Ah, here we are...May 1st...the big day. Every May 1st Stampin' Up! announces the retirement list. Items on this list will no longer be available after June 30th. I, for one, am glad they do this...now I can be sure and order any sets that I just have to have. Without further delay, here's the list in .pdf form:

Click Here to get 'the list'!

Last year I only 'lost' six stamp sets. This year, however, I am losing 24 sets. As a demo I tend to only have 'demonstratable' sets...so once things retire I get rid of them...to make room for new stuff, of course! There are a few exceptions, Quirky Alphabet for example, that I keep even after they're retired. I have the retired shelf in my stamp room that contains all retired sets that I want to hang on to. Of the ones I'm losing this year, I think there was only one that I plan on keeping. The rest will be auctioned off at a hostess appreciation party...giving past hostesses the first chance at getting them at a discounted rate.

To all of this year's hostesses, you can expect to see the following sets in the auction part of the hostess appreciation party: Very Merry, Sweet Seasons, Stipple Celebrations, The Fine Print, Mini Messages, Quick & Cute, Good Times, Something to Celebrate, Sketch An Event, Framed Greetings, Perfect Party, Birthday Banter, I Like Your Style, Oh So Sweet, Paris in the Spring, Sweet of You, Crayon Kids, Perfect Petals, Stipple Rose, Smorgasborders, Bitty Blossoms, Soft Swirls, and Just Journaling I.

I am happy to report that none of my alphabet sets are on the retired list, although Tidy Alphabet was on my wish list. I think I still may get that one so I can have it for scrapbooking. I'm also considering Travel Time and Time for Fun to have for future scrapbooking pages, too. I keep telling myself that since they're getting rid of all these great sets the new catalog ought to be fantastic! I can't wait to see the new catty...only 61 more days to go! Heaven help my UPS guy if my catalog shipment is delayed an extra day like last year...I know it's not his fault, but I just don't think he understood the gravity of the situation!