Vanilla Ice Cream Anyone?

I had such fun making this card! How cute is that ice cream cone? And the best bit? It smells super scrummy - of vanilla actually! I covered the 'icecream' with versamark and then vanilla scented embossing powder. The powder is clear, so the colour of the cardstock shows through. The scented embossing powder is new in the Autumn-Winter Mini and also comes in Cherry and Melon scents.
I made the cone using the Pennant Parade stamp set and Pennant Punch. To make the ice cream shape, I first punched a circle with the 3/4" Circle Punch and then punched just the lower part with the Cupcake Punch.
The perfect complement to my cone is the Sweet Shop Designer Series Paper, cut into a Banner Shape. I'm loving all those fresh gelato tones - Pool Party, Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade and Wisteria Wonder.

I'm back!

We did it - Adelaide to Alice Springs in 8 days, in a Campervan! We returned home last night, really happy to be home and back in our own beds. We had an amazing time, and I think we'll all remember it for the rest of our lives. We covered nearly 3000km, and our petrol bill was over $1000 (gulp!), and we crammed so much into the time we had, around all that driving.

I also returned home to a lovely surprise. I am a Featured Stamper in this month's Cardmaking, Stamping and Papercraft Magazine! When the magazine asked me to answer the "20 Questions" a while ago, my response was 'Are you Sure?? Isn't that for famous people?' It was a thrill to be asked (even though it's a bit embarrassing really. I hope I don't sound like too much of a tosser LOL)

Designer Framelits

Here's a card that showcases a few more products that I'm loving from the new mini - Edgelits, Framelits, Twitterpated DSP, Pleated Satin Ribbon and the Apothecary Art stamp set. What's not to love? They are all so pretty!
I've combined the Framelits with the Designer Frames Embossing Folder. I love how that raised frame fits perfectly inside the Framelit. I also lightly swiped the raised dots with my Whisper White Craft ink pad to make them stand out a little more.
The colours I've used here are Baja Breeze, Island Indigo, Riding Hood Red and Blushing Bride.

Attic Boutique Tea Cup

When I saw the new mini, I wasn't sure I was going to like the Attic Boutique Paper...but now that I've used it, I'm really loving it. I love the way that just using a different patterned paper can step you out of your comfort zone. It makes you put together colours that you might not normally use. This paper lends itself to a more vintage style than I would usually use, but it's fun to try something a little bit different. On this card, I actually stamped the tea cup in Soft Suede ink on the patterned paper. I also used 3 squares of patterned paper underneath. When you use patterns from the same pack, you know it will always match perfectly :o)
I've added a few finishing touches on this card - some tiny pearls on the teacup, some new Pool Party Seam Binding ribbon, a So Saffron button, Pool Party Baker's Twine and a Jewellery Tag  for the sentiment. I also used the Scallop Ribbon border punch down the side, and the French Filigree background on the So Saffron piece.

Lollipop Blossoms

Here's a cute idea, perfect for a little girls birthday party...or for a big girls party for that matter!

All you need is your brand new Blossom Punch, your Triple Layer Blossom Bouquet Punch and some lollipops. Just punch a hole in the centre of both flowers and thread onto the lollipop stick. Mine stayed in place on their own, without needing any adhesive. I displayed mine in a pot holding some floral foam. I decorated the pot with Attic Boutique DSP and some Concord Crush ribbon.
My lollipops came from Franklins - a little over $2 for a bag. Bargain! And my twin nieces assure me that they are "real yummy".
 

Tea Shoppe make-and-take

This was my other Launch Party make-and-take:

I just couldn't resist purchasing the Tea Shoppe stamp set in the new mini. I don't drink coffee, but I am definitely a cup of tea girl! I also couldn't go past the new Edgelits dies. I've used the scallop-ey scallops one on this card (and yes, that is its technical name!!). I've coloured the 3 teacups using markers, and then decorated each tea cup with an Itty Bitty Flower and pearl.
The colour combo is Pool Party, Calypso Coral, Very Vanilla and Peach Parfait. The patterned paper is from the In Color Patterns Stack

A Family Adventure

Just popping in to let you all know that I will be off the air for the next 10 days or so. The bags are packed, the house-sitters are booked, the dog is at his "Holiday Residence" and we are off on a family adventure! We fly to Adelaide tomorrow, and then hire a camper van for the big drive up to Alice Springs, stopping off at the Flinder's Ranges, Coober Pedy, Uluru and any other interesting spots we find along the way! I've scheduled regular blog posts on here, so it will be like I'm not even gone at all, but I'll return any emails when I get back :o)

Mixed Bunch Make-and-Take

I thought you might like to see the make-and-takes from my Launch Party. I CaSEd this first one from a US Leadership Event (just because I don't get to go to US events, doesn't mean I can't borrow their ideas LOL)
TIP: If you google the name of a stamp set (eg "mixed bunch" "stampin up") and then on the left hand side of the google page, click on Images, you will see tons of examples.
I had seen various examples of this card on people's blogs, but the Daffodil Delight, Garden Green and Real Red colour scheme didn't appeal to me. Here's my version:

Excuse my dodgy photo...I just couldn't seem to get a decent pic of this one. The colours I chose to use are So Saffron, Wisteria Wonder and Concord Crush.
I've used the new Mixed Bunch stamp set (I've been using this to death, so stay tuned for lots more of this fabulous set!) and matching Blossom punch, along with Petite Pairs for the sentiment.

