**Jingle-ling-a-ling.** Can you hear the little bells as the front door opens? The Stampin’ Up! 2014-2015 Annual Catalog is open for business. Woo hoo! You’re going to be seeing LOTS about this catalog over the next year, but here’s an opportunity to take a look inside for yourself:
FIVE MUST-HAVES FROM THE 2014-2015 ANNUAL CATALOG
You’ve already poured through this catalog and tabbed all the stamp sets and accessories and papers you must have right away. Are you having a hard time narrowing down your choices? If so, you’re in luck because I’ve compiled a list of the FIVE MUST-HAVES for your first order from this catalog. I’m sure there are other things you need and want (add those in, too!), but here are my choices for the five items you should definitely consider when placing your first order.
Fry Box Bigz L Die – #132966 ($32.95). Perhaps it’s not the perfect accessory for card-making, and it’s certainly not the greatest advocate of healthy eating, but this 3-D die has me hooked. One look at the party favors in the catalog (can I please refer you to the beautifully-packaged bag of lemon drops on page 59?), and you’ll be sold. From small note cards to sweet treats, who wouldn’t love to receive a small gift in a paper fry box?
2014-2016 In Colors Cardstock & Pad Kit – #133673 ($29.95). When the In Colors were first revealed, I heard a lot of “eh” and “nothing new”. The more we get to play around with these colors, though, the more we realize they have personality and are unlike any other colors we have. These rich, regal colors offer depth and dimension, and I love them! Don’t just stop with the bundled kit – get the ribbon and reinkers and papers. These colors will soon be some of your favorites.
Flower Patch Bundle – #136788 ($43.25 photopolymer). I wasn’t blown away by this floral stamp set until I started studying it. The images seem very disjointed to me until you start looking at the samples in the catalog (would you please stop what you are doing and study the samples along the right-hand side of page 155?). Are you sold? If you did what I just asked, then you have added this bundle to your list. Flowers, leaves and amazing sentiments – all in a photopolymer and framelit bundle for 15% off. What more could you ask for?
Something to Say – #134177 ($29.95 wood) – #134180 ($21.95 clear). I have a weakness for wonderful sentiment stamp sets – you can have a beautifully crafted card, but it’s nothing without the words that go along with it, right? [OK, maybe there are exceptions, but it’s a pretty good rule]. These sentiments span birthday, weddings, friendships, support and babies. Paired with the Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack – #133787 ($16.95), this set is a winner!
Flashback Designer Series Paper – #133699 ($10.95). With all these amazing Designer Series Papers – do I really have to pick a favorite? Of course I don’t, but I will. Even though I haven’t held all of the papers in my hands, I have a feeling that Flashback will be my most-used paper this year. It’s one of the only papers that uses Very Vanilla (and I’m such a Whisper White guy), but I love the color combination with the cool, retro patterns. Flashback MUST be on your list.
So, those are my five picks. What are the other items on your list? Here are a couple of things that almost made the cut for Top Five (but did find their way into my first order):
Age Awareness – #135381 ($15.95 photopolymer). “Thank you, Facebook.” Sold!
Kind Koala – #134360 ($9.95 wood). I mean, seriously! Is there anything on this Earth more cute than this?
Handcarved – #134051 ($17.95 wood) – #134054 ($13.95 clear). As background stamps go, this one is a sure winner. Graphic, cool, clean.
Stars Collection Framelits – #133723 ($26.95). You can’t lose with this collection of framelits. I don’t have any insider information, but I’m guessing this one will come in handy for the holidays, too. 🙂
Please contact me with any questions about this beautiful book. 🙂 If you are finished with your list and ready to place your order, please CLICK HERE.
Thanks for stopping by today!
Brian
SAVE WHEN YOU BUY THE STARTER KIT. Between now and June 30, Stampin’ Up! is adding a reduced-price Starter Kit. The old one is still there ($99 for $125 of product – and FREE SHIPPING), but the new one ($50 for $55 of product – and FREE SHIPPING) gives you the option to create your Starter Kit at a reduced price. Perfect for a “test drive” or for a previous demonstrator to get a foot in the door again. There’s absolutely no obligation to purchase another thing after you join. Please contact me at stampwithbrian@gmail.com with questions or click here to join now.
