Stampin' Up! Retiring Lists Update

There are only two weeks left to get retiring products before they’re gone for good! 

Click HERE for the updated list of retiring stamps

Click HERE for the retiring accessories list

Items with a X beside them are no longer available. 

I am stunned that one of my all time favourite stamps En Francais is retiring. It's such a great background stamp and is my 'go to' stamp. Unfortunately, the wood version of this stamp has already sold out. The clear one is still available, but I wouldn't imagine that will be available for too much longer either. 

Here's some projects that have used En Francais:

If you want to order your set - email me today, so you don't miss out. 

Thanks for checking in with me today and I'll see you back here soon. 

Stampin' Up! So Very Grateful

I am in love with the new Occasions Catalogue. So many CA-UTE products! When I was making out my wish list, I found that it was easier to write down the items that I didn't want! Seriously, there are heaps of new goodies and this catalogue is truly FABULOUS!! 

As promised here's a swap I received from Karen Williamson, which I love!! The flowers are to die for... lol. That's a pun on words because the flower is made from the new spiral flower die. 

Stamp set: So Very Grateful, En Francais
Ink: Early Espresso
Card: Naturals Ivory, Early Espresso, Pink Pirouette, Very Vanilla
Designer Paper: Naturals
Accessories: Natural Chevron Ribbon, Crumb Cake Seam Binding Ribbon
Tools: Big Shot, Spiral Flower Die, Arrows EF, Scallops EF, Scalloped Tag Topper, Modern Label Punch, Bird Punch

Have you got your copy of the Occasions catalogue yet? If not, email me  and I'll pop one in the post for you (cost is $2 to post within New Zealand) or you can pick up your copy from me.  Or, you can join us tomorrow at my catalogue launch. There are still a few spaces left, so contact me to book your place. Hope to see you there!

Lovely as a Tree

It was my mother's partner's birthday last Saturday and this is the card I made. Nothing too difficult. I've used an old favourite set - Lovely as a Tree. This set is perfect for the mere males in your lives. 

Stamp Set: Lovely as a Tree, En Francais, French Foliage, On Your Birthday (retired)
Card Stock: Early Espresso, More Mustard, Watercolour Paper
Ink: Early Espresso, Old Olive
Accessories: Jumbo Eyelet (retired)
Tools: Crop-a-Dile (retired), Distress Tool, Aqua Pen, Word Window Punch

We went out to dinner to celebrate Barry's birthday and had lots of laughs. We always enjoy ourselves when we get together and it made me realise how much I miss my family. I really should make the effort to visit more often. Of course, there's an added bonus of having my special friend Brett, who lives down that way too. We've been seeing each other for almost a year now and, what a wonderful whirlwind time it's been!

Have a happy weekend everyone and I hope to see you back here soon. 

Thanks so much Callena (from NZSU) for choosing this card as Pic of the Week. It was a lovely surprise to arrive home to :-)

Happy 17th Birthday Bridgette!

Light the candles, cue the music and get ready for some birthday fun! It is my youngest daughter, Bridgette's 17th birthday today. I'm not able to spend the day with the birthday girl as am away at the moment, but we celebrated early and had a lovely day together a few weeks ago. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRIDGETTE ROSE! Wishing you a day full of sunshine and smiles and an awesome year ahead! 

This card was inspired by Nanci Siegrist at Craft Haven Retreats. I've used a mixture of old and new products and it was lots of fun to make. A different card for a teenager, but hopefully Bridgette will like it. 

Stamp set: En Francais, Hearts a Flutter, Tiny Tags

Card Stock: Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, 

Designer Paper: Print Poetry Designer Series Paper Stack

Ink: Soft Suede, Primrose Petals

Accessories: Linen Thread, Bitty Buttons, Pearl Basic Jewels, Flower Trim, Resin Heart (from Artisan Embellishment Kit), 

Tools: Big Shot, Vintage Wallpaper EF, Perfect Polka Dots EF, Hearts a Flutter Framelits Die, Jewellery Tag Punch, Full Heart Punch

Have a fabulous weekend!

Poppies Galore

One of the teachers who I had the privilege to work with when I was at Marina View School, had her last day there on the 17 December and is now, officially retired. Shirley spent more than 1/3 of her life at Marina View and will be greatly missed. She was also both my daughters' New Entrant teacher, so it was quite a nostalgic time for many of us on her last day. 

This is the card that I made Shirley which I cased from Michael Funke.  You can check out his fabulous blog HERE. Unfortunately, I didn't read his 'how to' instructions before I tackled it and think that it would have come out a lot better, if I had done so.  The colours here look very dull compared to his vibrant ones. It may also have something to do with my photography skills, or lack of.  Oh well, live and learn... 

