SaleABration has just a week to go.  If you would like to place an order and receive a free stamp set for each $100 spent, remember to get it to me before Saturday evening 9pm. 

Here is a simple little card using Botanical Blooms - one of the 4 sets you can choose from.

The Recipe:

Stamps: Leaves A La Carte Wheel, Short and Sweet (greeting) and Botanical Blooms (flower)

Cardstock:  Very Vanilla, Real Red and Night of Navy

Ink: Night of Navy and Real Red

Other: Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/8 Circle Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, Real Red ribbon

I have this card in Purely Pomegranate and Wild Wasabi too.  I shall dig it out of my camera and be back soon with that one.

To place an order or ask questions about any Stampin' Up products, just phone 0417 377 057 or email me at [email protected] and I can assist.  Postage/handling is 5% (min $5.95) and your order will be delivered by Aussie Post in approx 1 week.

Cheers,

Sue

SaleABration ends on Saturday so this week is your last chance to grab a free stamp set for each $100 of products ordered.

Polka Dot Punches has become my favourite of the free stamp sets I think.   Guests who have attended one of my February workshops have used the set to make this card.

The Recipe

Stamp Sets:  Polka Dot Punches and Sincere Salutations

Ink/Cardstock Colours:  Purely Pomegranate, Blue Bayou, Old Olive and Sahara Sand   - I love this combination of colours.

Other: Scallop Circle and Circle Punches, Double Stitched Ribbon, Eyelets and Cropadile

At our workshops we tried a few different variations using the same colours.  Have you got a favourite colour combination you like to use on your cards and scrapbook layouts???

To order your products or if you have any Stampin' Up questions:

Phone 0417 377 057

Email: [email protected]

I'd be happy to help.

A big hello to all the people who stopped by at my table at Milleara Craft Market last Sunday. Congratulations to Rosanne who was the winner of the basket of stamps and papers this month.

Cheers, Sue

We are very lucky today to have a special guest card maker - one of the lovely crafty people I have gotten to know since starting with Stampin' Up - Mary. 

She recently sent me these photos of a fabulous forties birthday card she had just put the finishing touches on.  Goodness - must have taken ages!  But what a stunning result!  Thanks for letting me share it with the blogland crew Mary.  The card was inspired by this one from Trish Myers.

Here's the side view ....

Makes me want to go get that Embrace Life Stamp Set out right now.  Wouldn't you just love to get this card for your birthday - wow!  I think the lucky birthday person would feel super special. 

Cheers,

Sue

Now where to start!  I've been busy with my camera taking some pics of my recent creations so I've got a few to pick from.  Here's one of my favourites. Stay tuned over the next week for the rest.

This one is CASEd directly from the talented Marelle Taylor.  Here is the gorgeous card that inspired not only this card, but my class for this month too. 

The Recipe

Stamp Sets:  The always stunning swirl and flower from Baroque Motifs, plus my newest addition to my stamp set collection - Wonderful Favourites.  Inside the card I've used some of the other stamps from that set to write 'To A Wonderful Husband' - works well for an inside piece too.

Cardstock: Perfect Plum, Very Vanilla and the gold card from a pack of Brushed Metallics (pg 133.)

Ink:  Encore Gold plus Perfect Plum for the greeting.

Other: Gold Embossing Powder and Dazzling Diamonds (mixed one part DD to 3 parts EP for a lovely touch of sparkle with your embossing - it doesn't quite show up in this photo but looks nice when the sunlight catches it), heat tool, scallop circle punch, paper piercer, and a rhinestone brad for a final finishing touch.  (From the Ice collection on page 145.) 

This is one of the cards we're making at this month's Sparkle Technique Class.  Actually I think there are only 2 spots left this month.  Next month we're doing Rock n Roll and Reverse Masking so if that catches your eye you might want to phone or email to grab a place soon before they book out.   My first Stamp A Stack class for 2009 coming soon too (March.) Just putting the finishing touches on plans for that one.

Milleara Craft Market

If you are a local blog reader - I'll be setting up the table at Milleara Craft Market in Avondale Heights this Sunday from 9 - 3.  Pop by if you have any questions, orders or would just like a browse through a range of product and card samples.  

