This must be just the most gorgeous thinlit - the Detailed Floral Thinlit with coordinating Floral Phrases stamp set.  I just LOVE the projects on page 76 and 77 of the catalogue featuring this bundle.  I took inspiration from the samples to make these cards. 

Tips and Techniques:  I've layered the Night Of Navy cardstock over shimmery white cardstock for this one.  The white craft ink showed nicely on the darker cardstock.  Embossing would give it even more oomph I think.  Some pearls to finish. 

My current favourite plate for cutting these detailed thinlits is the new Big Shot Platform.  It is ever so slightly raised in the middle section and I find I'm getting really even nice cuts using it with the acrylic pads.  I run it through and back, then turn it 90 degrees (1/4 turn) and run it through and back again.  The die brush is handy for getting lots of the little bits out.  The precision plate is good too for the detailed thinlits - although it is very rough on the acrylic plates and tends to warp them so I save all my old hacked up ones for use with my precision plate.  If I had to choose between the two - I'd invest in the new Big Shot Platform.

Here's a variation where I just reversed the colours - Shimmery White on top.  I trimmed it down a little so that a border of navy would show.  (And really didn't do a fabulously even job of that trimming so don't look too closely!) 

For this one I stamped the greeting straight on and of course managed to get it a little wonky - so stamped it again on a strip of cardstock and popped it up on dimensionals. That did the trick - mistake all gone. I roughed up the edge with the side of some scissors for a little added texture.   I do love the 3 sizes of pearls all lined up.

I'm busy here today making another mess in the dining room. 

This time I'm tackling a job I've been meaning to do for AGES. 

I've got a heap of half completed post bound albums here and I'm taking all the completed pages out and transferring them to big ring bound albums. 

So instead of having a bunch of albums that say "Hannah 2004" with 6 layouts, and "Hannah 2007" with 3 layouts - I'm just going to whack all the finished Hannah layouts into a ring binder (or two) in rough chronological order.  Two full albums instead of 10 itsy bitsy ones. 

The process is taking me rather longer than planned as I can't help reading all the stories as I'm going.  So having a rather delightful trip down memory lane as I jiggle and juggle and sort. 

I did notice one thing as I was making piles.  The Hannah pile is about 3 inches high and the Jack pile is rather short!!  Seems like I was in a huge scrapbooking phase when Hannah was a toddler and not so much during the Jack years.  So 'scrapbooking about Jack' is on my next to do list I think! 

Have a fabulous week.

Cheers, Sue

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I just love the Blooms and Bliss Suite.  This card using Blooms and Wishes stamp set was inspired by the one in the catalogue on page 139.  It is one of my favourites and such fun to put together. 

Tips and Techniques:  I stamped off first once or twice for the base layer flowers to give a nice soft colour.  The upper layers are hand cut.  I love the font on the greetings in this set.  Our new Very Vanilla Lace Trim looks beautiful layered over the Sweet Sugarplum Ruched Ribbon.

Need A Holiday Catalogue?

Let me know if you'd like a copy of our brand new Holiday Catalogue - full of snazzy products for your Christmas creating.   Batch one were in the post Thursday and I've got a couple of packs of envelopes and a heap of catalogues all set for mailing batch 2 this weekend.  Or pick up your copy at class in the next fortnight. 

August Classes

Evening classes are full this month but I've got space this Friday 19th August at 10am if you'd like to make 3 cards using some of our gorgeous annual catalogue products. 

Thoughtful Branches and Bonus Day Coupons

If you are being wowed by all the stunning Thoughtful Branches bundle products floating around on blogs, instagram and pinterest (click here for the Thoughtful Branches pinterest board)   then remember it is available just during August.  Head on over to my online store if you'd like to grab yours. 

My dining table is looking very festive - I had some of my team over in the last couple of days to help me crack open my big box of Christmas products and get them all inked up.  I can't wait to show you!  So far I've made lots of bits so today's job (after basketball cheering - kids' sport morning) is to assemble some of the bits into actual cards while I watch the Olympics. 

Have a wonderful weekend,

Cheers, Sue

Hello Stampers.  I've got a few exciting things to tell you about this month.  First up - if you earned yourself some Bonus Days coupons during July, you can spend them during August. Yay!   Just enter the code when you're placing an order to redeem your $9 coupon.  For those people that earned a few coupons, you can redeem more than one on the one order.

This month only you can also purchase this exclusive and beautiful bundle (or just the stamp set or thinlits if you'd prefer just one.)  Thoughtful Branches is a beautiful bundle and the internet is FULL of simply stunning samples if you're looking for some creative inspiration.  The Artisan Team have been busy creating again and have done a second Thoughtful Branches blog hop.  Look at the eye catching autumn trees in this one by Jessica Winter.   Follow the links to hop around the posts.  And how snazzy is this lilac gift box by Krista Frattin. 

If you're planning to add this to your collection, it is available just until August 31st but does have the fine print 'WHILE STOCKS LAST.'  So might be a good idea not to delay too long if you've got your eye on this one. 

Another new product available now (this one is not a limited time one) is the I Stamped This stamp set. 

Perfect for stamping on the back of your creation to let everyone know that your projects are made by hand, with love. This set includes © Stampin' Up! stamps too, so you can use them on items you create for sale.  (You can find more info here regarding the Stampin' Up Angel Policy for selling items made with SU stamps.)

If you're ordering online this month I've got a new host code set up.  The August code is XBJX9RCB.     Just pop that on your order in the host code section if you're ordering online and I'll send you a sample pack next month to say thanks. 

My brand new, fresh off the press Holiday Catalogues will be arriving very soon chock full of Christmas gorgeousness.  If you've placed an annual catalogue order with me, you're first on my list for posting so keep an eye on the mailbox. 

Can't wait for September to order your Holiday Catalogue goodies?  Sounds like you'd fit right in with my Think Ink team.  Demonstrators get to order a month early.  Join now if you love your Stampin' Up products.  More info here:  How To Join The Crew.   

OK - off to narrow down my Holiday Catalogue 'must have it now' list.   Wish me luck!

Cheers, Sue