Party Party!

It seems to be never-ending parties around here at the moment! It's my brother-in-law's 40th on the weekend, which I'm helping to do some food for. And then it's Amy's 14th Birthday on Monday...I know! Can you believe I am the other of a 14 year-old?? ("She looks far too young!" I can hear you thinking LOL)
In the spirit of all that partying, here's a cute little gift card I whipped up a batch of. So easy, thanks to the In Stitches Wheel and the Create a Cupcake set and matching punch. It's very handy to have a few of these little beauties ready for the next party that comes along!
Have a great weekend!

Nature Walk Birthday

I whipped up a batch of these cards to send out to some very special team members for their birthdays over the last month or two.
I used the Nature Walk set from the current Mini, which I seem to be pulling out a lot lately! I stamped first, then ran it through the Big Shot with the lattice embossing folder. I kept to mainly neutral shades (Sahara Sand and Soft Suede) and added a dash of Night of Navy.
The sweet little Happy Birthday greeting is from the Create a Cupcake stamp set, also in the Mini. I created a mat for the word window using the Decorative label punch, and embellished it with a couple of sweet little pearls.
It's a grey day here in Sydney...perfect to stay indoors and make cards...maybe I'll do just that!

Deal of the Week 4!

Throughout the month of May, Stampin' Up! will be offering Deals of the Week. This is the fourth and final deal for the month, and it will only last for a week...so don't miss out!
For Deal Number 4 we have 30% off some Wheels and Rub-ons:

Item	Page	Description	Regular Price	Sale Price
113838	62	Right on Track Stampin' Around Wheel	$11.95	$8.37
115619	68	Retro Remix Stampin Around Wheel	$11.95	$8.37
119975	134	Vintage Type Rub-Ons	$15.95	$11.17
118760	134	Play Date Rub-Ons	$16.95	$11.87

There are no limits to the number of Deals of the Week you can purchase and no minimum purchase is required.* Now is your time to stock up on your favourite products! Email me to place your order by Tuesday 31st May.

Be sure to hurry and purchase each week's deals early on so you don't miss out! When the new week's deals start up each Wednesday at midnight, the last week's deals are over . . . forever!

*There is no limit to the number of Deals of the Week items you may purchase. However, if we run low on product we will return the product to full catalogue price before the end of the week. If this happens, we will announce it on the Stampin' Up! website homepage.

Strength and Hope Stamp-a-Stack

This was our other stamp-a-stack for May. I really wanted to use the Strength and Hope set. Not only is it a beautiful set, but it raises money for a really good cause too.
The colours I've used are Not Quite Navy, Rich Razzleberry and Always Artichoke. I stamped the script stamp in my favourite Neutral, Crumb Cake.
There are lots of TIPS on this set of cards:

• I've deepened the tone of the Not Quite Navy cardstock by swiping my Versamark inkpad across it.


• Check out the butterfly in the bottom-right corner... You can make a different-shaped butterfly from this set by chopping it in half and repositioning the wings! Use a pretty brad to cover the join and Voila!


• Have a look at the card on the bottom left; I've made a longer jewellery tag by punching with the Word Window first, and then inserting it into the jewellery tag punch. It's the perfect width!


• I used the Decorative label punch to make a Decorative border; You can use the side or the top to create a pretty curvy border.


• I also discovered a nifty way to tie a flat knot using the wide grosgrain ribbon, but I think I need a tutorial to explain that one. Let me know if you're interested, and I'll do one up.

The baby shower for my sister was yesterday, and it went really well. It was so nice to really celebrate this pregnancy with her. It was a gorgeous sunny day, there was lots of yummy food, friends and family and cute little gifts to ooh and aaah over. 2 months to go now, and I'll be an Auntie again!

I'm hoping to get my newsletter out today (yes it is late!!), so keep an eye out for that, if you're on my subscriber list...

