STAMPIN' UP! INVENTORY CLEARANCE SALE

Hi folks

Who doesn't love a sale, right??  If you're anything like me, the mere mention of discounted (HALF PRICE in some cases) stamps is cause for heart palpitations!

Stampin' Up! has announced an Inventory Clearance Sale, running through until 24 January 2010 (or while stocks last).  The items on sale are all current catalogue items, and there are some fantastic bargains to be had.

Click on the following link for all the details - you won't be disappointed!

Download Inventory_Clearance_1209_AUNZ

I'll be around until Christmas to take any orders, if you see anything you *must* have!  Otherwise, contact me after 10th January, and I'll be happy to help.

Back to the Christmas cards .......

Christine :)

 

 

 

The "I WISH" SIMPLY SCRAPPIN' KIT is getting quite a workout ...

Hi friends

I've made another card using Stampin' Up!'s "I Wish" Simply Scrappin' Kit, using Old Olive card (this is one of my favourite greens).  This card was quick and easy to put together, using paper and stickers from the kit, and minimal stamping.  Hope you like it!


Stamps: Tree Trimmings, Occasional Greetings

Card: Old Olive Textured

Ink: Old Olive Stampin' Pad

Other: "I Wish" Simply Scrappin' Kit (paper, stars, bauble and scalloped trim), rhinestone (popped out of clear circle rhinestone brad), sponge dauber, Stamp-a-ma-jig

SWEET BIRTHDAY GIFT CARDS

Yes, I do think my little cards are sweet, hee hee, but the title of my post actually refers to a new stamp set that is in the Stampin' Up! Summer Mini catalogue ... only 2 more days until the new products are available to purchase!!  As a demonstrator, I was able to get my hands on a few of the goodies in advance (as you probably already know, from the previous 'sneak peeks' I've posted recently). 

I have put together a little set of birthday gift cards, using an adorable little stamp called Sweet Birthday.  The stamp has a cake image and a greeting, and is only $12.95.  I've used Stampin' Up!'s Love Notes in Whisper White - for $13.50, you get 20 cards (10 each of Whisper White and Very Vanilla) with perfect little matching envelopes.  LOVE these little cards.

I used my Stampin' Write Markers to colour the cake image, picking colours from the Pink Flamingo Designer Series Paper.  The colours used are Cameo Coral, Tempting Turquoise, Summer Sun and Real Red.  Using the matching Stampin' Pads, I inked up the sentiment.  After stamping it a few times (in different colours), I punched it out with the Word Window Punch - the perfect size.

Stampin' Up!'s 1 3/8" Circle Punch fit perfectly around the cake images, which I then layered onto punched out Scallop Circles.

I'm a bit 'challenged' with my photography at the moment, so please forgive the quality of these images!

Here's a little Cameo Coral and Tempting Turquoise number, using Pink Flamingo DSP.  For a bit of 'interest' I pierced a hole in each scallop of the scallop circle layer.



I made a few other little cards with the same layout.  I've used Tempting Turquoise 1/4" grosgrain ribbon on one; stamped stars (from Starring You stamp set) in Versamark on the Real Red background of another; and used dimensionals to raise the main image on most of the cards.  As well as Pink Flamingo DSP, I have used Good Morning Sunshine DSP (the yellow 'dotty' panel).  Hope you like them!



I think the size of this little cake, and the gorgeous accompanying sentiment (don't you love that font?), is just right for gift cards.  I can see myself making LOTS of these!  Only 2 days to go, people!! (I hope you're almost as excited as I am!!)

IT'S A "PARTY HEARTY" PARADE.....

One of the stamp sets, in the current Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalogue, that I was not convinced I 'needed', was Party Hearty.  However, some brilliant creations by some of my friends, and fellow Stampin' Up! demonstrators (part of our Art With Heart team), put paid to any doubts I had - so, I've joined the Party Hearty bandwagon! 

I found a really nice, simple, clean layout of a card on Splitcoaststampers, and unashamedly CASEd it.  Here is the result (bad photography and all):



Stamps: Party Hearty, Occasional Greetings

Card: Taken With Teal, Whisper White, Rose Red, Kiwi Kiss

Ink: Taken with Teal, Rose Red, Kiwi Kiss

Other: Small Tag Punch, 3/4" circle punch, eyelet (from my stash), Crop-a-dile, linen thread, 1" Double-Stitched Rose Red grosgrain ribbon, Stamp-a-ma-jig

How CUTE do those little party hats look??  I love them!  And to think I didn't need them - ha!!

Here's a slight variation, using the same basic layout, but using only Party Hearty stamps (including the present image stamped in Versamark all over the Rose Red panel), and a couple of teal rhinestone brads:



Stamps: Party Hearty

Card: Taken with Teal, Whisper White, Rose Red

Ink: Taken With Teal, Rose Red, Kiwi Kiss, Versamark

Other: 1" Double-Stitched Rose Red grosgrain ribbon, rhinestone brads, 3/4" circle punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig



I have one more Party Hearty card to share with you.  I was so loving this layout, that I made a third card, using a different colour combination.  In the upcoming Summer Mini, there is some luscious Real Red polka dot grosgrain ribbon.  I am a sucker for red ribbon, and love polka dots, so this is one of my favourite products in the Mini Catalogue! (Easily pleased, aren't I?)  This time I teamed Real Red with Chocolate Chip, and Tempting Turquoise. 



