Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

I hope you all had a lovely Christmas. I've been enjoying lots of family time and way too much good food!
I meant to show you my Christmas Card before now, but I've been avoiding the computer. So, better late than never, here it is. It's very simple (it had to be, since I was making 240 of them):

I used the single Christmas Star stamp and the Music Notes Wheel. Instead of traditional red and green, I've used Pool Party, Island Indigo and Smoky Slate ink, and stamped on Shimmery White cardstock for a bit of sparkle. A touch of Dazzling Details adds even more sparkle.

Now that the Christmas frenzy is over, I'm looking forward to some relaxed family time and also some stamping...it feels like ages since I sat at my Craft desk!
Happy New Year!


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A Trio of Elves

At this time of year MAD Balloons (my hubby's business) is very busy decorating lots of Christmas Parties, and it couldn't be done without the help of some busy elves (aka MAD Balloons staff members). I saw these elf bags on Pinterest (not sure who the original designer is though) and thought they would be perfect for our staff Christmas presents, and my own Secret Santa present.
I've made 5 of these now, but "Trio of Elves" sounds so much better than "Quintet of Elves"!

In case you can't read the stamp, it says "Have your elf a Merry little Christmas". I used markers to colour the stamp, and didn't colour the "s"

The elf boots are made using the Top Note die cut in half. For the smaller version I made for my Secret Santa gift, I cut the Top Note lengthways and used one half for the bottom of the elf's outfit and cut the other half in half again to use for the shoes. To get the curvy part of the top of the shoe, I just took a 'bite' out of it with a circle punch. I've attached real bells to my elf's shoes, but you could use a glimmer circle instead.
The dotty paper is "Polka Dot Parade" and Gumball Green is the perfect elf-y green.


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Mouse Kisses

Every year I like to make a little treat for everyone who comes along to our Team Christmas party. This year I made little Hershey's Kisses mice. Very appropriate, I think, for a team called "Stamper's Anony-mouse"! Here are the little cuties:

Actually, these are the leftover cuties. I forgot to take a picture of the whole crew!

Don't they look like a little mouse choir?
Here's a close-up, so you can see how they are made:

I've attached the ribbon 'tail' to the tag that pokes out the end of the Kiss. I found the easiest way to make the ears is to stick together a 3/4" circle and two 1/2" circles (like Mickey Mouse ears) and then sandwich that piece in between the 2 Kisses.


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A Touch of Vintage

In case you are suffering from Christmas overload, I thought I'd slip in a birthday card I made for a special friend who celebrated her birthday this month.
I used the Lovely Romance stamp set, Crisp Canteloupe Co'redinations paper and Modern Medley Designer Series Paper. I've also used the Chalk Talk framelits, and Beautifully Baroque Embossing Folder.
It's a little more "vintage" than my normal style....what do you think?


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Possible Shipping Delays

Thank you to everyone who has placed an order during the Clearance Rack Blitz. As you can imagine, it has been very popular and even broke records for the largest number of orders placed in a single day in our market! Don't we all love a bargain!

This has resulted in some shipping delays, so orders may take a few more days than usual to get to you. Hopefully Australia Post has put on lots of extra staff to deal with all the Online shopping that we all seem to do these days!


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Back to Blues

I couldn't resist doing one more design in blues for my final Christmas Class of the year. the Winter Frost paper is so pretty, and I love the blue/silver combo.

I've given the "Merry Little Christmas" sentiment tri-colour treatment by inking the top third in Pool Party ink, the bottom 2/3 in Bermuda Bay ink and then the bottom third in Island Indigo ink. It's very easy to do with clear-mount stamps as you can see right through the block.
I've stamped Festive Flurry snowflakes in the background in Versamark ink.
And for that all-important touch of bling, the Silver Glimmer Paper. The small tree, ornament and star are the Merry Minis punches, which you can find on the Carryover Flyer.


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Special Season Christmas

These are probably the most traditional cards we made at my classes this year, using the "Special Season" stamp set.

The colours are Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler and Very Vanilla, with a touch of Champagne Glimmer paper.
I've made the ornaments on the trees stand out a little more by mixing a little Crystal Effects with Cherry Cobbler ink refill, and applying it with a toothpick....voila, shiny ornaments!


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Clearance Rack Blitz

The Clearance Rack Blitz is live. Click HERE to go shopping! There are lots of bargains to be had on punches, paper, inkpads, embellishments and more, all up to 80% off!

Items will only be available while stocks last, and new items will be added as things sell out, so make sure you keep checking back.

