So excited! My ‘Epic Day’ This & That bundle arrived this week. I couldn’t wait to tear into the box!

The bundle includes the journal, rotary date stamp, designer series paper, three rolls of patterned washi tape and a couple of sheets of coordinating stickers.

I especially love the rotary stamp. You can choose dates up to the year 2023, and a dozen different date-related sentiments.

To line up the sentiment you want, just rotate the dial so the number through the window matches the message printed on the front.

How cool is that!

And here’s what I created with my new journal.

Our annual Stampin’ Up! convention is coming up in a few weeks. I’m going to use my This & That journal to record the whole shebang. Yay!

Want to order the Epic Day This & That bundle for yourself? Remember the 15% off bundle is only valid for May. After that you’ll be able to order products individually at full price only. Contact me or order it online! If ordering online don’t forget to add the hostess code ECBQQ3AA for your chance to win.

ONLINE ORDERING TIP: There’s just 2 weeks left to grab a chance to win free Stampin’ Up! products with my Online Ordering promotion. Simply place an online order from my store and enter the hostess code ECBQQ3AA, click apply and you’re in with a chance! Prizes include vouchers in the amounts of $50, $35 and $25! Remember you have to enter the hostess code ECBQQ3AA to be in it!

Happy stamping,

Happy Valentines Day!

Today we're feeling the love with an extended Kraft box (p161 Annual Catalogue).

A clear Window Sheet makes up 3 sides and the back is lined with coordinating cardstock. We've used Primrose Petals cardstock (p152) stamped with the all-time favourite En Francais background stamp (p129).

This box is decorated with all kinds of lovely goodies from the new Artisan Embellishment Kit (p10 current Seasonal Catalogue).  Eek window sheets are difficult to photograph!

If you're free this Sunday why not come along to our special Pampering & Papercrafts Class! (Bookings essential, limited spaces still avail).

We're making a box very similar to this AND coordinating cards and I absolutely can't wait!!! Everyone will get a full Artisan Embellishment Kit and some special treats for inside the box. Of course!  

Have a fabulous day and happy stamping,

Oval Accent Big Clear die treat holder.
Leave a comment below if you’d like a copy of the FREE PDF tutorial

One of the fabulous perks of being a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator is the free products, and last month I was very spoilt with lots of goodies from the Annual and Christmas Holiday catalogues (Australia/NZ). One of the free items was this Oval Accent Bigz Clear die.

…And from the moment I took it out of the box I KNEW I wanted to make these treat holders. They also fit perfectly with this week’s Create With Connie & Mary favour challenge CCMCHOL12-03.

I started putting together a tutorial for my blog, but it was getting VERY long. It’s not that it’s a difficult project, but I took lots of photos which made the tutorial quite lengthy and my blog wasn’t playing nicely with all the images. Soooo…. I’m in the process of creating a FREE PDF with full instructions.

Would you like a copy?

Just leave a comment below and I’ll send it to you!

UPDATE 30th Sept 2012: The 9 page tutorial is done! Yay! If you’ve left a comment requesting a copy, please check your inbox because the tutorial should be there waiting for you. Let me know if it hasn’t turned up. Enjoy!

UPDATE 30th Oct 2012: I’m still sending out the tutorial to those who request it – remember it’s a large file so if you haven’t got it within a couple of days please let me know.

While you’re here, why not subscribe to receive blog updates by email.

Happy stamping,

Oval Accent Bigz Clear die treat holder

With only a few days to go before the new catalogue arrives (ooooh – how exciting) I thought I'd share some more pages from the Days To Remember Calendar. Better do it before all the beautiful Beau Chateau DSP retires!

See more pages here: June's post and July's post.

We might as well go back to the beginning, with January. And also one of my favourite photos in the calendar.

Click to enlarge

Texture was added to the interlocking frames with the Petals-a-Plenty embossing folder.

Champagne Shimmer Paint was brushed onto Soft Suede cardstock, then die cut (when dry!) with the Little Leaves Sizzlits die.

The Days-to-Remember Calendar is on the retiring list for $18.95, so this is your last chance to order it if you'd like to make your own. They really do make a lovely keepsake or special gift.

Have a happy day.

www.simonebartrum.com

Today's share project is a decorated picture frame with an embellished insert panel.

Read on for a quick tutorial.

This project was the basis of a class I taught last month at Melbourne's Craft & Quilt Fair. My first foray into craft show classes!

How To:

1. Remove back of picture frame, and cut Designer Series Paper (DSP) to fit the size of your frame.

2. Embellish DSP as desired – we used Basic Jewel Rhinestones so it was very 'blingy' in real life. 

3. Stamp images from Pennant Parade (p37 Aus/NZ Idea Book & Catalogue), and punch with the Pennant Builder punch. Layer, and join pennant pieces with Bakers Twine.

4. Tie or adhere banner into position. Our frame had a gap of approx 2cm between the back and the glass, so we had plenty of room for raised embellishments and lots of Dimensionals. Remember to take into account how much space you have behind the glass before sticking everything down.

5. Adhere DSP panel to back of frame (to stop it sagging behind the glass) and reassemble frame.

6. Decorate outer frame with paper flowers, rosettes or punched shapes. We put tiny adhesive-backed rhinestones in the centre of our flowers – for added sparkle!

TIP: This project is a great way to use beautiful papers with large, bold images, such as those found in Timeless Portrait.

Remember that all the Designer Series Papers in the current catalogue are retiring at the end of the month, so this is your last chance to get them. 

Well, craft fair season is well and truly upon us here in Victoria.

A big hello to all the lovely crafters I met last month at the Craft & Quilt Fair in Melbourne, and in only TWO WEEKS we'll be at Paperific!

I'll be there on SATURDAY 1st of SEPT. Come and say hello!

Happy stamping,

Click to enlarge

Here's another double-page spread from my 2012 Days-to-Remember Calendar.

To make headers for the right-hand page, cut a strip of patterned Designer Series Paper or cardstock to 1" x 6". Embellish with die cut letters, sponging and stamping.

I love adding embellishments to my pages, but here's a tip: the extra bulk does add up! Too many 3D embellishments will mean the pages won't sit flat, although you can kind of get away with it on a standing calendar like this one.

The flower above was probably one of my 'thickest' embellishments (for wont of a better word!) but I just couldn't resist layering those Crumb Cake, Marina Mist and Soft Suede flowers. With the glimmer brad in the middle, the flower was a great fit for the page and the photo.

Click here to check out the JULY page.

I hope all my demonstrator friends in the US and Canada are having a fabulous time at Convention this week. I hope to join you next year! (A girl can dream…)

Happy stamping,