December Frenzy

It's here! - the December Frenzy special which runs only from now until 31 December, so contact me today to take advantage of these never-before-seen prices and place your order.
Some products are up to 50% off during the sale - wow what great savings there are!

Summer Mini catalogue

Hi everyone.
Click on the image above to browse through the Summer Mini catalogue OUT NOW. It runs from 1 December through to 31 March, so if you'd like to place an order just contact me.
If you would like to receive a mini please also contact me and I will deliver or mail you one.

Fun at the Fundraiser

Hi everyone.

Well, here it is post fundraiser evening and what a day it was!
Had 50 ladies booked, all attended. There was lots of laughter and chatting, so I took it from that that they enjoyed themselves.

 We raised a wonderful amount for my charity,  made 5 cards, ate well, and of course thanks again to Stampin'Up! for all the fabulous product donated toward the event.

I had the most amazing help from my darling husband who sold raffle tickets, gave out door prizes, chatted, took photos, cleaned up, helped serve morning tea and generally helped all round. I even think the ladies enjoyed having him there!!

My upline Jacqui, fellow demonstrators Sylvia and Diane and 'guest' demonstrator Wendy were fabulous. Wouldn't have been able to do it without you girls.

I have just checked my emails and one guest has booked herself and 4 others in for the 'next' one which I mentioned we may have in 2012!

These are a couple of the photos to give you an idea how it all went.

Some of the ladies 'hard at work'

Regionals Fun

Hi everyone.
Bet you thought I was never going to post on my blog again!

Didn't realise it's been nearly a month since my last entry - have been very busy with classes and life in general.

Hubby and I have recently enjoyed 8 relaxing days in Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast - what a gorgeous part of the country that is. Our unit was directly across the road from the beach which in normal times would have been right up my alley, but sadly the weather wasn't all that kind for the first 6 days, but we still managed to explore the area which included the wonderful Eumundi markets and took in very picturesque Maleny and Montville areas.

Our son David and his lovely fiance Claire (how exciting - they announced their engagement a few weeks back!) joined us on the weekend. We also taught Claire how to play Euchre and us girls 'whipped' the guys butts!!!  Just had to get that one in!

On the Sunday we ventured off to Australia Zoo. Oh my goodness, it has definitely changed since those early days and is a credit to Steve and Terri Irwin. The first time we went as a family Steve and Terri joined our family for a chat while we enjoyed lunch, which was such a highlight for our boys. I think the Zoo would have only been a couple of years old at that stage; you should see it now - it's huge and beautiful.

Okay! enough of me and mine!!

On Saturday, along with members of our 'Bent Ink-linations' Stampin'Up! team - headed by the wonderful Jacqui Crouch - we attended the annual Stampin'Up! Regionals held at Brisbane Convention Centre. This was my second time there, but for Dianne, Sylvia, Jo and her guest Chris, it was their 'maiden' experience.

We decided our team should wear a 'badge' to distinguish who we are, so the lovely Dianne designed our gorgeous 'Miss Bling' with only a few days notice. Isn't she just divine? Again, thanks heaps Dianne - she will be proudly displayed on my SU apron. My contribution  was that I supplied the brooch backs!!!!! big deal heh! Melon Mambo is the colour, but notice the bling and that gorgeous feather 'fascinator'!

Here we all are: Jo, her guest Chris, Therese, Dianne, Jacqui, myself and Sylvia

Thank you for visting,
Cheers,
Sue

Afternoon fun

I spent this afternoon at a workshop with a group of 8 lovely ladies. They are line dancers and following their morning of dancing and then lunch, it was down to a couple of hours of cardmaking.

Stamp Sets:     Just Believe, Bring on the Cake
Cardstock:     Whisper White, Pocketful of Posies Designer Series Paper, Pretty in Pink, Rich Razzleberry (love this colour!)
Inks:                Pear Pizazz, Rich Razzleberry
Accessories:    Itty Bitty Punch set, Basic Pearls, Scallop trim border punch, corner rounder punch

Another easel card which I love making

Stamp Sets:          Fifth Avenue Floral (this is such a popular stamp set), Always Elegant, Confetti (this is a new set which consists of a group of background stamps - as a number of the ladies hadn't stamped much before, I wanted to show them what they could do. Therefore, there's not much showing, but we used the darling little dots stamp in the set)
Cardstock:           Elegant Eggplant, Rose Red, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla
Inks:                     Elegant Eggplant, Basic Black, Rose Red
Accessories:         Basic Pearls, Mat pack

I wanted to show the ladies that you don't need only Christmas paper for your cards.

