It's Father's Day today here in Australia, so today's tips are about one of our blokey stamp sets: Totally Tools. There are 5 stamps in this set, each with a different tool and witty sentiment.

Sometimes I like to use my image stamps separately from the words, and although there are a few techniques that enable you to do that quite easily (such as masking), sometimes I like to split-mount my stamps. GASP! Yes, I cut them! It's ok, they don't feel a thing.  

Split mounting simply means that you cut the image and the words apart, so you end up with 2 pieces of rubber stamp not one. The pieces are adhered to different parts of the wood block, so can be used separately.

And yes, I know it would seem like it won't work being stuck on the curvy edge of the block (I thought it wouldn't work too and it was kind of an experiment!),  but it does actually work and the words come out crystal clear. Where possible, I would normally adhere the word to the flat end of the block, but this particular set had very long sentiments.

So now we have 10 stamps for the price of 5!

How to make the tools:

1. Stamp tools with jet black Stazon ink.

2. Colour the images as desired. I used the Basic Gray and Real Red Stampin' Write Markers. Then apply Crystal Effects, our clear craft lacquer which you can find on p144 of the NEW Idea Book and Catalogue (it's only $11.95 for a bottle, and is acid free).

3. Leave your images overnight and then cut them out. Use as handy embellishments on your cards, scrap pages or OTP (off the page) projects.

Crystal Effects looks great on the buttons Sizzlits die-cuts (p152 IB&C), on vase and glass images, as dew drops on leaves and flowers and plenty of other uses too!

Happy stamping,

P.S. Non Stamping Related: A big thank you to so many of you – customers, team members and demonstrator friends – who've contacted me over the past 24 hours about the floods we've had here in our little town. We've very grateful that our house is on high ground so we are ok, but it was a surreal experience seeing our main street totally flooded and heartbreaking knowing that so many people here in our own community have lost everything. 

Woo Hoo! It's here! CLICK HERE to download the brand new 2010 – 2011 Idea Book & Catalogue from Stampin' Up!

CLICK HERE to download the supplies list.

Contact me to arrange for your very own copy of the IBC to be sent to you. There's nothing quite like snuggling up on the couch with a hot cuppa as you flick through the pages.

I'm taking bookings NOW for all Christmas Workshops. Dates are filling fast, so contact me to secure your chosen date.

And if you've been thinking about joining Stampin' Up! – "will I? won't I?" then oh my goodness you are going to be very excited about the Free Gift you'll get when joining us during September…. NEW 'IN COLOR' PRODUCTS (markers, ink and cardstock) to the value of $84.90. Seriously, wow. Click on the orange "Join Today" circle on the right sidebar for more info.

Happy stamping,

Well, this is it! Today is the very last day that any of us can order from the 2009-2010 Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalogue.

We've all been blown away by the EXTRA 50% off bargains that were announced a few days ago. Not surprisingly these have been hugely popular and some items have already sold out. The good news is that there is still time to snap up some bargains but… you snooze, you lose! lol.

I've gone through the updated list with a fine-tooth comb, and my picks of the bargains (that are still available at the time of writing) are in the table below.

To order: Phone 5345 1592 or email me.

For a full list of retiring items please click HERE.

Remember that the following Stampin' Up colours will be unavailable after midnight tonight:

Rich Regals: Bordering Blue, Handsome Hunter, Brocade Blue, Ballet Blue, Taken with Teal.

Bold Brights: Pink Passion, Glorious Green, Pixie Pink, Yoyo Yellow, Orchid Opulence, Lovely Lilac, Brilliant Blue, Green Galore, Only Orange, Gable Green.

Soft Subtles: Almost Amethyst, Barely Banana, Pale Plum, Sage Shadow, Blush Blossom, Mellow Moss, Apricot Appeal, Lavender Lace.

Earth Elements: Ruby Red, Cameo Coral, Summer Sun, Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa, Really Rust.

Edited: TABLE DELETED. SPECIALS EXPIRED at Midnight 31st AUGUST.

