Karen Oliver
Independent Stampin' Up!® Demonstrator
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Updated Retirement Availability List
3/11/2009 11:24:20 AM
Here's an updated retired list availability.  I'm going to delete the other list as it's now redundant   The list is current as of today.
 Page Item #  Description  Availability 
    Stamp Sets   
 125   112229  ABC Images  Low 
62   108720  Ahoy, Matey   Unavailable 
75  108722 All I Have Seen  Low 
40   108728  *All Through the Year    
34   108992  *All-Year Fun    
  110   108734  *Alphabits   
48  108738  *Artfully Asian   
  102   108742  *Background Sampler    
 53   111229  *Backyard BBQ    
 86   108740  Bareback  Low 
 51   108744  ***Be Happy     
83  108998  Beautiful Life   Low 
124  108746  Best Friends Alphabet Lower   Low 
 124  108747 Best Friends Alphabet Upper   Unavailable
 124   108748  Best Friends Numbers   Low
88  110250  Big Pieces   
51   108753  Birthday Best    
79   108755  *Blossoms Abound    
80   108756  ***Bodacious Bouquet     
81   108757   Bold Butterfly  
 101   112294  Brocade Basics   
65   112376  *Bronc Buster   
78  111232  *Bud Basics   
58  110255  Bundle of Joy  Unavailable 
 63   108763  By Land  Low 
 116  112326  Calendar Cues   
 108  108764  *Canvas   
94  111234  Carte Postale    
 115   108765  Cheery Chat   Low
 112   108767  Circle of Friendship   
30  108768  City of David    
 102  112272  Classic Backgrounds   Low 
55  110246  Crab & Company    
28   108772  Crazy for Christmas   
33   112253  *Dad's Day   Low 
42   108781  *Eat Cake    
 106  112300 Elegant Notes   
 116  108785  Everyday Flexible Phrases   
58  112391  Everything Baby    Low 
 117  108786  *Expressive Flexible Phrases    
79   112310  Fabulous Flowers    Low
27  108790  Festive Favorites    
 40   108805  Figures of Speech   
 108   108806  *Fine Lace   
 95   108807  *Finest Flourishes   
 67  108809 Fishy Friends   
 107   108811  *Floral   
 32  112316  Forever in My Heart    Low 
 108   112397  *Friendly   
 115   111973  ***G'Day Mate   
 110   108820  Genuine Articles   
68   111975  *Go Team    
56   108828  *Greetings Galore    
 92   112306  *Happiness   
28  108840  *Holiday Wishes   
26  108842  *Hung Up on the Holidays    
 116  108847  It's a Date    
 112  112320  It's All Good   
 111 108849 It's Your Birthday  Low 
 97   108850  Itty Bitty Backgrounds    
68  112330  *Just Golf    
 68   112332  *Just Tennis    
 31   112216  *Keep Christmas   
122   111989  *Kia Ora    
96   112338  *Labelicious   
 113  108855 *Lexicon of Love   
53   110254  *Like It a Latte    
 107  108857  Linen   Low
 88  108860  Little Pieces   
 76 108864 ***Looks Like Spring   
 29   112223  *Merry, Merry    
 77  108874  Mostly Flowers   
  118   108875  Much Appreciated   
 84   108877  Natural Beauty   
 90  110243  *Office Accoutrement    
  107  108884  *On the Spot   
  108  108887  *Paisley   
 31  108888  Peaceful Wishes    
 74   108890  Petal Prints   
 46   110247  ***Polka Dots & Paisley    
 47  110248 Polka Dots & Petals   Low 
38  108894  Pretty Princess   
  126   108904  *Rough Edges Mini Alphabets   
 83  108906  *Sassy Stems   
 32   112362  Sealed with a Kiss    
 122  112346  Seasonal Wishes    
 124   112402  Short Order Numbers  Unavailable 
43   108913   Simple Somethings  
29  110244 *Snow Flurries    
27  108934  ***Snowflake Spot, The    
30 108918 *Solemn Stillness   
 122   112395  Spring Pictograms    
91  108920 *Stamp of Authenticity   
65   108921  Starstruck    
 74  108923  Stipple Rose  Low 
84   108924  Summer by the Sea    
  100  112284  *Sweet Sampler    
  93   108927  *Sweet Shapes    
 60  112290  *Sweet Thing    
 49  108929  Symbols of Solicitude   Low 
 43  108930  Tag Time    
 38   110249   Tagger's Dozen  
49  108931  Take Three   
 75   108937  Touch of Nature   
 54   108944  Unfrogettable  Low 
  108  108954 *Well-Worn Words    
36  112336 Whale Wishes   
 72   108960  Wild Rose   
 49   108962 Wishing You the Best    
   120   108963 Wonderful Words    
       
