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!

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: