Cheep Talk ... Too cute

                                     This card was just too much fun!!

One week ago I was asked to hold a private stamping class and I designed a diverse set of cards using different stamps and colours to tickle everyone's fancy :)  - I have to say that although I really love classy and elegant cards, I had so much fun with this set it was just like being a child again and having fun with colours and cute little animals.

  - Cheep Talk stamp set (only $4.80 per stamp) definitely makes for the quickest card to create and it's so much fun putting it together.

I highly recommend buying this as a stocking stuffer for Christmas ! There are some great sets in the catalogue but this one is not only fun to use but it's versatile and brings a smile to anyone's face, young and old (ish) alike :0)

ps.  Ladybug and ant was from the Bugs & Kisses set - isn't that ladybug just toooo cute!!  



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Stampin' Up! Parisian Breeze Designer Paper

I thought I would share an off the page item using the Parisian Breeze Designer Paper out of the current Spring Mini Catalogue which is only available until the end of this month.

I really enjoy working with these colours and the paper is such a lovely coverweight card stock to work with which lends itself to create so many off the page items with.  This is a  chipboard book (Stampin' Up! On Board Art Journal) which I covered so that I could keep a list of all the different techniques that I am teaching in my classes.  I have actually added a chocolate brown felt fusion flower  right above the middle leaves as I felt that "something was missing"

The ladies attending my class next week will be making a similar one on Monday.


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Stampin' Up! Christmas Extravaganza - Gift Giving Guide Promotion

Dates:  1 November - 14 December 2009

Promotion: Simply purchase $85 of products from the Gift Giving Guide and receive a Free Punch valued at $30.95

Details: You will love this new promotion click on this link CHRISTMAS GIFT GIVING GUIDE PROMOTION to download a full sized flyer onto your computer.

Stampin' Up! announced today that you will have a choice of two punches to select from.  The Scallop Square punch or the Boho Blossoms Punch (both are on pages 152/153 of the catalogue).  If you buy $170 worth of promoted products you can chose one of each for free.


I Wish Simply Scrappin’ Kit
Real Red 12″ x 12″ cardstock
Old Olive 5/8″ Grosgrain ribbon
Small cellophane bags
Curly Label Punch BUndle
Kiwi Kiss A4 cardstock
Whisper White A4 cardstock
Riding Hood Red 5/8″ striped grosgrain ribbon
From the Kitchen of stamp set
Thanks x 2 Simply Sent Card Elements & More Kit
More Thoughts Simply Sent Kit2U Simply Sent Card Elements & More Kit
No One Like You Simply Sent Kit
Dress Up Ribbon Originals
Valet Ribbon Originals
Cutter Kit
Button Latte Designer Buttons
Button Bouquet Designer Buttons
Pigtails Ribbon Originals
Petal Party Simply Scrappin’ Kit
Rock-a-bye Boy Simply Scrappin’ Kit
Sweet Nothings Simply Scrappin’ Kit
Hoppy Memories Simply Scrappin’ Kit
Just Jawing stamp set
Bold Brights A4 assorted cardstock
Real Red Stampin’ Write marker
Brilliant Blue Stampin’ Write marker
Glorious Green Stampin’ Write marker
On Board 5″ x 5″ Art Journal

Spiral Punch

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Christmas Classics and Spotlight On Christmas

Hello my stamping friends, just a quick Christmas card to share , here I used the Christmas Classics Stamp set ($45.95 / 6 stamps) and also Spotlight On Christmas ($39.95 / 6 stamps) which by the way  co-ordinate with Stampin' Up! punches.  I love using stamps and punches together, they just work hand and hand and make life so easy.

If you would like to attend any of my classes I hold two classes each week, one for beginner stampers and a technique based class for intermediate to advanced stampers.  With Christmas just around the corner why not come and join us to get those Christmas cards organized nice and early!


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Bugs and Kisses - The cutest little Stampin' Up! Waterfall card ever...

