Okay, so I can't post access to the PDF file of the new stuff Stampin' Up! provided, but I can describe them the best I can and give some commentary...

Hostess sets. They showed us a few of the Level 2 and Level 3 hostess sets. Here's what we've seen...

FALL FLAIR - Level 2 set, 8 stamps - The flowers and leaves look sketched. A seven petaled, pointed flower. A Solid leaf, maple looking. A carnation looking line art flower. An arc of dots? A solid seven petaled flower. A line art maple looking leaf. A dandelion looking flower. Another line art leaf, oak maybe? Can you tell I don't know flowers and leaves?

DEER FRIENDS/ADORABLES AMIGOS - Level 2, 8 stamps - Available in both English and Spanish. Round stamps with an image and then words (lower case) that go around the image along the edge. Cute set. Looks like the Spanish set has the same wording. Although I can't tell which size, I am sure these fit into one of the circle punches. Here are the stamps:

• a cute Santa (head only) with the words "from the guy with the red suit"
• a snowman (head only) "season's greetings"
• a present "a little something"
• an angel (head only) "little angel"
• a Christmas tree "o christmas tree" (in lower case)
• a deer (head only) "deer friend"
• a swaddled baby with a shining star above "o holy night"
• a gingerbread man "sweet treat"

OCCASIONS COLLECTION/COLECCION DE MOTIVOS ESPECIALES - Level 2, 14 stamps - 12 word stamps, a small dotted circle and a long stamp with 10 bold images each small enough to fit in the circle. The images are a carved pumpkin, a turkey, a Christmas tree, champagne glasses clinking, a heart, a shamrock, an Easter egg, a engagement/wedding ring, a six petaled flower. The words are (notice capitalization):

• HAPPY
• halloween
• valentine's
• christmas
• st. patrick's
• thanksgiving
• day
• to you
• wedding
• new year
• birthday
• easter

Hmmmmm. I don't know that I like that some of the words don't have capital letters like Christmas and Easter.

SERENE SPRING/SERENA PRIMAVERA - Level 2, 4 stamps - A cute floppy eared bunny in a basket with a daisy planted next to it and a little bird on the handle. It is realistic looking. Would make for great water coloring. A flower pot with a bird on it and a butterfly. Two sentiment stamps "A friend is what the heart needs all the time - Henry VanDyke" and "A kind word is like a spring day."

HAPPINESS ALWAYS - Level 3, 14 stamps -2-Step Stamping Style (bold phrases) (comes in Spanish too), Butterfly (2), Half-Flower (2), Leaf (2), Full Flower (2), Stem (2), Stamen (2)
happiness always; Be ALL that you DREAM to be.

WINDOW DRESSING/ADORNOS PARA VENTANAS - Level 3, 10 stamps; Large Window, pumpkin grouping, trio of vases with flowers, kitty cat, little girl head and hands (peeking out of window), group of 2 snowmen, bird, 3 Curved phrases (to fit over window) so thankful for you; you make me smile!; very Merry Christmas

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS BUNDLE - Level 3, Seasonal Sayings Rub-Ons, Seasonal Icons Stamp Artwork and Holiday Happenings Designer Series Paper

This is only sneak peek of hostess sets...more to come....Book a workshop now to ensure you can get these cute stamps sets!

Now on to the catty sneak peek....

• Stampin' Up! will be carrying a long scallop punch
• We have different buttons - with a raised flower in the middle! (Unclear if we will have the old-style buttons yet)
• We will have a new Flower Power Simply Sent Card Elements Accessory package - really cute!
• Bella Rose Designer Series Paper - really pretty with Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red, Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel colors
• The new In Colors are: Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Pacific Point, Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red, and Tangerine Tango (look for these on my blog as soon as I get my new products in my hands)
  

Want the scoop on some of the new stamp sets? Since this was a sneak peek, we didn't see very many, but here is a rundown of customer stamp sets:

