ART WITH HEART TEAM BLOG HOP - "WOMEN IN OUR LIVES"

It's time, once again, for the blog hop that is held by members of my Stampin' Up! team on the last day of every month.  With Mother's Day celebrated (in Australia and New Zealand, at least) on the second Sunday of May, we thought we'd give you plenty of ideas to mark the occasion.  Equally, if not for Mother's Day, we hope to inspire you with creations that can be given as a gift to any special woman in your life - be it for a birthday, thank you, get well, or just a 'thinking of you' occasion.

Before I show you the cards I've made, I'll explain a little about the blog hop itself.  The Art with Heart team is made up of over 90 Stampin' Up! demonstrators, Australia-wide, led by Claire Daly (based in Melbourne).  We have a fabulous group of women who openly share their talents and lives with one another; our online team forum is a great source of support, business advice, and friendship, and is a highlight for me of being part of this great team.  If you are interested in joining our Stampin' Up! 'family', please email me.

Fourteen of us are taking part in today's blog hop; please follow the links and visit the blog of each participant.  If you leave a comment on each one, then email Nikki Sadler by 6.00am on 3rd of May (to let her know you've commented on every blog), you'll go into the draw to win some wonderful blog candy.  Please note, that Stampin' Up! demonstrators don't qualify for the 'prize', but we'd still love to receive comments from you :)

You may have come from Gayatri Murali's blog, but if not, don't worry - you can start the blog hop at any point along the way.  I've provided below a list of the 13 other participants, so you can ensure you stop by to check out everyone's creations.  We have some very talented stampers and scrapbookers in our team, and I'm sure you'll love seeing the variety of projects on offer today.


Now, to my cards.  For this month's blog hop, I wanted to focus on the beautiful Textured Impressions embossing folders that are now offered by Stampin' Up!  My first card uses the Manhattan Flower folder.  I hope you like the effect I achieved, by embossing a kraft panel, and cutting around the flowers before overlaying the 'debossed side' on a Rich Razzleberry card that had been embossed with the same folder.  (That was a bit 'wordy', wasn't it?  Just take a look and you'll see what I mean!)




Stamps: Vintage Vogue, On Your Birthday, Fifth Avenue Floral

Card: Rich Razzleberry, Kraft, Very Vanilla

Ink: Sahara Sand and Rich Razzleberry stampin pads

Other: Manhattan Flower Textured Impressions embossing folder, Lots of Tags sizzlits die, 5/8" Jumbo Brad (Very Vanilla), Kraft and Very Vanilla taffeta ribbon, linen thread, sponge dauber, Clear Rhinestone brads (rhinestones 'popped out')



Using the same colour combination (just because I love it), I have made a Mother's Day card, featuring a panel embossed using the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder.  Here it is:




Stamps: Vintage Vogue, Teeny Tiny Sentiments

Card: Kraft, Rich Razzleberry, Very Vanilla

Ink: Versamark inkpad, Rich Razzleberry and Sahara Sand stampin' pads

Other: Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot grosgrain ribbon, Word Window Punch, Wide Oval Punch, Lots of Tags sizzlits die, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions embossing folder, sponge daubers, Build-a-Brads, 1/2" Circle Punch, Corner Rounder Punch


Thanks for visiting my blog today!  The next stop on your 'tour' is Di Dunk's blog - she's sure to have something lovely to show you, so please visit and leave her some comment love.


Here is a comprehensive list of the rest of today's blog hop participants:


Ros Davidson: http://rosdavidson.typepad.com/ros_davidson_live_life_an/2010/04/women-in-our-lives-blog-hop.html

Nikki Sadler: http://www.inkyart.com.au/inkyart/2010/04/art-with-heart-team-blog-hop-women-in-our-lives.html

Tanja Westwood: http://www.tanjawestwood.typepad.com/

Kristine Thompson: http://www.inkspotcreations.com/ink-spot-creations/2010/04/art-with-heart-team-may-blog-hop.html


Name: Sue Madex: http://www.madexcreations.com

Gayatri Murali: http://scrapawayg3.blogspot.com/2010/04/art-with-heart-team-april-blog-hop.html


Di Dunk: http://www.stampartbydi.typepad.com/

Judy May: http://www.judymay.typepad.com/

Tina Gillespie: http://scissorspapercard.blogspot.com/

Kathryn Mangelsdorf: http://klm55.blogspot.com/

Alisha Watson: http://www.ratherbstampin.typepad.com/

Nicole Rouillon: www.simplymade.typepad.com

Kathryn Lowe: http://www.katlodesigns.com/


Have fun visiting all of the blogs, and don't forget to leave a comment on each one before emailing Nikki to enter the draw for blog candy.