Stamp Sets:           Snow Swirled, Short and Sweet, Dasher
Cardstock:            Pocketful of Posies Designer Series Paper (this particular patterned piece in the set is in Calypso Coral - gorgeous!), Riding Hood Red, Basic Grey, Whisper White
Inks:                     Calypso Coral
Accessories:        Top Note Bigz die, Basic Rhinestones, Circles No.2 Original die, Punches -Scallop Circle, 1 1/4" circle, 1 3/8" circle, daubers for sponging around whisper white cardstock.

Tomorrow I'm off to spend a couple of days with my fabulous Upline Jacqui who I'm sure has lots of goodies in store for us; apart from coffee, chatting and maybe more chatting!!!! Maybe a wine or two thrown in for good measure!
Sorry Dennis, you'll probably be glad to see me go on Thursday and then you can get back to 'normal'!!!! LOL

Thanks for visiting
Cheers,
Sue

Love is in the Air

Recently, my girlfriend's daughter asked me to make a wedding card for her. Well, as usual, once I began creating, I found it difficult to stop. So, instead of only 1, I ended up making 6 for her to choose from!! Hopefully, she'll like at least one of them! Let me know your thoughts.
I generally construct everything for my blog with Stampin'Up! product only, but this time I added in some 'stash' I have at home.
If you know me, you'll realise I have a rather large 'stash' of products from a previous life!

The same lady has  also requested I make some baby cards for her -  am I going to have fun with those!!
Girlie ones will be fun even though I was blessed with 2 gorgeous sons -  pink was definitely not in the equation with them.

I do apologise for the shine on some of these photos. Very difficult photographing white-on-white or cream.

I used Stampin'Up's gorgeous Champagne Mist Shimmer paint on the flourish and butterfly.

SU basic pearls, Whisper White cardstock, Butterfly punch, X-lge oval punch and the new Oval designer frame embossing folder (looks like little pearls around the edge of the frame), and of course that beautiful Champagne Mist Shimmer paint.

This card opens up from where the Scallop trim border punched edges are. I have used basic pearls as highlights and embossed with SU Gold embossing powder. The card rests on a square of SU Brushed Gold cardstock.

Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder used here, again with those gorgeous basic pearls.

Last, but not least. I have used the gorgeous Frames Tulips embossing folder, along with the Decorative Label punch.

Enjoy,
Thanks for visiting
Sue

The colour Purple!

Last Saturday I held a card class with my regular monthly ladies, and we had a great morning creating 3 cards - all around the colour purple, which was a request from the hostess of the day Miss Phoebe.

I have to thank my lovely niece-in-law Nicole for the idea of this gorgeous bookmark. It was a heap of fun to make and would make a terrific gift for a friend. I'd use one but it somehow doesn't work with my Kindle E-book!!

Stamp set: Aviary
Cardstock: Elegant Eggplant, More Mustard, Whisper White, 2010-2012 In-Colour DSP in Concord Crush and Pear Pizazz
Stamp pads: More Mustard, Basic Black, Old Olive (sponging)
Accessories: Punches -  2 3/8" scallop circle, 1 1/2" circle, Scallop edge border

I recently purchased the Bigz Beautiful Butterflies die set and just had to use it straight away. I adore butterflies and dragonflies, so anything which includes them in my projects is a bonus. Of course, SU have so many lovely new stamp sets included in our Idea Book and Catalogue this year, but I must be honest I always go back to the fabulous stamp set 'Baroque Motifs' which has to be one of my all time fave sets, which as you can see I have made as the background accent. The new 2011-2013 In Color cardstock colours are to die for, so had to of course include in the card.

