A New Website!

You're probably all wondering why I haven't updated lately, well, I've been working on a surprise!

I have a proper website, an honest to goodness proper website. As of today, this blog won't be updated, although I'll keep it around for a while for nostaglia reasons lol.

Here's the address for my new site. www.kareninks.com
so please pop on over, update your bookmark, and leave a comment in the guest book and tell me what you think, I'd love to hear from you.

Cheers,
Karen

Pretty Paper

Ok, 2 more cards from the Week 3 challenge on another forum that I'm on. This one is from a sketch from Pagemaps.com now I couldn't decide which paper to use, so I made both. I also got a new toy today that I've been playing with. A light cube to photograph my cards. So much fun, but you'll have to bare with me for a while until I get the lighting correct.
Hope you like them

All material used are Stampin' Up!
Stamp Set - It's Your Birthday
Cardstock - Chocolate Chip, Tempting Turquoise
Inkpads - Chocolate Chip, Whisper White
Paper - Au Chocolat, Love Me
Accessories - Heidi Swap Flower, Mat Pack, Old Olive Brad.

2008 Stampin' Up Retired List

It's that time of the year again, time to make way for the old and bring in the new. In preparation for the new 2008/2009 Idea Book and Catalgoue, Stampin' Up! have now released the retired list for the products that will not be moving into the new catalgoue. Some things are selling fast, so if there's anything that you would really like, get in quick, it is on a while stocks last basis.

And as a special bonus I'm also offering 10% off all stamps and wheels on the retired list. And don't forget if you place an order for over $100 you'll be eligible for a free SaleABration set as well!

Items in Red have already sold out. Email me today at karen@oliver.net to place your order.

