OK I've been sprung! I gave a half-hearted undertaking that the notebook for Jillian would be the last one that I'd post for a while but I truly couldn't help myself. When I recently opened up my pack of Tall Tales DSP to cut some samples for my team and myself, I saw the little zebras riding aloft on their striped balloons and I just had to use it to make something for my nephew Shi Wei's birthday. As it turns out, it was a notebook and here it is:
Stampin' Supplies
Ink:
Chocolate Chip
Stamp sets:
Hello Again
Paper:
Chocolate Chip CS
So Saffron CS
Tall Tales DSP
Whisper White CS
Accessories:
2-Way Glue Pen
Bone Folder
Paper Snips
Sticky Strip
I used the Quickutz Katie font for his name.
My auntie Kim recollected an exchange that she had with Shi Wei the last time she visited. Whenever he was asked what he did at pre-kindy, he would coyly reply "Nothing". My aunt's attempts to coax more out of him with a "You can't do nothing all day at pre-kindy!" would be met with a laugh from him followed by an enigmatic smile.
I suspect that this evasion may be due to his realisation that anything he likes can be withheld if he misbehaves! But I digress...
So, my aunt laid a rather clever trap for him with a tall tale in the following conversation:
Auntie Kim: Shi Wei, what did you do today at pre-kindy?
Shi Wei: Nothing.
Auntie Kim: Well, I know what you did because I came to see you.
Shi Wei: But I didn't see you there!
Auntie Kim: I was hiding behind the fence and I could see you but you couldn't see me. I saw you singing.
Shi Wei [surprised]: Oh!
Auntie Kim: I saw you running.
Shi Wei [even more surprised]: Oh!
Auntie Kim: I saw you playing.
Shi Wei [crestfallen at being found out]: Oh!
Poor little thing ... after that, he's an open book ... when it comes to pre-kindy activities at any rate *grin*
Monday, December 7, 2009
Telling Tall Tales
Friday, December 4, 2009
Calendar Class
This 2010 calendar is one of two calendars being made next Friday evening, December 11 at my calendar class. It uses the beautiful Sweet Nothings Simply Scrappin' Kit which is part of the Christmas Extravanganza promotion.
There are also products fresh from the new Summer Mini: the lovely Butterfly Print stamp set with co-ordinating Butterfly Punch and the Retro Mix Wheel.
We have room for a few more people to attend this class - the cost is $20 and is being held in Padstow at 7:30pm. Bookings are essential as the number of places are limited. All attendees will receive a copy of the new Summer Mini too!
Please contact me to hold a place for you.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Gift Card Card Tutorial
Here is a quick tutorial on how to create your own gift card card. The key to everything is really step 4. All the measurements beforehand are just a guide - I added the measurements because I like to have the borders relatively symmetrical but I realise that this isn't everyone's priority!
If you are really organised, you can design your gift card card to co-ordinate with your gift card...
1. Size up your gift card
By my reckoning, the average gift card is 86mm x 54mm [3 3/8" x 2 1/8"]. But you may have a special card to give that isn't even a gift card ... such a club membership card that was handprinted by the local club owner's 12-year-old daughter armed with a printer and a laminator. The main aim of this step is to get a general idea of the dimensions of what you are dealing with.
2. Determine the smallest size cardstock required
The great thing about this method is that you really don't have to measure anything but you just have to leave at least approximately 5mm [3/16"] between where the gift card finishes and three edges of your cardstock. The gift card should be flush against the opening which is why you don't have to add a margin to that edge.
3. Clip the gift card to the cardstock
This step is completely optional but I think that it makes things a little easier. I'd recommend you test your clip doesn't leave an unsightly mark if you are not planning on layering something on top of the right side of your backing. Note that the backing is upside down - ie. the opening is on the bottom but will be on the top in the completed project.
4. Apply dimensionals
Cut dimensionals in half and apply them around the gift card as snugly as possible. A snug fit prevents the gift card from moving around. Place dimensionals to support the cardstock where the ones for holding the gift card are too far from the corners. Notice no dimensionals along the opening - obvious but if you follow instructions like me, it's a gotcha!
5. Decorate and punch a slot
I mounted my stamped and blinged image onto the backing that I prepared above. Then I used a 1" circle punch to create a semi-circle to make it easier for the recipient to grasp the card out of its holder.
6. Mount onto card
Remove the dimensionals backing and mount the gift card holder on your card. I also added my sentiment to my card at this stage. 
7. Insert gift card and secure
This is actually an important step. Nothing holds your gift card in the pocket that you created - so it could slide out quite easily. In my original version of a gift card card, I used a ribbon to hold the card in place. In this more masculine one, I slotted in the gift card and inserted a Designer Brad at the spot shown to keep it secure. And that's it!
