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:

BOYS, BOYS, BOYS......

Sorry, ladies, but the photos in this post are probably not what you were imagining, from today's title!  I have a couple of birthday cards for men to show you.  Ha ha.  PLUS ......drumroll, please......I have a scrapbook page to post!!!  This is noteworthy, because I am a cardmaker, and have only dabbled verrrrry briefly with scrapbooking.

Work has been more than a little challenging this past week, and I have not even set foot in my craft room - other than to open the door, switch the light on to check that all is okay and is still there waiting for me, turn off the light and leave.  I have done this a few times.  Sad, isn't it?!  My little family and I have been away at our cabin for a couple of nights, to reconnect, and recharge our batteries.  We really needed that; it was lovely.  Now we are back home, and I have mountains of washing to contend with.  While the machine is churning away, I have managed to have a little play, and decided that it's high time I shared my male-oriented creations.

First up, here is a simple birthday card that I think would be particularly suitable for a man (no flowers or pink in sight).  I have used ribbon, but as a simple accent to complement the card's colour scheme.  A couple of jumbo pewter eyelets help to give the card a masculine feel.



Stamps: Seeing Spots, Upsy Daisy (sentiment)

Ink: Versamark, Old Olive, Jet Black Stazon, Whisper White craft ink

Card: Whisper White, Basic Black, Old Olive

Other: Crop-A-Dile, Pewter Jumbo Eyelets, White Embossing Powder, Certainly Celery 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, Old Olive and Basic Black 1/4" grosgrain ribbon



My next card is one I have sent to my brother for his birthday.  I think it's safe to assume that he won't be looking at my blog.  I have used my much-loved Trendy Trees set, and my new favourite jumbo eyelets on this one.  All the other details follow th photo:



Stamps: Trendy Trees, On Your Birthday

DSP: Good Morning Sunshine

Card: Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Tangerine Tango

Ink: Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip, Tangerine Tango

Other: Crop-A-Dile, Pewter Jumbo Eyelets, Chocolate Chip 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, wide oval punch, edge distresser, sponge daubers, brads (non-SU)



Okay, so now I am going to be brave and share my scrapbook page.  I have had a photo of Jack (who is now in his second year at high school) that I have wanted to scrap, but hadn't got around to. It was taken on the night of his graduation from primary school - a very emotional time for me!  He felt very grown up, but I was grieving the loss of his truly innocent days, and the changes that were about to take place with his friendships.  (His closest friends were to go on to different high schools to the one Jack would be attending.) Everything on this page is Stampin' Up!, except for the lined paper I stole from my other son's school book. (It's okay, he had to remove a page, so I just used some of the unwanted paper - just wanted to add this disclaimer in case any teachers are reading!)  I set myself the challenge of using no designer papers - just cardstock, stamps and punches (and, boy, did I use a few of these!), with a couple of other embellishments.  Here is my handsome boy ....



Stamps: Classic Stars Jumbo Wheel, Best Yet, Season of Joy (just the letter "j")

Ink: Basic Black stampin' pad and marker, Real Red stampin' pad and marker

Card: Basic Black textured 12x12, Whisper White (textured and smooth), Not Quite Navy, Kraft, Real Red

Other: Round Tab Punch, Curly Label Punch, Word Window Punch, Spiral Punch, Crop-A-Dile, Pewter Jumbo Eyelets, black brads (from Vintage brad assortment), SNAIL adhesive



It's good to be able to post on my blog again, after what feels like a looooooong absence.  I am hoping to fit in some more 'play' time this coming week, as I have new stamps (YIPPEE!!) - will be back to share when I've made something.  Hope you all have a great week.  

Christine :)