Speaking of birthdays...

I sat down at my stamping desk to make a special birthday card for some special team members last month, and of course I had to use some new products! I pulled out my new Petite Curly Label Punch and matching stamp set (both are free Sale-a-Bration products!) and this is what I came up with:

I've used the International Bazaar papers, because I wanted something with a small pattern in lots of colours. It almost looks like Moroccan tiles to me. I love the contrast of all that colour with Crumb Cake and Early Espresso.
...and speaking of birthdays, I have a BIG birthday coming up on Wednesday next week (I know, can you believe it, I'm 30 already?? LOL) I'm not really a birthday party kind of gal, so when hubby asked me what I wanted to do to celebrate, I said that I'd like to have a week off cooking. He's totally taken that on board and I was told yesterday that we're having a night out in a fancy hotel tonight, followed by a week of surprises and dinners out with special friends and family. How sweet is he??
I don't have any classes scheduled either, so I'm going to have a lovely lazy week indeed! He's even banned me from cleaning the house. To me, that's better than a party any day!

Marvellously Simple?

This is a super-simple little card that I sent out with mailed copies of the Seasonal Catalogue. I had to make 75 of these, so it needed to be quick and simple!
I thought the "oh happy day" sentiment was appropriate....nothing makes a day happy like a new catalogue to pore over :o) This stamp is part of the FREE Sale-a-Bration set "Bloomin' Marvellous".
I've used Calypso Coral for my card. The size is 9.9 x 9.9cm. I use this size a lot because you can get 3 notecards from an A4 piece.
The leaf image (from the "Secret Garden" set) is stamped in Versamark ink. The DSP is the "Sycamore Street" FREE Sale-a-Bration paper. The cute little butterfly is from the FREE "Bloomin' Marvellous" set, and has been stamped in Pool Party and punched out with the new Butterfly punch.
It's a simple card, but hopefully marvellously simple?

A little toot toot

Even though I've been lucky enough to be published a few times now, it's still a thrill to see my cards in print.
You can check them out in the latest edition of Australian Cardmaking, Stamping and Papercraft:

Time for some Shares!

Just a reminder that my Shares close this Friday. I still have a couple of spots left in some groups. Let me know if you would like to join in!

Although it would be great to be able to get ALL the new accessories in the Seasonal 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, brads and ribbons in the new Catalogue - join a Share! You may join some, or all of the Shares (and receive a free bonus!) and you may order double Shares if you wish.

SEASONAL CATALOGUE SHARES

DESIGNER SERIES PAPER SHARE               $13.50

Eight way share of 4 papers You will receive a 6x6 piece of each of the 6 sheets in each pack. So this is a total of 24 6x6 pieces: Tea for Two, More Amore (specialty), Parkers Patterns, Sunshine and Sprinkles.  You will also receive 12 sheets of the Print Poetry Stack (1 of each design) 11.4 x 16.5cm

EMBELLISHMENT SHARE              $19

6 Paper Doilies, 3 Creped Filter Papers, 10 Rhinestone jewels, 4 Builder Brads, 4 Silver buttons (2 sizes), 4 Soda Pop Tops (2 sizes), 12 Cute Clips (6 Hung Up, 6 Elements), 6”x 6” sheet Canvas Creations

RIBBON SHARE                       $23.50

1/4 roll of 7 ribbons - Flower Trim (45cm), Two Tone Ribbon (Rose Red, Basic Grey - 1.15m each), Natural Trim (1.15m), Striped Organdy (Marina Mist, Melon Mambo, Old Olive - 2.2m each)

CORE’DINATIONS SHARE                    $9.50

Four way share of 3 core’dinations colours - you will receive 3 12x12 sheets of the 3 colours (Pool Party, Primrose Petals, Real Red) - a total of 9 sheets                                             

OR if you want it all, order "PIZZA WITH THE LOT" -

Shares come boxed in a Pizza Box $65 (pick up from me) or $75 (mailed) and receive a FREE GIFT of a Sale-a-Bration Paper and Embellishment Share!

 

If you were to purchase all of these items individually, it would cost $279 (ouch!)