 
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Set Your Alarms!

The Clearance Rack Blitz goes live tonight at midnight! Grab a bargain for yourself or a loved one in the Online Store. Retired Items will be up to 80% off! Look for "Clearance Rack" in the Menu.



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Merry Thinlits

We made these cards last month in my Christmas Classes. I love the "Joyful Christmas Wishes" stamp set, with it's beautiful poinsettia. I've stamped it in Cherry Cobbler ink on Very Vanilla cardstock....and a little sponging is a lot quicker than watercolouring when you have lots of cards to make.

And here's another tip for mass-producing Christmas cards when you're using the Expressions Thinlits - make them do double duty by utilising the outer part as well.
It's difficult to see in the photo, but the poinsettias have sparkly centres - Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details.


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Clearance Rack Blitz Time!

Just a heads-up that it is almost Clearance Rack Blitz time again. There will be lots of bargains, and they are sure to go quickly. Retired products - up to 80% off - will only be available while supplies last. It's just the excuse you needed to buy yourself a little Christmas Pressie!

The Blitz begins on the 10th December. The best way to get your hands on the bargains is via my Online Store. Look for the "Clearance Rack" on the menu.

 
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Traditional Spin

Here's a spin on the traditional red and green - Rose Red, Pear Pizzazz and Perfect Plum:

I've used the Christmas Collectibles stamp set and co-ordinating punch - stamps that have a matching punch make super quick cards and tags. My green "tree branches" are made using the swirl from Creative Elements.


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A Blue Christmas

Christmas cards don't always need to be red and green. We have so many lovely shades of blue and aqua at the moment. Paired with silver, it makes a beautiful Christmas colour combination. Here's Pool Party and Island Indigo with a dash of Silver Glimmer Paper:

The stamp sets are "Evergreen" and "Greetings of the Season", which are both available on the Carryover Flyer.


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Christmas Masking

We've had a lovely weekend, putting up the Christmas Tree, Decorations and Lights. My classes have finished for the year, so it's lovely to be able to concentrate on family things now. I'll still be around though - making cards, blogging and placing orders. So let me know if you need anything!

I'm almost finished making my Christmas Cards (all 240 of them!). If you haven't made yours yet, there's still time. To give you some inspiration, I thought I'd share the cards we've been making in my Christmas Stamp-a-Stack Classes since August.
Here's a simple design, using the reverse masking technique.

I've embossed the white cardstock first with the Flowers-a-Plenty Embossing Folder, and then used Post-it Notes to mask off areas, which I've sponged in Old Olive ink. You don't even need to invest in a Christmas stamp set to make these, just some Christmas Greetings.
Sending and receiving Christmas cards (especially hand-made ones!) is one of my favourite Christmas Traditions.


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Best of 25 Years Stamps - Best of Love

The "Best of" set for December is here - the Best of Love:

These stamps are perfect for Valentine's Day, but also Weddings, Engagements and Anniversaries.

Here are the details about this Monthly Promotion:
All Best of stamp sets will include 3-5 images, including a never-before seen image, and will be priced at $25.95.

• While we are releasing just one Best of stamp set per month (with a new theme each month), all of the Best of sets will be available until April 2014, while stocks last
• All Best of stamp sets are available in Clear-Mount only.
• The stamp images may be sized differently from the original stamp sets.

You can see other "Best of" sets HERE


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More Candle Gifts

Stamping on candles looks impressive but is surprisingly easy to do. I've made quite a few of these over the years and recently ran a class, by popular demand.
We stamped on a plain white pillar candle:

and presented it in a disposable plastic wine glass, decorated with some ribbon and a Frosted Finishes embellishment.
Actually it only looks like the candle has been stamped on. To get the effect, you stamp on tissue paper and gently melt it into the candle. I use wax paper to hold it in place while I'm melting it.

We also decorated a small gift bag and tag to match:

I'm sure anyone receiving this would feel pretty special (and it only costs a couple of dollars!)


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Candle Gifts

Candles make a practical and inexpensive gift, and when you personalise them by wrapping them in Washi Tape and presenting them in a hand-made box, they become something a bit more special.
This is what we made in my Project Class. Here's the box (sized to fit 3 tealight candles):

It has a see-through window, and the belly-band gift tag slides off to reveal:

Here's a closer look at the decorated tealights (they smell yummy too - apple scented, from IKEA)

Just a simple piece of Christmas washi Tape to jazz them up - couldn't be easier!


