An apology

I feel like a big liar.... know I said I was back but I've discovered that when I get focused on one thing, I'm really good and shutting out everything else! My headspace has been very much in the renovations, and I've found it really hard to concentrate on anything else. I'm one of those people that likes to do one thing at a time, and do it thoroughly and keep at it until it's done.
The good news is that the carpet arrived, looks fantastic and the kids were able to move in upstairs on Monday. All we are waiting on now are a few small electricals to be fixed up, and the bathroom fittings, and we are done! I still have lots of boxes to unpack, but I'll be taking my time with that.
I can't wait to put all this behind me and get back to doing what I love. Incentive Trip is looking more and more unattainable at the moment (I only have until the end of March to qualify, and a lot of sales still to get before then!).
Amy also starts high school tomorrow (I think I am more nervous than her!) so today we will be making sure that she has everything she needs.
Then I have a workshop tonight, my sister's birthday tomorrow, a workshop on Friday night and my Open House on Sunday. Family dinner is here on Monday night (for 10 people), my first class is back Tuesday night and Dave flies to the US for a week-long Conference on Wednesday. So, even though I'm "back", I may not be on here much until next week. But then, I hope to be back with a vengeance. I'll have renovation photos to show you and lots of cards and projects too.
I hope you all understand and don't feel like I'm ignoring you. I love blogging, love getting your comments and feedback, and I've missed it heaps!
xoxo

Let's Sale-A-Brate....and help Haiti too

It's started! Everyone's favourite time of year - Sale-A-Bration!

With rewards for customers, hostesses and new recruits, Sale-A-Bration gives everyone a reason to celebrate!

Customers: Receive a FREE Sale-A-Bration product for every $100 purchase (no limit!). Hostesses: Receive a free Sale-A-Bration product with a $600 or more workshop, in addition to the regular hostess benefits.

Recruits: Choose any retail stamp set (a value up to $79.95) from the current catalogue when signing up during the promotion.

This year's sets are just fabulous. When I saw them I immediately wanted all 4!

You can see them HERE (or email me if you would like to to mail a copy of the brochure to you)

Just simply email me to place an order for $100, and let me know what free Sale-a-Bration set you would like! It's as simple as that. Or you may like to join one of my Hostess Clubs. All you have to do is spend $100 per month in January, February and March. You will earn 3 Sale-a-Bration sets, $30 in free products and a Level 1 Hostess set over the 3 months. Email me for more details.

I'm holding my own Sale-A-Bration Open House next Sunday.

You're Invited to come along and see my new renovated Craft space, and also join in some Sale-a-Bration fun! There will be nibblies, free make-and-takes, Special Offers, and a little pressie to take home. It's also a chance to sign up to some classes, book a workshop or catch up with new and old friends! I'll be running 3 sessions, so choose the one that suits you best!

When: Sunday 31st January
Time: 10am - 12pm, 2pm-4pm OR 7pm-9pm
Where: 27 Ryan St Dundas Valley
Cost: FREE

Places are limited, and bookings are essential. Feel free to bring a friend along! Just email me mail@marelletaylor.com to let me know what session you will be coming along to.
Hope to see you there!

While you Sale-a-Brate, you may also like to help Haiti too. Until the end of February Stampin' Up! will donate $2 for every I {heart} Hearts Stamp set sold to Haitian Disaster Relief. It's a gorgeous set from the mini catalogue, and co-ordinates with our heart punches too. You can see I've used it here for February's Project Class:

On the Renovation front, the painting upstairs is finished! Carpet was meant to be laid on Friday, so the kids were very excited to be moving into their rooms over the weekend. Unfortunately, the carpet company let us down and I received a phonecall on Friday afternoon to say that it couldn't be laid until this Thursday! Needless to say I was pretty annoyed, and managed to get them to find someone to do it today. Fingers crossed he turns up at 8:30am, or there will be 2 very disappointed children (and a Mum too!)

I'm back!

I'm back home, feeling rejuvenated and refreshed and ready to tackle 2010 head-on! We had a lovely break in Port Macquarie. The weather was perfect, and we swam, read, swam some more and just generally chilled out.
Since we got back, we've been getting stuck into assembling desks and cupboards for my Craft Room, and painting upstairs. The Painting Fairy came to visit while we were away (my lovely Dad!) so upstairs has been undercoated, and the ceilings done, and both kids bedrooms walls too. What a lovely surprise that was to come home to! So we just need to do the trims and the rumpus room walls and we'll be done, ready for carpet. When I say 'just the trims', it's 7 doors and architraves, 6 window frames, 2 windows, all the skirting's and the stairwell banisters.....I think I'll stick to thinking of it as 'just the trims'!
Having spent the last 2 months sharing a room, the kids will be really ready to appreciate having their own space!!
I'm looking forward to getting stuck into some stamping too. I'm hoping to set up my desk today (yay!). And I've only got a couple more months to qualify for the Incentive Trip, which was my big goal for this year, and I still have a fair way to go for that, so I'd best get cracking! I'll be sending out my newsletter hopefully today or tomorrow with all the latest specials, class dates and an invitation for an Open House to come and see the renovation in all it's glory. Make sure you are subscribed, using the link over there----->

As you know, I haven't been able to stamp lately, so here's one from the archives. This was a card we made at a team meeting before Christmas. Nice and bright and summery, using 'Butterfly Prints' (from the Summer Mini) paired the 'Flight of the Butterfly' set (from the main catalogue):

Materials (all Stampin' Up!)
stamps: Flight of the Butterfly, Butterfly Prints
ink: Basic Black, Tempting Turquoise, Versamark
card: Tempting Turquoise, Kiwi Kiss, Pumpkin Pie, Real red, Whisper White
other: Butterfly Punch, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, Square Scallop Punch, Mat Pack, White Gel Pen, Rhinestone Brad, dimensionals

Stop Press: Don't forget the Catalogue Inventory Clearance! 2 stamp sets are now SOLD OUT at the discounted price - 'Jumbo Outline Alphabet' and 'Just Riding'. The others are still available, but only for a limited time!