Good Morning Fellow Stampers -
Happy Wednesday ! Here we are with a brand new catalog! Have you had time to sit down and page through it? Maybe more than once? Having trouble paring down that Wish List? I can guarantee you, mine is loooooonnnnggg!!! So don't feel bad. This is definitely one of those times that I can honestly say "I Want It All!" There is so much to love about this catalog. So where do you start then? Well -- let me give you my "top picks" (we are not keeping it to ten this time around) for this catalog, and what I consider some of the top "must have's" that I highly recommend you put on that list and get first!
1. Bundles. The very first thing I would tell you to do is sit down and identify all the bundles in this catalog. There are 28 to be exact; either a punch and a stamp set, or a die set and a stamp set. These are the most economical way to attack the must have's and the wish list. A bundle saves you 10% over buying each of those items separately; additionally, it's the most useful -- primarily because you're acquiring a tool AND a stamp set to go with that tool, making it extremely versatile. These are my "top picks" of the bundles that I think you should look at closely:
- Fiesta Time. This fabulous set caught my eye the minute I saw it at OnStage in April. I absolutely love the feel and tone of this set. It just makes me want to "party!" Do NOT miss the coordinating Festive Birthday DSP! You'll be sorry if you do!
- Bunch of Banners. This bundle is a definite "must have!" And really for several reasons -- not only is the stamp set that these wonderful dies are bundled with fabulous; there are actually several sets in the catalog that are coordinated to this die set, including Birthday Banners, and two hostess sets, Basket for You and Time of Year. This is going to be one of your most versatile die sets for sure!
- Sunshine Wishes. I picked this bundle for the top of the list for some very specific reasons. The most important thing I look for in a set or bundle or tool, is its versatility. If you cannot afford to buy a lot, than you need to pick items that are going to be useful for many purposes. This set has so many wonderful sentiments that can be mixed and matched in it; and the dies have a fabulous set of sentiment cutouts that are going to serve you well! This is a wonderful tool for your arsenal.
- Flourish Thinlits. Again, this set is selected for many of the same reasons. Not only is it beautiful and gives you some options for elegance and flair; but the myriad of sentiment options in the stamp set make this bundle (one of our most expensive ones) well worth the money!! Take a closer look! You'll see what I mean.
- Foxy Friends. This adorable bundle is a punch and stamp set bundle. It should not be overlooked. I know not everyone is into "cutesy" or what might be termed caricatures. But this set is beyond adorable! And there are so many fun options. Especially if you want to have something in your stash for kids cards, or even just something fun and sweet. This is one of our new "build-a-" punches. With the stamp set, you can't miss on this one! You're going to be seeing cute little animals everywhere this year!
- Bunch of Blossoms. This is another one of our new "build-a-" punches and stamp set bundles. I love this set!! Of course I love all things flowers, but I have to say, I am really looking forward to playing with this and seeing what sorts of things I can come up with. I think we're going to be seeing some pretty beautiful "built" blossoms with this bundle.
2. Tools. Tools are my most highly recommended investment. It may seem a little overwhelming this year as we did indeed retire a good number of our punches and die sets that were favorites and heavily used. Nevertheless, I encourage your to put your money into the new tools as these last you for many years! My top recommendations for tools (outside of the bundles above):
- New Big Shot Platform. Did you know the Stampin' Up! Big Shot has a brand new Platform? No more "tabs" or dealing with flipping them back and forth and trying to figure out what goes where, or having an uneven pressure for your textured impressions embossing folder. Stay tuned -- I will be doing a video shortly on the new Big Shot and the new Platform!! You need to get this tool!!!
- Layering Framelits - Squares, Circles, Ovals. Yes, our ovals, scalloped ovals, squares, scalloped squares, and various other punches have gone to the Crafting Paradise in the sky! But hey -- did you check out the brand new layering framelits? Squares, circles and ovals oh my! And absolutely nested perfectly to each other with both straight edges and scallop options. You must get these 3 sets. They will change your life!! P.S. Don't forget the fabulous new nested hearts framelits ~~ Sweet & Sassy Framelits is what they're called!
