Close as a Memory Part 2

Gosh it's been a long few days. Baby Matthew (BM) has had a nasty tummy bug and has been very unwell. Touching every piece of wood that I can - we hope that BM is now on the mend. He looks so little and pale, listless and quiet. I miss my little man.

I have made a few cards to show you but haven't had the chance to scan them or photograph them in the day light, so I'll have to post them tomorrow :) But I can show you the birthday card I made using the 'Close as a Memory' stamp set from Stampin' Up! This stamp set only comes out occasionally but it's the perfect set for some of those difficult occasions.

So what else is new you might ask? Not much in my life but plenty in the world of Stampin' Up! Sale-A-Bration runs out tomorrow - I sure hope you didn't miss out on your chance to get your own SAB sets. It's not too late. One day left to put your order in! March is almost here too. March is a bittersweet month! It's the last month of the 2008-2009 Ideas Book & Catalogue, the gorgeous 2008 In Colours, the last opportunity to get yourself the soon-to-be retired sets BUT! And yes, there's a big BUT! March brings on April and the new 2009 In Colours and Ideas Book & Catalogue. How fantastic is that!

You'll also be pleased to know that the Stampin' Up! Bushfire Appeal has so far raised over $34,000. It is fantastic news!

I told you there was lots happening in the world of Stampin' Up! But I shouldn't tell fibs - March is a busy month @ Stamp with Me too. Lots of new things will be introduced - but you'll just have to wait for that.

So without further ado - here's my birthday card to show (and yes it's a repeat!):

Stamps: Close as a Memory, Sprinkles, Watercolour Joy (Wheel) and Short & Sweet

Inks: Stampin' Up! Classic Pumpkin Pie, Yoyo Yellow and Old Olive (on white cardstock), Encore Silver (on the black cardstock) & Basic Black (on the green cardstock)

Papers: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Wild Wasabi & Basic Black

Other: White Ribbon and Stampin' Dimensionals, Oval & Small Oval punch

Tip: Use your stamps to make background images, such as the Sprinkles on Wild Wasabi, and the Watercolour Joy wheel inked with Silver on the black.

I really enjoyed making this card. Using greens and blacks were quite new to me but I think it actually worked. I might make a mental note to try this colour combination again!

But that's all. Tomorrow is another day!

Close as a Memory

It is as they say, another day another dollar. Well it doesn't feel like I'm making my worth at work. Baby Matthew has a tummy bug now. The other week he had a viral/rash thing which meant a week of work, last week I had my rostered day off and a funeral to attend, and now this week - I've had to leave work early today and will have to be home with Matthew tomorrow. It gets rather frustrating when you're trying to get back on track, get back into routine and to put it simply, get the job done!

But luckily for me, I have my craft table to sit at and get some time out. Crafting to me is more than a hobby, it's my time, it's my time to relax and explore my creativity and think outside the obligations of life. My boys (big and small) understand what it means to me, they give me the freedom to create and for that I love them all very much! My husband has even designed me a new crafting area in the new house - he gets me!

Anyway, I did promise to show you some more cards you can make for those sad occasions in life. Some of these can also be adapted for happier times, such as birthdays, by changing the colours or the sentiments/words you have used. Handmade cards allow you to adapt and create. Perfect solution for when you need a card!

Stamps: Close as a Memory

Inks: Stampin' Up! Classic Old Olive & Vintage Violet (In Colour 2007)

Papers: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Wild Wasabi & Soft Sky

Other: Ribbon & mat pack

Tip: Use the mat pack to pierce selected corners around the stamped image to add interest. Use Stampin' Dimensionals to "lift up" the sentiment from the card.

See what I mean about adapting the card for other occasions? It wouldn't be hard to do. In fact, later this week - I'll show you a birthday card I made last year using the Close as a Memory set. Yes, I've shown it before - but you'll get to see what I mean.

Well that's it for me. It's 10.45pm and I should get to bed. We're all hoping and praying for a quiet night and Matthew sleeps through without getting sick again (the poor little man). Tomorrow is always another day!

