Garden Grunge

I've had lots of fun playing with the Garden in Bloom stamp set. I'm on a bit of a Shimmery White cardstock kick at the moment too. It adds a touch of sparkle, and really steps a simple card up a notch.
The colours I've used on this card are Tip Top Taupe, Mint Macaron and Pool Party.
It's the little touches that make this card a bit more special - a blossom accent (so pretty!), a splash of Gorgeous Grunge, and some lace ribbon. I gave my ribbon a ruffled look using the new Tear & Tape. It has all the strength and stickiness of the old Sticky Strip, but is much more user-friendly - you can tear it, the backing peels off easily, and it doesn't have that annoying static cling! I just lay a strip of tape along the edge of my cardstock and used my fingers to ruffle the ribbon and press it into the tape.
I have a couple more Garden in Bloom cards to show you next time.


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Only a Few Days Left!

Would you like some free stamps?? Silly Question! Who doesn't want free stamps?!
If you have a large wishlist from the New Catalogue (and who doesn't?), this is the best deal of all!
Join as a demonstrator in the month of June, and get 2 FREE stamp sets of your choice!

You can choose ANY 2 STAMP SETS from the new Annual Catalogue.  So, for $169 you get $235 worth of products (of your choice) PLUS 2 free stamp sets (of your choice). What an amazing deal!
But hurry, this offer ends on Tuesday!

 Email me if you have any questions, and I'll be more than happy to help.


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Watercoloured Garden in Bloom

At the Hawaii Share Fair, I also demonstrated a simple watercolouring technique using the Garden in Bloom stamp set. It's always nerve-wracking demonstrating in front of your peers, even more so when they are All Stars! Thankfully, everyone was really lovely and soon my nerves disappeared.
I demonstrated how to create a soft watercolour look by stamping on Shimmery White cardstock, and then painting with the Aquapainter.
I also showed how you can emphasise the painted look by using a mixture of regular stamping, stamped-off, and double-stamped images.
Here's a comparison between an image that has just been stamped (on the left) and one that has been painted with water (on the right):

With watercoloured images like this, you will feel like an artist, and no one needs to know how simple it actually is (I won't tell, I promise ;o)


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The 4x6 Rip Flip

On the Hawaii Grand Vacation, I was honoured to be asked to do a Presentation for the other Demonstrators at the "Share Fair". There were 8 of us demonstrating, and I was sent the "Garden in Bloom" stamp set and English Garden Designer Series Paper to work with. As it turns out, they are 2 of my favourite products in the new Catalogue, so the hardest part was narrowing down my ideas. I showed a few different things, and one of them was an invention of my very own - the 4x6 Rip Flip! With this simple technique, you can make 72 cards from one pack of DSP without wasting a single scrap!
All you do is cut your sheet into six 4"x6" pieces. Then, take a piece and rip it (or snip if you prefer), and then flip one piece over to reveal the pattern on the other side. So quick and easy!
Here are 6 cards I made using the English Garden papers:

I've used the reverse side of each pattern for my cards, but you could mix and match your patterns if you prefer.
Here's a closer look:

The sentiments are all from Garden in Bloom, and I've edged them by dipping them in Versamark and then in gold embossing powder. It's an elegant way to make a punched shape stand out and add a bit of glitz at the same time, without having to add another layer.
I'll be back next time to show you some more of my Hawaii Presentation.


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Sprinkles of Life Stamp-a-Stack

It's early days, but already the Sprinkles of Life Stamp set and matching punch are proving to be incredibly popular. I'm so excited about that, because $3 from every stamp set sold gets donated to Ronald McDonald House Charities. It's a great feeling to be adding a versatile set to your collection, while supporting a very worthwhile cause at the same time.
PLUS, I personally will be donating $3 for every Tree Builder Punch sold this year to Ronald McDonald House Charities. So, if you buy both, you'll know $6 is going to a great cause. It's just a small something that I (and you!) can do to help.
I've used the stamp set and punch in 4 different ways on these cards, but there are many, many more ideas I still want to try, like these ones in the Catalogue:

I've used 3 new In Colors on my cards - Tip Top Taupe (fast becoming a favourite neutral colour!), Cucumber Crush and Watermelon Wonder. I've also used a few new Embossing Folders - I love the brick wall one, and it comes in a larger size, which means you can run your bricks in either direction on your card. I've also used my new favourite Punch - the Triple Banner. It's now so easy to make perfect banners and flags! The sentiments on my cards are from the Tin of Cards stamp set.