Your suggestions are all really good ones! I agree completely with what you said about the Flower Patch stamps. The first few times I looked at it, it didn’t do anything for me. Then I must have looked at it from a different angle. I was just thinking about cool ways to use the framelits and stamping inside/through the negative space, when Mary Fish posted her project yesterday incorporating the negative space of a flower, though using DSP rather than stamping beneath it.
Do you take requests? I would love to see a couple of projects, or at least a couple of flowers on the same project, using the big flower in that set that has the defined petals. I’ve seen a number of things using the solid large flower, including what is in the catalog. I’m really curious what it looks like when the delineated one is used alone and/or as a second-step stamp with the solid one (I was thinking of embossing with that, too).
You are the second person who has mentioned the Koala stamp. I thought it was cute, but I didn’t think I would ever use it. Somehow, though, when it is pictured alone, as it appears in your post, I can see much more potential for myself than when it is in the catalog surrounded by other pictures. Thanks for putting something else on my wishlist! 😉
Bonne journee!
Have a nice day!
Hi Brian. I must have at least 50 flags on the pages of the catalog and that’s just the stamp section! I can’t wait to hold that cute little Koala in my hands! He is so cute. I appreciate your top 5 list. I consider you to be a trend setter so I will take your suggestions into consideration. 🙂
Sold!
Brian, do you know if the Fry Box needs the extended crease pads for the Big Shot?
Thanks, Dawn
This is an L die – not an XL die. It hasn’t arrived at my front door yet, but from the looks of it, it won’t require an extended pad. There’s a picture of it in the online store – you can see it if you click on the picture of the fry box above. I hope that helps. 🙂
Thanks Brian. I tried to call Demonstrator Support yesterday but they were swamped! : )
Unfortunately I didn’t have time to place an order yesterday but I will get to it very soon. My list is very close to yours. Guess I must be thinking a bit like you. That’s a great thing. Always appreciate your suggestions.
I can’t wait to see the projects you have in mind for these items (and all the other wonderful things in the new catty). So excited to receive my order!
Our lists are pretty similar but I’m also dieing to get my hands on some of the border stamps, page 162!
Oh Brian – at the rate my list is growing I’m going to have to come out of retirement and go back to work! LOL
Hi Brian, I was surprised you didn’t recomend Park Lane DSP as your top pick since you have used it already on your great cards . Only five are not enough:) . Can not wait to get my catalog , it is ordered … Greetings, Anita
Great suggestions Brian. I placed a small order yesterday and it was a toss up between Something to Say and What’s Your Type, I went with the latter. I went with the Park Lane DSP on this order, but trust your suggestion will definitely be on my next one.
Your enthusiasm is contagious! Yep, you had me flipping through my catalog. I didn’t think I needed the Fry Box die…thanks for feeding my addiction. LOL
Love that Koala…you can do a lot with what he is holding ….a balloon ,a star , a sign …
Love it when people tell you what their favorites are . With me I find my opinion will change on something I wasn`t too keen on if someone displays it in a way that I haven`t seen before . Love love new catty time …it`s like Christmas at the beginning of summer !
You are a bad influence on my checkbook! I looked back in the catalog and now you have sold me on the fry box and the flower patch bundle. Too many cool new things!!!
All of the sales certainly aren’t coming back to me, but I’m so happy to enable you all to buy this wonderful stuff. 🙂
Age Awareness was 1st on my list. I got Something to Say during pre-order and I L.O.V.E. love it. I make a list during my 2nd go through a new catty (1st time is just too ooh and ahh a lot) and try to pick from that list. Then in a few months I make a new list to see if my ‘needs’ have changed (cause I don’t really NEED anything except maybe more glue 🙂 and rhinestones). Its fun to see how my taste changes in such a short period of time after seeing samples by fabulous customers everywhere.
Hey,B.K. which acrylic block will the border stamps use?
From what I can tell, most will need the “I” block as the “H” block is too short.
Great Top 5-list, Brian! My wishlist looks almost similar. And I cannot wait untill WE can order from the catalog. Looking forward to see your projects with these new goodies!
I love your list of must haves that Koala is s stinkin adorable. but no burger box, I love that die. Take care
I want it all! I have the hamburger box and Something to Say set on preorder and am desperately waiting for my UPS man to arrive – it’s torture in the UK watching you guys get this stuff so much earlier!