Stampin' Up! Gorgeous Grunge

Over the next wee while I'll be showing you some of the lovely swaps I received at Team Training last weekend. There are some real beauties and this is a timely reminder of what a talented bunch of ladies we have in our team. This is one of my favourites from Kristine McNickle. 

Stamp Set: Label Love, Gorgeous Grunge

Card: Very Vanilla

Designer Paper: Soho Subway

Ink: Early Espresso, Island Indigo, Soft Sky, Crisp Cantaloupe, Summer Starfruit

Accessories: Linen Thread, Crystal Effects

Tools: Artisan Label Punch, Buttons & Blossoms Simply Pressed Clay Molds, Simply Pressed Clay

I'll be back soon with some more fun - so be sure to tune back in! I'll see you then!

New 2013-14 Annual Catalogue Launch this Sunday!

I'm having an Open House for the new 2013-14 Annual Catalogue this Sunday, where I'll also have retiring products out for sale (first come first served).  3pm-5pm FREE with afternoon tea and a make and take, too! Please RSVP so I can have sufficient materials prepared.  I'd love to see you there!

And, just so you have a taste of some of the new products on offer in the new cattie - here's another make 'n take we made last Saturday at our Creative Inker's team training. Am loving this Soho Subway designer paper!

Stamp set: Boutique Blossom (this is a single stamp available for a limited time until 31 August for $16.95), Mosaic Madness
Card:  Early Espresso, Very Vanilla
Designer Paper: Soho Designer Series Paper
Ink: Early Espresso Stampin' Marker, Crisp Cantaloupe, Versamark
Accessories: Linen Thread, Paper Piercing Pack, Very Vintage Designer Buttons, Early Espresso Embossing Powder
Tools: Big Shot, Heat Tool, Embossing Buddy, Chalk Talk Framelits Dies

Need some more inspiration? Come along to my 2013-14 Annual Catalogue launch on Sunday to see lots of new samples using the products. See you there!

Stampin' Up! Gingham Garden Washi Tape

I hate to admit it, but I am very late to the whole Washi Tape craze.... I know, I know - don't judge me! But, I have to say that now that I've been exposed, I am quite smitten! 

This was one of the cards we made at our Team Training last Saturday and it features the new Gingham Garden Washi Tape in the 2013-14 Catalogue. Isn't it cute?!! It's a must have and very versatile. Did you know that you can stamp on it, write on it, tear it, cut it and reposition it! It also is very flat so is perfect for scrapbooking or card making and won't bulk up your project. It can adhere to paper, card, vellum, plastic, aluminium and more. It's truly remarkable! And, the best part is the price - 3 rolls of 4.6m and it costs a mere $NZ10.95. Such a bargain! 

Stamp Set: For the Birds
Card: Whisper White, Daffodil Delight
Ink: Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight, Pear Pizzazz, Basic Black
Accessories: Gingham Garden Washi Tape, Simply Pressed Clay, Buttons and Blossoms Simply Pressed Clay Molds (new and coming soon in the 2013-14 Catalogue). 

Nothing too tricky with this card, just some fun elements.  Hope you like it! Have a wonderful day and thanks for stopping by!  

All Dressed Up

This was the birthday card that I made my girlfriend Amanda who celebrated her birthday last week. Fingers crossed she received it because she has recently moved and I don't have her new address. I hope you had a wonderful day Amanda and were deservedly spoilt! 

I've cased this from the Dolled Up Birthday Kits that were available in the last USA catalogue. Since the products are still available here (but not for long), I thought that I'd make up my own. It was quite a process deciding on what to do with the background of the mannequin. After a few attempts, I decided to adhere it directly onto the Fancy Fan embossed piece of card which had been sponged. However, it looked lost so I went around the edges with an aqua pen and some soft suede ink to make it subtly stand out. I was also unsure about the stark whiteness of the doily but on another attempt when I'd sponged it, it was too much. This is final result and I'm quite pleased with it. 

