You can see that I was already working on this post before "Eddie needed his Momma" so I hope that this can shed some light into what makes me smile with the new catalog!

As of 3 p.m. here is the Eddie update! He seems stronger and I really think that he totally ran too much last night playing "ball" – his favorite past time. (How do you keep a Jack Russell quiet)….here is a funny – John picked him up this morning from my side…took him outside and he laid down and did not get up…then Eddie saw a tennis ball about 15 feet away and he popped up and got the ball….went potty and John brought him back to me with a big smile.

He is drinking and he had some chicken so it truly is a situation that will happen when it happens. We love our animals and are firm believers that when it is time ….it is time as I would not want him to suffer. He seems to be re-bounding so needless to say I have been watching him like a hawk and he is right by my side with a ball and a toy.

This post became way too long and I totally underestimated myself! It was great to see what some of you came up with and the bottom line…..we are basically on the same page! I know that this is long, but I truly want you to see and hear why I like certain products….

This is just one FUN catalog and remember to use the hostess code of YHNMUJNJ and also you can click here to see the fun offerings that can be yours with a $50.00 order and then both for a $75.00+ order! I will mail them to you directly!

Ok….when I sat and looked…really looked at the catalog to narrow it down to 10 things, it was next to impossible. You all know me too well. This catalog is soooooo over the top and it is “Chocked full of Goodies” I ask myself now – what the heck was I thinking – there is no way that I could have picked 10.

Here are my picks – These things are must haves in my opinion as they will make your experience in crafting even more fun and rewarding that it already is! I will say, my poor catalog is so tattered as I flip all over the place….

Embellishments: 

• Home for Christmas Enamel Dots  (page 9)~ LOVE THEM…whats not to love about them. They are a perfect classic yet effective “add on”. 

• Real Red Pompom Trim (page 9)– Creates an INSTANT FUN…I was doing the Happy Dance with this and again, super for Valentines!

• Reindeer Paper Clips: (page 27) This are just BEYOND CUTE! You know when you add one of these to a project or even a note you will make someone smile…isn't it FUN to make someone smile? The red enamel dot for the nose would be super cute!

MUST HAVES:

I can't even put these in a category so I made one up – "MUST HAVES"….so go ahead and order them – you'll be happy!

• Archival Stampin’ Pads in Black and Gray (page 19) – If you remember, Stampin’ Up! pulled  these colors from the catalog…I was glad that they did so as they just did not give a good stamp…but let me tell you – THESE ARE A MUST HAVE…..(actually so much that you should stop reading and put them on an order)

Here is a great tip….especially for the Black one but if you can do it – I highly suggest that you do this for all of your stamp pads….BUY THE REFILL WHEN YOU BUY THE PAD….why? – I used to think that this was a silly thing but trust me, there is nothing more frustrating than to be working on a project to not get a good clean stamp and you need the refill!

For both of these ink pads, the ink is "archival" which means that it is waterproof making it a great choice for watercoloring etc…it is simply AMAZING how "crisp and clean" the ink is when you stamp. (I feel bad for the Memento as he has been my main man…..I still love him but this is SUPER dark and crisp!)

• Precision Base Plate – (page 14) – If you have a Big Shot (and of course you have a Big Shot) than this is a MUST HAVE. It is a plate that makes cutting out more detailed dies a bunch easier! I have not played with it a bunch but when I have there are 2 things that I have noticed.

1. I do not seem to get the lines as much around the die that you are cutting out and also with the sentiment dies, I am not get the little "bumps" as much….
2. I am not getting the "fine threads" that sometimes are on your cut out pieces….(hope that this makes sense)

I still find that I need to use the stylus to poke out certain areas but there is NO STRUGGLE….it cuts so much better and you do not need the dryer sheet/wax paper etc….I love it and I know that the more and more I play with it I will say, why didn't we have this before!

• Square Pillow Box Thinlits Die: (page 41) – ok…I know – this is an expensive little gem but aren't all gems expensive? I would take advantage and buy this as a bundle as you will see further down that I have this stamp set that is on the same page in my "Sleeper List"

When Stampin' Up! comes out with a product that makes out life easier, I say – GET IT AND BE HAPPY! This is a fabulous new addition and I not only plan to blog about it in depth, I will do a video as it is a great new product!

