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On this card:
Thanks For Caring stamp set (p17 Autumn-Winter Mini Catalogue), Confetti stamp set, Baja Breeze and Not Quite Navy ink and cardstock (one of my fave colour combos), builder wheel, tiny pearl and stitching.

The sentiment was created by layering two punches. Can you guess which ones?

I do love this Thanks for Caring stamp set. It could be used for a variety of occasions.

If you can spare a minute please share some "love and caring" by leaving a comment. I know we're all busy but it's so nice to know when someone has stopped by for a little visit.

Happy stamping,

BREAKING NEWS: Stop by on the the 1st of May for an exciting announcement regarding a Stampin' Up! promotion for May.

Ever wish you could add glitter to your projects in the shape of your favourite Sizzix dies? 

You can with the new Big Shot Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets (available now in the Autumn-Winter mini catalogue, #120805).

Today's pictorial tutorial shows you how!

Step 1. Grab an adhesive sheet. They come in packs of 12 sheets, each a full 12"x12".

Step 2. Cut a piece from the adhesive sheet to the required size.

In our sample I just need the number 4 from this die (it's part of the Simple Numbers set of dies). I don't want to waste any of the adhesive sheet by cutting numbers I don't need.

Step 3.  Place the adhesive sheet on your die with the printed side FACE UP.

This isn't a big deal if you are cutting something that is reversible (such as a flower or the number 0) but is very important for me cutting out the number 4. Why? Because the printed side is the backing paper which will be removed to expose the adhesive, which will then go face down on your project. If you forget this step your letter or number will be back to front! Trust me, this will make sense later on.

Step 4. Crank it through Mr Big.

Step 5. Remove backing paper (the printed sheet) to expose adhesive

Step 6. Adhere the sticky diecut to your project

Step 7. Press firmly all over the surface of the die cut.

This will ensure that the adhesive transfers from the backing paper onto your project. I like to use my trusty bone folder for this step.

Rub rub rub, then peel off the backing layer.

Step 8. Apply glitter.

Sprinkle glitter liberally. Shake the excess back into the glitter container. The Powder Pals trays (p141 IB&C) come in handy here.

Step 9. Brush off the strays.

And you're done! Very sparkly in real life.

Did you know?

You can create your own stickers from precut shapes by simply pressing them onto the Adhesive Sheet and pulling the shape up. Or you can apply card stock or Designer Series Paper to the Adhesive Sheet, run through the Big Shot, peel off the backing paper, and adhere. Great stuff.

Today is Good Friday and also my older sister's 40th birthday. Can't wait to see her on Sunday along with the rest of the family for all the birthday celebrations.

Easter blessings to you,

Tags: alphabet numbers die, big shot multipurpose adhesive sheets, glitter

We got home from our annual camping adventure today. This is that holiday: no electricity, no running water. Just some of my favourite people in the world, and Mother Nature. 

We love this holiday each year and look forward to it for months… but we also really look forward to the nice hot shower back at home! Funny how the smell of campfire smoke hangs around for so long, doesn't it?!

This trip was even more special because my younger sister and her boys joined us for a few days. And we stamped! My sister is fairly new to cardmaking so we had a great time going through the basics like cutting cardstock, watercolouring and layering. I just wish we'd taken photos of us stamping on trestle tables out in the bush!

But I do have a card to share with you today. I was chatting to a stamping buddy tonight (hi Jenny) and realised I hadn't posted my awning card. I can't remember where I first saw this technique, but this particular card is based on one that fellow demonstrator Tracy Penn gave me.

The Birthday Bakery stamp set is perfect for this card.

Birthday Bakery is one of the exclusive FREE stamp sets for Hostesses (or anyone with a qualifying order). It's such a sweet set! I always partner it with some sparkly Dazzling Diamonds glitter.

The awning is created by adhering 11 punched shapes from the Word Window punch to a strip of cardstock 3.5cm x 10.5cm. The window punchies will overhang at the top and bottom. Adhere to the top of the card front, and bend the bottoms to look like a shopfront awning. Cute!

We made this card at Stamp Club last month, and the clever girls came up with some fabulous themes for other awning cards. How about:

• zoo (Fox & Friends, Animal Stories)
• pet shop (D is for Dog, C is for Cat)
• train station (Choo Choo)
• fruit shop (Tart & Tangy)
• a window scene (Lovely As A Tree)
• baby shop (Baby Bundle)
• toy shop (Family Favourites)
• coffee shop (Morning Cup)
• florist (A Flower For All Seasons)
• Christmas shop (any of your favourite festive sets)
• cake shop (Build-a-Cupcake punch)

I also made a chocolate shop with the new Eat Chocolate stamp set from the Autumn-Winter mini catalogue. So many ideas!

Well I'd better stop chatting and get back to the unpacking. Enjoy the rest of your week.

Subscribe to Simone Bartrum, Stampin' Up! demonstrator – Victoria, Australia by Email

Tags: Birthday Bakery stamp set, word window punch

I came across these fabulous treats from Chocoholics Anonymous, and straight away had plans for these little babies!

They'll be perfect Easter yummies for my nieces and nephews. How cute would they be decked out in pirate gear for a boy's party…. oh the possibilities are endless.

FYI, because I know somebody will ask! LOL: They're about $3 each and have chocolate 'popping candy' in them (which my kids LUV).  If you want some maybe get in contact with Karen, my lovely Chocoholics Anon consultant, and she'll help you out. Oh and the paper wrapped around the top is from the Nursery Suite Specialty collection from Stampin' Up!

Happy stamping,

The Pearl and Rhinestone adhesive jewels (p140 Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalogue) are quickly moving up my list of most-used items. They're now right up there with Stampin' Dimensionals! They just seem to finish off so many projects beautifully, and who doesn't love a bit of bling?

Both the rhinestone and pearl packs have two strands of joined bling pieces, which is a very clever idea. Lining up a row of bling can be a bit daunting (not to mention time consuming!) so these strands of joined pearls or joined rhinestones are the perfect solution.

I love putting them under a sentiment or curve them to highlight a particular feature on a scrap page.

Stamp set: Extreme Elements.
Colours: Wild Wasabi, Marina Mist, Pretty in Pink, Rose Red.
Cardstock: Confetti Cream

I used to try and pull them off with my fingers, but after using these for a while now I have a much better method!

TIP OF THE DAY:

Use a paper piercing tool to gently lift the adhesive and jewel. Position it where you want and press down with a finger on top. Slide the paper piercer out. This prevents the glue dot from being left behind when you lift the bling AND it is a lot less fiddly than using fingers or nails! Use this technique for the individual jewels or the joined strand.

We are in the first week of school holidays, and already it's been eventful. I now have a 7 year old with a broken toe, right where it joins her foot, so the poor thing is hobbling around and we're busily re-evaluating our planned holiday activities! Some nice quiet craft activities could be the go for this week.

Hope you have a great week.

Happy stamping,

Tags: extreme elements, pearl jewels