This is a waterfall card that I have changed a little so it works sideways, It turned out so cute and I had so much fun making it.  You could easily use the Stampin' Up! Round Tab punch instead of the ribbon so it has a little pull tab.
When the tab is pulled all the little critters open up and fall over in succession hence the name waterfall card.  Cute!  There is a row of little bugs all along the tab.. and just like a normal card it opens up so there is room inside for the sentiment.

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Start your own business and support Breast Cancer Awareness

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS PROMOTION

For over 20 years, Stampin’ Up! has helped women make a difference in the lives of others by simply doing what they love to do–sharing creativity.

Now you too can become a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator and make a difference! For every person who joins the Stampin’ Up! family between 1 October and 31 December 2009, we will donate $5 to the National Breast Cancer Foundation (AU) or The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation.  This promotion has only just commenced!


Plus, until 31 December 2009, we will give you a FREE pack of Raspberry Tart Designer Series Paper and a Pretty in Pink Classic Stampin' Pad to help you get started.


There has never been a better time to sign up as a Demonstrator, with Christmas Card classes literally just starting, Sale- A -Bration Promotion for the first 3 months next year and 6 months to earn 15 free stamp sets this really is an excellent offer  If you would like further information I'd be only too happy to either email you  or to post an information pack to you.

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Additional Classes coming soon

Hello  everyone,

I just wanted to post a quick note to let you know that I am planning to run additional classes from our home  in approximately 2 weeks time.  If you are interested please send me a quick email to let me know your time / day preferences.  I don't mind holding some classes early in the evening if this makes it easier to juggle your family obligations, I am happy to work in with whatever works best for everyone.

At present our Wednesday class is really growing too fast and I feel that a lot of my ladies would prefer smaller classes.  So the present Wednesday class will still continue as always.  It will be for approximately 2 hours in duration and will focus on more simple cards ~  so that everyone, advanced level stampers as well as beginners will be able to keep up at a more leisurely pace in a relaxed, unhurried atmosphere and have time to enjoy our morning tea as well.

The advanced classes will be more elaborate and technique based ~  they will include cards, 3D projects, scrapbooking,  Stamp a Stacks ( which is basically stamping a stack of 9 cards in the one session - 3 of each design)  If there are enough people to hold a class at beginners level with very small numbers I am happy to look into this as well.
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Party Hearty Stampin' Up! Style

I have some more cards to share using the Party Hearty Stamp set.... I used a little glitter on the candle flame, Crystal Effects on the "icing" of the cupcake and while it was still wet I placed some glass beads into the Crystal Effects.  Once Dry the beads are embedded beautifully in what looks like glossy chocolate icing.

Don't you just love the way the Stampin' Up! Trio Flower Punch matches the Kiwi Kiss Designer Paper beautifully!

Colours used were Tangerine Tango, Kiwi Kiss and Chocolate Chip

I tried to create a set of cards that can be used for both men and women, boys or girls, hope you like them!

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Fifth Avenue Floral Stamp Set and Pocket Silhouettes

This is a really simple yet elegant card using the Fifth Avenue Floral Stamp set, I have used Shimmer Paper and embossed it, teamed it up with a Close to Cocoa Stampin' Up! Inkpad, a few nestabilities to create the frame and Very Vanilla Cardstock...

We made this card and the one below in our  regular Wednesday Stamping Group which I teach every Wednesday at 9:45am.  If you would like to attend, so that I have a kit available for you kindly contact me beforehand as our group is growing very quickly and bookings are essential. The colours used are Kiwi Kiss, Not quite Navy Card Stock and Baja Breeze and Not quite Navy Ink pads.  Urban Garden Designer Paper by Stampin' Up! was used to bring the whole design together.

I have quite a few photos to upload over the next few days, so why not subscribe to my newsletters, there is a link on the left hand side of the page, and you will receive emails directly everytime there is a new update.




