Hannah turned 18 last week (I know - how fast does time fly!)  We couldn't get together with family and friends as we usually would so we had to think a little outside the box to make the day special. 

I've used the Christmas Countdown Project Kit and decorated it with some pretty colours to make this set of gorgeous drawers.  Each drawer has a message from grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins plus our clan.  Just print off the greetings and wishes and fold them to go in the little drawers.  

Doesn't it come up well all decorated.  I've used Peony Garden DSP plus a little of the In Good Taste DSP (patterned paper.)  I've also used some Whisper White embossed with Greenery embossing folder.  (In my video below I accidentally said shimmery white but it is the whisper white.)  I've cut some leaves from Champagne foil for a little extra shine, and added some Beaded Pearls and Elegant Faceted Gems.

The set of blank drawers come in your kit (along with some Christmas decorating parts to make an advent calendar.)  To repurpose it, just choose your favourite patterned paper or coloured cardstock to make an alternative set of drawer fronts to decorate for a special occasion.  Cut each drawer front piece to 5cm square and you can either trace one of the templates from the kit and cut with scissors or a HUGE shortcut would be to get a 1" circle punch.  I didn't have one of those but I did have the Timeless Label punch and just used the edge of that.  It is a little shallower than the circles in the kit but still worked well and was a lot easier than cutting with the scissors.  

I made a matching card and envelope using some of the same supplies.  

Here's a shopping link if you need any of the supplies I've used:  Project Supplies

I've put together a video giving a closer look and a few more tips for this project.  

Thanks to the lovely Ann from Complete Balloon Decorating in Buckley St, Essendon for the beautiful balloons.

And thanks to the lovely Helena from Bakes By Her for the extra special cupcakes and biscuits.

Wow - doesn't really seem ALL that long ago that Hannah was a cute little bub and now she's 18 and soon to finish school.  That saying is so true - the days are long but the years are short.  Wishing you every happiness Hannah.  xx

Happy creating.  

Cheers, Sue

I've been doing lots of colouring with this Blended Seasons stamp lately but today I thought I'd leave it simply stamped in black.  I wanted to feature this GORGEOUS ribbon that is one of my favourites from the upcoming Holiday Catalogue.  It is Glittered Organdy Ribbon in black with sparkles and it is delicious. 

Don't miss out on these framelits.  $57 for Blended Seasons framelits and only this month - they won't be available after that.  I've used the bigger of the frames for the glimmer paper and the medium one for the flower stamped layer.  My shimmery white base layer is embossed using the Garden Trellis embossing folder.  Quite a nice delicate lacy effect I think with that folder.  I love it for backgrounds.  Rhinestones give a touch of sparkle to the flower centres.

Happy stamping everyone! 

You can catch my latest facebook live video here with a few more sneak peeks from our upcoming Holiday Catalogue.

Cheers, Sue

August: Blended Seasons is only available this month.   Bonus Days: You'll get a $9 coupon to redeem in September for every $90 spent on products this month.  Classes: Don't miss out on an August card class.  Check my class page for dates and details.

Shopping links below.  (Except for that ribbon - we'll have to wait until September 5th for that one.) 

Product List

Blended Seasons Clear-Mount Bundle [149894] $113.00

Shimmery White A4 Card Stock [121717] $15.75

Rhinestone Basic Jewels [144220] $8.75

Garden Trellis Textured Impressions Embossing Folder [143741] $13.00

Sparkle Glimmer Paper [146957] $8.75

Some more balloon card inspiration for you today.  This one is a variation on Saturday's card. 

Tips and Techniques:  To make this one just grab a pack of your favourite Designer Series Paper.  I've used the Love Blossoms DSP Stack on page 17 of the Occasions catalogue.  (Note: There's a typo in the description - this is actually a pad of 6" x 6" squares,  not 12" x 12".)   You get 48 sheets with coordinating designs.  Makes it so easy to grab some that work well together.  Punch, arrange - all done.  You could whip up a bunch of these in a short time.  I was on a bit of a sparkly phase that day so added some coordinating Blushing Bride glimmer paper too.  Every day is better with a bit of  glitter I think. 

