Less than two months until Christmas!

Wooohooo!!! I'm one of those people who love love love Christmas. The decorations, lights, music, family time, yummy food, traditions, homemade cards. I love it all! So I'm especially loving our EurekaStampers team swap this month, which is all about CHRISTMAS! I've been getting beee-uuuu-tiful Chrissy cards in the letterbox throughout October, including this one that just arrived today from Jessica Williams. Isn't she talented?!  (Thank you Jess for giving me permission to share this here xx)

This stunning stair-step card uses the two gorgeous stamp sets on page 26 of the Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalogue: Winter Post and Welcome Christmas.

And one more look (check out the tea-dyed organza ribbon)…

I just recently got Welcome Christmas as part of the fabulous bundle promotion that's on this month. I love the limited edition Cocoa Specialty paper that came in the bundle – 12×12 designer series paper that coordinates with Real Red and Soft Suede, and a few sheets even have flocking. Wow, that stuff is so much fun to work with… paper that looks good and feels good too, has got to be a great thing. LOL

I'm still working on my swaps for this month – eek! It's been a crazy time, with the trip to Hamilton Island and since then I've had my head in the books getting all the tax and paperwork up-to-date (I do the book-keeping for my husband's business). Pheww!!! Soooo glad that's over… for now!

Just wanted to say a quick hello to Narelle and the girls from our workshop this morning [big wave] It was such a fun morning, and what a gorgeous group of girls to spend time stamping with.

We made a Riding Hood Red, Garden Green and Very Vanilla card using the Delightful Decorations bundle, and christmas ornament with stamps and coordinating punches. 

Happy stamping,

Pillow Box handbag stamped in black and Melon Mambo, with the Silhouette Sentiments stamp set (Level 1 hostess set).

Here's a fun little project that would be perfect for a group of girls to make at a birthday party, or when you need a gift holder in a hurry. My very talented downline Juliana Main inspired me with her clear window sheet versions of these bags – very cute!.

How to make a Pillow Box Handbag:

1. Start with Whisper White card stock, 6inch x 6inch square (yep, you get 4 of these from each 12×12 inch sheet of cardstock or scrapbooking paper).
2. Run the cardstock through the Big Shot with the Pillow Box die (page 154 of the Idea Book & Catalogue).
3. By starting with Whisper White you can stamp on it or decorate it any way you like (do this while the cardstock is still flat though LOL). Sticky Strip works best as the adhesive on the side tab.
4. Just before you seal the sides, slip in the two ends of a matching piece of ribbon as your handle.
5. This die has score lines on it, so all you have to do is fold on the score lines and the box 'pops' into shape. Too easy.

We've been making some of these in a Christmas theme at my workshops lately, and they have been a huge hit. Let me know if you're interested in hosting a workshop and we'll tee it up before we get too far into the silly season.

Happy stamping,

Well I've finally finished going through all my photos and unpacking after our fabulous trip to Hamilton Island.

Hamilton Island INCENTIVE TRIP Highlights, 2010

It was an amazing experience!

This Stampin' Up! travel wallet was sent to us a couple of weeks before the trip, complete with gorgeous bag tags

If you are interested, I've written all about it (with plenty of photos too) and you can find it all HERE. I decided not to put it here as a blog post, because I'm sure many people out there aren't interested (it's like the old days of 'slide nights' watching someone else's holiday snaps – LOL). But I know there are girls in my team of demonstrators who are asking for highlights, along with my lovely friends and family… Thanks for sharing the excitement with me and all your support along the way. xxx

Back to normal programming from tomorrow. I've got HEAPS of cards and other stamped projects to share with you, so stay tuned!

Happy reading.

INCENTIVE TRIP 2010 Hamilton Island HIGHLIGHTS

We are just finishing our amazing Stampin' Up! incentive trip on Hamilton Island and it has been such an incredible time. I have been keeping an online diary of all the things we've been up to and will post a link to the separate page later today or tomorrow (it's long!). But I quickly wanted to jump in here and mention a brand new promotion that has just been announced… the 'Dress Up Christmas' promotion..

It runs from now  until the end of November, and will see you getting a lovely roll of LIMITED EDITION ribbon FREE (there are 4 to choose from) with a specially selected Christmas bundle or by hosting a $550 workshop. 

You can check out all the details here.

Happy stamping,

How beautiful is the Elements of Style stamp set? I LOVE it!

(Elements of Style, page 99 of the Idea Book & Catalogue).

Elements of Style stamp set, Rich Razzleberry Ink, Early Espresso ink, Early Espresso satin ribbon.

It took a grand total of 4 minutes to transform a plain white sack into a lovely gift bag. (And at least 2 minutes of that was getting the bow tied! *giggle*).

Things have been pretty hectic around here lately, with workshops and craft fairs and even a Christmas class thrown in. A big hello to all the lovely people I met at CraftExpo last Thursday, which was held in the beautiful old Exhibition Building in Carlton (Melbourne). It's always a treat to help people discover stamping for the first time.

We're busy getting ready for the Stampin' Up! Incentive Trip to Hamilton Island (squeal – yes, i'm very excited). Just one more day to go, and my lovely and ever-so-supportive hubby and I will be leaving our 3 kids in the very capable hands of their Nanny and Pa while we spend 5 days and 4 nights in sunshine. THANK YOU Stampin' Up! Better go finish packing and put the finishing touches on all those swaps. 

Happy stamping,

Saturday 9th of October 2010

1pm – 3pm

Creswick, Victoria

Come and join us for a fun afternoon as we make 8 projects (2 each of 4 designs) for the upcoming Festive Season. Yes, it’ll be here before you know it!

The class is suitable for beginners right through to the experienced papercrafters (with opportunities to 'step it up').

Second hand stamps AND retired cardmaking & scrapbooking supplies for sale on the day. Grab a bargain. One day only.

$25 class/materials fee. Everything supplied.
Early Bird Special: $20 per person, pay by 4th of October.

(Note: this has been extended because my scheduled blog post didn't work! oops, that'll teach me for going away during the school holidays! lol)

Contact me to reserve your spot.

Please note: Due to the popularity of this class spaces are strictly limited, and as a result, your spot will only be secured upon payment. If you aren't able to attend on the day I will happily provide you with your custom-prepared card kits.

Can't wait to see you!