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Quick and easy Trendy Trees Cards

I have two very easy cards to share with you using the Trendy Trees Stampin' Up! Stamp set.  A real fun set of stamps when using the Stamp -a-ma-jig

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Have a nice weekend

Hi Everyone, just a quick update that I haven't disappeared off the face of the earth, just had a lot on this last week. Hubby went overseas for 5 days, daughter came back from camp, a few appointments. Signed the kids up for Mini Athletics (and sat there watching them until 9pm last night!!) etc. etc. we all lead such busy lives don't we! Will get back to uploading a few new cards this weekend :) Have a nice weekend all!


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Soccer Card

A quick soccer card to share. I didn't use any Stampin Up! stamps for this card because I had to use whatever I had on hand that would work with the ideas that I had in mind. We needed a Thank you Coach Card for the two very dedicated coaches who have been training our boys during the soccer season. Just thought I'd share :) - I did use Crystal effects on the soccer boots and the top layer of the grass to make it nice and shiny. The "filmstrip" I created using the spiral punch as well as a 1 1/4" square punch.

Also notice I have finally managed to place my watermark on this photo! Pat on the back for me, although I am not so sure that I will be able to remember how I did it for my next upload, lol, slowly I'm working out a few more features in Photoshop CS4.

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Crazy for Cup Cakes Stamp Set

I designed some very pretty Birthday cards today for our Stamping Group that I teach every week. This week we had 5 ladies attending who had never stamped before in addition to our usual stampers (Hi Ladies :) I can't believe we need three whole tables for all of us now!

It did prove to be a challenge as there were quite a few steps involved in these cards but everyone managed beautifully. It really gives me such a happy feeling when I see the look of excitement on someone's face when they discover stamping for the very first time and the are so proud of their achievements!

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Free Stampin' Up! Ribbon Bundle Promotion

From 1-30 September, you can get an exclusive Ribbon Bundle* FREE when you spend $100 on any Stampin' Up! products or host a $600 workshop.

****Ribbon bundle includes ***

9.1 metres each Certainly Celery 5/8" poly-twill ribbon and So Saffron 5/8" grosgrain ribbon.

Both of these ribbons are not in our current catalogue, so this will be your only opportunity to get them....let me know if you "need" to order a few items so you can take part in this great offer which is only valid for this month.

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Totally Tools & Occasional Greetings - Father's Day Cards

Happy Father's Day Cards

I held a technique class yesterday, we created faux aligator skin using the cuttlebug, a versamark ink pad and some clear embossing powder. The faux effect looks exactly like patent leather, quite amazing what you can do with cardstock and embossing pwder! It was a fun class filled with lots of laughter.... and we're all super organized for Father's Day now!

Unfortunately I am unable to send kits out for this class as technique classes are quite involved, however I am happy to run this class again if any of my customers are interested.

Stamp sets: Totally Tools, Occasional Greetings, Weathered Background.

Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, More Mustard

Inkpads: Versamark, Always Artichoke

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Bella Rose and Oval All Stampin' Up! combination

I would like to show you a set of cards I made especially for a fundraiser at our local church craft group. They turned out really pretty. Recently a customer who had bought the Bella Rose Designer Paper from me felt that she did not feel inspired to do anything creative with it. I thought I'd take up the challenge and make some cards which would show this lovely Designer Paper off a little...

I also just noticed that the oval scallop punch matches my banner right on the top of my webpage, how nice of Stampin' Up! to co-ordinate with me! :) lol

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Oval All & matching Stampin' Up! Scallop Oval Punch

Just a few detailed pics of the individual cards... I do love how the Scallop Oval Punch and the Oval All Stamp set go hand in hand. I also used two other Stampin' Up! Oval Punches to compliment the scalloped punch. Email me if you would like some instructions sent out to you.

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Tree Trimmings

I have been busy making Christmas Cards! I know it seems a bit early, however the lovely little stamp set in the current Spring Mini Catalogue called "Tree Trimmings" is just adorable to work with.

It's excellent value for only $24.95 considering that most of the Christmas stamp sets in the main catalogue are all priced around $40.00! The current Spring Mini Catalogue is available for the next 3 1/2 months until 30 November.

If you have not as yet seen the new Spring Mini and would like a copy I am happy to pop one into the post for you and also include a free card making kit so you can see how beautiful the detail in the Tree Trimmings Set is.