Monday, November 30, 2009
Last post for today I promise
... for you ... and for me! Personally, four posts in one day is completely excessive and the only reason I am posting this last one is because I promised to let my newsletter readers know the tips for using the faux metal technique with jumbo brads.
You can see the technique in action as the flower centre on the card that I made for hubby for our anniversary today. There is a close up in the bottom left of the picture. By the way, I highlighted the debossed dots with a metallic silver pen.
So, here are the tips:
1. Use only two layers of black embossing powder - any more and it becomes a gooey mess.
2. Since the brad is metal, it gets very hot when you melt the embossing powder so use tweezers or a clip with a wooden handle to hold it while applying heat.
3. The heat also takes longer to dissipate. VersaMark your rubber and wait a little bit before making the impression - also hold the brad in place for a little longer than normal too.
So, that's it! Tips over and time to spend the evening with Hubby! Have a great night.
Stampin' Supplies
Ink:
Sahara Sand
Taken with Teal
Stamp sets:
Cheer and Wishes
En Français
Occasional Greetings
One of a Kind
Sanded
Wonderful Favourites
Cardstock:
Basic Black
Basic Gray
Taken with Teal
Whisper White
Accessories:
Basic Gray Taffeta Ribbon
Black Embossing Powder
Heat Tool
Pretties Kit
Sponge Dauber
Stampin' Write Markers in Neutrals
Give 'em the new Razzle Dazzle
(To the tune of Chicago's Razzle Dazzle)
Give 'em the new razzle dazzle
Razzle Dazzle 'em
Give 'em a card with lots of flash in it
And the reaction will be passionate
Give 'em the old hocus pocus
Brad, embellish 'em
How can they see with glitter in their eyes?
What if your lines all are askew?
What if you can't stamp without a tool?
Razzle dazzle 'em
And they'll never catch wise!
This card is to farewell the old and welcome the new. It sports some Jumbo brads and the Birthday Wish single stamp from the Spring Mini ending today and a sneak peak of the Razzle Dazzle stamp set, Real Red Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon and Circle Scissors from the Summer Mini which is launching tomorrow.
The scalloped large circle was made using the corner rounder and if this card wasn't for someone completely utterly special, I would have had second thoughts about doing it. By the way, it isn't for my sister ... and, by the way, that is NOT saying that my sister isn't completely utterly special either! 
Stampin' Supplies
Ink:
Lovely Lilac
Orchid Opulence
Stamp sets:
Birthday Wish
Razzle Dazzle
Wonderful Favourites
Cardstock:
Lovely Lilac
Orchid Opulence
Whisper White
Accessories:
Button Latte
Circle Scissors
Corner Rounder Punch
Jumbo Brads in Neutrals
Real Red Polka Dot Grosgrain
Stamp-A-Ma-Jig
Stampin' Write Markers in Gable Green, Lovely Lilac, Orchid Opulence, Real Red, So Saffron
Parisian Breeze breezes by
I just had to post this little album before the Spring Mini ends. I made this for my cousin Kelvin and it features the truly inspiring Parisian Breeze Specialty paper that will be saying goodbye with the Mini. The cardweight is perfect for this album and everything about this paper makes me want to make stuff out of it!
Stampin' Supplies
Paper:
Kraft CS
Parisian Breeze Specialty
Whisper White CS
Accessories:
Basic Eyelets (retired)
Crop-A-Dile
Double-Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon in Chocolate Chip
Flower Fusion Too
Hemp Twine
Jumbo Brads in Neutrals
Trio Flower Punch
Don't you love how the Trio Flower Punch creates a punchie that layers perfectly on the Flower Fusion Too five petalled flower?
I've used a Quickutz Peppermint Spine die to make things easier but you could replicate it with a scallop edge punch and Crop-A-Dile. I also used a Cuttlebug Floral Borders die for the corner flourishes. The Kraft panel is actually a little pocket in which a photo can be inserted as the centrepiece of the album.
Reflection Technique Class
I had a most enjoyable class the other night with some of my terrific customers. We used the Reflection Technique for a Christmas card and a masculine card.