    Stampin' Around Wheels   
 29   109690  All about Christmas   
 78   106610  Basics Outline   Unavailale
 42   107467  Birthday  Low
 80   107466 Bodacious   
 81   104156  Flitting By   Low 
 95  108423 Leaves à la Carte   
 62   107212  Matey's Map  Unavailable 
 47   108980  Petals   
  104  107464 Rough Texture   Low 
 91  107465  Speckled   Low
 65  109672  Bronco   
 54   106662 Daisy Field    Low 
 67   104065  Fishy  Unavailable
 53  107565  Flip Flops   Low
 40  107561  Garden Annuals  Unavailable 
 28  103195 Gifts Galore   Unavailable
 32  109678  Kisses   
 74  104279  Leaf Prints   Unavailable
54  107482 Lily Pad   Unavailable
 125   109568  My ABCs   
55   108978  Sandy Shells   
28   101638  Star   
 154  104061  Star Studded   
       
    Hostess Sets   
       
 24  109812  All about Occasions Bundle   
 21  112393 Cause for Celebration    
 18  112261  For a Friend    
 18 112239 From the Garden    
 22  112340  In the Spotlight    
 21  112233  Infinite Goodness    
 19  112259  Little Bit of Happiness, A    
 17  112214  Oh, So Lovely   
 17  112243  Party Punch   
 19  112245  So Many Sayings    
 20  111127  Spring Solitude Bundle   
 23  112263  Time Well Spent   
       
    Accessories   
     Brads, Buttons, Eyelets  
 145   105320  Basic eyelets   Unavailable 
 147  103977  *Bold Brights buttons    
 145   100375  Bold Brights I eyelets    
 147   103981  *Earth Elements & Neutrals buttons    Low
 147   103978  Earth Elements buttons    Low
 145  100381  Earth Elements eyelets    Unavailable
 145  105319 Metallic eyelets   
 147   105446  Rich Regals buttons  Low
 145   105316 Rich Regals eyelets    Low
 147   105445 Soft Subtles buttons   Low
 145   100378  Soft Subtles I eyelets   Unavailable
       
    Designer Series Paper   
 135  110749  *Berry Bliss Designer Series paper   
 136   109174  *Brilliant Blue Prints Designer Series paper   
 134  109149 *Brocade Background Designer Series paper    
 136   109178  *Certainly Celery Prints Designer Series paper   
 136   109169  *Close to Cocoa Prints Designer Series paper   
 136   109150  *Dashing Designer Series paper   
 136  110699  *East Coast Prep Designer Series paper    
 134   109160   *Fall Flowers Designer Series paper  
 136  110479  Jersey Shore Designer Series paper   
 134  109151 *Le Jardin Designer Series paper    
 135  110748 *Notebook Designer Series paper   
 136  109176  *Old Olive Prints Designer Series paper   
 134   109148  *Outlaw Designer Series paper    
 135   108503  *Petals & Paisleys Designer Series paper    
 136  109170  *Pumpkin Pie Prints Designer Series paper   
 136   109167  Rose Red Prints Designer Series paper   
 136   110698  *Spring Break Designer Series paper   
 135   110273  *Spring Fling Designer Series paper  
NA  106686  **Spring Flowers Designer Series paper   
 NA  106685 **Spring Showers Designer Series paper   
 135   110271  *Spring Silhouettes Designer Series paper   
 135   109157  Wintergreen Designer Series paper    
       
    Hodgepodge Hardware  
 144  105532  Aged Copper Hodgepodge Hardware   
 144 105531  Antique Brass Hodgepodge Hardware  Low 
 144 105515  *Pewter Hodgepodge Hardware  Low 
       
