Oh my, Halloween

Welcome back, all my readers and me too!! Celebrations at my house now that I have finished my studies for the year, all tax returns with two more to be finished by today, and life will be back to normal. Hooray!!

My 6 and a quarter year old son Luke (don't forget the quarter) was desperate to celebrate Halloween this year. Even though we as a family don't celebrate Halloween, it seems to have taken off this year in Australia and we seem to have been taken along for the ride. Luke wanted a spooky Halloween night party. We compromised with an afternoon tea with his friends after school on Friday (yesterday). And besides, Luke is in bed when it's dark now!!

Luke and his scary friend!

So we made these quick little invitations:

Pumpkin afternoon tea invites

Using Very Vanilla card stock for the invitation tags, we used the Please come stamp set for the invite and made cute little pumpkins on the flip side!

Stamps: Please Come
Papers: Very Vanilla CS, Basic Black and Pumpkin Pie
Inks: Chocolate Chip
Other: Circle punches (various sizes) and matching orange ribbon

Luke was so proud of the invites, he made his own too. He even knows where I store my punches, got them out and made his little pumpkins!!

Not-so-scary pumpkin bikkies

We made lots of yummy food too. Chocolate spider cakes and chocolate insect cakes, not-so-scary pumpkin biscuits, jelly with worms crawling out and pizza faces. All served with pumpkin juice (orange cordial). Our house was decorated with black & orange streamers, creepy spider webs with spiders (eek!) and orange balloons. All great fun for Matthew, who kept playing with the balloons, as toddlers do!

Choc Spider mini-cakes!

After all the kids (nine in all, including siblings), the house went crazy with nerf gun fights and pin the 'boo' on the ghost!! A lot of fun, but boy was I exhausted last night and happily went to bed by 10pm!!

Pardon my Absence

Hi Everyone,

Sorry for my absence of late. I've been head down and bottom up working hard on my final assignment for uni. Unfortunately that means I have to be disciplined and not play with all my stuff (sob). The good news is, I'll be back soon with bigger and better (well I hope) projects!

Until then, take care and see you soon!

Carolyn @ Stamp with Me (aka MIA)

A sun-shiney day!

What a glorious sun-shiney day! It was a shame it was Monday and we had to go back to work today!! It sure would have been nice to have stayed home and played!! Never mind! The weather is looking good for the week and maybe even the weekend. I might be able to put down the books and play with my ever-growing craft supply!!

I do have to show my creations for my nephew's 7th birthday. It's funny! I have a huge collection of stamps but not much for a seven year old, although I am going to try and remedy that (LOL!!!).

So, when I started seeing all these creations for Halloween in the US, I decided to use some of the ideas for a birthday card!! One of the blogs I subscribe to, had all these little spooky insects created for Halloween. So I decided to make my creation not about spooking, but about little critters that a young-ish boy would like. Very easy to make, just punches and glue!


I even made a spider with hairy pipe-cleaner legs. I put them all together and came up with this:


Here's what I used:

Stamps: Birthday Wish
Inks: Brocade Blue
Papers:Vellum, Black, Ruby Red, Green Galore and Whisper White CS for the critters. Glorious Green for the card base and a scrap of printed paper (unknown but from my old stash).
Punches: Ovals, Circles, Horizontal Slot & Scallop Edge punch

Anyway, I had fun making it, even if I ended up with more glue on my fingers then anywhere else!

Meet the Fruity Sisters

When I'm not working with paper, you may find me working with materials, felt and threads. A few months ago, I made two felt purses for my niece Bella. Now I've finished two fruity sisters for my nieces (Bella, Ilsa & Lily - such pretty names). Let me introduce you:

This is Strawberry Cream. You may have met her already, but now she's been dressed with a ribbon and a better fitting hat. Isn't she adorable!

And this is Lemon Blossom. She's very new and a little bit shy, but oh so cute too.

These sisters are good friends, just like I hope my nieces will be!

More bits and pieces

It's a start, I've had internet access nearly all day. The weather must be improving!!

So where was I yesterday? Oh yes, simple Christmas cards that can be made quickly, especially when you have to make a lot of them! Here's some more:

The first card uses one of my favourite stamp sets from last year: Season of Joy. It's good to pull it out again and re-acquaint ourselves!!