The rest of the family will be out tonight at the Fabulous Fathers Night (Dads and kids) at school, but I'll be home ready to lodge your last-minute orders.

It's a bit exciting, isn't it?!

Happy stamping,

Punches and stamps at 50% off – these are NEW discounts that were only announced late this week, and are in addition to the many other specials that have been going throughout August.

The shelves are getting cleared to make way for new products, and these have got to go!

EDITED: Table removed. Specials have expired.

These are selling out very quickly so I'm placing Customer Direct orders as soon as orders are received. This means that the orders will be sent straight to your door (Australia only) and you'll get them in just a couple of days.

To place an order please do so via email or call me on 5345 1592.

Also, a big hello to the lovely people I met today while demonstrating on the Stampin' Up! stand at Paperific. What a fabulous day and an absolute pleasure to talk 'stamping' with so many creative people!

Cheers,

(That's Funny stamp set, Warm Words Stamp set – both on the Last Chance List)

The Last Chance List has been updated again, indicating which retiring products are running low in supplies and which have already run out. Now's the time to check the supplies of your cardstock and ink refills, as some colours won't be continuing in the 2010-2011 Idea Book and Catalogue. Click on the Retiring Colours link in the right sidebar for more info.

Click Here to download the latest version.

Low in stock:

Greetings Eight (p57) – This set is currently 50% off! $24.98

Nursery Necessities (p61) – $56.95

Eastern Influences (p77) – $33.95

Playful Petals (p86) – $39.71

Weathered (p109) – $33.95

Forever Flowers standard wheel (p46) – $11.95

Bella's Border standard wheel (p78) – $11.95

Illuminated standard wheel (p108) – $11.95

I Wish Simply Scrappin' Kit (p137) – This kit is currently 25% off! $27.71

Rock-a-Bye Boy Simply Scrapping Kit (p137) – $36.95

Check the list for full details

Happy stamping,

CLICK HERE to download the Last Chance List of retiring products. Updated 18th August.

I've been having lots of fun lately playing with some of the sets that won't be available when the new Idea Book & Catalogue is released next month.

It's sad to say goodbye to some of our old favourites, but we have to make way for all the yummy new goodies that are coming our way! The retiring items are on the Last Chance List (click on the link above to check the latest – note: some of the items are already sold out, and others are running low).

Today I'm sharing some owl cards. I love owls!!!

Up top we have the owl from Owl Together Now (on the last chance list) sitting over an opening punched from the 3.5cm circle punch. This next one is a simple one-layer card, also featuring Owl Together Now. The frame was created by masking the centre with scrap paper and stamping over with a background stamp. Hmmm, is that a sneak peek of a NEW stamp available from next month???

 Yep, it sure is!!! And you are going to LOVE it.

And here is another owl. This time, it's one of the fun rub-ons from the Bright Delights pack of rub-ons (p139 IB&C), also retiring. The rub-on was applied to a window sheet, which was cut to a circle and adhered to the front of the card. The white ring was pretty easy to make, thanks to the Circle Scissors, and conveniently covered the edges of the window sheet.

Oh and that background stamp looks great with the 2-step bird punch too. (oops, bit blurry sorry)

Hope you've enjoyed these cards – a mix of the old and new! You can click on them to view a larger image.

Happy stamping,

It's time to snap up a bargain or finally order that set you've been thinking about for a while.

Yes, the LAST CHANCE LIST is here. It's pretty long (8 pages) and includes products in all the retiring colours plus items that will be reconfigured in the new catalogue (such as punches).

The GREAT news for you is that some items are up to 50% OFF.

DOWNLOAD LAST CHANCE LIST HERE (UPDATED 4th August)

To save you some time working out which products are discounted, I put this together for you:

50% OFF
Note: Only available until sold out

25% OFF
Note: Only available until sold out

Wow! How amazing is that? Contact me to place your order.

