Treats for your Sweet

From today until 24 January, order Sweetheart stamp set (wood or clear mount) or the Full Heart Punch and receive a set of 12 Heart Treat cups absolutely free. Make it twice as sweet and order the stamp set and the punch to receive 24 cups.

Contact me today to place your order or to book in your Valentine's Workshop.

Another birthday card

Everyone seems to have one month in the year when the majority of their friends and family celebrate their birthday. Well, my month is December. My good friend Allison celebrated her birthday just before Christmas and I decided to make her a trifold card. This card uses the same amount of cardstock as the standard-sized cards, the difference is that it has two score lines instead of just one.


To open, the ribbon is untied and a new design on the inside is revealed. I put the inside through my Big Shot using the Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder. I then highlighted the image by using a dauber and some shimmer paint. I stamped the flower image on a separate piece of Pink Pirouette cardstock, cut around it, then sprayed it using a mixture of Shimmer Paint and rubbing alcohol.

Ingredients

Cardstock: Pink Pirouette, Early Espresso

Ink: Early Espresso

Stamps: Printed Petals, Style Beautiful, Vintage Vogue

Punches: Eyelet Border

Embossing Folder: Vintage Wallpaper

Shimmer Paint: Champagne Mist
Ribbon: Organza
Other: Basic Rhinestone Jewels

Happy Birthday Tania

I made this card for my close friend Tania, whose birthday was on Friday. I've used a set that I haven't really used much lately, even though it deserves to be used a lot more: Razzle Dazzle - it has some stunning floral stamps and is very versatile.

I've also used my Basic Pearl Jewels (see the close-ups below) to highlight some of the images.

These jewels are really easy to apply as they have their own adhesive on the back, so they just lift off the sheet and straight onto the card.

Ingredients

Stamp Sets: Razzle Dazzle, Style Beautiful;

Cardstock: Rose Red, Elegant Eggplant, Baja Breeze, Whisper White;

Ink: Rose Red;

Markers: Old Olive, Rose Red;

Punches: Eyelet Border, 1-3/4" x 7/8" Oval;

Accessories: Basic Pearls Jewels.

Stunning Summer Mini

A reminder that the stunning Summer Mini Catalogue is now available. It's packed full with new stamp sets, paper and accessories. For you FREE copy, please click here to send me an email.

December Frenzy

Stampin' Up! has some great specials on offer from today until 29 December 2010. For more information, click here. There are some fantastic savings of up to 50%. So if you've been after something in particular or are looking for a special gift for someone who loves cardmaking or scrapbooking, take a look and contact me to order. Please send all orders to me by no later than 8pm on 29/12/2010.

The Tower

I decided to work on another double layout since I have so many pictures of the Tower of London from my last visit to London. I chose the colours for the flowers by looking at the colours in the Designer Series Paper (Elegant Soiree) and the background (Bravo Burgundy). This is page 1...

Page 2...

... and side by side ...

I hope you like them.

Ingredients

Cardstock: Bravo Burgundy, Soft Suede

Patterned Paper: Elegant Soiree Designer Series Paper
Ink: Baja Breeze, Bravo Burgundy, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake

Marker: Bravo Burgundy

Stamps: Punch Potpourri

Punches: Boho Blossums Extra Large, Scallop Edge

Ribbon: Very Vanilla Grosgrain

Accessories: Paper Daisies, Timeless Type Alphabet Junior Dies, Gold brads, Daubers

Happy Birthday Tristan

One of my friends is holding a party tomorrow for her son, Tristan's 1st birthday. I decided to pull out the very versatile stamp set, Fox and Friends to make his card. Along with a new set, Funky Four, which is where those cute little mushrooms come from. Once again, I've referred to the colour coach to find the colour combination of Marina Mist, Cajun Craze and Crumb Cake (I added the Whisper White to match the fabulous Organza Ribbon).

Happy Birthday Nakita

My beautiful niece, Nakita celebrated her 6th birthday last week. This is the card I made for her. It uses two stamp sets which I received in the mail last week: The Nicest Things and Style Beautiful. Once again, I pulled out my colour coach for the colour combination. I never would have used these two colours together without the colour coach, but I'm quite pleased with how this card turned out.