    In Color   
 129   111860 Blue Bayou A4 card stock    
 129  109018  Blue Bayou Classic Stampin' Ink refill   Unavailable 
 129   109013 *Blue Bayou Classic Stampin' Pad   
 146  109060  *Blue Bayou double-stitched grosgrain ribbon    
 129   111857  Groovy Guava A4 card stock    
 129   109019  Groovy Guava Classic Stampin' Ink refill   Unavailable 
 129   109012 *Groovy Guava Classic Stampin' Pad    
 146  109063  *Groovy Guava double-stitched grosgrain ribbon   
 129  108638 In Color 12" x 12" card stock  Low 
 129  111856  *In Color A4 card stock    
 129   108694  *In Color textured 12 "x 12" card stock   
 129   111853  Purely Pomegranate A4 card stock  Unavailable
 129  109011 *Purely Pomegranate Classic Stampin' Pad   
 146   109061 *Purely Pomegranate double-stitched grosgrain ribbon    
 129  109017  Purely Pomegranate Classic Stampin' Ink refill   
 129  111852  River Rock A4 card stock  Unavailable 
 129  109016  River Rock Classic Stampin' Ink refill   Unavailable
 129   109010  *River Rock Classic Stampin' Pad    
 146   109062  River Rock double-stitched grosgrain ribbon   
 129   111851  Soft Sky A4 card stock   Unavailable 
 129   109015  Soft Sky Classic Stampin' Ink refill   Unavailable
 129  109009  *Soft Sky Classic Stampin' Pad   
 146   109059  *Soft Sky double-stitched grosgrain ribbon   
 129   111850  Wild Wasabi A4 card stock  Low 
 129   109020  Wild Wasabi Classic Stampin' Ink refill    Unavailable
 129 109014 *Wild Wasabi Classic Stampin' Pad   
 146  109058  *Wild Wasabi double-stitched grosgrain ribbon   
 146   110716  *Wild Wasabi striped grosgrain ribbon   
       
    Miscellaneous   
 133  103604  *Days-To-Remember 12" x 12" Wall Calendar   
 148  103280  Embossing kit  Unavailable 
 133   100900 Gift sacksGift sacks   Low 
 132   106523  Five-in-One Card Cover Envelope Template   Low 
 133   110730 *Pockets & Pieces Office Accents   Low
       
    On Board    
  140   107307  *On Board Accents   
 141  109181  *On Board Blossoms & Basics   
 141  109179  *On Board Ginormous Pieces   
 140 107306 *On Board Simon Lower   
       
    Punches   
  142   104942  1/4" Circle punch   
  142   104943  *1/4" Square punch   
  143   104389  Double Circle punch  
 143  106522  *Spring Flower Bouquet punch    
  143  112670 Three for You Punch Box   
       
    Ribbon   
 147  109189  *Beachfront Ribbon Originals    
  147   101259  Black hemp twine   Low
 146  104830   *Caramel gingham ribbon  
  147   109187  *District Ribbon Originals   
  147   109188  *Fairy Tale Ribbon Originals    
 147  109185  Jersey Ribbon Originals    
 146  104829   *Light Blue gingham ribbon  Low 
 146  104828 *Light Pink gingham ribbon   
  146   109037 More Mustard 1/4" grosgrain ribbon   
 146  104831 *Moss gingham ribbon    
 147  109184 Sherbet Ribbon Originals    
  147   109186  Theater Ribbon Originals    Low 
       
     Rub-Ons   
 141  110282   *Anchored Rub-Ons   
141  110281  *Cherished Memories Rub-Ons    
141  110285  *Urban West Rub-Ons   
       
    Simply Scrappin'   
  138   109610  Confetti Simply Scrappin'   Low 
  137   110572  *Crew Kids Boy Simply Scrappin'   
 138  110567  Crew Kids Girl Simply Scrappin'    
  139  109649 Round Up Simply Scrappin'    
 139  109635  Secret Garden Simply Scrappin'    
 138  109663  *Winter Bright Simply Scrappin'    
       
     Simply Sent   
  13   112664  *Friendly Notes Simply Sent   
 12  112666 *Lifelong Notes Simply Sent   
  13   112665  *Sending  Happy Thoughts Simply Sent   
  14   112667  *Simple Delights Simply Sent   
 14  112668 *Three Thoughts Simply Sent   

Looks Like Spring
3/11/2009 11:22:39 AM
I thought today would be the perfect day to finally do my sketch card and also have one last play with one of my favourite sets.  Looks Like Spring.  It's such a lovely set and I've really enjoyed using it in the last couple of years.  If you want to grab it you'll need to do it before the 31st.  Also it has the added bonus of being on the Bushfire Appeal List.   

