Have been enjoying playing around with my Stampin' Around Wheel ® Bloomin'.  Have been doing some 'colouring in' using my ink pads.  Give the ink pad a squeeze before opening it then use an aquapainter or brush to paint!  Here are some quite quick and simple cards I made last night.

Those of you who have been to my place might be wondering where that rose came from?  Yes our yard is still officially a disaster zone but we have managed to keep our balcony plants kicking along while we wait for our retaining wall to get going so we can get a garden happening.  The rose came from Kristin and Steven Christmas 06 and is still alive and even flowering!  Smells gorgeous. Thank you rose for being my prop for the day while I have a bit of an arty farty photographer phase!

The cards use Whisper White, Bravo Burgundy, Brocade Blue, Perfect Plum and Sahara Sand.

The greeting is my trusty much used - Sincere Salutations.

Another quick (my specialty at the moment) card using In Full Bloom - the stamp set that coordinates with Bloomin' wheel.

Brocade Blue again.  Also used Itty Bitty Backgrounds and you guessed it Sincere Salutations.

Here is a close up of the flower from another card - which was done using the aquapainter and ink pad method described above.

Colours: Always Artichoke, Perfect Plum and Basic Black. 

Photo Album

I have just added a photo album to this ever expanding blog.  You can find it down the left column.  (Getting very busy these days in that left column! Don't get lost.)  If you click on 'Family Snaps' you will plonk straight to the album with a page of thumbnails (little photos.)  Click on any of the thumbnails to see the larger version.  Once I've got a collection of card photos happening I'll add a card album as well but that might do for today or we will have no clothes to wear .... yep still haven't done much with that laundry!

Cheers!

And one more post for today.  (I can hear my pile of dirty laundry protesting!) 

Here is a card I just finished.  (Have been doing lots on the computer lately and was itching to get back into my cardstock, stamps and ink!  Very relaxing.)

Stamp Sets: Riveting (Hostess Set)

Stampin' Around Wheel ®:  Bloomin'

Ink: Real Red, Basic Black, Always Artichoke, Basic Brown (bee!)

Designer Series Paper - Recollections

Cardstock: Sahara Sand, Basic Black, Real Red, Whisper White

Accessories: Aquapainter, Circle punches

Tip:  If you squeeze your Classic Stampin' Pad® in the centre then open it you can paint using the ink that will be on the lid and an aquapainter (or brush.)  Quite fun.  I used that method to colour the strip of flowers made using my Bloomin' wheel.  (I sound like Grandpa there!  Where is my bloomin' hat?)  Cheers!

Well it is that time of year! 

Each year around March 1st (we are a bit early this year!) Stampin' Up! releases a list of the stamp sets and accessories from the current catalogue that are going to be retired, and thus will not be found in the new catalogue that comes out April 1st, 2008.  The exciting thing is that they will be making room for lots of new goodies!  If you have had your eye on one of the retiring items now is the time to order!  Please email me if you would like to place an order, or phone me on 03 9325 4913.  Remember Australia Post can deliver your order right to your door. 

Special Offer:  I am offering my customers 10% off all retired items (subject to availability.)  Please note postage and handling (5%, minimum $5.95) needs to be calculated on the full price of the items.

The lists of retiring stamps and accessories can be found below.  I will be updating it each day.  Items listed in yellow are getting very, very low in stock and items listed in red are out of stock and no longer available (sigh!) 

Retiring Stamps

Retiring Accessories

Hi Folks,

It is your friendly blog help desk here.  Well not really - I am a complete newbie actually to the whole blog world but it is lots of fun.  Thought you might like a few tips and hints.

Subscribing

If you are enjoying this blog and would like to receive an email when I write a new entry you can now subscribe.  Have a look at the left hand column, about halfway down and you will see a space to type in your email address.  Then click on 'Subscribe Me.'  This is powered by Feedblitz.  Follow the instructions and in no time at all you will be subscribed and a friendly little email will appear in your inbox when I add a new post.  (Saves checking, or forgetting - I might get lonely!)  And of course you can unsubscribe at any time by just clicking on 'Unsubscribe' at the bottom of your email.