Ingredients

Stamp Sets - The Nicest Things, Style Beautiful

Cardstock - Pretty In Pink, Certainly Celery. Watercolour paper

Ink - Stazon Black

Ribbon - Pretty In Pink Taffeta ribbon

Other - Stampin' Pastels, Basic Pearl Jewels

GIANT Craft Sale

A reminder about my team's GIANT craft sale this Saturday. Come along and grab a bargain. You could even win one of our lucky door prizes.

Where: The Church Hall (Blacktown East Presbyterian) Corner of Heffron Rd and Gallop Gve, Lalor Park.

When: Saturday 23 October 9am to 1pm.

Hope to see you there.

Stamp-a-stack

The lovely ladies that came to my class today have just left. This is one of the cards we made. I took the colours from the great new colour coach (see page 117 of the Idea Book and Catalogue). I just picked the base colour, found the card in the colour coach and took out the cardstock in the colours listed. It makes picking colour combinations so much easier.

Ingredients
Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Riding Hood Red, Not Quite Navy, Garden Green, Whisper White
Ink: Riding Hood Red, Not Quite Navy
Stamps: Punch Potpourri Hostess Set, Wonderful Favourites
Punches: 1/2" Circle, Two-Step Bird, 1-3/4"x7/8" Oval, 1-3/8"x5/8" Oval
Marker: Basic Black (for the bird's eye)

Forest Friends

Our little friend Lucas turns 2 today so I made him this card. The little bunnies are perfect for a toddler and these colours go so well together. Look closely - I've drawn bits of grass around the bunnies with Garden Green marker.


Hope you've had a wonderful birthday Lucas. xxx.


Ingredients


Cardstock: Night of Navy, Real Red, Garden Green, Whisper White
Ink: Night of Navy, Real Red
Markers: Garden Green
Stamp Sets: Forest Friends, Great Friend
Punches: 1-3/8" x 5/8" Oval, 1-3/4" x 7/8" Oval

Father's Day

I'm looking forward to spending Father's Day with my Dad, my brother (who is also a dad) and my 5 year old niece tomorrow. My husband and I are planning to go to my Dad's for breakfast where my niece has promised to make us pancakes! Then all of us except my husband (who has an exam on Monday) will be going to lunch in the Rocks in the city. Happy Father's Day Dad - love you lots!

Ingredients for the card above...

Cardstock: Soft Suede, Certainly Celery, Very Vanilla

Ink: Soft Suede, Certainly Celery

Stamps: For You Flower, Trendy Trees, Circle Circus

Punches: Fancy Flower, Scallop Edge Border, 1-1/4" Circle

Other: Vintage Brads

Join the In Crowd

If you join my team between now and 15 October, you will receive a complete set of FREE In-Colours including all the ink pads, Stampin' Write Markers and an assortment of card stock. That's $84.90 worth of product absolutely free.

What a great start to your business...

If you'd like to join, please contact me.

Stampers Anonymous Blog Hop

Welcome to our Stampers Anonymous SU Blog Tour! Tonight we are delighted to show you projects using products that were available to us in our demo sneak peek from the 2010-2011 Idea Book and Catalogue.

You may have just come from the blog of Kirrily Matthews but if you are starting here, don't worry... you can make the complete tour just by following the links at the end of each post. There are 14 stops along the way and we hope you will visit each one to see the wonderful creations we have to show you! Please feel free to leave some comment love along the way...

At the end of each post there will be a link to take you to the next stop on the tour.

So grab a cuppa, sit back and enjoy!


My first creation is an early Christmas Spring Card using the masking technique.


Ingredients

Cardstock: Melon Mambo, Whisper White
Ink: Melon Mambo, Baja Breeze
Stamps: Contempo Christmas, Tiny Tags
Punch: Jewelry Tag Medium
Other: Dazzling Diamonds, Hemp Twine


My second card is a fun birthday card using a great new punch and some new stamp sets.

Ingredients

Cardstock: Pacific Point, Riding Hood Red, Very Vanilla

Ink: Pacific Point, Riding Hood Red

Stamps: For You Flower, Printed Petals, Party This Way

Punches: 1-3/8" Circle, Fancy Flower

Other: Basic Black Marker

My third card uses my new favourite stamp set, Artistic Etchings. I've used some of the new jewels to accentuate the background image.

