Happy New Year... bring on 2015! Fry Box for cute HNY gifts!

Its the very last day of 2014, and I had thought i would post a video tutorial as my gift to you today. However the video that I started uploading LAST NIGHT has still not completed its upload.  So you will have to make do with this post instead... and hopefully the video will me up for you tomorrow.  So make sure you check back to see it :-)

I am on my way out for New Year's Eve drinks to a friend's house, and I thought I would take her over a little gift to see in the new year.  So this is what I came up with.  I used the Fry Box die to create a cute little gift box, and the gift inside is a lovely Christmas ornament for her Christmas tree next year. I stamped the greeting on the front and punched it out with the Modern Label punch, and layered that onto a large oval punched out of our gold glimmer paper.  The whole thing is in one of our larger sized cello bags, and tied up with some Sheer linen Cherry Cobbler ribbon.  I used the Note Tag punch to punch out a little tag for her and decorated it with Washi tape and glimmer paper.

All up it took a few minutes to put together.. but it's worth it to give a gift that looks so cute!

I would like to thank each and every reader for visiting my blog and online store in 2014... and I look forward to bringing you lots more inspiration, ideas and creativity in 2015!  Bring it on!

Happy New Year to everyone!

Linda xx

(PS Don't forget to check the class schedule for January... it resumes next week starting with the new Catalogue Launch so click on the Class Schedule tab above - and click HERE to book your spot)

Something Lacy White Embossed and coloured.... New Occasions Catalogue 2015

Another project to show you today... this one came together quite quickly. I wanted to do a beautiful background with the "Something Lacy" stamp from our new catalogue... and doing simple white embossing on Crumb Cake cardstock always works so well!  I also coloured some of the flowers with our Blendabilities alcohol markers, and added a sentiment on Vellum from the new "Butterfly Basics" stamp set.  You are going to love these new products!

If you'd like to play with them for yourself... come along to my Catalogue launch next week!  There will be projects to make, prizes to win, good food to eat, and Im also giving away some product samples.  Cost is only $20, and here are the dates and times:

Tuesday 6th January @ 7.30pm

or

Thursday 8th January @ 11am

If you'd like to book a spot, click HERE to email me and let me know.  I also have other classes listed for January and February... check out the class schedule above.  I look forward to seeing you at a class soon. :-)

Occasions Catalogue 2015 is nearly here... Love this Birthday Bash Paper!

I've been thinking about my projects for next week's Catalogue launch (click "Class Schedule" above for more details) and although I haven't completely decided on which projects to do, I am starting to form some ideas.  I love all the fresh new colours we have in the new catalogue, and today I wanted to show you a card made with the Birthday Bash DSP pack.  That's the paper used for the banner on this card... don't those colours look awesome??

I also used the new Chalkboard inks and Chalkboard paper for the sentiment, and added some of our GORGEOUS new Aqua sequin trim.. isn't that divine???  The button is actually from a pack of FREE  embellishments (ribbons and buttons) that is coming in our Sale-A-Bration offering also beginning next week... you'll get some of these great products for FREE with a $90 order.  So much to look forward to.. its all very exciting!

If you'd like to play with these items for yourself, I'd love to see you at my launch.  I am running both a daytime and a nighttime launch.. so be sure to check the details in the class schedule above.

Have an awesome day!

Linda x

Sale-A-Bration here we come... another Sneak Peek of what's coming!

Today I am showing off another card with new products... this time a combination of both new Occasions catalogue products AND Sale-A-Bration (SAB) products.  This year Stampin'Up has taken their wonderful co-ordination aspect a step further and has integrated the way we can use the new catalogue products with the SAB products. The colours work so well together for starters... but also the SAB brochure is full of project samples showing off products from both catalogues so you can see how they work together.  Such a great way to not only show off new products but to give you great ideas on how to use them for yourself!

