Brightening things up

I have had this colour scheme in my head for the past few days and finally last night found time to play with it. I can't even remember what I saw that made me think of it. So far three out of three people that I showed it to (ie. my family) said "well ... um ... it's bright". That's the point!

It looks a little "unfinished" on the left hand side, but that's because I haven't decided what message to put there to balance the fish.

The hardest part was cutting out those little fins ... I wouldn't be making these in bulk!

Remember that this set is only available in the Summer Mini, and only until the end of March; contact me if you would like to buy it for your own.

Images © 1990-2008 Stampin' Up!®

Supplies used:

Stamp sets: Ocean Commotion
Ink: Real Red, Ballet Blue, Pumpkin Pie
Cardstock: Ballet Blue, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, Basic Black, Old Olive, Whisper White
Other: 1-1/4" Square Punch, 1-3/8" Square Punch

Sale--A-Bration Swap

I generally don't "do" swaps. Since becoming a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, I have been known to make swaps for convention and regional training, but aside from that it's not something I've really been into.

However ...

When your upline proposes a small swap somehow it seems like a great idea - and it actually was fun to create my contribution! Once I had the idea (which came to me after a Girls' Nite, I think) I had a quick production line evening and whipped them all up.

The challenge was to create a card using any or all of the current Sale-A-Bration stamp sets. I only had the one at the time so that's what I worked with. Very happy with the result.

Note the use of the (soon to be retired) In Color ... River Rock might just be my all time favourite colour *sigh*

Supplies used:

Stamp sets: Botanical Blooms
Ink: Rose Red, River Rock
Cardstock: River Rock, Basic Black, Rose Red, Whisper White
Other: Vintage Brads, Scallop Edge Punch, Small Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Stamp-A-Ma-Jig

And here are the cards I received in return ... they were created by (clockwise from top) Karen, Gail, Felicity and Coral.

Thank you ladies!

Afternoon at Gail's

On Sunday I was lucky enough to go to Gail's house to take part in a fundraising Stamp-A-Stack. Not heard of a Stamp-A-Stack? Basically, it's exactly what it sounds like ... for a fee, you get to make ten cards (five each of two designs) - no cutting or preparation involved (well, not for the guests anyway *g*), just an afternoon of stamping a stack of cards.

Gail is running a few of these Stacks over the next few weeks with all proceeds going to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal ... I have heard that the response was terrific and all the spots are now booked out so I'm glad I got to go!

So, what did we make?

Well, this first is using my current fave, Eastern Blooms. I got to use the crimper (available in the Stampin' Up! catalogue) for the first time, and enjoyed it, which surprised me. It's a lot bigger than I thought, too, you could fit a whole card front in there if you wanted. As you can see, we've run a Close to Cocoa inkpad over the top to emphasise the dimension on the main panel.

Gail's design had a word on it, but I couldn't decide so just left the card blank ... I can always add something later when I need to.

Supplies used:

Stamp sets: Eastern Blooms
Ink: Close to Cocoa
Cardstock: Tempting Turquoise, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Naturals Ivory
Other: Crimper, Tempting Turquoise Grosgrain 1/4" Ribbon, Stampin' Write Markers in Chocolate Chip and Pixie Pink


The second card uses a set I don't have but might need to buy now that I've used it ... we used Versamark to stamp the horse and word on glossy white cardstock, then brayered Close to Cocoa ink over the top. The areas with Versamark (and occasionally fingerprints) "resists" the dye ink and shows through as a sort of ghostly image ... very effective!

I like the brown/red/black combination - very masculine.

Supplies used:

Stamp sets: Wanted
Ink: Versamark, Close to Cocoa, Whisper White Craft
Cardstock: Real Red, Basic Black, Glossy White, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa
Other: Brayer, Vintage Brads, Photo Corners Punch

So thanks to Gail for a fun afternoon (and waves to Sharon, Liz and Pauline) and I hope you raise a bunch for the bushfire appeal!

Stampin' Up! fundraising appeal

Like many, many businesses in Australia (and overseas), Stampin' Up! has recognised the need for urgent fundraising for the victims of Victoria's bushfires.

During the next six weeks (from today, February 12 until March 31, 2009), Stampin' Up! will donate 50% of the retail value of 10 selected stamp sets to the Australian Red Cross Victorian Bushfires 2009 Appeal.

The stamp sets are as follows:

Stamp Set	Item Number	Page Number in Catalogue	Retail Price
Priceless	112312	105	48.95 AUD
Seeing Spots	108909	89	29.95 AUD
Baroque Motifs	112380	98	39.95 AUD
Live Your Dream	114261	3 (Summer Mini Catalogue)	55.95 AUD
Looks Like Spring*	108864	76	58.95 AUD
The Snowflake Spot*	108934	27	39.95 AUD
Bodacious Boquet*	108756	80	58.95 AUD
Polka Dots & Paisley*	110247	46	35.95 AUD
G'day Mate*	111973	115	35.95 AUD
Be Happy*	108744	51	39.95 AUD

*These sets will appear on the upcoming list of retiring products, so they will only be available for the Bushfire Appeal--while supplies last.

If any of these sets are on your wish list, please consider buying them during this period as donations are desperately needed. I will still be donating my profit until February 20 as mentioned in my last post, so this will be in addition to the generous offer from Stampin' Up. And of course purchases over $100 during the rest of February will earn a free Sale-A-Bration stamp set.