With Sympathy

Back to work again. Monday-itis. Where does the weekend go and why can't we have a longer weekend?? These are questions I seem to ask myself on a regular if not too frequent basis and can only hope time will slow down somehow and we'll get to enjoy more time "smelling the roses" so to speak. Although I have to admit, it's always nice on Monday mornings to catch up briefly at the kitchenette making coffee with work friends even though you know there is a pile of work waiting for you :) And in case you were wondering, it's instant coffee. No fancy stuff!

This week's focus is one that I know we don't often do, thankfully. Rather than just focusing on the 'Close as a Memory' stamp set from Stampin' Up!, I thought we could just look at the theme of 'with sympathy'. It's a hard one to do, sometimes in terms of just thinking of having to make a 'with sympathy' card as well as wondering what to do. Unfortunately I have had to make a few of them over the past 6 weeks and I hope you can be inspired by mine when you've got your own difficult moments.

My first few cards do use the 'Close as a Memory' set. Stampin' Up! have designed this set so perfectly with this in mind. It has the sentiments that we often struggle with as well as the flower images which are subtle and certainly wouldn't overpower the card or the sentiment. This is my first pick for you:

Stamps: Close as a Memory

Inks: Stampin' Up! Classic Old Olive, Yoyo Yellow & Apricot Appeal

Papers: Stampin' Up! Close to Cocoa, Whisper White (textured) & Certainly Celery

Other: Ribbon & notched-corner punch

Tip: Use markers to colour in the images on the stamps - also allows you to blend some of the colours of the flower petals.

I am happy to say that this card was sent for an old family friend who lived well into her nineties. All good years from what I hear!

Blooming Roses

I cleaned my craft table (oops dinner table) today. I found a lazy susan lying in the garage under a few layers of dust. It is the most perfect addition to the table. Now I can pile everything on it (with some sort of order!) and just spin it to whatever tool, embellishment, marker, glue, or ribbon I want. I am very pleased with myself for having such a good idea.

Today I made a lovely card using the Botanical Blooms set. I had CASEd this one from one of the girls in my demonstrator group. She made it with lovely pale blues and greens. I just had to make my version but with pinks as the main colour! I'm very pleased with it!

Stamps: Botanic Blooms

Inks: Stampin' Up! Classic Rose Red & Certainly Celery

Papers: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Pretty in Pink & Rose Red

Other: Bronze eyelet, Pink Double Stitched Ribbon & Crimper

Tip: Use the palest of palest washes of the Rose Red & Certainly Celery inks to "colour" the main picture.

Well this is the end of the Botanic Blooms focus week. It's really sad to think that the Sale-A-Bration runs out at the end of the week and this set will no longer be available. All I can say is .... it's not too late to order yours. Just spend over $100 in Stampin' Up! product this week and its yours. Contact me!

Botanic Blooms make a lovely couple!

I'm tired today and only have myself to blame! Last night we had a scrap nights at Trudy's house and with a lot of talking, I managed to get two pages laid out. I stamped my shapes, did the letters and chose the photos. That is amazing progress for me. I find scrapbooking very difficult to do (probably why I have set it as my challenge for the year!). This afternoon, I started to stick all the pieces down (trust me there are quite a few of them) but when I post the photos this week - you'll see what I mean. And if you ever wonder if stampers are scrappers, well I am going to prove the theory, right or wrong! I want to see how far I can mix my stamping with my scrapbooking!

I also wanted to you a gift set I made with the Botanical Blooms stamp set. In the times of financial tightening and stress, it's a great time to turn back to handmade presents which show how much you care. I went to Dusk and bought a beautiful pillar candle and then added my own touch to it. The best part is, when you decide to light the candles, the decoration I made can be easily taken off and put onto another candle. Clever!