I love the candy-gelato colours in this year's Sale-A-Bration DSP pack.  The colours are Coastal Cabana, Crushed Curry and Calypso Coral... such a fresh combination!  You have already seen some of the projects I've been creating with them in previous posts... but here's another one today for you.  (And there's more where that came from too)

So I stamped the one of the sentiments from the Adventure Awaits stamp set in Rose Chalk ink on to our new Chalkboard paper. In case you are wondering (I was) how the Chalkboard paper is different from Basic Black cardstock... I can report that it is totally different.  The chalkboard paper is stiffer and thicker to begin with, and there is definitely a right and wrong side.  The side you stamp on has a coating that feels like suede or velvet... and it does actually look like a chalkboard.. which is the point I suppose!  The rose ink gives a great result stamped straight on (like on this card) but I wasn't really happy with the aquamarine until I re-inked it. Much better now. I haven't tried the yellow yet.. but my friend has that one, and it gave a great result.  I'll be getting that on my next order :-)

Also from the new catalogue I used the new "Stacked with Love" Washi tape.  I cut the sentiment with our Banner framelits - of course thats in the Annual catalogue, not the new catalogue coming out in January.

The background paper that I used is some of the new SAB paper, and the ribbon is an SAB item as well.  The point to SAB stuff is simple... for every $90 you spend on any products after the 6th January you will get to pick a FREE PRODUCT from the SAB brochure. How good is that?  The paper and ribbon you see here is just a couple of a great offering of SAB products.

So how do you get them?  3 ways:
1. Buy products - for every $90 you spend you get a free SAB product of your choice!
2. Host a workshop - LOTS of extra freebies for workshop hostesses between the 6th January and 31st March
3. Join as a Demonstrator - join SU during the SAB dates and you not only get $235 worth of product (for only $169) BUT you can also choose any 2 free SAB items OR choose any project kit

For more information on ANY of these options.... please contact me to learn more. Click HERE!

Love super simple? Then you're going to LOVE this awesome Butterfly Basics bundle!

Don't you love it when something is so simple its ridiculous?  But it looks beautiful anyway?  This new Butterfly Basics bundle from Stampin'Up is going to fit the bill!  Already I've used it to create several cards (HERE is another one i posted on my blog a couple of weeks ago), the thing I love about this particular card is that it took about 5 minutes to make.  I promise, its really quick!

The card was inspired by a similar card I saw created by Vanessa Webb when visiting her last week... Thank you again Ness for letting me CASE your design!

One layer cards can be hard to pull off... unless of course you have the right tools.  For the gold butterfly you will need your Big Shot or other die cutting tool, and the butterfly framelit used here is the middle sized butterfly in the set (there are three altogether).  The smallest one actually fits one of the stamps in the matching set. The "collage look" background was created using some of the stamps in the set... I layered them quite randomly in the left hand corner of the card. The butterfly was then "perched" on the background, and a sentiment from the same stamp set was added.

If you are wondering how to get your hands on these new products for yourself... I have good news, and bad news!  The bad news is that you will have to wait a little longer because they won't be released until January 6th, 2015.  BUT the good news is that you can get your hands on the gorgeous new Occasions Catalogue NOW! Please contact me to have your copy mailed to you (Australian customers only) Or if you follow my FACEBOOK BUSINESS PAGE you can message me there too.

And EVEN BETTER... I'm holding a brand new CATALOGUE LAUNCH on the day of its release!  If you'd like to play with the products you see here today PLUS lots of other gorgeous goodies to create with... come to my launch!  Here are the details:

Tuesday 6th January 2015 @ 7.30pm

or Thursday 8th January 2015 @ 11am

There will be gorgeous projects to make, refreshments, and prizes.  If you'd like to not only see what's new but get your hands on it, then this is your chance!!  Cost is $20 and includes all supplies, catalogues, free samples, prizes and refreshments.  Address supplied when you book in.  All my classes, including this launch are held on the Central Coast of NSW.  Don't delay in booking though... numbers are strictly limited to ensure we all have enough space to work.  Click HERE to book your spot!

Handmade gifts to show off and A Merry Christmas to everyone!

Today I haven't actually posted one of my creations... instead I wanted to show you a beautiful gift I received from the talented Vanessa Webb.  Vanessa is not only one of my closest friends, she is also a fabulous ambassador for Stampin'Up and I always come away from our visits with lots of inspiration and ideas.

I love her Christmas gift this year... hand stamped coasters which look simply fantastic bundled up with a striped grosgrain ribbon and tag.  I wonder why we don't give handmade gifts more often... a lot of people say its a lack of time-thing... but it takes time and even more money to visit the shops and choose a gift to purchase!  Handmade gifts are not only made with love by the giver, but they are rewarding to make AND to give. And ultimately save you time AND money!  I treasure all my handmade gifts!