Quite a handy tool that subscribing button isn't it.  Do you know there are a bunch of little add ons you can get for your blogs? They call them widgets.   Sounds like a name for a puppy or a cute little kitten.  Come here widget!  But anyway I digress....

Subscriber Competition:

Subscribe before the end of March and go in the draw for a free 2008/09 Idea Book and Catalogue.  I'll put all the subscribers into a hat and Hannah can be in charge of drawing out a name on April 1st, 2008.    (For Australian residents and non SU demonstrators only - sorry!)

Leaving a Comment

If you stop by to read an entry or two, say g'day by leaving a comment (and you will have the added bonus of brightening my day!)  If you are not sure how to do this - read on!

At the bottom of the post (new entry) you will see that it says Comments (0) or if its been a busy day Comments (26) -  OK probably not likely!  If you click on the word comments you will go to a new page where you can add your hello.   

Any comments already left will be listed for you to read.  Then it says Post A Comment. 

Fill in your name (just your first name is fine, or a nickname if you are a bit unsure of all this online bizzo, really whatever name you wish to have published beside your comment.)  Then your email address - this is not published on the blog with your comment in case you were wondering.

There is a space that says URL.  If you have a website/blog you can fill in the address here.  If not, leave it blank.   If you do fill it in then others can visit your website/blog by clicking on your name beneath your comment.  (Your name will be a different colour.)

Leave a quick hello, or a question, or thought, or gush with admiration at a design (OK it really is getting a bit late at night here - can you tell!) 

And that is it.  Quite easy really.  Hope you enjoyed Comments and Subscribing 101. 

Create Your Own Blog?

Now I am completely new in 2008 to this whole blog world but am enjoying it already.  Give it a go, its lots of fun.  If you would like any help or tips on setting up your blog (OK admittedly from a complete novice!) then feel free to email me and I am happy to try to help.

Cheers folks!

Here is a bit of a sneak peek at one of the cards we will be making at our Technique Class on March 14th, 7.30pm at my place. 

We will be making 2 cards and a 2008 calendar bookmark and learning the techniques of embossing and emboss resist. 

You will receive a laminated instruction card (including photo) for each new technique. They attach to a ring to keep them together -if you come to a few classes you will end up with a nice little 'booklet' of techniques for reference.

Cost: $12 if you bring your own adhesive (photo tabs, double sided tape, snail - whatever you like to use) or $15 if you use mine.

Snail adhesive ($12.95) can be preordered from me for the night and will last for a number of classes. 

Email me or phone 9325 4913 to book a spot if you are interested in a relaxing, fun night of stamping and chatting!  (Places are limited - only 6 spots around my table.) 

Hope to see you there!

I made this birthday card to send to a friend using the Mostly Flowers set. 

I stamped 2 of the designs in Basic Black ink on Whisper White card to make the background.  Then I added another one stamped in Always Artichoke and adhered with a dimensional to raise it a little. The stamped design was then placed onto Always Artichoke card and to finish it off I stamped a birthday greeting - Sincere Salutations set - at the bottom.  You can't quite see in the photo but I used the paper piercer and mat pack to put a row of pierced holes at the bottom and top.

I like this stamp set.  We will be using it in my March Technique Class to do some embossing which gives quite a different look.  Our stamp sets are quite versatile and you can make such a range of different cards using the same set.  By changing the colours and techniques used you can make many different styles.  Quite handy!

Cheers,  Sue

Hannah started school this month.  Thought I'd pop a photo of my keen little schoolgirl here.  (Hello to all the friends and family having a look at my site!)   Her schoolbag looks huge -  it only has a school diary, drink bottle and lunchbox in it! 

And a quick snap I took of the kids waving John off as he drove out the driveway!

Originally posted 15 Feb

This was an invitation I made when I wanted to have a play with my Birthday Whimsy stamp set.

(This is one of the free stamp sets you can get during Sale-A-Bration when you spend $100. There are 4 sets to choose from - a great offer that finishes at the end of Feb.)

I didn't have any bright stamp pads in my collection but was quite happy with this colourful invite that used just Basic Black ink. All the cardstock is from our Bold Brights range. The base card is Glossy White. The greeting is from Sincere Salutations - such a useful stamp set. I also used a circle punch. (And of course a happy snap of my nephew - the birthday boy!)

