Catalog Kick Off Party

Last saturday, on June 1st - I had a Catalog Kick Off Party here at my home.  I had seven women here, and we had a great time browsing through the new catalog.  Today, I am going to share with you a few of my favorite things about the new catalog.  If you would like to come along with me, you can browse through the catalog via Google Catalogs here: 2013/14 Stampin' Up Idea Book & Catalog.  If you would like a catalog to hold, flip through, and adore in real life - send me a message, and I'll get one to you asap!   :)

First turn with me to pages 6 & 7.  This is our table of contents for stamps.  There is a seperate table of contents for the accessories, that can be found on pages 136 & 137.  I love how bright and cheery these pages are.  You may notice that there is no longer a holiday section in our catalog.  Stampin' Up! has decided to offer seasonal item, like holiday stamp sets in their seasonal catalogs only.  This leaves more of room in our yearly book for offering a larger variety of things that you will reach for year round.  There is a small list of Holiday Carryover items that are still available for purchase, even though they are not listed in the catalog.  

You can see those items here: Holiday Carryover List

You may have also noticed the lack of a section dedicated to greeting stamp sets.  Do not fear, Stampin' Up! has not done away with them!  What is a card without a greeting?  The greeting stamp sets have been integrated into the catalog, into the sections where you would use them most.  For instance, graduation and baby greeting stamp sets can now be found in the Family Fun section, where the image sets of the same themes.

This is one of the make n takes that were offered at the party.

This card uses the new Wildflower Meadow background stamp, and matching embossing folder.  You can find this stamp on page 83.  Another thing  I love about the new catalog is that some of the stamps, that have coordinating tools are now offered as a bundle.  You can see the "Bundle & Save" box located just below the photo.  There are 8 different bundle options throughout the catalog.  This card also uses the Label Love stamp set, and coordinating Artisan Label punch, these are available as a bundle too, and featured on pages 32 & 33.

My third, and final (for today) favorite thing about the new catalog is how Stampin' Up! has featured different color combinations throughout the book to help us put together colors that we like.  In previous books, there were samples - but we were left guessing the colors used, or finding and downloading the Stampin' Supplies list.  Now, they have made it much easier for us!  You can see on page 68 those samples all feature the same colors.  You can also know what those colors are, because they are labeled.  These samples feature Night of Navy, Rich Razzleberry, and Baked Brown Sugar.  While the yellow used is not named here, it is easily deciphered because the ribbon on the pillow box only comes in Summer Starfruit.

These were the party favors I gave to the guests who attended.  They went over very well!

The party favors feature my absolute favorite new product in the catalog.  Simply Pressed Clay!  This clay feels very similar to Crayola's Model Magic.  Our Simply Pressed Clay comes 2.4 oz to a package, for only $6.95.  Now, I know that 2.4 oz does not sound like a lot - but it is a lot more than you think!  So far I have made approximately 100 flower/button embellishments, and I STILL HAVE about a tennis ball sized amount of clay left over.  To make the flowers and/or buttons with the clay, we have a set of two clay molds.  The  Buttons & Blossoms Simply Pressed Clay molds are sold for $7.95.  Each mold makes three different sized embellishments, one buttons, and one flowers.  Our Simply Pressed Clay comes only in white - but that is the best part!  You can color the clay any color you want!!!  You can color the clay with reinkers, markers, or even just by tapping it on your ink pad.   You can shop for the Simply Pressed itemes here: Simply Pressed Clay

I know this was a lot of information to absorb - this is always such an exciting time of year!  Please let me know if you have any questions about anything in the new book - I'll be happy to help!  I've shown you my favorite features and products in the new catalog - what are some of yours?

Have a great day!!