Stamp Set: Creative Elements, Baroque Motifs
Cardstock: Basic Black, Whisper White, Old Olive,  2011-2013 In Color Wisteria Wonder
Stamp pads: Wisteria Wonder and Blushing Bride
Accessories: Beautiful Butterflieds Bigz die, Punches - 1 3/4" circle, 1 1/2" circle, Rhinestones, sponge, Little Leaves Sizzlits, Dimensionals

The final card was basically created using the Big Shot Perfect Polkadots embossing folder with the new totally gorgeous Lace Ribbon border punch as the accent. I can see this punch being very popular as it looks beautiful with ribbon threaded through it, pearls or rhinestones dotted along it, or as I have done, just left plain so the beautiful pattern is enhanced. This was a very simple card, but I felt it didn't need a lot as the pattern of the punch highlights it all.

Stamp Set: Pennant Parade ('hello')
Cardstock: Whisper White, Bashful Blue, Elegant Eggplant, Melon Mambo, 2011-2013 In Color Lucky Limeade
Stamp pads: Elegant Eggplant
Accessories: Punches - Fancy Flower, Lace Ribbon border, Bitty Shapes punch pack, 3/4" and 1" circle punches, Rhinestones, Perfect Pookadots embossing folder, dimensionals.

Thanks heaps for visiting,

Sue

A little bit of fun

Hi everyone.

Tuesday evening has come and gone, but I hope all the ladies enjoyed themselves at the launch party I hosted. Thank you all again for coming along, and I do hope you enjoyed the evening. I know a few of you went home with little 'goody plates' for your hubbies! Hope they liked their little gifts! My M.O.T.H. is working away this week, but never fear I have saved heaps for him for the weekend!

Below are a few of the photos I took beforehand. Don't forget you can click on the photos to enlarge them.

I have to admit that I did CASE a few of the ideas from our new catty, but altered them to my taste.

I usually dress this 'tree' for my barbeque area at Christmas but thought it would make a lovely 'in-color' flower and butterly bush!

I am just loving the new Button Buddies stamp set. It has heaps of possibilities and gives me a chance to use some of those gorgeous SU buttons.

If you're not very confident as a card maker or want to buy a gift for a non-cardmaker, why not look at purchasing one of the Simply Sent kits as pictured here. They have everything required to put together 8 gorgeous cards.

If you look very closely on the bottom shelf of my china cabinet, you can see (barely!), the platter of gorgeous patty cakes that I cooked and iced (thanks so much to my sister Doreen for her clever flower creations and teaching me how to make them). Silly me, I completely forgot to take a photo of the table with all the yummy food for supper but realised when I had downloaded this photo, that at least you could glimpse my efforts!!!

If you would like to purchase a 2011-2012 Idea Book and Catalogue, place an order with me, or book a class or demonstration, or just pop in for a coffee and chat (now everyone knows that's a difficult thing for me!!!!), just call or email me anytime.

Thanks for visiting,
Cheers,
Sue

New Catalogue Launch evening

Hi everyone. Bet you thought I'd gone walkabout!!

Still here but have been as busy as a 'lizard on a log', as I've been conducting classes and had  my sister and brother-in-law visiting from Canberra (she makes the best patty cakes ever!!!). They have gone North for a week and are returning for a few days next week on their way home. I so love having her visit and would love it if they lived closer although it could get us into all sorts of mischief as we both love our craft.

While here she taught me some basic cake decorating tricks and I can't wait to try them out.
Speaking of which, I am hosting a catalogue launch evening here tomorrow evening, which has been keeping me very busy preparing.
I have 18 lovely ladies attending and apart from viewing the brand new catalogue and some of the products, I have a raffle organised plus door prizes as well as refreshments which I have prepared.
Hopefully, I'll get some photos organised and post them in the next few days.

Thanks for visiting,
Sue

Spotlighted Triptych

M.O.T.H. and I today attended our local Bentley Art Prize which showcases local artists including oil paintings, charcoal drawings, photography, scrapbooking to name a few. We have a wonderful assortment of artists in and around our community, and it was so difficult to decide on our absolute favourites.
When we returned home we enjoyed a welcome coffee in our backyard listening to the birds, and it was then I decided to come in and make a card. I had been thinking of a triptych painting I really liked at the exhibition and thought I might replicate the idea in a card. I had also seen a lovely card made by Linda Hellier and here is my version.