Stamps: Botanic Blooms

Inks: Stampin' Up! Classic Rose Red & Old Olive

Papers: Stampin' Up! Whisper White & Chocolate Chip (textured)

Other: White eyelet, Purely Pomegranate Double Stitched Ribbon & Cotton thread

Tip: Distress the edge of the Whisper White cardstock to give interest

So when you put the card and candle together - they made a lovely couple! And a lovely present :) You can even take the theme further by stamping your own wrapping paper. There are just so many ways you can make a present special!

So what else have I been up to you might ask? Well, finalising details for the Priceless Workshop, sending out the monthly Stamp with Me newsletter, family life, picking out kitchen and bathroom tiles for the house, I started a new book :) Among other things! I tend to live life fairly busy - but I love it!

I also wanted to let you know that so far all Stampin' Up! Demonstrators and Customers have raised over $15,700 for the Victorian Bushfire Appeal. Isn't that great! This has only been going for just over a week and we already have amazing results. It's so heart-warming and restores your faith in fellow humans!

Bloom with Me!

Friday 20 February 2009

Where has the week gone? As usual Friday has snuck up on me and of course I don't get my 'To Do' List anywhere finished! Although I have to admit, it's been a poignant week in our house too. On Wednesday we had the funeral and all the emotions that go with that, Thursday just ran away (something to do with work and my WH on nightshift) and here I am today! But I have been productive today! I have been organising the Priceless Workshop, preparing to start scrap-booking tonight as well as playing with my Botanical Blooms stamp set. It's sad to think Sale-A-Bration is almost at an end as the stamps were absolutely gorgeous!

I just love the colour combination of this card and was inspired to do so by the pictures in the Sale-A-Bration catalogue :)

Stamps: Botanic Blooms and Short & Sweet

Inks: Stampin' Up! Classic Chocolate Chip, Rose Red, Purely Pomegranate & Certainly Celery

Papers: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Rose Red & Chocolate Chip (textured)

Other: Dew Drops (non-SU0 and Scallop edge punch

Tip: Distress the edge of the Whisper White cardstock to give interest

And in case I haven't already said so ... I really like this card!

Botanic Blooms

I was supposed to show you my project at Craft Class today (you know, the one I made yesterday) except I run out of time and didn't get an opportunity to take a photo of it while it was still light. I'll try my best tomorrow :)

Instead, I can tell you that I have released details of my upcoming Priceless Stamp Camp both here in Canberra on Sunday 15 March and in Melbourne on Sunday 19 April. Click here to see my Priceless Workshop page. These Priceless Stamp Camps are special! They are joining in with the Australian Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Appeal. Stampin' Up! are donating 50 percent of all sales of selected stamp sets to the Appeal, and I too will be donating all proceeds on my Stamp Camp too. To make it extra fun, there will be door prizes and afternoon tea, all for a gold coin donation to the Appeal of course. Want more information? Go to my Priceless Workshop Page! or click here!

Moving right along :) Our focus this week will be on the wonderful Botanic Blooms Stamp Set from Stampin' Up! This gorgeous set (yes, I know I'm raving but it is truly wonderful) is one of the exclusive sets to 2009 Sale-A-Bration! So with only 11 days left of this promotion - don't miss out. This set features the two step stamping system or you can use each stamp individually. It's up to you really! I made this lovely card after seeing it somewhere while blog-surfing which was several weeks ago so I no longer remember where:( This card has potential for so many colour combo's, but I went to my favourites - pink!! What do you think?

Stamps: Botanic Blooms and Short & Sweet

Inks: Stampin' Up! Classic Chocolate Chip, Pixie Pink & Certainly Celery

Papers: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Rose Red & Pretty in Pink

Tip: Use Stampin' Dimensional to 'lift up' some of the flowers.

The more random your stamping the better. And of course you can have as little or as many stamped images as you want. It's all up to you and your style really!

Priceless Stamp Camp

Priceless Stamp Camp

Join in on the fun at Stamp Camp and help raise funds for the Australian Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Appeal at the same time! Featuring the Stampin' Up! Priceless Stamp Set and the 2008-2009 Stampin' Up! In Colours, you'll make an exclusive Window Gift Box with four matching gift cards.