Bunny Baskets

I hope you don't mind my unscheduled blogging break. The craziness of March really took it out of me I think! I topped it all off with a Launch Party for the new mini on the 1st of April. I had 40 lovely ladies welcome in the new mini with me...lots of fun!
I always like to make a little thank you gift for them, so this year I used that lovely Sale-a-Bration DSP (I'm missing it already, but thankfully "Twitterpated" has been helping to soothe my soul) to make these cute little Egg Baskets:

I know it's too late for this Easter but these could be used for any treat really, not just Easter, and they are so so super easy to make. If you use DSP, there's no measuring, cutting or scoring! Just take your Scallop Square Die (you must own that one, surely?? If not, why not??), and cut out a scallop square.

TIP: Using DSP, you can cut 8 at once!

Now fold inwards at the 2 scallop mark on one side. Repeat on the opposite side. Fold inwards at the 3 scallop mark on the other 2 sides. Use scissors to snip the 4 shortest score lines, and fold inwards to form the box shape. Snail adhesive does the trick to stick the sides together. If you are making these from cardstock, I would use a stronger adhesive and also pre-score before folding. 

My handle is 19 x 2cm, and I used a Mini brad to hold it in place.

TIP: If you cut the handles first, you can get 4 of these baskets from one sheet of DSP.

These fit one of those "hunting" eggs, or a few small eggs perfectly.

Isn't the punch art bunny cute? I CaSEd the idea from the very clever Mary Fish HERE

Join a Hostess Club!

Hostess Clubs are always very popular, and the start of a new Mini is a great time to join a Club. You can spread out your spending, and qualify for a free gift every time you order!

How does it work?
This Club starts in May. All you have to do is spend $100* in May, June and July (orders are placed on the 10th of each month). You will earn $50 in Hostess Dollars to spend in one of the months, a gift from me in one other month, and 20% off one item in the third month!

At least 3 people are required for the Club to go ahead, and names are drawn at random to determine the order in which you will receive your bonus.

Email me to find out more or to join the club!

*regular 5% Shipping and Handling charge applies

Some exciting news!

Some of you may know that my son Jacob, who is 11 has Haemophilia, a life-threatening blood disorder. In order for his blood to clot properly he requires injections of Factor, 2-3 times per week. In his infancy, this always necessitated a trip to the Children's Hospital, but in more recent years, my hubby has learnt to give Jacob his needles so that we can treat him at home. Well, I'm very proud to say that while Dave was overseas, Jacob had a couple of lessons at the Children's Hospital, and yesterday he did his own needle at home, completely unassisted. It was a nerve-wracking but also very proud moment for Dave and I, and when Jacob inserted the butterfly needle into his own vein and hit it first go, seeing his big excited grin as the blood flowed down the tube brought tears to my eyes. When he was diagnosed at 4 months of age, I had no idea of the bumpy path ahead. I've always had to suppress my urge to wrap him in cotton wool, and seeing him now on this path to independence is both liberating and scary (I'm sure all you parents out there know what I mean!).

And in other exciting news, there are 2 tickets to Broome with my name on them :o) Thank you so much to all of you (you know who you are) who had more faith in me than I had in myself.

Mini Catalogue Shares Bundle

If you love all of the embellishments in the Autumn-Winter Mini and want to try them all, then joining my Product Share Bundle is the way to go. To buy all of these items in full would cost you almost $190, but for just a fraction of the cost, you can try them all instead.

What you will receive:

• Designer Series Paper - 18 sheets (6"x 6") : Twitterpated, Attic Boutique, Sweet Shop
• Twitterpated Buttons - 12 buttons (6 Blushing Bride, 6 Baja Breeze)
• Pleated Satin Ribbon - 1.15m each of 4 colours (Pear Pizzazz, Riding Hood Red, Blushing Bride, Baja Breeze)
• Pool Party Seam Binding Ribbon - approx 2.3m
• Bakers Twine - 2.8m each of 5 colours
• Jelly Bean Brads - 8 brads of 4 different designs

All of this for just $35 (pick up from me) or $40 (mailed to you)

Email me if you would like to take part. The closing date is 14th April. I will then order the Shares, divide them up and contact you to sort out delivery and payment.

The Autumn-Winter Mini is Here!

A new Scoring Tool, Framelits, Edgelits, as well as gorgeous stamp sets and embellishments...this Mini has it all!

You can download the supplies list for all the projects in the Autumn-Winter Mini HERE

And download a pdf to save to your computer HERE

Of course if you would like a copy mailed to you, email me with your address details (Australian residents only please) and I'll be happy to send one to you.
The products in this Mini will be available from 1 April 2012 - 31 July 2012.

Email me if you would like to place an order, or if you have any questions, and I'll be more than happy to help!