October!

It's almost the end of October and I haven't even shown my monthly calendar page!  Makes me realise how fast another month has gone by.  In fact so fast, the shops are now full of Christmas goodies, so yep the year is going by, full steam ahead!

This month's calendar features lots of new items.  The new lace punch and the new stamp sets, including my favourite: Creative Elements.  So enjoy and I'll be back soon with more creations!

Stamps: Creative Elements & Posy Bunch (hostess set)
Papers: Whisper White, Pear Pizzazz, Crumb Cake & Early Espresso
Inks: Early Espresso & Crumb Cake
Other: Big Shot & Llttle Leaves sizzlit, pearls, circle punch & Lace Border punch

Merry & Type Stamp Camp Highlights

Well, our Merry & Type Stamp Camp has come and gone!  After the week of hectic preparations for the Stamp Camp last Saturday, sadly it's over but what a blast of a time we had!  Our Merry & Type featured projects were designed by one of our Avid Inker team members and she turned the stamp set into something special!  Here's a little reminder...

These cards were just gorgeous in real life and featured the new products from Stampin' Up! including Glass Glitter and Seam Binding (love love love)!  And if you purchased the stamp set as part of your kit, you also received bonus instructions - how cool was that!  I haven't finished making my cards yet, as I was much too busy sorting out my kids (they were with me for the first 30 mins), looking after my guests and sorting out some of the afternoon tea, which was very yummy by the way!  But here are a few highlights of the day:

And if you missed out on attending Stamp Camp, well never fear, the project will be available as a Stamp @ Home kit next month!  Keep an eye out for my November newsletter or right here on my blog!

Reach for the Stars

During our recent school holidays, I had the opportunity to enjoy some quality time with my eldest son while the two little ones were at childcare.  We picked something to do each morning and then had the afternoon to relax.  Floriade, hire movies and bowling were the winning activities.  So for the first time in ages, I got to enjoy some scrapbooking time while I wasn't studying!!

I had a picture of my little man Matthew that was just begging for some improvement.  He looked gorgeous :) in the photo but the actual photo background was just bland.  So this is what I did:

I used lots of star punchies, star stamps and bling for this layout.  How could you not!!  I even added some gold thread wrapping to some of the stars which turned out really cool and it was an idea all my own so I'm very proud of that!  I've used the colours Concord Crush, Early Espresso, Daffodil Delight and Cool Caribbean (retired) for my colours. 

Matthew keeps walking around the house showing everyone this page, he doesn't want it in an album!  I think I might have to make him one to put in a little frame!

Congratulations!

Eek!!  It's been almost two weeks since I last posted on my blog.  Nothing personal I promise, I've just been studying for my final assessment exam which I had yesterday afternoon.  That exam marked the end of 5 years of study for my Masters.  5 years, as I deferred twice to have babies along the way!  So it's almost fitting that I show you my Congratulations card I made for my good friend who was married the other week.  Congratulations to her, and congratulations to me for finishing studies!!

This card was inspired by the gorgeous creations of Mainly Flowers.  I just changed the colours and the sentiment to suit the occasion for this card!  I love flowers and lace, so it's just divine to be able to combine the two together thanks to Stampin' Up!s fantastic punches!

Here's what I used:

Stamps: Well Scripted
Papers: Pear Pizzazz, Peach Parfait & Whisper White
Ink: Early Espresso 
Other: Basic Pearls, 1/8" Taffeta Old Olive, Lace Ribbon Border Punch, Boho Blossoms Punch, Little Leaves die & Big Shot

So that now my studies are complete, I'll be back regularly as we count down the 10 weeks of Christmas 2011 (can you believe it - 70 days to go!), some projects I've made and classes I'm planning.  Busy Busy Busy!!

ATC - Birds of Flight

It's a while ago, but I participated in the August ATC Stamp Happy swap, and the theme was all about birds!  And I really enjoyed this one, with the key words relating to the theme being: Birds - owls, feathers, flight.  I do struggle with ATCs, they're minature works of art and totally out of my comfort zone, which is probably why my ATC swaps have a familiarity about them.  So far, I have stuck with what I know.  Next year, I plan on challenging that!!

