It's the last day to order today!

 I had another play with the "Affection Collection" set and made another Box Card in slightly different colours. I still like it though... such a clever little thing! My stamp club group LOVED it the other night.  Don't forget that there are both day and evening stamp club spots available in 2013, so email me if you would like to be a part of that, or just to get more information. 

Today is the very last day to order from our current Holiday catalogue.  So if there is something you are wanting, make sure you CONTACT ME today and I will add it on for you. 

Affection Collection Box Card

I have the first Evening Stamp Club of the year tonight and wanted to show you what we are making together. I have seen a few different versions of these online... Heather Summers (a very talented Canadian Demonstrator) put up her version of it, and I've been eyeing it off for a while. So this is my take on it.

I used the "Affection Collection" stamp set, and the DSP is from the "Festival of Prints" paper pack in our current Holiday mini. Actually this mini ends this coming week, so if there is anything you are after, please let me know in the next two days. After this there is no guarrantee that the items will make it into our next Annual Catalogue, which is due out in July 2013.  On February 1st we will have a brand new catalogue available.. the Autumn 2013 Catalogue.

Here is the Box Card open:

And here is the tag inside the box....

I really enjoyed making this little project and hope my stamp club girls will too. I have a few openings in Stamp Clubs (both Day and Evening) available in 2013. Stamp Clubs are an awesome way to build up your supplies slowly, whilst learning new ideas and techniques. The bonus is that you get to know a group of like-minded creative people and every year we share some great times together. Clubs are held bi-monthly so it is very manageable. If you would like to attend one of my clubs, please email me for more information. I would love to find a space for you!

Comfort Cafe Card

We have some beautiful Designer Series papers on offer this year, and my personal favourite is the one I have used on today's card. Its called "Comfort Cafe" - I even love the name! 

I've used the Fancy Fan Embossing folder on the background, and the main colours are Midnight Muse and Pool party. The sentiment if from the "Affection Collection" set... this set is actually in our Holiday Catalogue which will end this coming Thursday.  I might try this week to put up another card or two made with this set because I have really enjoyed this set and will miss it!

If you would like to place an order or book into classes, please contact me on my email.  Products can be delivered to any address in Australia for a small postage charge. Click HERE for a link to the current catalogues.

Here is a close up of the flower and butterfly on the card... I think these colours are very peaceful. What do you think??

Forever with You Chalkboard Card

My technique of the month in February is "Chalkboard"... sublimely simple, but super effective!  I still have spots for the February techqnique classes if you are interested.. the class program is on the right hand sidebar of this blog or click HERE for more info.  I run classes on the Central Coast... so if you anywhere closeby and would like to meet other people who are into papercraft too, and learn some cool stuff along the way... just email me to book in.

Today's card uese the "Forever with You" stamp set, and the background DSP is one of the free selections from this year's Sale-A-Bration offering. (It's called "Sycamore Street")  If you would like to view the SAB catalogue click HERE or contact me HERE to ask for a hard copy to be sent to you (anywhere in Australia).

Hope you enjoy this little card, and I will be back with more very soon :-)

Sale-A-Bration 2013 - What you need to know

Sale-a-Bration 2013 (SAB) starts TOMORROW!

For the uninitiated, it is our biggest promotion of the year and there are 3 ways you can take advantage of what's on offer. I've listed these below for you.  I am also holding an SAB product launch tomorrow evening, with spots still available, if anyone would like to join us.  It's a great chance to have a play with some of the cool new items available, not to mention there will be prizes and some cool projects to make. If you are on the Central Coast, come and join us!  Here are the details:

 SAB 2013 Launch 

• Cost: $15 but if you place a $60 order your class is free. Of course if you place a $100 order you will get both the class for free, plus a free selection from this year's SAB catalogue! With more choices than ever before this is a great way to see and play with lots of the SAB items. You will go home with 3 completed projects. Contact me on my EMAIL to book in or to get further information.
• Date: Tuesday 22nd January @ 7.30pm

Here are the 3 ways you can make the most of SAB 2013.

1. As a customer, every $100 you spend will entitle you to pick a free product from the new SAB freebie catalogue. Catalogues are available from me, or from tomorrow you will be able to view it online as well. 
2. As a Hostess, the SAB benefits are huge this year! Host a $300 workshop/party in your home this year between Jan 22nd and 22nd March, and you will receive your normal hostess benefits ($50 to spend on products of your choice) PLUS a pack of Silver Glimmer Paper. (This is to celebrate Stampin Up's 25th Anniversary) BUT if you host a $600 party (easy to do in SAB!) then you will get the glimmer paper PLUS $100 to spend PLUS a half price item PLUS a product pack consisting of a SAB stamp set, the DSP, and the ribbon and button pack! Thats an additional 3 SAB items just for hostesses! Of course the benefits go up for even more successful workshops, but I think that is VERY cool!  This is the best time of year to host a party!
3. Join Stampin'Up as a demonstrator during SAB and you will get and additional 25% value in your kit. That means for the small amount of $169, you will get to choose $294 worth of products! And they are your choice! Of course all the "normal" benefits apply... ongoing 20% discount, and access to lots of perks as a demonstrator.  There is literally nothing to lose, but a LOT that can be gained. 