Stamps: Season of Joy & Snow Swirled (sentiment)
Inks: Old Olive, Basic Black, Yoyo Yellow & Silver
Papers: Old Olive, Red Riding Hood, Whisper White & Ski Slope DSP
Other: Stampin' Dimensionals & Eyelet Edge punch

This second card I made at a 'Make and Take' Demonstration by a friend of mine. The card uses all non-SU products until I got it home!! The sentiment of Merry Christmas had been stamped onto the card but it didn't really stand out enough from the background papers, so I decided to fix it. I grabbed a piece of scrap Kraft cardstock, one of the many pieces lying around, stamped my greeting with black ink and then sponged/edged the piece with more gold ink. Turned out OK if I do say so myself. It also shows how perfectly SU products coordinate with others!! The trees were made form glitter by the way!!

SU Stamps: Many Merry Messages
SU Inks: Basic Black & Gold
SU papers: Kraft CS

Well, that is the end of today's show! I hope you enjoy seeing how making simple Christmas cards with only a few bits and pieces or minimal techniques, will help you get through your production line of Christmas card making! I'm off to Scrap Night tonight, so see you soon!

I'm still here!

Just here though. With all this wintery weather we've been having, I've had very little access to the internet! Tech Support tell me the tin roof, the weather and living too far from the nearest wireless tower are working against me! So I'll try and do as much as I can while I have access. For the moment!!

Over the weekend, I decided to experiment with some quick and simple cards that I could use for Christmas. Last year I made over 60 Christmas cards and ran out, so the challenge is on to make more!! While I have been enjoying more difficult techniques lately, it's good to go back to basics and see what you can do!

This card uses a combination of a gate-fold card base with watercolouring.

Stamps: Window Dressing & Snow Swirled

Inks: Black Staz On, Stampin' Write Markers - Real Red, Brocade Blue, Old Olive & Yoyo Yellow, and silver.

Papers: Real Red & Whisper White CS and Holiday Treasures DSP.

Other: Bling to the snowflakes (rhinestones!)

This second card uses the same papers and almost the same colours, with my added favourite of Baja Breeze!

Stamps: Window Dressing & Snow Swirled
Inks: Black Staz On, Stampin' Write Markers - Real Red, Brocade Blue, Old Olive & Yoyo Yellow, SU Classic Baja Breeze and silver.
Papers: Real Red & Whisper White CS and Holiday Treasures DSP.
Other: Bling to the snowflakes (rhinestones!) and a touch of Dazzling Diamonds

It looks like my internet access is giving up the ghost - so I'm going to post this, and hope for the best tomorrow! Have a good night~!

More projects to show!

Over the weekend, I grabbed some of my favourite colours! Yes, Baja Breeze is one of them. As is Kiwi Kiss and Chocolate Chip and paired them with some wonderful blending colours. I had to use one of my favourite stamp sets too!! Yep, it was a day of favourites! I also made these little feature buttons too using the faux suede technique and tied with a bit of linen thread. Not my original idea but one I enjoyed making!

I made quite a few of these layered buttons. Might as well, as they will surely come in handy. Pity one of them photographed quite crooked .... Oh well, they'll be right when I attach to my planned scrap layout!!


My project recipe by the way:

Stamps: Fifth Avenue Floral & Great Friend
Inks: Basic Black, Basic Grey, Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss & Baja Breeze
Papers: Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, Whisper White & Kraft CS
Other: Scallop Edge, Scallop Oval, Scallop Circle, Oval & Circle punches, Chocolate Chip & black buttons & linen thread.

If you are wondering about the faux suede technique, be sure to contact me. It's easier than you think!!

Beautiful Butterflies

Do you ever buy beautiful papers and put them away, to use some other day? I did! I just had to buy the beautiful Parisian Breeze Specialty Papers from Stampin' Up! These papers feature in the current Spring Mini and are beautiful and elegant prints and patterns on textured, cover-weight card stock!


So I combined the Big Shot Beautiful Butterflies die (also from SU) with the Parisian Breeze papers and made myself some butterflies. Don't you just love Baja Breeze with Chocolate Chip too? I sure do!