Anyway I hope you like it, don't forget to have a go at the sketches, and either post a comment with a link to your blog or send me a photo and I'll put it up here.  I'd love to see your versions.


Card Sketch #1
3/5/2009 7:35:59 PM
Hey everyone, here's the next sketch challenge, this one is a card sketch.  So please have a go, and feel free to leave a comment and link back to your blog if you have given it a go.  The same with the layout sketch.  But, if you don't have a blog, then please feel free to email me a photo and I'll happily post it here, don't forget all those that give it a go will get a little prize  

A Sketch Challenge
3/3/2009 8:18:22 PM
Hello everyone.  I've decided to try something different today and have a go at making a sketch, now I'm quite pleased with the result.  But I'd like you to have a go too.  So here's the sketch, email me a photo of your finished layout and I'll add it to this post.  :-) And I'll even give a little incentive for each participant. So please don't make me look like a goose, I'd love some people to have a go.  This one is a Scrapbooking Sketch, but tomorrow I'll put up a card sketch as well. 



OK, here's my version of the sketch, so have a go and send me yours!


A great looking layout by Natalie.  Awesome Nat, thanks for sharing



I'm Going To Miss...
3/1/2009 1:10:51 PM
These wonderful colours. I really am.  The 2009 Retirement list was released this morning, if you haven't already checked it out, go to the Promotions and Specials page and have a good look, some sets are even discounted!  YAY.  And place your order early so you don't miss out.  Especially the InColours, if you have the stamp pads, don't forget to pick up the reinkers just in case.

Also there will be some price rises in the next catalogue (which is understandable) so now's the time to pick up those items you really like and stock up, especially the paper which is also going.  If you love em, grab em.

Here's a quick card I made this morning using some of the retired items, the Afternoon Tea Paper (from the Summer Mini and still available until the end of the month) the green is Wild Wasabi and the Stamp Set I used is Petals and Paisley, one of my favourites that is going. 

If you have any questions please let me know. 

Certainly Whimsy
2/21/2009 11:02:35 AM
Firstly I want to apologise for being so slack with my blog posts, I've had a very busy week here with workshops, classes and school stuff.  I finally have a day off today, which I'm going to spend sorting and making stuff for the Scrapbooking Fundraiser next weekend.  But I thought I'd spend a couple of minutes updating my blog, so you didn't think I'd fallen off the face of the earth.  This is just a quick card I whipped up last night for a Card Swap I'm in.  (If anyone is interested in swapping or wanting to know what it is email me on mail@kareninks.com and I'll send you all the relevant details).


I really like the pretty colours in this card.  Oh and the ovals I cut out on th Cricut.  So very handy lol.  

Bushfire Appeal

To date, Stampin' Up! have raised over $15,000 for the Australian Red Cross to go to the Bushfire Appeal.  Which I think is a fantastic effort.  If you'd like to help, click on my home page and have a look at the list of stamps on offer with 50% of the stamp sale going to the apppeal.  I also don't wish to make any money of this so for those stamp sets I'll be selling them at a 20% discount, which is my commission.  Email me today for more information.

A New Toy!
2/10/2009 2:23:20 PM
Yesterday I was lucky enough to get a Cricut!  I know I'm a bit slow on the bandwagon, but oh boy, have I been having fun.  I can't believe I went so long with out one. So much fun.  Anway, here's a quick Carousel Note card I did today.  I'm quite pleased with it


Materials Used.
Cardstock - Carousel Notes, Ginger Blossom Designer Paper
Accessories - Rhinestone Brads.