• Fine Tip Glue Pen – (page 43) – This is a staple that you will not want to be without! Stampin' Up! did a fantastic job with the design of the bottle. There is a super thin needle-like "thingie" that goes into the bottle so it will not clog.

It was intended to be the answer to our prayers for small embellishments like sequins….I honestly have not used it a bunch to give you my feedback but I am sure that this is going to the a staple for all of us! (I am looking forward to trying it on our sentiment die-cuts….I'll report back once I give it a try)

Paper:

What can I say but the paper in this catalog is over the top fun. I know that many of you are super happy that there are some vellums and I adore that the paper stack vellum is in the 6" X 6" size! I have listed in the "scrolling store" all of the new packs of paper but if I had to narrow it down to my favorite 3….well 4! – here you go:

• Happy Hauntings (page 47) – adorable to the max! Polka Dots….stripes….and those ghosts…say no more – just get it – you'll be happy!

• Into The Woods (page 43) – Fall fun at its best! The colors are so fresh and vibrant. I can easily see me using this after fall – the prints are fun for all occasion cards well after Fall.

• Home for Christmas – (page 9) – ADORABLE ALERT!!! This is a "throw back from the past" and one that is SUPER HOT! Each piece of paper touches your heart with memories!

• Season of Cheer – (page 29) Elegance at its best! The attention to detail is over the top and the colors…very rich yet vibrant – a very classic collection!

Stamps:

Now if you thought it was hard to do the above….this is a SUPER HARD one but lucky for me, I can "cheat a bit" as there are some that are stamps and some that are Stamps in bundles….(hee-hee…..this is a way to sneak more in) I am just starting from the front of the catalog and flipping away and just going through the stamp sets!

I will do the Bundles on another post – I think it is FABULOUS that Stampin' Up! is offering so many Bundles ~ this way we save an instant 15%. This new catalog is filled with them and the other thing that is so easy, you can easily click on Holiday Bundles and view them all in one spot.

• Oh, What Fun (page 5) – over the top Sentiments…the fonts are great and it will be a set that you will use for years and years! Great investment!

• Peaceful Wreath – (page 21) – A true Christmas Classic and this is a SUPER EASY ONE to color…adding color is very on trend and this would be a great one that would pack a big WOW!

This would be stunning with just the simple wreath and then a die cut sentiment…simple – fun….DONE!

• Wonderland (page 23) – Confession time…I think that I am the only one in the world that does not have the stamp set, Lovely as a Tree ( I think that this is one of Stampin' Ups! oldest stamp sets in the catalog) but this one reminds me of that but I love the sentiments and the snowflakes!

• Versatile Christmas (page 26) – Another great sentiment set that will last for years and years! Totally Classic!

• Joyful Season – (page 29) This one reminds me of my Mom as she adored Cardinals. I love the branch on this as well as it can be used with many other cards we make. The icing on the cake – DOTS! I love my DOTS!

• Your Presents (page32) – This set you can really use all year long….just change up the color if the presents and PRESTO – an adorable Birthday Card! Using the "kissing" technique is super-de-duper with this set – I will do a blog post one day!

• Among the Branches – (page 39) – LOVE the fact that you can use the 2" punch with this set and the little stamps are super "fillers" for cards! This does come as a bundle with the Woodland Textured Embossing Folder – but you can get that FREE from me with an order of $75.00 so no need to order a bundle with the set!

• Lighthearted Leaves (page 44) – Hit that SHOP NOW button for this one….beautiful…and oh so versatile! It has framelits in the Annual Catalog that matches it….you all loved it when I blogged about it – one great stamp set!

• If the Broom Fits (page 48) – Halloween fun at it's best! I knew that this was going to be on Randall Lane! Adorable all the way around – you can click here to see a post I did with it!

Well..that is a long list of 10 and I haven't even touched on the Pot of Gold – the BUNDLES! I will do that in another post and tomorrow I will be using one of them for my Simple Saturday Post.

I appreciate your understanding and I do hope to hop on tonight and go through my mail. I hope that this post inspired you with some insight….I love what I do and I love helping YOU!

Remember, I do offer a rewards program which will allow you to earn free stamps sets from me of your choice. Paw Prints Rewards

Until the morning…..