Stamps: Party Hearty, One of A Kind

Card: Real Red, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Tempting Turquoise

Ink: Real Red, Chocolate Chip, Tempting Turquoise

Other: 3/4" circle punch, 3/4" Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon - SUMMER MINI, Stamp-a-ma-jig

I love these simple, cute cards.  Which one's your favourite??

TODAY'S "SUMMER MINI" SAMPLE

The upcoming Summer Mini catalogue from Stampin' Up! contains some products that just scream "summer"!  I've made a card using the Designer Series Paper that will be available to buy from 1st December - beautiful colours, perfect for 'girly' projects.  There is very little stamping on this card; just 'bling' and a new embellishment from the Summer Mini.  What do you think - girly enough???


Stamps: Wow Flowers (sentiment)

Card: Pink Passion, Tempting Turquoise

DSP: Kaleidoscope - SUMMER MINI

Ink: Versamark ink pad

Other: White embossing powder, Scallop Edge Punch, White Jumbo Grommet - SUMMER MINI, Build-a-Brad, 1/2" circle punch, coloured rhinestones (popped out from rhinestone brads), Stamp-a-ma-jig

CHRISTMAS WORKSHOP & A 'SNEAK PEAK'

Yesterday I had a *little* workshop for Laura, one of my lovely Stampin' Up! customers, who had requested a Christmas focus.  We made a simple card, and a gift card holder, using the beautiful Christmas Classics stamp set.  Laura, just imagine that THIS is what the card should've looked like (for everyone else's info, I managed to leave my red marker at home, so the image looked a tiny bit different!) - thanks for being understanding!



Stamps: Christmas Classics

Card: Real Red, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White

Ink: Versamark ink pad, Old Olive, Real Red & Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write markers

DSP: Ski Slope

Other: Chocolate Chip 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, stampin' dimensionals



Using the same stamp set, and Designer Series Paper, we made a super-simple gift card holder.  I just had to photograph this against my craft room window, because today we have RAIN!! What a beautiful sight; Melbourne has been experiencing an extremely hot and dry Spring, and it makes us feel a bit nervous about the summer months ahead (given the Black Saturday bushfires that were so devastating this past February).  Here's the closed, and opened, versions:







Stamps: Christmas Classics

Card: Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White

DSP: Ski Slope

Ink: Versamark ink pad, Old Olive Stampin' Pad, Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write marker

Other: Sponge dauber, 1 3/8" circle punch, Sticky Strip (super-sticky double-sided tape), large oval punch, scallop oval punch


The Ski Slope Designer Series Paper that I've used in these projects is about to retire, from our Spring Mini catalogue in Australia.  So, if you'd like to get your hands on some, please contact me - it's available only until the end of November.

I will be very sad to see go many of the products featured in Stampin' Up!'s Spring Mini catalogue.  However, the good news is that we have a Summer Mini catalogue about to launch, with some gorgeous new products available to purchase from 1st December.  I have used one of the new stamp sets on an engagement card I made for my niece and her partner - have a look at these beautiful hearts:



Stamps: I (Heart) Hearts - SUMMER MINI, Organic Outlines

Card: Whisper White, Real Red, Chocolate Chip

Ink: Real Red and Chocolate Chip Stampin' Pads, Versamark ink pad

Other: Build-A-Brad, 1/2" and 3/4" circle punches, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Chocolate Chip 1" double-stitched grosgrain ribbon, stampin' dimensionals

Keep checking back for more Summer Mini projects, and in the meantime, check out this fabulous card made by Kirsty Brown - you're going to love this stamp set!!

BIRTHDAY CARD FOR A "CRICKET-MAD" BOY

Don't keel over in shock, people - I know, two posts in one day, after a bit of a drought in the posting area!  Actually, two posts in minutes, because I didn't get myself properly organised before saving my Christmas card post.

Jack, my darling first-born son, turned 14 on Saturday.  He lives and breathes cricket; as far as he was concerned, he had the perfect birthday - playing junior cricket in the morning, and senior cricket in the afternoon.  It meant (as it does every Saturday) that he left home at 7.00am, and didn't get home until 7.00pm.  Personally, I can't see the appeal in that, but this post is about Jack, so I won't bore you with my views on cricket!

This season Jack changed cricket clubs, and has joined a club with a great development programme, which is helping him work towards his goal of playing cricket for Australia one day.  He's determined, so we'll see!  His new club colours are (in Stampin' Up! colours!) Brilliant Blue and Summer Sun, with a Basic Black strip.  With this in mind, I made this card for Jack:


Stamps: Just Cricket, Occasional Greetings, Defining Alphabet

Card: Whisper White, Brilliant Blue, Summer Sun, Basic Black

Ink: Versamark, Basic Black, Brilliant Blue, Summer Sun, Riding Hood Red

Other: Stamp-a-ma-jig, Wide Oval Punch, 3/4" and 1" circle punches, black brads (from Vintage assortment), stampin' dimensionals

"I WISH" SIMPLY SCRAPPIN' KIT .... CARDS PART 2

After a really lovely Stampin' Up! workshop on Saturday, I was inspired to play a little more with the "I Wish" Simply Scrappin' Kit featured in my last post - hence the rather unimaginative title of my post today!  We creative types can't be creative ALL the time!!

The first card I have to show you, is using the Designer Series Paper from the kit, that co-ordinates beautifully with the Snow Swirled stamp set.  I have stamped (in Versamark ink) a few large snowflakes at the bottom of the card, to subtly tie in with the pattern on the paper.  The main image is simply a stamped sentiment, punched out with a circle punch, matted on some red card and overlaid with a scalloped die-cut sticker from the wonderful kit.  Too easy!