Ingredients

Cardstock: Soft Suede, Very Vanilla

Ink: Soft Suede

Stamps: Artistic Etchings, Oval All

Stampin' Around Wheel: Very Vintage

Punches: Scallop Oval, 1-3/4" x 7/8" Oval

Other: Basic Pearl Jewels


Now you're off to enjoy the wonderful creations of Marelle Taylor. Thanks for stopping by!

If you happen to lose your way, here's a list of all participants.

1. Fiona Harvey
2. Juliette Chapman
3. Kerry Bunting
4. Kirrily Matthews
5. Lorna Casha
6. Marelle Taylor
7. Meighan Wheller
8. Melissa Gillis
9. Michelle Marchant
10. Nikki Stalker
11. Sally Williams
12. Sam Coppack
13. Sandy Quail
14. Sharon Wilson

Last Chance...

A reminder that you only have until 9pm 31 August to order retiring items. Before they go, I have a couple of things to show you.

The first is a double page layout using some retiring cardstock and Designer Series Paper.

Ingredients:

Cardstock: Really Rust

Paper: Tea Party Designer Series Paper

Ribbon: So Saffron Grosgrain Ribbon

Letters: Stampin' Up! Timeless Type Junior Alphabet Sizzlits Dies

Other: On Board So Tweet, Basic Black Marker

The second is a card that I made for a christening. It uses Blush Blossum Cardstock which is retiring.

Ingredients:

Cardstock: Blush Blossum

Ink: Versamark, Chocolate Chip

Stamps: Medallion, Wonderful Favourites, Short and Sweet

Other: Silver Emboss Powder, Pretties Kit

However, if you are ready to see some new colours, stamp sets and accessories, don't forget to check back here on Tuesday at 9pm for the Stampers Anonymous Blog Hop.

Announcing the Stampers Anonymous Blog Hop

My fabulous team, Stampers Anonymous will be holding a blog hop to introduce the new Idea Book and Catalogue being released on 1 September.

We will kick off at 9pm next Tuesday, 31 August 2010.

You will be able to start on my blog and follow the links to visit all the other posts. We will be showcasing new stamp sets, punches and other accessories.

So if you would like a hint of what's in store, save the date in your diary. Hope you can make it.

River Thames

Created by Lorna Images ©1990-2010 Stampin' Up!®

I found a Scrapbooking sketch challenge on Home and Scrapped and decided to give it a go. I've used some retiring products for this page, including the very versatile Windsor Knot Designer Series Paper and the Fabulous Fusion Flowers on p.144 of the current Idea Book and Catalogue. One of the best things about Stampin' Up! is that all the colours go together beautifully. For example, the Windsor Knot paper uses Chocolate Chip, Sage Shadow, So Saffron and Old Olive. Once I picked out the paper to use, most of the colour choices were made for me, including the use of the cardstock, ribbon and flowers. The only other colour I added was Rose Red. I've used the Big Shot Timeless Type Junior Alphabet for the page Title in Chocolate Chip and So Saffron, and the great new Heart punch in the current mini. I applied the Jumbo Eyelets using the Crop-a-dile.

Helping Hudson

I found this blog which has been set up to help a little boy named Hudson.

He needs a KidWalker which will greatly improve his quality of life. The blog itself has challenges and giveaways. You can even buy some tutorials - the proceeds will help his parents raise money to buy the KidWalker. If you don't want the tutorials, but want to help, there is a place to donate some money.

You can read more about this amazing little boy or enter the challenges and buy the tutorials on the blog Helping Hudson.

A Rose is a Rose

Created by Lorna
Images ©1990-2010 Stampin' Up!®


I love this stamp set (A Rose Is A Rose) and it is one of the ones that is on sale for 20% off the retail price for this month only. There are so many things you can do with it. It contains 14 stamps and as a couple of the stamps are quite large, it suits scrapbookers as well as cardmakers. The 'capsuled' flower and dragonfly are from the hostess set, Organic Grace.