Stamp Set: Pleasant Poppies, Teeny Tiny Sentiments, En Francais
Card Stock: Tangerine Tango, Whisper White
Ink: Black Staz On, Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight, Gumbo Green and Melon Mambo Stampin' Markers.
Accessories: Blender Pen, 1" Square Punch (to cut the flag for the message).

I'm writing this from Palmerston North which is where we've been since Saturday. We had a lovely Christmas with my family and have caught up with wonderful friends who I've known since high school and my early days in the Airforce. Today I'm starting a wee adventure and travelling around the South Island with my new darling, who I've been seeing for the last few months.  His name is Brett and he's really lovely {swoon}. We're catching up with Brett's family in Blenheim and then some friends enroute to Christchurch, which I'm really looking forward to. Whatever you've been doing - I hope you've had a wonderful festive time catching up with family and friends. 

See you back here soon!

Field Flowers Birthday Card

A quick post today to give a big shout out to my lovely friend Joy. Waving at you Joy and wishing you a wonderful birthday. I hope the kiddies in your class are on their best behaviour and you have an amazing day ♥


This card is one that I've cased from my good friend Sally. I haven't used Field Flowers before so I was pleased to ink it up. 

Stamp Set: Field Flowers, Petite Pairs, En Francais, Elizabeth
Card Stock: Rich Razzleberry, Pretty in Pink, Old Olive, Very Vanilla
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Crumb Cake, Black Staz On
Tools: Distressing Tool, Stamp-a-Ma-Jig


Hope your Monday is amazing!!

Faux Patina Technique

I had two very enjoyable classes recently with my lovely ladies, making two cards using the Faux Petina technique.  It's amazing how different each card looked even though we used the same technique. That's the beauty of hand made cards - each one is as individual as the person making them. 

Supplies used to make this card: 


Stamp Set: En Francais, Teeny Tiny Sentiments
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive
Ink: Crumb Cake, Rich Razzleberry, Perfect Plum, Chocolate Chip, Versamark
Accessories: Chocolate Chip 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon (retired), Gold Embossing Powder, Gold Brad, Linen Thread, 
Tools: Heat Tool, Scallop Edge Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, Big Shot, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, Little Leaves  Sizzlits Die, Sponges. 


I'd be delighted to order any of these supplies for you and I can have them delivered to your address anywhere in New Zealand. I'm committed to providing excellent customer service and am always happy to offer help and advice. To place your order, just email me here or call me on (09) 416 7476.  


It's my first day in my new (but old) job today. I'll be the new (but old) girl starting back in the Airforce, after 11 years.  I must admit that I'm feeling a tad nervous but am sure I'll be fine once I get the first day over with. 


Have a wonderful week and I'll see you soon.

Another Swap...

I can't believe how good I've been at blogging lately!  I hope you're impressed with my efforts :-)  It's certainly been made easier by having some lovely swaps to show you.  Some are from earlier this year at our demonstrator's Stamp Camp and others are from our Team Training over the weekend.  This is a gorgeous card that I received from Sally.  

Stamp Set: Field Flowers, Petite Pairs, Elizabeth, En Francais, 
Card Stock: Pear Pizzazz, Very Vanilla, Rich Razzleberry, Pink Pirouette 
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake, Pear Pizzazz, Rich Razzleberry
Accessories: Distressing Tool


Enjoy your weekend and thanks for stopping by!

Fun Flowers

Hello and happy Thursday!  Thursday came so quickly this week with Monday being a holiday. I think we should have a three day weekend very week.  Wouldn't that would be awesome!  

Here's a card that I made (and cased from Jessica Luther). I don't know who will end up being the recipient as yet, but you can never have too many birthday cards in your stash. 

Stamp Set: Curly Cute, En Francais, Mixed Bunch
Paper: Soft Suede, First Edition DSP, Very Vanilla, Poppy Parade, Attic Boutique Designer Paper
Ink: Soft Suede
Accessories: Fun Flowers Die, Elegant Lines Embossing Folder, Floral Fusion Sizzlit Die, Modern Label Punch, Vanilla Seam Binding Ribbon, Victoria Crochet Trim, Linen Thread, Neutrals Button pack, Basic Pearls. 

Rue Des Fleurs

The long weekend is a great time to catch up on card making, scrapbooking and all your stamping projects.  Have you managed to take some time out, to do so?


This is one of the swaps I received from Sally and I love it! 

Stamp Set: Rue Des Fleurs, En Francais
Card Stock: Soft Suede, Whisper White, Blushing Bride
Ink: Soft Suede, Blushing Bride
Accessories: Crumb Cake Seam Binding Ribbon, Sponge, Blender Pen. 