Item #	Product Description
Catalogue Sets
108715	A LITTLE LOVE
108717	A NEW LITTLE SOMEONE
108718	A TO Z ACCENTS
108723	ALL IN A ROW
108724	ALL MIXED UP
108725	ALL NATURAL
108727	ALL THE BEST
108729	ALL WRAPPED UP
108730	ALL WRAPPED UP ACCESSORIES
108731	ALL-YEAR CHEER I
108732	ALL-YEAR CHEER II
108737	ALPHADOT NUMBERS
108735	ALPHADOTS
108736	ANCIENT ASIA
108739	ARTIFACTS
108741	BABY FIRSTS
108745	BECAUSE OF YOU
108749	BEST OF CLUCK
108750	BEYOND THE BASICS
108752	BIRTHDAY BEAUTY
108759	BUGGIES & BOOTIES
108762	BY DEFINITION
108766	CHEESECLOTH
109073	CLASSIC ALPHABET
109074	CLASSIC NUMBERS
108770	COLLAGE ALPHABET
108771	COLLAGE NUMBERS
108773	CROSSHATCH
108775	CUTE AS A BUG
108776	DAY-TO-DAY FLEXIBLE PHRASES
108777	DO THE HULA
108778	DOTTED
108779	DOWN TO BUSINESS
108780	DREAM COME TRUE
108782	ECLECTIC BACKGROUNDS
108783	EPHEMERA
108784	ESPRESSOLY FOR YOU
108788	FARM FEVER
108789	FAVORITE TEDDY BEAR
108808	FINIALS & FRAMES
108810	FLANNEL PLAID
108812	FLOWER FEST
108813	FLOWER FILLED
108815	FONTASTIC
108816	FRENCH SCRIPT
108817	FRESH FILLERS
108818	FRIENDSHIP FLOWERS
108819	FUN FILLED
108821	GIFTS OF JOY
108823	GLAD TIDINGS
108824	GLAM GIRL
108826	GOOD THINGS GROW
108827	GORGEOUS GRAPEVINE
108829	HANDLE WITH CARE
108830	HAPPILY EVER AFTER
108832	HAPPY HEARTS
108833	HEADLINE ALPHABET
108834	HEADLINE NUMBERS
108836	HEBREW HOLIDAYS
108837	HOLIDAY PRINT
108838	HOLIDAY SPIRIT
108843	I DID IT
108845	IN FULL BLOOM
108846	IN THE WILD
108848	IT'S SNOW TIME
108851	KANJI
108852	LABEL CLASSICS
108853	LETTERPRESS ALPHABET
108854	LETTERPRESS NUMBERS
108856	LIFE'S SPECIAL MOMENTS
108858	LITTLE HELLOS
108859	LITTLE HOLIDAY WISHES
108861	LIVELY LEAVES
108867	LOVING HEARTS
108868	MADONNA AND CHILD
108870	MERRY MINIS
108871	MIXED BOUQUET
108872	MON AMI
108873	MONKEY BUSINESS
108876	MUCH LOVE
108878	NEVER-ENDING JOY
108879	NEWSPRINT ALPHABET
108880	NEWSPRINT NUMBERS
108881	NICE & EASY NOTES
108882	NICE & NARROW
108883	OLIVE YOU
108885	ON WALKABOUT
108886	OPEN FOR TRADE
108889	PERENNIAL FAVORITES
108891	PETAL PUSHERS
108892	PLAY BALL
108893	POCKET FUN
108895	PRINT PATTERN
108896	PURE & SIMPLE ALPHABET LOWER
108897	PURE & SIMPLE ALPHABET UPPER
108898	PURE & SIMPLE NUMBERS
108899	QUICK THINKING
108901	RENAISSANCE ANGELS
108903	ROSES IN WINTER
108907	SEASIDE SKETCHES
108908	SEASON BY SEASON
108910	SET SAIL
108911	SIMPLE SAYINGS II
108912	SIMPLE SKETCHES
108914	SIMPLY CIRCLES
108917	SLEIGH FULL OF TOYS
109072	STAMPED FROM THE HEART
108922	STIPPLE CELEBRATIONS
109022	STIPPLE SHELLS
108925	SUPERSIZE SYMBOLS
108926	SWEET & SASSY
108928	SWEET TALK
108933	TERRIFIC TULIPS
108935	TIDY ALPHABET
108936	TIDY NUMBERS
108938	TRADING COLLECTION
108939	TREAT YOURSELF
108940	TRIMTASTIC
108941	TYPESET ALPHABET LOWER
108942	TYPESET ALPHABET UPPER
108943	TYPESET NUMBERS
108947	WATERCOLOR MINIS
108952	WELL-WORN ALPHABET
108953	WELL-WORN NUMBERS
108955	WHIMSICAL ALPHABET LOWER
108956	WHIMSICAL ALPHABET UPPER
108957	WHIMSICAL NUMBERS
108959	WILD HEARTS
108961	WINGED THINGS
108964	WONDERFUL WORDS II
108965	WORD BY WORD
108966	WORLD TOUR
108968	YULE BITS & BORDERS
Hostess Sets
108714	A IS FOR ADORABLE
108743	BASKET FULL OF FUN
108754	BLOOMING WITH HAPPINESS
108758	BOTH WAY BLOSSOMS
108814	FLOWERS FOR A FRIEND
108844	IN ANY EVENT
108865	LOVE IT
108900	REASON TO SMILE
108902	RIVETING
108919	SPRINGTIME STEMS
108932	TERRIFIC TAGS
108946	WARMEST REGARDS
Stampin' Around Wheels
101420	BABY TIME
104070	BLOOMIN'
105951	BOLD SNOWFLAKES*
105750	BOUQUET*
106749	BRIGHT BULBS
105518	BUILDER BITS
107481	BUTTERFLIES & BLOSSOMS
103094	BY THE SEA
103296	CANDY CANE CHRISTMAS
104312	HOT TO DOT
107463	LEAF FEST*
106062	LEAVES AWASH*
102254	LOVE SWIRLS
103543	ONLY ORNAMENTS
101090	PAW TRACKS
107476	ROUGH AROUND THE EDGES*
105448	SIZE IT UP
104160	SQUARE PEGS*
107480	TRUE HEARTS
104893	TWINKLE
103749	WASH DAY*
105033	WINGS & THINGS