Thanks for visiting.
Sue

Cardstock: Basic Black, Poppy Parade

Stamps: Medallion, Heard from the Heart, Vintage Vogue

Stamp Pads: Whisper White Craft, Basic Black

Other: Assorted circle punches, Poppy Parade 1/2" Stitched-Poly Ribbon, Basic Rhinestone

Bid a Fond Farewell

We all need to say goodbye from time to time, and now is that time at Stampin'Up.
To make way for new and exciting products, it is necessary to retire some products.

Click HERE and you will be able to view the Retirement List.

Products are only available while supplies last, so contact me to place your order.

I will update the list as time goes by.

Stampin' Tess

I've owned this stamp set for some time and just hadn't played with it until now.
I sprinkled Olive fine supernova Stampin'Up! glitter over a piece of  Multipurpose Adhesive sheet for the background behind 'Tess' and used the Scallop trim corner punch.

I stamped her onto Whisper white cardstock and coloured her with our SU markers. I then stamped the bag onto DSP, stamped the wording which is also part of the set, using the Stamp-a-ma-Jig, cut out the bag to look like she's holding it, layered it onto Whisper White with Elegant Eggplant as the card base.

 Now I've 'played' with her, I can see such potential with this great stamp set.
 She is part of an 11 piece stamp set which you can of course purchase from me. Wouldn't your daughter love this set to play with?

Just a Little 'Two Step'

Made this card for a class recently and had to share it with you. I have always loved pink and grey together so decided it might go nicely on a card. Haven't really used too much of the  SU Basic Gray cardstock, but think it looks pretty. What do you think? I totally love the Lap of Luxury Designer paper along with the little leaves sizzlits die (it can be used for so many layouts, either cards or scrapbook pages).

Cardstock: Basic Gray, Whisper White, Lap of Luxury DSP, Old Olive

Stamp Set: Flower Fancy 2-step set

Other: Little Leaves Sizzlits die, Circle Scissor Plus, Scallop Edge Border punch, Dazzling Diamonds glitter

Big Shot Hints

Was just reading through some papers and came across a couple of interesting hints for the Big Shot.

1. Flip and rotate your cutting mats so that you get even wear on them Not flipping and rotating can cause your cutting mats to buckle and eventually break. (and a number of us have seen this happen, haven't we!!!!)
2. When using Bigz dies and multiple sheets of cardstock, use the crease pad plus two plastic pieces of shim. The shim does make a difference.
3. Use your dies to create a stencil from acetate. Leave plenty of room around the image, then place it over your cardstock and sponge away. A great way to create backgrounds.

Thanks heaps Angela!
Hope these hints can be of help to you. If you'd like to ask any questions, don't hesitate to contact me.

Miss Top Note Reindeer and her Friend

I should be preparing for my technique classes next week, but just had to have a play some more Christmas goodies. It must be those Jaffas! I used the Top Note die for the little bag and of course my reindeer had to be a girl - well I think she looks girly with her lovely eyelashes!!

I saw the reindeer pouch on the web and as I don't own the appropriate die decided to have a play with just cardstock and my scallop border punch. I am pretty happy with it, even though I don't think it will hold too many delights, but was fun to make, and isn't that what it's all about?

I hope you like them as much as I enjoyed making them. I have a special lady who I'm going to give the lolly bag to as she missed out recently on a hostess gift! You may even have another little 'something' coming your way also. See you Wednesday!

Sorry to have been in hibernation for a little while. It has been a sad time in our house over the last couple of weeks as we had to 'put to sleep' our beloved dog Jess. She has been our beautiful companion for almost 16 years, but life had just become too difficult for her. We miss her so very much but know she is probably having a great time in 'doggy heaven' with all her old and new friends.

Now onto something a little more cheery!

