Clearly for You Stamp-a-Stack

This is a stamp set that I discovered fairly late in the Autumn-Winter Mini Catalogue run (and I completely blame Teneale Williams for it's discovery and subsequent ownership. She has this knack for making me fall in love with sets that I had convinced myself I didn't like!)
It's called Clearly for You and this is a Stamp-a-Stack I ran this month using the set (partially to justify it's purchase, and partially to make other people fall victim to it's charms).
Now that it has a place on my stamp shelves, I am really hoping it makes our new catalogue in September!
...only 1 more day left to order it, in case it doesn't!

Hello Blossoms

Just a quick one today. I'm off to visit my sister. No, she hasn't had the baby yet. We are all waiting with bated breath...she is 5 days past her due date now!
I made up lots of these little cards to send out with Mini Catalogues. I inked up the Hello Blossoms stamp with Daffodil Delight, and then inked just the sides in Regal Rose and Tangerine Tango (the Daffodil Delight is light enough that the other colours can go over the top). I stamped it on an oval that I cut out using my Big Shot Ovals die.
The stamped border was created with the In Stitches Jumbo Wheel.
TIP: round the bottom 2 corners for a simple way to give a small card a modern twist.

All of these products can be found in the Autumn-Winter Mini...but only for a couple more days!

Autumn-Winter Mini - Last Days!

There are only a few days left of the Autumn-Winter Mini, and only a few days left for you to take advantage of the Free Ribbon and Button Bundle.
I'd better get my act together and show you some things I've been making with Mini Catalogue products before they disappear!
I had a play with the Bevelled Window Panes and came up with this card:

Here's a close-up of the Window Pane:

It makes a very elegant feature on what would otherwise be a fairly plain card.
They also make cute little bookmarks or necklaces, and come in 3 different sizes (I've used the largest one here).

The Gift With Purchase Promotion has been hugely popular this month. Let me know by July 31 if you "need" some pretty buttons and ribbon! You'll also go in the draw to WIN a Love and Care Level 2 Hostess set!

Shimmer Frame

I taught a class last month on some advanced techniques using Embossing Folders. This one was my favourite - making an embossed frame. I made my own frame using some heavy cardboard. Chipboard weight is best. You can glue a few sheets of thick cardboard together if necessary. I found the backing sheet that comes with the Specialty DSP is perfect. You could also go to a picture framer and get frames made from matboard in various shapes (ovals, circles, etc).

Next, make the following Big Shot sandwich (bottom to top): Platform (on tab 2) > Embossing Folder (with cardstock inside) > Chipboard Frame > Cutting Plate. Run this though the Big Shot. And voila, you will have a lovely raised pattern on the outside where the Big Shot made contact with the frame, and a blank place, perfect for stamping, in the middle.

The next step is optional, but I really think it highlights the framed area nicely. Make a mask for the middle (flat area) of your frame. I then spritzed the Embossed Frame with a mixture of alcohol, Marina Mist re-inker and Champagne Mist Shimmer paint. You could sponge the area with ink instead if you prefer.

The Nature Walk stamp set seemed to be the perfect choice to finish off this card.

It's been so cold, wet and miserable here in Sydney. Perfect weather for crafting!

Win a FREE stamp set!

School holidays are over and it's time to try and get back into some kind of a routine (always a shock to the system!) I'm feeling generous, so read on for a special giveaway!

It's just dawned on me that there are only a couple of weeks left of our lovely Autumn-Winter Mini! ...haven't the months just flown by.
One of the most popular sets from the Mini is one that it's a little trickier to get your hands on. It's a Level 2 Hostess set Love and Care.
Here's a stamp-a-stack that we did last month:

To get your hands on this set, usually you would need to place a $600 order (either individual or group), but I have a set here to give away!

How you can win this set: Simply place an order for $50 or more this month, and you will get an entry into the draw (1 entry for every $50 you spend). To those of you who have already ordered this month, don't worry, your name is already in the draw!

At the end of the month, I will draw out a lucky winner! Don't forget that with a $100 order, you will also qualify for a free ribbon and button bundle!

Friends and Chocolate

I try to hold monthly team meetings at my house. It's always a great chance to catch up with everyone and the room is always a-buzz with chat and laughter. I always design a make-and-take for everyone...what's a meeting without stamping, right?! Last month they all got to make this chocolate card.
It wasn't until I sat down to mail out some cards for people who couldn't make it to the meeting that I realised that they weren't going to mail very well with the chocolate on it. I felt pretty bad, making false promises to them like this:

so, instead of writing in the card, I left it blank and popped a note inside explaining what a bad friend I was, and suggesting that they be a better friend by popping a chocolate on the card, and giving it someone to brighten their day.
Anyway, I hope they appreciated the thought! ...and now what am I going to do with all these leftover chocolates??? LOL

One more Sweet and Simple

Here's the last (and probably simplest) set of cards I made using my ribbon and button freebies. I used the Fresh Cut notes and just popped a co-ordinating piece of Patterns Brights DSP behind the cut-out flower. The final touches are just a punched-out Boho Blossom, a FREE button (with a rhinestone in the centre) and of course the FREE ribbon.
Hope you've enjoyed my Sweet and Simple cards. Contact me with your $100 order and you can get some FREE ribbons and buttons to play with too!

More Sweet and Simple

I have some more sweet and simple notecards to share with you. These are the same size as the previous card I showed you, but this time I have used the Beautiful Wings Butterfly Sizzlet to decorate them. I love this little die. It cuts out AND embosses 5 different-sized butterflies. I've framed them with a piece of cardstock that has a circle cut out of it, a scallop edge along the bottom, and I've also rolled the "In Stitches" wheel along the bottom too. Of course the final touch is a FREE button and a piece of that FREE ribbon ;o)

Sweet and Simple

I've really been enjoying playing with the new FREE buttons and ribbon. They are so bright and cheery. Also, because they're free, I can be lavish with them ;o)
I made this simple and sweet card using one of Stampin' Up!'s notecards (107311 on p.123). I often grab one of these when I need a small card to go with a gift. They are the perfect size - not too small (8.9 x 12.7cm) and they come with a little envelope. Even better they are only $9.50 for a pack of 20 cards and 20 envelopes.
Here I simply grabbed a few markers to ink up the Hello Blossoms stamp ($13.95 on the last page of the Mini) and then attached some buttons to the centres of the flowers with a mini Glue Dot (so quick- no mess, no fuss!) and wrapped some of the ribbon around the bottom, also securing in a couple of places with a glue dot (and did I mention that the ribbon is FREE?? LOL)
How easy is that??

July Promotion!

Chase away the winter blues with some bright happy colours... and the best bit is it's FREE! Simply place an order for $100 (1-31 July) and you will receive a FREE exclusive bundle of ribbon and buttons... That's $31.95 value!

Bundle includes:
• White 1/4" grosgrain ribbon with repeating flower designs. Approx 13.7m.
• 48 flower buttons. Sixteen each in 3 colours (Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo and Pacific Point). Approx 1.27 cm

Simply email me with your order.

I've been having lots of fun with my ribbon and buttons. I'll be back to show you some of the things I've made soon!