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Tape It Stamp-a-Stack

Here's the second set of cards we made in this month's Stamp-a-stack. I'm loving the Washi Tape look, and the "Tape It" stamp set is the next best thing....or actually maybe it's a better thing. Tape runs out, but the stamp set doesn't. Plus, you can make the "tape" any colour you like. It looks so real on the cards, that it begs you to run your finger over it to test whether it's actual tape.

The colours I've used are Crushed Curry, Gumball Green and Midnight Muse (great "boy" colour combo!)
There's also a dash of Gorgeous Grunge in Sahara Sand ink.


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Undefined - Stamp Carving

Have you ever wanted a stamp but couldn't find the perfect image? Maybe you have a special family logo or a sketch you'd like to have as a stamp. Well now you can! Undefined is Stampin' Up!'s new stamp carving product line. You define the rubber stamp any way you want.
When you carve your very own stamp, you will have an entirely new and different creative experience. And when you're finished, you will have created a one-of-a-kind stamp!

How exactly do you carve a stamp? Watch the video:



Here are the details:

Item #	Description	Price
133402	Undefined Stamp Carving Kit	$34.95 AUD /$39.95 NZD
134808	Undefined Refill Kit	$16.95 AUD/$19.95 NZD
124236	Clear-Mount Cling Foam*	$18.95 AUD/$22.95 NZD

*Add a sheet of Clear-Mount Cling Foam to create your own clear-mount stamps. Mounting your stamps on the cling foam allows you to make stamps any size you want, not just what will fit on the blocks in the kit.

Included in the Stamp Carving Kit:

• 2 carving tools
• 7.6 x 10.2 cm rubber
• 7.6 x 10.2 cm foam
• 4 wood blocks (various sizes)
• 1 Island Indigo Stampin' Write Marker
• 3 postcards
• Instruction sheet
• Stamp image templates

Included in the Refill Kit:

• 7.6 x 10.2 cm rubber
• 7.6 x 10.2 cm foam
• 4 wood blocks (various sizes)
• Instruction sheet

Check out the amazing creations on the Undefined Pinterest board!



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Simply Sketched Stamp-a-Stack

Sorry for the quiet week on the blog front.... It's been anything but quiet on the home front! It doesn't look like easing up anytime soon, but that's what happens at this time of year, isn't it?
I'm about to head off to Melbourne for my cousin's wedding, but I thought I'd pop in with a quick post to show you what we made at my Stamp-a-Stack classes this week:

I pulled this colour combo straight off the Color Coach - it's my go-to tool for colour inspiration. The colours are Baked Brown Sugar, Pistachio Pudding and Crisp Cantaloupe, along with Naturals White. The stamp set is a Hostess set "Simply Sketched". It's a really pretty set to watercolour, with lovely words too. You can't buy it, but you can earn it free by hosting a qualifying Party or by placing a $300 order.
I'd better go...the bags aren't packed yet (but at least the wedding card is made!) Priorities, right?!


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30% off Select Seasonal Downloads

It's the most wonderful time of the year--30% off select seasonal downloads! Just in time for all your Holiday Projects

There's a variety of festive downloads to help you get a head start this busy season. Check them out HERE


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Best of 25 Years Stamps - Best of Sale-a-Bration

The "Best of" set for November is here - the Best of Sale-a-Bration:

Here are the details about this Monthly Promotion:
All Best of stamp sets will include 3-5 images, including a never-before seen image, and will be priced at $25.95.

• While we are releasing just one Best of stamp set per month (with a new theme each month), all of the Best of sets will be available until April 2014, while stocks last
• All Best of stamp sets are available in Clear-Mount only.
• The stamp images may be sized differently from the original stamp sets.

You can see other "Best of" sets HERE


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November Promotion - Holiday Tag It Bundles

Just in time for Christmas! Our 2 Tag It Bundles include the tags, the ribbon, and the boxes to make your own pretty packages.

Item	Description	Price	Includes
135811	Holiday Tag It Decorative Box Bundle	$34.95	Stamp a Tag Kit Cherry Cobbler 1" Stitched Edge Grosgrain Ribbon (10 yards) Decorative Window Gift Boxes (6 boxes)
135812	Holiday Tag It Extra-Large Box Bundle	$32.95	Stamp a Tag Kit Cherry Cobbler 1" Stitched Edge Grosgrain Ribbon (10 yards) Extra-Large Gift Boxes (3 boxes)

You'll save 20% when you buy these bundles, but hurry - these two Holiday Tag It Bundles are only available until 30 November 2013

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