 

Email me with your Share selections, and 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 15th February, 2013

World's Greatest Teacher Frame

Jacob was lucky enough to have an amazing teacher at his Primary School....and he was lucky enough to have her for 4 years straight! It was a small school, and as he moved up the grades, so did she. When their student-teacher relationship came to an end last year, I knew she deserved an extra-special present...hand-made of course :o)
I made her a few special gifts. Here is one of them:

A simple white frame, personalised just for her. It can stand on a shelf/desk or be hung on a wall.... I think the tear in her eye meant that she liked it :o)

Feeling Sentimental Stamp-a-Stack

I've had a very busy but fun week of classes. It's been great seeing my stamp room full of chatter and laughter again. And of course it's always lots of fun playing with new products. We're spoilt for choice at the moment, with the Seasonal Catalogue and the Sale-a-Bration items too :o)
This was my other Stamp-a-Stack Design, using "Feeling Sentimental" and "Vintage Versses", two of the Sale-a-Bration sets:

We all need more stamps that can be used for masculine cards, and this set certainly fits the bill! The colours I've used are River Rock, accented with Midnight Muse, Garden Green, Elegant Eggplant and Cherry Cobbler. I've used Soft Suede ink, which is a lovely brown that reminds me of old Sepia photographs, and the Apothecary Accent framelits in Naturals Ivory cardstock, edges sponged with Crumb Cake ink.

On the coloured pieces, I've used the "Clockworks" stamp set in Versamark ink. I pull this one out all the time for backgrounds. I've used the new Edge Distressing tool (love it!) and also crumpled the cardstock to add to the vintage feel.

For my embellishments I used the new Natural Trim. It's new in the Seasonal Catalogue and works really well on masculine cards...it has a hessian look and feel to it. I've also used the Vintage trinkets - cute little brads that look like tiny buttons.

Vintage is not my usual style, but hopefully I've managed to pull it off?

Sycamore Street Stamp-a Stack

...say that 3 times fast!
I'm so looking forward to getting back into classes this week! It's always like a re-union, catching up with all my lovely ladies again in February. There's so much catching up to do...I hope we manage to fit in some stamping too ;o)
This is what we'll be making in this week's classes:

A simple design using the gorgeous "Sycamore Street" Sale-a-Bration Paper pack (free with a $100 order!) and the new "Hearts a Flutter" framelits. It's always good to have some all-occasion cards to replenish the stash at this time of year.

This week's classes are all full, but I'll happily come to your place and show you how to make these cards with a group of your friends. Let me know if that's something that would interest you!

2013 Seasonal Catalogue

...is here!

The Seasonal Catalogue begins today, and it is chock-full of gorgeous stamps and accessories. It has a lovely vintage feel, and there are so many pretty stamps and embellishments to take your crafting to the next level.

If you would like your own copy of the Catalogue, plus a copy of the Sale-a-Bration brochure, email me and I will be happy to send you one (Australian residents only please)

I'll be running some Shares for all the Papers, Ribbons and Embellishments in the catalogue...stay tuned!

3 Special People

I know I haven't been blogging as often as usual over the past month. Regular blogging will resume soon, but I thought you might like to see what has been keeping me so busy. Here's one:

My adorable nephew Leo...can you believe he's 18 months old already?? He is such a cutie!!
And here are two more:

Jacob has just started high school, and Amy is in Year 10 this year so I have both kids at one school again. Yay! Amy's hair is looking a little purple at the moment. She put a rinse through it and it has turned out a little different from the colour on the packet! Just as well it will wash out! LOL
We also had a holiday on the Gold Coast in early January, and have also tackled a major shed/garage/workshop overhaul for hubby's business. Now that school is back, I'm looking forward to resuming classes next week, and doing what I love to do!

Why not make it your New Year's Resolution to be more Crafty this year (in a good way!) - come along to a class, start a crafty project, or join Stampin' Up!

Last Day of Christmas Catalogue!

Just a reminder that today is the last day to order from the Christmas Catalogue!

Let me know if you "need" anything!

