Sparkle & Shine Technique Blog Hop

If you've arrive from Darlys' blog, you're in the right place! If you've become dazed by all the shiny things, Melissa has a list of all the participants this month.

The calendar may say August but crafters know it really the beginning of the holiday season! Last month my card class theme was Christmas and CTMH gave us a Christmas in July Flash Sale.

But, just like embossing, why do we save the Sparkle and Shine for only once a year?? 

My friends and I often show each other our latest creation and ask, "What does this need?" Sometimes there is a missing element but other times, just changing an element can make a big difference.  Adding a little bling can take your artwork up a notch. Let Me Show You How...

This is a perfectly lovely card. There is nothing wrong with it. 

The Gold Embellishing Thread already adds a little something.

Here is the same card design. I added a little more Shine with the Gold Sequins. I also embossed the sentiment and hearts.

 Then I went for all Sparkle. I replace the cardstock with Sugarplum Glitter paper. On the sentiment and hearts I highlighted them with Shimmer Brushes.







Shimmer Brushes are a great way to add a little more to your project. They are available in a variety of colors, not expensive, and easy to use.

On this sticker from True Love Complements, I accented the diamond with Clear Shimmer Brush.















For the rings on the cut-apart sheet from the paper pack, I also used the Gold Shimmer Brush on the rings.

















The Mint Shimmer Brush was perfect to embellishing the glasses of champagne!


















For the flowers, I completely covered the pink one with Sugarplum, but only accented the grey shading on the white daisy with the Clear Shimmer.

What is your favorite use for the Shimmer Brush?

Which version of my card do you prefer?

You can post your answer below before following the glitter trail to see what Rebecca has to share.

Colors featured: Sugarplum, Sapphire, Ballerina. Other products used:

Sold Out and Retired List

Here's a link to the retired list. 

This is a list of products from the current Core Catalog that will retire at the end of August. All available items are WHILE SUPPLIES LAST. A few things are already sold out. As more items become unavailable, I will update the list. 

Sometime an items is on the retired list because the packaging is being changed, not necessarily that the product is being discontinued. Sometimes the manufacturer changes, that's also a new item number. If you have a question, or are in a panic, just ask me.

If your list is really long, talk to me about Hosting a Facebook Party or Catalog Show. You can also click above on the Opportunity for You tab and jump in with both feet!

For the two-month long Seasonal Catalogs, products are featured for those two months and many are not intended to be in stock for longer. Stamps are being kept current longer than they initially were. Anything that is available, that is not in the Core Catalog or current Seasonal Catalog, can be found on my website under the Online Only section.

What will sell out first?

Wait a minute while I get my crystal ball...oh right, I don't have one. But, here are my educated guesses (and I've been wrong before!).

• More than once, demand has exceeded supply and we've surprised the corporate office wizards  who study trends, buying habits, etc. You Are Enough and Stars and Sparklers flew off the shelves the last couple days of June!!
• Paper collections are promoted in same order as they are in the catalog. They may sell out in the same order. 
• Items for the retiring colors usually sell out fast as consultants rush to fill existing orders, buy supplies for upcoming workshops, complete collections and get back ups for their favorites.
• It is easier to control items made "in house" than those we carry from other manufacturers. That is why sometime a product is just gone forever with no warning. When we attempted to re-order from the supplier, they had discontinued the product, or moved on to a new model. Stamp sets are made by CTMH, so if a quantity is low, they make more. 

The following colors are retiring (watch for updates!):

• Color of the Year - Blue Belle

You already know one of the new colors...Mulberry! This was included in the May Special - You Are Enough.

 Any guesses on the new Color of the Year??

Can't find an item on my website? 

                           What do the banners mean?

                                                                            Is it sold out?

• Back Order/Delayed Shipping
• More are on the way. 
• Item may cause order shipping to be delayed (up to 6 days) until it becomes available.
• We know they'll be here soon so we're going to wait X days and ship everything together.
• If you don't want to wait, remove the delayed items from your order before submitting. You can always ask me if I have something in stock (especially cardstock).
• 
  
• Low Quantity

• Is is almost gone forever? 
• current items-not necessarily
• clearance and going soon items-likely
• Is it going on back order? 
• current items- maybe.
• clearance and going soon items-unlikely
• Will they be gone in 5 minutes or 5 months? Yes.
• there might be 100, or 1000
• ASK ME TO CHECK
• 
  
• Out of Stock

• Is it gone forever?
• Apparently not. This seems to be code for "be back soon." Example: Sugarplum reinker in the Summer of 2020, I would not have been surprised if it was gone forever, but more stock was coming within a week. 
• Is it during a Flash Sale?
• The "quantity set aside for the sale" is probably gone. Look for the item (especially current products) to return to stock (at regular price) after the sale.
• ASK ME TO CHECK

• Where did it go?!?!
• During a flash sale, I had something in my cart, and then it disappeared! Now I can't find it online!! 
• The item probably sold out. If it is a regular, current item, it will probably be back at regular price after the sale.
• If it was a retired item, it is probably out of stock and gone forever.
• It's only 3 weeks into the new catalog and I can't find a new product online.
• Sometimes it's glitch.
• I can tell you if the item actually sold out.
• It may be temporarily unavailable to order. More are coming, but it will be too long to hold on back order. The items is "gone" temporarily until more are back in stock. (Example: the happened with Thin Cuts once)
• It was in Going Soon or Clearance forever, now it's gone, along with several similar items.
• They may have been pulled for an upcoming sale. (I saw this before Stamptacular.)
• They may be gone, especially if they are really old and not selling.
• It sold out. - These are generally a guess, unless I happen to catch it right after it goes. Retired items don't get placed on the list I receive.