Stampers Anonymous Blog Hop

Welcome to our Stampers Anonymous blog tour! Tonight we are delighted to show you projects using some brand new products from the 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalogue.
You may have just come from Lorna's blog, but if you are starting here, don’t worry … you can make the complete tour just by following the links at the end of each post. There are 14 stops along the way and we hope you will visit each one to see the wonderful creations we have to show you! Please feel free to leave some comment love along the way …
At the end of each post there will be a link to take you to the next stop on the tour.
So grab a cuppa, sit back and enjoy!

My first creation actually started it's life as a brooch! I needed a "touch of red" for the Cocktail Party we were hosting, but my wardrobe is rather lacking in the red department, so I made a paper flower brooch. After the party was over, I decided it was just dying to be the centrepiece of a card, and so this was born:

Do you spy a new colour in there? That is the luscious rich new shade of red Cherry Cobbler. Even yours truly - who is not at all a red person - is in love with it already! Also new on there is a new border punch, new "newsprint" Designer Series paper, fabulous new wide striped ribbon, a divine new Antique Brad and a new background stamp "Belle Toile" (I've used it on the background, and also cut out a section of it to put near the sentiment. Love, love, love it!)

I was lucky enough to be sent a "care package" containing some new colours from the US. I thought you all might like to meet this year's In Colors! These colours will be hanging around for 2 years (plus we will have 5 more to add to them in September 2011). The fabulous news is that this year, you can buy In Color markers (in a set of 5), and you can also purchase the inkpads and assorted pack of cardstock as a KIT for $56.95 (which is a saving of $16.75!)

This is a project that you can make if you book a "Meet the In Colors" workshop with me for September or October:

It's a set of 5 cards and envelopes in a pretty "Crumb Cake" box. What is Crumb Cake, you may ask? Kraft cardstock has a new name, and a matching inkpad!

Do you spy some gorgeous new Big Shot embossing folders?
And a new colour and style of ribbon too? That's Early Espresso Satin Ribbon. Yummmmm ....(and I don't even like coffee)

There's also a new stamp set on there "Perfect Punches" - just as it sounds, it matches perfectly with 5 punches, and one of those is brand new too!
I just love new stuff! Can you tell??

On your next stop, you will see the wonderful creations of Meighan

And as if that wasn't enough excitement, tonight I'm also announcing the name of our little mouse. My team has voted and the winner was....drumroll.....

...

...

...

Minky the Inky Mouse, suggested by Amanda. I'll be sending Amanda a bundle of SU! goodies.

Thanks for stopping by!

If you happen to lose your way on the Blog Hop here’s a list of all participants.
1. Fiona Harvey
2. Juliette Chapman
3. Kerry Bunting
4. Kirrily Matthews
5. Lorna Casha
6. Marelle Taylor
7. Meighan Wheller
8. Melissa Gillis
9. Michelle Marchant
10. Nikki Stalker
11. Sally Williams
12. Sam Coppack
13. Sandy Quail
14. Sharon Wilson

Baby Wipe Technique

The "Bird on a Branch" set was one that I admired the whole time we had our catalogue, and only bought towards the very end. It's just so calm and tranquil (and who doesn't need a bit of that in their life?!)

Here's the card we made for my Baby Wipe Technique class this month:We also explored another way to use the baby wipes and made this card:

The Garden Whimsy set is staying, but the colours I have used (Almost Amethyst and Lovely Lilac)are retiring TODAY. Now I'd better go and get everything ready for our Blog Hop tonight (and tweak my BIG order from the new catalogue that I will be placing tomorrow!)

Launch Party

On this Saturday, 4th September is my New Catalogue Launch Party.
Technically RSVP's have closed, but I always have a few spare spots, so email me if you'd like to come along.

Come and enjoy champagne and cupcakes while you check out all the new Stampin' Up! goodies.
There will be some very Special Offers, you'll be able to join in a make-and-take (or two!), there will be a goody bag to take home, and you might even win a Lucky Door Prize! So come and join the fun.

I'm having 2 time slots this year, so it won't be too crowded, but places are still limited!

When: Saturday, 4th September

Time: 2:00pm - 4:00pm
OR 7:00pm - 9:00pm
(let me know which time
suits you when you RSVP)

Where: my home in Dundas, Sydney NSW

Cost: $10 (payable on the day - includes

a copy of the new Catalogue and a gift voucher)

If you can't make it along on Saturday, but would still like a copy of the new catalogue, email me. I'll be mailing out the catalogues this week. They are $15 (including postage to you), and you will receive a gift voucher with your catalogue!

The Cocktail Party!

