My mum made Hannah and Jack these gorgeous advent calendars.  Pop over to Aussie Scrapbooking if you'd like to know more.  I wrote an article (here) to share the details.  They are such a great idea and the kids can't wait for December to clock over to start using them.  (I on the other hand could use an extra few weeks of November I think!)

Here is Hannah's.

And here is Jack's.

It is nice to have something unique - made specially for them.  

I guess it is a bit like that with hand crafted cards or gifts too - that extra touch of special to know that someone has spent time making something just for you. 

For the last few years my mother in law Fran has made a quilt for a grandchild each Christmas.  Jack's turn was last year.  Here is his.  Wow - so much work and love has gone into them.

Are you making anything - cards, gifts, ornaments - this Christmas?? 

Then before we know it, it will be time for new years resolutions.   Think I should put getting fit onto mine!  We went to the pool today with the kids.  Before we headed off, I was sitting in the bathroom on a ledge with my bathers on and Hannah asked me, 'Mum, why does your tummy fold over 3 times when you sit down?'

Why indeed! 

Kids - gotta love 'em!

Cheers,

Sue

... would have to be Always.  I just love that heart and the little branch thingy, and the bird. 

If you've been eyeing off this set or any of the other goodies from the Spring Mini Catalogue - just a reminder that it finishes at the end of this weekend.  *Sob* 

I can take orders over the weekend by phone or email if there's something you just have to add to your craft stash.  (If you don't have a copy you can browse through it online here.)

In other news - Stampin' Up have extended the individual marker promotion until the 14th December due to popular demand.  So a couple of extra weeks there to choose your favourite colours.  $4.95 each.

I'm putting the finishing touches on my December newsletter.  This month as well as the usual cards, info about Stampin' Up specials, 'on the web', and class dates and details,  there's also a couple of pages with  info, hints and tips about ink pads.  Everything you've always wanted to know about them.  Well - that might be a bit of a stretch!  OK lots of interesting tidbits including step by step instructions for how to get the lids back on if you happen to find yours has somehow come off!

There's a tutorial this month too for a gift card holder - great for dressing up those last minute gift cards.  At the rate I am going with my Christmas shopping I'm certainly going to need a few! 

Keep an eye on your inbox on Monday if you're a subscriber.  Pop your email address in the registration box on the left there if you'd like to join the list. 

And have a great weekend!

Cheers, Sue

Hello,

I've got a card idea for you today for anyone wanting to use some scraps of Christmas paper.  Maybe you have some left from a previous card making session, or from scrapbooking.  Here's a simple card design to make use of little pieces.

The Recipe

Stamp Sets: In The Stars (from the new Summer mini.  You can order this set from December 1st.)  The greeting is from The Snowflake Spot.

Papers: Various designs from a pack of Dashing patterned paper (pg 136) and matching cardstock - Very Vanilla, Old Olive and Real Red.

Inks: Real Red, Old Olive and Gold Encore Pad.

Other: Real Red thin grosgrain ribbon and Stampin' Dimensional foam tabs to lift the star.

Here they are individually.  Got a favourite colour??

Family News

Hannah started tap dancing lessons this year and she had her first dancing concert last night.  So cute!

She looked so different all dressed up in sparkly costumes and makeup.  

She was thrilled to have her mum, dad, little brother, Maddy, Poppy and Aunty Lisa in the audience clapping and we all had a great night.  My skills with the camera let me down - grrr - and heaps of my shots were blurry and bleughh, but did manage a couple of nice ones.

Now getting rid of that mascara was another story altogether!  Hee hee!

Hope you're having a great week.  Back with some more cards soon.

Cheers, Sue

It is nearly that time of year when Christmas cards start arriving in the mail.  But what do you do with them afterwards??

For a couple of ideas you might like to visit Aussie Scrapbooking today and read my article on the topic.

Or click here and see if you can find me in the Aussie Scrapbooking Top 100 list. 

Have you started your Christmas cards yet this year??  I've done a few samples for classes but haven't made much of a dent in the Christmas list.  I have a great idea for my design this year - just have to sit down and get it happening!  I'm sure the days start speeding up in November! Seems like it only just started and here we're nearly at the end of it!

I spent today at Milleara Craft Market and did get half a dozen Christmas cards made while I was there so that's a start.  I'll take some pics and post photos this week so pop back for a peek if you are after some festive inspiration.

Hello to all the people who stopped by my table today - it was lovely to meet some new craft lovers.  Congratulations to Mona from Avondale Heights who won the basket of Christmas papers, stamps and matching ribbon. 

Have a great week everyone!

Cheers, Sue

I love to spend some time browsing through blogs, jumping from one to another as I have a cuppa.  So many talented people out there with ideas to share.  One that often sends me straight to my craft desk to give something a try is Teneale Williams.  You can see her blog here.

When I saw this gorgeous card I just had to give it a go.  First I tried a simple version in Bashful Blue.

Then a more dressed up version with the addition of some ribbon, and a hat pin and beads from the Pretties Kit.

Stamp Sets:  Touch of Nature and Paisley Background Stamp

Colours: Bashful Blue for the top one and Pretty in Pink for the bottom one.

Other: Vellum cardstock and white embossing powder for the butterflies, pink tafetta ribbon, Pretties Kit, Stampin' dimensionals foam tabs, sponge wedges.

Thanks Teneale for the dose of inspiration.