* Stampin' Around Jumbo wheels

Item # Product Description 105094 BOXES & TAGS BOOK KIT ACCORDION ASST 4 105093 BOXES & TAGS BOOK KIT ACCORDION ASST 5 105092 BOXES & TAGS BOOK KIT ACCORDION ASST 6 105091 BOXES & TAGS BOOK KIT ACCORDION ASST 7 105101 BOXES & TAGS BOOK KIT SADDLE STITCH ASST 4 105100 BOXES & TAGS BOOK KIT SADDLE STITCH ASST 5 105099 BOXES & TAGS BOOK KIT SADDLE STITCH ASST 6 105098 BOXES & TAGS BOOK KIT SADDLE STITCH ASST 7 106581 BOXES & TAGS PETAL CARD BOLD BRIGHTS & EARTH ELEMENTS 105074 BOXES & TAGS PETAL CARD WHISPER WHITE & VERY VANILLA 105067 BOXES & TAGS POCKETS & PIECES ASST I 105068 BOXES & TAGS POCKETS & PIECES ASST II 108632 BOXES & TAGS TINY TAKEOUT BOLD BRIGHTS & EARTH ELEMENTS 107245 BOXES & TAGS TINY TAKEOUT CONFETTI WHITE & KRAFT 104583 BRADS VINTAGE 108624 CARD STOCK BUCKAROO BLUE A4 108625 CARD STOCK COOL CARIBBEAN A4 108628 CARD STOCK CRANBERRY CRISP 106562 CARD STOCK GOING GRAY A4 106683 CARD STOCK IN COLOR 12X12 108629 CARD STOCK IN COLOR A4 108627 CARD STOCK MARIGOLD MORNING A4 106531 CARD STOCK SAHARA SAND 12X12 108626 CARD STOCK TRUE THYME A4 108623 CARD STOCK VINTAGE VIOLET A4 107231 CLASSIC STAMPIN' INK REFILL BUCKAROO BLUE 107228 CLASSIC STAMPIN' INK REFILL CRANBERRY CRISP 107230 CLASSIC STAMPIN' INK REFILL COOL CARIBBEAN 107227 CLASSIC STAMPIN' INK REFILL MARIGOLD MORNING 107229 CLASSIC STAMPIN' INK REFILL TRUE THYME 107232 CLASSIC STAMPIN' INK REFILL VINTAGE VIOLET 107225 CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD BUCKAROO BLUE 107222 CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD CRANBERRY CRISP 107224 CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD COOL CARIBBEAN 107221 CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD MARIGOLD MORNING 107223 CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD TRUE THYME 107226 CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD VINTAGE VIOLET 104302 CORD COPPER 104303 CORD GOLD 104304 CORD SILVER 104328 CRAFT STAMPIN' INK REFILL VERY VANILLA 104308 CRAFT STAMPIN' PAD VERY VANILLA 107405 DESIGNER SERIES FOUR SEASONS 105366 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER CAMBRIDGE 12X12 105365 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER OXFORD 104136 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER POOL PARTY 107295 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER RECOLLECTIONS 107062 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER SARAH 107308 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY 104135 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER SLUMBER PARTY 107406 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER TREEHOUSE 103280 EMBOSSING KIT 104281 ENCORE INK REFILL COPPER 104280 ENCORE PAD COPPER 105317 EYELETS BOLD BRIGHTS II 105315 EYELETS SOFT SUBTLES II 100395 FANCY FIBERS BRIGHTS 100396 FANCY FIBERS