Stampin' Supplies
Ink:
Basic Black
Stamp set:
Season's Surfin'
Cardstock:
Gable Green
Kraft
Real Red
Whisper White
Accessories:
Aquapainter
Stampin' Dimensionals
Stampin' Write Markers in Brilliant Blue, Creamy Caramel, Gable Green, Green Galore, Mellow Moss, Real Red
Watercolor Wonder Crayons in Bold Brights, Earth Elements, Soft Subtles
It's really weird - I have been attracted to Season's Surfin' recently but couldn't really put my finger on why. The palm tree, in particular, was stirring something pleasing in me and I only realise why today. It reminds me of Queensland and the Whitsundays, where Hubby and I spent our honeymoon. Today is our sixth wedding anniversary and I think that, subliminally, Season' Surfin' was reminding me of the marvellous time that we had there and that our anniversary was coming up fast! To think, a moment's reflection would have revealed all of this beforehand...
The following card has acetate layered over the Baja Breeze cardstock. I thought it was an evocative allusion to the reflective surface of water and provided a nifty way of supporting the Thinking of You sentiment in StazOn Cotton White.
Stampin' Supplies
Ink:
Baja Breeze
Chocolate Chip
Cotton White StazOn
Stamp sets:
Lovely as a Tree
More Thoughts Simply Sent
Cardstock:
Baja Breeze
Kiwi Kiss
Whisper White
Accessories:
Aquapainter
Crop-A-Dile
Jumbo Brads in Antique Brass
Sponge Dauber
Watercolor Wonder Crayons in Earth Elements
Stampin' Up! Australia's Spring Mini ends today and with it Season's Surfin' and the Cotton White Stazon.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Where's the chocolate chip?
This is a card that I've been demonstrating in my Emerging Colour classes. Funnily enough, in each of the classes, someone has asked me at the commencement of proceedings where the chocolate chip cardstock was to be found. As it turns out, it is in the chocolate chip ink pad just busting to get out.
Another funny thing was at each event, someone brought up Boho Backgrounds as a set that piqued their interest - a stamp set that made it from last year's catalogue into this year's which practically means that it has fallen off the radar (Lovely as a Tree is an exception). And they said that before seeing my sample! Freaky, no? *plays Twilight Zone music*
I think that it is a sign that Boho Backgrounds is due for a resurgence!
Stampin' Supplies
Ink:
Baja Breeze
Chocolate Chip
Sahara Sand
Stamp sets:
Boho Backgrounds
Circle Circus
Oval All
Petal Pizzazz
Paper:
Baja Breeze CS
Kraft CS
Parisian Breeze Specialty
Whisper White CS
Accessories:
Brayer
Button Bouquet
Clear Embossing Powder
Double-Striped Grosgrain Ribbon in Baja Breeze
Heat Tool
Large Oval Punch
Mini Glue Dot
Scallop Border Punch
Scallop Oval Punch
Sponge Dauber
PS: I know a sample size of two classes isn't anywhere close to statistically significant but it was significant to me!
SNAIL mail
Jillian, my sister demonstrator, recently RAK'ed the INKlings with an offer SNAIL in the mail - which I kinda pounced on. I say "kinda" because it sounds marginally better than the unadulterated "pounced on" which is pretty much the truth (and I say "pretty much" for the same reason as I used "kinda"!). For her tremendous generosity, I thought I'd give her a notebook...I imagine you all must be completely over my covered notebooks by now so this will be my last for a little while...that is, if I can help it!
The colourful foliage sheet from the Walk in the Park DSP is my favourite from the pack and I used it for a notebook so that I could keep it and stroke it. Of course, it was covered in plastic so that my stroking would leave no fingerprints on the paper. Also, I didn't think that the book needed anything more in terms of embellishment since the pattern and colours of the DSP make enough of a statement.
Due to Jillian's RAK, I decided to part with this so that it would have an exciting new home to experience and be heartfelt thanks for her favour. So farewell notebook ... and thank you, Jillian!
Stampin' Supplies
Paper:
Cameo Coral CS
Walk in the Park DSP
Accessories:
Eyelet Border Punch
So Saffron Grosgrain Ribbon
Monday, November 23, 2009
Masculine card that's a breeze
One of my favourite sets from the Spring Mini is Uncharted Territory. It is a snap to make a card for men using it and I think it would be great for scrapbook pages featuring coastal destinations (especially those with lighthouses...was that a little obvious?).
Anyway, I love teaming it up with the gorgeous Parisian Breeze Specialty paper that is also only available until the end of November. The colour scheme is rugged and seaworthy and suits the images in the stamp set perfectly. The amazing thing about the Parisian Breeze paper is that every sheet has a side which is feminine with a masculine other side making it incredibly versatile.
