Stampin' With Lauren

Stampin' Up! Retiring Stamp Sets and Accessories Lists Are Here!

They're here!  You can see all of the Stampin' Up! retiring product lists here on my blog, in the right-hand column under "Last Chance Lists".  I have stamp sets, accessories, and Decor Elements lists.  Don't forget that the accessories usually sell out pretty quickly, especially the In Color products.  This truly is your "last chance" for these items.  Stamp sets will be available for order until June 30th, and then they are gone as well. 

If you would like to order any of these products, you can click on the red button in the upper right-hand corner of the blog to go to the on-line store.  Or, if you have questions, send me an email.  I can answer all of your questions and place the order for you.  In either case, the order will be shipped directly to you within 7-10 business days.

TTYL,

Lauren  :) 

Stampin' Up! Retiring Stamp Sets List Will Be Released on June 1st!

Stampin' Up! will release it's "Last Chance List" of retiring stamp sets and accessories on Monday, June 1st.  They have never released both the retiring stamp sets AND the retiring accessories together like this.  While stamp sets will be available for purchase right up until June 30th, the accessories will likely sell out VERY quickly.  Think feeding frenzy in the shark tank at the aquarium.  I will post the list here on my blog on Monday morning.  I suggest that you look it over and then order what you want immediately.  What's available in the morning might not be available in the afternoon.  And, of course, you want to make sure you order from me here!

I am VERY excited about this retirement for some reason.  I think it's because I am just tickled pink that Stampin' Up! has decided to go back to offering one Idea Book & Catalog per calendar year (in addition to the mini catalogs).  Also, because I have fallen in love with some of this year's new products, especially the Sizzix Big Shot,  I can't wait to see what will be in the NEW Idea Book & Catalog, which will be released on July 1st.  If you would like to have your own copy of this catalog, just place an order with me using the above link.  For an order of just $30, you will receive a FREE new catalog in the mail from me in July.  I only ask that you pay for postage.

See you around the stamp room,

Lauren  :)

Follow Me on Facebook and Twitter!

You can start following me on Facebook and Twitter by clicking the badges/buttons in the left-hand column of my blog.  I am new on both of these applications, and I'm having a blast learning how to "get around" on there.  I have been skeptical about it for years, but I have become a convert at last.  It really is fun.  And I can see how it can become addictive very quickly.  If you don't have one already, sign up for a free account and join in on the fun today!

Your stampin' friend,

Lauren

Album In A Day Scrapbooking Class Coming In May!

I will be having another Album In A Day Scrapbooking Class in Uxbridge, MA on May 17th.  The class will run from 9am until 4pm, and we will make 18 scrapbook pages with seasonal themes. 

I will provide ALL of the Stampin' Up! products that you need to make great pages--pre-cut card stock and Designer Series paper, ribbon, buttons, felt flowers, brads, etc., plus page layouts for you to copy.  You also get to use my stamps, inks, and tools for the day.  I suggest that you leave your photos at home and just add them later on.  You will receive a 12 x 12 Linen Ring Album (for Post-Bound, add $3) and a "Sunshine Garden" Simply Scrappin' Kit.  We will have coffee, tea, bottled water, baked treats and, of course, chocolate for refreshments to get us through the day.  We will also be sending out for lunch, or you can bring your own from home. 

The cost of this class in $79, and you must pre-register and pre-pay by May 3rd.  I will be ordering your supplies on May 4th so they have time to arrive and be prepared for you before May 17th.  

HOW TO REGISTER FOR THIS CLASS:

1.  Print out the registration form which you can find by clicking on the link in the right-hand side bar.

2.  Fill it out and mail it to me by May 3rd.  If you think it will arrive later than May 3rd, call or email me and let me know that it is on it's way.

3.  Include your $79.00 payment by check or credit card with your registration form.  You can also pay by using the PayPal link below, but you still need to mail me your form.

Album Type

Ring Bound $79.00Post Bound $82.00

Album Color

NavyNaturalMellow MossReal Red

This is a popular class, and it is appropriate for both beginners and experienced scrapbookers.  We have a really good time, and by the end of the day we will all be just like long-lost best friends.  If May 17th is free on your calendar, I hope you will consider coming to scrapbook with us!

