There's a 'back to school' buzz in the air so thought it'd be a good time to share my 'jazzing up the reader cover' effort for this year.   Jack is about to start Prep and is completely obsessed with anything Mario Kart related so I thought we'd go with that.  

I've used the gorgeous, bright and happy papers from the Big Top Birthday pack (pg 130.)  Love the reds and blues.

We hit Google Images and found some Mario and Sonic pics and printed them on Whisper White.  I added some Night of Navy matting and a divider strip. 

Here's the back cover with another of the designs from the Big Top Birthday pack.

And some scraps for the inside.

I took the pics before I added the clear contact as I had a sneaking thought I might flunk contacting and end up with wrinkles everywhere.   Happy to say it didn't go too badly so just the odd wrinkle.  All ready for a terrific year of reading.  Jack is counting down the days til he heads off to school.   I'm counting down to starting a mega much needed fitness/decluttering/scrapbooking kick!  I think my family are getting worried I'll declutter all their stuff while they're at school/work!  Hee hee. 

Have a great weekend.  

Before I duck off:  Don't forget to check out the class page  if you'd like to catch a Feb or March class in Avondale Heights.  The lists are changing and rearranging almost daily as people get back into the year and juggle the diaries.  The booked out and spaces available lists are changing regularly so pop by for the latest update, and let me know if you'd like to go on the waiting list for a booked out class.

Cheers, Sue

Hello, time for another blog hop with some of my stamping buddies.  This weekend the theme is 'Summer Mini.'  Hello if you arrived from Kathryn's beautiful project   and waving a big hi if you're starting the hop from here.  There are 7 stops in the hop today (if I've counted right!)

When my team was over for a bit of a stamping afternoon last weekend, I stamped off a couple of the images from Pretty Postage stamp set on page 20 of the mini.  (Thanks Rachel, much appreciated!)  I had fun putting together a project to make use of my Rich Razzleberry postage image.

Project materials: Pillow Box Die, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, Curly Label and Postage Stamp Punch, Beau Chateau Fabric backed with cardstock using the adhesive sheets, Crumb Cake Seam Binding Ribbon, Antique Brad, White Bakers Twine, Rich Razzleberry Cardstock and a dab of Crystal Effects.

I thought I'd make a card to match.  It needs a greeting I think but I might wait until I know who I want to post it to.

Materials:  As above plus Vellum, Fun Flowers Die, Deck The Halls Fabric, the Summer Mini Velvet Ribbon, Crumb Cake Cardstock and if you look very closely you'll spot another Summer Mini stamp set hiding there.

Did you spot Fabulous Florets there?  It looked a little loud for my fabric flower so I borrowed an idea from two of my class gals (thanks Anne-Marie and Michelle) and added the vellum layer to soften it.  Tried a bit of fabric fringing too by pulling some threads out til I had the amount of 'fringe' I wanted.  Not sure I'm in love with that Razzleberry sponging on the vellum but alas, there's no 'undo' button in cardmaking!  (Now wouldn't that be handy sometimes!) 

OK time to hop to the next stop for some more Summer Mini Ideas.   Hop, hop, hop on over to the lovely Alisha's blog  for a look at her project. 

Happy Hopping.  Hope you get all inspired to get out some inks and cardstock and have a creative play.

Cheers, Sue

At class this month we've been using my brand new Box #2 die and the lovely Jolly Holiday DSP paper to make some festive boxes. They all looked different as we had a range of designs to choose from. Here's two of mine.

We've used the Big Shot Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets to stick the glitter on to the punched out shapes.  They make it quick and easy to add some sparkle. 

Some ribbon trim.   We used the Real Red taffeta which works quite well, even though the red in the paper is Cherry Cobbler.  Love the wide striped ribbons.  Next month we get that in Cherry Cobbler - yum!

This little star punch has retired but we used it anyway as it was perfect for this project. 

The gold embossed greeting is from Short and Sweet stamp set, punched using the Modern Label punch.

SEPTEMBER 1st CLASS - A FEW SPOTS LEFT

We've got one more class left this month - well actually we had to reschedule it because of a school concert so it is Thursday September 1st, 7.30pm.  There's a few spots left if you'd like to make this box, plus a couple of Christmas cards.  Techniques: Faux Silk and Reverse Masking.   Last chance for a little while to catch a class.

RETIRED LIST

Lots of my customers have been ordering the Jolly Holiday DSP this month that features in these boxes.  It is reduced to $10.17 so quite a bargain.  I keep expecting to log on to find it sold out, but so far so good.   

Update on the sold out list:  Stamp Sets - Sanded, Afterthoughts, Cheers To You, Christ Is Born, Friends 24-7, Full Calendar, Garden Whimsy, Scribble This, Sense Of Time, Choo Choo, 12" Cardstock - Bashful Blue, Marina Mist, Rich Razzleberry, Baja Breeze, Perfect Plum, Wild Wasabi, Night Of Navy, Not Quite Navy, Basic Black, Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Sahara Sand, Very Vanilla, Brushed Metallic cardstock, all the eyelets and all the retiring punches.