Nature Walk Stamp-a-Stack

I really love the challenge of designing cards for Stamp-a-Stacks...finding a design that is both simple enough to mass produce and yet still has some 'wow' factor can be quite tricky. I don't always manage to pull it off, but after I made this set of cards, I was happy with them (and that's a rare occurrence, believe me!)
I like the large amount of white space, and then the delicate touches of colour. It's nice to know that a line-art stamp set doesn't always require a lot of water colouring. I applied my colour with a blender pen and just a touch of ink. I've used DSP from the 12x12 Patterns Stacks, all in Subtles Colours. The Basic Grey compliments it nicely, without being too harsh. I also used Confetti White cardstock. Not only is it easier to watercolour, but it is also a little sturdier than Whisper White for a base card and it is also not as stark, with pretty flecks in it.

Materials (all Stampin' Up!)
stamps: Nature Walk, Occasional Greetings
ink: Basic Grey, Baja Breeze, So Saffron, Rose Red, Perfect Plum
card: Confetti White, Basic Grey
other: Large Oval Punch, Small Oval Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Subtles Patterns DSP

Deal of the Week 3!

Throughout the month of May, Stampin' Up! will be offering Deals of the Week. This is the third deal for the month, and it will only last for a week...so don't miss out!
For Deal Number 3 we have 30% off some beautiful ribbons and brads:

Item	Page	Description	Regular Price	Sale Price
119750	137	Daffodil Delight 5/8'' (1.6 cm) Satin Ribbon	$16.95	$11.87
119963	137	Certainly Celery 3/8'' (1 cm) Taffeta Ribbon	$12.95	$9.07
109112	139	Square Fire Rhinestone Brads	$19.95	$13.97
109113	139	Square Ice Rhinestone Brads	$19.95	$13.97

There are no limits to the number of Deals of the Week you can purchase and no minimum purchase is required.* Now is your time to stock up on your favourite products! Email me to place your order by Tuesday 24th May.

Be sure to hurry and purchase each week's deals early on so you don't miss out! When the new week's deals start up each Wednesday at midnight, the last week's deals are over . . . forever!

*There is no limit to the number of Deals of the Week items you may purchase. However, if we run low on product we will return the product to full catalogue price before the end of the week. If this happens, we will announce it on the Stampin' Up! website homepage.

Convention 2011

The week after Convention is a strange mixture of exhaustion and buzz...you could say I'm in an exhausted buzz!! I have to say that this year's Convention in Melbourne was the best ever. The excitement just kept on coming. We had more Sneak Peaks and announcements than ever before and I think ALL the projects we saw were just amazing. I feel so inspired and so lucky to have shared such a special time with such wonderful people. We had 3 days instead of 2 this year and I really felt that it gave us so much more time to soak it all in.

Of course my favourite Demonstration was by my wonderful friend and ever-fabulous stamper Teneale (yes I am a little bit biased!). She showed us some awesome tricks with ribbon, because we all know she is the Queen of Bows. She did an amazing job, and that alone was worth the trip to Melbourne!

I'm sorry to say that I didn't take a single photo this year. I didn't take my camera and then I dropped my phone in the toilet (yes, really!) on the first day. It's now working again, thankfully, but when Stampin' Up! announced that we will be able to download the photos for free this year I think I cheered the loudest!

We had a bright orange Convention bag this year. It was very easy to spot Stampin' Uppers on the streets of Melbourne! Our Convention bag contained 2 brand-new stamp sets that will be in our September Catalogue. We celebrated 5 years in the South Pacific and Shelli had a surprise for us on the last day - an extra new set for everyone, plus a Simply Sent Kit! We were totally spoilt! I also came home with 5 other new stamp sets because I won some awards, which was really exciting :o)


I was third in Australia this year, which totally blew me away. There's no way I would have even been up there at all if not for the support of so many lovely friends, customers and team members. So, thank you all so so much.

Now it's back to earth... I have some classes to prepare for as well as a baby shower to get ready for!

Last Day for Deal 2!

Just a reminder that today is the last day to place your orders for the second Deal of the Week!
Read all about it HERE.
.....Stay tuned for a new deal tomorrow!

Convention Swap!