 

A LITTLE CARD, AND A REMINDER TO "HOP ON OVER" ....

The other day, when I latched onto the scrumptious colour combination of So Saffron and Elegant Eggplant, I stamped out numerous flowers using my Vintage Vogue stamp set.  Can you tell I'm just loving this set??!!  Here's how I used a few more of the flowers, and one of my favourites, a kraft Pendant Note:



Stamps: Vintage Vogue, Tiny Tags

Card: Pendant Note (kraft), Very Vanilla, Elegant Eggplant

Ink: So Saffron and Elegant Eggplant stampin' pads

Other: 1/2" circle punch, Build-a-Brad, Medium Jewelry Tag Punch, sponge dauber, Very Vanilla taffeta ribbon, Elegant Eggplant 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, So Saffron brads, dimensionals



I can see that I'll have to start giving away some of these little cards soon; I'm amassing quite a collection.  They're addictive!  (Well, fundamentally, that's my opinion about Stampin' Up! products in general.)


The 'reminder' I alluded to in my post title, is that Friday is the last day of April, and you know what that means???  Yes, it means that we'll be into May on Saturday (and the countdown to Stampin' Up! Convention will be well and truly underway!) ..... BUT, it also means that it's time for another "Art With Heart" team blog hop.  Be sure to pop back in and visit on the 30th, and/or over the weekend.  There will be 14 of us taking part in this month's blog hop, that has a theme of Women in our Lives.  I, for one, can't wait to see what beautiful creations my team mates come up with.  In addition to the 'eye candy' there will be blog candy on offer. 

Until then, keep warm (if you're in Melbourne)!

Christine :)

A HAPPY, VARIED, 'CARDLESS' POST

Today I have a few 'random' (as my very knowledgeable teenager would say) things to share with you.  I have devoted this blog primarily to sharing my Stampin' Up! creations with you, but know how much pleasure I get from learning about others from their blogs .... so, today, I'm going to get a little bit personal!

First up I have a few photos to share with you.  My friend Kerry asked me to post a few photos of the recent trip that Jack (my eldest son) made to Sri Lanka.  We were very proud of Jack being selected, at 14, to play for a local representative side on a 2-week tour of Sri Lanka.  He loves his cricket (and, as you may have heard me mention before, is determined to play for Australia one day!), so this was an opportunity that we just couldn't pass up.  It was a fantastic life experience for Jack and the other 7 boys who travelled from the Yarra Valley, in Melbourne's outer east.  Two Sri Lankan boys, who were deeply affected by the tsunami in 2004, joined 'our' boys for the two weeks, donning the Yarra Valley uniforms and staying in hotels.  The relationships that all of the boys forged will be with them for life, I am sure.  Anyway, I won't get all gushy (Jack might read this, and he'd be mortified, LOL).  Here is a picture of all of the boys who travelled around Sri Lanka and played cricket against local school teams:

My son is the show-off in the middle, with the 'shades' and thick layer of zinc cream on his lips!  Most of the boys were 16 and 17. 

Here is a photo of one of the very picturesque grounds the boys got to play at:

An 'action shot', to prove that our boy did actually play cricket (and on the same grounds that test cricketers play on):

And, finally, a touristy photo taken at an elephant orphanage:

Andrew (hubby) accompanied Jack on the tour, and they had a fantastic time.  The first of many overseas cricket tours that Jack will be playing, according to him!

I am very honoured to have received a couple of 'blog awards' from some lovely stamping friends, these past couple of days.    First, Monica gave me this:

Isn't that a lovely name?  Here are the 'rules' of the award:

1. Put the Sunshine Award on your blog and/or within your post.
2. Pass the award to other bloggers.
3. Link the nominees within your post.
4. Let them know they received this award by leaving a comment on their blog.
5. Share the love and link to the person from whom you received the award. The hardest part, of course, is narrowing it down!!