So thats a quick summary for you. I would like to add one last thing. If you approach me... either to hold a party OR to become a demonstrator... I have another little gift for you from my prize basket. Its just for people who approach me after reading this post.....so I dont actually ask you to book or join. Email me by clicking HERE if you would like to take up any of these awesome offers.

Today's card is just some different sized circles cut from the Sycamore Street DSP which is one of the SAB items available free with a $100 order.  Contact me for yours soon!

Sale-A-Bration

Simply Sad

Thankfully I dont have a need to make Sympathy cards very often. But last night I had some sad news of a friend's husband who passed away.  And so, although it seems such a small gesture, I sat down first thing this morning to make a card for her.

I pulled out lots of different items...stamps, ribbons, and various embellishments. But then I realized that I just wanted to keep it very very simple. So that's what I ended up with... simple. One flourish stamp. One sentiment. One colour (plus the neutral base). I did punch a couple of flowers to add to the flourish, and a tiny pearl in the flower centre of each one. And then I stopped. I've been looking at it, wondering whether to add anything... but I've decided not. The hard part is working out what to say inside the card. What words to say to her. So sudden and so sad. :-(

There is something about being part of a community like the Stampin'Up community. We are all joined by a common thread. Friendships are made and treasured. We share various events and ideas together... especially the Demonstrator group.  I am so glad of it.  But when one person is experiencing suffering I have noticed that we come together for support in a different way. Certainly the Demonstrator group was there for me nearly 4 years ago when I suffered my own loss.. even if it was a very different kind of loss. They offered strength and comfort.  I hope that my friend will find the support and comfort in all her friends and family that she needs.

Thinking of you today. 

Lattice Die Cards from this week's class

Well this week I am "officially" back to work with my first classes of the year.  Very exciting. The first one is this Wednesday night (16th January) at 7.30pm, and we are making a cute little Magazine File folder that contains 4 cute cards to suit different occasions. I thought you might like to see the first card.. they are all very similar, but with different sentiments.

I've used the Lattice Die and put a square of Patterned paper behind it.  I love the way DSP looks behind this die. The sentiment is from the "Blooming with Kindness" stamp set. 

If you would like to come along and make the folder and the cards set, the cost for this one is $25.  Classes are held on the Central Coast and I can give you the address at time of booking. All materials and light refreshments are provided.  Just email me to reserve your spot. To see what other classes are available, click over to the right hand side of this blog and scroll down a little to the "January/February Class Schedule".

Here again is a pic of the folder with the cards inside:

Upcoming Class Schedule

With so much coming up with Stampin'Up over the coming weeks I had almost forgotten to post my upcoming class schedule! But I have been busy creating some gorgeous projects that I cant wait to share with you. So... for those on the Central Coast keen to attend classes and learn how it's all done... I am happy to let you know the upcoming dates:

January Project Class - "Mini Magazine File" Card Holder

• Cost: $25
• Dates: 11am Wednesday 16th January OR 7.30pm Thursday 17th January

Come and get organized for 2013... well your cards at least anyway!  We will be making this gorgeous little Magazine File card holder, and 4 matching cards to go inside.  You can see a photo of it at the top of this post. Very cute to keep or give as a gift.

 SAB 2013 Launch 

• Cost: $15 but if you place a $60 order your class is free. Of course if you place a $100 order you will get both the class for free, plus a free selection from this year's SAB catalogue! With more choices than ever before this is a great way to see and play with lots of the SAB items. 
• Dates: Tuesday 22nd January @ 11am OR 7.30pm

You will make 3 projects with lots of new SAB goodies.Come along and sample this year's SAB offering :-)  If at all possible I prefer to accept payment for Launches at time of booking or ahead of the class date.

 Autumn Catalogue Launch

• Cost: $15
• Dates: 7.30pm Tuesday 5th February OR  Wednesday 6th February @
  11am

This time we are celebrating the launch of the New Autumn catalogue with lots of yummy new products to play with and prizes to be won!  You will make 3 projects and I am sure that you will just love the new collection... you will be seeing some sneak peeks on the blog over the next couple of weeks so stay tuned :-) If at all possible I prefer to accept payment for Launches at time of booking or ahead of the class date.

February Technique Class - "Chalkboard"

•  Cost $20
• Dates: 7.30pm Tuesday 12th February OR 11am Wednesday 13th February

Such a simple but awesomely effective technique!  I love the projects I have been creating with the Chalkboard technique and I know you are going to love them too. I will post a sample for you in the next couple of weeks, but I already know you are going to love this one!

Dont forget that all materials and light refreshments are provided for all classes. If you need address details those can be supplied when you book in to reserve your spot for a class.  To book in, just email me by clicking HERE.

That's it with the schedule for now, I will be back to post more upcoming classes soon. Lots to celebrate in 2013... and I am so excited to share it with you!

Hearts a Flutter and Artisan Embellishments Sneak Peek

Guess what! My pre-order for the new Autumn catalogue from Stampin'Up arrived this morning. Which means that I have lots of gorgeous new stuff to play with! So what did I do... pull it all out and play with it of course. :-)

Here's my first card I made with new stuff. I used the brand new "Hearts a Flutter" stamp set, various elements from the new Artisan Embellishments Kit, the Delicate Details Lace Tape and a little paper from the new "More Amore" Specialty Designer Series Paper.  The embossing folder is new too.. its called "Honeycomb", and I used it on the new Core'dinations Cardstock in Primrose Petals.  But you know what my new favourite item is on this card?  The ribbon! How gorgeous is that ribbon! Its called the 1&1/4" Two-Tone Ribbon.. this one is the Pink Pirouette/Rose Red one, but it is also available in Basic Gray/Basic Black... which will definitely be on my next order. I love this ribbon.. it ties well and looks just beautiful.

So I can see lots of playing and creative moments in my future.. can you??

Dont forget that we have Sale-A-Bration (SAB) 2013 beginning on January 22nd. There are lots of free products to be had for everyone! If you want a SAB workshop at your place please contact me soon because I am booking spots pretty quickly.  As well, our new Auturmn catalogue starts on the 1st February. And on Thursday 11th January we have the last week on the Clearance Rack sale starting... if there are items that you would like to get your hands on at up to 70% off, then check out the sale by clicking on the pic below:

 And then email me your order as soon as you can to avoid disappointment.  Items sell out FAST!!!
Here is a close up of the ribbon on this card... cant get enough of it!

SAB 2013 - playing with Sycamore Street DSP

Just a quick blog post to brighten your day.  I've been playing with the lovely Sycamore Street Designer Series Paper (DSP) from Stampin'Up. This paper is one of the available selections in this year's SAB promotion. I am loving the colours in this paper and will have more projects to show you in the coming days.

This one is very simple.. predominantly Rich Razzleberry and white.  A quick 5 minute card that anyone can do.

Im enjoying the creative time whilst I am "officially" on holidays.. I wont be starting classes again until the week beginning 14th January. So stay tuned for class dates and times. I hope you have all been finding some time for yourselves over this Christmas and New Year period too.

Enjoy xx

SAB 2013 and Sycamore Street Paper

This year's SAB selection is the biggest we have ever had. For the unitiated, "SAB" stands for "Sale-A-Bration" and is Stampin'Up's biggest promotion of the year in my opinion. It starts this year on the 22nd January 2013, and finishes on the 22nd March 2013.  During this time we have a special SAB catalogue... and everything shown in the catalogue is free with a $100 order. Some of the items are stamp sets worth well over $30, but this time around we also have embossing folders, Beautiful papers, ribbon and button packs and LOTS of other items to pick from.

Hostesses also clean up during SAB with extra items available for hosting a party during this period. And not to be left out, those choosing to join as Demonstrators during the SAB promotion will receive an additional 25% of product value in their kit. So this means that for a cost of $169, you would receive $294 worth of product! That is an AWESOME deal, no matter how you look at it. And you can choose whatever you want for that value!

So contact me by emailing me (click HERE) if I can help with any of the above SAB offers.

In the meantime, today's card uses the beautiful Sycamore Street DSP which is one of the free items available in the SAB catalogue. Isnt it gorgeous? Love those colours together!

Dont forget that round 3 of the Clearance Rack Sale begins on the 4th January, so please email me if there is anything you would like from the list as items are selling fast each time a new list is released.  I will be putting in an order as closes to release time as possible so as to not miss out.  So all orders I receive by email tomorrow (3rd January) will go on that first order on the 4th.  Click on the pick below to see what's on offer this week coming.

Dont forget that the page numbers refer to the previous catalogue (ie the 2011-2012 Annual Idea Book and Catalogue) so these are discontinued items that are not normally available. Some items are as much as 70% off. Check them out!

It's 2013! Lots to be Grateful for!

What an amazing gift this life is! I want to take this moment to say thank you for all the support I have out there... both personal and professional... and I blessed I am!

I cant say how grateful I am to be able to do what I do for "work".  To be creative, to work from home, to connect with so many wonderful people. My children and I are healthy, and we live in a beautiful part of the world.  We live in a house that meets our needs, and we manage to keep ourselves afloat financially.

Sure, there are things I would love to improve on. I have some big plans in 2013... and I am excited to see them come to fruition.  But I dont want to forget to be thankful for what I have right now, at this moment.

Thank you to all my readers, customers and friends. I hope that 2013 brings you love and lots of happy moments. And if at all possible, some creative energy too. :-)

Happy New Year!!!!