Stamps: Best Yet (Hostess Set), Snow Swirled

Card: Old Olive, Real Red textured

Ink: Real Red stampin' pad, Versamark ink pad

Other: "I Wish" Simply Scrappin' Kit, Real Red 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, scallop edge punch, white gel pen, 1 3/8" circle punch, sponge dauber



I decided to use Kraft as the base colour for my next card; this alone pretty much guaranteed it'd be a favourite!  Kraft is my 'go-to' colour, for those of you who don't know me so well.  I LOVE how this card turned out; the papers and sticker strips in the kit are so beautiful, and make very easy work of putting together a lovely card.  The only stamping on this card is the sentiment, using a Cute & Curly stamp (from the Curly Label Punch bundle - check that out on the Christmas Extravaganza promotion I told you about, a couple of posts back; it's so cute).  I stamped it in Real Red, on whisper white card, then sponged the edges of the punched-out piece with Sahara Sand ink - complements the kraft colour beautifully.



Stamps: Cute & Curly

Card: Kraft, Real Red textured

Ink: Real Red, Sahara Sand, Old Olive

Other: "I Wish" Simply Scrappin' Kit, Chocolate Chip 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, Old Olive brad, Real Red brads, sponge daubers, stampin' dimensionals

I hope those of you living in the southern states of Australia are surviving this heatwave; thankfully in Melbourne today it's a little cloudy to start the day - so nice to feel some coolness in the air!

Thanks for visiting my little corner of the world today. 

Christine  :)

I LOVE THE "I WISH" SIMPLY SCRAPPIN' KIT!!

I was in the mood to make a couple of simple Christmas cards, with minimal stamping, the other day, so I thought I'd break open my new "I Wish" Simply Scrappin' kit.  This kit is one of the products featured in Stampin' Up!'s Christmas Extravaganza promotion. Purchasing it, along with a few other goodies, could earn you a free punch! I am not a scrapbooker, but, even though this kit is designed to make scrapbooking easy, I have found it is perfect for making loads of cards!  At $36.95, it is fantastic value - enough textured cardstock, co-ordinating papers and self-adhesive die-cuts to create dozens of cards.

Here is the first card I made:



Stamps: Many Merry Messages

Card: Old Olive, Whisper White

Ink: Old Olive Stampin' pad

Other: "I Wish" Simply Scrappin' Kit, Real Red 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, Scallop Edge Punch



I love how well the red snowflake die-cut sticker co-ordinates with the Scallop Edge Punch - don't you?  The star and the circle greeting are from the kit, too.  All I did was stamp a simple greeting, and attach some ribbon - easy peasy.

My next card has as the focal image a die-cut strip from the kit - I just LOVE those berries.  Although the photo doesn't clearly show it, I stamped in Versamark ink an image from the Soft Summer stamp set (available in our Spring Mini catalogue, only until the end of November!), that I thought co-ordinated beautifully with the berries, and created a bit of 'interest' at the top of the card.



Stamps: Season of Joy, Soft Summer

Card: Real Red, Old Olive textured, Whisper White

Ink: Versamark, Old Olive stampin' pad

Other: "I Wish" Simply Scrappin' Kit, Real Red 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, Scallop Edge Punch, sponge dauber



Well, folks, that's it for today.  I'll be sure to post some more cards made using this lovely kit in days and weeks to come.

An exciting announcement I have to make, about the promotion I told you about in my last post.  There is now a choice of two punches, for the free punch on offer.  Contact me if you'd like to place a qualifying order!

SPRING MINI FAVOURITES ... and THINKING OF CHRISTMAS.......

With November here (already?!) it's time to re-visit the Stampin' Up! Spring Mini catalogue, as the products are available only until the end of this month.  There will be a (delectable) new mini catalogue released on December 1st - this means that all the items in our current mini catalogue will be NO LONGER AVAILABLE!!  It is with some sadness that I say that, as I just love a number of products in this 'mini'.  In my last post my Christmas card featured the wide Riding Hood Red striped grosgrain ribbon, and the scallop oval punch - two "must-have" items that you can buy only until the end of November.  If you need a copy of the Spring Mini catalogue, please email me, and I'll be happy to get one out to you.

I am in love with the corduroy buttons from this mini catalogue, so I thought I'd show you a way to use them, on a simple card I made for my father-in-law's recent birthday.  I was inspired by the 'dotty' pattern on the Urban Oasis Designer Series Paper I chose to use; the colours, and the size of the dots, were a perfect match for corduroy buttons.  Here's a photo of the card (please excuse the 'rustic' look of the peeling paint on our balcony handrails!!):



Stamp: On Your Birthday

Card: Kraft, Basic Gray, Baja Breeze

Ink: Sahara Sand, Basic Gray

DSP: Kiwi Kiss Patterns, Urban Oasis

Other: Corduroy buttons (Basic Gray, Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss), Basic Gray taffeta ribbon, sponge dauber




Now, for the second part of my post title ...



Many of us card-makers are well into the swing of making Christmas cards, but, well, shopping for gifts is another matter entirely!  Stampin' Up! has a fantastic promotion that starts today, and goes through until December 14th - you can earn yourself a free gift (a Scallop Square punch, $30.95 worth) every time you purchase products totalling $85 from the Christmas Gift-Giving Guide. Take a look at the range of beautiful products that are tailored towards gift-giving in this promotion; you won't be disappointed!  I'd love to help you out with your Christmas shopping, so email me at c.blain@yarravalleysnackfoods.com, or phone me on (03) 9737 1755, if you'd like to place an order, or ask any questions about this exciting offer.

