Greetings from Northwest Indiana

Where it has been down right frosty outside! Whew! Fortunately the sun has been making a presence the last few days helping it not feel so bitter outside.

Today the kids helped me try out my new camera. If you recall, I mentioned that while in Hawaii I dropped our current digital camera in the sand while attempting to capture Charlie catching a wave during his surf lessons on the North Shore. Well, since I got through the holidays without a camera and we managed to get our techical problems straighted out at home with the new computer Santa brought, we decided I NEEDED a camera before leaving for Sanibel Island this weekend with the kids.

Of course I was not sure what camera would be best but Charlie and I did figure out that we wanted something that had a great zoom feature on it and one that has little delay between pressing the button and actually processing the photo. Our other criteria was that it would capture action photos as we will be on the soccer fields of the Highland Soccer Club alot this spring. (Did I mention Charlie signed up to coach Jackson's team?)

What digital camera did I end up with? The Canon PowerShot S5IS. Boy...was I surprised when I got home to see all the features this little wonder has...not to mention the studying I will need to do to know what to use. So this afternoon I have been reading and clicking, reading and clicking...and low and behold I am THRILLED! Not only can I create movies (yes,more reading to do) but I can take photos in sepia and black & white..all by pushing my finger...LOVE IT!

I am posting some photos from our "photoshoot" today. The kids were great helping mom! Jackson got a few more shots in than Maycen as she needed to hit the books. Take a look at her first photos in her new glasses!

Retired Stampin Up stamp sets for sale.

It's time for me to do some more organizing and sorting to make way for new product. That said, most of you know I like to sell my retired stamp sets and reinvest towards new products to show you the latest and greatest Stampin Up has to offer.

The list is a first come, first serve basis. Just email me with your choices.

Delightful Doodles $6
Burst into Bloom $6
Fresh Flowers $10
Love Ya Bunches $8
Simple Sayings II $12
Simple Shapes $12
All the Best $10Holiday Basics $ 10
Along the Same Lines $10
Pretty Princess $ 14 SOLD
Fun with Shapes $15
Tag Line $18
Cheery Chat $18 SOLD
Nice and Easy Notes $18
Baby Frame $18
Flower Fest $20
Mini Mates $20
Brushstroke Alphabet $20
Brushstroke Numbers $14
Cute As A Bug $12
Itty Bitty Borders $6
Tag Time $20
In the Sky $6
Holiday Woodcuts $15
Little Layers II $10
Fresh Fillers $ 6
Flashy Florals $10
Nice and Narrow $10
Loving Hearts $15
Trim the Tree $12
Send a Celebration $9
Tags So Much $10
Totally Cool $15
All Occassions $12
Springtime Smiles $12
All Year Cheer II $20
All Year Cheer I $20

Shipping is not included in the price.

Happy Stampin'
Becky

My New Stampin Up! Site

Stampin Up! has launched our business websites and I must say...LOVE IT! I have updated mine and added my events. Oh yeah- this is in between the flooding we had today in our basement...after several hrs of mopping water, I needed a distraction :)

Check out my site by clicking on the link on the right and let me know what you think. My intentions are to keep everyone well informed and add ideas on a regular basis so that this is a site you will have to add to your favorites!

Our Hawaiian Vacation

I love my new computer! I have worked most of the afternoon uploading and printing photos from our Hawaiian anniversary trip. What a difference an up to date computer can make :)

We went to Oahu in late November and stayed on the North Shore. It was extremely relaxing, especially since Charlie would not allow me to book my time with tons of sightseeing activities...I typcially pack the itinerary so full that its not a vacation.

The first photo above was taken along the North Shore just down from the Banzai Pipeline. The next is a view from our balcony the day we checked out. We really didn't want to end our beautiful trip so we continued to shoot pictures until we had to check out. I had to have Charlie pull off the road to photograph the Hale'iwa sign because we traveled to the small town daily for shopping and meals. I don't think there was a day that past that we didn't take the 20 minute drive between the quaint town and our resort. The last day of our trip we ventured down to Waikiki Beach, photograph of the shoreline...Waikiki and the North Shore are amazingly different even though its only a 45 minute drive between the two. Waikiki is very busy with tourists and part of the city. The North Shore is a vast range of country. The last photograph posted is the infamous Diamond Head Crater. We did not hike the crater however we had a picture perfect view from the beach of Waikiki.

I have many more pictures to share so I will be posting more soon!

Valentine's Day Bundle!

