Beautiful Bunch Clear-Mount Bundle

Did you know you can, bundle and save! Buy these two coordinating products and save 15%.

These beautiful flowers are even better as they have been made into a Two-Step Stampin' set. Two-step sets have a base image and overlay images that you can combine over the base image. Use the colours and images you want to create the bouquet you want. 

This is a a great set, this is what you get in this bundle

• 6 rubber stamps
• Fun Flower Punch

Arrows Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

It's easy to make a great impression! Just place flat cardstock in this embossing folder, run it through the Big Shot, and out comes cardstock with a bold textured design.

I hope you have all recovered from Christmas day and all the celebrations. I am looking forward to New Year and wondering what 2016 will bring.

Rainbow Stamping technique

Another technique video from Stampin' Up! This one is the Rainbow Technique. Don't you just love how they make all these great videos for us?

See how to get a rainbow look with your stamped images using different colored ink pads! Katie from the Sampin' Up! team shows you step by step this fun stamping technique using Stampin' Up! products.

Garden in Bloom cards

Grow a flower patch with stamps, ink, and paper. Add encouraging sentiments. Then share with the people in your life.
Use just the outline stamp or the solid stamp, or use them both together for more creative combinations.

Take a look at page 119 of the Catalogue.

If this is something that you would like to replicate, contact me or place an order online for the stamp set and any of the other products you will need to complete these cards. Below is a list of some of the products you will need.

Creating Watercolor Backgrounds Using Your Clear Block

Everyone that comes to my classes each week will know how I love techniques that incorporating these techniques into making unique cards.

Learn how you can create a watercolor background using markers and your clear stamp block. Brian from the Stampin' Up teeam shows you just how simple it is.



It all looks pretty easy doesn't it? I think I will have to have a play with this idea, so stay tuned and you might see some of my variations on this technique.

Have a Berry nice day...

I hope you are all enjoying the videos that I have been sharing. I love being part of the Stampin' Up! family as they help you out along the way by providing support and advice and also videos. We are very lucky as we get to see all the new goodies before anyone else and we get to see samples of cards and other projects to give us inspiration.

From the 5th January during Sale-A-Bration is the best time of year to join Stampin' Up! During Sale-A-Bration, you can become a demonstrator for just $169 and choose $60 more of FREE products for your Starter Kit. Plus, the kit ships for free! I'll leave you to think about Sale-A-Bration as I can't show you any goodies just yet. Yes I know, I am such a tease....

So here is another video that Stampin' Up! have created for us. Hopefully it will compensate for my teasing. It is showcasing the Berry Basket Bigz L Die and I do love this die for so many reasons. Make a berry basket that’s just the right size to hold a little something special. After you have watched this video to learn what you can do with some paper, a Big Shot, and the Berry Basket Bigz L Die, you will want one for yourself.



I just have to show you a gorgeous basket made by Amy Koenders as a Valentines gift. What do you recon, is it cute or what?

My Bouquet to you

Did you have a great Christmas Day? I hope Santa visited and left you some goodies. Ours was a very quiet one as all the family is having a White Christmas in Canada.


I'm looking back through my old catalogue and found a Die that I have seen made up in lots of different ways and colours. It's the Bouquet Bigz L Die and I really love it so why not share pretty stuff on Boxing Day

Who would have thought this little die could create such a lovely bouquet.

  Why not create your own bouquet at any time of the year with the Bouquet Bigz L Die. Watch this video to learn what you can do with some paper, a Big Shot, and the Bouquet Bigz L Die.

Let's make a Gift Bow

We make bows with ribbon, baker's twine, even fabric but let me show you how to make some lovely bows using the Gift Bow Bigz L Die. This die is so easy to use and the end result is beautiful!

To use the die build your regular sandwich using the Standard Cutting Pads, and run it through the Big Shot.





You can create die-cut accents, shapes, and 3D items in record time using this die and don't forget you don't have to use paper only, why not try fabric or even leather.

Check out these 3D santas created by Mi ran Bigrigg. I know it is a little late now for this Christmas, but why not start really, really, really early.

Hamburger box or cute container

Boxes don't have to be boring!

This video will show you how to use the Hamburger Box Bigz XL Die to create a container just right for any small gift—especially a tasty treat.

Spiral Flower Originals Die

As a crafter I love making flowers and now there is an easy and quick way of making some beauties. Learn the easiest way to make a perfect paper flower by watching the video below.

 Paper flowers are beautiful but cutting them by hand is tedious, especially if you're making more than one or two. Now you can cut a flower in seconds with the Spiral Flower Originals Die and Big Shot. And you can cut multiple sheets at one time or use different materials. After the flowers are cut, just roll and adhere. Make one, make a ton—either way, you'll have them done in no time!