It looks a little distorted there at the top. I just checked and it does look much straighter in real life!

Cheers.

Originally posted 14 Feb

This was a quick card to make. Stamped the flowers (from Springtime Stems) with Versamark and Very Vanilla Craft Ink onto Real Red cardstock. Used the paper piercer and mat pack to put a row of holes down the side of the Naturals Ivory strip. Used an old pair of scissors to scrape both long sides for some texture, and added faint colour with Stampin' Pastels. The 'Happy Birthday' is from Birthday Whimsy - stamped in Very Vanilla Craft Ink onto black card. A pewter piece of Hodgepodge Hardware holds the greeting and completes the card.

Sometimes I feel like making a card but am stuck for ideas or can't seem to make a start. (Otherwise known as fluffing about the place not achieving much! Don't we all have those days.) Our main catalogue is also an ideas book with many cards, scrapbook pages, gift boxes and other items for inspiration. At the back of the Idea Book and Catalogue there is an index which gives you a list of all the supplies used to make each item - very handy. Here is a card I adapted from the sample on page 77 of the current catalogue.

I used:

Stamp Sets: Touch Of Nature (thanks Lisa for lending me this one!)
Ink:Basic Brown, Always ArtichokeCardstock: Always Artichoke, Naturals - Ivory, Designer Series Double Sided - Enchante, Very VanillaAccessories: Hodgepodge Hardware (pewter), Grosgrain ribbon - Chocolate

The Idea Book/Catalogue is usually $12.95. Special offer: With orders over $50 it is just $6 and you can have one free with your first order over $100 (or if you host a workshop.)

Current Promotion: I am offering the 2007/2008 Catalogue for $6 until the end of March. (Or of course free for orders over $100 or for hostesses.) Please contact me (email address is in my profile) if you would like to place an order.

And for one last sample for today - a quick bookmark I quite liked. (Thank you to ColleenTeacher on http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ for the calendar template.)

I used Stem Silhouettes for this one - my favourite stamp set so far. I used my Rich Regals Markers instead of an ink pad so that I could make the buds and stems different colours.

Cardstock: Close to Cocoa and Naturals Ivory. Also: Versamark pad and Chocolate Grosgrain Ribbon.

That might be enough for today I think! Cheers, Sue.

Originally posted Feb 14

March Technique Class: Friday 14th March, 7.30pm at my place
Techniques: Embossing, Emboss resist

I am holding technique classes once a month. At each class we will learn 2 - 3 new techniques for stamping and cardmaking. You will receive a laminated instruction card (including photo) for each new technique. They attach to a ring to keep them together -if you come to a few classes you will end up with a nice little 'booklet' of techniques for reference. You will make 3 cards using the techniques learnt. (Or we might substitute another item such as a bookmark or gift box some months.) Come each month or just to one or two to get started or to get some inspiration.
Cost: $12 per class if you bring your own adhesive (photo tabs, double sided tape, snail - whatever you like to use) or $15 if you use mine.
Snail adhesive ($12.95) can be preordered from me for the night and will last for a number of classes or stamp a stacks.

Stamp a Stacks Cardmaking Fun: Sunday March 16th, 2 - 4pm at my place
I am also holding a 'Stamp a Stack' cardmaking session each month. We will each make 10 cards in a variety of designs. (And of course chat and have fun. Tim tams provided!) All materials supplied.
Cost: $15 per session if you bring your own adhesive (see above), $20 if you use mine.
Matched envelopes available - 10 for $3.

It would be helpful if you could bring along a small pair of scissors. (If you don't have any we can share!)

Contact me (by email or phone) to book a spot for March Technique Class or Stamp a Stack. (Limited places available - limited to who will fit around my dining table - 6 spots!) A great way to do some cardmaking, learn some new ideas and meet other friendly craft lovers or craft beginners.
If you like to make cards or think you'd like to give it a go, but never get time at home - book in now for some time out!


Now I had best go and pick up my daughter from school. School photos today so she is looking particularly cute with ribbons and plaits. (Or at least she was when she left - will see how the hair held up for the day!) Jack and I got nice and soaked in the 10 minute walk from the car to the classroom! Think I'd better put a plastic stroller cover on my shopping list!!

Cheers all,
Sue