Stampin' Up! 2013-14 Catalog

Each year, I offer some information and thoughts on the changes Stampin' Up! is making for their new catalog year and on the catalog itself.  I'm not affiliated with Stampin' Up! in any way.  These are just my opinions.

THE biggest change:

Several colors have been retired and new colors (almost all old in-colors) are being added.  If you had these in-colors in the past and saved them, you are in luck.  New colors to the regular color families are:  Bermuda Bay, Smoky Slate (this one is truly new - a nice soft gray, I think*), Blushing Bride, Calypso Coral, Pear Pizzazz, Pool Party, Soft Sky, Wisteria Wonder, and Island Indigo

Biggest disappointment - If you like pink or purple, you are really out of luck.  Most of the purples went with the last color change.  Pink is the latest color to get the ax.  They still have that pale Pink Pirouette and Melon Mambo but Pretty In Pink and Regal Rose are gone leaving true pinks out almost entirely.

The biggest change involving the catalog:

A de-emphasis on card making and scrapbooking.  A greater emphasis on "other papercrafting."  I was really surprised to see how few card examples are in the new catalog.  However, at least there is one card every 2 or 3 pages.  I think there are maybe 2 scrapbook pages in the entire book!  The Simply Scrappin' kits are also gone.  This doesn't surprise me.  They were nice kits but too pricey.

If I were seeing Stampin' Up! for the first time, I'm not sure it would appeal to me as much.  Personally, I'm have little need anymore for making place cards or fancy package wrapping. I've never done a lot of paper based home decor projects.  When I think of Stampin' Up!, I think of card making.  There are still cards, just a noticeable emphasis on other things - especially gift packaging.  I just don't see people spending the money for SU! products to wrap pretty presents.

Most positive change for stamps:

Background stamps are now available in 'clear.'    That's really 'cling' and it makes the less expensive and more in line with Hero Arts.

Background stamps are no longer grouped in the back of the catalog.  They are spread around so I don't know what is new and what isn't.  Though there is a world map stamp I know I want.

New Accessories:

They have some Washi tape and it seems reasonably priced.

They have a new pretty ruffle trim and a denim jean ribbon I love!  I have some with grommets in it I got years ago at Walmart and have always wanted to find another source.  There are also some cute shaped paper clips and chevron ribbon I like.   I do wish though they would offer ribbon in smaller quantities.  I've complained about this since day one - no one really needs 10 or 15 yards of one ribbon color!

They reorganized the punch section by type of punch - all the circles together, all the label punches together, etc.  What a great idea!

Biggest relief:

All my staples are still available - 12x12 Crumb Cake and other colors either in individual packs or as a set, Naturals white and ivory cardstock, and envelopes.

I commend them once again for maintaining their prices on basic items - ink, paper and envelopes!  I think that is fantastic!

My Biggest Complaint:

This year, it is a tie.

First of all, there are no holiday stamps in the main catalog.  None, not a single Christmas tree or Ho Ho Ho.  No Easter egg or Thanksgiving turkey.  I assume they are planning to put these in the mini catalog but some of us what to see what is coming for Christmas before fall.

And once again ...poor representation of the colors!  I think this is at least the 3rd year I've gripped about this.  In past years the color samples were tiny.  This year they are large but someone decided to be clever and use 'stuff' to show the colors.  For example, the *neutrals are shown with buttons and brads.  This is why I said earlier that I think smokey slate is a light gray. The representation is a few buttons and with the lighting glare it is hard to tell the true color.  The Brights collection is shown with ink drops of all things and some of the colors are definitely not true.  There is plenty of room in the catalog, why not just put in a nice square with the color - nothing fancy - just print the color?


There are some nice hostess sets. They also offer a new monthly kit club which sounds like a wonderful idea for someone new to the art of stamping.

For all my complaining, I do really admire the quality of their products and appreciate that they are keeping prices consistent with prior years.

You can find the new catalog via Stampin' Up!'s website here.

Have you seen the new catalog? What do you think?