EARTHS 100397 FANCY FIBERS NEUTRALS 100393 FANCY FIBERS REGALS 100394 FANCY FIBERS SUBTLES 103321 GIFT SACKS OATMEAL 103890 METAL EDGE TAGS BRASS WHITE CIRCLE 103888 METAL EDGE TAGS BRASS WHITE SQUARE 103894 METAL EDGE TAGS COPPER WHITE CIRCLE 103892 METAL EDGE TAGS COPPER WHITE SQUARE 104184 POST EXTENDERS 103378 PUNCH CORNER ROUNDER SMALL 102686 PUNCH HANDHELD RECTANGLE 104407 PUNCH NOTCHED CORNER 104406 PUNCH PAPER PIECING 104405 PUNCH SQUARE CONVEX 101637 RIBBON GROSGRAIN 1/4" APPLE GREEN 102712 RIBBON GROSGRAIN 1/4" BLACK 100538 RIBBON GROSGRAIN 1/4" BLUEBIRD 105372 RIBBON GROSGRAIN 1/4" BURGUNDY 105373 RIBBON GROSGRAIN 1/4" CELERY 105374 RIBBON GROSGRAIN 1/4" CHOCOLATE 100455 RIBBON GROSGRAIN 1/4" CREAM 101666 RIBBON GROSGRAIN 1/4" LIGHT ORCHID 101926 RIBBON GROSGRAIN 1/4" LIGHT PINK 105378 RIBBON GROSGRAIN 1/4" NAVY 102682 RIBBON GROSGRAIN 1/4" RED 103064 RIBBON GROSGRAIN 1/4" TANGERINE 101156 RIBBON GROSGRAIN 1/4" TAUPE 102119 RIBBON GROSGRAIN 1/4" TURQUOISE 102819 RIBBON GROSGRAIN 1/4" WHITE 104257 RIBBON ORGANDY NARROW GOLD 100589 RIBBON ORGANDY NARROW IVORY 103019 RIBBON ORGANDY NARROW LIGHT PINK 104256 RIBBON ORGANDY NARROW NAVY 104258 RIBBON ORGANDY NARROW OLIVE 104253 RIBBON ORGANDY NARROW SILVER 101613 RIBBON ORGANDY NARROW WHITE 104260 RIBBON ORGANDY NARROW WINE 106807 RIBBON ORIGINALS PREP SCHOOL 106809 RIBBON ORIGINALS RUSTIC RETREAT 106806 RIBBON ORIGINALS SEASIDE 106808 RIBBON ORIGINALS SWEET SHOP 107453 SIMPLY SCRAPPIN' ALL THE TRIMMINGS 107456 SIMPLY SCRAPPIN' AT HOME 107454 SIMPLY SCRAPPIN' OUT & ABOUT 107457 SIMPLY SCRAPPIN' PARTY PIECES 107455 SIMPLY SCRAPPIN' TICKETS & TOKENS 107460 SIMPLY SCRAPPIN' TODAY & ALWAYS 108509 SIMPLY SENT A WISH FOR YOU 108511 SIMPLY SENT FRIENDSHIP SHAPES 108512 SIMPLY SENT GOOD THINGS 108510 SIMPLY SENT REMEMBERING YOU 105580 SPECTRUM PAD BLUE FROST 101492 SPECTRUM PAD CELEBRATION 105579 SPECTRUM PAD COTTON CANDY 101336 SPECTRUM PAD PUMPKIN PATCH 103953 STAMP-A-MA-JIG IMAGING SHEETS 101460 STAMPIN' AROUND CARTRIDGE & REFILL WHISPER WHITE 103017 STAMPIN' AROUND INK REFILL WHISPER WHITE 101040 STAMPIN' EMBOSS POWDER BLACK DETAIL 100442 STAMPIN' EMBOSS POWDER CLASSY COPPER 101428 STAMPIN' EMBOSS POWDER CLEAR DETAIL 103342 STAMPIN' EMBOSS POWDER GOLD DETAIL 101781 STAMPIN' EMBOSS POWDER SILVER DETAIL 100963 STAMPIN' EMBOSS POWDER WHITE DETAIL 103174 STAMPIN' PASTELS APPLICATOR REFILL 105543 STAMPIN' PASTELS BOLD BRIGHTS 105544 STAMPIN' PASTELS EARTH ELEMENTS 105547 STAMPIN' PASTELS NEUTRALS 105545 STAMPIN' PASTELS RICH REGALS 105546 STAMPIN' PASTELS SOFT SUBTLES 103648 STAMPIN' STACK 107239 TAG SHEETS CONFETTI WHITE & VERY VANILLA 107240 TAG SHEETS KRAFT 105369 TIMEWORN COLLECTION PAPER HEIRLOOM 105368 TIMEWORN COLLECTION PAPER RUSTIC 105367 TIMEWORN COLLECTION PAPER WEATHERED 105395 WIRE WORKS METALLICS 105812 WRITE ME A MEMORY FONT CD VOL I

