Stampin' Up! 2008-2009 Idea Book & Catalogue Retired List

ETA April 1: All retired items are now unavailable.

March signals the end of the current Stampin' Up! Australia Idea Book & Catalogue (IBC). *sniffle* Many products are retired - meaning that they will no longer be sold by SU! in Oz and, if stock runs out during this period, they are gone for good. *wave goodbye*

The full list is available here in alphabetical order of item name or in order of catalogue page number.

Two items that have been reduced by 50% to $5.98 are the Spring Flowers and Spring Showers Designer Series Paper sets that didn't appear in the IBC. Since there are quite a few items are being sold at 25% off interspersed in the retired list, I've collated them in a table for quick reference:

IB&C Page	Name	Item Number	Reduced Price	Stock Level
Stamp Sets
40	All Through the Year	108728	$25.46
34	All Year Fun	108992	$43.46
110	Alphabits	108734	$22.46
48	Artfully Asian	108738	$34.46
102	Background Sampler	108742	$22.46
53	Backyard BBQ	111229	$32.96
65	Bronc Buster	112376	$26.96
78	Bud Basics	111232	$25.46
108	Canvas	108764	$25.46
33	Dad's Day	112253	$32.96	Low
42	Eat Cake	108781	$36.71
117	Expressive Flexible Phrases	108786	$59.96
108	Fine Lace	108806	$25.46
95	Finest Flourishes	108807	$26.96
107	Floral	108811	$25.46
108	Fine Lace	108806	$25.46
108	Friendly	112397	$25.46
68	Go Team	111975	$25.46
56	Greetings Galore	108828	$44.21
92	Happiness	112306	$25.46
28	Holiday Wishes	108840	$34.46
26	Hung Up on the Holidays	108842	$22.46
68	Just Golf	112330	$18.71
68	Just Tennis	112332	$18.71
31	Keep Christmas	112216	$28.46	Low
122	Kia Ora	111989	$23.21
96	Labelicious	112338	$29.96
113	Lexicon of Love	108855	$22.46
53	Like It a Latte	110254	$35.21
29	Merry, Merry	112223	$34.46
90	Office Accoutrement	110243	$45.71
107	On the Spot	108884	$25.46
108	Paisley	108887	$25.46
126	Rough Edges Mini Alphabets	108904	$29.96
83	Sassy Stems	108906	$26.96
29	Snow Flurries	110244	$15.71
30	Solemn Stillness	108918	$44.21
91	Stamp of Authenticity	108920	$45.71
100	Sweet Sampler	112284	$22.46
93	Sweet Shapes	108927	$36.71
60	Sweet Thing	112290	$22.46
108	Well Worn Words	108954	$25.46
Buttons
147	Bold Brights buttons	103977	$10.13
147	Earth Elements & Neutrals buttons	103981	$10.13	Gone
Designer Series Paper
135	Berry Bliss Designer Series paper	110749	$8.96
136	Brilliant Blue Prints Designer Series paper	109174	$8.96
134	Brocade Background Designer Series paper	109149	$8.96
136	Certainly Celery Prints Designer Series paper	109178	$8.96
136	Close to Cocoa Prints Designer Series paper	109169	$8.96
134	Dashing Designer Series paper	109150	$8.96
136	East Coast Prep Designer Series paper	110699	$8.96
134	Fall Flowers Designer Series paper	109160	$8.96
134	Le Jardin Designer Series paper	109151	$8.96	Gone
135	Notebook Designer Series paper	110748	$8.96
136	Old Olive Prints Designer Series paper	109176	$8.96
134	Outlaw Designer Series paper	109148	$8.96
135	Petals & Paisleys Designer Series paper	108503	$8.96
136	Pumpkin Pie Prints Designer Series paper	109170	$8.96	Gone
136	Spring Break Designer Series paper	110698	$8.96
135	Spring Fling Designer Series paper	110273	$8.96
135	Spring Silhouettes Designer Series paper	110271	$8.96
Hodgepodge Hardware
135	Pewter Hodgepodge Hardware	105515	$39.71	Gone
In Color
129	Blue Bayou Classic Stampin' Pad	109013	$7.46
146	Blue Bayou double-stitched grosgrain ribbon	109060	$12.71
129	Groovy Guava Classic Stampin' Pad	109012	$7.46
146	Groovy Guava double-stitched grosgrain ribbon	109063	$12.71
129	In Color A4 card stock	111856	$10.88
129	In Color textured 12"x 12" card stock	108694	$16.46
129	Purely Pomegranate Classic Stampin' Pad	109011	$7.46
146	Purely Pomegranate double-stitched grosgrain ribbon	109061	$12.71
129	River Rock Classic Stampin' Pad	109010	$7.46
129	Soft Sky Classic Stampin' Pad	109009	$7.46
146	Soft Sky double-stitched grosgrain ribbon	109059	$12.71
129	Wild Wasabi Classic Stampin' Pad	109014	$7.46
146	Wild Wasabi double-stitched grosgrain ribbon	109058	$12.71
146	Wild Wasabi striped grosgrain ribbon	110716	$11.21
Miscellaneous
133	Days-To-Remember 12" x 12" Wall Calendar	103604	$15.71
133	Pockets & Pieces Office Accents	110730	$12.71	Low
On Board
140	On Board Accents	107307	$15.71
141	On Board Blossoms & Basics	109181	$20.96
141	On Board Ginormous Pieces	109179	$20.96
140	On Board Simon Lower	107306	$15.71
Punches
142	1/4" Square punch	104943	$8.63
142	Spring Flower Bouquet punch	106522	$23.21
Ribbon
147	Beachfront Ribbon Originals	109189	$17.96
146	Caramel gingham ribbon	104830	$9.71
147	District Ribbon Originals	109187	$17.96
147	FairyTale Ribbon Originals	109188	$17.96
146	Light Blue gingham ribbon	104829	$9.71	Low
146	Light Pink gingham ribbon	104828	$9.71
146	Moss gingham ribbon	104831	$9.71
Rub-Ons
141	Anchored Rub-Ons	110282	$14.96
141	Cherished Memories Rub-Ons	110281	$14.96
141	Urban West Rub-Ons	110285	$14.96
Simply Scrappin'
137	Crew Kids Boy Simply Scrappin'	110572	$27.71
138	Winter Bright Simply Scrappin'	109663	$27.71
Simply Sent
13	Friendly Notes Simply Sent	112664	$76.46
12	Lifelong Notes Simply Sent	112666	$59.96	Low
13	Sending Happy Thoughts Simply Sent	112665	$76.46
14	Simple Delights Simply Sent	112667	$59.96
14	Three Thoughts Simply Sent	112668	$59.96