My best to you,

Lauren 

Sale-A-Bration is Half Over

With one more day left in February, Sale-A-Bration is just about half over.  Have you seen the items that you could earn free with a $50 Stampin' Up! product order?  If you haven't, then click here to see the 2009 Sale-A-Bration brochure.

  Here is one of the cards that we made at this month's Stamping Club meeting.  Doesn't it just scream SPRING at you?  It features the stamp set "Botanical Blooms", which is one of the stamp sets in the Sale-A-Bration brochure.  The strip of green Designer Series Paper is also in the brochure, from the collection called "Delicate Dots".  Here is the complete recipe to make this card:

Stamp Sets:  Botanical Blooms, Absolutely Fabulous

Card Stock:  Regal Rose, Whisper White

Designer Series Paper:  Delicate Dots, Tea Party

Inks:  Regal Rose, Pretty In Pink, Certainly Celery Classic Ink

Accessories:  SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin' Sponges, Stampin' Dimensionals

This card was very simple to make, and uses pretty much just basic stamping supplies.  If you would like to purchase any of the supplies listed above, send me an email or SHOP NOW at Stampin' Up!'s on-line store.  For a $50 order, you could get Botanical Blooms free! 

Catch ya later!

Lauren  :)

"Success is not the key to happiness.  Happiness is the key to success.  If you love what you are doing, you will be successful."     ~Albert Schweitzer

Order Stampin' Up! Products In Your Pajamas Here!

Well, it has finally happened!  Stampin' Up! has opened it's on-line store, and you can order anything you need from the current catalog whenever the whim strikes.  If it's 2am and you realize that you are not going to have enough Tangerine Tango card stock and matching ribbon to complete all of your Halloween projects, you can take care of the problem in minutes and then go to bed!  Just go to my demonstrator website at www.laurensalzberg.stampinup.net and click on the Shop Now button in the upper right corner of the page.  (You can also click on the picture of the catalog in the left side-bar of this blog.)  You will be whisked away to the brand NEW on-line catalog to shop as long as you like and then purchase your products.  It works very much like all of the other on-line retail catalogs that you are used to using all the time, only, if you buy your products through my website, you can earn FREE products in addition to the ones that you are ordering.  This is called the Stampin' Rewards program and is the on-line equivalent of Hostess Benefits at a home workshop.  Now I ask you, if you spend $150.00 at Michael's or AC Moore, do they reward you with free stuff?  No way!  It's much more fun to shop the Stampin' Up! catalog through my demonstrator website.  You'll get great products, your own demonstrator (ME!) to offer you support and instruction regarding the use of the products, and maybe even some FREE products while you're at it.  So next time you're in a shopping mood, think of me, go to my demonstrator website (add it to your "Favorites" for quick access to the catalog!), and then let the fun begin! 

Your Stampin' Up! demonstrator,

Lauren  :)       

Decor Elements II from Stampin' Up! Coming Soon!

I just heard that phase II of Decor Elements, Stampin' Up!'s new product line of vinyl rub-ons used for home decor, is going to be available to the public on October 1st along with the new Holiday Mini Catalog and the Sizzix Big Shot.  I saw some of the phase II Decor Elements at Convention in July and they are AWESOME!  Some of them will come in colors now instead of just black, chocolate, or white.  I already know that I am definitely going to order some of the flower images in green and pink to jazz up my stamp room walls.  By the way, I am taking two pieces of card stock--So Saffron and Certainly Celery--to the hardware store to get paint for my room this weekend.  I'm really excited about this room makeover!  Demonstrators will be able to pre-order the new Decor Elements on September 15th, so as soon as I get my hands on them, I will photograph them to show you on my blog.

My new Sizzix Big Shot arrived yesterday.  It is a VERY cool new tool.  I am new to die cutting machines, so I am not brand-loyal to another company's machine, and I can't offer a comparison between the Big Shot and other machines.  But, after testing it out today I can say that I LOVE it and I know that I will get lots of use out of it.  Because I tend to be a teeny bit on the compulsive side (and impulsive side, to), I couldn't just buy one or two dies and try them out.  Oh, no, I bought LOTS of dies and I am like a kid in a candy store.  I can't wait to try them all.  I will make some things (don't know what yet--just "things") and post them here so you can see a few of the endless creative possibilities that the Big Shot could provide for you.