#1. Heard from the Heart - if you love the script-style stamp set (Wonderful Words), this is a 4-piece set with phrases and the main word is in script.
#2. Wow Flowers - Bold 4-piece set with Thank You (flower is the "o"), Circle with Happy Birthday and Flower, Large Dotted Flower, and small birthday wishes (There is also a Spanish Set for this one too)
#3. SOCK MONKEY - Ok, all you Carol Duvall fans - this is it!!!! REALLY cute 10-piece stamp set with sock monkey, banana, balloon, pennant, cupcake and candle, heart, flower, birthday hat, and the phrases just for you and thanks a bunch!
#4. Dreams du Jour - 4-piece set with the feel of a seed packet - LOVE you in a square with a flower, butterfly, WE GROW GREAT BY DREAMS -Woodrow Wilson with flower and leaves, and the phrase The way to KNOW LIFE is to LOVE many things - Van Gogh

Watch for more information in the coming weeks!!! Samples coming as soon as I get my new stamps!! YAY!!!

BIG, BIG NEWS!!!

July 1st is the first day of the new fiscal year for Stampin' Up! WOW! Have they rang in the new year! Some great things announced today...

• The new Decor Elements Line is here! You can now order directly from me, check out the website to see a catalog or give me a call and I can get a hard copy to you.
  
• ALL NEW STAMP SETS WILL BE DIE-CUT!!! All stamp sets that are new to the Fall-Winter 2008 catalog will be die-cut. No more trimming, no more nicked rubber. Just slap the sticker the wood block and then slap that rubber on the wood. EASY!
  
• Demos got to see a sneak peek at some new sets, including hostess sets, some fun new embellishments, Designer Series Paper and a new Scalloped Edge Punch!!! Cool!
• Many of the new hostess sets are available in both English AND Spanish!
• Finally, a great Hodgepodge Hardware promo! Here are the details on that:

The following Hodgepodge Hardware finishes are being offered at a special 25 percent discount from July 1 through August 10 (or while supplies last - so order now!):

Item #	Page #	Item Description	Regular Price	Limited Time 25% off Discount
105532	188	Aged Copper Hodgepodge Hardware	$27.95	$20.96
105531	188	Antique Brass Hodgepodge Hardware	$27.95	$20.96
105515	188	Pewter Hodgepodge Hardware	$27.95	$20.96

As always, if you have any questions or want to place an order, feel free to contact me!!

NEW STAMPS AND LOTS MORE!!!

It came!! It FINALLY CAME!!!! I am so excited I got my new catty order today!! I am ready to lock myself in my office and PLAY!!! I doubt my three year old will let me but maybe once Dad comes home I can!! YAY!! Check it out!! Not all of the stamps I bought are new, a few were introduced last catalog....YAY!!
I bought some rhinestone brads to play with..how cool are these! I am also still adding to my ink collection so I bought Basic Gray and Cameo Coral. You also see a bit of the Totally Tabs set that was in the fall catalog. Below you see NEW PAPERS!! I bought the Berry Bliss, Ginger Blossom, and Jersey Shore. I also bought the Crew Kids Simply Scrappin Kit...Scrapbook class coming soon!!!


Check out the stripped ribbon...can you see it?? How beautiful is that? I am so excited about all the new stamps I have to play with. Below is the pad of 6x6 print paper you can get as a level 1 hostess reward...very beautiful!!! Well, I am off to cut rubber and maybe stamp while little man is sleeping!! Shhhh!!! Be watching for new samples coming! Also if you haven't RSVPed for my open house....do so, you will get to see, touch, and play with NEW stuff!!!!

A new year, new classes!!

December's Technique Class finished out the year with Faux Metal, a gel card, and paper bows.
Technique classes will now be held on the third TUESDAY of each month. Come join us and learn how to use those supplies you have sitting in your craft area.


Also be on the lookout for some fun new classes! Scrapbooking using our Simply Scrappin Kits, Recipe exchange, Kids Stamping Classes, Man Classes, Punch class, and much much more!! Email me if you have a class idea that you would like to see or if you would like to have a class in your home in the form of a workshop or stamp a stack. Remember workshops can be held in my home or yours. I look forward to a new year of stamping with you all! Keep watching the blog for sneak peeks of classes to come!!