Just popping in quickly to tell you about a new Stampin' Up promotion that starts today and runs until January 24th.  During that time you will receive a free pack of Heart Treat Cups (valued at $6.50) when you order either the Sweetheart Stamp Set or Full Heart Punch.   You can find the Sweetheart Stamp Set on page 38.

 Get in touch if you'd like to add the stamp set or full heart punch to your craft collection along with 12 of the rather cute heart treat cups as a little bonus.

Happy holidays!    Cheers, Sue

Well after taking a 'dillion' photos (that's Jack's latest invented number) I found a nice smily happy one to use for this year's Christmas cards.   Christmas Photo Shoot

I played around with photoshop and put this file together so I could print off a bunch of small photos on one regular size photo.

 
Here's a few different cards with ideas for ways to incorporate a photo.  I've used the ornament punch this year.  (Good news coming soon on that punch if you'd like to add it to your collection for next year's Christmas creating.)

The Shimmery White cardstock is embossed with the Big Shot and PetalsAPlenty embossing folder.  Noel is from Many Merry Messages - a great Christmas greeting set tucked away on page 106. The Scallop Trim punch features here too plus some retired Soft Suede ribbon.

The ornament shaped pieces are spritzed with a mix of Isocol and Champagne Mist.  Hard to show the gorgeous sparkle but here's a bit of a hint at it.

And here's a series I made with embossed vellum backgrounds.  I couldn't decide which embossing folder to use so tried out a bunch.

Here's the new Square Lattice one ...

Finial Press .....

Vintage Wallpaper ....

And PetalsAPlenty ...

The piece at the top and the ornaments have all been spritzed with my Champagne Mist/Isocol mix.  Time for me to order a truckload of Champagne Mist I think - I LOVE this sparkly spray.

And to finish off with today, some from the kids for their grandad.  (Never know how to spell that - whether it should be grandad or granddad or grand-dad.  I googled but that wasn't much help, seems any of the above is the answer.) 

Here's Jack's.    (4)

And here's a card from Hannah (8)

I liked the back of her card too ....

Signing off now for a few days. 

Have a wonderful Christmas.  Thanks for visiting my patch of blogland this year and I look forward to spending some time with you in cyberspace again next year.

Wishing you lots of happy moments with family, friends and loved ones this festive season. 

Love Sue   xx

Merry Christmas everyone!

Love my Christmas baubles - I think I like this pic of them all on the table better than the actual tree!  Anyway, while I'm procrastinating from doing the last little bits and pieces for Christmas - thought I'd share a few more Christmas gift and card ideas with you. 

First up a little gift and card combo for a friend.  Wanted to make it a bit extra snazzy. 

Thought of making a box of some sort but somehow mine always look better in my head than in real life!  I think I'm not quite precise enough, bit of a line things up by eyeball with projects that sort of evolve as they're being created and that doesn't quite work for boxes.   So I grabbed a tin that used to hold felt flowers and blinged that up instead.

Can you see the snowflakes on top?  They're from Snow Swirled, stamped in Versamark then clear embossed, with a rhinestone centre to finish.

Open the lid for some goodies.  It did have 3 Lindt chocolate balls but then the lid wouldn't shut.  What a pity - I was forced to eat them and find a slightly less tall chocolate!  Ah the sacrifices. 

And some coordinating packages inside.  I've used up my stash of that gorgeous DSP that was in our November special.  (I forget the name of it now.) 

 
 
 
Here's a few pics of the matching card.

Here's a couple of slightly simpler versions of this card.  I love my punches when I've got a few cards to make (and double so when it is late December!!)   This one is the Curly Label Punch. 

Hmm getting to be a long post isn't it.  Have we got time for one more gift pack?? 

Once again I've used that DSP whose name I forget.  It is almost all gone now.  I'm usually a terrible hoarder so am rather glad to see me using up some of my special things! 

 

My Big Shot came in handy for the Fancy Favour box and the Pillow Box packages.  I had to cut one Pillow Box in half and pop a belly band on it to expand it so it'd fit the contents.  The Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder and Antique Brads came in handy too.

Well that better do us for today.  Time for me to go do some last minute wrapping and gift tag making, and perhaps even the dishes.   If you're having a cuppa at the computer tomorrow I'll be back to show you a few Christmas card ideas using photos.  I love to pop a pic of the kids on some of my cards - my great aunts especially love these ones. 

Hope you are having a lovely day!

Cheers,  Sue

So is anyone out there in blogland or are we all madly getting the last bits and pieces done ready for Christmas?  Just in case anyone is taking some time out at the computer, here's a card for you.

This one features the Summer Mini stamp set 'Love Defined.'  I was lucky enough to get this set free on the Stampin' Up Incentive Trip.  Wasn't one that jumped right out from me in the mini catalogue but I really like it now. 

Colours: This one is an In Colour Card using Concord Crush, Pear Pizzazz and Blushing Bride plus some Very Vanilla.