And again with the Bud Basics

I know you're all probably really over this set, but I like it so :-P

2 cards I made up this morning. I've used the Faux Tile technique that was in a recent edition of Stampin Success. Very cool technique, easy to do and very effective.

All material used is Stampin' Up!
Stamp Sets - Bud Basics, It's Your Birthday
Cardstock - Certainly Celery, Regal Rose, Barely Banana, Whisper White
Inks - Regal Rose, Certainly Celery, Apricot Appeal, Barely Banana, Versamark
Accessories - Wide Chocolate Grosgrain, Prima Flowers (non SU), Clear Embossing Powder

Spinner Card

It's been a very long time since I've made a spinner card, and I was feeling inspired today. So while watching Tomb Raider on the laptop....mmmm Daniel Craig....sorry, where was I?? I created this.
The more I use this set, the more I like it. If you haven't seen this set before, it was our gift from the company, for us Aussies it will be in the next Idea Book and Catalogue as a Level 3 hostess set. The new Catalogue is out on the 1st April, if you'd like to put your name down for one, please email me and I'll add your name to the list. And don't forget you get a free catty if you host a workshop!

Materials Used.
Stamp Set - Time Well Spent
Ink - Perfect Plum, Jet Black StazOn
Cardstock - Pale Plum, Perfect Plum, Very Vanilla
Accessories - Watercolour Wonder Crayons in Soft Subtle, Stampin Dimensionals, 1/2 inch circle punch.

My Updated Slide Show

Forgive me, I'm just playing around with slideshow and blogger. Lot's of fun, but here's an update of all the cards I've done lately. lol.

Another Challenge

This card is for a challenge over at essentailbaby.com.au (an Australian mother and baby site). A cardmaking challenge has been set up, basically a sketch a week, this week's sketch was by Becky Fleck. A lovely card sketch that I really enjoyed doing. Although I'm not too sure how happy I am with the card, I might have to give it another go this afternoon with some bright and beautiful colours.

All materials used are Stampin' Up!
Stamp Sets - Wild Rose, Warm Words
Cardstock - Cranberry Crisp, Basic Black, Mellow Moss, Recollections Designer Paper
Inks - Mellow Moss, True Thyme, Cranberry Crisp, Bravo Burgundy

Beyond The Page

I saw this cute kit in a local store and thought, heck I can do something with that. And this is what I came up with. I'm quite pleased for a first attempt. I've learnt a few things I'll do differently next time, but all up it was fun to do. Especially with a sick child at home and nothing but rain here today. It kept me occupied. The reddish coloured squares aren't actually on the piece, they're just because with the photos I used I'm not comfortable posting their images without permission, I'm sure you understand.

Stamp Set - Friendship Blooms
Inks - Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, Whisper White
Cardstock - Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Au Chocolat Designer Paper
Accessories - Kaisercraft Frame Clock.

Valentine

Well with just over a week to go until Valentines Day, I was inspired to make a card. For some reason I really like red and black together as a Valentine Card. Of course, I had to emboss somewhere on the card as well. Hope you like it.

All material used are Stampin' Up!
Stamp Set - Dreams Come True, French Script
Inks - Gold Encore, Real Red
Cardstock - Real Red, Basic Black, Very Vanilla

Merci

With both children now in school, I seem to have plenty of time to play around with my sets. I received this one today and couldn't wait to play with it. It's another one of the Sale-A-Bration sets called Merci. Very pretty. If you didn't already know, the Sale-A-Bration sets are actually die cut. So you don't need to trim your rubber sheets before mounting them. This also gives you a stencil for each stamp.

