Just a quick reminder that Sale-a-bration is over tonight (Saturday 31st March). I'll be up putting in orders until the day is over, so don't hesitate to get in touch by phone or email to finish off that last-minute wish list.

Last chance to get one of the exclusive stamp sets (you won't be able to get them after today), such as the popular Fresh Vintage set which we used in the card above.

Also last chance to stock up on 12×12 Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper, or more ribbons and brads.

By the way, my business Facebook page has had a bit of a makeover. Come on over and check it over – hope you 'Like' it! lol. 

Happy stamping, 

We may be in Autumn now, but I've been doing some serious Spring cleaning in my craft room!

While going through my shelves and boxes, I found some great projects from past Stampin' Up! events that I haven't yet shared. 

Today's project is from our last Regional Training Day (I attended the Melbourne one), and features the fun Big Top suite of projects. This suite includes a stamp set, a bright and bubbly packet of Designer Series Paper and there's even adhesive die cuts in the range.

Believe it or not, this train carriage was created from two die cut shapes using the Scallop Envelope Die. So clever. The wheels are simply layered circles, adhered with Stampin' Dimensionals.

Inside the carriage is a set of 4 little 4"x4" cards and envelopes, perfect for adding to a gift.

Circle Punch Tip: The corners on the white layer were made by simply punching a notch using a small circle punch. So simple, but such an effective technique. Different sized circle punches will create different results.

We also made a scrap page:

Circle Punch Tip: The colourful banner was also made with a small circle punch. This time, the circles were folded in half over linen thread and adhered with mini glue dots.

This little clown image is a classic – he always makes me smile.

I love attending these Stampin' Up! sponsored events. Not only do we stamp and make pretty things like these projects, but we also learn new techniques and get sneak-peeks of upcoming goodies. There are giveaways and lots to inspire us, not to mention spending the day (or a few days, in the case of Convention) with like-minded guys and girls.

Now I'm the first to admit that I tend to spend far too much time chatting at these events, so I've been known to bring my projects home to finish. Thank goodness we get comprehensive instructions and colour photos so it's no drama. Of course, I can't help myself so tend to change things a little from the original design. But isn't that part of the fun? :)

Happy stamping

 Notes from Simone:

• Ever thought about joining Stampin' Up! so you can come along to demonstrator-only events? There's still time to get the starter kit for $40 off PLUS a bonus stamp set of your choice for free. More info HERE.
  
• For more info about the Big Top Suite of products, check out page 32 of the current Australian Idea Book & Catalogue. Contact me if you'd like more info or want to place a Stampin' Up! order.
  
  

A huge hello to all the fabulous people we met over the weekend in Bendigo at the first local Picture To Page papercraft expo.

The organisers and everyone involved agreed it was a great success, so it looks like we'll be making it a regular fixture on the calendar! That's great news for regional Victoria – it's exciting when these kind of events come up to us for a change. I'll let you know dates and times as soon as they're available.

Just a quick announcement… Congratulations to Norma Wilson, the winner of our fabulous door prize.

Norma won a craft tote filled with Stampin' Up! goodies.

If we met you at the show, we'd love to hear from you. You can get in touch by phone or email, and as always you're welcome to leave a comment here on my blog.

Did you come to the show? What did you think?

Happy stamping,

Bottle tags are a nice way of dressing up a gift bottle… Think homemade sauce, bath salts, a bottle of wine, or fancy mixers.

The 'Celebrate' bottle tag above uses some of the lovely Sale-a-bration goodies, free with qualifying purchases until the end of March.

• Everyday Enchantment designer series paper
• Outlined Occasions stamp set
• Everyday Enchantment Ribbon & Brad pack

Bottle tags are surprisingly easy to make, and it's no trouble adapting them to different sized bottles. Don't they add a nice personal touch though?

This particular tag is 23cm x 9cm. The fold is scored at 8cm on the long side.

Want to make that scallop frame around the opening? Check out this post from a very long time ago. It uses the same concept of getting the 'middle' out of a shape.

Hope you have a great weekend! We're off to the Bendigo Picture To Page show this weekend. Come and stop by our stand if you're in the neighbourhood.

Happy stamping,

This is the gorgeous project I hinted at in my last post. LOVE HIM!!!

It's a fabric-covered Pillow Box (Spice Cake fabric), and embellished with punched paper from the coordinating Spice Cake designer series paper.

Mr Owl was created by team member Sherridan, using the same methods described last time (ie. adhering the fabric to the cardstock then running it all through the Big Shot). She was inspired by similar versions she'd seen in person and online, and knew how much I'd love him. Yes, I put my hand up and admit I have an addiction to all things 'owl'! Thank you Sherridan!

And to finish off for today, here's his back view (just click on any of these pics to bring them up to full size)…

Happy stamping,

NOTE: Don't miss out. The Spice Cake designer series paper is available only until 31st March 2012. If you'd like to order any of the items in this range, please contact me before then.

Happy Labour Day long weekend!

What a gorgeous few days we've had in this part of the world. I think we've spent most it outside enjoying the sunshine (and watching U14s cricket semi-finals), although the girls and I have just cooked up a storm in the kitchen. They love playing 'Junior Masterchef' and experimenting with all kinds of different ingredients. Akk – what a mess, but HEAPS of fun. I hope you're having a special weekend in your part of the world too! 

Now, I have to share these fabric pillow boxes with you. Oh my goodness, I LOVE these! They feel so good! lol.

This was one of the projects we made at Stamp Club this week.

Pillow Boxes made with Candy Cane fabric, embellished with Real Red satin ribbon, Pretty In Pink scallop dots and narrow grosgrain ribbons (above) and plain & dyed Fleurettes crocheted flowers with red Glimmer Brad. Click to enlarge.

This project was recently shared as a video on our demonstrator forum (demos: check out the Stampin' Connection videos for all the deets), but we changed it slightly.

To make these, simply adhere the fabric to cardstock using the Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets (p155 Idea Book & Catalogue) before running it through the Big Shot with the Pillow Box Die.

The cardstock gives the box its shape, while the fabric adds great texture and it really feels fab to touch. Mmmmm.

Note: In the pillow boxes above we used Pretty In Pink cardstock, and it's interesting how the colour shows through the fabric to change the look a little bit. It really looked quite different with White cardstock, and I'd love to have a go with another colour under it like the matching Garden Green or Baja Breeze. Yum.

The evening club used the lovely Spice Cake fabric.

The Spice Cake suite of goodies (including the matching 12×12 paper, stamp set and jumbo buttons) are all finishing up at the end of this month when the Summer Mini Catalogue expires. Sob.

One of the super talented demonstrators in our group, Sherridan, made all these gems with fabric. Oh WOW. How cute?!

I just adore the huge satin ribbon rosette in the middle there with the red spotted fabric (also from Candy Cane Christmas). Oh My.

There's one more project which is nothing short of spectacular… I haven't taken a photo of it yet but will do that tomorrow and will upload it here. I'll give you 3 hints: owl, fabric, paper. Yep, 3 of my favourite fun things in the world! :)  Woohoo. Stay tuned.  Edited: Here's that link.

Happy stamping,