I've used Stampin' Write Markers to colour the tree, greeting and other image.  (Find out how to get a fabulous case of markers plus lots of goodies: $40 per month for 8 months.  Marker Club Details.)

The Concord Crush cardstock squares have been spritzed with the Gold Smooch Spritz.   Hard to see in the pic but the ribbon has been spritzed with my mix of Isocol rubbing alcohol and Champagne Mist shimmer paint, with some rhinestones to add to the sparkle.  1 1/4" square punch plus the gorgeous Square Lattice embossing folder are some of the other tools for this card.

I love this 'strings of hearts' stamp for backgrounds. 

Well, how are you going?  I'm still wrapping and making gift tags, plus the last batch of Christmas cards so I'd best get back to it!    The Bee Gees and I had a very nice evening last night making cards - might be a Neil Diamond day today!

Have a happy day!  Cheers,  Sue

Another card to share with you today.  This one features the new square scallop die for the Big Shot.  Plus the lovely swirly 'Congratulations' from Well Scripted stamp set.  I started with the big blue scallop and built the card from there.  Here's how it ended up.

The blue scallop is Pacific Point.  It is matted on Kraft (oops Crumb Cake), then Early Espresso and placed on a Naturals Ivory base card.  Early Espresso ink for the greeting.

I love the new Square Lattice embossing folder.  I've used the 'debossed' side for this card.   I've finished the card off with some of the new crochet trim ribbon and some pearls. 

Nice quick one today.  Have a lovely weekend!

Cheers, Sue

When Hannah was in kinder I put together albums for her teachers as a gift at the end of the year.  I decided to do the same thing this year for Jack's hardworking and caring kinder teacher and assistant.  Each child/family wrote or drew a message on a little 6" template and gave me a photo for each of the two albums.  On Saturday afternoon ...... and evening and wee hours  ...... I sat down and prettied it all up into albums.  (42 double page layouts in one sitting, hmmm note to self, start earlier next year!)

My Timeless Type Junior Alphabet (and numbers) dies came in most handy!  And I used quite a stash of odds and ends and scraps - lovely to put them to good use.

Here's Jack's pages.

He drew his kinder assistant (on the left) and himself (on the right.)  He's started adding a few details to his people pics lately so you might spot fingers, toes, a neck and a rather LARGE belly button.  He wrote his name and I wrote what he told me his favourite things were to do at kinder.

I've used Night of Navy, Tempting Turquoise and Basic Gray for Jack's page - colours taken from the photo.

I also gave my alphabet stamp sets a good work out.  Here's Rough Type from the Summer Mini.  It fits nicely in the 1/2" Circle Punch.  (I've blanked out Allie's face for cyberspace.)

Here's a couple more 'erased face' pages.  

Lovely Letters alphabet is a nice elegant stamp set - perfect for girls ....

.... and for some of the boys I used Schoolbook Serif Alphabet.  Hmmm don't think I used my stampamajig - can you tell!?  You can find our alphabet sets on page 112 and 113.  My photo corners punch (pg 147) came in handy too for some little finishing touches. 

The ladies loved their albums.    If you'd like to do something like this at some stage and would like the template I put together for the right hand pages and the info note to families, shoot me an email and I'd be happy to send the files to you.  [email protected]

Cheers, Sue

Today I'm sharing the second card we made at my Summer Mini Catalogue Launch last week.  This one uses a couple of the stamps from the Love Defined set and the new Presto Patterns DSP.

Colours: Rich Razzleberry, Pear Pizzazz and Whisper White.

We sponged Rich Razzleberry ink onto a 3" square piece of the floral design from Presto Patterns.  This paper has glossy patterns on it that you reveal by adding ink.  You can add just one colour as we have here or combine a few.  Some ladies added lots of ink for a strong panel and others sponged lightly for a softer look.  Give it a polish with the sponge when you're done and the glossy pattern shows up beautifully.  (Pg 10 of the Summer Mini.)

We used markers (Rich Razzleberry and Pear Pizzazz) to colour the floral image and the Love greeting which is punched with the Modern Label Punch.  The matching Pear Pizzazz ribbon adds a bit of texture.  And don't you just love those little mini library clips - we did.  They're on page 139 if you are wondering where they are. 

Launch ladies - our orders have shipped.  I'll be in touch to let you know when the postie van arrives here with our boxes.

December Frenzy Update on the Update!

We demonstrators got in touch with SU head office regarding the recent announcement about the December Frenzy special and they listened.   So good news ladies,  all the products listed on the Dec Frenzy flyer will remain at the discounted price until the special ends on December 29th.  Yay!

If something has caught your eye from the list, you have a couple more weeks to place your order. 

Click here to check the list:  December Frenzy Special

I'm placing a local order on 20th December if you'd just like a couple of things and would like to share shipping costs with others.  (Pick up only, Avondale Heights.)  Or place an order by phone or email anytime that suits you to have it shipped right to your door by Aussie Post.  Shipping is 5%, minimum of $5.95.