Got anyone who could use some sparkle in the mail?  Add a pack of glimmer paper to your next order.  My favourite colour in the glimmer paper is our beautiful Dazzling Diamonds.  Such a nice shade that goes with anything. 

Happy stamping!

Cheers, Sue

Product List

Balloon Celebration Photopolymer Bundle

[140810]

$64.50

Balloon Framelits Dies

[137362]

$29.00

Love Blossoms Designer Series Paper Stack

[140548]

$14.00

Blushing Bride Glimmer Paper

[140550]

$8.75

Shimmery White A4 Card Stock

[121717]

$14.00

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad

[132708]

$10.00

Balloons and sparkle - can't go too wrong with that combo.  Here's a sparkly option for your next balloon card. 

Tips and Techniques:  This one is a great option for if you're in a hurry.  So quick to just punch out a bunch of balloons in your favourite colours of glimmer paper.  (Thanks Ann - I loved the one you made at class that inspired this card.)  Stamp the strings and stick on your balloons - voila.  All done.  I found it easiest to arrange my balloons first then started from the top and adhere them one by one.  I used the bow from Balloon Framelits to cut a sparkly bow.  There is a bow stamp in the Balloon Celebration set you could use instead if you don't have that set of framelits.  Or if you're very clever with ribbon you could add a lovely ribbon bow for a nice finishing touch.  I'm all thumbs with ribbon so I love the 'zip it through the Big Shot' option.

I've used our lovely thick white for the card base, and our regular white for the section I've stamped on.  The smoothness of the regular white is great for stamping.  I've been going through LOTS of the thick white for the card bases.  A little sturdier so your card will stand up well. 

Have a sparkly day!  See you soon for another dose of balloon inspiration. 

Happy Stamping!

Cheers, Sue

Would you like a tour of my craft room?    Find me here:   Sue on YouTube

For some handy tips for card measurements:

Find more videos from me here:   Sue on YouTube

Shop Stampin' Up in Australia here:  SU Australia With Sue

Product List

Balloon Celebration Photopolymer Bundle

[140810]

$64.50

You're So Lovely Photopolymer Stamp Set

[140762]

$30.00

Blushing Bride Glimmer Paper

[140550]

$8.75

Red Glimmer Paper

[121790]

$8.75

Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper

[135315]

$8.75

Balloon Framelits Dies

[137362]

$29.00

Whisper White A4 Card Stock

[106549]

$15.00

Whisper White A4 Thick Cardstock

[140490]

$12.25

Basic Black A4 Card Stock

[121688]

$12.25

School holidays here so we've been spending lots of time in our jammies, pottering about outside, reading good books and generally relaxing.  Hannah and I had a bit of a play too with the Festive Flurry stamp set and framelits. Here's my card ....

I took my colour scheme (and that piece of patterned paper) from the Winter Frost Specialty DSP. Island Indigo, Coastal Cabana, Pool Party and Smoky Slate.  Some silver glimmer paper goes well too for a bit of a sparkle.

And I'm completely in love with those gorgeous Frosted Finishes embellishments. 

The greeting is from Special Season - very elegant I thought.  I used the edge of my scissors to add a bit of texture to the edge of the greeting panel.  (Which nicely disguised that it was cut a little wonkily with my scissors!)

Have you got one of the new Magnetic Platforms for the Big Shot?  They make using framelits so easy peasy. No more post it notes.

Hannah had a play too. We quite enjoyed a nice bit of mum and daughter craft time.

Here's Hannah's card.  She loves to raid my scraps box and see what she can put together.

Have a fabulous Spring day and I hope you get some creative time this week. 

Cheers, Sue

Products Featured: 

Something take your fancy?  Click the link to shop in my online store or phone/email through an order as usual. 

Festive Flurry stamp and framelit bundle.   Find it here in wood mount, or here in clear mount.

Frosted Finishes Embellishments - oh so pretty and sparkly.   Find there here.

Winter Frost Designer Series Patterned Paper -Find it here

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Stampin Up Holiday Catalogue Is Here

Christmas cards.  Are you a get organised early type of person or a scrambling around mid - late December type person?  I always have good intentions of getting an early start, but in the week before December you can usually find me madly grabbing out the Christmas craft products, getting stuck into the production line and doing a dash to the mailbox.