Last updated: March 31st, 2009 10:01pm AEDT

Low Availability Items

Stamp Sets
112229 ABC Images
108722 All I Have Seen
108998 Beautiful Life
112272 Classic Backgrounds
112253 Dad's Day
112300 Elegant Notes
112391 Everything Baby
112310 Fabulous Flowers
112316 Forever in My Heart
112216 Keep Christmas
108857 Linen
110248 Polka Dots & Petals
108944 Unfrogettable

Wheels
104061 Star Studded

Buttons
103978 Earth Elements buttons
105446 Rich Regal Buttons

Hodgepodge Hardware
105532 Aged Copper Hodgepodge Hardware

In Color
111860 Blue Bayou A4 card stock

Miscellaneous
100900 Gift sacks
110730 Pockets & Pieces Office Accents

Ribbons
104829 Light Blue Gingham Ribbon

Simply Sent
112666 Lifelong Notes Simply Sent

Sold Out Items

Stamp Sets
108720 Ahoy, Matey
108740 Bareback
108746 Best Friends Alphabet Lower
108747 Best Friends Alphabet Upper
108748 Best Friend Numbers
110255 Bundle of Joy
108763 By Land
108765 Cheery Chat
108849 It's Your Birthday
108874 Mostly Flowers
112402 Short Order Numbers
108923 Stipple Rose
108929 Symbols of Solicitude

Wheels
106610 Basics Outline
107467 Birthday
106662 Daisy Field
104065 Fishy
107565 Flip Flops
104156 Flitting By
107561 Garden Annuals
103195 Gifts Galore
104279 Leaf Prints
107482 Lily Pad
107212 Matey's Map
107464 Rough Texture
107465 Speckled

Brads and Eyelets
105320 Basic Eyelets
100381 Earth Elements Eyelets
105316 Rich Regal Eyelets
100378 Soft Subtle Eyelets

Buttons
103981 Earth Elements & Neutrals buttons
105445 Soft Subtle buttons

Designer Series Paper
109151 Le Jardin Designer Series paper
109170 Pumpkin Pie Prints Designer Series paper