Check back soon - I've been busy taking pics so have lots to share with you in the coming week.

Have a great day,

Cheers, Sue

Oops sorry ladies - didn't quite get back here last night to let you know who the winners were!   But here we go ....

Last Thursday evening and Sunday afternoon some lovely ladies arrived to check out some of the new Summer Mini products. 

Everyone got a little goodie bag.  This is one of the small cello bags that is on special at the moment, with a topper made using the Top Note die, the Beautiful Butterflies die and the Square Lattice embossing folder.  Colours:  Rich Razzleberry, Pink Pirouette and Crumb Cake.  It has some little Vintage Trinkets, Vintage Tags, Bitty Buttons, Crochet Trim plus a Mini Mister in case anyone wanted to try out the 'sparkle' adding trick I shared at the launch.  (Stay tuned for my January newsletter and I'll share it with you too.)

We had a fun couple of hours trying out some of the products and making a couple of cards.  Here's one of our cards.  This is the plain version - the ladies had the option of adding a bit of texture and sparkle to the Poppy Parade panel so theirs looked extra spiffy.  I'll share a pic of that another day.

Colours:  Crumb Cake, Poppy Parade, Basic Gray and Whisper White. 

Stamp Sets: Love Defined and Aviary.   Isn't that bird cage just too cute. 

I love this stamp from Love Defined.  It looks good as a background element - stamped here with Crumb Cake ink.  We used it as a feature on our second card - back with that one another day.

We stamped the cage first in Basic Gray, then stamped the bird in Poppy Parade ink.   The punch is the large scallop circle.  Mine works but this punch is temporarily unavailable while they work out some kinks - I'll keep you updated on any news.

Congratulations to our door prize winners too.

But now onto the news that some ladies are awaiting!   I ran my rather popular Hostess Rewards Prize Draw and we had 12 people in the draw.  (Some had a few tickets!)   Some were at the launch and some popped orders in for the draw by phone or email. 

Hannah was excited to be the 'barrel girl' last night. 

Here's the names she drew ....

Hostess Level 1 Set Winners

Jeanette/Nanette picked Because I Care

Rosie picked Its The Thought

Joanne picked Silhouette Sentiments

Hostess $30 Rewards Winners

Carol picked a large circle punch

Cecile picked Beautiful Wings Embosslit and Elegant Lines embossing folder

and Michelle was our last winner. (Let me know your selections Michelle.)

Congratulations ladies. 

If you put an order in at the launch or over the weekend, orders have gone through.  I'll let you know when they arrive.

Have a lovely week. 

Cheers, Sue

Just a very quick post today to let you know Stampin' Up have announced that we've been so taken with the December Frenzy special  that stocks are running low on some of the items.  Once stocks have depleted those items will return to their regular price.

Night of Navy, Bravo Burgundy and Pumpkin Pie markers are the first to be running very low.  They are returning to their regular price as of tomorrow. 

Any ordered today will still be at the sale price. 

Phone: 0417 377 057 or email: [email protected]  if you'd like to grab some.

I'll keep you updated here on my blog on any further announcements. 

If you are local and would like to share postage costs, I'm putting an order in this evening if you'd like to tack on. 

Have a great day,

Cheers, Sue

Just a quick card for you today using the stamp set Aviary from the newly released Summer Mini catalogue.

I do like these cute little birds and their cages.  (Haven't used the cages for this card.)  Colours: So Saffron, Wild Wasabi, Chocolate Chip and Marina Mist.

I've also used the new Pinking Hearts border punch for this one and my new favourite greeting set - the swirly and rather gorgeous Well Scripted. 

OK better dash!  I'm just back from Harvey Norman with my Christmas pics all sized and printed and ready to go onto some cards so I'm knee deep in the production line!    (Yes, in December.  One of these years I'll be all organised and start in July!)    The kids were watching a DVD - thought it was rather quiet and sure enough both zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzing soundly on the couch.  Think I'll tiptoe back to my card making factory (AKA the dining table) while they're snoozing. 

In launch news - I had a fun night last night with 8 lovely ladies checking out the Summer Mini things.  We all got nice and sparkly in the process of making our 2 cards.   There's space on Sunday at 2pm if you'd like to join us.  Better let me know quickly though so I can make up some extra goodie bags!    0417 377 057 to book a spot.   So far we've got 4 prizes to draw for the hostess rewards prize draw. 

My local ladies: If you can't make the launch but would like to go in the draw - you get a ticket for every $50 of product ordered (from the Summer Mini, main catalogue and/or the December Frenzy special list.)  You need to pick your order up from me to be eligible for this draw.  Get your order in by Sunday 5pm if you'd like to take part.

OK tiptoeing off - shhhhhh......

Have a great weekend.    Cheers, Sue