I'll have all the SaleABration stamp sets with me if you'd like to take the opportunity to get a free set (with each $100 spent.) 

I'll also have details about the Bushfire Appeal Stamp Sets - 50% of the value of 10 selected sets is being donated to the Bushfire Appeal by Stampin Up and another 20% by me.  Here is a card made (about a year ago) with one of the sets - Seeing Spots.  I love the combination of White Craft Ink and Versamark for a background.

How about in another colour scheme?

And some more from the girls who came to one of my first Stamp A Stacks in April last year. (Thanks girls!)

I'll post an update on how much has been raised so far from the Stampin' Up Bushfire Appeal soon.

Take care,

Sue

Aaaahhh, a picture I snapped at my desk a few weeks ago.  My idea of one way to spend a great evening - some stamps, papers, some favourite photos, glass of white, a layout or two completed and more thoughts or stories or snippets recorded.  

(After heaps of 5 star reviews from my stamping group, I just finished reading Twilight - on Sunday mind you - and am a third of the way through New Moon so that's my current great way to spend the evening, and afternoon, and most of Jack's nap - oh dear!  Hopefully I'll whizz through the rest of the series and some housework and other things will get done round here!)

Just a quick one today about using vellum.  I love using vellum in my scrapbooking for journalling.  I often print on it, and lately have been incorporating some of my alphabet stamps too. 

How do you attach your vellum to your pages??  I love using eyelets and sometimes use them to attach.  (Quick example here.)

There are various tapes and what not that are supposed to work well and not show although I haven't had too much success there I must say. 

I do like my vellum spray adhesive. 

For this album I got all my little squares of vellum ready then flipped them all over.  Gave each one a quick spray (outside) and left them for a few minutes to go tacky.

Then they were simple to just stick down.  Nice invisible adhesive - just what I was after.

The downsides of this method of attaching for me are that its a bit whiffy, and I hate the fact that my fingers and nails always seem to end up coated with adhesive that's really tough to remove! 

I usually pop out on our balcony, and just take care with which direction I'm spraying.  The pot plants are probably not too keen on getting droplets of adhesive raining down. 

During one wee hours scrapbooking session when I didn't want to head outside, but didn't want to spray vellum spray all over the place either I came up with this idea. 

I had a HUGE Kikki K bag so I just held my square of vellum inside it and sprayed it in there. 

Kept the mess contained and the fumes down a bit. 

Got any great vellum tips?? Leave a comment if you'd like to share one.

Cheers, Sue

... to people taking a moment today to tell someone they care.  John took the kids to the Vic Market this morning bright and early to get the ingredients for a nice seafood dinner for two at home this evening.  He's a great cook and I'm a very lucky girl!  They brought me back a lovely bunch of roses too.

Here's a card with a little of a Valentine's theme.

The Recipe

Stamp Set:  For A Friend Hostess Set, Polka Dot Punches (SaleABration) in the background. 

Inks: Basic Gray, Purely Pomegranate plus a Regal Rose Marker

Cardstock: Whisper White, Purely Pomegranate, Regal Rose

Other: Regal Rose ribbon, Tombow Adhesive and Chunky Glitter

This is another of the cards we're making this month at my Sparkle Class.  For our chunky glitter card you have a choice of the 6 greetings in For A Friend, and several different colour schemes.

I'll show you some of the other variations during February.  And the feature card of this month's class is coming soon too.

Before I go some quick family news to close with today...

Hannah was thrilled to find out last week that she'd been voted class captain for Term 1.  Quite a beaming smile there.  She wanted to celebrate with a candle on the table and special glasses with our dinner.  (Jack likes to do 'Cheers' with his cup too, except he says 'Cheese.')  And a pic of the badge she wears this term. 

Congratulations Hannah.

Take care out there,

Sue

  ... certainly not on the radio or on the news, or in parts of Victoria.  The wind direction changed today and there's been a smoky pall over all of Melbourne. 

Australians have been overflowing with generousity and compassion and there are fund raising efforts happening everywhere.

Cards can be one way to connect people with one another, and I thought it might be time for one here with just a little sparkle.  Perhaps you'd like to send a card to someone you care about or appreciate this weekend. 