So without any further ado, here are the lovely ATC swaps I received the other week:

My first swap is by Pam Fuda, isn't it lovely!  I love the little poem of that wise old owl.  My second swap is 'You're a Hoot' by Rikki Showell.  My kids loved that one, something to do with Hoot the Owl!!! And the bright colours!

My third lovely swap is by Theresa Kamp (our lovely ATC hostess), called 'Blue Birds'.  It's so delicate!  A very big thank you to the lovely ladies who made these swaps.  Your talents are amazing! The last swap is my own.  I only did 3 this time around, as my last batch never made it for swapping!  They got sent to four different addresses around Queensland before someone marked them return to sender.  Pity they never reached the address I had written.  Oh well!

Anyway, for more info on my swap, head on over to my blog post!  And I had better start thinking about my next month of swaps!!

Some inspiration & ideas!

This week on 1 October 2011 was World Card Making Day.  I kind of missed it :( being busy with everything else, but I thought I would show you the beautiful cards made by Stampin' Up! which they shared on their Facebook page.

If you’re looking for another way to use the Sweet Centers stamp set without using Treat Cups, here you go! I love hot air balloons and this one super simple to make using the 2 ½” Circle punch and some Designer Series Paper. The bright color combo inspired by the Big Top Suite radiates happiness!
116521: Sweet Centers set
126149: Friendly Phrases set
102482: Real Red card stock
102067: Tempting Turquoise card stock
100730: Whisper White card stock
122348: Big Top Birthday Designer Series Paper
122958: On Board Merry Medley
119677: Daffodil Delight Stampin’ Write Marker
100052: Real Red Stampin’ Write Marker
100058: Tempting Turquoise Stampin’ Write Marker
104430: Stampin’ Dimensionals
120906: 2-1/2” Circle Punch
101049: Stamp-a-ma-jig

This card incorporates two things : pennants and baker’s twine. I
118744: Party This Way set
119686: Early Espresso card stock
100730: Whisper White card stock
121077: Old Olive Textured card stock
119667: Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin’ Pad
102277: Old Olive Classic Stampin’ Pad
100814: Tempting Turquoise Classic Stampin’ Pad
119680: Early Espresso Stampin’ Write Marker
123124: Early Espresso Baker’s Twine (not yet available in Australia)
119747: Brights Designer buttons
119871: 3/16” Corner punch
122361: Petite Pennants punch
119882: Scallop Edge punch

 

122900: Kindness Matters Set
111351: Pink Pirouette card stock
122922: Wisteria Wonder card stock
101650: Very Vanilla card stock
122357: Beau Chateau Designer Series Paper
121878: First Edition Specialty Designer Series Paper
101179: Basic Black Classic Stampin’ Pad
119668: Marina mist Classic Stampin’ Pad
111838: Pink Pirouette Classic Stampin’ Pad
115657: Soft Suede Classic Stampin’ Pad
118762: Distressing Essentials
124262: White Baker’s Twine (not available in Australia)
119743: Neutrals Designer buttons
104430: Stampin’ Dimensionals
103954: Aqua Painter
102845: Blender Pen
120907: Decorative Label punch
102892: Sponge Daubers

Who would have thought you could use the Up, Up & Away set featuring hot air balloons for a flower!!
122755: Up, Up & Away set
119686: Early Espresso card stock
100730: Whisper White card stock
121075: Baja Breeze Textured card stock
119669: Cherry Cobbler Classic Stampin’ Pad
119680: Early Espresso Stampin’ Write Marker
122977: Luck Limeade 3/8” Ruffled Ribbon
123124: Early Espresso Baker’s Twine (not available in Australia)
119745: Subtles Designer Buttons
103683: Mini Glue Dots
104430: Stampin’ Dimensionals
105826: Mat Pack
116631: Paper-Piercing Tool
119868: 1” Circle punch

