The new Stampin' Up catalog will be available tomorrow. If you would like a copy of it, please leave me a comment with your e-mail address or e-mail me at JodiStilwell@yahoo.com and I will make sure you receive a copy. There are a lot of new amazing products inside!

I have done a little more scrapbooking lately. I did two layouts with a "fall feel". LOL

While checking out some craft blogs that I follow, I came across a post on how to care for your rubber stamps. I found it to be very informative and actually was not aware of some of the things that I read. Here is a list of dos and don'ts for caring for your stamps:

Things you SHOULD DO to look after your rubber stamps

* Always clean your rubber stamps before storing away This is something that I need to work on. Sometimes I get lazy and just put the stamps that need to be cleaned aside and start working on another card. They will sometimes sit for days before I finally clean them.

* Clean your stamps with a reputable rubber stamp cleaner. I like to use Stampin’ Up!’s Stampin’ Scrub and Mist. The Stampin’ Mist cleans and conditions your stamps, simply spray it on one side of the Stampin’ Scrub and then rub your rubber stamp over it. After cleaning, dry your stamp by rubbing it on the dry side of the Stampin’ Scrub.

* If you do not have a Stampin’ Scrub and Mist and cannot invest in one right away, then at the very least use an old washcloth. Wet the washcloth and wring it out so that it is just damp and clean your stamps with it.

* Store your rubber stamps flat or upright. Stampin’ Up! rubber stamps come in clear storage boxes that are perfect for stacking. If you do not have Stampin’ Up! stamps then I recommend that you keep them stored flat in shallow cardboard or plastic boxes, or drawers. If you like to have your stamps on display then you can have them standing up on a shelf as you would any other ornament.

* Store your stamps in room temperature.

* Store your stamps away from direct sunlight to avoid them becoming brittle and cracked.

Things you SHOULD NOT DO to your rubber stamps

* Do not use baby wipes to clean your rubber stamps. This is something that I was not aware of b/c I am guilty of having done this in the past. Using baby wipes will cause your stamps to become pale, dry and brittle. It doesn’t matter whether the baby wipes you use are non-alcohol based or non-scented they still damage your stamps over time.

* Do not wash your wood-mounted stamps under running water. Again, this is something that I have been guilty of doing. Washing your stamps under a tap will loosen the adhesive between the foam and wood and you risk your stamps falling off the wood.

* Do not store your stamps in strange ways. Storing your stamps in a colander, jar, basket or any other way in which the stamps are pressing against each other or are pressing against metal, wood, etc. This will leave dents in your rubber stamps which will then given you a gap in your stamped image.

I hope you have found these tips to be informative.

Starting next month, I am going to start selling card kits. I have been asked by many people if I would be interested in doing them. If you are not local, no worries; I can ship them out for a slight shipping fee. I will post details later when I get some kits together.

Life's A Breeze is another set that is retiring this month. =( So many good sets are saying goodbye. This is another set that I love to play with; especially with summer just around the corner.

Prehistoric Pals is one of the stamp sets retiring this month; after that, it will be gone forever. =( This really is one of my favorite sets. Sami has so many birthday parties to go to in the run of a year, so this one comes in handy when she needs a boy card. This set is definitely one that I well use.

We had a BBQ at my parent's house last night. The lilac bush is out in full bloom and the smell is just amazing. I couldn't believe all the butterflies that were fluttering around the bush. Sami was so excited b/c the butterflies were so big! She got her net and tried catching them, so she "could be a scientist and examine them closer". Those were her exact words! LOL I was able to take some pictures of them before Sami disturbed them.

I make some new finger puppets last night. Sami has a fascination with bats and vampires so I knew that I had to try to make them as a set. I also made a chick and a rooster.

I received my new catty in the mail from Stampin' Up today and I am so happy to finally have it!!!! There are so many stamp sets that I want to get from this one. It is great that I will have a full year to check off my wishlist. =) I cannot wait to place my first order. Yippee!!!

This is a layout that I did of Sami from last Spring. She loves flowers and the tulips are always the first ones to pop so she just has to have her picture taken with them.

When I first saw this set, it wasn't one that I felt that I needed. Well, a friend bought it and I tried it out and I absolutely love it! LOL It is so funny when that happens! I guess I'll add it to my wish list.

I think what makes this set so adorable is the coordinating paper "Good Morning Sunshine". I never thought that I would be interested in purchasing paper from Stampin' Up b/c I have enough that I could open a paper store already. LOL I just love how the colors and patterns match so well.

I have seen this fun list on a few blogs. Of these 99 things, you are supposed to highlight which ones you have done in your life. I have 27 of them. Which ones have you done?


1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie - I've been on tv. I think that counts.
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Gotten flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Stampin' Up! will now only be having one catalog a year! I have not had a chance to see the new catalog, but I have been told that it is filled with some wonderful new products. I cannot wait until I get my own copy next week. =)

I was checking out a blog that I follow earlier and Michelle has given a great sneak peek of the 09-10 In Colors.

I'm so excited to share with you the Stampin' Up! "Last Chance List". A new Stampin' Up! catalog is right around the corner, which means it's time to say farewell to dozens of stamps sets and accessories in the Spring-Summer 2009 Idea Book & Catalog. Don't miss the opportunity to get the last chance products! They are only available until June 30, 2009. Check the list to see if any of your favorites are there - then buy them now before they are gone.

All of the IN Colors (stamp pads, ink refills, ribbons etc) will retire at the end of June also along with most of the Designer Series Paper sets. If you have a favorite designer series paper, now is the time to pick it up before it is sold out.

http://www.stampinup.com/ca/documents/Retired_Lists_0609_CA_num.pdf