I hate computers!!! Or should I say - I hate my web hosting package. I have just lost my entire blog on my website: http://www.stampwithme.com.au/ :( and I have to start it all over again. Luckily it's a new month tomorrow and I start a new blog for the month of October. It is so much more reliable :) and yes - I am exploring options.

Anyway, back to business!! Ever since going to Floriade on Sunday night - I am really embracing the floral theme (being a lover of flowers - it was a very easy thing to do) and Bloomin' with Beauty from Stampin' Up! has really helped that craze along.

This card uses the flower stamp (from Bloomin’ with Beauty) with Black StazOn and then coloured in with gorgeous Stampin' Up! colours - Always Artichoke and Purely Pomegranate. The photo doesn't really do the colours justice - but I used two layers (with Stampin' Dimensionals in-between) and Crystal Effects to lacquer the top image to give it a thick glossy look. I love it.

Cutting fine detail pictures does take patience but it is so worth it in the end!

Today marks the last day of Stampin' Up!'s Free Wheelin' offer - but October brings us lots of specials and offers from Stampin' Up! Keep checking my website to stay up to date. Or even better subscribe to my newsletter - just click here to take you to there! http://www.stampwithme.com.au/ .

Floriade

First day of school holidays and I had to go to work. How did that happen!

Last night we went to NightFest and I enjoyed the experience through the eyes of my 5 year old son Luke. It was all so new and exciting for him (except for the Ferris Wheel - that was a little bit scary for him!).

He had a camera in one hand and I had the digital SLR camera in mine - and together we were snap happy. I think we've created an budding photographer! All he wanted to do today was take photos - even of the kitchen bench and floor!

Amazing to think we took these photos while it was dark. Digital cameras are truly a wonderful thing. Digital cameras are truly a wonderful thing. For all my Dutch fans out there (you know who you are!) - the tulips at Floriade are just beautiful!

I've been playing with my Bloomin' with Beauty stamp set from Stampin' Up!'s Spring Mini catalogue. Tomorrow I'll post some more pictures (after I recharge the camera battery) but you can see in these little note cards just how perfect this stamp set is. Contact me if you would like the Bloomin' with Beauty Kit to Go! or a Stamp-a-Stack!

Using the Pixie Pink cardstock as the background base, I have stamped the main flower image with Black StazOn and then coloured in with Always Artichoke and Purely Pomegranate. These colours combine really well. To add the finishing touch - I then stamped onto the ribbon used to embellish the card. How clever is that! Stampin' Up! truly have the best colours in the collection!

My Kit to Go! also has the template to make your matching envelopes. In Luke's words, they are Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy! Believe that one!

Anyway, as always, chores/duties call. If you would like to get your own set of Bloomin' with Beauty stamps from Stampin' Up! or my Kit to Go! - contact me: carolyn@stampwithme.com.au I would love to hear from you!

Last Days of Free Wheelin'

It's such a sunny day outside - that I actually asked the question: Why be inside doing stuff - when I could be outside instead?? Tonight we're off to NightFest at Floriade which I am really looking forward to. Can Spring get any better than this?

Matthew and Luke are playing in Luke's cubby house and my wonderful husband has just cleaned my car and is now mowing the lawn. The house is relatively clean, Luke made cookies last night - the only thing left is my pile of ironing for the week :(

So instead of making a card today to show off to you all - I am going to remind you that this is the last few days of the Free Wheelin' offer from Stampin' Up!

Finishing on Tuesday 30 September 2008 - you can get yourself a free Stampin' Around™ wheel with preselected Stampin' Up! sets. Want to know more - contact me or check this page out on http://www.stampwithme.com.au/

It's easy and fun. Why miss out on this special deal?? I've just ordered myself the Christmas Merry Merry Bundle to get a jump start on my Christmas Cards!

Grand Final Day!

What a glorious day! It's a beautiful spring day, it's the AFL Grand Final, and the Hawks are winning as I speak (I am not a Hawks supporter but always support opposite the favourite to win (when it's not my team - the bombers by the way!)

Sports update. Hawks won. But anyway, let's focus here!! :)

Last night I started working with the Bloomin' with Beauty set from Stampin' Up! What a clever set! I made some simple note cards with matching envelopes. They are so cute! I am going to set this up as a Stamp-a-Stack! or a Kit to Go! More details will follow I promise!!

Anyway, this morning we were out and about time looking at colour selections for building a house (bricks/roof/gutters etc - you know all that fun stuff!) And we picked up a whole bundle of pamphlets. Some of them were designed to specialise in colour palettes. They are so clever! I am going to borrow some of their ideas and convert to the craft world (as opposed to the building world!!) for me. Stay tuned for that one...

I have also lots of other projects to upload so keep checking back.. Duty calls or should I say Matthew wants to be fed and then needs a bath!

Looking Back - Stamp Camp!

It's the end to another week that flew by much too quick. School finishes up for term 3 (where did that go?) and the craziness of the crowded shops is about to begin.

Makes me think back to just one week ago when a group of us went to Stamp Camp! We made the most beautiful Christmas Card holder and matching cards - that they are pretty much too good to give away..... just going to have to make some more!

September 2008 Stamp Camp was held at Eastlakes club and we all got to sit and create! It was a great opportunity to meet like-minded girls (yes - there were no blokes) and enjoy the couple of hours of freedom from kids, housework and other chores, to do what we like best!

We used the Festive Favourites set from Stampin' Up! which are just perfect with your tag punches and coordiante so beautifully with the Wintergreen Designer Series Paper. I am in love!

Have you ever been to Stamp Camp? All girls were given their very own Festive Favourites set with all coordinating papers and cardstock, ribbons and brads. Everything was prepared and cut - ready to go! Just sit down, get yourself a cuppa and follow the full colour printed instructions!


If you missed out on Stamp Camp and would love the Festive Favourites Set - contact me for your Kit to Go! My email is: carolyn@stampwithme.com.au

Keep checking my website for any upcoming events or Stamp Camps!

http://www.stampwithme.com.au/

Welcome

Welcome to my first blog entry!!!

My name is Carolyn McPherson and I am an Independent Stampin' Up! demonstrator based in Canberra. I joined Stampin' Up! in August 2008 after having used their products for at least the last 2-3 years. Since I started buying Stampin' Up! I haven't gone back (I think its' something to do with the gorgeous catalogue!!)

I have been running a blog for the last 2 months on my own website http://www.stampwithme.com.au/ - check my website for previous blogs!!

Here is a sneak peek of my blog.........


Doesn't the week fly by quick?? It was definitely spring fever in our office today. The beautiful blue sunny day was just beckoning... come outside! And we did - at lunch time. Have to love this time of year in Canberra! Which is why the Spring Mini Catalogue from Stampin' Up! is just perfect for this time of year. Have you seen the Bloomin' with Beauty set? The choices in design you can make are just endless.

Or you can have a tailor made Kit to Go! featuring the Bloomin' with Beauty stamp set from Stampin' Up! You too can make a beautiful box with matching cards. It is a perfect gift idea. For those of you who like more challenging projects - I also have a Kit to Go! with a Stationary Portfolio instead of the box. Absolutely lovely.

Contact me if you're interested. Full colour printed instructions are included!

I'm off now to make one in a different colour scheme! These colours just aren't me!! Isn't it funny how we all have our colour preferences and individual style. Guess why papercraft is the one for me!

Any feedback or suggestions - email me: carolyn@stampwithme.com.au