If you want to take it one step further take a look at Anne Matasci's directions on making one out of denim.

Weekly Deals 23 Dec - 29 Dec

The Irristable Designer Series Paper in this weeks Weekly Deals is fabulous. I love the resist technique as this allows you to sponge or spritz over the card and then rub off the colour over the resist. Some of you may remember doing this in my Technique class.

That beautiful Glimmer paper is back, it is always good to stock up on it. I am a big fan of the Seam Binding ribbon too, it makes gorgeous bows as well as scrunching it up or making fringes out of it and who can go past the Basic Black Bakers Twine? Not me.

I shall be putting in an order for these items so if you would like to get some of these yummy products, email me or call and I shall add them to my order.

Don't forget the Texture Boutique Machine

We all love our Big Shot, BUT, I also love this little machine.

Why? Because my husband says I can take it camping as it doesn't take up too much room and is very light. I organise all my card making around this little beauty when we go on holidays. I love cards that have an embossed background, it makes them look so classy.

This machine is retiring and has been reduced greatly in price, so if you want it, grab it now before it is gone.

Cutie Pie Thinlits Dies

Make die-cut boxes for individual treats, or create a whole cake! Cut out these boxes in record time with Thinlits dies and the Big Shot.

Wouldn't this be great for a Birthday party. Angela Lorenz a fellow Australian demonstrator has made this as a Birthday celebration cake.

Each slice could contain goodies that the guests are given to take home.

I know it is too late for this Christmas but look what Amy Storrie another Stampin' Up! demonstrator has done with them for Christmas.

This video will show you how. 

MAKE JUST ONE MORE

Everyone gives cards. Families who are staying at Ronald McDonald Houses® have occasions for card-giving too. But since their focus is on their children who are receiving medical care, they just might not have the time (or money) to go to the shop and buy a birthday card for nana or a thank-you card for the neighbour who’s collecting their mail and doing the lawns.

This is where you come in: RMHC House families need cards.

You make cards at my classes. So let's make just one extra card to donate to our local House. Maybe a Birthday, thank-you or a thinking of you card as these are always needed, so as well as making your cards in class, I will give you the materials to "make just one more". So come along and help Make a difference in someones life. If you do not attend any of my classes but would still like the opportunity to makes some cards for charity. please contact me and I can arrange a day.

Wondrous Wreath Stamp Set

Are you still making your last minute Christmas cards?

Why stamp a holiday wreath in one colour when it’s simple to make it awesomely colourful? Watch and see how to layer colours and images with the Wondrous Wreath Stamp Set. Cutting it out is super simple too when you use the coordinating Wonderful Wreath Framelits Dies.

Who's dreaming of a beachside Christmas?

For us here in Australia, snow and a white Christmas is quite foreign to us. Our Christmas is hot, many of us are heading for the beach to cool off and do a bit of surfing or just lolling around in the shallows.
So a Gingerbread House covered in snow is not something we would usually relate to.

Stampin' Up! had a Global Christmas Gingerbread House Contest and so the team from the Sydney office of Stampin' Up! decided to enter the contest with not a snowflake in sight.  

Guess What!!
The Christmas Beach House won best house overall; giving them bragging rights to all their co-workers!

What do you think pretty neat...

 

I hope the gingerbread bikini girl has slip, slop slapped!!!

(translation put on sunscreen)

 

Look at our lovely support team. Such a sweet group of girls.

Thank You - Boxes of Cards

I spent the day today going through my stash of cards and choosing packs of cards to give to some very kind people. My husband underwent an operation which was very unexpected. Instead of flying to Canada and spending a wonderful Christmas with all the family, we have now had to change our plans. Because of this, Flight Centre at Capalaba Park was visited on several occasions to sort out all the tickets and cancellations etc. I cannot thank them enough for sorting out all the ticketing and insurances. The customer service we have received from them was phenomenal.  It is very comforting to know that there are still businesses that will go the extra mile.

I have made up 4 boxes of cards using my favourite tool, the Envelope Punch Board and as well as Flight Centre I will be handing out these to other very caring people that have gone out of their way to make our lives a bit easier right now.

 

I hope they will like them. I am just so grateful to so many people for their kindess.

Year End Sale

 

It's the end of the year, so Stampin' Up! are cleaning their inventory and making room for new products--and they're offering you some great savings while they do it!  They are adding more products to the clearance rack and discounting select items from the holiday catalogue. 