FRIENDS 24-7

Today I gave myself permission to not go in to work - what bliss! We have our own business, and I have been trying for a long time to 'retire'.  The first step is to actually not be there some days, and it is harder than it sounds to make that happen.  Happily, today I'm at home.

I have been having a play with my Friends 24-7 stamp set, which is one of my favourites in the current Stampin' Up! catalogue.  First I made a couple of cards (just to have on hand) using my 'fallback' colour combination of Kraft, Baja Breeze and Chocolate Chip.  I love that they're simple and pretty - here they are:


All paper,punches and accessories are Stampin' Up! - if you have any questions, drop me a line!

I was visiting Renee Van Stralen's blog the other day, and loved this card she made using the cute little bird from this stamp set.  I was inspired to make a Christmas card using Friends 24-7.  Mine is a lot simpler, but I like how it turned out:

 Stamps: So Swirly Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel, Friends 24-7, Season of Joy

Ink: Chocolate Chip and Riding Hood Red stampin' pads, Chocolate chip marker (bird's eye!)

Card: Kraft, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, Riding Hood Red

Other: Riding Hood Red 1 1/4" striped grosgrain ribbon, large oval punch, scallop oval punch, dimensionals

KIWI KISS "THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS"

Kiwi Kiss is one of this year's "in colours" from Stampin' Up!, which means that it is one of six colours available (in ink, cardstock, papers and accessories) only until the new catalogue is released.  "Thoughts and Prayers" is the name of the stamp set I've used.  Right, now that the explanation is out of the way, I'll get on with showing you my card!

I decided to make a sympathy card, and just love this beautiful green.  Once I'd finished the card, my darling husband told me it looks "unbalanced" (the pedant in me wanted to tell him "imbalanced", but I didn't want him to think I agreed in any way, ha ha).  I told him I'd post a picture of the card on my blog, and see what feedback I get.  Andrew said nobody would actually comment if they didn't like it, but I told him he obviously doesn't know my friends!!  (Hey, Kerry - at least it's not insipid!)



Stamps: Thoughts & Prayers

Card: Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White, Basic Gray

Ink: Basic Gray stampin' pad, Whisper White craft stampin' pad, Versamark ink pad

DSP: Walk in the Park

Other: White embossing powder, Wide Oval Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, Basic Gray and Kiwi Kiss corduroy buttons, Basic Gray taffeta ribbon, sponge dauber.

Don't you just love how the buttons, ribbon, paper and card match so beautifully?  This Designer Series Paper, and the corduroy buttons, are available only until the end of November in Australia, so if you haven't already got them, but *need* them, feel free to contact me to place an order.  I'd be more than happy to help you find loads of matching products that you didn't know you needed!

In the meantime, leave me a comment and let me know what you think of the card (honestly, I can take it!!).

ORGANIC OUTLINES CHRISTMAS CARD

Yesterday I attended my first Stampin' Up! event, being Melbourne Regionals (a full-day training session, with stamping and socialising time mixed in) at Crown Promenade Hotel.  What a fun day, with hundreds of like-minded women (and two men)!  It was a very long day, as I was up at 5.45am - a bit like a child on Christmas Eve, over-excited about the day ahead!  The function itself ran from 8.00am (registration) until 3.30pm, and I enjoyed coffee afterwards with a couple of my special stamping friends.  It was so nice to spend a day with 'the girls', but all too soon it was over.  The absolute highlight of the day (oh, apart from the friendships, that is!) was having Bonnie Thurber, from Stampin' Up! in the US, take part.  She is such a warm, friendly, funny woman - a total delight.  What a shame we can't keep her!

At Regionals, a number of demonstrators swapped cards/ card fronts, to share ideas on how to use Stampin' Up! products.  I've come home with some amazing creations, that have inspired me to do some 'different' things.  Here is my card, that my swaps were based on:

Stamps: Organic Outlines, En Francais, Occasional Greetings

Card: Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla

Ink: Real Red, Always Artichoke, Old Olive

DSP: Ski Slope

Other: Real Red 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, sponge dauber, Real Red & Always Artichoke brads, dimensionals

Once I arrived home from Regionals, I was looking forward to an easy dinner and relaxing at home.  However, my accident-prone husband (who is on Warfarin and has an unstable blood clot in his leg), had a fall and rolled his ankle - it was swollen and we suspected fractured, so off to hospital we went!  Thankfully it turned out to be a sprain; it is now bandaged and we are back home.  A more eventful end to the day than I needed!

Hope you like the card - I'm rather fond of it myself!

CHRISTMAS CLASSICS

I am having a HEAP of trouble with Typepad, and have tried numerous times over the last few days to post, only to be thrown out repeatedly.  I had a rather lengthy post saved, and it has disappeared into oblivion, so today I am feeling just a bit grumpy!!  (Alright, a lot grumpy.)

I've been playing with my gorgeous new Christmas Classics stamp set (LOVE the crisp images it produces), and have a couple of cards to share, if only the uploading of images is successful, on my 247th attempt.  Here goes ..... 