Valentine's Day Bundle January 2-31, 2008

Promotion Details:
Customers: Purchase the Valentine's Day Bundle (item #111903) for just $33.40 and get Regal Rose wide grosgrain ribbon--FREE!

Hostesses: Hold a workshop of $350 or more and choose any one stamp set from the Spring-Summer 2008 Preview Brochure for FREE!

The Valentine's Day Bundle includes
Item Description Price
111089 Happy Heart Day stamp set $20.95
109052 Real Red wide grosgrain ribbon $7.95
102757 Medium cellophane bags $4.50
109056 Regal Rose wide grosgrain ribbon FREE!

All together in a Bundle:
111903 Valentine's Day Bundle $33.40

Be sure to check out my stampinup website at http://beckyraycroft.stampinup.net/ to view complete details of the bundle promotion.

The New Year ....new happenings

The NEW Spring and Summer Collection is here! Aren't the colors just gorgeous! This year my complimentary copy arrived the day we left for the holidays. I was so excited that I could now drive 13 hrs down the road with my catty in hand...what a treat! Stampin Up surprises me everytime a new line is unveiled. They never cease to amaze me with trendy product lines. My only problem seems to be what I NEED first :) Not only do we have great new stamp sets but we also have new chipboard, fantastic rub-ons to create amazing projects, sticky cut letters (I can't wait to use these with our new duo beads), striped grograin ribbon, and did I mention DUO Beads? FUN FUN FUN!

We have just returned from our Holiday vacation. We made it back after 13 hrs on the road, which was pretty good for some stressful driving, 2 kids and a dog :) Today has been a day full of organizing and rearranging to make room for all the goodies Santa brought the kids.

Did I tell you what Santa brought me? A new computer! WOOHOO! Yes, now I am blogging away at a much more rapid and sane pace. The last computer had been ailing for quite some time. It did serve its purpose for nine yrs. On my new computer I can print my scrapbook photos in record time and upload to my websites until my little heart is content. Now, all I need is a new digital camera to replace the one I broke while in Hawaii. If anyone can recommend a camera, please do. Once I get the camera issue resolved I will be technologically fulfilled for quite a while.

A big THANK YOU to Santa's helper who got the computer up and running last night...what a big task that took into the wee hours of the night.

Aloha, Back from Hawaii!

We had a great trip to Hawaii and came back to snowy weather. I will upload photos soon.

Today Stampin Up! announced the retiring accessories from the FALL WINTER COLLECTION. These items are only available while supplies last and they tend to go quickly. If you have a few items you would like to stock up on, don't delay as they go fast! Below I have the currrent list as of 10am today.

Retired Accessories List
Retired wheels and accessories are available while supplies last, so make sure you place your orders no later than January 1.