That's how I created the background for the main image. I stamped the image in Stazon, placed the stencil over the top, and using a drop of Certainly Celery reinker on a plastic sheet and a stiff brush I dabbed inside the stencil. I then came along with a very fine brush and the Ballet Blue reinker and highlighted some of the image. A very simple technique, but very effective.

All material used is Stampin' Up!
Stamp Sets - Merci
Cardstock - Broacade Blue, Certainly Celery, Basic Black, Whisper White.
Inks - Jet Black StazOn, Ballet Blue reinker, Certainly Celery Reinker, Bashful Blue
Accessories - Wide Chocolate Grosgrain.

Wet Paper Watercolouring.....Kind of.

Is anyone counting how many days I've posted this week??

This is the 3rd challenge from Saturday night's Cyberstamp, now amazingly enough, I've completed all 3 challenges, it took a few days but I did do it. The 3rd challenge was inspired by this wonderful tutorial on Splitcoaststampers.com Wet Paper Watercolouring . I couldn't find my spritz bottle anywhere so had to make do with a cotton wipe and bottle of water.

I also set myself a 2nd challenge. To not use an inkpad anywhere on my card.

Here's how I did it.

1. Coloured my stamp in with markers.
2. Lightly soaked a cotton wipe with water, dabbed over section of paper I wished to stamp on.
3. Huffed on stamp, stamped image.
4. Repeated for the other 2 images.

To create the mottled background is easy, just.

With damp paper from stamping above.
1. Take a dry cotton wipe, using the brush end of the marker allow some ink to soak into the wipe. Add some water, squeeze together to soak ink in.
2. Lightly dab over paper. Repeat with a couple of different colours.

The of course I needed to add a sentiment. So using the marker again, I highlighted the words Cheers To You, from the Lot's of Thoughts set.

It's so much fun to do! Try it, you'll be amazed at the results you can get.

All materials used are Stampin' Up!
Stamp Sets - Both Way Blossoms, Lot's of Thoughts
Cardstock - Brocade Blue, Basic Black, Very Vanilla
Accessories - Rich Regal Markers.

Colour and CASE Challenge

Well, this is the second challenge from the Cyberstamp on Saturday night on the Elite Stampers Messageboard. For this one you needed to pick a colour scheme from page 16 of the Technique Booklet, I chose Old Olive, More Mustard, Close to Cocoa and Not Quite Navy. Then you needed to use the design of either of the cards on page 8. You also could only use a Sale A Bration set or a Summer Mini set. Of course I used Bud Basics, because I adore that set. Hope you like it.

All material used is Stampin' Up!
Stamp Set - Bud Basic, Basic Outline Jumbo Wheel
Inks - Old Olive, Not Quite Navy
Cardstock - Old Olive, More Mustard, Very Vanilla
Accessories - Stampin Pastels.

Friendship Blooms

Well how's this? Posting for the 2nd day in a row, that's certainly a rarity for me. This is one of the cyberchallenges that my upline Jayne Mercer posted last night on the Elite Stampers message board. It was inspired by a lovely picture of a bedroom with pink, red and white colours, gingham and hearts. I didn't quite get the hearts but I love this card anyway.

I'm going to try and complete the other 2 challenges tomorrow, so with any luck I'll be posting 3 days in a row, yay!

One other thing I wanted to show was the bling brads, I'm sure I've shown these before, but this is a little trick we learnt at Regionals in November. Just take your brad, pop a mini glue dot on the end and dip it in the Dazzling Diamonds. Very nice.


All material used is Stampin' Up!
Stamp Sets - Big Deal Alphabet, Friendship Blooms
Cardstock - Whisper White, Regal Rose
Ink - Regal Rose
Accessories - Silver Brads, Mini Glue Dots, Dazzling Diamonds.