122710: Family Reunion set (not available in Australia)
123025: Fabulous Florets set
109521: En Francais background stamp
101849: Naturals Ivory card stock
121077: Pumpkin Pie Textured card stock
115318: Soft Suede card stock
101650: Very Vanilla card stock
119670: Early Espresso Classic Stampin’ Pad
105216: Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin’ Pad
115657: Soft Suede Classic Stampin’ Pad
120967: Crumb Cake Stampin’ Write Marker
119680: Early Espresso Stampin’ Write Marker
105115: Pumpkin Pie Stampin’ Write Marker
102023: Dazzling Diamonds Glitter
123124: Early Espresso Baker’s Twine (not available in Australia)
104199: Linen Thread
119246: Rhinestone Basic jewels
104430: Stampin' Dimensionals
107066: Color Spritzer Tool
106958: Cutter Kit
118309: Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack
113439: Big Shot
113463: Top Note Bigz Die
101610: Stamping Sponges
101049: Stamp-a-ma-jig

With the new Petite Pocket Bigz XL Die your card is the perfect size for a quick thank you. Using your Stamp-a-ma-jig, stamping an image or greeting multiple times in colors that fit the season is always a quick go-to design for any card. I love my basics! A little stamp, ink, and paper go a long way.
122652: Delightful Dozen set (not available in Australia)
121076: Garden Green card stock
124386: Pool Party card stock
100730: Whisper White card stock
119671: Cajun Craze Classic Stampin’ Pad
102272: Garden Green Classic Stampin’ Pad
122937: Island Indigo Classic Stampin’ Pad
122938: Pool Party Classic Stampin’ Pad
105216: Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin’ Pad
103162: More Mustard Classic Stampin’ Pad
124262: White Baker’s Twine (not available in Australia)
104430: Stampin’ Dimensionals
122940: 2011-2013 In Color Designer Printed Brads
117193: Small Heart Punch
113439: Big Shot

If you're a facebook user, head on over to the Stampin' Up! World Card Making Day album.  While you're there 'like' facebook and be inspired!

Introducing the Simply Stockings Promotion!

During this month of October 2011, you can get your hands on the Simply Stockings stamp set and matching punch early!!  Just in time for Christmas and helping you get a jump start on your Christmas card and gift tag making!  They will not be available again until the release of the Stampin’ Up! 2011 Summer Mini Catalogue on 1 December 2011.

 

There are two ways to get these early!


Purchase the Stitched Stocking Stamp Set and Stocking Tag Punch early during the month of October

 OR

Host a $450 workshop, and receive the Stitched Stocking Stamp Set and Stocking Tag Punch for free.  This on top of normal hostess benefits!

Contact me now for more information or to put in your order now!

Delicate Doilies

As promised, here is part two of my new favourite stamp sets!  Delicate Doilies!  I love doilies, you know the old fashioned crochet sort, so how happy am I when a stamp set dedicated to doilies became available???  It has matching speciality papers AND fabrics, so how envious am !???

Anyways, this is the second card we made at the workshop last weekend.  This was a good one!  No rules.  You could stamp as many or as little doilies as you liked, in whichever pattern you liked, with coordinating colours.  Totally random!!

 

I have used punches too and added a bit of bling, but of course!!  So here's what I used:

Stamps: Delicate Doilies and Create a Cupcake
Papers: Marina Mist, Sahara Sand & Whisper White
Inks: Marina Mist, Chocolate Chip, Melon Mambo & Daffodil Delight
Punches: Decorative Label and Pinking Hearts Border
Other: Sponge Daubers & Basic Jewels - Rhinestones

And you know what???? This workshop netted over $300 in customer sales which gave the lucky hostess $50 in Hostess Dollars.  Hostess Dollars allows you to buy specially-priced exclusive hostess-only products OR to be used on any product in the Catalogue.  Do you know you can get three special Hostess Sets for that?  See for yourself!!

So if you would like to own some of these very cool stamps sets, contact me now to hold a workshop or even a catalogue only party!!