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Birthday Blossoms Stamp-a-Stack

One of my favourite things about a new Catalogue is not only having new stamps to play with, but having lots of new samples to copy. This one is a shameless CaSE of the card on page 8. It was one of the first cards I noticed when I flicked through the Catalogue, and I've changed very little.
I left off the lace, purely from a cost point of view, and used a few less pearls for the same reason. I also used the Gold Thread, rather than linen thread, just because I'm loving that stuff at the moment!

I also changed up a few things and made one in landscape orientation:

And here are the rest of the cards my ladies will be making in this week's class:

This stamp set made it straight on to my wishlist for several reasons. Firstly I love the words - the font, plus all 5 greetings are ones that I will use often. Secondly, I love flowers, and it's even better when they match a punch that I already own. And thirdly, I can see myself using these leaves and the small background flowers with other flower sets too. Voila, purchase justified ;o)


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Join a Share!

Although it would be great to be able to get ALL the new accessories in the new Catalogue, sometimes budgets don't stretch quite that far. Here's a way to get your hands on a sampling of all the new papers, embellishments and ribbons in the new Catalogue - join a Share! You may join some, or all of the Shares and you may order double Shares if you wish. Shares are open to anyone in Australia (Stampin' Up! Demonstrators are welcome to join too)

PAPERS

DESIGNER SERIES PAPER SHARE $34 – 90 pieces
You will receive 54 (6”x6”) pieces of each of the 6 sheets from 9 packs: Color Me Irresistible (specialty), Everyday Chic, Bohemian, English Garden, Farmers Market, Sweet Li’l Things, Merry Moments, Timeless Elegance, Schoolhouse, plus 36 (6”x6”) sheets from Go Wild, Cherry on Top and Pretty Petals Paper Stacks

COLOUR COLLECTIONS DESIGNER SERIES PAPER SHARE $25 – 100 pieces
You will receive a 6x6 piece of each of the sheets in each pack. So this is a total of 80 6x6 pieces from 4 packs: Brights, Neutrals, Regals, Subtles and 20 6x6 pieces from 2 packs: In Color 2015-17, In Color 2014- 2016

SPECIALTY PAPER SHARE $9.00 – 31 pieces You will receive: 6”x12” piece of Glassine Sheet (1), 6”x6” pieces of corrugated paper (2), 6”x12” pieces of cotton paper (4), 6”x6” pieces of Envelope Paper (20) and 4 Metallic Foil Doilies. Note: 6”x12” pieces will be folded

  Get the lot with the “I LOVE PAPER” SHARE (221 pieces) $65

RIBBONS

DOTTED LACE TRIM SHARE $13.50 – 5 lengths
1/4 roll (approx. 1.15m of each colour) 5 colours – Cucumber Crush, Delightful Dijon, Mint Macaron, Tip Top Taupe, Watermelon Wonder

STRIPED COTTON RIBBON SHARE $16.00 – 5 lengths
1/4 roll (approx. 2.2m of each colour) 5 colours – Blackberry Bliss, Hello Honey, Lost Lagoon, Mossy Meadow, Tangelo Twist

SEQUIN TRIM SHARE $4.50 – 2 lengths
1/4 roll (approx. 2.2m of each colour) 2 colours – Blushing Bride, Silver

THICK BAKER’S TWINE SHARE $8.00 – 5 lengths
1/4 roll (approx. 3.4m of each colour) 5 colours – Bermuda Bay, Calypso Coral, Cherry Cobbler, Smoky Slate, Very Vanilla