Oh, wait, I just remembered I promised my sister, Lynda, that I'd post a photo of the birthday cards she and I made for Ethan recently.  Lynda and I are twins on one day of the year (she was born the day before my first birthday); for the other 364 days we do share thoughts, ideas and colour-choices in clothing.  It's a bit uncanny sometimes.  This year Lynda was super-organised and had made my little man a birthday card early.  Foolishly, I didn't think to check with her as to what colours and stamp set she used (you'd think that after 40+ years of 'twin-like' behaviour, I'd know better).  This was the result - Lynda's card on the left, mine on the right:



Now for the Christmas cards I have to show you - both using Christmas Classics stamp set and Ski Slope Designer Series Paper, from Stampin' Up!  I have tried several times to upload these photos, and add all the 'ingredients' used, and such is my frustration at failing repeatedly that I am going to try ONE MORE TIME to just get the pictures up.  I'll skip all the extra explanations - if you need any details, just email me!  Here's what I came up with:


How cute are those baubles?  Here's the next one (my favourite) - let me know which one you prefer!  I know some of my friends need no prompting to let me know, but I'm interested to see your feedback :)




Well, hallelujah, I've successfully uploaded 3 photos, and even managed to add some text -what progress!  I'm going to sign off here (don't want to push my luck).  Fingers crossed my next post will be smooth sailing, and will take less than 4 days to complete!  

Tomorrow my littlest love turns 9.  Can any other Mum out there relate to the slightly-sad feeling of their youngest growing up??  I LOVE seeing my boys grow and develop, and feel enormously proud of the beautiful human beings they are, but I can't help but see that shortly my cuddly little man will not be too keen to cuddle his Mum. Hopefully that will be a passing phase! (Jack, 13, has come back around and, amazingly, even lets me kiss and cuddle him in public.)

My boys are working at the Royal Melbourne Show tonight, which has afforded me some crafting time.  Just as well, because I have been totally under-prepared for Ethan's birthday tomorrow.  I have made my boy a card using one of his favourite stamp sets, Pun Fun (have to love that rocket for boys, especially!).  I was inspired by this card made by Sue Madex; love the look of stars punched out of cardstock, and adhered to the same coloured card.  Here is the end result:

Stamps: Pun Fun, Starring You

Card: Kraft, Pacific Point, Riding Hood Red, Whisper White

Ink: Pacific Point & Riding Hood Red stampin' pads, Versamark ink pad

DSP: Good Morning Sunshine and Candy Lane (for paper-pieced rocket parts)

Other: Small star punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, scallop circle punch, scallop edge punch, rectangle & scalloped rectangle nestabilities

Despite the blurry photography, I hope you like it!  I think my boy will be happy with it - mind you, he may not pay much attention to the card, since there's cake and presents to be enjoyed.  May you all have as happy a Sunday as my boy is bound to have.

I've finally had a chance to play with the SEPTEMBER RIBBON BUNDLE ......

I have had a very stressful few weeks, with trying to run our business while my husband was overseas, and taking on even more workload with our Office Manager leaving.  I was temporarily relieved when Andrew returned, to lift some of the stress from my shoulders.  However, this week he gave us all a scare when we found that he has two blood clots in his leg - Deep Vein Thrombosis, that was not something we seriously considered he'd have at his (middle!) age.  This means he must rest at home (under the care of hospital nurses visiting daily to inject him with blood-thinning medication) for at least a week.  I am almost crumbling under the load of what I need to bear, trying to keep our family life strong with all the business demands.  Thank goodness for my craft room, is all I can say!

Despite feeling exhausted, last night I was determined to have a play with my new ribbon, that I got for free with the great September promotion offered by Stampin' Up!  I have not been able to do anything creative lately, so I relished the opportunity to make some cards to showcase the ribbon that is available only this month.  Be warned - I got busy!



Stamps: Seeing Spots

Card: Almost Amethyst, Whisper White, So Saffron, Certainly Celery

Ink: Versamark ink pad, Almost Amethyst and Certainly Celery stampin' pads

DSP: Tea Party

Other: Eyelet Border Punch, Certainly Celery poly-twill ribbon, white gel pen, sponge daubers, dimensionals, circle punches (1 1/4", 1 3/8", scallop circle)





Stamps: Outlined for Fun

Card: Almost Amethyst, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White

DSP: Tea Party

Ink: Basic Gray stampin' pad, Almost Amethyst, Pretty in Pink and So Saffron markers

Other: Pretty in Pink brads, So Saffron grosgrain ribbon, dimensionals, Crystal Effects, Button Latte





Stamps: Outlined for Fun, Seeing Spots

Card: Whisper White, So Saffron, Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink

DSP: Tea Party

Ink: Basic Gray stampin' pad, Whisper White craft stampin' pad, Versamark ink pad, Pretty in Pink, So Saffron and Certainly Celery markers

Other: Certainly Celery poly-twill ribbon, eyelet border punch, 5/8" white brads (from neutral assortment), dimensionals, sponge dauber, 1" circle punch, Crystal Effects





Stamps: Outlined for Fun

Card: So Saffron, Riding Hood Red, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White

DSP: Washington Apple

Ink: Riding Hood Red, So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie stampin' pads

Other: White gel pen, scallop edge punch, So Saffron grosgrain ribbon, Boho Blossoms punch, Ruby Red and Pumpkin Pie brads, dimensionals, sponge daubers





Stamps: Embrace Life, Say it With Scallops

Card: So Saffron, Tangerine Tango, Whisper White

DSP: Haiku

Ink: Tangerine Tango, So Saffron stampin' pads, Versamark ink pad

Other: Scallop square punch, So Saffron grosgrain ribbon, Button Latte, dimensionals, sponge daubers, scallop edge punch

Well, I think that's QUITE enough from me for today.  I needed to make up for lost time!  If you like these ribbons, remember they are available only as a special for September, free with any order of $100 or more of Stampin' Up! product.  Please email me if you have any questions, or need these ribbons!  Here's what the ribbon bundle looks like:

AAAAAAH..... SPRING!