 And finally, the Holiday Mini Catalog is coming out soon, and you can order from it starting October 1st.  I have seen the Mini Catalog, and it is total swoon material.  Not only are there really cute Halloween and Christmas stamp sets and Designer Series Paper, but there is A LOT more.  You can make your own calendar using the Create A Calendar Kit.  You can decorate you windows, walls, or anything else you want to with  Snowflake Shimmer Decor Decals.  The adhesive on the backs of them is repositionable, so they can be moved if you want to place them somewhere else.  There are two neat kits for making your own Christmas Ornaments, which I plan to use with my Girl Scout Troop.  And there are die-cut FELT SNOWFLAKES!  I can just see them already on scrapbook pages or cards, too.  Help!  I want it all! 

Anyway, if you would like your own copy of the new Decor Elements II brochure or the Holiday Mini Catalog, all you have to do is send me an email at lauren@stampinwithlauren.com and ask for one.  I would be happy to send you a free catalog as long as you plan to place an order within 30 days of receiving it.  It doesn't matter if you are in Massachusetts (like me) or Missouri or Alaska.  I will send you a catalog right away. 

Have a great holiday weekend, and thanks for visiting!

Lauren   :)

I'm Finally Updating My Blog!

Those of you who have checked back here every so often and have said "Hey, nothing has been added in weeks!" will be relieved to know that I am about to finally update my blog and start posting on a regular basis again.  School starts in just 2 days, and I can just see my sanity peeking around the corner waiting for that glorious day!  I AM that person dancing in the aisles of Staples in the commercial! 

I'm going to start by going through my photo galleries--those samples, although they are nice ones, are mostly very old and probably use retired products by now.  I'll be uploading new samples for you to enjoy.  I also have at least 50 more retired stamp sets to upload to my store--I am in the process of photographing them because I think it is so much nicer to see the photo of the individual stamps and not just the stamp set name.  And I have lots of retired Designer Series Paper and several Simply Scrappin Kits and I will be packaging some of my retired embellishments into little assortment bags.  I have so much to do, and I am so excited to get started!  Soon, you will have a reason to come back more often!

 My sample to show you today uses the adorable new set Sock Monkey.  There is another set to go with it called Sock Monkey Accessories which has 8 stamps in it - a set of bunny ears, a Santa hat, a baby rattle, a basket of Easter eggs, a graduation hat, an ice cream cone, a pumpkin, and a present complete with gift wrap and a bow.  Can't you just see this cute monkey with bunny ears and the basket of Easter eggs?  I also used the gorgeous new Designer Series paper called Bella Rose.  It features 3 of the new In Colors - Kiwi Kiss, Riding Hood Red, and Pink Pirouette - and also Chocolate Chip.  There are also beautiful vintage looking rose prints and a couple of tone on tone prints in the package. 

Usually, I include links to the Stampin' Up! catalog for each of the products that I mention in the post, but I can't do that at the moment.  The old catalog is unavailable right now as a new catalog is prepared to be released this fall.  The old catalog had to be updated to include a photo, price, and description for every single item in it, as well as a few new features because YOU WILL SOON BE ABLE TO ORDER PRODUCTS ON-LINE YOURSELF AT ANY TIME OF THE DAY OR NIGHT!!!!!  Yes, Stampin' Up! is giving us an on-line ordering system, and it is coming very soon.  I am VERY excited about this, and I will tell you more about it as soon as I find out myself. 

It's good to be back!  Catch ya later.....

Lauren  :) 

Stampin' Up! Retiring Accessories List and Promotion

The list of retiring accessories was released today, and already there are some items on the list which are no longer available.  All of the Designer Series 12 x 12 paper as well as all of the Simply Scrappin' Kits are being retired.  Three different Hodgepodge Hardware kits and all of the In Color products for 2007-2008 will also soon be gone.  Some of the accessories are even on sale for 25% off!  Check out the flyer in the left-hand column of this blog for information about this great promotion.     

This list is being updated daily.  Check with me for availability on any items listed.  But more importantly, call/email me to place your order NOW before these items are gone for good!