For the Locals

Tomorrow is Milleara Craft Market day again so I'll be setting up my table between 9 and 3.  Milleara Shopping Centre, Cnr Milleara Rd and Buckley St, Avondale Heights.  Come and say hi if you're in the area and make sure you go in the draw for the little pack of bits and pieces to use for card making.

Have a great weekend!

Cheers, Sue

Got a digital camera??  What do you do when you unload your digital pics?  If you are looking for some ideas on keeping your photo files organised (and especially if you are a folder/subfolder type of gal!) then my Aussie Scrapbooking article today might be of interest.  Check it out here. 

Don't know that I've got the best system in the world but it seems to be working for me so thought I'd share the steps I go through.

Cheers,  Sue

Just a simple card for you today using Stampin' Write Markers (some from Earth Elements and some from Rich Regals) and matching cardstock.  The stamp sets are One Of A Kind (from the Spring Mini) and Short and Sweet.  The word window punch and one of the small circle punches came in handy too.

Remember - you can get individual markers this month for $4.95.  Great chance to grab your favourite colours.  And 11 more days left for the Spring Mini so last chance to order your favourites from there before they disappear.

John got this plant for me a couple of years ago instead of a bunch of flowers.  (Can't recall the occasion now.)  We've had it in a pot on the balcony hoping it would flower again but it hadn't until this year.  It was just a bit past it's peak before I got the camera out but still lovely. 

For anyone who is familiar with our wasteland of a yard, we had a new company come and measure up for our massive retaining wall project last week so hopefully a quote will arrive soon and we can get it moving.  (The previous people we'd been dealing with weren't able to do the job for at least 18 months.  Hmm - they could have told us that 6 months ago!)  Then we can get some landscaping  and water tanks happening and I'll have some after photos to put in the album!  Hee hee.

Hope you are having a good week.  Hannah will be as her markers arrived today!

Cheers, Sue

Hello,

Back again with a couple more cards using Stampin Pastels.

This one makes use of the So Swirly Wheel and a combination of colours from Earth Elements.

For this one I've used Priceless Stamp set and Short and Sweet for the greeting.

A rhinestone brad adds a little touch of sparkle.

Book in for my Nov tech class if you'd like to spend an evening trying some techniques using pastels.   More info in the Class Dates And Details section over in the left column there.

John and Hannah popped up in the paper again photographed at last years Walk Against Warming.  This time in the Herald Sun (thanks Gail for the heads up!) 

We took part again this year (but minus the signs so didn't get snapped by any photographers this time!)  A busy day - we went into the city for the Myer Christmas Parade, grabbed a quick lunch then headed down to join the Walk Against Warming.  (OK Jack had more of a 'napping in my pram against warming' - hee hee. )

I held 15kg of Jack for most of the Christmas Parade and John had 26kg of Hannah on his shoulders so some muscles making themselves felt today and we all slept well last night!

I've been busy this morning backing up photos on my computer.  (Oops - thought I'd only done this a couple of months back but time flies by and it was longer than that.)  Do you need to do some back ups??

Hope you are having a super weekend.

Cheers, Sue

This month in my technique class we are trying some techniques using Stampin' Pastels.  

Poppin' Pastels and Pulled Pastels:  I thought they would be nice easy relaxing techniques - great for November when we all seem to hit the fast lane with hectic schedules.

While I was preparing the samples of the cards we're making, Hannah (my 6 year old daughter) plonked down beside me to have a go too.  She was very careful with my pastels and loved her creations.   I told her I'd pop them on my blog so here's some 'Pastels with Hannah.'

She used the So Swirly Wheel and decided to add some artistic touches of her own with a cotton bud and the pastels.  I love days when we do some creating together.   I ordered her 7 chosen colours of markers today and she is thrilled to be getting some of her own.  (Since I don't let her use mine!)  Once the postie delivers them next week I'll take a pic of what she does with them.

Here is one of the cards we made at last night's class using the Pulled Pastel technique (and a sneak peek at a stamp set coming soon!)

I had such a fun night last night with a great bunch of ladies - some that have been coming along for a few months now, a lovely new class attendee and my sister (and stamping buddy!)   Lots of laughs, chocolate eclairs (thanks Lydia!) and heaps of creativity.  One of those nights that reminds me of why I love being a Stampin' Up girl.  And very well timed as I'd been having one of those tired, crabby weeks. 

(A big hi to Sharron and the girls too - I took the class to them on Tuesday night and loved seeing their creations.)

Two more dates this month for this class with a few spots left at each - the next 2 Thursday nights starting at 7.30pm.  Details here if it sounds like something for you.  At my place in Avondale Heights.

I'll be back in the next few days with the other cards we're making this month.  Have a wonderful weekend.  I have a quiet one planned with the family.  Sunday afternoon we are off to help my November born sisters celebrate their birthdays.  Happy birthday Lisa and Melissa!

Cheers, Sue

If you love Sesame Street characters like Oscar, Big Bird, Elmo and Cookie Monster then you will love Ros Oakes' tutorial today on how to make them using Stampin' Up punches and cardstock. 

They are just so cute!  Check out her tutorial here and if you love them as much as me, leave a comment and say hi.  Some people are just so creative!  Ros has 4 little tackers that keep her busy and she still found some time to take some pics and share a tutorial with us.  Thanks Ros.

Cheers, Sue