You can find the retired list here:  RETIRED LIST.   Get in touch before 31st August if there's anything you'd like before it disappears for good. 

My lovely stamping friends are having a blog hop today with some retired list products.  I did a lap around this morning with a cuppa in hand.  What gorgeous projects.  If you're looking for some card making inspiration today you can catch the hop here:  Judy's blog    then follow the links to do a lap.  Must get myself organised to join in one of these months!

NEW CATALOGUE LAUNCH

Don't forget to book your spot for my new catalogue launch - 2 dates to  choose from.  Details here. 
Not long to go now - getting exciting! 

Have a super weekend. 

Cheers,  Sue

I'm off to play with Jack's birthday present.  It was his birthday yesterday and we gave him a marble run.  It is keeping the whole family entertained!

My newsletter ladies will recognise this card.  It features the Beveled Windowpanes on page 16 of the Autumn Mini and the butterfly from Nature Walk stamp set.

The base is Early Espresso, the bottom panel is Soft Suede - embossed using the Framed Tulips embossing folder, and the top panel is Naturals Ivory.  I love the subtle fleck in this cardstock.  Early Espresso taffeta ribbon and some hemp twine to finish, plus some glue dots to help attach the windowpanes.

The windowpanes are a nice way to highlight something on your card or project.  Here's a closer look.  There are 3 sizes in the pack - 2.5 x 2.5cm, 2.5 x 3.2cm and 3.8 x 5cm.  I've used the largest one on today's card.   A pack of 12 (4 of each size) is $16.95, or perhaps you'd like to share them with a friend or two. 

Hannah's Candle

Hannah and I had a craft evening recently stamping on candles.  I can't show you mine as it is for my Marker Club  girls, but Hannah was very proud of her creation so let's share that one.

She used a combination of Vintage Vogue and Friends Never Fade.   She is definitely taking after her mother as she took some step by step photos on her camera as well which made me smile. 

Have a lovely week.  Stay warm!  Rather chilly here in Melbourne this week - perfect weather for popping the heater on, staying indoors and doing some crafts.

Cheers, Sue

Not sure about at your place, but here my two munchkins seems to produce rather a LOT of drawings, stories and other assorted paper creations.  I've been working on some  ways to store them, then to sort and display the ones we want to keep longer term.

I found these 2 cheap tubs at the supermarket and used my Timeless Type sizzlits and Big Shot, along with a box of cardstock scraps to cut letters for their names.  I used contact to attach them to the tub.

Plan is to use these to quickly and easily pack up current papers, projects, drawings, stories and what not.   Then when the tub is getting full we'll have a bit of a sort and pick out some treasures to put into plastic pockets in a folder.

Here's a couple of folders I decorated on the weekend using Island Oasis DSP, and some alphabet stamps - Lovely Letters for Hannah and Just Perfect alphabet for Jack.

Circle punches came in handy too - 1" and 1 1/4".

So we'll see how this plan goes for keeping our papers in a little more order!    Hmmm - should get onto my craft area and set a better example shouldn't I!!

Cheers, Sue

Just a quick couple of pics today. 

Here's some little brad containers being recycled with some help from the Sale-A-Bration set Punch Bunch.

I've used my Stampin' Write Markers and a circle of coordinating patterned paper from the Brights Patterns Stack.  The one on the left was part of the hostess gift bag for a workshop last weekend and the one on the right was a door prize for a lucky guest.  They hold some felt flowers and an assortment of brads.

I used the Tropical Party stamp set and a colour scheme I found using the Colour Coach to make this little gift bag of goodies for Gail, the hostess.  (Daffodil Delight, Tempting Turquoise and Melon Mambo - what a happy colour combination.)

I hope you're all set for a bright and happy weekend.

Cheers, Sue

Not much creating going on here just at the moment.  I'm having lots of fun spring cleaning, sorting out, decluttering and doing lots of school holiday playing with the kids.  Have knocked off a few novels as well.  What a nice way to spend some January time.  Hoping to direct my spring cleaning to my craft room/study very soon then there'll hopefully be some new creations to share once more.  In the meantime I've dug through my Summer Mini vaults and found a few projects I've not shared yet. 

This box features the Big Shot Clear Scallop Square Die and the Island Oasis DSP from the Summer Mini.  The box is in Old Olive and the lid has Tempting Turquoise - 2 of the coordinating colours for the DSP.

Once you open the lid you find some of these cute little gift cards.

These little cards were CASEd from these gorgeous ones on Kim's blog that I spotted when doing a lap of a blog hop.   Sometimes I come across a project on a blog hop that just says, 'Make Me, Make Me' and this was one of those. 

Have to say this paper didn't jump right out at me, but I love it in small doses like on these bright, happy gift cards. 

A little rhinestone seemed like a nice finishing touch.

The greeting is from Well Scripted and I've used Old Olive and Rose Red markers to ink it up so that I could get a couple of colours happening. 