Well, I'm happy to report we survived the Big Bash, mostly unscathed! The 40th Anniversary Cocktail Party for my In-Laws went off without a hitch. I did manage to slice halfway through my finger on Friday morning (I've sliced halfway through the top of the finger, through the nail...ouch!) That's made everything slightly more difficult ever since, but it seems to be healing well.
The party was a joint effort between Dave's brother and sister and us. We shared the food preparation, we hosted and of course I was in charge of making the invitations.
My invitation was basically a 'dumbed-down' version of THIS gorgeous card by Teneale. The black and red suited the Ruby Anniversary theme:

Everyone seemed to like them, and we kept the black and red theme going through the party, with balloons (of course!) and everyone wearing "a touch of red".
Now that I've almost recovered from one party, it's time to get ready for the next one! I tell you, my life is just endless partying! *LOL* I'll be back to tell you about my next party later on...

MORE discounts!

The Last Chance List is quickly coming to an end. Stampin' Up! are having a warehouse clearance, and offering HUGE discounts... 50% off many items!
The Last Chance promotion ends 31 August, 2010. All items are only available while supplies last, and with these discounts, they won’t last long!

Get your orders in soon, before these products are gone forever!

Stamp Sets:
116342 pg 42 Big Bold Birthday 50% off NOW $ 26.98
116408 pg 100 Seeing Spots 50% off $ 14.98
116344 pg 121 Big Deal Alphabet 50% off $ 38.98
Cardstock and DSP:
116208 pg 126 In Color card stock (A4) 50% off $ 7.25
112042 pg 132 Urban Garden Designer Series paper 50% off $ 8.48
112041 pg 134 Bella Rose Designer Series paper 50% off $ 8.48
Markers (page 127-128):
105538 Bold Brights Stampin' Write markers 25% off $43.46
105537 Soft Subtles Stampin' Write markers 25% off $43.46
105540 Rich Regals Stampin' Write markers 25% off $43.46
105539 Earth Elements Stampin' Write markers 25% off $43.46
105541 Many Marvelous Markers 25% off $175.46
Stampin' Spots (page 128-129):
105550 Bold Brights Classic Stampin' Spots 25% off $31.46
105551 Earth Elements Classic Stampin' Spots 25% off $31.46
105552 Rich Regals Classic Stampin' Spots 25% off $ 31.46
Punches (page 152):
107305 Oval Large punch 50% off $ 15.48
113692 Eyelet border punch 50% off $ 15.48
109043 Scallop Circle punch 50% off $ 15.48
113694 Heart to Heart punch 50% off $ 15.48
112082 Wide Oval punch 50% off $ 15.48
112091 Scallop Edge punch 50% off $ 15.48
113693 Full Heart punch 50% off $ 15.48
112004 AW28* 1-3/4" Circle punch 50% off $ 15.48
116629 CO* Butterfly punch 50% off $ 15.48
Other:
104310 pg 155 Crafters' Tool Kit 25% off $ 58.46

*CO=Carryover Flyer
*AW=Autumn/Winter Mini Catalogue

Time to go Hopping Again!

The new catalogue really is just around the corner, and to kick it off with a bang we have a Blog Hop for you! Come and take a tour of some brand new goodies on Tuesday 31st August, kicking off at 9pm. Mark it in your diaries!

I'll also announce the name of our mouse then, and the winner of the bundle of goodies!

The Last Week

It's the last week of August, which means it's my last chance to show you items made with Retiring stamp sets and YOUR last chance to order them!

I've got a very busy week ahead...lots of classes and then we're hosting my In-Laws 40th Wedding Anniversary Cocktail Party here on Saturday night.

I have my last Stamp-a-Stack Class for the month tonight. I couldn't resist pairing the retiring set Wild About You with Fox and Friends from the Autumn/Winter mini:

Lots of Retiring Soft Subtles colours on here. These are all going, apart from Certainly Celery.

I've done 4 different decorative edges on these cards, using 4 different punches. Can anyone name them?

I'll be back later on with some news...something exciting to finish off the month with a bang!

So Tweet!

We did something a bit different for my Project Class this month - a Pencil Box! We decorated a plain pencil box with DSP (Cottage Wall from the Autumn/Winter Mini retiring at the end of this month). I also taught how to colour and cover chipboard. We used chipboard from the So Tweet set (also retiring this month). We decorated all 4 sides of the box: I covered up the owl's spooky looking heart-shaped eyes and added some wings too (he looked a bit naked).
Here are the sides:

And a Mummy and baby bird on the other side:

Too cute! It was a fun, and quite therapeutic project to make. However, trying to source the Pencil Boxes was not! I got mine from Bunnings, but I think I've bought out most of the stock in NSW!!

