We've just returned from a fabulous two-week camping trip by the beach. Swimming and surfing every day and lots of sunset walks along the beach with the fam. 

But we're back now, and just in time for one of my favourite times of the year…

Sale-a-bration. 

Who doesn't love free stamps?!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the products in this year's selection. The best ever! Check them out:

Click to download

If you're not sure what all this Sale-a-bration buzz is about, or you need a refresher, you can get the full low-down by clicking HERE.

All is revealed.

BIG NEWS

It's hugely exciting to learn that THIS YEAR there's an extra bonus for clever crafters who get the demonstrator Starter Kit.

During SAB the price is reduced to only $249 and you get an EXTRA stamp set to ANY VALUE on top of the already fabulous contents in the kit.

This brings the total value in products and business supplies to nearly $700 for only a $249 investment, but best of all you are buying your very own business, to do with what you will. How awesome is that!

For more info on what it means to 'Join Stampin' Up!' click HERE.

Well, I'd better get back to the unpacking and the many loads of washing. Can't wait to catch up with some of you on Friday at our Celebrate Sale-a-bration event.

Happy Stamping,

Remember when your age was the most important number in the world?

My youngest daughter recently had a big birthday so now proudly holds up 5 fingers at every opportunity.

Inspired by this, we've been adding big chipboard numbers to her friends' birthday gifts. So much fun! We made the chipboard 5 shown here from the On Board Sheets (p155 Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalogue) and the fabulous Simple Numbers Bigz dies with the Big Shot.

We stamped directly on the chipboard with ink to match the ribbon, and wrapped the gift in simple paper.

Quick and easy but it sure gets a big smile from the littlies.

Happy stamping,

   Just a quick reminder that our Celebrate Sale-a-bration event is coming up. For more info click HERE.

Happy stamping,

How do you organise your craft supplies?

I have all my punches hanging on cheap Ikea towel rails above a low book shelf, and the new style punches are stacked neatly underneath.

Easy to reach, I can see them all at a glance and by going up the wall they don't take any of my valuable desk space!

(Mind you, it doesn't seem to matter how big my desk is, I always end up working in an area about the size of a postage stamp because the rest of the desk is covered! Is it just me?)

I was talking to a crafting buddy recently who stores all her supplies by category. She has a box for all Christmas-related products – stamps, embellishments, papers, etc. We were chatting about the stocking punch and she was debating whether to 'put it away for Christmas'. My reply was: Noooooo! The stocking punch isn't just for Christmas!

A quick search on Google will show you heaps of different uses for this punch. I shared some Christmas related projects with it last year, but there's so much more to this one!

A little while back I made this baby card using the Stocking Builder punch and Stitched Stockings stamp set.

I was inspired by another crafter but can't find her blog now (I'll keep looking and will update here when I find it).

DID YOU KNOW… that the Stocking Punch will NOT be carrying over into the new catalogue when it's released later this year?
When the Summer Mini Catalogue finishes you'll no longer be able to order it through Stampin' Up! We also got notification that "Once the current inventory of this punch has been depleted, it will no longer be available for purchase.".

One of my favourite things to do with my craft supplies is to use them in other ways than they were originally designed for. You get so much more value out of your purchases that way.

How do you use your supplies in interesting and unusual ways? I'd love to hear them.

Happy stamping,

With the first day of 2012 nearly over (here in Australia, at least), I hope you had a great one!

We started our day with a lovely family walk, but it got very hot very quickly so we spent the rest of the day recovering and doing almost nothing! Well, not exactly 'nothing'. I actually sewed together some Ooshka Babushka dolls with my girls from kits I picked up at the one of the Melbourne craft shows last year. If you look closely you can even see some Stampin' Up! stash supplies (ribbon, Flirtatious fabric and pearls).

As promised, here are some more highlights from 2011 posts. Enjoy!

July

August

September

October

November

December

Check out the January – June highlights HERE.

Happy stamping,