There are many special women I know, who deserve this award, but I have decided to pass this on to the following four talented stampers, and all-round gorgeous girls:

1. Nikki

2. Sue

3. Kirsty

4. Kristine

The second award, that the ever-thoughtful Christine nominated me for, is this one:

 

This award comes with a request to share 10 things about yourself.  I told Christine that this was a bit of a challenge for me, because I am a good listener, but don't really like to talk about myself.  Well, I made a liar out of myself when I sat down to jot down a few snippets of information - it was a challenge to keep it to only 10, ha ha.  Anyway, here are some peeks into the life of "me":

1. I was born in New Zealand, and moved to Melbourne at the age of 15.  I am now proudly a Kiwi AND an Aussie!


2. I am an observant and pedantic person.  I probably missed my calling to work as a proof-reader.


3. I met my husband, Andrew, at high school (he introduced himself to me on my first day in Year 11, after I'd moved from NZ).


4. I was a huge fan of John Wayne movies as a child (remember, I grew up in NZ - Westerns were exciting t.v.!!).  Ethan (our youngest son) was named after John Wayne's son - a long bow, I know, but I loved the name, and loved the connection.


5. I am very sentimental!!


6. I took up stamping and card-making 12 years ago as a hobby, when suffering from Post-Natal Depression.  It has become (next to my family) my life's passion.


7. I have my "dream" craft room, thanks to my wonderful husband.


8. Hubby and I own a snack food business, and we were the first company in Australia to manufacture certified organic corn chips.  How's that for a claim to fame?


9. I have green eyes (affectionately known to my sister and myself as "cacky green") but always wanted them to be brown!  I have two beautiful brown-eyed sons, again thanks to my husband!


10. I love to travel, and have been lucky enough to have numerous overseas experiences.  We take our boys travelling as much as we can.

I hope you've enjoyed learning a thing or two that you didn't already know about me.  I'm going to nominate the following four 'stamping friends' for this award, in the hope that they, too, will bare a little of their souls.

1.  Kerry

2.  Jodene

3.  Rachel

4.  Nicole

Thanks for visiting my blog, and thank you to Monica and Chris for being so thoughtful! 

 
 
 
  

VINTAGE VOGUE.... just a little bit regal

I have a couple of cards to share with you today, totally inspired by my friend Nikki Sadler.  She sent me a gorgeous card, stamped in Elegant Eggplant and So Saffron, using Vintage Vogue (one of Stampin' Up!'s beautiful new stamp sets).  Take a look at this card Nikki made for her Mum, using the same colours, with accents of Old Olive.  How lovely is that?  The yellow and purple (as 'commoners' would know So Saffron and Elegant Eggplant) I think looks gloriously regal.  So, I've totally swiped Nikki's idea and made some cards of my own!

Please forgive the slightly blown-out colours in these photos; I was in a hurry to get the cards photographed and on my blog today, because I've been very remiss in my blogging, and have only a short time in which to do this!  It's overcast, and not ideal for taking photos.

Here's the first one, made for a lovely friend whose birthday is coming up:





Stamps: Vintage Vogue, Very Vintage (wheel), Oval All (retired)

Card: So Saffron, Elegant Eggplant, Very Vanilla

Ink: So Saffron stampin' pad and marker, Elegant Eggplant stampin' pad and marker

Other: Large Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, sponge daubers, dimensionals, Dress Up Ribbon Originals, Build-A-Brad, 1/2" circle punch



This next card was a happy mistake.  Well, not altogether a mistake, but I started off making a landscape-oriented card (so the 'friends' sentiment was on its side).  I didn't want to add ribbon, or have it too 'fussy', but it looked like it was missing something.  When I turned it to a portrait orientation, with the fold at the top, I thought it looked much better!  Simple, but that's what I was after.





Stamps: Vintage Vogue, Very Vintage (wheel)

Card: So Saffron, Elegant Eggplant, Very Vanilla

Ink: So Saffron stampin' pad and marker, Elegant Eggplant stampin' pad

Other: 5/16" Jumbo Brad (Very Vanilla), dimensionals, Crystal Effects, sponge daubers, Stamp-a-ma-jig



I really love these colours together, and hope you enjoy seeing what I've made.  Now, off to grab some lunch and spend the afternoon catching up on chores, so I can spend an evening catching up with girlfriends!