Ingredients:
Cardstock: Handsome Hunter, Regal Rose, Whisper White
Ink: Handsome Hunter, Rose Red, Regal Rose
Stamps: A Rose Is A Rose, Organic Grace
Other: Sweet Treat Cup, Daubers, Crystal Effects

Two-step Promotion

For the month of July, receive 20% off some great two-step stamping sets.

• Page 39 - Loads of Love $31.96
• Page 42 - Big Bold Birthday $43.16 (set will retire in August)
• Page 78 - A Rose is a Rose $53.56 (set will retire in August)
• Page 86 - Playful Petals $42.36 (set will retire in August)
• Page 98 - Cheep Talk $38.36
• Page 115 - Wonderful Favourites $31.96
• Page 14 (mini) - Tiny Tags wood-mount $31.16
• Page 14 (mini) - Tiny Tags clear-mount $23.16
• Page 31 (mini) - Cottage Garden wood-mount $26.36
• Page 31 (mini) - Cottage Garden clear-mount $19.96
  

Please contact me if you would like any of these wonderful stamp sets.

Last chance for Deal of the Week

Just a reminder that Deal of the Week will be gone for good tomorrow. This week's deals:

• Page 149 - Square Ice Rhinestone Brads for $11.97 (normally $19.95)
• Page 149 - Circle Ice Rhinestone Brads for $11.97 (normally $19.95)
• Page 149 - Square Fire Rhinestone Brads for $11.97 (normally $19.95)
• Page 150 - Bashful Blue 1" Double-Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon for $10.97 (normally $19.95)
• Page 151 - Certainly Celery 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon for $8.97 (normally $14.95)

Please contact me by 9pm 30 June 2010 if you would like to order anything.

Big-Shot Brayering

Created by Lorna Images ©1990-2010 Stampin' Up!®

I've had my brayer (page 156) of the current catalogue for ages, but I haven't used it much at all. Well, I thought I'd change that and I used it to make this card at my last class. Brayering highlights even more that you can do using the Textured Embossing folders in the Big Shot (page 11 of the current mini catalogue).

I've used a colour combination that is a little out of my comfort zone. I'm trying to use up my cardstock of retiring colours and the card has turned out a bit brighter that what I would normally be happy with.

To make the main feature of the card, I embossed the Manhattan Flower on Whisper White cardstock. Turned it over and brayered Orchid Opulence on the back. The result leaves a beautiful white highlight of the Manhatten flower. I also used the Perfect Polka Dots on the Yoyo Yellow cardstock.

Ingredients

Cardstock: Whisper White, Orchid Opulence, Yoyo Yellow, Handsome Hunter

Ink: Orchid Opulence

Stamp Sets: Picture This

Big Shot: Perfect Polka Dots & Manhattan Flowers textured impressions ebossing folders

Deal of the week #4

The 4th and final Deal of the Week runs until next Wednesday 30 June. The offers are:

• Page 149 - Square Ice Rhinestone Brads for $11.97 (normally $19.95)
• Page 149 - Circle Ice Rhinestone Brads for $11.97 (normally $19.95)
• Page 149 - Square Fire Rhinestone Brads for $11.97 (normally $19.95)
• Page 150 - Bashful Blue 1" Double-Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon for $10.97 (normally $19.95)
• Page 151 - Certainly Celery 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon for $8.97 (normally $14.95)

If you would like any of these great accessories, please contact me by no later than 9pm next Wednesday 30 June.

Vintage

This was one of the cards we made at my last class. I used my current favourite set, Vintage Vogue in some retiring colours. It took me a while to work out the correct size. At first, my Very Vanilla piece was a bit too big, so I turned it into a bookmark.

Ingredients

Stamp Set: Vintage Vogue

Cardstock: Lavender Lace, Creamy Caramel, Very Vanilla

Ink: Creamy Caramel, Lavender Lace

Marker: Creamy Caramel

Deal of the week #3

This week's deal is amazing. Stamps with up to 50% off the normal price. Hurry, it's only available for one week.

• A Happy Heart Stamp Set (page 34) reduced to $20.98 (normally $41.95).
• Greetings Eight Stamp Set (page 57) reduced to $24.98 (normally $49.95).
• Bella's Bloom Stamp Set (page 78) reduced to $14.97 (normally $24.95).
• Enjoy Every Moment Stamp Set (page 97) reduced to $26.98 (normally $53.95).
• All Scallops Stamp Set (page 105) reduced to $27.98 (normally $55.95).