You can see samples from some of these sets throughout my blog, if you're after inspiration *g*.

Bushfire Appeal

I would like to take a moment to write about the bushfire tragedy which has unfolded over the past few days in Victoria. Current figures are showing over 170 people have lost their lives, while many more have lost their homes.

The Red Cross is collecting donations for those affected, and you can read more about this and make your own contributions at their website (direct link to bushfire relief page here).

I would like help and as such am planning on donating my profit from any sales made over the next ten days (until February 20). If you were planning on making any purchases and would like to make a difference, contact me today. Remember that orders over $100 will still earn a free Sale-A-Bration set.

Thank you.

You need a Crop-A-Dile

And while I'd like you to buy it from me, I can understand if you don't.

But the Crop-A-Dile is such a great tool!

Not only does this scary-looking object set your eyelets silently and quickly with a minimum of effort, it will punch holes through just about anything. I have put holes in 96 page exercise books, and the only reason I couldn't do a 128 page one is that it wouldn't fit in the little gap. I have put holes through the cardboard "chipboard" that is so popular these days with papercrafters. I have made rubber washers for some of my husband's many shed projects by punching through 2-3mm thick rubber. I have put holes in an ice cream container (then set eyelets into it) and into a mint tin.

And the other day, when DD was putting on her shoes for school, one of the eyelets fell out. Did I panic? No, sir! I found some nasty old eyelets I had from somewhere, grabbed my trusty Crop-A-Dile and voila, fixed in no time. Okay, so it doesn't match, but who cares? I got to play with my Crop-A-Dile before school!

And if you buy one, your husband will also find uses for it. Which justifies the purchase, yes?

Contact me for more information.

A milestone post!

I'm sure that I've got some balloons somewhere, and maybe even one of those little noisemaker thingies with the paper curl that go "blllllaaaaaattttt" when you blow in them. Because this is Post # 100, a number I was never convinced I would actually reach.

In celebration, another card.

What a surprise.

I didn't actually make this one today - far too hot for stamping (it's another scorcher in Melbourne, with the temperature in the 40s, hoping for the cool change to come in quickly. They are telling us that it will be down to a top of 19 on Tuesday). So here's one I prepared earlier.

More pink. Again, another surprise.

I really, really like this set. The bold flowers just really seem to work well, and look great when coloured with markers as shown here. And I've used the smaller sprig of flowers in Pixie Pink to add texture to the layers.

Supplies used:

Stamp sets: Live Your Dream
Ink: Pixie Pink, Old Olive
Cardstock: Old Olive, Pixie Pink, Whisper White
Other: Stampin' Write Markers in Old Olive, Pixie Pink, Rose Red and So Saffron

Happy anniversary to me!

Oh, and I changed my header again. Just because I can.

Something to brighten things up

And when I say bright, I really, really mean it!

We made this card at a recent workshop, and it went down a treat. Seems everyone loved the super bright colour scheme.

And how easy is it to make? Well, using the Basics Outline Wheel and the Rough Texture Wheel (plus a word from Short & Sweet) you can put it together in no time at all. And because Basics Outline matches the Bud Basics set, you can use the solid stamps to quickly fill in the outlines and add loads of colour.

Supplies used:

Stamp sets: Bud Basics, Short & Sweet
Ink: Pixie Pink, So Saffron, Mellow Moss, Basic Black
Cardstock: Pixie Pink, Mellow Moss, So Saffron, Whisper White
Other: Basics Outline Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel, Rough Texture Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel, Jumbo Stampin' Around Handl, Stamp A Ma Jig

More from Liz

At our recenty Girls Nite at Deb's house, Liz again got into her creative streak ... and she has been so kind as to allow me to photograph her creations to share on my blog; because she's using current Stampin' Up! stuff, they all qualify to be shown here!



This card is a case of the one I made at our last GNI, however Liz has used only the current "In Colors" (which are only available until the expiry of our current catalogue, so if you like them, get in quick!).

Supplies used:

Stamp sets: Ocean Commotion
Ink: Groovy Guava, Purely Pomegranate, Wild Wasabi
Cardstock: Groovy Guava, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White
Other: Scallop Edge Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals



I like this one! In fact, I'm planning on CASEing it myself! Again, Liz has only used "In Colours", and don't they work well together!

Supplies used:

Stamp sets: Big Bold Birthday, Warm Words
Ink: Wild Wasabi, Groovy Guava, Purely Pomegranate
Cardstock: Groovy Guava, Purely Pomegranate, Whisper White



A birthday card with a definitely masculine colour scheme.

Supplies used:

Stamp sets: Big Bold Birthday
Ink: River Rock, Chocolate Chip, Soft Sky
Cardstock: River Rock, Chocolate Chip, Blue Bayou, Whisper White



And lastly a card using my personal favourite Eastern Blooms. At first I had this up the wrong way, but Liz had designed it so the message is sideways at the top of the card, not the right way up at the bottom of the card. And Liz has used her scrap from the scallop edge punch, just like I've been doing! Waste not, want not.

Supplies used:

Stamp sets: Easter Blooms
Ink: River Rock
Cardstock: River Rock, Always Artichoke, Blue Bayou, Whisper White
Other: Scallop Edge Punch, Scallop Circle Punch

Thank you again, Liz, for allowing me to share these.