Stamp Set: Fabulous Phrases, Elements of Style
Card: Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake
Designer Paper: First Edition Speciality
Ink: Black Staz On, Soft Suede, Rose Red, Melon Mambo
Accessories: Paper Doilies, Flower Trim
Tools: Big Shot, Dress Up Framelits Die, Fancy Fan Embossing Folder, Sponge Dauber, Paper Piercing Tool, Stampin' Pierce Mat, Essentials Paper Piercing Pack

To place an order at any time for any of these products (while stocks last), please email me on debbie.l@orcon.net.nz or phone: 09 416 7476 

Thanks for visiting and enjoy the rest of your day :-)

An Epic Day...

I'm talking about yesterday - our big team training day. As always - it was lots of fun catching up with new and old friends. We learnt lots too and had some wonderful demonstrations with products from the new catalogue. I can't wait until that goes live and I'm sure you'll love all the new goodies as well. 

Anyway, back to the task at hand, this is the card that I made for my demo swaps. I enjoyed putting it together and was able to do it bit by bit over the last week. For once in my life, I wasn't up until the early hours of Saturday morning finishing them off. Pretty impressive huh?!

Stamp Set: Teeny Tiny Sentiments
Card: Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Calypso Coral, Gumball Green, Pool Party
Ink: Soft Suede
Designer Paper: Epic Day This 'n That DSP
Accessories: Linen Thread, Basic Pearls
Tools: Big Shot, Labels Collection Die, Bitty Butterfly Punch, Sponge

I cased this card from the lovely Kimberley Van Diepen - click here to view her version. 

It won't be long before the new annual catalogue is here (8 days to be exact) but, to make way for new items, some of our favourites will be retiring. Click the links to see lists of STAMPS and ACCESSORIES that are retiring - some at amazing prices! Sale items are never around for long, so contact me as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Hope to see you again soon!

Retiring Lists

Have you seen the Retiring Lists yet?? Did you know some products have up to 50% off?  With just 10 days left before they are gone for good, now is a great time to have a look to make sure you don't miss out on anything! If you see a X on the side of the item you're looking for, then unfortunately that means they're sold out already. 

To view the lists just click the images below for the list you're after!

Have yourself a great day!

Stampin' Up! Soda Pop Tops

I love these little beauties and am sad to see that they're retiring at the end of this month along with the cute little stamp set Kindness Matters. This card was cased from the talented Becky Jensen - I pretty made mine exactly as she did. Why change a good thing? Anyway click HERE to view her blog. She has some lovely projects to see. 

Inside the Soda Pop Tops, I've stamped the butterfly from Collage Curios stamp set which is also retiring at the end of June along with the Designer Builder Brad in the centre. 

Stamp Set: Kindness Matters, Collage Curios, Itty Bitty Bits
Card: Rich Razzleberry, Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink: Black Staz on, Rich Razzleberry
Accessories: Soda Pop Tops, Designer Builder Brad
Tools: Big Shot, Lacy Brocade Embossing Folder

Well, I hate to cut it short but off to work I go :-)  Have a WONDERFUL day and thanks for stopping by!

Saying Good-Bye to the Petite Pocket Die

I'm going to miss this die, so thought I would showcase one of the projects that I made in the past. This would have to be my all time favourite, mini album! It's teamed with the lovely Creative Elements stamp set {love}, which fortunately will be around for a while yet. I've used Blushing Bride card stock - one of the returning colours ({yay!} and that will be available again from 1 July. So exciting!

Stamp Set: Creative Elements
Card Stock: Blushing Bride, Soft Suede, Confetti White (retired)
Ink: Blushing Bride, Soft Suede
Accessories: Soft Suede Taffeta Ribbon, Rhinestone Jewel Accents, Key (not Stampin' Up!), Silver Brads 
Tools: 1" Square Punch, Itty Bitty Punch Pack, Crop-a-Dile (retired), Petite Pocket Die, Big Shot 

Isn't it adorable?! I cased it from Julie Davison - pop along to her blog HERE if you want the tutorial. To place an order for any of these items, including the soon to be retired Petite Pocket Die, email me debbie.l@orcon.net.nz or call me on 09 416 7476 / 021 260 6680 :) 

I'm going to be busy making swaps today using products from the new catalogue, so am going to love that. Thanks so much for stopping by. I'll be back to share a little bit more creativity soon. Have a GREAT weekend!

Secret Garden - Stained Glass Technique

Hi all and happy Friday! 