From 12 February to 31 March 2009, Stampin' Up! are donating fifty percent of sales from selected stamp sets and Priceless is one of them. Priced at $48.95 this gorgeous stamp set will take your stamping and scrapping skills to the latest trends! Interested? Read on for how you can join in!

Option 1
Come to Stamp Camp here in Canberra on Sunday 15 March or in Melbourne on Sunday 19 April. For only $20 you will receive full colour instructions and all materials needed to make the gift box and four cards. I will provide the use of my stamps and equipment to help you finish this project. You too can own the stamp set and attend the kit for the total price of $68.95.

Click here for more information on the Canberra Stamp Camp on 15 March. Melbourne information coming soon!

Option 2
Don't live in Canberra or can't get to Stamp Camp? As long as you live in Australia you too can participate in the Priceless Stamp Camp! And help to raise funds for the Australian Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Appeal at the same time. For the total price of $70 (including postage & handling) you too will get the Priceless stamp set, full colour instructions and enough materials to make the project items. The only items you'll need are adhesive and a sentiment stamps. Contact me for more information on my Stamp Camp by Mail!

Option 3
Host your own Stamp Camp! If you are local to Canberra - Invite three or more of your friends (minimum of 4 persons required) and join in on the fun at your own home! Priced at $20, you and your friends will receive the materials and full colour instructions, as well as the use of my stamps and equipment to complete the projects. You can also benefit from holding a Stamp Camp through Stampin' Up! Rewards if you and your friends purchase products. For more information on holding your own Stamp Camp or for how you can earn Stampin' Up! rewards - contact me. I would love to share this with you!

I had a ME day!

Today I had a Me day. At work we have Mandatory Recreation Leave days or more commonly known as MRL's. These days come around once per quarter and I booked mine weeks ago. Of course, I didn't know that the dramas we had last week meant that I only had one day at work last week, but that's the way life goes sometimes! With both boys at school/childcare, I got to catch up on chores around the house (yuk) as well as participating in a craft class at my local craft store. As I tell my friends and customers, while I love Stampin' Up! and it's my most favourite product, I am not a SU snob and will use other products where SU products can't be used! Joining in classes using new techniques and products is fun too. Also gives me an opportunity to learn - so that I can pass onto others! I will fill you in with the details tomorrow of what I made (the kindy glitz is still drying as we speak!).

But I did use my SU products today and made a birthday card for an old friend of mine. I think I have known her for 15 years now. As my friend is not a girly sort of girl, and I would never give her cards made with pinks, pastels or flowers, I did try to make something that she would like and be a bit interesting. So I tried this card ... I like it!

Stamps: Say it with Scallops and Short & Sweet

Inks: Stampin' Up! Classic Chocolate Chip

Papers: Stampin' Up! Textured White, Night of Navy & Wild Wasabi

Other: Scallop Square Punch

Tip: Use Stampin' Up!s Crafters' Tool Kit for the paper-piercing template to ensure your pierced holes are nice and straight.

Valentine's Tea!

I just wanted to show you my last piece for Valentine's Day 2009 (and by the way I did get a lovely bunch of tulips from my boys). This little project is easy and just calls out for you to grab your special china tea sets and serve up something pretty. Speaking of tea sets ............ I have quite a few that I have collected over the years and keep them in my dressers on display. So it's really nice to actually take them out and use them, instead of the boring every day tea cups and coffee cups.

If you look closely at my jar with loose leaf tea, you'll see little red hearts! It's the perfect loose leaf tea that I got from the tea shop in Gold Creek (look out for the Adore Tea shop). This tea blend is called Romance and it's got tiny little red candy hearts in it. Perfect for Valentine's Day (and no I didn't buy it especially for the day - I'm just a sucker for anything romantic!).

The label on the jar and the heart tea bags are easy to make and uses very little in terms of materials and techniques.

So that's it for Valentine's for another year. I've got lots of other projects to concentrate on now. I've got the Priceless Stamp Camp to prepare for, picking up my scrapbooking album and learning how to scrap, my sewing projects and the usual card making. Too much to do, so little time!