Stampin' Supplies
Ink:
Baja Breeze
Basic Gray
Chocolate Chip
Sahara Sand
Stamp sets:
Best Yet
Uncharted Territory
Paper:
Baja Breeze CS
Kraft CS
Parisian Breeze Specialty
Watercolour Paper
Whisper White CS
Accessories:
Aquapainter
Large Oval Punch
Small Oval Punch
Sponge Dauber
More notables
Two of my awesome customers, Ruth and Bonny, accompanied me along with one of my fabulous downlines, Joyce, to the Stampin' Up! Australia Sydney Regionals on Saturday.
Of course, I appreciate all of my customers (!) but Ruth and Bonny have been amazing as they have hosted and attended classes throughout the year and firmly refuse to be demonstrators even though they would have made stellar ones and saved quite a bit in the process...I'd almost be worried that they are reading this and change their minds but they know about the demonstrator opportunity already and I'd be grateful with them enjoying Stampin' Up! with me as either *beam happily* So to show my appreciation, I made the following notebooks for them: 
Stampin' Supplies
Ink:
Baja Breeze
Basic Gray
Chocolate Chip
Kiwi Kiss
Stamp sets:
Defining alphabet
Gallery
One of a Kind
Paper:
Basic Gray CS
Walk in the Park DSP
Whisper White CS
Accessories:
Baja Breeze Corduroy buttons
Boho Blossoms punch
Button Latte
Brads Jumbo Neutrals
Brads Silver
Chocolate Chip Double-Stitched Grosgrain
Stampin' Supplies
Ink:
Baja Breeze
Chocolate Chip
Stamp sets:
Best Yet
Gallery
Lovely Letters alphabet
Paper:
Baja Breeze CS
Chocolate Chip CS
Walk in the Park DSP
Whisper White CS
Accessories:
Baja Breeze Corduroy buttons
Boho Blossoms punch
Brads Jumbo Neutrals
Chocolate Chip Grosgrain
Curly Label Punch Bundle
Flower Fusion Too
Heat Tool
White Embossing Powder
Thanks so much, Bonny and Ruth!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Taking note
... and giving notebooks. Other than blinging jumbo brads, I've been busy decorating notebooks as gifts for some noteworthy people in my life. The first one was a birthday gift to Joni, who has been a friend from the first full time job I ever had in Sydney. Being a technologist, I'm not sure if she will get much use out of this but it may come in handy for making paper aeroplanes or writing messages to be inserted into bottles should she ever happen to be stranded on a deserted island. You just never know when a piece of paper may save your life! 
Stampin' Supplies
Ink:
Chocolate Chip
Close to Cocoa
Sahara Sand
Stamp sets:
Defining alphabet
Lovely Letters alphabet
No One Like You
Cardstock:
Chocolate Chip
Kraft
Whisper White
Accessories:
Antique Brass Jumbo Eyelets
Chocolate Chip Double-Stitched Grosgrain
Crop-A-Dile
Eyelet Border Punch
Stamp-A-Ma-Jig
Friday, November 13, 2009
Bling it on, Brad!
I love a big Brad even more than Angelina Jolie. Rewind! Actually, I can't say for certain that Angelina loves big Brads or even which size ones she has, but I can say that I love 'em - big and small. At the moment, I'm having a ball playing with the Jumbo Brads in the Spring Mini and adding lots of colour and sparkle to them with my heat tool, heat and stick powder and fine glitter. Makes them almost red carpet worthy, imho... 
Stampin' Supplies
Ink:
Kiwi Kiss
Stamp sets:
A Great Friend
Paper:
Pink Pirouette CS
Walk in the Park DSP
Whisper White CS
Accessories:
Fine Supernova Glitter
Flower Fusion Too
Heat and Stick Powder
Heat Tool
Jumbo Brads
Round Tab Punch
Small Oval Punch
Who would have thought that these brads came in neutrals?
Friday, November 6, 2009
Gift card card
I'm posting a rather multi-function card today - firstly, it is multi-challenge card since it was made for this month's Elite sketch and colour challenges. And secondly, it hides a gift card under the Mellow Moss front panel...which makes the whole ensemble a gift card card! I've put a little tag as a hint to the recipient that there is something worth opening on Christmas Day.
It's all make-believe, however, since the hidden gift card is just an expired discount card, the card itself is a mere card front and, thankfully for the recipient, the card won't be given to anyone. The embossing, as difficult as it is to see in either of the pictures, is real though...truly it is...