The first image uses the Tree Trimmings Stamp set ($24.95) and Seasons of Joy (51.95)

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Urban Oasis 6 x 6 Scrapbook page

Just another very quick post, thought I'd share with you a very quick scrapbook page I made using Urban Oasis Designer Paper. I cut a slit into the paper following the outline of the image and slid the photo underneath. this page does not use a lot of embellishments...I think it looks best in it's simple clean lines.

I held a scrapbook class yesterday and it was great to see all the different pages everyone came up with. I will take some photos and upload after next week's stamping class on Wednesday. It was a little challenging as half the ladies had not created a layout before, everyone felt that it was fun to try something new.

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Sense Of Time masculine card

I played around with my glitter and heat and stick powder last night. It amazes me every time just how well the glitter sticks to the image and does not come off when rubbed. I used the new Sense of Time stamp set from the Stampin' Up! spring mini catalogue.

This card came together really quickly and I'm quite happy with the result, at first I was not sure if the glitter would work with a masculine feel... being all sparkly and quite eye catching...

It's a shame the photo does not show up the sparkle as it really brings the card to life.

If you have not used Heat & Stick Powder before it is like embossing powder, only it makes the image sticky once heated. Next pour on some glitter and tap off the excess then heat set again. A very easy way to apply glitter to your image with precision.

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The new Stampin' Up! Spring Mini Catalogue is out now!

How exciting!! The new spring mini catalogue officially begins today! Today is the day that you can order from the new catalogue. It is packed full of the most elegant as well as many fun stamp sets. There are some brand new accessories including a new scallop punch which comes with a matching stamp set. It doesn't get any easier than that to create beautiful cards very quickly.

Please email me for a free copy of the catalogue and I'll send one to your home address, if however you already have a demonstrator please be sure to contact her as I'm sure that she will pop one in the post for you too... or if you can't wait that long just click on  HERE to download the PDF file and browse through the catalogue right away. Enjoy! As always all orders placed with me are submitted immediately for super fast delivery. 

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Fiji Photos as last

Finally some photos to upload. Here are a few shots of our recent Fiji Holiday. Our children made friends everywhere, Fijian people are just so beautiful deep within. The photo of the vessel shows the Blue Lagoon Cruise which we were on for 7 wonderful days. On this particular day we left the ship and went ashore to climb the northern most tip of the Yasawa Islands, (it was a very steep climb and made me realize that I should be more active back at home)...looking down was incredible.....the water looked totally amazing!



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We're back home again! :)

Gosh time has flown, we have been in Fiji for nearly 3 weeks and have come back so well rested. I have so many photos to share and so many stories to tell. (Am already planning some scrapbook pages) Probably the most beautiful memory comes to mind that whilst we stayed on a little remote island right on the famous Blue Lagoon Beach, in the Northern Yasawa Islands, our children befriended some wonderful Fijian people in a village right across the channel.

To cut a long story short they were invited to stay for 2 days and 1 night in a traditional Fijian village. No Electricity, however the islanders were lucky to have natural spring water. There were 20 people sharing one room each night, complete with straw mats to sleep on. The whole village consisted of approx 200 people.

Cooking was done over fire and washing up dishes using bowls (camping style) were a part of daily routine, as was collecting fire wood. Beds are a considered a luxury which most Fijians in this part of Fiji simply do not have/can afford, so the kids were happy to do as the locals do and sleep on the floor.

Our kids came back very humble and appreciative of all that they have, yet so impressed by the love that their wonderful newfound friends (I hope for life) shared so freely. They had such a wonderful time that they did not want to leave the village! Were however very happy to have the luxury of their beds again the following night.

It's quite late right now however I shall upload some holiday photos to share tomorrow...

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Pretty in Pink & Regal Rose Baby Card

Just wanting to show you a baby card that I made using my punches and Pretty In Pink and Regal Rose card stock. Little Making Memories Brads are used on the wheels, Fiskars punch on the outside borders, nestabilities for the oval as well as my cuttlebug and embossing folder to create some texture on the white background for this card.