JUST ADD INK #13

I decided last night that it is waaaaay past time that I played along with a challenge at Just Add Ink.  This week it is a colour challenge, using the following colour combo:





I thought these colours would be perfect to use with my rather neglected Inspired By Nature stamp set.  The Barely Banana daisies turned out really pale, which I loved.  I decided there was too much 'white space' on my main panel of Very Vanilla card (the neutral I chose to use), so got out my Colour Spritzer tool and splattered Chocolate Chip all over the place.  I don't mind the result, although next time I'd probably go a little less heavy-handed!  I like to tell myself that handmade cards aren't meant to be 'perfect'; they have to have their little flaws. That's why it's also okay to have my sentiment not centred in the word window panel (I was planning to add a button, then changed my mind, after I'd stuck everything down), LOL. 

Here's my card, followed by the list of products used:



Stamps: Sanded, Inspired by Nature, Teeny Tiny sentiments

Card: Chocolate Chip, Barely Banana, Kiwi Kiss, Very Vanilla

Ink: Kiwi Kiss stampin' pad, Barely Banana stampin' pad and marker, Chocolate Chip marker

Other: Word Window punch, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, sponge daubers, 5/16" Chocolate Chip brads, Sizzlits Lots of Tags (Label 1), Colour Spritzer tool, Walk in the Park designer series paper (retired)
  

Featuring my (self-appointed) Stampin' Up! assistant.....

Ethan, my 9-year-old, is almost as enthusiastic as I am about Stampin' Up!  He's a creative little soul, and loves to spend time with me and my friends in my craft room.  He has very definite ideas in his mind, of how his cards and scrapbook pages are going to look, and he just whips them up.  Ethan is forever complaining that I've made only one card in the time he has made 4 or 5!

So, today (at the prompting of his doting aunty), I have decided to show you some of the cards made by Ethan, using predominantly Stampin' Up! products.

These first two showcase Ethan's favourite stamp from the Pun Fun set:

I like how the right-hand card looks like a rocket, illuminated by the moon, blasting through the night sky!

Next up are two cards featuring the cute, cheeky-looking monkey (much like Ethan, really), from Fox & Friends:

I helped with tying the ribbon, but other than that, it's all his own work.  Pretty good design skills, don't you think?!

Ethan didn't want to miss out on all the fun of the new Two-Step Bird Punch, and Top Note Die, at the recent stamp night I had with my girlfriends.  He sat (relatively) quietly at the end of the table, and came up with this beauty:

He laughed at the fact that he'd cut the strip of ribbon a little short.  We could probably all learn a lesson from that!  (I'm speaking to myself there; I am rather uptight about things being 'just right', but, really, does it make a difference to the beauty of the card??)

Lastly, a card that I think is particularly great.  Ethan has borrowed from my sister a retired Stampin' Up! set called Googlie Eyes.  I really love the bottom panel on this card - take a look:

What do you think?  I formally apologise to Ethan for putting 'flowery' paper in the background of this photo - he was mortified!  I chose it 'cos it has orange tones.

I hope these pictures bring a smile to your face, as they do to that of Ethan's proud Mummy.
 
  
 

FOX & FRIENDS ..... altogether TOO cute!

The cheeky monkey card I showed you, in my post about my catalogue launch event, was made using the adorable Fox & Friends stamp set.  Personally, I think it should be called Owl & Friends, because I have a little favourite bird in this set, but we'll continue to refer to it as Fox & Friends, to avoid confusion!

This stamp set is available in both woodmount option, or clear mount - which I chose.  A set of 7 gorgeous stamps, for only $23.95 - can't beat that!  Here's a picture of the index from the storage case, so you can see all the little creatures in the set:







Cute, huh?  They're the perfect size to fit in a number of Stampin' Up!'s punches.  I have opted for the square punches, again, and a similar layout to my monkey card.  This is a card I made for a special young friend, whose birthday was a few days ago:





Now can you see why I love the owl??!  I love how beautiful the details stamp out.  Plus it's just plain cute!

See that bright paper in the background?   That's one of the bright, happy sheets from the also-new Sunny Day Simply Scrappin' Kit.