I'm currently having the time of my life at the Stampin' Up! Convention, but I've scheduled this post so you don't miss me too much while I'm gone ;o)
I thought you might like to see my Convention Swap for this year:

I've used the Nature Walk set from the current Mini, and also the Decor wheel from our Idea Book and Catalogue. I did a little trick with the Decorative Label punch for the sentiment and I also used the Faux Mother-of-Pearl technique, which is gorgeous, but really hard to capture in the photos! This one kind of shows how Shimmery it is IRL:

I'll be teaching this technique in my June Technique Class on the 15th and 16th of June. Just email me know if you're in the Sydney area and you would like to come along!

Deal of the Week 2

Throughout the month of May, Stampin' Up! will be offering Deals of the Week. This is the second deal for the month, and it will only last for a week...so don't miss out!
For Deal Number 2 we have 20% off three Big Shot Dies and the Pastels New Colour Kit:

Item	Page	Description	Regular Price	Sale Price
120963	142	Stampin' Pastels New Colour Kit (19)	$28.50	$22.80
115957	151	Thanks Embosslits Die	$21.95	$17.56
114513	151	Sweetest Stem Embosslits Die	$21.95	$17.56
113483	155	Pennant Bigz XL Die	$74.95	$59.96

There are no limits to the number of Deals of the Week you can purchase and no minimum purchase is required.* Now is your time to stock up on your favourite products! Email me to place your order.

Be sure to hurry and purchase each week's deals early on so you don't miss out! When the new week's deals start up each Wednesday at midnight, the last week's deals are over . . . forever!

*There is no limit to the number of Deals of the Week items you may purchase. However, if we run low on product we will return the product to full catalogue price before the end of the week. If this happens, we will announce it on the Stampin' Up! website homepage.

Last Day for Deal 1!

Just a reminder that today is the last day to place your orders for the first Deal of the Week!
Read all about it HERE.
.....Stay tuned for a new deal tomorrow!

Decorative Label Punch Ideas Sheet

I have another Ideas Sheet to share - this one for the Decorative Label Punch. Who knew that you could do so much with one humble punch? You should be able to click on the image to see a larger version.

This punch is in the Autumn-Winter Mini, along with lots of other delectable goodies. Check it out HERE, or email me to get a copy of your very own!

Cupcake Punch Ideas Sheet

I've just finished my last class for the week and now I can just concentrate on getting ready for Convention! Stampin' Up!'s Australian and NZ Convention is in Melbourne this year and it's 3 days instead of 2 for the first time ever, and I am just a tad excited!! I fly down next Wednesday and return home on Sunday. I just love Convention...there's nothing like being in a room with over 500 other like-minded people! It is also the only holiday I take where I only have to look after myself and all the people there just know me as me, not as "mother of" or "wife of"... Quite refreshing really!

My swaps are all done too, so that's one big tick off my list of things to do before I go.

Enough about me. I thought I'd show you an Ideas Sheet that I made up for the Cupcake Punch. Before I held my Mini Catalogue Launch Party I sat down and had a play with this punch. I could see so much potential for not just cupcakes. Here's what I came up with (you should be able to click on the image to see a larger version):


Punch art can be such fun! Coming up with these really stretched my brain :o)

Deal of the Week 1

Throughout the month of May, Stampin' Up! will be offering Deals of the Week. This is the second time we have had this promotion in Australia, and last time it was a HUGE hit. It's so exciting to see what the next week's deal is going to be! The deals will be announced every Wednesday through5out May. Each week there is a new deal, and each deal only lasts for a week...cool, huh?
Deal Number 1 is on everyone's favourite item - stamps!
Until next Tuesday, 10th May, you can take 40% off these stamps:

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

What a perfect excuse to treat yourself to some new stamps!
There are no limits to the number of Deals of the Week you can purchase and no minimum purchase is required.* Now is your time to stock up on your favourite products! Email me to place your order.

Be sure to hurry and purchase each week's deals early on so you don't miss out! When the new week's deals start up each Wednesday at midnight, the last week's deals are over . . . forever!

*There is no limit to the number of Deals of the Week items you may purchase. However, if we run low on product we will return the product to full catalogue price before the end of the week. If this happens, we will announce it on the Stampin' Up! website homepage.