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a truly wonderful Christmas... and I wish you lots of creative adventures in 2015!  If you'd like to adventure on this journey together then please visit my blog again... or even better "like" my Facebook Business page for regular updates.  Click HERE to take a look, and then choose "like" to see what I've been up to!

See you all soon :-)

Masculine Card with new 2015 Occasions Catalogue products

I've been having a lovely day creating up a storm with my partner -in-craft Vanessa today!  Its always fun to get out all our new products from an upcoming catalogue and play with them! And it also means that we can try each other's products too... things that we have our eyes on, but haven't yet acquired :-)

So I brought down a big box of new stuff... much of it unopened, and we got to work. I tried my new set called "Adventure Awaits" to create this Masculine card... I also used the "Adventure Bound" designer series paper stack as it goes with the sentiment so well.  A quick card from me today, but i do really like how it turned out.

Looking forward to sharing more new products with you!  Would you like to play with them for yourself?  Come along to my new catalogue launch... here are the dates:

Tuesday 6th January 2015 @ 7.30pm

or Thursday 8th January 2015 @ 11am

There will be gorgeous projects to make, refreshments, and prizes.  If you'd like to not only see what's new but get your hands on it, then this is your chance!!  Cost is $20 and includes all supplies, catalogues, free samples, prizes and refreshments.  Address supplied when you book in.  All my classes, including this lunch are held on the Central Coast of NSW.  Don't delay in booking though... numbers are strictly limited to ensure we all have enough space to work.  Click HERE to book your spot!

Playing with new Stampin'Up products to be released in January 2015

More new stuff! Chalkboard paper and Chalk inks, gorgeous new DSP,  Bermuda Bay sequin trim, Washi tap, and SAB buttons and stamps.. which are some of the FREE Sale-A-Bration products available this year.  You can come to classes or clubs in January onwards to play with these gorgeous things :-)

Or book a workshop to play with them with your friends at your place, but book quickly as I don't have a lot of dates left for January!  SAB freebies will be available from January 6th to March 31st.  In my 8 years of being with Stampin'Up I can honestly say that this year's offering I believe is our best EVER!  Very exciting :-)

To have your own January Catalogues sent to you, please contact me by clicking HERE.

Scrapbook layout with new SAB and Occasions catalogue products

I thought you might like to see a simple Scrapbook layout that I have designed for my January Scrapbooking clubs.  I made the banners out of our new SAB paper called "Best Year Ever" (free with a $90 order!) and I love how the colours look together.  The black banner flag is made with our upcoming Chalkboard paper, and stamped on with Chalk ink.  Something new in our upcoming Occasions catalogue :-) ... Im thinking about running a technique class with this in January, so stay tuned for that.   I've also added some new upcoming embellishments... like the aqua sequin trim, washi tape and the Gold Butterfly which is a framelit die that I used with my Big Shot. You'll be seeing lots more of those butterfies!!

So a quick and simple page... but an effective way to show off your photos :-)

Stay tuned for more new stuff over the coming weeks, and there'll be a launch too.

To request an Occasions/SAB catalogue, please email me by clicking HERE.   And don't forget that our current Holiday catalogue comes to an end on January 5th.. so if there is anything in there that you are after, don't leave it too long to place your order.  Many of the products in that catalogue will be discontinued.

Enjoy!

Last Christmas card classes of the year!

This week sees my very last Christmas card classes of the year.... this season has flown by! So if you find yourself with still a few last cards to make, you are in good company! I have almost filled my Tuesday evening class, but I do have some spots left at the Wednesday class.  So that's Wednesday 17th December at 11am. We'll be making 6 simple cards (3 each of 2 different designs) and so you'll go home with more beautiful cards to send out this Christmas.  The cost is only $20 and includes all materials and refreshments.

If you would like to join us click HERE to book in. The card you see here today is one of our two designs.

I'll be putting up my January schedule very shortly... so make sure you click on the Class Schedule tab above to view what's new.

I look forward to seeing you soon :-)

New SAB products to show you

I had my first play with the new Sale-a-Bration DSP today, and the matching buttons too.  As always there is a great offering of awesome free products in the upcoming Sale-a-Bration period, which begins on 6th January 2015.  And the very first thing I opened up was the new DSP pack, called "Best Year Ever" (how appropriate).. and there's also a ribbon and button pack which co-ordinates with the paper.