Hodgepodge Hardware
105531 Antique Brass Hodgepodge Hardware
105515 Pewter Hodgepodge Hardware

In Color
109018 Blue Bayou Classic Stampin' Ink Refill
108638 In Color 12"x 12" card stock
109019 Groovy Guava Classic Stampin' Ink Refill
111853 Purely Pomegranate A4 Card Stock
109017 Purely Pomegranate Classic Stampin' Ink Refill
111852 River Rock A4 Card Stock
109016 River Rock Classic Stampin' Ink Refill
111851 Soft Sky A4 Card Stock
109015 Soft Sky Classic Stampin' Ink Refill
111850 Wild Wasabi A4 Card Stock
109020 Wild Wasabi Classic Stampin' Ink Refill

Miscellaneous
103280 Embossing kit
106523 Five-In-One Card Cover Envelope Template

Ribbons
101259 Black Hemp Twine
109185 Jersey Ribbon Originals
109186 Theater Ribbon Originals

Simply Scrappin' Kits
109610 Confetti Simply Scrappin'

REally TIRED

I've stayed up way past my bedtime and even the bedtimes of my family in another timezone to examine the freshly released Stampin' Up! Australia's 2008-2009 Idea Book & Catalogue Retired List. It is a LONG one!

I wasn't expecting there to be any promotions in March due to the retired list based on last year's experience but it turns out that I was dead wrong. Stampin' Up! have reduced the prices of some retired stamp sets and accessories by 25% (and a couple of DSPs by 50% - see Catalogue Write-ins). To take advantage of these, though, the items must be in stock when your order is submitted by me to Stampin' Up! So, please check the list and order as early as you can for the best chance to secure the retired items that you want. Stampin' Up! Australia may add or remove items from the list.

A quick snippet of the list of items reduced by 25% (I will add the rest later when my eyes stop twitching from fatigue):

Page in IB&C	Name	Item Number	Reduced Price
40	All Through the Year	108728	$25.46
34	All Year Fun	108992	$43.46
110	Alphabits	108734	$22.46
48	Artfully Asian	108738	$34.46
102	Background Sampler	108742	$22.46
53	Backyard BBQ	111229	$32.96
65	Bronc Buster	112376	$26.96
78	Bud Basics	111232	$25.46
108	Canvas	108764	$25.46
33	Dad's Day	112253	$32.96
42	Eat Cake	108781	$36.71
117	Expressive Flexible Phrases	108786	$59.96
108	Fine Lace	108806	$25.46
95	Finest Flourishes	108807	$26.96
107	Floral	108811	$25.46
108	Fine Lace	108806	$25.46
108	Friendly	112397	$25.46

Will resume this tomorrow later today...If you can't wait, please download the PDF which is available in alphabetical order of name (handy if there is something that you know you want to check) or by catalogue page number (good for going through with your Idea Book & Catalogue in hand).

Last guaranteed chance for InColor 08-09

All InColor 08-09 items including reinkers will retire this Sunday, March 1. If InColor items sell out once the retirement list is announced, it's over! But, if you order them before Sunday, Stampin' Up! will arrange for more stock to be shipped from the US if it runs out of stock here.

InColor 08-09

• Blue Bayou
• Groovy Guava
• Purely Pomegranate
• River Rock
• Soft Sky
• Wild Wasabi

So, if you love one or more of these colours, please contact me to order your InColor items today.

InColor items

108638 12 X 12 Cardstock (24)
108694 12 X 12 Textured Cardstock (24)

A4 Cardstock (24)
111860 Blue Bayou
111857 Groovy Guava
111853 Purely Pomegranate
111852 River Rock
111851 Soft Sky
111850 Wild Wasabi

111856 A4 Mixed Cardstock (36)

Double-Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon
109060 Blue Bayou
109063 Groovy Guava
109061 Purely Pomegranate
109062 River Rock
109059 Soft Sky
109058 Wild Wasabi

Ink Pad
109013 Blue Bayou
109012 Groovy Guava
109011 Purely Pomegranate
109010 River Rock
109009 Soft Sky
109013 Wild Wasabi

Reinker
109018 Blue Bayou
109012 Groovy Guava
109011 Purely Pomegranate
109010 River Rock
109015 Soft Sky
109020 Wild Wasabi

Striped Grosgrain Ribbon
110716 Wild Wasabi

Embossing's a beach!