Materials (all Stampin' Up!)
stamps: none!
ink: Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White, Basic Black
card: none!
other: Cottage Wall DSP, sanding blocks, sponge daubers, tombow glue, 1/2" circle punch, heart-to-heart punch, scallop circle punch, dimensionals, white gel pen

Featuring our MasterCrafter!

If you read all about our Stamp Camp adventures, you may recall we spent the weekend discovering who our Top MasterCrafter was. Amanda was our winner, and part of her prize was a guest appearance on my Blog (the closest thing to a book deal I could manage LOL)

The time has come for you to all see how clever Amanda is! You can see her clever fabric creations over on her blog Nanny Kate Design.
And here are the creations that earnt her the MasterCrafter title.
This was Amanda's Mystery Box creation. The colours and Sweet Treat Cup were in the Mystery Box. Such a pretty card, and a clever use of the Sweet Treat Cups too!

This is how the card opens:

And here is a close-up of the flower detail:

Next is Amanda's Invention Test. A very clever take on the provided Sketch, turning it into a little Christmas gift bag using Sweet Slumber DSP and the Fancy Favour Box Die in the Big Shot:

I love these colours for Christmas, and I would never have thought to use them!

Since Amanda was voted into the Top Two, she had to face the Pressure Test and re-create a Teneale Williams original card in only 25 minutes.

Here she is, frantically stamping (can you feel the tension in the air?)

Receiving some welcome tips from Kerry:

And trying to remember how to use a Stampin' Scrub:

Both Amanda and Kari did a fabulous job of re-creating Teneale's masterpiece, but Amanda was voted our winner. Here she is, gracefully accepting her award:

And can you believe, neither Kari or Amanda are Stampin' Up! Demonstrators?? ....yet!!

Introducing...?

You might start to see this little mouse around the place. It's my new team logo! I designed it during the Key Note speaker's talk at Convention (I'm a compulsive doodler!), and then had a Graphic Designer draw it up properly for me.
I think our mouse needs a name. I can't even decide if it's a boy or a girl, so I'll leave it up to you when you name him/her.
Leave a comment here with your name suggestion. I'll let my team vote to choose their favourite, and the winner will receive a bundle of Stampin' Up! goodies from me!
So, name that mouse!
You may enter as many suggestions as you like

Update on Last Chance List

It's a case of Going, Going, Gone. Many items are sold out already, and lots of others are nearly gone. Here's an update:

SOLD OUT:
For the Bride Stamp set
Basic Black 12x12
Basic Black A4
Sahara Sand A4
Close to Cocoa A4
Old Olive 12x12
Kraft A4
Sweet Slumber Specialty DSP
Pop Up Glue Dots

RUNNING LOW:
Nursery Necessities Stamp Set
Eastern Influences Stamp Set
A Rose is a Rose Stamp Set
Playful Petals Stamp Set
Totally Tabs Stamp set
Short Order Alphabet Stamp Set
Forever Flowers Wheel
Bella's Border Wheel
Kiwi Kiss A4
Very Vanilla 12x12
Whisper White 12x12
Real Red Stampin' Around Cartridge
"I Wish" Simply Scrappin' Kit
"Rock-a-Bye Boy" Simply Scrappin' Kit
Elegant Eggplant Grosgrain Ribbon
Star Punch
Word Window Punch
Stampin' Pastels


And don't forget the list highlights.
There are 6 stamp sets that are 50% off:

• A Happy Heart (page 34) is now $20.98
• Best Wishes and More (page 53) is now $23.98
• Greetings Eight (page 57) is now $24.98
• Only Ovals (page 93) is now $19.98
• Enjoy Every Moment (page 97) is now $26.98
• All Scallops (page 105) is now $27.98

....and 17 other sets are 25% off!

• Most of the markers in Retiring Colours are 25% off, making them only $4.31. Cameo Coral and Apricot Appeal are 50% off, making them a bargain $2.88!
• 6 of the Patterned papers are 25% off, and one is 50% off (Pink Flamingo is only $8.48!)
• "I Wish" Simply Scrappin Kit (page 137) - perfect for Christmas cards and layouts is 25% off - now only $27.71!
• I'd snap up some Chunky Glitter (page 145). It's 50% off - only $15.98.
• While you're at it, grab some Blooms Die Cuts (page 144), also 50% off - only $8.25
• 50% off Double-Stitched ribbons in Rose Red, Chocolate Chip and Bashful Blue (page 150) - now only $9.98! There's also other ribbon bargains for the Striped ribbons, most of these are 25% off.
• 7 Jumbo wheels and 8 standard wheels are retiring... these always go fast!