109198 Accents & Elements Borders & Blossoms
109199 Accents & Elements Little Reminders 2
109197 Accents & Elements Tagged
100700 Album Leather Post Black 8-1/2x11
105385 Album Linen Post Mellow Moss 8-1/2x11
104520 Album Linen Post Natural 8-1/2x11
104517 Album Linen Post Navy 8-1/2x11
105382 Album Linen Post Real Red 8-1/2x11
105392 Album Linen Ring Mellow Moss 8-1/2x11
104510 Album Linen Ring Natural 8-1/2x11
104513 Album Linen Ring Navy 8-1/2x11
105388 Album Linen Ring Real Red 8-1/2x11
105067 Boxes & Tags Pockets & Pieces Assortment I
105068 Boxes & Tags Pockets & Pieces Assortment II
108798 Boxes & Tags Tiny Takeout Confetti White
107246 Boxes & Tags Tiny Takeout Kraft
105747 Boxes Stamp & Supply Extra Large
105748 Boxes Stamp & Supply Extra Large Divided
105744 Boxes Stamp & Supply Extra Small
105749 Boxes Stamp & Supply Jumbo
105734 Boxes Stamp & Supply Large
105746 Boxes Stamp & Supply Medium
105745 Boxes Stamp & Supply Small
101052 Brayer Attachment Foam
107293 Cards & Envelopes Greeting Very Vanilla Medium
109149 Designer Series Paper Brocade Background
109161 Designer Series Paper Cerise
109162 Designer Series Paper Charbon
109155 Designer Series Paper Creepy Crawley
109152 Designer Series Paper Darling Doodles
109150 Designer Series Paper Dashing
108503 Designer Series Paper Petals & Paisleys
109156 Designer Series Paper Linen Prints
109147 Designer Series Paper Notations No. 2
109148 Designer Series Paper Outlaw
109158 Designer Series Paper Uptown
109157 Designer Series Paper Wintergreen
107285 Envelopes Open End Very Vanilla Large
107284 Envelopes Open End Whisper White Large
107296 Envelopes Shimmery White Medium
107287 Envelopes Square Vellum Large
107310 Envelopes Square Very Vanilla Mini
107294 Envelopes Vellum Medium
107290 Envelopes Very Vanilla Large
107291 Envelopes Whisper White Large
101016 Eyelet Tool Kit
105317 Eyelets Bold Brights II
105379 Eyelets Silver
105315 Eyelets Soft Subtles II
107282 Fancy Fibers Bella
107283 Fancy Fibers Elizabeth
103352 Stampin' Glitter Romantic Red
103349 Stampin' Glitter Silver Shine
106650 Greeting Glue
102620 Liquid Glue
103145 Page Protectors Post 8-1/2x11
104523 Page Protectors Ring 8-1/2x11
103598 Paper Vellum 12x12
105543 Pastel Refills Bold Brights
105544 Pastel Refills Earth Elements
105547 Pastel Refills Neutrals
105545 Pastel Refills Rich Regals
105546 Pastel Refills Soft Subtles
105962 Perfect Layers Tool
104184 Post Extenders
106522 Punch Spring Bouquet Flower
109722 Simply Scrappin' Creative License Hostess Level 1
109611 Simply Scrappin' Happy Me Hostess Level 3
109596 Simply Scrappin' Out & About
109626 Simply Scrappin' Primary Colors
109649 Simply Scrappin' Round Up
109635 Simply Scrappin' Secret Garden
109663 Simply Scrappin' Winter Bright
107415 Simply Sent Friendship Shapes
109230 Simply Sent Happy Day
105580 Spectrum Pad Blue Frost
101492 Spectrum Pad Celebration
105579 Spectrum Pad Cotton Candy
101336 Spectrum Pad Pumpkin Patch
100000 Spectrum Pad Un-inked
103953 Stamp-a-ma-jig Imaging Sheets Refill
104432 Stampin' Around Cartridge & Ink Refill Clear Embossing
101460 Stampin' Around Cartridge & Ink Refill Whisper White
102391 Stampin' Around Ink Refill Clear Embossing
103017 Stampin' Around Ink Refill Whisper White
103151 Stampin' Emboss Powder Hologram Highlights
105677 Stampin' Kids Pad Bear Brown
105676 Stampin' Kids Pad Beetle Black
105675 Stampin' Kids Pad Boxcar Blue
105674 Stampin' Kids Pad Gumball Green
105673 Stampin' Kids Pad Poppin' Purple
105672 Stampin' Kids Pad Princess Pink
105671 Stampin' Kids Pad Robin Red
105670 Stampin' Kids Pad Yahoo Yellow
103174 Stampin' Pastel Applicators
100852 Stampin' Pastel Erasers
100081 Stampin' Write Marker Going Gray
100945 StazOn Ink Refill Timber Brown
103088 StazOn Pad Timber Brown
107235 Tag Sheets Bold Brights
107239 Tag Sheets Confetti White & Kraft
107236 Tag Sheets Earth Elements
107240 Tag Sheets Kraft
107237 Tag Sheets Rich Regals
107238 Tag Sheets Soft Subtles
100894 Watercolor Brush Flat
101551 Watercolor Brush Medium
101331 Watercolor Brush Small
105395 Wire Works Metallic
105652 Wrapping Paper Whisper White

Stampin' Around wheels
100360 Acorns
109812 All about Birthdays*
109690 All about Christmas*
109812 All about Gratitude*
109676 Autumn Dots
104070 Bloomin'
107466 Bodacious*
105750 Bouquet*
107481 Butterflies & Blossoms
104065 Fishy
100267 Happy Jacks
107563 Ho Ho Ho
104312 Hot to Dot
104279 Leaf Prints
106062 Leaves Awash*
107479 Rough around the Edges*
101927 Snowman Fun
107465 Speckled*
105521 Spooky Skyline*
108979 Spotted*
107480 True Hearts
105033 Wings & Things
* Jumbo Stampin' Around wheels

Don't forget that the list of retired stamp sets can be found at www.stampinup.com as well.

In honor of our retiring products, I am offering $5.00 off of orders of $35 or more(pretax and s/h) that are placed before December 19th. This is a great opportunity to stock up on gifts for the stampers and scrappers in your life :)