Happy Hello Simply Sent Kit

I love the Kits that Stampin' Up! offers ...all the hard work is done for you.
One of the FREE Sale-a-Bration items this year is the "Happy Hello" Simply Sent Kit. Using the kit, you can make 8 cards and envelopes. Everything is included - you don't even need adhesive. That makes it a perfect gift for a beginner stamper, crafty friend or for someone recuperating in hospital. Even children would be able to manage these.

I've had lots of fun playing with mine. I made the card pictured in the instructions, and then made my own variation, turning the flower petals into candle flames:

My good friend Teresa was even more clever and came up with this little handbag to hold cards or treats:

Look how she popped up the petals to make the pretty flower. She added some sparkle, and a pearl too:

Sale-a-Bration begins!

It's Here! Stampin' Up!'s biggest and best Promotion - Sale-a-Bration - starts today!

To view the Sale-a-Bration brochure online, click HERE
If you would like a hard copy, please let me know.

How does it work?
Sale-a-Bration runs for 2 months. Until the 22nd March, you can choose a free item for every $100 you spend (and there are 19 different items to choose from, including exclusive Sale-a-Bration stamp sets, embellishments and more).

How can I get the most benefits?
Place a $300 order (can be a group or individual order) and you will get:

• 3 FREE Sale-a-Bration items of your choice
• $50 to spend on catalogue products or Hostess sets
• PLUS a FREE pack of silver glimmer paper to celebrate Stampin' Up!'s 25th anniversary.

Place a $600 order (can be a group or individual order) and you will get:

• 6 FREE Sale-a-Bration items of your choice
• $100 to spend on catalogue products or Hostess sets
• 1 half price item
• a FREE pack of silver glimmer paper
• PLUS a free Sale-a-Bration product bundle (consisting of Madison Avenue stamp set, Sycamore Street designer series paper and Sycamore Street ribbon and button pack)

It's also a great time to join Stampin' Up! To celebrate Stampin' Up!'s 25th Anniversary, you'll get an extra 25% in your Starter Kit ($294 value for $169 - and free shipping too!).

 

Sale-a-Bration Sneak Peak

Just a reminder that today is the last day to order from the final week of the Clearance Rack!

Then - can you believe it? - Sale-a-Bration starts tomorrow!! I can't believe that most of January has gone already. This year's Sale-a-Bration selection is the biggest and best ever. There are 19 free products to choose from when you spend $100. Make sure you check out the Stampin' Up! website tomorrow to view the selection.

Here's a sneak peak of one of the Sale-a-Bration sets "Feeling Sentimental". It's a great one for masculine cards:
 

I think 2013 is going to be an exciting year. Stampin' Up! turns 25 so there's lots of amazing things in store!

Week 4 Clearance Rack - Sold Out Items

These items are no longer available from this week's list:

124920 Happiest Birthday Wishes
124928 Posy Punch
124934 Simply Soft
119167 Heard from the Heart
116410 Short and Sweet
116416 Sincere Salutations
116364 God's Blessings
121542 Just Perfect Alphabet
121691 Concord Crush A4
121693 Pear Pizzazz A4
109025 Whisper White 1/4" Grosgrain
109857 Mini Library Clips
112580 Clips Assortment
112577 Filigree Designer Brads
112579 Flower Designer Brads
113144 Clear Circle Rhinestone Brads
109110 Circle Fire Rhinestone Brads
109111 Circle Ice Rhinestone Brads
104339 3/16" Silver Brads
121004 Subtles 3/8" Glimmer Brads
119734 Brights Flower Brads
119732 Subtles Flower Brads

Clearance Rack Blitz - Week 4

It's Week 4 - the FINAL WEEK - of the Clearance Rack Blitz! Check out this week's items here:

Stampin' Up! have temporarily taken some products out of retirement with discounts up to 70% off retail - only while supplies last! This week there are stamps, ink pads and lots of embellishments...all at bargain prices! (starting as low as $3.75!)

 

So if you missed out on any of these items in the last catalogue, or if you just love a bargain, check out the full lists of what's coming HERE (there's a link to last year's catalogue for the page numbers). But get in quick. At these prices, they'll never last!!

Just email me with your order, and I can have it delivered straight to your door ($5.95 shipping anywhere in Australia)