is an old fave but hasn't seen much love recently, so I picked Circle Circus.

This is the card we made, using Sahara Sand, Regal Rose, Rose Red, and Tempting Turquoise. I love that the circles coordinate with our punches and you can add interest without bulk by lifting some of them with Dimensionals.
The happy birthday is from Party This Way.

Here's the same card, with different colours: Tangerine Tango, Old Olive, and Tempting Turquoise.

Finally, here is a 8 x 8 scrapbook page I made using the same stamp set. Can you see that I stamped the bubbles in Versamark, then heat embossed them with clear embossing powder? The letters were cut out with the Big Shot and the adhesive sheets to make them easy to apply like stickers! I'll have to post more about the adhesive sheets another time.

Right now I have to tidy up for my Downline Day today!