(Products on the Holiday Retiring List are now discounted up to 40 percent.)

 During the Year-End Sale, you can find ALL discounted products in one location in the online store: under the Year-End Sale category. So don't fret if you don't see the category "Clearance Rack" on the online store right now--it has been integrated into the Year-End Sale.

My contribution to Faded Feathers

Life can sometimes be fantastic and sometimes be very trying. It is the trying times that we all need to know that there is someone out there that cares.

A friend in my Paper Angels group has asked for donations of Birthday Cards for her Faded Feathers . Please check out the link to see what Faded Feathers is all about. In a very short sentence it is for the local Respite Centres for Alzheimer's/Dementia clients to give to Carers.

I was having a big clean up the other day and decided to remake some of my cards into Birthday cards for this purpose.

In the New Year I plan to have some days set aside to make some more Birthday Cards and would be thrilled if anyone would like to join me in my studio and help with this project. Either bring your own card stock or I am happy to supply. Let me know if you would like to participate.

Weekly Deals 16 Dec - 22 Dec

Oh my word how fast is Christmas coming up now!! Are you ready?
Here are this weeks Weekly Deals, you may find something in here as a gift for a fellow crafter or something that you have been after for a while.

I love the Cotton Paper and the flowers it produces. Also in this weeks deals is the Floral Frames Framelits and they work well with the Cotton Paper to make some really lovely flowers. I have added a video to show you how easy it is to create some flowers.

You might be thinking that there are not many Weekly Deals this week. Well don't worry, the Year End Sale and the Clearance Rack are now combined and some of the products are 60% off. (While stocks last)
 
Want to order from these weekly deals or the Year End Sale?  Let me know and I can place the order for you or order online and get it delivered straight to you.

Christmas Greetings

As we wade our way through the shops and decide what to have for Christmas Dinner don't forget to stop and breathe.

Our families are sometime spread far and wide and it is not always possible to be with them. We will be experiencing a quiet Christmas this year and I would like to take this opportunity to send out the very best of wishes to all my dear friends, new and old.

Huge hugs to all my family, some of them I have not seen for years but are always in my thoughts.

Have a very Merry Christmas and a splendid New Year.

My last Bluecare class for 2015

My last Blucare class for 2015 was very quiet as many of the residents have been getting prepared for Christmas Celebrations and it has left them rather weary.

I was please to see my two favourites arrive and these two have been coming along for 4 years now. So it was a delight to have them all to myself and my wonderful helper Kerry Kelly and spend a little extra time chatting. Kerry supplied some yummy chockie Santas.

We made some lovely cards and I promised to see them in the New Year.

 

The clean up continues

This is such a nice area to sit and while away the morning.

The coloured glass shines through and makes beautiful colours on the walls.

 

The hanging plants and orchids make the heat of the day feel not so hot. 

My little Wire Angel traveled back from Italy with me. As soon as I saw her I knew where she was going to live.   

 

I must be one of the luckiest crafters in Brisbane. Looking out on this every day and my wonderful husband made all this happen. He is such a gem.

Studio clean up

Didn't this year fly by? It is now time to relax and spend some special time with family and friends. I made a deal with myself that I could do that once I sorted out my Studio. So I set to work with the determination to clear out my storage room as well as the studio itself.

This was my table  in the Studio before I started. Oh my goodness, what a mess. This is what happens when you have classes and a few workshops with no time in between to put things away. 

So the air conditioner went on and the magic started.

 

 

Even the display shelf in the Studio got a face lift. All the samples created on my Envelope Punch Board are now proudly displayed. Gee I love that tool!!!!

 

Then came the store room. I am lucky enough to have a little room off the studio to store my stamps and all the other  items that a crafter "NEEDS" I even have a little display of retired stuff that I keep for inspiration or just because I like it.

I also keep a lot of cards so decided to organise them as well. Yep I did tell you I was determined to make some magic happen.

 

What is that, you are asking? 

Did I paint that lovely man? 

No I didn't, but my daughter did. She painted this when she was in high school and as she didn't want it I grabbed it. I love it.  

Finally both the studio and the storage area was done, phew. Then I looked outside and decided to tissy the entrance up.

Envelope Punch Board revisited

I am always excited when I pull out this little tool.

Of course playing with my favourite tool got me all inspired again. So I decided to see what happened if I used the same measurements with punching and scoring but use different size paper.

My first one I made using 12x12 paper.

I then went down an inch using 11x11

Then yet again using 10x10

Yet again using 9x9

Lastly using 8x8

Have you an Envelope Punch Board and haven't yet explored the possibilities? Hopefully I have inspired you a wee bit.