Not too late to join my marker club you know.  Get your markers, the nifty case, a little gift each month, lots of hostess goodies plus 8 fabulous tutorials with heaps of step by step pics and instructions for marker techniques.  Read all about it here:  Marker Club details.  There's a terrific extra bonus for joining in with this one - email me to find out more!

Cheers, Sue

During August my talented class ladies turned their creative energies towards embellishing their art journal covers for their technique books.

You can see the first batch in this post here, and my one here.  And here are the ones from last week.  I so, so enjoyed seeing what everyone came up with, and what colours and embellishments they chose.  They look even better in real life - photographing at night with a flash is not the ideal.

Here is Shelley's:

Narelle's:  (Narelle combined our August technique - Faux Silk - to make the title panel.  Really catches the eye.)

Jodie's:

Peta's:

Michelle's:

and Rosalie's:

Thank you so much to all the art journal cover creators for letting me take snaps and share them with the blogging world. 

All products are from the Stampin' Up! range.   Quite fun to stack a bunch of tools, papers, embellihsments and punches on the table, mix with a lovely group of ladies and see what happens! 

Stay tuned for my newsletter tomorrow for details about October's classes, and heaps more exciting stuff.  (Taking a class break to do some spring cleaning in September!)  Plus newsletter subscribers - this month I'll also be sending a free Christmas Card/Faux Silk Tutorial.  Heaps of steps and heaps of pics so perfect for beginners too.  Hope you like it.  There's a newsletter sign up box in the top right column if you'd like to join the fun.

Birthday Boy:  Guitar Cake

For those that have been reading this blog over the weekend,  I did manage to turn this ...

...into this ...

...into this ...

 .... and finally to this ...

And our birthday boy (3) loved it. 

Catch you tomorrow. 

Cheers, Sue

Now if you're in the mood for some baking and have found this post by googling raspberry tart recipes, you may be a little disappointed!  Or perhaps we can tempt you into some card making! 

I've been having fun creating with some of my pack of Raspberry Tart patterned papers.

As soon as I saw this stunner of a card by the super talented Carol Dunstan I just had to give it a go.  (Warning: if you go blog hopping over there you better make a cuppa first, there's heaps of inspiring cards!  I could get lost for hours, or til one of my munchkins gets hungry and comes hunting for a mother!) 

Anyway - here's my CASE.

My version simply uses some of the designs from the Raspberry Tart paper pack punched with the 1 1/4 inch punch, with some of the coordinating Cameo Coral and Kiwi Kiss cardstock.  The greeting is from Basic Phrases - my newest handy greeting set (pg 117.)

Can't wait to try it with another paper pack.  Remember patterned papers are on special this month - buy 3 packs from the list and get a 4th free.  The list to select from is here.  Until the end of May only.  Give me a holler if you'd like to place an order.  Hmm, what's the email equivalent of a holler?  If I was a Twitterer I could say give me a tweet.  Shhhh, more cards - lets get back to it.

Now of course, while the gear is all out, may as well try another!   Here's a Kiwi Kiss version with the gorgeous satin ribbon.

And another with a matching Sunny Boy gift bag.  (Thanks to Marelle's tutorial here.)  They're called Sour Cream containers in the US I believe.

This little bundle was for someone from my team who reached a milestone recently.  A big congratulations to Angela Dickins on her promotion.  You can find her gorgeous creations on her blog here.  (I love the title ' What the Dickins!  Very clever!!)  This card by Ange is one of my favourites.  I must get out my Circle Circus set and give it a go. 

The little sunny boy containers are perfect for popping in a few little goodies.  I loved Marelle's tip for folding over the rim and tying the top with ribbon rather than adhering that end too, saves wrecking the bag to get to what's inside!

And that's it for my Raspberry Tart creations.   Hope you liked them.  

I am so over the moon that it is Friday night and I get a lovely, lovely sleep in tomorrow morning.   (That's a tad sad isn't it, but I do love my Saturday mornings!)  Then we're off to help our nephews celebrate their 4th and 1st birthdays so lots of fun in store.  And I'm gas bagging sharing some creativity at the Milleara Market in Avondale Heights on Sunday from 9 til 3.  Pop by if you're in the area and would like to see some cards or ask product or stamping questions, or just for a hi!

And if you were REALLY looking for a raspberry tart recipe, I'm afraid I can't help but you might like my sister in law's Black Forest Cheesecake Slice Recipe - it's easy to make and DELICIOUS!

Have a marvellous weekend.

Cheers, Sue

All set for tonight's technique class.  We're doing some different techniques using markers this month and one of them is stamping on candles.

Do you live in Melbourne's west?  Classes are held at my place in Avondale Heights.  There are some spare seats at the table on Wed 20th and Thursday 28th May (7.30pm) if you'd like to join us for some candle stamping.  We're also making 2 cards and embellishing a mini notebook.  Class fee is $20, and all materials are supplied.  Come join us!  More details here.

Cheers, Sue