Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Card of the Week

This weeks card was designed by playing around with my Mat Pack and paper piercing tool. I wanted to see how far I could go with piercing. This all over effect came out looking like lattice, so I was quite pleased with the finished background. I started by rolling out the Forever Flowers Stampin' Around wheel in Mellow Moss, and filled in the flowers with Groovy Guava, and the leaves with Sage  Shadow.
I have used Very Vanilla and Groovy Guava card stock. The ribbon is Wild Wasabi double stitched Grossgrain, and the flower (Carte Postale set)  has a  small circle rhinestone, from the "Fire" selection.

Tuesday's Terrific Tips

One aspect of a good card or page is getting it straight. I have trouble lining up letters and verses, and sometimes it takes me two or three attempts before I get it reasonably straight.
One way of ensuring you get it right first time , every time is by using a Stamp-a- Ma-jig . This handy little tool  ensures precise stamp alignment every time. It retails at $22.95 and comes with re-usable imaging sheets for easy placement. It works with all your stamp block sizes too.

Sunday Night Scrapping

Here is a beautiful little Princess!
I have just spent the weekend with my cousin and her family, in Townsville.
Vonnie has been blessed with three little Princesses, and I had a wonderful time with them.
I have been having a lot of fun with my Stampin' Around wheels, creating borders and cards. This is a 12 x 12 page , bordered with Forever Flowers. I have used a blending pen to pick up some extra colour in the flowers.
I got to use my new Scalloped edge circle punch and used a swap card from Kim Gavarra, to add the  Perfect Princess  embellishments on. 
Colours used  were Mellow Moss, Regal Rose, Rose Red, and Pink Passion,Sahara Sand, on Whisper White 12 x 12.

card of the Week

This card was made for a demo last week for my good friend Jenny. What a turnout! Eighteen keen stampers, and more food than an Indian wedding Banquet! Thanks Jenny.
I have used  Very Vanilla, Whisper White, Sahara Sand and Basic Black card. The flowers are from the Carte Postale Set, and is stamped in Basic Black. The sentiment is from Artfully Asian, and I have used my Mat Pack and Pricking tool to add a Faux stitching row to the top and bottom of the outline.

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Stampin'Up! News

Pallette o'Prints!
Spend $35-00 on any Stampin'Up! products, and get a 6X6 pad of  double -sided  Prints Designer Series Paper.
This one time offer gives you 48 double-sided sheets in 
>Certainly celery
>Rose Red
>So Saffron
>Almost Amethyst
Each pad holds twelve sheets of each color-two sheets of each pattern in each colour - that can be used for cards,crafts,or scrapbooking!
This offer is valid from May 01- May 31 2008
Contact me today to pre-order your Palette o' Prints!

Catalogue Write -Ins
Designer Series double-sided 12x12 Papers
Spring Flowers item no. 106685   $11.95
Spring Showers item no. 106686   $11.95
Good News!
These items have been added to the 2008-09 catalogue for purchase at a reduced price from the retired catalogue.


Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Tuesday's Terrific Tips

Did you know that Stampin'Up! cardstock and papers use recycled materials??
Yes they do!!
On average, coloured card uses  a whopping 75%-85% recycled paper, and very light colours (such as Very Vanilla) use about 60% recycled.
Another great way to get the most out of your cardstock, is to plan to use every scrap. When you trim a piece of card, try to work put the best fit before you cut. If you have a little bit left over , think of what else you can do with it. Make a faux ribbon strip, or pin prick it and run some white gel pen over it to create faux stitching.
And for those odd shaped left overs, use a small punch to cut out circles, then place an eyelet in the centre to make a decorative fastener.
Can you think of anything else to do with those little bits?? drop me a line and share it with others 

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Sunday Night Scrapping

it's been a while since I sat down seriously scrapped anything. My sister-in -law Sally, asked me to help out with her nieces 21st album last time I was in Sydney. We had five days to scrap 21 years of memories. What a challenge!!!!!
Just as well I like doing it, or we might still be going.
I was asked to do a Stampin'Up  demo using scrapbooking as my theme, so that's what I've set out to do.
I made a great card last week that was easily converted into a 6 X 6 mini album page, and this is the 12 X 12 idea.
The cute little guy driving the car is my son John. This was our first visit to Australia Zoo.
John had a great time because it was so "hands on" for the kids.
I have used two alphabet sets of stamps, and the leaf from Natural Beauty to give dimension. It was great to finally get these photos in an album to preserve the memory.

Welcome to Teddy!

We have a new addition to our family!
This is Teddy.He was born on 29/12/07, and  is a British Short Hair, and is just adorable.
I can't believe my DH actually said "Yes" to another cat. 
I think Teddy will highlight in a lot more of my postings, on the Scrapbooking pages.

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Card of the Week

Yesterday I was sitting in a waiting room that inspired me to design some cards using Artfully Asian Stamp Set.There is a Day lounge in this room that reminded me of scenes from the Far East, with rich, strong colours. 
This stamp set is so easy to think up new ways of using it, so I challenged myself to step outside the square, and use colours I am not so confident with.
The colours used are Bordering Blue, Basic Black,Pumpkin Pie and Watercolor paper.
The Maple leaf stamp has been randomly stamped in Basic Black and coloured using watercolor pencils and aqua painter.
It was finished off with paper piercing and a little silver organdy ribbon.

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Mystery Hostess Revealed!

On 29th March, I hosted my Launch into StampinUp!, and offered the chance to enter the draw for  a new set of Hostess stamps.
Congratulations to our Mystery Hostess, Annette Mc.
 On delivery of your qualifying order, you will recieve a Hostess level one set, "A Little Bit of happiness"
Thanks to everyone who attended, and made the afternoon so enjoyable.

Tuesday's Terrific Tips

Do you have trouble getting a clear image on some of your new stamps?
Try this handy tip. 
The best way to ensure a good clear image is to condition your stamps before you use them. Give them a clean with Stampin' Mist and the Stamp'n Scrub mats before inking them up. Remember the quality of your cardstock will also determine the results too.
If you find there is still a resistance to a clear image, gently rub over the  surface of the stamp's rubber with an eraser. If you have a set of Stampin' Pastels, you will find the perfect eraser there.
Once you have done this, dust off the residue left behind , using the dry cloth in the Stamp 'n Scrub.
The ink seems to grip the stamps a lot better , and gives a clean ,crisp image.

Monday, April 7, 2008

Order Your New 2008-2009 Catalogue Now!


Even better still, book an In- home demonstration, and get yours free!
Orders are now being taken from the new catalogue too.
With a wonderful new range of stamps, accessories and colours, this catalogue is a fantastic way to spruce up your skills, or just get some fresh ideas.
I am excited about the new range of accessories in the "Pretties Kit", and the fresh ,fun, Rhinestone Brads. They will add a new dimension to any card or page.
To preview this catalogue, visit  here, or email me to reserve your copy.

Welcome to my blog!

It's great to finally be set up! Firstly I would like to thank my 17 year old son, Bryan, for his ongoing technical support, and patience. With out his input this site may not have happened for a lot longer.
Each week I hope to update this site with a new project, a new technique, and the latest specials from SU!
Once a month I would also like to post a challenge to you, to complete a project and send it to me.
So, keep posted, Don't forget to Bookmark this Blog.