Happy Valentine's Day

Saturday 14 February 2009

Happy Valentine's Day or should I use my husband's words and say Happy Hallmark Day!! Either way, I hope you had a lovely day with your loved ones :) I received a very cute picture of a heart from my son Big Boy Luke. Always bound to put a smile on my face!

Tomorrow (when we celebrate in my household!), I am going to give my boys a little box with a chocolate heart inside. I know it's the chocolate that they will be wanting!

They are super easy to make. You can either take an old matchbox and decorate with papers and embellishments, or use an old matchbox as a template to cut a new one. If that's too much work - email me and I will send you the measurements that I have written somewhere or scan it and upload it for you! When all else fails - do a google websearch! There are hundreds of templates on the web - in fact, I have on my Links page a few good sites!

I have made three little matchboxes using different colours and embellishments. And believe it or not - there is no stamping in these ones. Although you can always add stamped image if you want too!

For the pink box, I used the scallop square punch from Stampin' Up!, added little holes to the scallops, ribbon and a button filled with kindy glitz.

For the heart box, I used vellum printed with gold hearts, ribbon, rhinestones and a heart brad.

For the purple box, I used a paper flower and a gold rhinestone.

Hopefully you can also see that each box has a rhinestone 'handle' to make it look like a little drawer!

And of course, each box is filled with a chocolate foil wrapped heart - but you could put anything in it!

Tomorrow will be my final Valentine's piece for 2009. I will be busy working on preparations for Stamp Camp!

---

Cards for Valentine's Day

Friday 13 February 2009

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day (yep - we're back on topic) and if you haven't already done so - now would be a good time to make your loved one a card. I've got two cards to choose from that I've made. Luckily I can give one of the cards to my Big Boy Luke. He will surely love the foil wrapped chocolate hearts that I will put inside. A little sweet-tooth my BBL!

Stamps: Polka Dot Punches & Yummy (both from the current Sale-A-Bration promotion)
Inks: Purely Pomegranate, Chocolate Chip & Rose Red
Cardstock: Whisper White, Pixie Pink, Rose Red & Chocolate textured cardstock
Ribbon: Chocolate Taffetta
Other: Scallop Edge Punch, mini-hole punch, chocolate coloured thread
Tip: I stamped the heart onto the pink cardstock, cut around it and then adhered it to the card with the stamped imaging not facing the front! This allows you to cut a shape the same as the stamped image and adds a bit more versatility to your design!

This card was actually designed using a layout template. I have made several cards with this template layout that you should see over the next few days. It helps you design cards when you're suffering card-block or need just a little bit more inspiration!

The second one you've already seen earlier in the blog ... but here it is again!

Just a couple of announcements to make!

Don't forget the special Bushfire Appeal that Stampin' Up! is promoting. It is your chance to do a little bit while still enjoying your stamps!

Stampin' Up! are preparing for their new 2009-2010 Ideas Book & Catalogue which is due in April 2009, which means several of your favourite products will be retiring. Don't miss out on your favourite stamps you've been thinking about in the current (but soon to be retired) Catalogue!

---

Victorian Bushfire Appeal

It didn't seem fitting to put in a Valentine's creation today - not when so many people are going through heartbreak over the fires in Victoria. I think every Australian will be or has been touched somehow. I know for me, I thank goodness that all my family living in Melbourne are safe and have only suffered property loss. It could be so much worse. So I am pleased to announce that Stampin' Up! are going to do their bit for the cause and at Stamp with Me, I will be joining in. Read on.....

Stampin' Up! Victorian Bushfire Appeal

Join with Stamp with Me, Stampin' Up!, and Stampin' Up! demonstrators around Australia and New Zealand in helping the victims of the bushfire tragedy.

You can help by purchasing specially selected stamp sets from 12 February through 31 March 2009, and Stampin' Up! will donate 50 per cent of the sales of these sets to the Australian Red Cross Victorian Bushfires Appeal 2009.