This year I seem to be running especially late so I was after a nice quick and easy design that I could put together fast without too much brain power.   This fit the bill perfectly .....

Naturals White base, Cherry Cobbler ink and a greeting from Delightful Dozen (pg 141.)

Snow Festival DSP and the Ornament Punch, plus a touch of sparkle with the glimmer paper.

Here's a couple more variations.

Love the red glimmer paper on that last one.  (Quite liking my new camera too I must say!)

Now for the inside of the card.  Ooh better not build any anticipation up there - it isn't gorgeous like some of my stamping friends.  More of a thump thump with a couple of greetings but it did the job.  (Could have used a stampamajig too - don't notice the crooked stamping will you. Wink.)

The greetings here are from More Merry Messages on page 15 of the main catalogue.

And I'd best leave it at that for tonight as I have a date with some wrapping paper and a roll of sticky tape. 

Oops before I go a quick update on this week's Clearance Blitz.   I hear that these items are now out of stock. 

In Colour 2010-2012 Stampin' Write Markers, Mocha Morning specialty DSP, Well Worn DSP, Loads of Love, Loads of Love Accessories, Four the Holidays, Patterns 2010-2012 In Colour, Crazy for Cupcakes, Party This Way

If you'd like anything from the last two lists or what's left from this one, get in touch early with your order and payment details and I'll give it my best shot. 

And if all the pre Christmas busy busy gets too much you can always do what my little lad did today.  H and I were packing her things for a sleepover and went looking for J who had disappeared.  Found him curled up on the floor near the couch taking a little nap. 

Happy stamping and wrapping and carol singing! 

Looking at that photo I'd best put vacuuming on that list too.  ;-)  

Keep smiling.

Cheers, Sue

I've so been looking forward to this blog hop since Ros let us know the theme would be techniques. I know - great idea isn't it!  I always love learning new things, or being reminded of a technique I've forgotten.   Grab a cuppa and have a browse round the 7 stops in today's hop and get some tips for 7 different stamping or craft techniques. 

Waving a hi if you've arrived here from Ros's blog where she's showing us all about washi tape.  And a hello if you're kicking things off from here. 

My card today features glitter panel technique - one my Christmas In July class regulars know well as I think I include it every year. 

First up you need to stamp your image.  I've used the gorgeous gingerbread man (and star) from Scentsational Season and the colours Cherry Cobbler and Baja Breeze.  I used the labels framelit and my Big Shot to cut out the piece of cardstock.

Grab your Versamark Pad out.   Is yours all beautiful and pristine or has it had a bit of an interesting life like mine!! 

See!   Tap your cardstock on the versamark pad (stamped image side down) - you'll need to move it a few times. 

 


Move and tap, move and tap, until your cardstock is nicely coated with versamark.

Now it is time to get out the heat gun, heat and stick powder and Dazzling Diamonds.

Tip heat and stick powder to liberally cover the cardstock ......

And then tap off the excess ...

... and heat with the heat gun until you see the powder change.  It will look shiny and you'll notice it is quite sticky.   Don't keep at it with the heat gun as this tends to dry it out and it will lose a bit of  tackiness. 

Now time for a dip in the Dazzling Diamonds fine glitter. 

Tap off the excess and I usually give it one more quick blast with the heat gun.  You won't see a change but it seems to help do that last little bit of setting.  (And blows off any excess that is not stuck down.  We have a nice sparkly floor in July!) 

Here's our glitter panel on a card.  (The card layout is based on this Tina Gillespie card that I really liked.) 

Some silver glimmer paper 1" circles to form the scallop trim, some Be Of Good Cheer DSP and shimmery white cardstock for the base and embossed panel. 

I hope you get a chance to get all sparkly trying glitter panel technique.  Holler if you've got any questions.

Now it is time to head along to the lovely Margaret's blog to find out about kissing with an embossing folder - sounds intriguing!  Click here:   Margaret's blog

Have fun and I hope you learn some new techniques while you hop along the stops in today's blog hop.  Now I'd best be off - we have a certain little lad turning 6 this weekend so a cake to decorate and presents to wrap!