Here's the list of products used to make this card:

Stamps: Polka Dot, Fox & Friends, Wow Flowers, Flight of the Butterfly

Card: Kiwi Kiss, Melon Mambo, Whisper White

Ink: Versamark inkpad, Kiwi Kiss and Melon Mambo stampin' pads

Other: Melon Mambo grosgrain ribbon, Scallop Edge punch, 1 1/4" square punch, 1 3/8" square punch, sponge daubers, dimensionals, clear rhinestone brad


Thanks for coming to visit my little corner of the world.

Christine :)

AUTUMN-WINTER MINI CATALOGUE LAUNCH

I've had a really lovely afternoon, sharing stamping and laughter with 6 special women - one of my very favourite ways to spend a few hours!  Thanks to Rachel, Lyn, Lynda, Leanne, Joy and Kathy, for attending my official 'launch' of Stampin' Up!'s new Mini catalogue.  It was a real pleasure to have you all in my home, and I look forward to many more stamping 'dates' together!

Here is a quick shot of one of the tables set up, ready for everyone to arrive.

At each place setting, I'd put a little favour; a pillow box made using one of the new Stampin' Up! dies for use in the Big Shot.  (Genna, if you're reading this, I didn't copy yours - had already made them! LOL)

Very simple, but sweet, don't you think?  I can see myself making many, many little pillow boxes from all of my colours of cardstock!

Today, after I'd talked everyone's ears off about all the wonderful new products, we each made a couple of cards.  This first one uses the super-cute new Fox and Friends stamp set:

 

Stamps: Fox and Friends, Polka Dot, One of a Kind, Classic Stars wheel

Card: Kraft, Brocade Blue, Whisper White, Soft Suede

Ink: Versamark inkpad, Soft Suede and Brocade Blue stampin' pads

Other: Wide Oval Punch, 1 1/4" square punch, 1 3/8" square punch, sticky strip, Soft Suede grosgrain ribbon, dimensionals

The second card we made had minimal stamping, and let the stunning colours, Two-Step bird punch and DSP do the talking:

Stamps: Pocket Silhouettes

Card: Kraft, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White

Ink: Soft Suede stampin' pad

DSP: Cottage Wall and Autumn Traditions Designer Series papers

Other: Paper piercing tool, mat pack, Top Note Die, XL Two-Step Bird Punch, Word Window Punch

 

I have to give credit to Angela Sargeant for the inspiration for my gorgeous (if I may say so myself) bird card!  I totally drew inspiration from this beautiful card; I'd seen it, and made my own version, but completely forgot to thank Angela for the lovely idea.  My friends can attest to my rather scatterbrained ways at the moment, so I'm sorry for being remiss, Ange.  Love your work! :) 

 
 
 
 

Pendant Note AND Medallion Stamp... oh my!!

I love the 'flourishy' style of the Pendant Notes (see gushy previous post), and the huge Medallion Stamp in the new Mini catalogue.

After I shared my first couple of Pendant Notes with you, I challenged myself to make a card WITHOUT using Rich Razzleberry.  It's very easy to get caught up in the excitement of the new "in colours", to the detriment of the tried-and-true favourites.  So, back to the reliable old red/brown/kraft combo!  This is what I came up with (I love it - don't you??):





Stamps: En Francais, Pocket Silhouettes, Vintage Vogue

Card: Kraft, Very Vanilla

DSP: Candy Lane Designer Series Paper

Ink: Sahara Sand, Chocolate Chip and Riding Hood Red stampin' pads

Other: Word Window Punch, Chocolate Chip 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, Very Vanilla 5/16" jumbo brad, sponge daubers



It has now been a few days (in fact, I think I've generously allowed over a week!) since I shared a card made with my favourite Medallion stamp.  Here is the card my lucky husband (LOL) received for our recent wedding anniversary.





Stamps: En Francais, Medallion, Life Definitions

Card: Basic Gray, Going Gray, Confetti White

Ink: Going Gray, Basic Gray and So Saffron stampin' pads, Going Gray marker

Other: Edge distresser, sponge daubers, Basic Gray taffeta ribbon, 5/8" Jumbo brad



I'll be back with more after my Autumn-Winter Mini Catalogue launch tomorrow!  Really looking forward to sharing a few hours with stamping friends, and getting everyone excited about all the gorgeous new products.