Again with the Inklings Challenges
2/7/2009 12:14:43 PM
Thursday night we had another Inklings cyberstamp, these are always so much fun and really make me think outside my normal box.  I've only managed to do 1 challenge, I hate it when that pesky thing called life get's in the way of the really important stuff like crafting....

And if you're wondering what the Inklings are...it's my wonderful upline Jayne Mercer's fantastic team.  :-D

Anyway, I'm proud of this card, I really really like it for some reason.  This was a colour challenge, Chocolate Chip, Cameo Coral, Groovy Guava and Pretty In Pink, not really the easiest colours to go together but I think I pulled of the heist rather well 

Hope you like it. 
Embrace Whimsy
2/2/2009 12:37:03 PM
I have a Stamp-A-Stack class on Wednesday so this morning, with no interruptions around, I sat down to design the cards, which I think turned out pretty well.    Now to just cut all the cardstock up lol.   And if you're coming to my class I hope you like them lol.

I also wanted to say a big welcome to all those that have followed the link from my YouTube account, I really hope you like my designs and have found some inspiration. 



Elite Challenges
1/26/2009 10:12:07 AM
I haven't  done any Elite Challenges in a while, but had the sudden inspiration to complete a couple over the weekend.  The first challenge was a colour challenge, Groovy Guava, Lovely Lilac and Tempting Turquoise, not the easiest colours together lol, but I think I did ok.

The stamp set used here is Embrace Life, and it's growing on me more and more. 

The other challenge was a sketch challenge, the sketch was a design of a card from the SaleABrations catalogue.  I really like this sketch. 
Don't forget if you are stuck for inspiration, pull out your catty's or a magazine and have a look at the card designs, you never know when a colour combo or layout will catch your eye. 

Polka Dot Punches
1/25/2009 2:25:49 PM
I had to make another card with this set, it's so pretty and different, this time I went romantic.  Well it is Valentines Day soon, I guess I need to hide this card now and hope DH doesn't read my blog lol. 

I really enjoyed doing this one, and I found a fantastic tutorial on Splitcoast for doing the scalloped squares using the scallop punch.  I quite like this one, I think the colours just pop!

Sale A Brations
1/23/2009 2:41:59 PM
I had so much fun making this card today.  I love the Polka Dot Punches set.  I even tried to step out of my box with the colours.  Although I'm not too sure how well I succeded with that. 

And don't forget with SaleABrations you have Jan and Feb to qualify for free limited edition sets.  Email me on mail@kareninks.com for more information. 

New Blog!
1/15/2009 1:06:04 PM
Yes a new blog!  I've been working on something quietly for the last couple of days .  I've decided to put up a technique blog.  I'm starting with some simple beginner stamping techniques, it's always helpful for a newbie to have a guide to start with, and I'm slowly going to add more, so please go check it out and let me know what you think.
Cyberstamp and New Contact Details
1/11/2009 12:28:44 PM
Last night the Inklings had a Cyberstamp, just the thing for a quiet Saturday night.  And I managed to complete 2 of the challenges, I'm going to work on the 3rd today.  The first one was to make a Valentines Day Card.  Which I loved doing, but I also realised that I have no heart stamps at all!  How on earth did I do that?  I might have to rectify that tragic situation very soon lol.

The 2nd challenge was a CASE challenge, basically we had to use the design of the card from the bottom of page 51 of the Idea Book and Catalogue, and using designer paper and no stamping create 2 cards.  Here are my efforts.  
 

And I'll be working on Challenge 3 today so will probably add that tomorrow.  :-)

Materials List.
Valentines Card.
Stamp Set - Garden Whimsy, Short and Sweet
Cardstock - Real Red, Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Dashing Designer Paper
Ink - Real Red, Basic Black.

CASE Card #1
Cardstock - Pumpkin Pie, Baja Breeze Designer Paper
Accessories - Scallop Edge Punch, Hidden Garden Rubons, Pumpkin Pie Narrow Grosgrain.

CASE Card #2
Cardstock - Sage Shadow, Outlaw Designer Paper
Inks - Sage Shadow
Accessories - Hidden Garden Rubons, Scallop Edge Punch, 1 3/8th Circle Punch

New Contact Details.