Sale A Brations Sets

I finally got a chance yesterday to sit down and play with some of the new Sale-A-Bration sets. I love them. I'm going to try and have another play today. Although the kids are bugging me to go for a swim again this afternoon, oh what a hard life I'm leading at the moment lol. I hope you like this card, I was very pleased with it, even if I do say so myself.

All materials used are Stampin' Up!
Stamp Set - Friendship Blooms, Lot's of Thoughts
Inks - Bashful Blue, Always Artichoke.
Cardstock - So Saffron, Always Artichoke, Basic Black, Very Vanilla

Finally Finished.

I know it's been a while since I've updated my blog, I just wanted to put up a quick post to say I haven't forgotten you all, it's been such a busy time moving this week that I haven't had time to do anything, you all probably know how painful moving a house is. But it's finally done, I've now unpacked most of my stuff. The good thing about moving in with the Inlaws is that most of the stuff is in storage, and the only things I really need are my clothes and of course my precious stamping supplies.

I even managed to find some time to create today. I just now need to wait for the camera battery to charge up so I can take a photo, I'd usually use my husbands camera, but I wouldn't have a clue where that is.

Tomorrow I promise to post the card up. I've missed blogging and creating. But, with the holiday nearly over, I'm sure I'm going to find more time to do such things. I hope you've all have a great long weekend.

Some Sparkly Stuff

I know that a few of you that read my blog would have already seen these cards. Especially if you were at the class last Tuesday you would have made them as well. But I wanted to share with the rest of you. These are 2 very simple cards to show the basics of embossing. The first card using the gorgeous Wild Rose stamp set shows the very basics of embossing. The 2nd card uses what's called Dazzling Diamond Dust. It's made up of 1/2 clear embossing powder and 1/2 Dazzling Diamond glitter. It's gives a rough sparkly look. If you're interested in learning more about embossing, please email me and I'll be happy to send you the tutorial notes to give you an idea.

All material used is Stampin' Up!
French Rose
Stamp Sets- French Script, Wild Rose
Ink - Bravo Burgundy, Cranberry Crisp, Gold Encore
Cardstock - Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla
Accessories - Gold Embossing Powder, Gold Organdy Ribbon

Sparkly Buds
Stamp Set - Bud Basics, It's Your Birthday
Inks - Perfect Plum, Apricot Appeal, Certainly Celery, Lavender Lace
Cardstock - Lovely Lilac, Apricot Appeal, Whisper White
Accessories - Clear Embossing Powder, Dazzling Diamond Glitter.

A Gift

At the beginning of December Stampin' Up! Demonstrators worldwide received a gift from our founder Shelli Gardner. This year we received a Level 3 hostess set from the upcoming catalogue. And I love it. But with everything that's been happening, I only got a chance to mount and play with it over the Christmas Break. It's such a pretty set. I really wanted to play around with the colouring of the flowers, so I stamped up a mixed sheet of images on an A4 Whisper White, grabbed my watercolour crayons and aquabrush and just sat and had fun.

I then made 2 cards out of it, I still have some pieces left that will be great to make some quick cards later on. Of course I had to cut the butterflies out and sparkle them up. I hope you like them.

All material used is SU.
Stamp Set - Time Well Spent
Cardstock - Perfect Plum, Pale Plum, Whisper White
Ink - Stazon Black
Accessories - Pink Gingham, Soft Subtle Brads, Pink Organdy, Soft Subtle Watercolour Wonder Crayons.

Stamp Club

I've had a couple of requests for a new Stamp Club. But, we still need more players. This will be a catalogue party only club, so you can be anywhere in Australia and still be a part of it. All you have to do is commit to spending a min of $30 every 2 months (not incl shipping). Then each person will be assigned a month to be hostess, as a hostess you receive all the benefits of having a party, the min you'll receive is $30 worth of free product and a Level 1 hostess set. Each participant will also receive a free catalogue to start with. The first club will be in Febuary, so if you're interested please drop me a comment or email me for more information. If you have family and friends that might be interested as well, then please feel free to pass on my details to them.

I'll be back later on this afternoon to post a couple of cards I made during the week. Just have to find the camera in amongst all these boxes......