PENDANT NOTES

One of the NUMEROUS new products that I just HAD to have, from the Stampin' Up! Autumn-Winter Mini Catalogue, is Pendant Notes.  For only $17.50, you can get 15 die-cut note cards, in kraft (yum), with matching kraft envelopes (double yum!)!!  These lovely cards, that measure just over 10cm x 10cm, make it super-easy to whip up a lovely personalised note card in minutes.



The first version I have to show you was simple to make, but I think you'll agree, gives an elegant result.  I stuck a square of Rich Razzleberry card on the inside of the card front, and adhered a flower, some ribbon and a little sentiment.  Enough words - here's what it looks like:





Stamps: Vintage Vogue, Short & Sweet

Card: Pendant Note (kraft), Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry

Ink: Rich Razzleberry

Other: Rich Razzleberry grosgrain ribbon, Word Window Punch, 5/16" Whisper White brad, glue dots



The die-cut pattern on the front of the Pendant Notes co-ordinates beautifully with a stamp from Baroque Motifs.  I stamped the Baroque Motifs image on Whisper White card, with Rich Razzleberry ink, and cut around it before adhering it to the middle of the card with a Build-A-Brad.  Here's what I mean:







....... and a closer look at the front of the card (just 'cos I like all the elements!):





Stamps: Baroque Motifs, Tiny Tags, Very Vintage wheel

Card: Kraft, Soft Suede, Whisper White

Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Soft Suede

Other: Rich Razzleberry grosgrain ribbon, linen thread, Medium Jewelry Tag Punch, Build-A-Brad

LITTLE BLACK BIRD ..... Two-step Bird Punch

I am boy-less tonight, and have a million projects I really should be working on, but as soon as I saw this gorgeous card on Becky Oehler's blog I just HAD to make my own version!!

One of the new products just released by Stampin' Up! in Australia, and one that you're sure to see LOTS of in the blog-o-sphere, is the XL Two-Step Bird Punch.  It is simply adorable, and very versatile, as the three components - the bird's body, the wing, and the branch - all punch out separately.

Here is my simple little card - a little wonky, but, hey, that proves it's handmade, don't you think?!







That fabulous tag, on which I've stamped the greeting, was cut out by using the new Lots of Tags Sizzlits dies, in the Big Shot.  There are four tag/label designs - love them!!



Here are the products used to make this card:

Stamps: Cheep Talk (tiny flower), Polka Dot background

Card: Whisper White, Bashful Blue, Barely Banana, Basic Black

Ink: Whisper White craft stampin' pad, Basic Black marker, White Signo gel pen

Other: Buttons from the Bouquet and Sherbet selections, XL Two-Step Bird Punch, Yellow rhinestone brad (from Fire Circles selection), mini glue dots, Lots of Tags Sizzlit die, kitchen string
  

a HAPPY little EASTER picture for you ...

In lieu of a card I've made, I'd like to dedicate this post to a gorgeous little gift I received from my ever-thoughtful, and very talented, friend Kerry.  How CUTE is this??

Ethan is getting very impatient for me to bust open this little beauty, but I think it's too pretty!

Here is the back view (I just adore that little flower and brad):

 

... and one last picture, showing the pretty, sponged, scalloped roof:

HAPPY EASTER everyone :)

Thank you, my friend, for the beautifully crafted present - I love it!
 

  

YAY FOR THE BUTTERFLY PUNCH (and JUMBO BRADS)!

With the 'expiry' of the recent Summer Mini catalogue, from Stampin' Up!, I was most concerned that the Butterfly punch would be no longer available.  This long-awaited, versatile, punch has been available in Australia for only a few short months, and has proven very popular - it co-ordinates not only with the Butterfly Prints stamp set from the Summer Mini, but with the Flight of the Butterfly stamp set from the 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalogue (which is current through until the end of August).  I LOVE it.

Great news, people!  Stampin' Up! has several products, from both the Summer Mini catalogue, and the earlier Spring Mini catalogue, that will carry over into our new catalogue coming out in September.  Even though these products don't appear in a current catalogue, they are still available to purchase.  So, if you haven't yet bought the Scallop Oval punch (that mats beautifully behind the Large Oval punch), or the Butterfly Punch, or Jumbo brads, to name a few, don't despair!

I thought I'd share with you today a few cards on which I've used these products, so you can see what a nice touch they add to a card.  Settle in for a little trip down Memory Lane!


