CHRISTMAS CARDS (yes, already)... and a sneak peek..

On Saturday I held a "Christmas in July" card-making class .... for once, I am making an early start so that I don't get too overwhelmed come December 20th!  The class went for 3 hours, and I'd like to thank Lynda, Dannika, Rachel, Cynthia, Marissa and Kerry for helping to make it a great afternoon.  I really enjoyed it, and think everyone else did too.  I had grand plans for us to make 3 cards, then continue on with a 'free time' session, so everyone could use my supplies to create a stash of cards.  Time flew, and we managed 3 cards and a candle - then it was time to wind it up.  I think we need another session, girls!  I was too excited about having my friends over, to remember to take photos of the day 'in action', but I thought I'd share with you all a shot of the cards we made on the day.

I showed the girls how a variety of Stampin' Up!'s stamp sets can be used to make Christmas cards.  You don't have to use traditional Christmas colours or Christmas-only stamps to make lovely festive cards.  One card we made was a traditional style, using Always Artichoke and Bravo Burgundy - love these colours together, even though it was a little out of my comfort zone at first! The main image is from "Lovely as a Tree"; not a Christmas set, but don't you think the tree looks "Christmassy"?  Next we made a "Season of Joy" (fantastic, versatile stamp set) card, using Riding Hood Red and Very Vanilla, with Kiwi Kiss ribbon.  The third card, that had very little stamping on, and made good use of the large star punch, was made with Baja Breeze and Whisper White, with a little Basic Gray.  Take a look below:



It's now only a matter of days until Stampin' Up!'s Spring Mini catalogue 'goes live'.  In conjunction with the fabulous 2009/2010 Idea Book & Catalogue, we will have some new stamps, papers and accessories available for 4 months only.  If you'd like a copy of 'the mini', please email me and I'll be happy to send one out to you!

I am in love with the Parisian Breeze specialty designer series paper that will be available in Australia and New Zealand from August 1st.  This is a gorgeous, heavyweight, paper that contains some of my  favourite colours.  I have used it to make a card for my friend who is celebrating her 40th birthday tomorrow, and thought I'd share with you a sample of a couple new yummy products.  My card uses a great, versatile, new stamp set (called Oval All) and co-ordinating scallop oval punch. 



Stamps: Oval All

Card: Whisper White, Kraft

DSP: Parisian Breeze

Ink: Baja Breeze and Sahara Sand stampin' pads, Timber Brown Staz-on

Other: Large oval punch, scallop oval punch, aquapainter, Baja Breeze ribbon from Valet ribbon originals, kraft taffeta ribbon, sponge dauber, dimensionals, Martha Stewart butterfly punch, Kaiser rhinestones

OH, BABY BABY....

Hi friends,

I'M BACK!!  We had a wonderful 2 weeks away (4 days in L.A., then a 7-day cruise down the west coast of Mexico, plus 2 days of flying added on!), and a week later I am still recovering.  It was a great, if busy, holiday - seems I may have an inner-ear virus that is affecting my balance, and I am still feeling very tired.  Awaiting blood test results, but it's not all bad; I don't feel too unwell.

I am happy to be back amongst my beloved craft supplies, and I have been quite busy creating these last couple of nights.  I decided I need to make some baby cards.  I don't actually know anyone who is expecting, but I don't have any in my vast collection - time to rectify that situation, don't you think?   For these few cards I have used cute creatures from the Pun Fun stamp set.  Hope you like them!



Stamps: Pun Fun, Short & Sweet

Ink: Staz-On Jet Black, Baja Breeze stampin' pad

Card: Whisper White, Baja Breeze

DSP: Sweet Slumber

Other: Circle nestabilities, word window punch, dimensionals, buttons from Button Bouquet, baja breeze ribbon from Valet Ribbon Originals, mini glue dots, sponge dauber





Stamps: Pun Fun, Say it with Scallops

Ink: Jet Black Staz-On, Baja Breeze stampin' pad

Card: Kraft, Whisper White, Baja Breeze

DSP: Sweet Slumber

Other: Kraft taffeta ribbon, circle and scalloped circle nestabilities, dimensionals, sponge dauber, scallop square punch, scallop edge punch





Stamps: Pun Fun, ABC Alphabet Lower, Cheep Talk (tiny heart)

Ink: Close to Cocoa, Riding Hood Red stampin' pads, Close to Cocoa marker

Card: Very Vanilla, Pink Pirouette, Close to Cocoa

DSP: Candy Lane

Other: Riding Hood Red and Very Vanilla taffeta ribbons, Pink Pirouette striped grosgrain ribbon, sponge dauber, stamp-a-ma-jig



I had a lot of fun making these cards; a good start to my baby collection.  I am loving the Sweet Slumber and Candy Lane designer series papers; how cute are they??!

Now, I have a little sneak peek for you, of some GORGEOUS new products that will be available from 1st August.  Stampin' Up! has a mini-catalogue coming out, and it is full of the most beautiful stamps, papers, and accessories - as if we didn't already have too many to choose from!!

Here is a card I put together with some of my favourites.  Let me know if you, too, would like to order some!



I can't wait until the mini-catalogue launches in a couple of weeks; you'll see lots more creations then. 

If you live in the outer-eastern suburbs of Melbourne, and would like to come to my place in Mt Evelyn, I'd love to show you different ways of using Stampin' Up!'s products.  Send me an email if you and some friends would like to attend one of my classes - I'd love to hear from you.

Christine :)