The punches are all listed because they are being reconfigured into the new punch style, however 5 punches are not returning at all:

• Small Star
• Trio Flower
• Double Rectangle
• Horizontal Slot
• Slit

I hope that helps you cope with the LIST...email me if you NEED anything ;o)

Sweet Little Cupcake

I had to whip up a quick card for a 1 year old girl the other day...and when I say quick, I mean "quick I need a card to go with this bunch of balloons I'm delivering" LOL
...and then I snapped a quick photo in quite dull lighting. I played around with the brightness, but now the colours look a bit off, so you'll just have to imagine that the Baja Breeze is bluer than that.
I used the set "Big Bold Birthday" (retiring this month), but used half a scallop circle for the top of the cupcake, instead of the stamp . The rest is super-simple. Don't you love the extra little touch that the white gel pen adds? LOVE that pen!

Materials (all Stampin' Up!)
stamps: Big Bold Birthday, Short and Sweet
ink: Baja Breeze, Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery, So Saffron
card: Baja Breeze, Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery, Whisper White
other: Scallop Circle Punch, White Gel Pen, Large Oval Punch, Small Oval Punch

Little Leaves, 4 ways!

I must confess that I always feel a little bit impressed with myself when I make a card that has minimal stamping on it. On this Stamp-a-Stack, we used a background stamp (Polka Dot, which sadly is retiring *sob*) and a sentiment set, and that's it. The rest was done with the Big Shot and inkpads. Are you a little bit impressed too?
I've used some more Retiring colours here - Bordering Blue (I love this soft grey-blue shade), Mellow Moss (another fave, especially for masculine cards) and Pale Plum (which I've been using heaps with Rich Razzleberry). Thankfully, Rich Razzleberry is not leaving us, but I'm going to miss this partnership.
We used the Little Leaves Die in 4 different ways on these cards - plain, embellished with little trio flowers (Retiring Punch!) and black brads, as a stencil (sponged inside) and using the reverse cut-out image (with a pattern behind). That's great value for a $10.95 die!
I also taught a couple of different background techniques, using just an inkpad. You can see the different results on the 2 Bordering Blue cards, and also in the pattern behind the Little Leaves Die on one of the Razzleberry cards. When you don't have the background stamp you need, it's handy to know that you can create your own with just an inkpad!

Materials (all Stampin' Up!) Retiring Items in Red
stamps: Teeny Tiny Sentiments, Polka Dot Background
ink: Mellow Moss, Bordering Blue, Pale Plum, Rich Razzleberry, Soft Suede, Always Artichoke, Basic Black
card: Mellow Moss, Bordering Blue, Pale Plum, Rich Razzleberry, Very Vanilla, Always Artichoke
other:Soft Suede Polka Dot Ribbon, Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot ribbon, Trio Flower Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch, Little Leaves Die, Big Shot, Vintage Brads, Large Oval Punch, Small Oval Punch, sponge daubers, corner rounder punch, cutter kit, dimensionals, crop-a-dile, mat pack

A Date for your diaries!

GIANT CRAFT SALE

My team and I are getting together to have our third Annual Giant Craft Sale Day. We have cleaned out our cupboards, and have lots of Craft Goodies that need to find new homes. There are retired stamps and scrapbooking supplies, ribbons, embellishments, plus handmade cards and gifts too (perfect for Christmas!), and lots lots more!

Everything will be priced to sell, so come along and grab a bargain! We'll also have Lucky Door Prizes to be won.

When: Saturday, 23rd October 9am -1pm

Where: The Church Hall (Blacktown East Presbyterian) Cnr Heffron Rd and Gallop Gve, Lalor Park

Please spread the word to anyone who may be interested, and I hope to see you there!

Seeing Spots

I'm hoping to be on here a little more often over the next couple of weeks, so I can show you some projects made using Retiring products. I'm not going to make any promises though, because whenever I do that, life has a habit of getting in the way!
For last month's Stamp-a-Stack, I chose 3 retiring colours to work with - Apricot Appeal, Cameo Coral and Kiwi Kiss. An unlikely combination, and not one I think I've ever used before, but I really liked the result:

When I designed these cards, the Last Chance List wasn't out yet, but I took a guess that Seeing Spots and Think Happy Thoughts would be Retiring. Turns out I was right, and these 2 old faves will be leaving us at the end of the month (unless they sell out sooner). I've updated my Last Chance List post to show you the latest SOLD OUT and RUNNING LOW items.
I made my own 'patterned paper' with the Seeing Spots set, and then simply used some punches, ribbon and the Big Shot Buttons Die to embellish them. I only recently bought this die, and I love it! It's only $9.95, and makes 4 different sized buttons. Now you can make buttons to suit any colour scheme!

