Beautiful Season

This was the swap that I made for our Stampin' Up! Fun day held over the weekend.  I'd seen this stamp set on a few American demonstrator sites and was rapt to find that it was in our new catalogue too. There is quite a bit of colouring involved and if I hadn't been pushed for time, I would have preferred to use water colour paper and an aqua painter - which would have given a nicer effect.  Instead, I used my trusty blender pen, which isn't as wet. When colouring on Whisper White or Very Vanilla card stock, you do have to colour carefully because they don't like too much water or blending as they don't have the cotton content, to absorb the water, like water colour paper does.  I hope that makes sense but if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.  


When I was making this card, I was thinking that it was a bit early to be thinking of Christmas - but did you realise that there is only 116 days to go, until the big day?  Isn't that a scary thought!!  The time thief is working overtime I reckon.

Stamp Set: Beautiful Season
Ink: Black Staz On, Cherry Cobbler, Lime Limeade, Crumb Cake
Card Stock: Early Expresso, Very Vanilla, Lime Limeade (new In Colour), Crumb Cake
Accessories: Early Expresso Taffeta Ribbon, Scallop Edge Punch, Blender Pen, Dimensionals, Early Expresso Stampin' Marker, Spritzer Tool. 

Eastern Blooms

This was a swap that I received a long time ago that I never blogged.  It's from the talented Sarah Roche - who lives in Hamilton.  She was in our team, but has decided to move to the United Kingdom later in the year, so is busy saving her pennies.  Don't these colours make such a striking combination!  You can't see it in the photo, but the whole image has been embossed so is lovely and shiny.  Eastern Blooms is also retiring on 31st August, so won't be available after Wednesday.  

Stamp Set: Eastern Blooms
Ink: Basic Black, Old Olive
Card Stock: Basic Black, Old Olive, Whisper White
Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder, Old Olive 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals. Dazzling Diamonds Glitter. 

Hello Again and Goodbye

This is a card I made for a friend using the retiring Hello Again stamp set.  I was pushed for time and not entirely happy with it, but hey - it's the thought that counts.  


The colours haven't come out very well in the photo, but I've used the current In-Colours, to take the guess work out of coordinating.  Very quick and easy.  This set has 5 cute stamps and with 25% off, costs only $20.21 - excellent value.  Get in quick, before this set is gone forever!

Stamp Set:  Hello Again
Ink: Pear Pizzazz, Blushing Bride, Concord Crush, Peach Parfait, Poppy Parade
Card Stock: Blushing Bride, Crumb Cake
Accessories: 1" Circle Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, Clips Assortment, Poppy Parade 1/2" Stitched Poly Ribbon.

Faux Leather

I've been missing in action a bit lately - no real reason, except that there isn't enough hours in the day and not a lot of time to play.  


I will have lots to share with you soon though because we had a Stampin' Up! Fun Day yesterday.  We had a day spent with over 150 ladies from all around New Zealand making some cool projects and playing with goodies from the new catalogue.  We also had the option of making swaps.  As usual, I was up until the wee small hours of Saturday morning finishing mine. I only managed to make 25 in the end, but that's 24 gorgeous swaps that I received in return. Watch this space...     

Anyway, back to the Faux Leather technique - I've been wanting to try this for ages and if I'd known how easy it was, I would have done so much sooner.  The male wallet looks very authentic in Chocolate Chip and with a gift card inside would make a perfect present for Father's Day.

Stamp Set: Occasional Greetings (soon to be retired)
Ink: Versamark, Chocolate Chip
Cardstock:  Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla
Accessories: Bone Folder, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool


The card that I made to go with the woman's purse uses the retiring stamp set Friends 24/7, which has sold out.  

Stamp Set: Friends 24/7 (sold out)
Ink: Versamark, Chocolate Chip

Cardstock:  Regal Rose, Very Vanilla

Designer Paper: Brights Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack

Accessories: Stampin' Markers Old Olive and Regal Rose, Basic Pearls, Boho Blossoms Punch, Regal Rose 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon (retired), Bone Folder, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool.

Don't forget to click on the top right side of my blog to view the retiring list.  If you've got your eye on something - best to order it today, so you don't miss out. 

Well, it's another weekend nearly over with - I hope it's been a good one and I'll see you back here real soon :)

We've had a wheely good time..

So long, So Swirly... 


I'm disappointed that my favourite jumbo wheel, So Swirly is retiring.  This wheel is very versatile and is suitable for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, engagement cards and scrapbook layouts (just to name a few).  If you haven't got it, then you really need to!  For a small investment of $19.50, you will get your monies worth!  Click here to order one today. 

Stamp Set: Sincere Salutations, So Swirly Jumbo Wheel
Ink: Concord Crush
Cardstock: Whisper White, Concord Crush
Accessories: Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Concord Crush 

ESAD Retiring Products Blog Hop

Hello everyone and welcome to the ESAD Retiring Products Blog Hop!  This is my inaugural Hop - so it's all quite exciting.  If you're already taking the tour, you must have arrived here from the wonderfully talented Christie Kunkel!  Christie makes some fabulous projects and she hasn't let us down this time either!  

This Blog Hop theme is the ESAD 2010-11 Catalogue Retiring Products.  

What is ESAD?  

ESAD stands for "Extra Special Australasian Demonstrators" and it is an on-line group just for Australian and New Zealand Stampin' Up! demonstrators.   

We love what we do and not only do we love to share it with our customers, friends and wonderful blog visitors, but we share our love for what we do with each other, as demonstrators.  We run swaps, challenges, tutorials, product know-how and cyberstamps and are always there to help and support each other when it is needed.  So, if you are a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator located in either Australia or New Zealand, then please feel free to click here to join our wonderful group. 