Even though I am always excited about the SAB offering.. This time I think its the best i've seen in years! I can't wait to show you what else is coming up!  So many gorgeous things.. and the best bit is that many of them are free for you!

So stay tuned for more lovely SAB and new catalogue items... I've got lots to show you!  Or "like" my Facebook business page to see even more updates. Click HERE to be taken straight to the page.

Enjoy this simple card!  It is just 4 pieces of paper punched with the 1"square punch and then 2 of the corners are rounded off. I added a new SAB button in the middle. The sentiment is from the new "Butterfly Basics" stamp set that will be featured in the upcoming Occasions catalogue.

Linda x

Sneak Peek of new Products from the 2015 Occasions Catalogue

Today is an exciting day for me as my Big Brown Box of lovely NEW products arrived on my doorstep!  As a Stampin'Up Demonstrator I enjoy the perk of seeing and getting my hands on new products before they are released to customers, and it always feels like Christmas when the new products arrive :-)

My kids are now home on Summer holidays and my son "helped" me open the box and then I got to see what everything looks like in real life! So many awesome products that you will get to see over the next few months.. but for now you get to see into my box of goodies :-)

Within a few minutes I had opened up a couple of the items inside and created the card you see at the top of this post!  For a quick and easy card, it turned out beautifully.  That's what I love about Stampin'Up products.. you don't need to be really clever or know lots of difficult techniques to create beautiful cards... just working with awesome products that co-ordinate and work together beautifully is enough. The hard work really is done for us!

Here's a close up below... I'll have lots more to show you over the coming weeks!  Also, if you haven't liked my Facebook page you are missing out on some ideas and inspiration over there too.  Click HERE to visit the page and hit the "like" button so that you can keep up with whats happening.

And if you'd like to play with the products for yourself... book a party with me in January-March.  Not only will you be able to create something beautiful with your friends, but you will get to take advantage of the Sale-A-Bration benefits at that time of year. Don't miss out!  To book.. contact me by clicking HERE. :-)

Enjoy!

Linda x

White Christmas stampset to create a beautiful Christmas scene

I've been enjoying the use of this lovely Christmas set, and finding lots of ways to use it. Today I stamped the trees with Memento ink onto Whisper White cardstock, and then simply coloured the background with ink and aqua painters for a softer look. Very simple but came up so pretty.

If you would like to create Christmas cards with me, I am running two last Stamp-A-Stack dates next week.  We will be making 6 cards (3 each of two different designs) for a cost of $20.  All materials and refreshments are provided. Here are the dates:

Tuesday 16th December @ 7.30pm

or

Wednesday 17th December @ 11am

I do still have places available at time of writing.  To book your spot, email me by clicking HERE.

I will be updating the January schedule very shortly!

Linda x

Too exciting not to share... I've earned myself a free trip to Hawaii!

Well.. in truth "I" didn't earn it by myself.. it would be more precise to say that WE earned it!  I've been working on achieving the latest Incentive Trip with Stampin'Up (these days they call it the "Grand Vacation" or "GV") and this week I actually reached my goal!  I say that "WE" earned it because there is no way I could earn trips like this one without the support of my totally AWESOME customers and fabulous Stampin'Up team.  You guys ROCK!!!  Sure, I work hard, and am very consistent with what I do, but I want you to know that I am both very blessed and very GRATEFUL for every order, every person who comes to my classes and events, and every member of my team. You guys inspire me and motivate me to keep going... even when the going gets a little tough!

So I will be packing my bags for myself and my guest to travel to Hawaii in May 2015... I have been there once many years ago... but we were on a very tight budget last time.  This time we will be spoiled rotten by Stampin'Up and I can't wait to see what its like to see Hawaii in style!  Ultimately I am so thankful to Stampin'Up for being the company that they are.. for providing these fabulous reward trips, and for having so much HEART... which is why I stay, and why love my job even more today than I did when i joined them 8 years ago. This Hawaii trip will be my 7th Trip with Stampin'Up, but you never lose enthusiasm for the trips.. they are each completely different and totally awesome. In 2015, the South Pacific demonstrators will be joined by the North American and Canadian demonstrators, and there are lots of awesome demonstrators that I am looking forward to getting to know a little better.

So thank you so MUCH..... and ALOHA!