TIP #1: to make your buttons look ultra-real, paint on some Crystal Effects lacquer.
TIP #2: instead of fussing about with thread, just use a narrow strip of cardstock as the 'thread' in your button holes.

Materials (all Stampin' Up!)
stamps: Seeing Spots, Think Happy Thoughts
ink: Cameo Coral, Apricot Appeal, Kiwi Kiss
card: Cameo Coral, Apricot Appeal, Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White
other: Scallop Circle, 1 3/8" Circle, 1 1/4" Circle, 3/4" Circle, Big Shot, Buttons Die, Kiwi Kiss Striped Ribbon, White Thread

A Very Special Blog and a Very Worthy Cause

If you haven't seen the Helping Hudson Blog, then you're definitely missing out! There are Challenges to join in, tons of prizes to be won and fantastic Tutorials you can buy...and it all goes to the very worthy cause of helping a little boy get a Wheelchair.
Now, I'm heading over there to decide what tutorials to buy. I think I may just have to get all 6!

Edited to Add: I did purchase all 6, and I have to say all the ladies involved have done an AMAZING job. The tutorials are so professional and easy to follow, and there are some absolutely BRILLIANT ideas in there!

Last Chance List Update

I'd forgotten how crazy this time of year is! It's been 17 months since our last Retirement List, and it's all coming back to me now...the mad scuffle for stamp sets, colours and embellishments we only just realised we NEED...placing orders and keeping fingers crossed that the items are still available. And crazy stampers staying up until midnight to see WHAT'S ON THE LIST. Gotta love the utter madness of it all!

Speaking of the LIST, some items are sold out already, and others are nearly gone
SOLD OUT:
Sahara Sand A4
Close to Cocoa A4
Basic Black A4
Sweet Slumber Specialty DSP

RUNNING LOW:
A Rose is a Rose Stamp Set
Playful Petals Stamp Set
Totally Tabs Stamp set
Short Order Alphabet Stamp Set
Real Red Stampin' Around Cartridge
Basic Gray A4
Kraft A4
Whisper White 12x12
Basic Black 12x12
Old Olive 12x12
"I Wish" Simply Scrappin' Kit
Elegant Eggplant Grosgrain Ribbon
Stampin' Pastels
Pop Up Glue Dots


And because that list is SO LONG, here are a few list highlights for you:
There are 6 stamp sets that are 50% off:

• A Happy Heart (page 34) is now $20.98
• Best Wishes and More (page 53) is now $23.98
• Greetings Eight (page 57) is now $24.98
• Only Ovals (page 93) is now $19.98
• Enjoy Every Moment (page 97) is now $26.98
• All Scallops (page 105) is now $27.98

....and 17 other sets are 25% off!

• Most of the markers in Retiring Colours are 25% off, making them only $4.31. Cameo Coral and Apricot Appeal are 50% off, making them a bargain $2.88!
• 6 of the Patterned papers are 25% off, and one is 50% off (Pink Flamingo is only $8.48!)
• "I Wish" Simply Scrappin Kit (page 137) - perfect for Christmas cards and layouts is 25% off - now only $27.71!
• I'd snap up some Chunky Glitter (page 145). It's 50% off - only $15.98.
• While you're at it, grab some Blooms Die Cuts (page 144), also 50% off - only $8.25
• 50% off Double-Stitched ribbons in Rose Red, Chocolate Chip and Bashful Blue (page 150) - now only $9.98! There's also other ribbon bargains for the Striped ribbons, most of these are 25% off.
• 7 Jumbo wheels and 8 standard wheels are retiring... these always go fast!

The punches are all listed because they are being reconfigured into the new punch style, however 5 punches are not returning at all:

• Small Star
• Trio Flower
• Double Rectangle
• Horizontal Slot
• Slit

I hope that helps you cope with the LIST...email me if you NEED anything ;o)

The Last Chance List is HERE

...and it's enormous! 8 pages long, in fact!!
We have 17 months worth of stamp sets to clear out, so that we have room for lots and lots of new ones! Plus there's all the Retiring Colours, thanks to the Colour Renovation, and lots of Retiring Accessories too.

You can view it HERE
You might like to print it out and then highlight the retiring sets in your catalogue.


Some of my old favourites are going....in particular I'll be very sad to say goodbye to Wild About You and Polka Dot Background *sob*

The fantastic news is that some items are discounted by 50%!!

So, check the list to see if anything you love is disappearing forever - but order it fast, because these items are only available while stocks last! Email me to place your order