When I first saw this stamp set, I told myself that I wasn't going to buy it - because seriously, how many flower sets does one person need?? This was, until Sally taught us this technique at team training, a while ago. I love the colours which are feminine and pretty and the technique is so simple but effective. Since I love colouring in and fussy cutting - there was no holding back. I knew that I had to have it! Oh, and there's actually a coordinating framelits die to go with the Secret Garden set, if you don't like cutting. 

Here's a close up of the flowers which are heat embossed before being coloured in:

And, here's the cute coordinating box which makes a lovely gift. This little combo is what we made at my classes last week. 

Stamp set: Secret Garden, Petite Pairs
Card Stock: Wisteria Wonder, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White, Vellum 
Ink: Versamark, Early Espresso Stampin' Pad, Wisteria Wonder, Perfect Plum, Pink Pirouette, Melon Mambo, Bashful Blue, Baja Breeze, Pear Pizzazz Stampin' Markers, 
Accessories: Basic Pearls, White Embossing Powder
Tools: Big Shot, Elegant Lines Embossing Folder, Elegant Bouquet Embossing Folder, Top Note Die, Fancy Favour Bigz die, Bitty Butterfly Punch, Heat Tool 

I hope you like today's card. Have a wonderful day and thanks for stopping by!  

Stampin' Up! By the Tide and Blooming with Kindness

As you know, I didn't get to convention this year due to work commitments. However, I was still very lucky to receive some swaps from my upline Karen and sidelines Judy and Sally. Talk about 'feeling the love' - thanks ladies!  

This is Karen's swap: 

Stamp Set: By the Tide
Card Stock: Tangerine Tango,Pool Party, Early Espresso, Whisper White
Ink: Pool Party, Sahara Sand, Summer Starfruit
Tools: Woodgrain Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Oval Collection Framelits, Brayer
Accessories: Basic And Jumbo Pearls

This is Judy's swap:

Stamp Set: Blooming with Kindness
Card Stock: Whisper White, Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler
Designer Paper: Print Poetry Pack
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Rhinestone
Tools: Big Shot, Square Lattice Embossing Folder

Aren't they fab! You'll have to pop back again soon, to see the swap I received from Sally. 

Stampin' Up! Elements of Style

Isn't Elements of Style a great stamp set?! If it's one of your favourites, or you've had it on your wish list, then you should order it soon, before it retires on 30 June. I'm going to be sad to see it go, and it will be one of the many few that I won't be departing with.

I made this card at my upline Karen's over the weekend and love it!  Need some more inspiration? You can check out a few other cards using this stamp set by clicking HERE and HERE. 

Stamp set: Elements of Style
Card Stock: Whisper White, Basic Black
Ink: Black Staz on, Old Olive, Raspberry Ripple, Primrose Petals
Tools: 1" Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Aqua Painter, Big Shot, Lattice Embossing Folder

I hope you like today's card. Have a wonderful day and thanks for stopping by. 

Even MORE News from Stampin' Up!

Stampin' Up! have released some gorgeous new stamps. First, there's a wonderful 'Best of' set and second, some fabulous single stamps. Come and have a look:

This set is called Best of Flowers - isn't it gorgeous?! It's only available in clear mount, for use with the clear acrylic blocks, and costs $31.95. That pink line around the single flower image shows how it can be cut out with the 1 1/4" scallop punch which makes it perfect for quick cards. The 'Best Of' sets are designed using popular Stampin' Up! artwork from the last 25 years, and includes one never-before-seen image. And, yes there will be more! A new set will be released every month until October, each with a different theme, and they'll be available until March 2014. 

... but how about the fantastic new single stamps?! Click HERE to download the single stamps assortment 1 flyer which is available now. The recommended acrylic block size can be found on the flyer too. Each one of these stamps is sold separately - ranging in price from $12.50 to $16.95. They are available in Clear Mount for use with acrylic blocks and will be available until the end of August. Are you as excited as I am about these new releases? It could be a great time to go shopping with me - and don't forget that you can add a bargain or two from the Retiring Stamps and Retiring Accessories lists too! 

To place your order, contact me by email or phone 021 260 6680 and I'll be happy to help.

I hope you've enjoyed the long weekend!