Happy stamping ,

Hi there! Just a couple of quick reminders…

• This month's special of 20% off selected two-step stamps finishes on Saturday 31st of July. If you want to place an order it might be best to phone me on 0411 642 038.
• The end of July is also the end of the discounted Starter Kit for anyone who wants to join Stampin' Up! as a demonstrator and take advantage of the many benefits that being a 'demo' brings.

Also a quick NEWS FLASH that seriously exciting times are ahead! On the 1st of August the LAST CHANCE LIST will be released. This is a list of all the items that will be discontinued when our current Idea Book & Catalogue expires at the end of August, so it really will be your last chance to grab these items. I've been a demonstrator for a few years now, and I have seen first-hand how quickly some of the Last Chance List items sell out. Yep, very quickly. If there is anything you want off the list, contact me and I will place the order straight away. Check back here on the 1st of August for more information.

Today's card share is some happy mail I received from a lovely friend and team member, Maureen Crameri. Maureen and I are looking forward to going on a trip to Hamilton Island in a couple of months, with our hubbies and about 25 other demonstrators who earned the Incentive Trip this year. I suspect Maureen knows of my love for the Cottage Garden stamp set and this colour combo, don't you think? LOL.

Happy stamping,

Awwwwww… isn't she cute?

This is our new roly-poly bundle of love: a Cavalier King Charles spaniel who we've named LUCY. A big thanks to breeders Karen and Stacey (who co-incidentally both happen to be two of the most creative and talented papercrafters I've met) for bringing this huggable and lovable puppy into our lives.

My 6 year old daughter insisted we make Lucy a special "blanky" (aka blanket) and of course it had to have Lucy's name on it. Yay for the Big Shot (again) and Stampin' Up!'s exclusive Timeless Type Junior Alphabet Sizzlits dies for coming to the rescue. It was actually heaps of fun to make and helped pass the time while we waited for Lucy's arrival.

Happy stamping,

If you're a regular to my blog you'll know that I have another hobby: patchworking and quilting (although it definitely takes second place to my love of paper!). After finishing my last big quilt I've only made a couple of small projects, so decided to spend the past week getting my next project organised. It's an applique quilt with lots of texture, and I'm using the Big Shot on it… so fun! I love how you can use so many different materials with the Big Shot, like vinyl, balsawood, felt, acetate, sponge, and plenty more. NO, I'm not putting those on the quilt! LOL

I think the hardest thing with quilting is getting everything set up, the blocks measured and cut, fabrics chosen, etc. Oh cardmaking is so much easier!

Anyway, I did have a great day on Saturday visiting the Craft and Quilt Show in Melbourne. It was my first craft show in ages where I wasn't working on a stand, so I took the chance to have a good look around. So many inspiring projects, and I couldn't help but notice the fresh use of colour. I recognised many of the new colours we'll be getting in September with Stampin' Up!'s Colour Renovation… they appeared everywhere in different fabrics and textiles, wool, stitcheries and clothes. It has made me more excited than ever about the freshening of our available colours.

Now, if you have a 'passion for papercraft' then you'll want to mark August 27 – 29 in your diary. Melbourne Paperific is on that weekend and I'll be there with other demonstrators sharing new techniques AND you'll get a chance to do Make & Takes. It will be a great time to visit being the end of one catalogue and the start of a new one. It's at the Melbourne Showgrounds (so it's very handy for those of us in regional areas). 

Today I thought I'd share one of our recent Stamp Club projects. Usually the afternoon and evening groups do the same projects, but not this past month. One group had done Waterfall Cards before, and the other group hadn't but I didn't want them to miss out. Our topic for both groups was Two-Step Stamping, of course, so everyone learned how to use the stamps that are 20% off this month, such as this one, "A Rose Is A Rose".

There are lots of great online tutorials if you want to learn how to make these cards (just look up "Waterfall Cards"). I learned how to do these from Keryn, one of the talented girls in my downline, at our last Team Day. I can't believe I hadn't made them before, because I thought they were too hard! Not at all, give them a try!

And here's the page all stamp club members made for their Technique Journal.

Happy stamping! I'm off to finish preparing for the arrival of a new family member. More details tomorrow!