Christmas in July workshop

Yesterday I had the pleasure of conducting a workshop with 7 lovely ladies who come together once a month to create and have fun. They were interested in using the Ornament punch and Delightful Decorations stamp set (Stampin'Up! of course). I have only very recently purchased the fabulous Magnetic Movers and Shapers Curly Label set, along with the Holiday Windows set. Naturally, I needed to incorporate this into a card.
I always put together a Hostess gift and usually give away a door prize or 2, but I decided this time to give each lady a separate little bit of fun, so each lady received a 'Reindeer Jaffa tube' - what else could I call them?!
My apologies for the angle - can't work that one out!!

Reindeer Jaffa tubes

I can't take all the credit for these gorgeous little fellas, as I CASED them from another demonstrator's site and can't remember who it was - but  I do love them!

Cardstock: Real Red, Whisper White, Basic Black, Kraft

Other: Two-Step owl punch, Crystal effects, Circle Scallop punch, 1 3/8" circle punch

Joy Card

Cardstock: Elegant Eggplant, Garden Green, More Mustard, Whisper White

Stamp Sets: Baroque Motifs, Lovely Letters Alphabet

Stampin' pads: Elegant Eggplant, Wild Wasabi

Other: Ornament punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, 1 3/4" circle punch

Ornaments Galore

Cardstock: Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, Jolly Holiday DSP

Stamp sets: Delightful Decorations, Occasional Quotes (Hostess Level 3)

Stampin' pads: Cherry Cobbler

Other: Ornament punch, Movers and Shapers Holiday Windows, 1" circle punch, 3/4" circle punch

Gift with Purchase promotion

Would you like to receive during the month of July, these gorgeous products which are valued at $31.95?

You will receive one free bundle when you have reached the qualifying amount of only $100 on an order.

Orders over the qualifying amount will not receive multiple bundles.

If you're not looking to spend that amount on a single order, why not share with a friend, which will enable you to share the bundle.

Contact me anytime to place your order. What a fabulous opportunity to be part of another Stampin'Up! promotion.

Three little vases

I had 3 lovely friends over last week for an afternoon of playing with some of my wonderful Stampin'Up! product.
Following coffee and cake (a must on a chilly afternoon!), they  went on to make, among other fun things, these gorgeous cards. I had viewed a tute somewhere on the web, so with my guidance they proceeded to make a card including one - aren't they just adorable?
Of course, nothing is ever complete without a darling butterfly flying around.
All product used is Stampin'Up! (of course!)

One Space Left!

Following numerous requests for me to host technique classes, I will be holding them on the 4th Tuesday and Thursday morning of each month commencing this month.
Because of the amazing response to these classes, there is only 1 space left on the Tuesday morning, so if you're thinking of joining us you need to contact me.
If there is a requirement to hold extra classes, that is also an option depending on the response I have.
Time: 10am-12 noon
Venue: My home
Price: $10.00 for 2 techniques and 2 cards using the techniques learned.
Coffee/tea included.

Hi everyone. I know it's been a while but gremlins attacked the computer, and thanks to the M.O.T.H. it is now running smoothly.

We are experiencing very wet and cold weather here at present, so it's so nice just being able to 'play' at my computer.

Following are 3 cards  made at a recent workshop. I hope you like them.

Imagine the Possibilities

This first one is an 'easel' card which makes it a little different to the standard card pattern.

Stamp set:  Stampin'Up! Word Play (absolutely love this set)

Cardstock: Early Espresso, Bashful Blue, Whisper White

Other:  DSP Subtles Patterns stack, So Swirly jumbo wheel, basic Rhinestones, Eyelet border punch, Early Espressor 3.2mm Taffeta ribbon, Decorative Label punch (this punch is available NOW in the Autumn-Winter Mini catalogue)

Just for You

I love this  monochromatic colour combo. It is so yummy and was very popular with the ladies.

Stamp set: Just Believe
Cardstock: Rose Red, Pretty in Pink, Very Vanilla
Stamp pad: Rose Red
Other:  DSP Subtles Patterns stack, Basic Pearls, sponging

                                                  Thanks

Don't you just adore the In Colors? They are so vibrant, especially this one which is Concord Crush - even the name evokes yumminess!