Nature's Nest

I've had loads of friends and family with birthdays recently (yes, I'm surrounded in Scorpios) and so, have been head down making cards. Some, I've used from my emergency stash because there hasn't been enough hours in the day to make everyone a card from scratch.  I've probably blogged them already, so won't bore you with a repeat.  I have made a few however, which I've enjoyed doing.  I don't know about you, but the Christmas silly season hasn't even started yet and I'm already finding that I've got less time, than ever before. Is it the same for you?

I'm not sure will be the recipient of this card yet but it is suitable for either a male or female.  I've cased it from a demonstrator I found while blog hopping one day - Crafty Clare in the UK.  I loved the colours she'd used although some of them have retired, so I substituted them for current colours, which I reckon work pretty well together. 

Stamp Set: Nature Nest, Sincere Salutations, Season of Joy, En Francais

Cardstock: Pacific Point, Whisper White

Ink: Pacific Point, Island Indigo, Marina Mist

Accessories: Linen Thread, Corner Punch, Button from Designer Brights pack.

It's hump day today which means only two days till the weekend - yay!!  

Stampin Up! Medallion

I was asked to make a card for a friend recently so I suggested that she scroll through my blog to see if there was anything that took her fancy.  I've been a bit time starved lately, so thought that would be the easiest option.  She really liked this card which I'd received as a swap at convention last year from Jennifer Adnitt.  Jen made hers in Pink Pirouette but I had a purple colour request, so used Wisteria Wonder.  

Stamp Set: En Francais, Medallion, Teeny Tiny Sentiments
Card Stock: Basic Grey, Wisteria Wonder, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Grey
Accessories: Jewellery Tag Punch, Basic Grey Taffeta Ribbon (retired), Basic Pearl, Scallop Circle Punch.

Vintage Card # 2

As promised, here's the second vintage card we made at Sunday's class.  With a little help from my Big Shot, it wasn't as time consuming as the first card we made.  Do you recognise these butterflies?  They're from the Kindness Matters stamp set, found on page 71 in the new catalogue.  This set ticks all the boxes for me because there are images and messages and I love the font (even though I haven't stamped a message on this card). The best part of all, is the price $21.95 for clear mount or $27.95 for wood for 5 stamps.  You can't beat that!!

Stamp Set: Kindness Matters, En Francais
Card Stock: Soft Suede, Pink Pirouette, Very Vanilla, Confetti White
Ink: Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Pink Pirouette
Accessories: Textured Impressions Designer Frames Embossing Folder, Basic Pearls, Victoria Crochet Trim, Soft Suede Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Very Vanilla Seam Binding Ribbon, Boho Blossoms Punch, Distressing Tool from Cutter Kit. 

Designer Frames

Isn't this card gorgeous!  It's a swap I received from Katrina Criglington at the Fun Day out, a few weeks back.  I love Wisteria Wonder and Pink Pirouette together - it makes for a very feminine and elegant card.  Many thanks Katrina!

Stamp Sets: Creative Elements, It's Your Day, En Francis, Clearly For You
Card Stock: Wisteria Wonder, Very Vanilla, Pink Pirouette 
Ink: Wisteria Wonder
Accessories: Designer Frames Textured Embossing Folder, Lace Ribbon Border Punch, Basic Pearls, Cherry Cobbler and Old Olive Stampin' Write Markers, Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint. 


I had an eventful evening last night and one, I'd not like to repeat.  I spent 5 hours at the hospital as my daughter Nicole had a car accident. I don't think I've ever moved so fast when I got the phone call but fortunately other than minor injuries with stitches in her arm and back, she was okay.  She was really shaken up as you can imagine and felt very fragile and tender today.  Her little car wasn't quite so lucky and is a write off, so somebody was looking out for her - thank god.  


Did you get time to watch any of the rugby over the weekend?  I enjoyed watching the All Blacks play on Friday night and had to laugh when Sonny Bill got more cheering just by running onto the field (obviously from the females in the crowd), than when a try was scored!   And, what about Ireland beating Australia!!  That's put a spanner in the works and is certainly making it an exciting competition.  

Have a great week everyone!!

Winging It!

Last month we had team training which, as always, was loads of fun. This was one of the projects we made which was taught by Ann Wills. Isn't it great!  I've had lots of positive comments even though my top butterfly is on a slight lean. 

Stamp Sets: All a Flutter, En Francais, Nature Walk, Vintage Vogue, Nature's Nest
Ink: Versamark, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede
Cardstock: Confetti White, Vellum Cardstock
Accessories: Aqua Painter, Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint, Crystal Effects, Black Embossing Powder

Girls just wanna have fun!