I've been having a few problems with my normal mail client, so have decided to leave that just as a personal account and have now set up a work email account.  You can now contact me on

mail@kareninks.com

or

orders@kareninks.com

But don't fret, my normal account will still be working as well :-)  I'm just going to start keeping things seperate. 
Another One.
1/9/2009 11:38:05 AM
I've had so much fun catching up on my scrapbooking this week.  It's been awesome and I really have a long way to go lol, I've been very neglectful of my layouts since getting back into cardmaking, it's very much taken precedence over everything else.  I've even decided to try and do the Project 365 from Creating Keepsakes.  Which is you take a photo a day basically for the year, although I'm going to do a layout a week.  Now to just remember to do it. 

Anyway, I love the colours in this layout, this is using the new Ginger Blossom paper from the Summer Mini.  And the Embrace Life set. 


And although you can't see it very well with the photography the colours are actually Ruby Red and River Rock.  Which go fabulously together I think.

More Layouts
1/6/2009 11:57:42 AM
I can't believe how much scrapbooking I've done in the last 2 days, I'm very proud of myself lol, and no doubt there will be lot's of scrapbookng posts in the coming week.  Here's a quick layout of myself and my children.  I don't often have good photos of myself but I love this one my husband took.  So far nearly everyone has a copy

I've used the wonderful Afternoon Tea papers here, so pretty and elegant.  I also managed to drag out my sizzix to cut the letters out for the title.  I'd forgotten how easy that was to use.  Hope you like it. 
Scrapbooking
1/5/2009 11:21:32 AM
Well, I have a new printer, and it prints photos really really well, so can you guess what I was doing on the weekend?  What I love is having the freedom to size my photos then print, and no more mucking around popping down to get them printed.  Especially  if I have the urge to scrapbook at 4pm on a Sunday and I have to use those certain photos, I can yay!  Anyway, here's a quick 2 page layout I did, and when I say quick I mean quick, I am such a simple scrapbooker, I like clean lines, pretty paper and not a lot of embellishments.  I'm happy with that style though   and after scrapbooking for nearly 9 years, I'm very comfortable with it.

The paper I used here is Bali Breeze, it's so bright and colourful, and personally I think it looks awesome with black and white photos.  I've been working in  8x8 a lot lately, it's a nice size.  But I have a half finished double 12x12 layout on my desk at the moment, with any luck I'll have that finished today.  My goal is to do more scrapbooking this year and to fill my gallery with lovely samples for you all to look at.


And The Winner Is...
1/1/2009 7:57:52 PM
And The Blog Candy Winner Is....

Helen!

I am sorry it's taken all day to announce the winner, it's been a very busy day here and I haven't had much chance to hop on the computer.  Helen if you could send me an email karen@oliver.net  with your address I'll pop the prize in the post tomorrow for you.


Lots of Dots
12/31/2008 2:01:26 PM
I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas.  We had a very relaxing one with some yummy food and wonderful company.  Although if I never have to put another Lego house together it'll be too soon.  I did receive a wonderful iPod docking station which makes listening to my music while stamping so much nicer.  And it also gives me a great excuse to hibernate from the rest of the household for a while. 

And while hibernating, I decided that after a week of not making anything it was time to put to stamp to paper and come up with something.   This was just a quick and easy card using some of the new Summer Mini stamps, I've used the Dots Jumbo Roller and a stamp from the Say It With Scallops Set.  This is a versatile set that coordinates with the Square Scallop Punch.  And ya gotta love pink and black together lol.



I'll also be drawing the winner of the Blog Candy tomorrow! So don't forget to leave a comment if you haven't already to go in the draw for the Afternoon Tea Gift Card Set.

I hope everyone has a Happy New Year tonight too.   And I'll talk to you all next year lol.

Blog Candy
12/19/2008 2:41:41 PM
Now I promised today to post a pic of the Gift Card Pouch you can win just by leaving a comment in this post or the one below it.  I love hearing comments from people it gives me a warm fuzzy feeling lol.  This set was made using the new Afternoon Tea Designer Paper from the Summer Mini, it's such lovely paper, and it matches the Live Your Dreams stamp set so you can't go wrong. 

I look forward to hearing from you soon!

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