Stamp Set: Perfect Punches, All a Flutter
Cardstock: Concord Crush, Whisper White
Other: DSP In Color Paper stack, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Scallop Trim border punch, Crimper, Scallop Oval punch, basic rhinestones. I used the All A Flutter stamp for the inside of the card and to decorate the envelope.

Holiday ends

Hi everyone.  I'm now home from Melbourne and Canberra, and wow what a terrific time I had.

First 4 days were spent with my two sisters exploring the city, enjoying the footy at Etihad stadium - go Essendon!!! (for you Christine!), eating out at Lygon Street (the most amazing Italian spaghetti dinner), shopping, shopping and more shopping!!

Next, came Stampin'Up! Convention!!!! Oh my goodness, I was blown away by it all.
Stayed in a 30th storey 2 bedroom unit (I am terrified by heights and the whole unit had ceiling to floor windows! - couldn't sleep in the bed closest to the window - felt I may fall out!!!!!)  with my upline Jacqui and her great husband Dennis along with Therese (our Tamworth connection), a 'died in the wool' country and western music fan who was so much fun. Enjoy Nashville darlin'.
Met so many great demonstrators, especially Maggie and her friend Annette - hi girls!

Then, it was onto Canberra for a week of R and R with my big sister. It was so relaxing being with them. I was able to catch up with my nephew Todd and his lovely wife Nicole and their delightful children Amber and Connor - hi kids!!

I hope to catch up with lots of friends at my Stampin'Up! site at the  Beef Week craft fair on Friday and Saturday.

Will hopefully have some photos from Therese to share soon. My camera decided to pack it in 3 days into my holiday. 

May Madness 'Deals of the Week'

During the month of May, Stampin'Up! will offer several discounted products as 'Deals of the Week'. There are no limits and no minimum purchase required. Check out the amazing deals offered for this week commencing today, 1 May and ending on Tuesday 10 May.
Specials are announced each Wednesday and are available at their discounted price during the specified period. At any other time during the month, the item will sell at their regular catalogue price.

Item	Page	Description	Regular Price	Sale Price
121578	37	Tag Alongs Wood-Mount Set	$31.95	$19.17
120468	59	More Monkey Accessories Clear-Mount Set	$23.95	$14.37
121550	59	More Monkey Accessories Wood-Mount Set	$29.95	$17.97
120003	75	Cottage Garden Clear-Mount Set	$24.95	$14.97
119163	75	Cottage Garden Wood-Mount Set	$32.95	$19.77
121494	98	Compliments to the Chef Wood-Mount Set	$35.95	$21.57

Who doesn't need more stamps in their collections??! We can never have too many.

Check  my website weekly for weekly deals. Phone or email to place your order.

I am travelling to Melbourne next week to spend a few days with my 2 gorgeous sisters and then attending Stampin'Up! Convention!!!! So exciting!
 I will be contactable by mobile phone, either leave me a message or phone home and leave a message. Ross will be checking emails and home phone messages.

Looking forward to catching up with everyone on my return.

Gorgeous Top Note boxes

I totally love these Top Note boxes. They are very versatile - fill them with yummy chocolates, cake of soap, jewellery - anything you like - what a delightful gift for a friend.

I only have 3 to show you as my photographic skills (not that brilliant as they are) went out the window. The 'girls' made a small greeting card to match, and I think went home very happy with themselves.

Here are the 'girls' hard at work constructing their boxes.

If you would like to organise a class, please contact me anytime.

Wedding Card for my friend

On Saturday, we attended the wedding of my dear friend Diane. We have been friends for a very long time and it was such an honour to be invited.
I had helped her and her 2 gorgeous daughters to make up her invitations and gorgeous little chocolate 'mini sunny boys' (that's what I call them!) to be given to each guest. She wore a beautiful suit of teal, chocolate and beige and even had a tie made for her man in the same material. Her girls wore teal also - really fitting colours for a garden wedding. It was one of the most relaxing and fun weddings we've been to in a long time.
We wish you and Steve a long and happy life together my friend.