First up, the BUTTERFLY PUNCH:












On this next card I've used both the Butterfly Punch and the SCALLOP OVAL PUNCH:



... and another card (using a retired stamp set), showing how well the Large Oval Punch fits inside the Scallop Oval Punch:




Stampin' Up!'s punches co-ordinate so beautifully with the stamp sets, and make it very easy to achieve a beautiful result with your card-making and scrapbooking.

Being a huge fan of brads (split pins) as an embellishment, I've made a number of cards with both the 'giant' 5/8" size, and the smaller 5/16" brads, both of which come in a Neutrals Assortment (Very Vanilla, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip and Silver).  Unfortunately, I seem to have given away most of the cards, without photographing them first.  Here are a few photos of cards that have the 5/8" JUMBO BRADS on them:










I love how flat these brads are. The smaller size (5/16") is great to add to flower centres.


So, as well as feeling the excitement of all the gorgeous new products just released in Australia, I'm really happy to be able to share this news about some 'not so new' favourites.

If I can help you with a Stampin' Up! order (no need to hold a workshop, if you'd just like to order direct), please email me.  I am happy to answer any questions I can!

THE NEW AUTUMN/WINTER MINI CATALOGUE IS HERE!!!

After much excitement, and weeks of build-up, I am thrilled to announce that Stampin' Up!'s BEAUTIFUL new mini catalogue goes 'live' today!! 

I am sure you'll agree with me, that this is one stunning catalogue!  You can view the Autumn/Winter Mini Catalogue online, or contact me at c.blain@yarravalleysnackfoods.com, and I will post a hard copy out to you straight away.  I'm located in Melbourne's outer east (Mt Evelyn), if you would like to take part in classes or workshops at my home, or would like me to conduct a workshop in your home. I'd love to hear from you, and show you Stampin' Up!'s beautiful range of stamping and scrapbooking products.

Take a look at these beauties - THREE great Stampin' Up! product ranges, new to Australia.

First up, the **SIZZIX BIG SHOT** has been released with Stampin' Up! branding.

The Big Shot is, true to its name, a heavy-duty die-cutting (and embossing) machine that is capable of cutting through over 50 types of material, with minimal effort.   Think card, chipboard, felt, tin, denim ... the list is extensive, and will open up all sorts of possibilities for your scrapbooking and card-making.  The Big Shot is VERY competitively priced, and is great fun to use. (I can attest to this, because I've been having a play this past week!)  In addition to the machine itself, I can help you with exclusive Stampin' Up! dies, that co-ordinate beautifully with our other product lines.

Next up, I'd like to show you the **NEW PUNCH STYLE** that is on offer in this catalogue.

See the 3 sizes of slim-line punches standing on their ends, to the left of this picture?  This great, low profile, new style of punch locks shut for easy storage, and has an index picture on the top and end, to enable you to easily identify the punch.  I am sure you'll be seeing a lot of the two-step XL Bird Punch - it is gorgeous, and produces fantastic results.  I'm also rather partial to the Medium Jewelry Tag punch, that produces tiny little tags (as you can see on the middle card in the above picture); simply adorable!

The third new product on offer, is **CLEAR MOUNT STAMPS** :

Stampin' Up! is offering, for the first time, repositionable, clear mount, rubber stamps - in addition to the beautiful range of wood-mounted stamps. These new stamps are a fantastic innovation, for several reasons.

 * You get the same quality, deeply-etched rubber stamps that Stampin' Up! is so well known for, but the foam cushion on these stamps adheres to a static backing, for use with acrylic blocks.

 * Clear-mount stamps are a cheaper option than wood-mounted (you can choose from either option, when it comes to the newly-released stamp sets). 

 * Storage is in a slim-line DVD-style case, that has the stamp images printed on the cover and spine for easy identification.  How great is that?!

Also in this new Mini catalogue is a full range of beautifully moulded acrylic blocks (pictured above), to use with the clear mount stamps.  The contoured edges of the blocks give a comfortable grip, and make stamping with clear mount stamps a cinch!

Okay, I think that's probably enough news from me for today.  The release of a new catalogue is always such an exciting time in the world of Stampin' Up!  I am in LOVE with just about everything in this catalogue (dangerous for the bank balance!) ..... contact me if you want me to share the excitement with you and some friends!