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Punches three

I have a little onesie card to share with you today, I have seen quite a few variations of this on the internet, so the design is not anything new, what is new about my design is that I was able to use my scallop border punch as well as the round scallop circle punch for decorating the white edges. I used little Making Memories button brads which were a perfect match with the pretty in pink card stock.



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Next Week Stamping Class

Hi Ladies,

Most of you know that we are heading to Fiji on holidays shortly, not only is it a special wedding anniversary for hubby and I, as this is where we went on our honeymoon.... but our three little monkeys are on school holidays as well.

All five of us went to Fiji in January and got caught in a major cyclone and were stranded for nearly 3 weeks on an island. It sounds great, but it's not so much fun when the whole country was being evacuated and we were stuck in torrential rain and the food was running out with each passing day, people were drowning, villages were literally washed away , all incoming and outgoing flights were cancelled and the only method of transport was by helicopter...the electricity was constantly dropping out and our clothes were permanently wet.

The night times were even more fun, even though we had 2 rooms booked, the kids spent most of the time in our bed going to sleep because the strong winds and storms were so scary.

Anyway the good news!!! ... we decided to rebook during their "dry season" .... please don't start doing any raindances between now and then ~ lol ~ so we're off again for 2 and a bit weeks and we are all very excited.

I won't be holding classes at our local church during this time so I have a very special class planned for next week Wednesday. Not telling just yet... it's a surprise... but it will be special, do let me know if you are coming so I don't under-cater in kits for the day.

I have also spoken to the ladies in the church office and have been granted an extra day each week to hold one additional stamp class. Yay!!! We can change the day and the times around to suit us. This will be a class based on small numbers only - the projects that we will be making will be more involved and because our classes are small we will learn a lot more. At the moment I am thinking of 4 people to a class with a one off ( maximum of 5 people) every now and again.

I am really excited to be offering these classes which will commence in July. If you are interested in coming along, drop me an email, I'd love to hear from you, even if you do not wish to participate, perhaps just come along have a cup of coffee or a cup of tea and have a look at what we are doing. It's always fun to make new friends and you might even like to participate in future classes.

Will post another card tomorrow, have a nice evening

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Best Yet Gift Card Holder

I got some designer print paper out this afternoon and made a little Gift Card Holder. I wanted it to be bright so Holly can use it to give to one of her girlfriends as an upcoming birthday present.

Using Raspberry Tart Designer Paper, Kiwi Kiss Card Stock and Rose Red Ink I'm happy with how it turned out. I did not have any rose red narrow grosgrain ribbon so I ran it across my ink pad and dyed it to match.

The stamp set for the outside and inside sentiment was Best Yet which is a Hostess Gift set that you can easily get for free, just ask me how...

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Enjoy Every Moment

I have two quick cards to share with you today using the Stampin' Up! stamp set Enjoy Every Moment.

The first card used a Kiwi Kiss and Riding Hood Red colour scheme, whilst on the second card I changed the colours just a touch... to Pumpkin Pie and Kiwi Kiss.

The little silver Hodgepodge buckle is the same shape as the flowers in the background paper as well as the flower stamp in the actual stamp set. It's amazing how everything just works so well when you combine Stampin' Up! products.

Back again tomorrow with another new card, I hope you are all having a nice weekend.

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Always

I have been playing with my Always stamp set again, and I just had to use one of my Martha Stewart Punches, this one is the doily lace punch, so feminine.

I'm quite pleased with how this card turned out. Maybe because I made a tri fold card a few days ago and realized how easy it was ... I wanted to use some regal rose this time.

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Season of Joy - distressed look

Here are a few more Season Of Joy cards that I quickly made last night. I really enjoyed playing with my edge distresser which is part of the Stampin' Up! cutter Kit.

For some reason, the roughed up edge of a layout, a photo, a frame or a journaling block adds just the right amount of dimension and character.

Just love the Kraft Card Stock in combination with Old Olive and Riding Hood Red and the Naturals Irory Card Stock, the "junked" up look just goes hand in hand with the Kraft Card Stock

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