I've been doing a bucket load of embossing recently as I've been preparing for various embossing technique classes including Cracked Glass and Faux Metal. Until Stampin' Up! Australia introduces Glassy Glaze, I have to stick with its clear embossing powder (EP) for demonstrating the Cracked Glass technique - which means six to eight layers of embossing to achieve the same thickness as a couple of layers of UTEE.

This really isn't a problem - after all, it is kinda fun applying the powder and watching in wonder when it melts under the roar of my heat tool. After the novelty of the first four embosses though, one's mind starts to wander. *apply VersaMark* What should I have for lunch today? *pour EP over project* Had leftovers yesterday...got leftovers today... *tap tap off excess EP* *return excess to container* *fire up heat tool* When this is done, shall I play drums or guitar on Guitar Hero World Tour? This t-shirt I'm wearing REALLY needs washing! Hmmm...wonder what's on TV? Is this the fifth or the sixth layer? *apply heat to project* Oooooh! Shiny! Gah! Hot! Quick! *point heat tool away while simultaneously pouring EP on project* And so it goes...and goes. ZZZZZzzzzzzzzzz...

Until the moment that I get completely complacent (or comatose - not sure which comes first) and forget to point the heat tool away while attempting to cover the project with a new layer of EP. An instantaneous cloud of EP billows over my workspace, transforming it into a sandy paper beach - even my right arm is encrusted with EP like I had been spending the afternoon making EPcastles. *sigh*

So, the moral of the story is ... nope ... there's none to be had. Bring on Glassy Glaze, Stampin' Up! Australia!

Stampin' Supplies
Ink:
Basic Brown
VersaMark

Stamp sets:
For Father

Cardstock:
Naturals Ivory
Not Quite Navy
Old Olive Textured

Accessories:
Aquapainter
Clear Embossing Powder
Gold Embossing Powder
Heat Tool
Hodgepodge Hardware in Antique Brass
Mat Pack
Theatre Ribbon Originals
Watercolor Wonder Crayons in Earth Elements, Neutrals

Saying Shi Ying

My sister gave birth to a sweet little baby girl on Valentine's Day and her name is Shi Ying. My sister has let me know that it is "Ying" pronounced in the third tone in Mandarin. The third tone is described as the dipping tone since it starts mid-tone, dips lower and then ends on a rising pitch. Yeah - just like a vocal rollercoaster. Being completely illiterate in any forms of Chinese, I now have to practice saying Ying in the third tone everywhere I go so that I don't call my little niece by the wrong name on our first meeting. Someone else (like her whole kindergarten in a few years' time) will have the dubious honour of doing that!

Regardless, I am ecstatic that my sister and baby Shi Ying are resting well with no complications during the birth other than my sister missing out on the epidural she was hoping for. Ow! Or should that be oooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwwweeeeeee!

Stampin' Supplies
Ink:
Basic Black
Pretty in Pink

Stamp sets:
Nursery Necessities
Short and Sweet

Cardstock:
Metallic Silver
Pretty in Pink
Whisper White

Accessories:
Large Oval Punch
Pink Gingham Ribbon
Slot Punch
Small Oval Punch
Stampin' Dimensionals
Stampin' Write Markers in Soft Subtles


I made this card using my newly hatched up "Pin by a Punch" technique. Actually, it is made using three punches but the name was so neat that I'm pleading artistic licence. I mean, how could I resist a pin pun (however obscure the allusion is to a pinch and a punch)?

Stampin' Up! Bushfire Appeal

From now until the end of March 2009, Stampin' Up! will donate 50% of the retail value of all sales from the following 10 stamp sets to the Australian Red Cross Victorian Bushfires 2009 Appeal. To further encourage the sales of these sets, I'll pass on my instant income to you as a 20% discount for the same period (many thanks to my terrific upline Jayne for this idea).

Stamp Set	Page	Item Number	RRP	Appeal price
Baroque Motifs	98	112380	39.95	31.96
Be Happy*	51	108744	39.95	31.96
Bodacious Bouquet*	80	108756	58.95	47.16
G'day Mate*	115	111973	35.95	28.76
Live Your Dream	**3	114261	55.95	44.76
Looks Like Spring*	76	108864	58.95	47.16
Polka Dots & Paisley*	46	110247	35.95	28.76
Priceless	105	112312	48.95	39.16
Seeing Spots	89	108909	29.95	23.96
The Snowflake Spot*	27	108934	39.95	31.96

* Retiring at the end of March 2009 so available only while stocks last.
** All page numbers refer to 2008-9 Idea Book & Catalogue except for Live Your Dream which appears in the Summer Mini Catalogue.