The projects that I'm sharing with you today are ones that I'm also demonstrating at my class this afternoon.  There are cards, a gift holder and treat pouches all using the retiring stamp set Pun Fun. At the class we're only making the cards (two each of three designs).  


I'm quite disappointed that Pun Fun is going because it's one of my favourite sets suitable for children and those who are young at heart.  The images are very cute and I love having to colour in the images. 

The idea for the Treat Pouch was from Julie Davison who is a demonstrator in the USA. She has a wonderful tutorial on her blog, which is very easy to follow.  

And, here's what the inside looks like:

Here are the cards: 

And, here they are as a close up:  

This gift holder has been around for a very long time but unfortunately, I'm not sure where it originated from.  

Here's a photo of the inside and you can see the SU! Envelope which houses the gift card and a small card, where you can write a personal message.   

Stamp Set: Pun Fun (Retiring), On Your Birthday

Cardstock: Whisper White, Basic Black, Regal Rose, Pacific Point, Daffodil Delight
Ink: Black Stazon, Regal Rose, Daffodil Delight, Pacific Point
Accessories:  Petals a Plenty Embossing Folder, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Watercolour Wonder Crayons (Brights and Neutrals), Blender Pen, Aqua Pen, Pink Fine Cosmo Stampin' Glitter, Daffodil Delight Taffeta Ribbon (Retiring), Large Tag Punch, Small Tag Punch, 1 3/4 Circle Punch, Silver Brads,  Basic Rhinestone, Classic Stars Wheel (Retiring), Small Star Punch. 

Well, that's about all I've got to share with you now.  I hope you enjoy the rest of the blog hop!  The next stop is the amazing Clare Mcilhatton.  Just wait until you see what is waiting for you there!  Check it out here! 

Thanks so much for stopping by and joining the blog hop.  I hope you enjoyed it as much as I have {although I was beginning to panic at 10pm last night when I still hadn't decided what I was going to make}.  

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.  

Stampin' Up! 2011-12 Retirement List at a Glance

If you're anything like me - when you first saw the retirement list, it was a bit overwhelming. To make it easier to view, here are the highlights:

There are 3 stamp sets that have 40% off:

• Gifted (page 21) is now $29.97 (wood) or $23.97 (clear)
• On a Pedestal (page 33) is now $20.97 (wood)
• Hello, You (page 133) is now $11.97 (wood)

.... and 22 other stamp sets have 25% off!

• Jolly Holiday Designer Paper (yes, Christmas is only 4 short months away!) has 40% off, making it just $12.30 for a pack of 12 sheets.

• 15 Wheels are Retiring (page 158-9) including my favourite So Swirly (this is such an fabulous wheel and is versatile for any type of celebration card or layout). The wheels usually disappear fast and are only $19.50, so great value.

• The gorgeous wide Striped Ribbon in Real Red, Certainly Celery, Night of Navy and Early Espresso have 25% off, making it just $18.38 per roll.

• "Good Times" Simply Scrappin Kit (page 131) - perfect for Masculine cards and scrapbook layouts has 40% off - now only $26.97!

• 5 Punches are Retiring. These usually disappear fast, so don't leave it to the last minute if you have your eye on any of these - the Spiral Punch (perfect for the vintage look and covered notebooks), Designer Label Punch, Small Oval Punch, Photo Corners Punch and the Large Star Punch (page 146-8).

• Fresh Cut Notes (page 123) are 25% off, making them only $16.13 for a packet of 15 including envelopes.

• Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware (page 140) has 40% off and is now only $42.30. This hardware kit has a whopping 200 pieces. 

• This is the last chance to be able to purchase New Colour Kits from the Colour Renovation (Ink Pads, Markers, Pastels, and Crayons) page 117 and 142. And, the Crayons and Pastels have 25% off!

I hope this list helps you realise what you "need" {wink, wink}. Email me HERE if you want to order anything. 

Click on the link HERE for the full list of retiring products. 

Mother of Pearl

This was the class I held over the weekend which was great fun!  Many thanks to the lovely ladies who attended.  It is a very easy technique and gives a great result.  I have shamelessly cased these cards from Michelle Le Breton who is a very talented demonstrator from across the pond.  I loved the bright and vibrant colours she used and so did exactly the same.  Why change something that looks so fabulous??  The picture doesn't do it justice - and they look quite stunning in real life. 

Stamp Sets: Nature Walk, You're a Gem, Thanks for Caring, Curly Cute, Bring on the Cake
Card Stock: Marina Mist, Bashful Blue, Perfect Plum, Elegant Eggplant, Melon Mambo, Regal Rose, Garden Green, Certainly Celery, Glossy White
Ink: Marina Mist, Bashful Blue, Perfect Plum, Melon Mambo, Regal Rose, Garden Green, Certainly Celery, Pacific Point 
Accessories: Big Shot, Framed Tulips Embossing Folder, Sponges, Glad Wrap, Old Olive and Rich Razzleberry Marker Pens, Frost White Shimmer Paint.


I hope you've been keeping an eye on the Retirement List. Remember, if there is something that you love  - avoid disappointment and email me today!

Stampin' Up! New Zealand 2011 Retirement List

It’s time to say a fond farewell to some of the products in this current 2010-2011 Idea Book and Catalogue.

Some products are discounted from between 25-40%. Grab a bargain!! 

You can click HERE to download the PDF file of the Stampin' Up! Catalogue Retirement List. 

PLEASE NOTE: DUE TO HIGH DEMAND, SOME PRODUCTS CAN RUN OUT QUICKLY.  IF THERE'S SOMETHING THAT YOU'D REALLY LIKE, EMAIL ME TO ORDER NOW BEFORE STOCKS RUN OUT. 

This current 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalogue officially ends on 31st August, 2011.