Cheers,  Sue

It is that time of year again - the annual Think Ink Team Awards where my team celebrates another Stampin' Up year of fun and craft and creating.  Thought I'd share some pics.

I've been enjoying making these cards - saw this idea here  for the lovely background.  I've used Shimmery White cardstock and glued 2 strips punched with the lace ribbon border punch.  Creates a nice embossed look.  Some score lines with the Simply Scored.   Apothecary Art for the floral panel on watercolour paper. Regal Rose, So Saffron and Old Olive for my watercolouring.

Here's some of our 2012 Think Ink Team Awards prizes and certificates. 

(The role of Tina's die box is being played by Sue's die box for the pic - ha ha!)

Congratulations to Kylie, Tina and Rachel for their sales awards, and again to Kylie for her recruiting award, and to Judy - this year's Think Ink rising star award recipient.  Well done ladies!   And congrats to everyone in the crew for another fun year of getting inky.

I CASEd this Constantly Stamping card  to make this one using Bordering On Romance stamp set .....

That test tube used to hold jelly beans.  I washed and kept the tubes after we polished off the jelly beans as they looked so cute.  Actually I bought them especially to repurpose.  Have you ever bought something just for the cute container? 

Have a fabulous weekend. 

Cheers, Sue

Hello hello - May is here and we're celebrating paper paper paper. Free DSP on offer for customers and free DSP if you join in May.  (Details here.) 

To kick off paper month in style, how about a blog hop.  I'm part of the Art With Heart team and there are lots of talented scrapbookers in the crew led by Claire Daly.  Our blog hop today has 11 stops so you'll have lots of inspiration along the way for ways to use your Stampin' Up DSP in your scrapbooking.   Waving a hi if you've arrived from Alisha's blog and let's get moving if you're kicking off from here.

Now I'm a very simple scrapbooker - a photo, some paper, a story.  For this layout I've just gone with a word actually that I hear when I see this photo of Hannah.

A sparkle in the eye, sparkly dress and shoes, a sparkly smile.  I look at this photo and see a bright, happy girl, and must be a mum thing but I almost get a lump in the throat seeing how fast she is growing up.  I want to hang on to my little girl, but am excited to watch her mature too. 

The DSP is the gorgeous Paisley Petals.  It has some bold eyecatching designs but I've used the more muted tones on the reverse for my page.  (The beauty of double sided paper.) 

I've matted with coordinating colours - Always Artichoke and Not Quite Navy, plus Early Espresso for the photo. 

My base is a scrapbooking favourite - Crumb Cake.

My letters (Simple Letters Alphabet die pg 159) were cut from the silver glimmer paper. 

They got a bit lost on the page ......

.... so I grabbed out an aquapainter and my Not Quite Navy reinker and painted on a few layers of colour to coordinate with my papers. 

Aaaaah, that's better.

Some of our delicate little pearls and Baroque Motifs to snazz up the base layer a little.

Ready to pop in the album.   Now I don't know about you but I'm very excited about this blog hop and can't wait to zip round the sites and get some scrapbooking ideas.  I've got a nice stash of my favourite DSPs and I just know the girls will get me all inspired to get it out and get creating.

Next stop in the hop is the very talented scrapbooker Kathryn Ruddick  using one of my favourite packs of paper.  Have fun!

And get in touch if you'd like to take advantage of our May paper specials.

Cheers, Sue

Just in case you're visiting another day - here's the direct link to each of the hop posts:

Kathryn, Deb, Claire,  Tina, Nikki, Ros, Amanda, Kathryn M, Di, and Alisha

OK last batch to share.  Finally got a pic that shows off the shimmer in the Shimmery White cardstock just a little.  I'm completely out of it now so must remember to reorder in the New Year.

I punched some of the shimmer paper with the triple doily punch, and some Night of Navy embossed with Petals a Plenty and spritzed with Isocol/Shimmer Paint.  Then just add glimmer brads. 

And revisited my squares design too ....

Signing off for a few days now.  Wishing you all a very merry Christmas filled with family, friendship and fun.   Travel safely for those of you on the road. 

I look forward to catching you in this part of blogland after the festive season.

Merry, Merry Christmas,  Love Sue

Cheers,  Sue