Here's what I used:

Stamps: Great Friend
Papers: Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze and Whisper White CS, Baja Breeze DSP and Parisian Breeze Specialty Paper
Inks: Chocolate Chip
Tools: Big Shot, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder & SU Beautiful Butterflies Die
Other: Pearls from Kaisercraft, Oval Punch & Scallop Oval Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

While I was Big Shot-ting away, I cut myself a few more butterflies. I wonder what I will do with them!!

A Good Friend

Aahh, yes, a good friend would not be so away so long! But I was in Melbourne on school holidays staying with my dad and his wife at their beautiful property in Buln Buln. Lovely, peaceful, beautiful and so green, but happily (or should I say unhappily)? limited internet access!

Luke and the friendly cows - Warragul

So here I am with projects galore and hoping to catch you up on some of them!

Today I wanted to show a Thankyou card I made. I was inspired by a technique card that to be honest, just wasn't going to bother with the recessed part. I like to send all my creations to friends and family, and recessed cards need special packaging. So I left out that part and continued with my own version. Here it is:

And here's what I used!

Stamps: Great Friend Inks: Basic Black, Baja Breeze & Groovy Guava (retired) Papers: Basic Black, Whisper White, Baja Breeze CS & Walk in the Park DSP Other: Basic Grey taffeta ribbon & Stampin' Dimensionals

As the base card is black, I have also attached a piece of Whisper White CS inside for writing on and stamped a few Baja Breeze leaves on the edges. After all, you need somewhere to write!!

And I just had to show you a photo of the beautiful flowers (I refuse to call them weeds) growing EVERYWHERE in Victoria. The rain and sunshine are a great mix for Spring!

Stampin' Up!s Breast Cancer Awareness Promotion

For over 20 years, Stampin' Up! has helped women make a difference in the lives of others by simply doing what they love to do--sharing creativity.

Now you too can become a Stampin' Up! demonstrator and make a difference!

For every person who joins the Stampin' Up! family between 1 October and 31 December 2009, we will donate $5 to the National Breast Cancer Foundation in Australia or The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation.

Plus, until 31 December 2009, we'll give you a FREE pack of Raspberry Tart Designer Series paper and a Pretty in Pink Classic Stampin' Pad to help you get started

If you're wondering about being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator or would like more information, be sure to contact me by phone: 0417 165 345 or email: carolyn@stampwithme.com.au

Embossed Cards

Several months ago now! My WH gave me a Big Shot for my birthday. I have slowly been stocking up on dies and embossing folders, and then learning how to use them all.

I saw this beautiful card on my friend and fellow team SU Demonstrator - click here to see for yourself and just had to try my own. While I'm quite happy with my version, I don't think the camera did any justice to the coloured in rose, it looks much softer in real life! For some reason my SLR camera highlights every brush stroke :(

Anyway, I'll show you what they look like and you'll get the general idea!!

The first card of course, is actually my desk calendar - October page!

The second card has a little bit more pizzazz!! Adding the flower brad with a diamente centre is just so special. I've also tied a little bit of crystal organza under it. I wish I had the rose red ribbon that Chris used in her card!!

Stamps: Fifth Avenue Floral Inks: Black StazOn & Rose Red Classic Ink Papers: Whisper White and Rose Red CS (Scrap of Pink Pirouette CS for calendar) Other: SU Big Shot Elegant Bouquet Textured Impressions, Pink Pirouette Ribbon, Flower brads.

Hmmm. I wonder what I can do with the Big Shot next!!

Celebrate World Card Making Day!

October 3 is World Card Making Day and Stampin' Up! is celebrating all month!

During all October, when you purchase Rock Star or Flower Power Simply Sent^® Card Elements, you'll get 20% off the coordinating stamp set!

Order one of these two sets:

Item #	Page #	Description	Price
112028	140	Flower Power Card Elements	$30.95
112021	141	Rock Star Card Elements	$30.95

And get the coordinating stamp set for 20% off!

Item #	Page #	Description	Sale Price
116779	140	Wow Flowers	$23.16
116777	141	Starring You	$23.16

But hurry! This offer is only available during October 2009!

Contact me to place your order!