STITCHED SATIN RIBBON SHARE $20.50 – 5 lengths
1/4 roll (approx. 2.2m of each colour) 5 colours – Basic Black, Crumb Cake, Melon Mambo, Pacific Point, Whisper White

Get the lot with the “I LOVE RIBBON” SHARE (23 lengths) $60

EMBELLISHMENT SHARE $17.00 – 500 sequins + 35 other pieces
You will receive: Metallics Sequins (approx. 250), Brights Sequins (approx. 250), In Color Blossoms (5), Expressions Natural Elements (3), Metal Rimmed Pearls (6), White Perfect Accents (15), Classy Designer Buttons (6)

OR “I WANT IT ALL” - get the lot - $140

and receive a BONUS FREE GIFT

of Gold and Silver Metallic Thread (full pack of each)

 
Email me with your Share selections. Once the groups have filled, I will contact you to sort out payment. I accept payment by Cash, Direct Deposit or cheque. Stampin' Up!'s 5% Shipping & Handling Charge is included in the Share price, but if you need your shares mailed out to you postage will be at actual cost (I will use the most cost-effective method).

The Closing Date for Shares is 19th June, 2014

 
Email me to place your order, or click HERE to Shop Now

Want Free Stamps?

Silly Question! Who doesn't want free stamps?!
If you have a large wishlist from the New Catalogue (and who doesn't?!), this is the best deal of all!
Join as a demonstrator in the month of June, and get 2 FREE stamp sets of your choice!

You can choose ANY 2 STAMP SETS from the new Annual Catalogue.  So, for $169 you get $235 worth of products (of your choice) PLUS 2 free stamp sets (of your choice). What an amazing deal!

 Email me if you have any questions, and I'll be more than happy to help.

Email me to place your order, or click HERE to Shop Now

The NEW Annual Catalogue is Here!

It's here, it's here! A brand new Catalogue, full to the brim with new products and loads of inspiration.

Download the PDF HERE

For TODAY ONLY, you can also still order from the 2014-15 Annual Catalogue, the Retiring List and the Occasions Catalogue. If your order is over $300, note that the Hostess Benefits from the 2014-15 Catalogue will still be in effect for today only. Note that items that are carrying over into the new catalogue that are having a price change will be at current pricing today. New prices and the new Stampin' Rewards will take effect from tomorrow (June 3rd).

I'd love to hear what you think of the new Catalogue. I have to say, I think this catalogue really is a joy to look at. Mine is already very well-thumbed and I am still finding more and more things to love!

Just a few things to note about ordering from this Catalogue:

• The Watercolor Wishes Card Kit (#140406) on page 80 and 155 is not available to order until July. Note that the co-ordinating stamp set is only available as part of the kit.
• In the Stamp Set Index (page 184) The Summer Silhouettes Stamp Set is priced incorrectly. The correct price is $43.00 for the wood-mount set and $34.00 for the clear-mount set.

If you'd like a copy of the new Catalogue to keep by your bedside, it's $5* (including postage), or FREE with one of these options:
1. Place an order for at least $50. I will include your catalogue with your order. Email me for this option
2. Book a Party
3. Attend a class
*Australian residents only, please


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Trees Two Ways

Sheltering Tree is one of those stamp sets that really lends itself to quick and simple cards - It's pretty foolproof to stamp, and takes up a good amount of visual space on the card front. This one-layer card is about as simple as it gets, and served as a thank you card to pop in with a few recent orders:

I've used some retiring colours on this card - Crisp Cantaloupe, Baked Brown Sugar and Pistachio Pudding. I'm really going to miss these soft and pretty tones!
Here's another Sheltering Tree card that I whipped up for some special birthdays this month:

I've used some other retiring products on this card - Hello Honey ribbon and Back to Black DSP...I'm going to miss these too... Just as well I have lots of fun new products to console myself with!


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