Your stampin' friend,

Lauren  :)  

Stampin' Up! Spring-Summer 2008 Retiring Stamp Sets List

I have finally had a chance to upload the list of stamp sets from Stampin' Up!'s Spring-Summer Catalog which will be retiring soon.  It can be found in the left-hand column of this blog.  There is a list by catalog page number as well as an alphabetical listing by stamp set name.  These stamp sets will only be available until August 10th, which is the absolute last day that you can order anything from the Spring-Summer Catalog, and then they will be gone for good. 

The Spring Occasions Mini Catalog will be expiring in just 6 days at the end of June.  If there is anything that you need to order from either catalog, just send me an email and I can place your order right away.  Whether you live in Massachusetts like I do, or Montana, or anywhere in between, I can have your order shipped directly to you.

More retiring stamp sets means more items for me to add to Lauren's Stamping Store.  So check back often to see what you might find there.  The link to my store is in the right-hand column of this blog.  All of the sets listed in my store have been discounted by at least 20% off of the original retail price.

Have a great day!

Lauren  :)

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Album In A Day Scrapbooking Class

If you live in Central Massachusetts, Northern Rhode Island, or Northern Connecticut and love scrapbooking, you might be interested in this class which is being held in Uxbridge, Massachusetts on June 29th.  It is an all day class, from 9:00am until about 4:00pm.  I will be setting up stations all around the conference room with all of the inks, stamps, and tools that you need to make 18 pre-designed 12 x 12 pages.  For your registration fee of $89.00, you will get a 12 x 12 linen album, a Simply Scrappin' Kit, all of the pre-cut card stock, and ribbon, brads, buttons, chipboard pieces, etc. to construct gorgeous pages.  All of the products used will be from Stampin' Up!  Leave your photos at home and simply add them to the finished pages at your leisure.  The registration deadline for this class is June 8th.  You can find the registration form (which you need to print out and mail to me!) in the right-hand column of this blog.  If you have any questions, or if you are afraid that the form won't get to me in time, feel free to call me at the phone number listed on the form. 

Everyone who has attended this class in the past has given it rave reviews.  We have a lot of fun, and everyone goes home with an album that they can be proud of.  I will also have coffee and snacks, and you can either order pizza or a sandwich for lunch. 

I hope you can come and stamp and scrap with us on the 29th.  It's going to be a great day! 

Lauren  :)

  

Garden Whimsy As Spring Finally Arrives

This is one of the cards which guests got to make at my Stampin' Up! workshop in Uxbridge, Massachusetts, on Sunday.  You can barely read it in the photo, but above the two lady bugs it says "Happy Spring".  I AM happy that tomorrow is actually the first day of spring!  That means that soon the tulips and daffodils and forsythia will be blooming, and everything outdoors will be far less gray and dreary.  (It has rained all day today and is only 36 degrees at the moment, but I can dream, can't I?)

Here is the recipe for this card:

Stamp Sets:  Garden Whimsy, Everyday Flexible Phrases

Card Stock/Paper:  Rose Red CS, Certainly Celery CS, Whisper White CS, Cutie Pie Double-Sided Designer Series Paper

Ink:  Rose Red & Certainly Celery Classic Ink Pads, Rose Red and Old Olive Stampin-Write Markers

Accessories:  Scallop Circle Punch, 1-3/8" Circle Punch, 1-1/4" Circle Punch, Tag Corner Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, SNAIL Adhesive

I have been so busy adding retired stamp sets to Lauren's Stamping Store that I have not had much time to post anything else lately.  I have 33 stamp sets up there so far, with many more to come as soon as I can get them photographed.  I will try to get some creative projects done this week, too, and uploaded here for you to see.  Thanks for visiting!

All my best,

Lauren  :)

Lauren's Stamping Store Is Open For Business!

My new store is now open for business.  I needed to find a way to show a photo of each stamp set, and also give people the option of paying with a credit card and finding out their own shipping without having to wait for an email from me.  I have found the answer!  There is a link to Lauren's Stamping Store in the right-hand column of my blog.  I am slowly adding stamp sets from my Alphabetical Listing of Retired Stamp Sets every day.  I have over 150 of them to add!  So check back often.  Eventually, the entire list will be added to my store so you will be able to see all of the images that are in each stamp set.  Believe me, after almost four years as a demonstrator, I am starting to forget the names of the stamp sets, let alone what different images come in each set!