I must have your orders by 9pm next Tuesday 22/6/2010. So please contact me by then to place your order.

Beautiful Blogger Award & 10 things about me

Jennifer Adnitt, a fellow team member has awarded me a Beautiful Blogger Award. To accept, I have to tell you 10 things about me and then share the award with others. So, 10 things about me (in no particular order):

1. I was born in Malta and have been living in Sydney since I was 5 years old.

2. I am trying to learn Italian so that I can go back to Italy one day and tour around without a tour guide. I would love to stay in Florence for a while and live like a local.

3. I love touring around Europe and I'm hoping to return in the next couple of years.

4. I have a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics.

5. I once climbed Mount Etna about 4 months after it had erupted. A friend of mine was with me at the time and when he returned to his hotel, he found that the bottom of his shoes had started to melt.

6. I love kayaking. My in-laws live near a lake near Success Inlet and they have a kayak. My husband and I often take it out onto the lake when we visit them.

7. I hate everything about war.

8. I love reading. I usually have at least 2 novels on the go at any one time. I enjoy novels that are part non-fiction so that I'm learning about something new all the time. Most of the novels that I enjoy tend to have been written at least 100 years ago.

9. I love solving puzzles. From crossword puzzles to all sorts of logic puzzles.

10. My husband proposed to me when we were eating out to celebrate being together for 2 years. He arranged for the ring to be put in a split strawberry on my dessert plate. He had been acting a bit funny all day, especially when we got to the restaurant. When we arrived and I sat down he made me swap seats with him because he 'needed' to face the kitchen because he 'wanted to keep an eye on things'. He started to panic when I said that I wouldn't order dessert because I was full. He finally talked me into it and I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the shiny ring on my plate.

Phew, that was harder than I thought it would be.

Now, for some other blogs to give the award to. I have chosen blogs by some wonderful ladies in my Stampin' Up! team and who are all extremely talented.

Marelle Taylor
Liam Pucher
Juliette Chapman
Di Cruise
Sally Williams
Nicole Stalker

Deal of the Week #2 - Designer Series Paper

The second deal of the week is:

• Haiku Designer Series Paper reduced from $16.95 to $10.17
• Pink Flamingo Designer Series Paper reduced from $16.95 to $11.02
• Tea Party Designer Series Paper reduced from $16.95 to $10.17
• Raspberry Tart Designer Series Paper reduced from $16.95 to $11.02
• Sweet Slumber Specialty Designer Series Paper reduced from $22.95 to $14.92

These amazing deals are only available until 9pm on 15 June. If you'd like any or all of these papers, please contact me before then.

Deals of the week - Deal 1

From today until 8 June, the following punches will be available for only $20.12 (a saving of over $10).

• Scallop Square Punch
• Trio Flower Punch
• Boho Blossoms Punch
• Scallop Oval Punch

There is no limit to the number of punches you can buy. So if you would like any or all of the punches, please contact me by 9pm on 8 June.

20% off Starter Kit

From today until 31 July, you can become a demonstrator and receive the starter kit for only $259 (normally $324). Now is a great time to join Stampin' Up! with a massive colour renovation from September. Contact me if you would like to know more.

Happy Mothers Day!

Created by Lorna Images ©1990-2010 Stampin' Up!®

Happy Mothers Day to all you mums out there. I made this card for my mother in law who came to stay with us for the weekend. I've used the Big Shot in a number of ways including the embossed polka dots on the Blush Blossum card stock, the label pieces in Sage Shadow and the Blush Blossum as well as the Little Leaves that appears in Sage Shadow over the Rich Razzleberry piece on the left.

Other Ingredients:
Cardstock: Rich Razzleberry, Sage Shadow, Blush Blossum
Ink: Whisper White
Stamp Set: Fresh Cuts
Punch: Small Oval

New Products

Created by Lorna Images ©1990-2010 Stampin' Up!®

Wow, it's been a while since I've showed you anything crafty. I've been at home with the flu, so I decided to try out my new big shot.