The specially selected stamps sets include:

112312 - Priceless (page 105)
108909 - Seeing Spots (page 89)
112380 - Baroque Motifs (page 98)
114261 - Live Your Dream (page 3 of Summer Mini Catalogue)
108864 - Looks Like Spring (page 76)*
108934 - The Snowflake Spot (page 27)*
108756 - Bodacious Bouquet (page 80)*
110247 - Polka Dots & Paisley (page 46)*
111973 - G'Day Mate (page 115)*
108744 - Be Happy (page 51)*

Please note:
* These stamp sets will appear on the upcoming list of retiring products, so they'll only be available while supplies lasts.
** This stamp set is in the 2009 Summer Mini Catalogue

For more information about this special Stampin' Up! Victorian Bushfire Appeal - go to my website www.stampwithme.com.au or click here.

Help by purchasing your sets today. Contace me by email (carolyn@stampwithme.com.au) or phone to place your order! Stay tuned for more special events to help raise funds for the Victorian Bushfire victims. Our hearts go out to them - and I for one want to show that I care.

More Valentine's Day

Last night I went to my Stampin' Up! Demonstrator Team Meeting and we had to demonstrate a small project or card using current Stampin' Up! products. I showed my little romance kit box just perfect for Valentine's Day. This one was a success and I've been asked to send out all the instructions. So here they are for you to benefit too!

Firstly, here is the cute box:

Stamps: A Happy Heart and Short & Sweet
Inks: Stampin' Up! Classic Chocolate Chip & Rose Red
Papers: Stampin' Up! Whisper White & Purely Pomegranate
Other: Chunky Sprinkles Glitter & Purely Pomegranate Double Stitched Ribbon
Punches: Scallop Square & Scallop Edge, Small & Large Oval
Miscellaneous: Metallic Eyelets, Chain, Romance Kit contents

I've also included all instructions and kit contents in PDF format. Feel free to email me on carolyn@stampwithme.com.au to get your copy!

Valentine's Day

Kiss. Keep it Simple! That should be your motto for Valentine's Day - unless you like things to be over the top and if that's the case - go for it! :) Valentine's Day will be very subdued in my household this week as a family loved one passed away today. While we knew it was inevitable and that it was going to happen soon - it always comes as a shock, saddens you and makes you think of all your good memories.

On a happier note, my sister rang to say that she was released from hospital this morning and her little baby Michael was going to be transferred to a local hospital. This is fantastic news as it means Michael is no longer in need of intensive care and can spend his few weeks in the special care nursery, which is closer to home and closer to his family :) I hope to visit Melbourne next week and meet Michael, but I guess we'll be a bit busy with things here at home for the moment.

Anyway, Keep it Simple! That's my lesson for today. I took a plain candle and embellished it with ribbon (Stampin' Up! Purely Pomegranate Double Stitched Ribbon - absolutely gorgeous colour), a heart and a rhinestone. Very simple but very much in season for Valentine's Day. It should look nice when the candle is lit - as long as you remember to take the decoration off when the candle starts to burn down a bit! Here it is .... I hope you like it!

Baby Cards!

Monday 9 February 2009

Today I was looking through my stash of cards (ready to go!) and found these baby cards that I had made earlier last year. These cards are favourites of mine and the two collage cards (pink & blue) use one of my favourite techniques: Collage! I will post them here, as I am updating my Gallery for 2009 cards and don't want you to miss out! Of course, as always, I have included everything you need to make your own! So keep reading!

I also wanted to talk about the Focus of the Week! I know it kind of got lost in the chaos of my life last week, which made it a No Focus Week! This week I plan on making amends and focus on Valentine's Day! Why not! I might not celebrate it anymore, but it doesn't stop me from wishing my husband would buy me flowers more often!! Anyway, we'll start the Valentine's Day Focus tomorrow and I'll show you some of my favourite baby cards today instead!

It's a Girl Collage! 