I hope you enjoy the store.  Please leave me a comment to let me know what you think!

All my best,

Lauren  :) 

More Retired Stampin' Up! Products Added For Sale

I just added quite a few more stamp sets to the list on my "Retired Stampin' Up! Items For Sale" page.  Scroll down the right-hand column of my blog to find it.  The list is quite long, but it is in alphabetical order.  If you see something that you want, contact me for the shipping cost, and I will let you know what the total is.  All I need is your zip code, and then I can look up the various postal fees on-line.  Then you have a couple of payment options.  You can either mail me a check, or I can email you a PayPal invoice if you would like to pay with a credit card.

Hopefully, with your help, I will be able to do some stamping in my craft room again someday.  At the moment, I can't find a flat surface that does not have things piled up on it!  So do me a favor, please, and buy some of my retired stamp sets!

Thank you!

Lauren

Monthly Stamping Club Meeting For February

My Stamping Club came over for our monthly meeting on Sunday afternoon.  We did Valentine cards last month, so this month we did two birthday cards, one card that could be either a thank you or a hello/thinking of you, and a little treat purse, which actually would make a cute teacher gift for Valentine's Day.

Here is one of the birthday cards.  It is my simplified version of the card which is on the front cover of the Sale-A-Bration 2008 brochure.  Are you wondering how I made the "dogtooth" edge on the strip of Wild Wasabi card stock?  It is so simple!  Take your 1/4" Square Punch, turn it over, and line up the edge of the card stock with the left and right corners of the square (as opposed to top and bottom corners).  You will be taking a little triangle bite out of the card stock each time you punch, all the way across the strip.

Here is the card recipe:

Stamps:  Birthday Whimsy (SAB set), Sprinkles

Inks:  Bashful Blue, Wild Wasabi, More Mustard Classic Ink Pads, More Mustard Stampin' Write Marker

Card Stock:  More Mustard, Bashful Blue, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White

Accessories: 1/4" Square Punch, Fresh Favorites II Buttons, Mini Glue Dots, Paper Snips, SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin' Dimensionals

I also decorated the inside of the card.  I stamped the balloon image from the Birthday Whimsy stamp set twice on Whisper White card stock (once with Bashful Blue and once with Wild Wasabi), cut them out, and adhered them to the inside of the card.  Then I used my More Mustard marker to draw the squiggly strings hanging down from the balloons.  I like this card because it could be used for boys or girls, kids or adults.  I hope you like it, too.  I think I'll make a bunch of them and put them aside so I can just grab one whenever I need it.

Keep creating.....

Lauren  :)    

I did my first Splitcoaststampers Sketch Challenge Today!

I have read about people doing challenges on www.splitcoaststampers.com, and seen cards that people had made for them, but I was never quite sure how it all worked, so I had tremendous stage fright about taking part myself.  Well, not any more!  I spent most of yesterday afternoon learning about how the challenges worked, deciding what stamp set to use, what my color scheme would be, and actually creating the card.  I chose the sketch from last week's Sketch Challenge (SC160).  Thank you to Genie1314 for providing a great sketch to work with.  It was just what I needed to get the creative juices flowing!  It is also quite addictive, and I can't wait to tackle my NEXT challenge--so much for the dishes and the laundry!!!  lol

Here is the recipe for this card:

Stamp Sets:  Spring Song

Card Stock/Paper:  Bali Breeze DSP; Apricot Appeal, Groovy Guava, Old Olive, Whisper White CS

Inks:  Jet Black Stazon Ink Pad

Accessories:  Corner Rounder Punch, Ticket Corner Punch, Apricot Grosgrain Ribbon, Antique Brass Hodgepodge Hardware, Stampin' Dimensionals, Paper Snips, Watercolor Wonder Crayons, Aquapainter

The greeting inside the card (which is also part of the stamp set) reads:  "Your friendship is like a song of spring."  Wouldn't you just love to receive a card like this?  Leave me a comment and let me know what you think of my first (but not last!) challenge creation.