It's amazing putting in a plain piece of cardstock, cranking the handle and watching a transformed piece of cardstock come out of the other side. It's so much fun and so easy. This is the first card I made and it will be one of the cards we make at my next stamp-a-stack.

Cardstock: Basic Black, Pixie Pink (retiring in August), Soft Suede (a brand new colour debuting in the Autumn/Winter Mini Catalogue);
Ink: Soft Suede;
Big Shot: Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions, Sizzlits 4-Pack Dies;
Stamp Set: Picture This (Hostess Level 1 Set - Mini);
Wheel: Very Vintage (Mini)
Punch: Word Window;
Other: Gel Pen

Just Cruising

Just before Easter, my husband Ben and I went on a cruise on Sydney's newest ship, Pacific Jewel. The cruise was eight nights long and we stopped three times: Noumea, Isle of Pines and Emerald Bay.

The scenery started changing immediately as we left Circular Quay. Here is me on one of the decks looking out on one of Sydney's most famous landmarks, the Sydney Opera House, with a ferry sailing past.

We sailed for three nights until we reached New Caledonia. The ocean was quite rough, but it soon calmed down as we drew closer to land. When we reached Noumea, we went on a City Highlights tour. This is the view from one of the mountains. You can see the ship waiting for us. We spent the whole day there.

Our next stop was my favourite of the three, the Isle of Pines. There were a couple of beautiful beaches there and we were very lucky to have fabulous weather. The water is too shallow for the ship to get close enough to shore, so we took tenders (small boats) from the ship to the beach. When we arrived, some locals welcomed us with a traditional dance.

On our way back to Sydney, we had a cocktail evening. This is Ben and I in cocktail dress having dinner in one of the ship's many restaurants, the Waterfront.

We arrived back in Sydney the week before Easter at about 5.30 in the morning. Of course, it was still quite dark, so taking photos on a moving ship was quite difficult. This is probably the clearest shot I have of that morning, ending where we started, near the front of the Sydney Opera House.

New Mini - Big Shot, Clear Stamps, New Colours

A new mini catalogue has just become available and it is the best yet. Click here to start your journey. You will find new hostess sets, the Big Shot, original and exclusive Stampin' Up! dies, clear repositionable stamps (great space savers), new punches, gorgeous new stamp sets, 3 fabulous new colours - including ribbon, card stock and ink, rub-ons and Designer Series Paper as well as great new embellishments.

If you'd like your very own free copy or would like to place an order, contact me.

I'm back!

I've just returned from a week on a cruise around New Caledonia. My husband and I had a great time and I'll show you some photos once I sort them all out.


In the mean time, I have a card to show you that we made at a recent class.


It is a CASE from this one which we made at one of Marelle's team meetings.

This is the CASEd card here:

Created by Lorna
Images ©1990-2010 Stampin' Up!®

It showcases the beautiful butterfly punch, which is only available until Wednesday! So, if you'd like this punch, contact me before then. It co-ordinates with the beautiful Butterfly Prints stamp set, which is also from the Summer Mini and also only available until Wednesday.

Ingredients:

Stamp Set: Butterfly Prints

Ink: Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss

Cardstock: Tangerine Tango, Pink Pirouette, Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze, Whisper White

Punches: Butterfly, Eyelet Border

Other: Pretties Kit

Good bye and Good luck...

Created by Lorna
Images ©1990-2010 Stampin' Up!®

A dear friend and colleague left work yesterday to try something new (sniff, sniff). I wanted to make a special card for the special person that she is. I used an entire A4 piece of cardstock, so that everyone at work could fit a greeting inside. I also wanted to use some Sale-A-Bration sets as they will be gone for good after this month. I love the sets that I've used here (Happy Moments and Vintage Labels). I also used the Pretties Kit for something special.

Wish you all the best Channy and please keep in touch.

Ingredients

Cardstock: Pacific Point, Baja Breeze, Summer Sun, Very Vanilla

Ink: Pacific Point, Baja Breeze, Basic Black

Stamp Sets: Razzle Dazzle, Happy Moments, Vintage Labels

Punches: Scallop Circle, 1-1/4" Circle, 1" Circle

Other: Blender Pen, Pretties Kit, Circle Fire Rhinestone Brads