- New 2016-2018 In Color Collection. This is a no-brainer in my mind. The new 2016-2018 In Color collection is to die for!! I absolutely LOVE the new color collection; and how it plays so well with the rest of our color collections just cannot be beat! Stock up on all the goodies, including the cardstock, ink, markers, designer paper, and ribbons! You'll be using these for the next two years no problem!! :-)
3. Top 10 Stamp Set Picks. Alright, we're going to give this the "old college try" and attempt to give you the top 10 picks of the new stamp sets. Believe me, my list far exceeds these. But I think these may be "must have's" for your collection, both for their versatility and longevity.
- Stylized Birthday. This little sleeper stamp on page 16 of your catalog is going to be a "go to" in your collection. Simple; sweet; elegant! This stamp is going to be so useful in so many designs. Snap it up!!
- Thankful Thoughts. This incredible new "thank you" stamp set replaces the recently retired Another Thank You. I always loved Another Thank You; this set is going to be a fabulous replacement and a "must have" in your collections. Thank you cards are probably my most needed card, and I love this stamp set.
- Here for You. This is a precocious set that I fell in love with right away. I love sentiments that are just a little bit different and fun. This set has it all and will even bring a little chuckle from the recipient!
- Better Together. This is a FABULOUS sentiment set. And so big, I did not realize until it arrived that it comes in two stamp cases. It has some sweet little images, and even better sentiments!! The fonts are fabulous and versatile. No one of the fonts and sentiments is the same. This set is truly a versatile set that you definitely will use and reuse many times over.
- Scenic Sayings. Now in all honesty, I don't know if this is a set I would have grabbed for right off the top; but it has grown on me. And honestly, I love the coordinating Serene Scenery DSP so much, I can hardly wait to take these fabulous "large" sentiments and start experimenting with overlays and other techniques. I think this set would be fabulous for scrapbooking and memorykeeping as well!
- Playful Backgrounds. I love a good texture and background stamp set. I have several from the current offerings, but this new one is going to be fabulous with the new Painters' Palate stamp set and hand-in-hand with the carried in Timeless Textures. A good texture stamp set is a must have!! You're going to love this set!!
- Pineapple. LOL -- what was I just saying about great "background" stamps? This one is so much fun!! And just the size makes it easy to "fussy cut" and play with in so may ways! Not only that, Pineapples (and Flamingos) are very "on trend" right now!!
- Touches of Texture. Another wonderful "texture" stamp set; but this one with a little bit of a two-step stamping feel to it, and flowers included! This is very different stamp set from my point of view; and one that I really feel is a must have for your collection!
- Fresh Fruit. This stamp set, along with the coordinated designer series paper, is just so luscious! I can hardly wait to dig in! haha I fell in love with this entire collection the minute I saw it. It just simply calls to me. I love the "fresh" feel, and the yearning call I feel for the outdoors, gardening, canning fresh fruits and veggies in the kitchen, enjoying the harvest!! This is going to be a fabulous and fun set!
- Brushwork Alphabet. Every stamper should have one good alphabet set, and this is my recommendation from this catalog. Several of the others are pretty fabulous also; but this one speaks to me. I like the font, and I like the versatility.
Bonus Set:
- Baby Bear. Cute! Cute! Cute! This stamp set is part of the new trend of "realistic" stamping. It is a 3-step stamping set and is absolutely so fabulous! You have to give it a try! Maybe a bear for your honey?? :-)
Well, there you go! I hope you have enjoyed my sharing of My Favorite Things today and that you might find it helpful as you are working on your Wish Lists for this fabulous catalog! I can assure you that my list far exceeds this -- and I will be sharing many of those things in the weeks ahead. But when you're trying to narrow the selections, or stay within a certain budget, this is where I would highly recommend you start! This collection would definitely get you off to a running start :-)
Enjoy everyone -- and have a fabulous Wednesday
Until Next Time . . .