Stamp set: Bliss (Sale-a-bration set)
Cardstock: White linen (non SU),  Teal shimmer (non SU),  SU Brushed Gold metallic
Other: SU Antique brads (these are sooo... beautiful), SU Scallop Trim Border

A little birdie told me

Don't you just adore the Aviary stamp set which was available in the Summer Mini? It has the potential to lend itself to so many cards and scrapbook pages. I wasn't sure whether I really liked this card, but when two of my lovely class attendees told me they loved it - I thought, what the heck, I really do think I like it after all! Of course that gorgeous Two-Step Bird punch leaf allows so many uses.

Stamps: Aviary, Occasional Greetings
Cardstock:  Poppy Parade, Baja Breeze, Whisper White, So Saffron, Old Olive
Stampin' pads: Early Espresso, Poppy Parade
Other: Square Lattice embossing folder, 2-Step Bird punch, Stamp-a-ma-Jig, 1 3/8" oval large, 1 3/4" oval large, Stampin' Dimensionals, sponge daubers

Autumn-Winter Mini Catalogue is here!

View the 2011
Autumn-Winter
Mini Catalogue online

Hi everyone,
So sorry it's taken me this long to come back to my blog. Have been, as my hubby would say, 'flat out as a lizard on a log'!
Have been working full time, and  getting over the work!!! Not as young as I once was!
This week I held 2 card workshops here at home in my little 'studio'  with some of my delightful lovelies. I hope you enjoyed as much as I did.

As you can see, we have introduced the Autumn-Winter Mini catalogue which has so many gorgeous products for you to drool over. The catalogue runs until 31 July and if you'd like your very own copy, just contact me and I'll mail one out to you.

Am out to the kitchen to cook up a big pot of chicken soup as I'm trying to get over an annoying cold. My family have always believed in the amazing healing qualities of chicken soup; it has magic in it!! Until later....

Absent but I will return

Hi everyone.
Sorry haven't posted recently but am working full time for a little while -  very long hours.
Please be patient.  Am desperately missing my 'craft room' but 'I will be back'! after the 26th.
Until then,

Beautiful Butterfly Prints, Lovely as a Tree

Aren't butterflies gorgeous? I also just adore dragonflies. This card, which was part of a recent workshop, required masking the butterflies because I wanted the background stamp (En Francais) to look as though it was behind the images. 

One of my most precious  Stampin'Up! tools is the Stamp-a-ma-Jig which helps position images, either with masking or just setting the image in the exact position on a card. I couldn't do without it.

Stamp Sets: Butterfly Prints, En Francais background
Cardstock: Perfect Plum, Very Vanilla, Sahara Sand, Pink Pirouette
Stamp Pads: Pink Pirouette, Perfect Plum
Other: Perfect Plum Stampin' Write Marker, sponging, Scallop Edge Border punch


'Lovely as a Tree' (reverse masking)

Stamp set: Lovely as a Tree
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla
Stamp Pads: More Mustard, Certainly Celery, Chocolate Chip, Basic Black
Other: oval mask, sponging, Oval small punch, Oval large punch

Chocy boxes

I have made a number of these darling boxes which conveniently hold 6 Ferrero Rocher chocolates! My Mum, who lives in W.A.,  has requested I mail her a couple so she can give them as gifts to friends, so, prior to mailing, thought I'd share a photo of them. I do hope she likes them. I'm also mailing her one of my 'hooty owl' (as I call him!) calendars and notepad boxes which are shown in my previous post.
 I made the flowers which adorn the top of each box, but unfortunately you cannot see that I have sprinkled Dazzling Diamonds over them, which gives a gorgeous sparkle.
The boxes make a lovely gift, and if you'd like to learn how to construct them, please contact me and we can arrange a class.

'Bella Bleu' box

Cardstock: Night of Navy, Very Vanilla, Old Olive cardstock,  Bella Bleu DSP (retired),
Other:   Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' glitter, Stampin'Up! antique brads (just love these)
Big Shot Top Note Bigz die

'Bella Rose' box

Cardstock: Riding Hood Red, Bella Rose DSP (retired)
Other: Big Shot Top Note Bigz die, Kiwi Kiss ribbon (retired), Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' glitter

Calendar and Notepad fun!