Stamps: Nursery Necessities & Short & Sweet (tiny flowers)
Inks: Stampin' Up! Classic Certainly Celery, Pixie Pink, Pretty in Pink
Papers: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink, Pixie Pink (crimped with a Crimper)
Other: White Satin ribbon (non SU), Kindy Glitz (non SU), assorted buttons & beads
Note: Use Stampin' Up! Glue Dots to stick down the heavier embellishments like beads and buttons for extra sticking power and Stampin' Dimensionals to raise your selected stamped images!

It's a Boy Collage! 

Stamps: Nursery Necessities
Inks: Stampin' Up! Classic Soft Sky, Certainly Celery
Papers: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Soft Sky, Certainly Celery, Wild Wasabi
Other: It's a Boy blue ribbon (non SU), Kindy Glitz (non SU), assorted buttons

It's a Boy!

Stamps: Nursery Necessities ; Nursery Letters Stampin' Wheel

Inks: Stampin' Up! Classic Soft Sky, Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Black
Papers: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Soft Sky
Other: It's a Boy blue ribbon (non SU), Kindy Glitz (non SU)
I hope you like them!

Introducing Michael Sebastian

Following up from yesterday!

My littlest nephew has a name - Michael Sebastian. I can't wait to meet him although he will be in hospital for a few weeks as he is too little to come home just yet! I'm hoping to visit my sister and Michael soon (I'll be booking those flights today!). Now I can make a card since the baby has a name!

As promised here is the Valentine's card I made. Don't tell my WH! It's very understated and simple. Using two colours and minimal embellishments should keep him happy (the anti-Valentine's Day person that he is!).

And here is the card with it's matching envelope. I used the 'I love you' stamp on the front (although you can't see it) and I made my own postage stamp using punches and stamps! Cute!

Stamps: A Happy Heart and Short & Sweet

Inks: Stampin' Up! Classic Red Rose and Chocolate Chip

Papers: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Rose Red & Chocolate Chip (a scrap piece of Pixie Pink for the stamp)

Other: Stampin' Dimensionals, Scallop Square Punch, Scallop Edge Punch & hole punch

Tip: I have glued the brown heart straight onto the card and then used Stampin' Dimensionals to stick the red heart down. The brown strip is actually Chocolate Chip cardstock and not ribbon!

Most important tip: Don't punch your tiny holes very late at night like I did. They look crooked in the day light!

Scrappin' Nights are now organised. Contact me for more details. They will be held on the third Friday night of every month in Dunlop, ACT. Thanks to Trudy - for volunteering her house! She's got more room then me!

---

My baby nephew is here!

So much news - so where do I start??? Maybe in priority (and not necessarily in order!)

1. My sister had a little baby boy today. He was born about 6 weeks early, weighed 2.8kg and is 48 cm long. Apparently very healthy for a premmie baby. I don't know the name yet - so you'll have to wait for that one. My sister Laura had to deliver by caesarean as the baby was in breech - but I'm sure she'll be just fine! Straight to the card making table (me, that is) for that one - I've had my present ready for ages, but couldn't make a card!!

2. Last night we had our first official monthly craft night for 2009. It looks like we'll be meeting twice a month now. The first Friday of each month will be for all crafts (using a theme) and if we can organise it, the third Friday of the month will be just for scrap-booking. I need this, as I'm severely challenged by scrapbooking and I need all the help, guidance and fun I can get!

3. Last night I decided to use the cute 'A Happy Heart' stamp set featured in the current Summer Mini Catalogue from Stampin' Up! My WH is so not into Valentine's Day - but it doesn't stop me from joining in on the fun and sentiment! Although I have to admit, I had to finish it today, as we were too busy chatting to finish our projects last night. Might have something to do with the very warm weather! I haven't had a chance to take a photo to show you (I'll get to it during the next day or so).

4. Baby Matthew has had a high temp for the last 24 hours, it was so high we had to take him to the doctor today. Never an easy thing to do on a weekend! Apparently it is due to teething - there was no sign of any problems or infection. Poor little man. He's not happy. So, I spent a lot of my day comforting him and spent most of last night up with him as well. Gosh, no wonder I feel tired. Hopefully he'll be feeling a lot better tomorrow.