If you have been eyeing some of these sets, now is this the best time to get them since you:
1. will be donating to the bushfire appeal
2. will be saving 20% off the regular price
3. can earn free Sale-A-Bration stamp sets for every $100 spent on product until the end of February
4. will have the best chance of securing the sets that are retiring before the retirement list comes out in March.

Of course, who needs any more motivation that point 1, right?

In gratitude and guilt

In Australia, we've had a compelling lesson in the fragility of existence. The bushfires in Victoria have claimed many lives, 173 people confirmed dead so far, and many homes. I am sure that those who survive the ordeal will eventually recover because, even though our time here is arbitrary, our ability to endure is immense.

As witnesses to scenes of grief and ruin, we have asked each other how we could help and have acted in concert with the response. It is heartening to know that we will still look out for each other in tough economic times.

As someone who is well removed from the flames and those affected by them, I'm stuck strangely between gratitude and guilt. Feeling gratitude for all that I have and guilty that I haven't lost it all. It seems to be the only homage that I can make to those who have lost everything.

I've got no projects that would be appropriate to post but this page features my nephew Shi Wei - I am so grateful that he is still around. Stay safe.

Stampin' Supplies
Ink:
Basic Black
Pretty in Pink
Wild Wasabi

Stamps:
Jumbo Outline Alpha

Paper:
Afternoon Tea DSP
Ginger Blossom DSP
Pumpkin Pie Prints DSP
Vellum CS
Whisper White CS
Wild Wasabi Textured CS

Accessories:
Anchored Rub-Ons
Flower Fusion
On Board Blossoms & Basics
Paper Snips
Photo Corners Punch
Rhinestone Circle Brads in Ice
Round Tab Punch
Sanding Block
Scallop Edge Punch
Silver Brads
Simply Scrappin' Kit Winter Bright
Stampin' Write Journaller
Styled Silver Hodgepodge
White Gel Pen

Embellishmenthoarderism

My name is Lin Mei and I am an embellishmenthoarderholic.

I'd join Embellishmenthoarderholics Anonymous but they are so anonymous that I can't locate them. Nope - not listed in the Yellow Pages, not hiding in the local Rotary Club, not even a single match returned by Google. I tried looking for them in craft forums but, to be honest, it's like looking for an AA meeting in a bar. After hearing about everyone's rave reviews of the happy hour jumbo eyelets and the amazing buzz you get from your fourth shot of Flower Fusion, it's enough to drive anyone to drink and submit that hundredth online order!

And then the waiting begins...all the items in my stash suddenly lose their lustre because something newer and shinier and eminently more desirable is heading my way. But I try to persevere with the next project to take the edge off. But that is when the real problem emerges. What can I use? Do I dare to use two out of the three 4 cm felt flowers that I have in Old Olive - what if I need two for a scrapbook page without which rhythm would be completely impossible? Should I dip into my collection of Rich Regal brads? I only have the 200 (and that is approximately!) in their unopened container - what if they are retired soon? Could I even imagine life without Rose Red round bits of metal? Aaaarrgghh!

Anyway, I came up with an idea to use some of my embellishments - I've altered my 2009 diary so that these embellishments can accompany me wherever I go. Also, most of the embellishments have been attached through brads ... which means that in a craft emergency, I always have the option of looting this diary! Ingenious, no?! Reusing the rub-on could prove tricky, however.

I was really happy that I got to use the boing¹ in the elasticized ribbon from my precious pack of Theatre Ribbon Originals. It holds my diary closed and can be used as a bookmark in a pinch.
Stampin' Supplies
Paper:
Bali Breeze DSP

Accessories:
Circle Rhinestone Brads in Fire, Ice
Eastern Elegance Rub-Ons
Flower Fusion
Scallop Edge Punch
Styled Silver Hodgepodge
Theatre Ribbon Originals
White Gel Pen

The second photo was supposed to be an arty shot of the cover but as you can see the focus was not quite at the front of the picture. I'd take another shot but I am waiting for the parcel guy and that requires my full attention...*runs off to check the front door in case the order has arrived*

---

1. boing: elasticity. Derived from the imagined sound of pulling something rubbery