And, we definitely did have - at our Regional Training day in Auckland, New Zealand on Saturday. We had some wonderful presenters including demonstrators Bron Heslop and Debbie Airey who did an amazing job of showing us what we can do with envelopes and 3D projects. Watch this space - I'm definitely going to case some of their great ideas. Sophie (the Creative Trainer from SU! Australia) and Emma (our Country Manager) gave us some great tips and techniques. We made some cute "Make and Takes" using new products from the upcoming Winter mini catalogue - which I'll post a bit later on, and I won a Stamp set - one of my favourites from the new mini, so that was super exciting!  It was a really informative and wonderful way to spend the day.

Emma also ran a little competition amongst us - we had to make a name tag and Kate Tobeck won. Congratulations Kate! I didn't get to see what you'd made, but I'm hoping you'll post it on your blog soon :)

This was the name tag I came up with and I was quite happy with the end result. Especially when it was after 1am when I made it... I'm thinking that I might turn it into a card at some stage - removing my name of course.  

Stamp set: En Francais, Just Believe, Rough Type ($45.95 in clear mount and only available until 31 March)
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Bashful Blue, Crumb Cake
Ink: Versamark, Soft Suede, Old Olive
Accessories: White Embossing powder, Victoria Crochet Trim ($16.95 only available until 31 March), Linen Thread, Whisper White Organza Ribbon, Antique Brads, Neutrals Designer Buttons, Distressing Tool. 

Have a great week!

Birthdays Galore!

At the end of October and the beginning of November, I have 5 friends and family who celebrate birthdays over 5 days. Then I have 5 days reprieve before another onslaught. It's quite nice to have a break from the Christmas theme. This is one of the cards I've made and I couldn't decide if I was happy with the colours or not..

This was the next one which is similiar except I've stamped En Francais with Soft Suede ink onto Whisper white cardstock instead of White craft ink onto Soft Suede cardstock.  Which do you prefer?

Stamp Sets: En Francais, Vintage Vogue, All a Flutter
Cardstock: Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Soft Suede
Ink: Soft Suede, White Craft Ink, Versamark, Pretty in Pink
Accessories: Pretty in Pink Taffeta Ribbon, Eyelet Border Punch, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Dimensionals, Basic Pearls

Sparkly Lovely as a Tree...

I feel as though the only cards I've been making lately are Christmas ones. Fortunately, they're one of my favourite kind, so I certainly don't mind. I saw something similar at Convention (back in May) on the display board, so I'm sorry that I can't link my post back to you, because I don't know who you are :(  Please make yourself known, if you're the talented person I've cased. The leaves of the tree have dazzling diamonds on them, but sadly you can't see it..

Stamp Sets: Short and Sweet, En Francais, Lovely as a Tree
Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Naturals Ivory, Soft Suede
Ink: Soft Suede
Accessories: Kraft Taffeta Ribbon (retired), Dazzling Diamonds, Two Way Glue Pen, Stampin' Sponge.  

Thanks for stopping by.

You're Invited...

I've had a couple of requests lately for Wedding invitation ideas. This is one sample that one of the recipients has decided to go for. I really love En Francais under the vellum. It gives such an elegant effect. The Bride To Be, is totally new to stamping and cardmaking and she is going to make them herself. That's how easy it is!  So, if you'd like to make your Wedding invitations or any kind of invitations, why don't you contact me so we can get together and I can show you some samples.

Stamp Sets: En Francais, Baroque Motifs, Sincere Salutations
Cardstock: Whisper White, Basic Black
Ink: Black StazOn
Accessories: Black Brads, White Vellum Paper, Paper Piercing Tool, Mat Pack.

Cracked Glass Technique - Part 2

This was the second project we made for the class we had on Friday and we used another favourite set of mine - Fast and Fabulous. This is a hostess set so unfortunatly it isn't available to purchase, but the good news is, that you can earn it for FREE, if you host a workshop and reach the sales target. If you want to book a workshop, contact me here. All workshops that are booked with me during September (but can be held at a later date), if the hostess reaches the rewards level, I'll raffle off amongst the attendees, a Sale-A-Bration (retired) stamp set.

I'm really happy with how this project turned out, especially since I only just finished it minutes before the attendees showed up. I'm not usually so disorganised but I'd had such a busy week.  I got there in the end - so that's the main thing.  

Stamp Set: En Francais, Fast and Fabulous (level 2 hostess set)
Cardstock: Pink Pirouette, Chocolate Chip, Naturals Ivory
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Regal Rose, Old Olive
Accessories: Chocolate Chip 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon (retired), Clear embossing powder, Heat Tool, Sponge, Blender Pen

Thank you to Robyn and Joy (my wonderful downlines) and Judy and Sally (my lovely sidelines) for your support in attending my class. You made it lots of fun and I thoroughly enjoyed your company. And, a special thank you Judy for your RAK (in the form of yummy wine, with a very cute tag) - I felt very spoilt.