Today we had a sure-fire sign of Spring being in the air; what a beautiful, sunny day in Melbourne.  It's so nice to feel the warmth of the sun again.  Here's my card for today:



Stamps: Great Friend

Card: Very Vanilla, So Saffron, Certainly Celery

Ink: So Saffron and Certainly Celery stampin' pads, Staz-On jet black ink pad, Versamark ink pad

DSP: Tea Party

Other: Certainly Celery 5/8" and 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, Ice Circle and Clear Circles rhinestone brads, 1 3/8" circle punch, scallop circle punch, sponge dauber, dimensionals

Aren't these colours nice and "spring-y"?  Stampin' Up! has a FABULOUS promotion this month, which allows you to get the following ribbon bundle for FREE!



With every order of Stampin' Up! product to the value of $100 or more, you can receive TWO rolls of ribbon absolutely free!  If you love ribbon as much as I do, this is enough to cause heart palpitations!!

These ribbons are not available to buy, and are on offer only for the month of September.  The bundle comprises one roll (9.144m) of Certainly Celery 5/8" poly-twill ribbon, and one roll (9.144m) of So Saffron 5/8" grosgrain ribbon. The width of the ribbons is the same as the wider ribbon on my card above.

So Saffron co-ordinates with, and complements, so many colours and Designer Series Papers in our current Idea Book & Catalogue.  It is a beautiful, soft yellow (not quite as bright as in the amateur photograph of my card!).  Certainly Celery is, as you can see, also a lovely soft colour.

If you agree that these ribbons are "must-haves", please email me - I'd be happy to take your order!

GETTING READY FOR FATHER'S DAY....

I have been asked by a friend if I'd make some Father's Day cards, seeing as it's Father's Day next weekend.  While I was in the process of stamping out the fantastic sentiment from the Occasional Greetings stamp set, I decided to get a bit of a production line going.  I'm up to my fifth card, and need a little break, so decided to upload some photos to share with you.

The first few cards are made using the colours Always Artichoke and Mellow Moss, with either Whisper White or Very Vanilla as the neutral - such a beautiful colour scheme, and nice and earthy for cards for men.  This first card is all Stampin' Up! :



Stamps:  Occasional Greetings, Lovely As A Tree, Linen (retired)

Card: Always Artichoke, Whisper White, Mellow Moss

Ink: Always Artichoke and Mellow Moss stampin' pads

Other: Always Artichoke and Mellow Moss 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, Always Artichoke brads, sponge daubers, dimensionals, 1 1/4" square punch, 1 3/8" square punch

For my second card I combined Very Vanilla with the two greens.  On the main panel I stamped the trees first in Always Artichoke ink, then (using my Stamp-A-Ma-Jig) slightly offset the image to the right, and stamped again in Very Vanilla ink.  I like the soft effect that resulted.



Stamps: Weathered, Occasional Greetings, Lovely As A Tree

Card: Very Vanilla, Always Artichoke, Mellow Moss

Ink: Mellow Moss and Always Artichoke classic stampin' pads, Very Vanilla craft stampin' pad (retired)

Other: Dimensionals, Stamp-A-Ma-Jig, corner rounder punch, edge distresser, sponge daubers, brads (not Stampin' Up!) from stash

The last card I'll share from my 'green series' incorporates Jumbo Eyelets, which are a favourite embellishment of mine, when it comes to cards for males.  They are so easy to set in place using the Crop-A-Dile - love that tool!  If you are tired of noisy or labour-intensive ways of setting eyelets, please talk to me - I can change your life in this regard!



Stamps: Occasional Greetings, Lovely As A Tree, Weathered

Card: Always Artichoke, Whisper White, Mellow Moss

Ink: Always Artichoke and Mellow Moss stampin' pads

Other: Dimensionals, sponge daubers, Jumbo Eyelets (set with Crop-A-Dile), string from stash



Finally, I have something completely different.  I recently bought a new Checkerplate embossing folder for my Cuttlebug - it's great!  It really does make silver or grey cardstock look like metal.  Here's what I made:



Stamps: Occasional Greetings, Weathered

Card: Whisper White, Brushed Silver, Riding Hood Red, Coredinations Black

Ink: Basic Black and Riding Hood Red stampin' pads, Versamark

Other: Jumbo Eyelet (set with Crop-A-Dile), 5/8" silver brad, Riding Hood Red striped grosgrain ribbon, sponge dauber, Cuttlebug and checkerplate embossing folder

BROWN AND TEAL PLANTS

My post title today conjures up images of rather sickly flora, but that's not really the picture I wanted to convey!  Last night I was getting ready to go to bed, at what was a reasonable time, when I had a burst of inspiration to create with the colours Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip and Taken With Teal.  Since I have been a bit tired to make much in the way of cards this week, I decided to grab the opportunity to create (and in the process I stayed up way too late).

The key focus of my first card is the divine stamp set Organic Outlines.  The small flower on the oval panel is also from this set - I just stamped it off four times (!) on scrap paper before stamping it on Very Vanilla card, so it produced a subtle impression.  I love the look of a soft image over-stamped with a sentiment.  All of the stamps used on this card are from Organic Outlines set.