Bye for now,

Lauren  :) 

Pink & Brown Is A Classic Color Combination

This is another Valentine card that I made for a recent class.  I love this pink and brown color combination which has become so popular again over the last year.  Here is the list of products which I used to make it:

Stamps Sets:  Priceless

Inks:  Pretty In Pink & Chocolate Chip Classic Ink Pads

Paper:  Pretty In Pink, Chocolate Chip, & Very Vanilla Card Stock

Accessories:  1/16" Circle Punch, Soft Subtles Brads, Chocolate Chip Taffeta Ribbon, Stampin' Sponges, Paper Snips, SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin' Dimensionals

I think I'm going to give this card to my husband on Valentine's Day.  Way back when we had only been dating for a short while, I bought him this coffee mug  to take to work at his first professional job after college.  It was covered with birds, all printed in black and white.  But there was one bird who was in color and he was wearing a huge sombrero.  The caption on the mug said "Juan in a million".  Since my husband's name is John, I just thought this was the funniest thing that I had ever seen.  (I know--it doesn't take much!)  He still is "Juan in a million" after almost 18 years of marriage, so I think this card will be perfect for him!

Have a happy day!

Lauren

Boatloads of Love Valentine Card

I had a lot of fun making this card at my recent monthly Stamping Club meeting.  It is a simple card to make, but it showcases several techniques.  Here is the supply list for the card:

Stamps:  Boatloads of Love

Inks:  Jet Black Stazon Pad; Pretty In Pink and Rose Red Stampin' Write Markers; Blue Bayou and Soft Sky Classic Ink Refills

Card Stock/Paper:  Blue Bayou, Rose Red, and Whisper White Card Stock; Soft Sky and Rose Red Prints Designer Series Papers

Accessories:  Blender Pens, SNAIL Adhesive, Ticket Corner Punch, Crafters' Tool Kit, Metallic Eyelets, Paper Snips

I thought that I would be able to use my Cropodile to set the eyelets, but it did not reach that far into the card, so I had to use my "anywhere hole punch" from the Crafter's Tool Kit.  I stamped a heart using the "masking" technique to make it look like the heart is down inside the little boat.  Then I stamped another heart on the Rose Red Prints paper, cut it out, lined it up exactly on top of the heart that I stamped on the card, drew a line across where the rim of the boat is, and cut the tip of the heart off.  I could also just have colored in the heart, but adding the printed paper gives the card an extra little bit of "pizzazz".  Now, if there was only some way to work in a little glitter.........just kidding!  I love it just the way it is!    

Happy stamping!

Lauren 

Stampin' Up! Retired Stamp Sets For Sale Posted Here

I have created a page on my blog which lists all of the retired stamp sets and other accessories which I am selling.  The link to this page is in the right-hand column.  The list is not complete yet.  I have typed in the stamp set names up through the letter "E", but I have many more to add to the list.  If you are interested in buying any of these items, please contact me by email so we can arrange for payment and shipping.  I will ship the items by priority mail anywhere in the United States.  As items are purchased, I will remove them from the list.  It is my hope that, by the end of the year, this list will be MUCH shorter!

Thanks, and have a great day!

Lauren

Happy New Year!

I know that the month is already half over, but I am just starting my "new year".  After a lengthy "vacation" from stamping, I am climbing back into the saddle and getting ready to gallop into my business again.  I always feel so burned out after the fall (which is usually my busiest time of the whole year).  And then the Holidays squeeze the remaining life out of me until I can feel my body starting to rebel and my brain starting to shut down.  I need a little bit of a break to rest and re-focus before I can feel "creative" again.  Otherwise I am totally blocked up and unmotivated and just "blah" all over.

So now I am setting my goals for 2008.  One of those goals is to post to my blog at least 3 times per week.  (I also want to eat healthier and exercise more, but I won't talk about those goals here!)  I want to stamp more for personal enjoyment and not always just to meet deadlines.  I want to get organized, clean out my craft room, and put all of my retired stamp sets up for sale on ebay.  I want to manage my time more efficiently, improve my customer service, do more workshops, and hold more classes.  And more than anything, I want to truly learn for the first time ever how to balance my life between my kids, my house, my husband, my pets, my friends, my hobbies, and my business.

So, do you think that is a pretty big list of goals?  I do, too, and it is honestly a little scary.  But I am going to take things one day at a time and see how the year unfolds.  And I really feel like it is going to be a very GOOD year!

Talk again soon,

Lauren