So here's a peek of the 'A Happy Heart' set. Don't you just love it? I can't wait to show you the things I have made so far....

I so love the big heart and the flower stamp. Lots of things I can make with that! But that's all for now. I'll be back tomorrow and hopefully a name for my new nephew! Welcome to the world, little one.

Another colour combo!

It's almost the end of the first week of school for BBL. Last night he came home so excited - his teacher had told him all about lunch orders :) Do you remember those days? When your mum worked at the school tuck-shop (canteen) and you put your order in a little brown paper bag? And then at lunch time - your lunch would appear! Always more exciting than the normal sandwich and piece of fruit lunch!! So - it was pay day today and Luke got his first lunch order. I can't wait to hear him come home and tell me all about it!

I've been busy prepping for my Independent Demonstrator meeting on Monday night (next week). We make 'swaps' for each member of our group and also learn new techniques or projects. I've only been to one previously, so I'm keen to find out what this will be like. Now is the time to be a SU Demonstrator - there are special offers available, so don't be afraid to ask me how!

Today I wanted to show you a card that my dad's lovely wife Cheryl made with me. I posted my version on Tuesday - so have a look at this one in a different colour combo!

Stamps: Polka Dot Punches and Short & Sweet

Inks: Stampin' Up! Classic So Saffron, Soft Sky, Red Rose and Old Olive

Papers: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Rose Red & Soft Sky

Other: Ribbon, Scallop Circle Punch & Hole/Circle Punch, Mini Glue Dots & Stampin' Dimensionals

Tip: Use Stampin' Up!s glue dots to keep your ribbon in place!

But if you look closely, the colour combo only changes in relation to the ribbon and the coloured cardstock. The rest stays the same! Different colours can completely change your card and it allows you to suit the colours and the card to the occasion or the person. Versatility plus!!

Sale-A-Brate Good times!

It's Tuesday - so where do I start. So much has happened over the last few days!

Firstly, my dad, his lovely wife Cheryl and my nephew Brendan arrived on Saturday having driven up from Melbourne. They may have escaped some of the Melbourne heat but they sure got more hot weather here in Canberra! When is the cool change coming to stay! Luckily we have air conditioning through our house - so it made their stay nice and pleasant. Hopefully we've convinced my dad to install air-con in his own new house he is building :)

After a lovely weekend with family, a visit to the craft shop with Cheryl and lots of playing at my craft table! We prepared for Big Boy Luke's (BBL) first day of school. He's at kindy! My Wonderful Husband (WH) and I were more excited than BBL! To BBL it was just another day in his life especially after having gone through lots of orientation with the school at his preschool! He sure looked good in his uniform! I was so proud! And camera happy! Thanks to the beauty of digital technology - both my WH and I had digital cameras snapping away!

Anyway, this week is now well and truly back to normal. My family have returned to Melbourne, Luke is now at school and I am hoping to settle into routine again. Oh, and visiting the dentist for me :(

Here's a little card that I CASEd exactly from the Sale-A-Bration catalogue. And yes, you can copy other cards (there is an angel policy for the use of Stampin' Up! images for commercial use - and please contact me if you want more info on that one), otherwise acknowledge your source & inspiration, and make your cards! This card uses the Polka Dot Punches set. I really really like it!! And considering all you have to do is spend $100 on SU! merchandise, and get it for free - what's stopping you!! So, here it is!

Stamps: Polka Dot Punches and Short & Sweet

Inks: Stampin' Up! Classic Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, Soft Sky, Red Rose and Old Olive

Papers: Stampin' Up! Apricot Appeal, Whisper White & Certainly Celery

Other: SU Grosgrain Ribbon (Certainly Celery), Scallop Circle Punch & Hole/Circle Punch, Mini Glue Dots & Stampin' Dimensionals

Tip: Use Stampin' Up!s glue dots to keep your ribbon in place!

Oh, and the focus of this week is ........... drum roll .................Actually - I don't know. Stay tuned for that one!!