Stamps: Organic Outlines

Card: Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Taken with Teal, Very Vanilla

Ink: Close to Cocoa stampin' pad, Taken with Teal stampin' pad and marker, Chocolate Chip stampin' pad and marker

Other: Sponge daubers, wide oval punch, chocolate chip taffeta ribbon, scallop edge punch, ice circles rhinestone brads, dimensionals

Please excuse the totally un-thought-out photography; I didn't even notice the rather gawdy contrast with the green walls until I uploaded the photos, and I'm altogether too lazy to re-take and upload the shot (our computer is soooooo sloooooow)!

For my second card, I used another of my favourite stamp sets, Pocket Silhouettes, that has been rather neglected lately.  This is a great little set; I had a lot of fun making this card.  For the rhinestone centre in the felt flower, I didn't want the bulk of a brad, so I splayed the prongs of the brad wide open, and removed the rhinestone from its claw setting (sounds complicated, but it was very easy).  This was a tip I found on Mary Fish's Stampin' Pretty blog - Mary's a bit of a Stampin' Up! guru, and has lots of simple and fun tips to share.



Stamps: Pocket Silhouettes, Great Friend

Card: Chocolate Chip, Taken With Teal, Kraft, Very Vanilla

Ink: Chocolate Chip stampin' pad and marker, Taken With Teal stampin' pad and marker, Sahara Sand stampin' pad

Other: Felt flower from Flower Fusion Too, ice circle rhinestone brad (removed from casing), scallop circle punch, dimensionals, stamp-a-ma-jig, Valet Ribbon

I am looking forward to having some 'play time' over the weekend, as work is pretty stressful at the moment.  Have half a day of my eldest son's football tomorrow, but other than that very few commitments - just how I like it!  I must get my craft room tidied up a bit so I have some space in which to stamp.  I'll be back soon to share some more cards. Thanks for visiting!

SNOW SWIRLED ..........the blue series

Whilst I still have the Snow Swirled stamp set on loan, I am trying to come up with a few different cards.  I haven't used silver for a loooooong time, but decided to combine a bit of silver embossing, with Whisper White, and Bashful Blue - I think the result is really lovely, and soft. 

My photo of this first card is a bit blurry (sorry), but I was pleased with the 'clean' result.  I started off with a Whisper White card base, and attached a panel of Bashful Blue card on which I had randomly stamped the large snowflake from the set, using Versamark ink to create a subtle background.  I distressed the top and bottom edges of this panel.  On the main panel, I stamped the large snowflake in Versamark on Whisper White, then used Silver embossing powder - how striking does that look?  I added a blue rhinestone brad to the centre of the snowflake, and stamped the sentiment in Bashful Blue ink.  A bit more edge distressing and use of punches finished off that part.  I rounded the bottom corners of the two panels, and did a bit of paper piercing to complement the pattern of the eyelet border punch.  Is this too much waffle?  Should I just show you what I made?  Okay, here it is ...



Stamps: Snow Swirled

Card: Whisper White, Bashful Blue, Brushed Silver

Ink: Bashful Blue stampin' pad, Versamark ink pad

Other: Silver embossing powder (& heat gun), Eyelet Border Punch, corner rounder punch, piercing tool, edge distresser, Bashful Blue taffeta ribbon, blue rhinestone brad (from Ice Circles selection), stampin' dimensionals


While I had all the supplies out, I made a card that appealed much more to my husband's symmetrical brain.  To create the white panel on the bottom part of the card, I inked up the large snowflake stamp in Bashful Blue ink, then stamped the image off twice onto scrap paper before stamping the image on Whisper White card - love the soft result of this.  I did the same on the white panel on which I then overstamped the sentiment, in Basic Gray ink.  For the square snowflake panels, I white-embossed the snowflakes onto Brushed Silver card, which I think looks beautiful.  Here's the card, followed by all the details:



Stamps: Snow Swirled, Occasional Greetings

Card: Bashful Blue, Brushed Silver, Whisper White

Ink: Bashful Blue and Basic Gray stampin' pads, Versamark inkpad

Other: White embossing powder (& heat gun), sponge daubers, stampin' dimensionals, Bashful Blue 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, 1 1/4" square punch, 1 3/8" square punch, 2-way glue pen, dazzling diamonds (glitter)



Right, lastly (hope you're not too saturated by blue-hued Snow Swirled cards yet!) I would like to share my personal favourite of the series.  Not surprisingly, Andrew (darling husband) doesn't like it.  I don't think six brads on one card is over-embellishing - do you?? 



Stamps: Snow Swirled, Short & Sweet

Card: Very Vanilla, Brocade Blue, Sahara Sand

DSP: Bella Bleu

Ink: Brocade Blue and Sahara Sand stampin' pads

Other: Sponge daubers, Word Window Punch, Ice Circles Rhinestone brad (blue), Clear Rhinestone brads, stampin' dimensionals.



I'm having so much fun with this set, I don't think I'll give it back to its rightful owner!  I have a super-busy week at work coming up, so may not get to create and/or blog for a little while, but I'll be back soon.  Thanks for visiting my little corner of blogland. :)

OH MY - I'M IN RIBBON HEAVEN!!

Now, some of you (and I pity you, really I do) will look at the photos below and think "big deal, ribbon on card".  Those of you, however, who share the wonderful obsession I have with ribbon, will hopefully appreciate the shots I want to share with you today.