Today, hubby and I ventured to the beach for a long anticipated fishing day. Sadly, I think all the fish knew we were coming and decided to go on strike! First time we've ever been and not even a decent bite! Oh well, at least we enjoyed a delightful morning in the sun and sat by the river bank feasting on yummy fish and chips. Only way we were getting any fish for the day!!
When we returned home I decided to put together these darling calendars along with a  notepad box to match. They were such fun to make and will make a lovely gift. Mind you, I'm very late in getting out the calendars which of course should now be on February - oh well, better late than never.

Cardstock:
Greenhouse Gala Designer Series Paper
Punches:
Two-Step Owl Extra-Large, Branch from Two-Step Bird Extra-Large
Ink: Soft Suede, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive
Other: Embossing folder - non SU, calendar, notepad boxes - non SU

Rustic Rooster

This morning I was out in my garden doing some weeding and repotting before the day heated up. We have 3 gorgeous wooden duck ornaments which were a gift from my sister. They have pride of place in the garden.
 Anyway, it's very odd how our brain works because I have been playing in my craft room this evening and decided to pick up Rustic Rooster (retired) stamp set. Was I subconsciously thinking of my ducks? Who knows, but I decided to have a play with Mr Rooster.
I don't know if I really like what I've done with him, but decided to let you decide. Hubby questioned my use of the jumbo eyelets, but I felt they fit.

Stamp Set:
Rustic Rooster (retired)

Cardstock:
Riding Hood Red, Basic Black, Kraft

Stampin' Pads:
Chocolate Chip, Soft Suede

Other:
Sponging, Embossing folder (non Stampin'Up!), brayer, Circle Itty Bitty Shapes punch

Sale-A-Bration is Here!

Click on the picture to view the brochure

Here we go with another fabulous event in the Stampin'Up! calendar. Yes, that's right - it's Sale-A-Bration! time.

Dates for the promotion are: 25 January - 31 March 2011

(sorry haven't had this on here any earlier!)

Read further to see how you can earn free stamp sets.

* Spend $100 and receive a free stamp set from the SAB brochure.  Spend $300 and you  receive 3 stamp sets from the SAB, plus $30 free product.

* Host a workshop or demonstration, achieve sales of $600, and you can chose one free SAB Level 1 or 2 stamp set PLUS $70 free product. Of course, this is in addition to any free sets you achieve by your own personal purchases.

Phone or email me to place your order or book a workshop/demonstration.

Happy New Year

Hi everyone, and welcome to 2011.

Hubby and I spent Christmas with our younger son David and his lovely partner Claire, while our older son Justin was having fun kite surfing over in W.A. We missed him like crazy of course, and will make up for his absence on his return.

Recently, a friend hosted a card class along with 7 other lovely ladies and the following are the cards they made on the day.

Materials used:

Cardstock: Kraft, Soft Suede, Whisper White

Stamp set: Just Believe

Inkpads: Soft Suede, In-Color Pear Pizzazz

Ribbon: Pear Pizzazz ½” stitched-poly ribbon

Punch: Designer label – large

Accessories: Sponging, Hodgepodge Happiness stamp set (Summer Mini)

Hodgepodge Hardware, silver brads

Materials used:

Cardstock: Night of Navy, Whisper White

Inkpad: Pacific Point

Designer Series Paper: Blueberry Crisp

Stamp set: Pocket Silhouettes

Materials used:

Cardstock: Basic Black, Whisper White, Glossy White

Stamp set: Upsy Daisy

Inkpad: StazOn Jet Black, In-color Peach Parfait

Other: Sponging

Punch: Scallop Trim border

Designer Series Paper: Peach Parfait from In-color Patterns DSP stack

We have a room in our home that has been a ‘nothing’ type room and quite dark. One of our sons had it as a bedroom years ago and we jokingly referred to it as the ‘cave room’. Recently a builder friend made a window type opening in one wall to enable more light in and open up the room, and what a difference it has made. It is situated right next door to our computer area and my craft room, and is just like an extension of that area. I call it my ‘studio’ which will enable me to conduct classes here at my home, although I am still very happy to come to you. I can accommodate up to 6 ladies or even 1 or 2, your choice. Phone or email me anytime.