If you are coming to a class this month, or live locally - you might like to make some thank you cards for the collection that a fellow Stampin' Up lady is gathering.  She's getting a list of CFA and emergency service crews and sending the cards out early next month.  Please write a short message on your card and pop it in an envelope please.  Thanks to Michelle who started our pile with a contribution of 4 lovely thank you cards last night.   I'll send our package of cards to the lady organising this at the end of the month.

And now for a card ...

The Recipe

Stamp Sets: Paisley Background and Bodacious Blooms, plus Short and Sweet for the greeting.

Cardstock: Real Red and Whisper White

Inks: Real Red and Whisper White craft ink

Other: Heat and Stick Powder, Heat Gun, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Word Window Punch, and a large Half Pearl from the Pretties Kit to finish it off.

One of the three cards we'll be making at my February classes.  (A couple of spots left - check this page for details.)

Wishing everyone a safe weekend.

Sue

At a recent workshop guests made one of these three cards.  They all have the same basic design, but it was nice to have a choice of some different sets to complete the card.

The Recipe:

Cardstock and Pastel Colour:  Old Olive, Ruby Red, Chocolate Chip and Pumpkin Pie (plus Very Vanilla cardstock for the image.  Watercolour paper would allow you to do even more blending and is lovely to work with.)

Inks: Basic Gray for the image, Old Olive for the background leaves.

Other: Old Olive or Chocolate Chip Wide Grosgrain Ribbon, Half Pearl from the Pretties Kit, Aquapainter, Distressing Tool

For a closer look ....

This one is with Embrace Life Stamp Set.

This one uses Artfully Asian - a favourite set of mine.  I've also distressed the edge of the cardstock pieces for this one using the distressing tool from the cutter kit on page 149.  (If you don't have a cutter kit or distressing tool you can use the edge of an old pair of scissors.)

And finally Touch of Nature.  I swiped the edge of the cardstock onto a Chocolate Chip ink pad to define the pieces a little for this one.

Must give that one a go with the watercolour paper one of these days too. 

Got a favourite??

Ugh 43 again in Melbourne tomorrow.  (Not a hot weather girl here I must say!)  I am sooooo relieved to see a week of 20 somethings on the horizon at last!   Have a great weekend.

Cheers,  Sue

(Note: This is a stamping free post today, just some back to school waffling. Will have some more cards later this week!)

Well, new school shoes are unpacked.  That must mean we're officially at the end of the school holidays. 

I have thoroughly enjoyed our nice lazy relaxed summer weeks. 

(OK could have lived without that little 40+ heatwave but it has given me a renewed appreciation for our milder weather days!)

I've noticed a difference around here these holidays.  Jack (2.5) must have grown up just that little bit and can play more involved games.  Hannah (6) and Jack have played together a lot more the last few weeks (and had the odd squabble here and there too just to remind me of growing up with siblings!)

I think he's going to miss her now that she's back at school.  Have just unloaded the camera so thought I'd share a few pics of some holiday entertainment.

This Christmas present (a game of Kerplunk) got a good workout.  (Jack is doing his own version here, but he has been learning to take turns and join in the game.)  Jack thinks he wins when heaps of marbles drop down ("I winner!") and Hannah loves playing with him as she invariably gets the least marbles and does actually win the game. 

A win win here too - Jack loves watching Hannah play her DS, and Hannah loves that Jack will sit on her knee for ages and snuggle up while she's playing it!

Now not sure how many more years Jack is going to think letting Hannah dress him up for some lounge room dancing is a good activity!  But gee I got some good shots for his 21st! 

Oh and see that paper chain there on the floor.  Mum I think I know why you got out the streamers and glue and scissors so we girls could make these every Christmas - it kept Hannah engrossed for AGES!  Aaaahhh, peace and quiet ......

And finally - John's very good 'Staying Cool on HOOOOOT Days' activity!  (With the added bonus that the floor got a bit of a wipe down, and the pot plants got a bit of a drink afterwards!)

Off to all the excitement of Grade 1 now for Hannah, and back to hanging about with mum for Jack.  If you have little people (or big people!) starting new experiences this year, best wishes.

See you again soon with some more cards.  Some fellow demonstrators are coming over for a bit of a stamping night here on Friday so hopefully with all that fun company and recharged inspiration, I'll get lots done and have heaps to show you next week!

Cheers, Sue