I belong to THE best team of Stampin' Up! demonstrators, who willingly share ideas, information and templates with one another.  Lisa, one of our Western Australian girls (who doesn't have a blog - yet!!), put in an enormous amount of work with a ribbon share for our team.  She put together sample lengths of EVERY ribbon available in the Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalogue, and the Spring Mini Catalogue, and sent them to the share participants.  Not only that, but she created a set of fantastic templates to print on card, and attach the ribbon to. 

Take a look at my finished product:

 

These cards represent only half of the display cards we've ended up with.  Pretty, don't you think?

Here's a close-up of one of the cards:

 

How great is that, that you can see and feel exactly what every ribbon is like?  Thanks Lisa!

SNOW SWIRLED

My friend Anita posts a new Christmas card design on her blog every Monday, but, despite my best intentions, I can't keep up with the challenge!  I know it's Tuesday, and Anita is encouraging Making Merry Mondays, but I thought I'd share a card with you anyway. 

This card is inspired by the pretty, girly creations that Anita has come up with lately.  I have used only one stamp set, called Snow Swirled - I think this is a 'must have' Christmas set.  Unfortunately, I don't have it - I've borrowed it!  Not sure if you can see the detail, but I started off stamping one of the set's snowflake images in Versamark (clear) ink on the bottom half of the kraft card.  I stamped the same snowflake on the Pink Pirouette card, using Pink Pirouette ink.  The tree image is white-embossed on kraft, and the sentiment is stamped in Chocolate Chip ink on kraft card.  This was a quick card to make, but I hope you agree it's a pretty one.



Stamps: Snow Swirled

Card: Kraft, Whisper White, Pink Pirouette

Ink: Versamark, Pink Pirouette, Chocolate Chip

Other: White Embossing Powder, Eyelet Border Punch, Wide Oval Punch, Pink Pirouette striped grosgrain ribbon, Kraft taffeta ribbon, stampin' dimensionals, sponge dauber

FRIENDS 24-7 MAKE & TAKE

Sorry for the lack of blogging, folks; I needed a bit of a rest after all the excitement of my birthday!  Thank you to all my lovely friends and family for making me feel so loved.  And to my two brothers .... where are my birthday cards???  Love you, Mark and Dean :)

Yesterday I demonstrated at my first-ever Stampin' Up! workshop, which was a pretty momentous occasion!  It all went really well, and I was lucky to have a group of 8 really lovely women to present to - thank you Leanne, Laura, Josie, Jo, Trudy, Leanne, Renee and Annette, for making it such an enjoyable experience.  I look forward to getting to know you all better!

I thought I'd share with you all the card everyone got to make at the workshop.  I have used the Friends 24-7 stamp set, one of my favourites from the Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalogue, that is current until September 2010.  The Parisian Breeze Designer Series paper is available only for a limited time, from our Spring Mini Catalogue, that is current until the end of November this year.  I LOVE this paper - I am already onto my second pack, and it was only released in Australia at the beginning of August. It co-ordinates beautifully with both Kraft and Baja Breeze - two colours that appear in lots of my cards.

Stamps: Friends 24-7
Card: Kraft, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip
Ink: Versamark, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa
DSP: Parisian Breeze
Other: Baja Breeze striped grosgrain ribbon, eyelet border punch, stampin' dimensionals, stamp-a-ma-jig
I took along to the workshop three other 'stepped-up' versions of this card, on which I'd switched around the ribbon and paper used. I showed how different punches would look, and how the addition of buttons, Build-A-Brad, and/or a felt flower would look. I also used the Friendly Words jumbo wheel, in Whisper White craft ink, to create an alternative background. Hope you like them!



Well, it's high time for me to get off the computer now - I have spent far too much time on ebay today (listing items to sell), and am OVER it!  I hope you've all had a lovely weekend, and have much to look forward to in the week ahead.  To my friends Claire, and Sue, who are heading up to Noosa on an all-expenses-paid trip courtesy of Stampin' Up!, I'd just like to say "TRY NOT TO MISS THOSE OF US LEFT BEHIND IN THE COLD WET WEATHER!!!!".  Have a ball, girls, and I look forward to hearing all about it on your return.

Now **THIS** is what I call a cake!

For those of you who expressed concern over my 'special' birthday cake (thanks Claire!), take a look at this:

 

I went out for a delicious Thai meal last night with some girlfriends, and my friend Sue (our very own local Martha Stewart) had made this divine creation for us to enjoy at the end of the meal.  Take a look at all that chocolatey-creamy-buttery goodness!  This is a vanilla sponge, with custard cream and white chocolate, topped with strawberries marinated in raspberry coulis. (Sue thought I'd appreciate the glitzy bow!)  Took 3 cake tins to make it that big!

Now, Ethan was a little concerned that I didn't allow him to explain how he made my birthday card, since it was 'exclusively Stampin' Up!', so I'm now going to post a photo of the gorgeous card on its own, and Ethan (8) will explain how you can replicate it, if you so desire.

 

Start off with a Whisper White card, then put on the bird paper from a pack called good morning sunshine. Then get out the saying a special note of thanks from Cheep Talk stamp set, stamp it in Basic Black on some Whisper White paper. Punch it out with the wide oval punch, then get out the little bird and stamp it with Basic Black on Wisper White paper and punch it out with the circle punch repeat another three times. Then stick it down with double sided sticky tape, that's all.

So, there you have it - thanks buddy!  Ethan is my self-appointed Stampin' Up! assistant, and he gets just as excited as I do about the boxes full of goodies that arrive on our doorstep.  He is familiar with all the colours and punches (as you can see - he didn't need need help with the details in his instructions).  Isn't he beautiful??!!!