White Christmas for cute and simple cards

The stamp set I am using today is called "White Christmas"... its a cute little set with a number of cute images that enable you to make a Christmas or Wintry scene.

One of my customers actually loaned this one to me as I don't own it myself, but I've been watching all the cool things online that other people have been creating with it... and now its my turn!  So you might see a few things with this set while I have the chance to use it :-)  Thank you Olivia for letting me use your lovely set!

Today's effort is a simple one. I stamped the main image of the trees twice.. first on our All is Calm DSP (which kind of reminds me of snow?) and then again on a piece of Sahara Sand cardstock. I cut along the curve of the ground and then layered them over each other so it looks as though the DSP is the sky background. I added a punched glimmer star, a bird from the same stamp set, and a deer.  All just stamped with black Memento ink. The deer I coloured with white ink applied with a blender pen, the bird is just coloured with a Cherry Cobbler marker.  Lastly I added the sentiment, also found in the White Christmas set. All up, this card took around 10 minutes to make.

Enjoy it today. We have a busy day ahead - my 12 year old has her Year 6 graduation (so finishing primary school), which includes a dinner out tonight. So I'd better get stuck into my day!

Happy Creating!

Linda x

Simple Christmas... Project life card + glimmer + sentiment = done in 5 minutes

Want an easy way to catch fast on your Christmas cards?  Pull out your project life cards... if you have any of Stampin'Up's Christmas kits you'll be all set to go. Add a card, an embellishment or glimmer, and a sentiment and you are DONE!

I love SIMPLE for Christmas... especially when there are so many other things to be focusing on!

Here are my supplies... (its not too late to order and have your supplies or gifts back well before Christmas... click on the items below to order them!)

Naturals White A4 Card Stock

$12.95

Hello December Project Life Card Collection

$12.95

Gold Fancy Designer Vellum Foil

$18.95

Watercolor Winter Too Photopolymer Stamp Set

$20.95

Clear Block H

$13.95

Cherry Cobbler Classic Stampin' Pad

$9.95

Red Glimmer Paper

$8.95

Table by StampinBuddy. Try it FREE.

I decorated my Project Life Album....

Disclaimer: This is not my idea!  I saw the cover of this cute album first decorated by the very talented US demonstrator Kay Kalthoff.. and thought what a great idea!  So i decorated mine too.  I added some of our Cherry Cobbler Sheer Linen Ribbon, and used white ink sponged on with the "Dots and Stars" Mask.  All up it took about 5 minutes to do!

Even undecorated the 6"x8" Project Life album makes a fantastic gift! You could give it as a stand alone item along with the Page Protectors, or you could add the Project Life cards, and even the accessory pack.  Or if you are feeling really creative.. you could make the album up with the cards... all they then have to do is to slide their photos into the pockets!

So if this sounds like a great gift idea to you... now is the time to order it and it will be delivered well before Christmas :-)

Have a lovely day!

Linda x

Here is my title page to my album... I've been keeping up with all the photos this week too!

Here is the 1st December page...  making Gingerbread Houses

And then 2nd December... putting up the Christmas tree.

And don't forget about the Super specials on right now... some things are marked down by up to 80% Here is the link to the list for you... Or just visit the ONLINE STORE, and its all in there.


http://www3.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ItemList.aspx?categoryid=15

End of year Super Specials - up to 80% off current and retired products!

Want to get some awesome deals on gifts for your crafty friends.. or lets be honest... for yourself!?  You've come to the right place... you can visit the Online Store where there are loads of bargains. Then you can place your order online through the store OR you can contact me by email or Phone on 0412 375 552

If you do choose to order online, the advantage is that the order is shipping directly to your door... and this can be to any address in Australia for a low postage charge.

But remember the clearance stuff is only available while stocks last!

Wondrous Wreath Card... come and make it with me tomorrow!

If you find yourself with any available time tomorrow, I have a Stamp-A-Stack running with spots available. In fact I have one tonight too, but that one is full... so if you'd like to come and make Christmas cards with me this is your chance!  We will be making 6 card in total (3 each of two different designs) and the card you see here is one of them :-)

Here are the details of tomorrow's class...

Date: 3rd December 2014
Time: 11am
Cost: $20 - all materials and lunch provided.

To book a spot, email me by clicking HERE. Or for other classes.. click on the "Class Schedule" Tab above.

I hope to see you soon!