Stampin' Supplies
Ink:
Always Artichoke
VersaMark
Stamp sets:
Season of Joy
Winter Post
Cardstock:
Always Artichoke
Mellow Moss
Riding Hood Red
Very Vanilla
Accessories:
1 1/4″ Circle Punch
Clear Embossing Powder
Designer Label Punch
Heat Tool
Linen Thread
Riding Hood Red Striped Grosgrain
Sponge
Stampin’ Dimensionals
Stampin’ Write Markers in Always Artichoke, Chocolate Chip, Mellow Moss, Ruby Red
Monday, November 2, 2009
Travel notebook
Hubby and I have just returned from a wonderful jaunt to Phillip Island to attend the wedding of a dear friend and his lady love. The weather was fine and hot (perhaps a little too warm as my decolletage now looks like I dropped a tub of red blush all over it) and the garden setting, with Westernport Bay as the backdrop, was beautiful. The highlight for me was their exchange of vows, which they composed themselves - touching, sweet and so very moving. I have to keep their names secret or I'd have to erase this blog after posting and, well, that'd just defeat the whole purpose of posting! But I'm wishing them lots of love and laughter as they head into their first holiday season in married bliss.
Accompanying me during this memorable trip was this little notebook that I decorated using a standard exercise book. After embellishing the cover, I slipped the book into a plastic cover to protect it from spills and stains. I then used White StazOn to stamp a damask pattern on the plastic cover to add a little more interest and light. Because I'm me, I used the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig and lots of ruled lines to make sure the pattern was even...
Stampin' Supplies
Ink:
Certainly Celery
Lavender Lace
Perfect Plum
StazOn Cotton White
Stamp sets:
24-7
All Scallops
Lovely Letters
No One Like You
Cardstock:
Certainly Celery
Whisper White
Pale Plum
Perfect Plum
| Accessories: Scallop Edge Punch Stamp-A-Ma-Jig | [back of the notebook] |  |
| Stampin' Write Markers in: Certainly Celery Pale Plum Perfect Plum | ||
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Christmas Gift-Giving Guide Promotion
From 1 November until 14 December, you will receive a choice of a super useful Scallop Square punch or a pretty Boho Blossoms punch valued at $30.95 when you spend $85* on any of the following products:
* Does not include Stampin' Up!'s shipping and handling charge of 5% of the product total or $5.95 whichever is greater.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
A belated posting of swaps
I had these cards loaded and ready for a write-up so long ago that I forgot about them! These were the two other variations of my Convention Swaps ... I imagine some of you thinking, "Convention, which Convention? No Convention around these here parts. Stampin' Up! Regionals, however ..." Embarrassingly, yes, I did mean the Stampin' Up! Australia Convention held last May.
Which reminds me that I should get a wriggle on for swaps for Sydney Regionals so that I'm not, at the last minute, trying to design swaps with just Whisper White cardstock (because that was the only colour cardstock that I had more than 10 sheets of)! Or even worse, bringing a paltry 7 swaps to Regionals like I did the year before.
Stampin' Supplies
Ink:
Certainly Celery
Chocolate Chip
Stamp sets:
Cute And Curly
Funky Forest
Paper:
Whisper White CS
Accessories:
Stampin' Write Markers in Chocolate Chip, Garden Green, Pumpkin Pie, Really Rust, Ruby Red
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Jayne Mercer's Girls Night in Cyberstamp
My terrific upline, Jayne, is holding a Cyberstamp to raise funds for the very worthy cause of breast cancer research.
I thought I would pop in with a contribution to the evening but, as usual, I took a lot longer than anticipated to make this card! So I'm dashing off this post so that I can spend some time with my neglected Hubby. I'll post the supplies list tomorrow [ETA: posted now] but, if you do get the chance, please support Jayne's fundraising effort.
Jayne's first challenge was to CASE a layout from the Stampin' Up! 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalogue. Mine was based on the Spring Song card on page 79.
Stampin' Supplies
Ink:
Regal Rose
Riding Hood Red
Stamp sets:
Boho Backgrounds
Fifth Avenue Floral
Paper:
Pink Pirouette CS
Pretty In Pink CS
Regal Rose CS
Whisper White CS
Accessories:
Double Stitched Grograin Ribbon in Rose Red
Flower Designer Brads
Flower Fusion Too
Paper Snips
Slot Punch
Stampin' Dimensionals
Stampin' Write Markers in Pretty in Pink and Regal Rose
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Papercrafts Festival demonstration cards: day three
(To the tune of the twelfth day in The Twelve Days of Christmas)
On the third of October
more cards were made by me:
with embossing powder,
white Taffeta ribbon,
Baja Breeze cardstock,
an Ice Rhinestone brad,
Stampin' Dimensionals,
Eyelet Border Punch,
Five stamp pads,
Stamp-A-Ma-Jig,
Whisper White,
Tree Trimmings set,
and some Ski Slope DSP.
Stampin' Supplies
Ink:
Chocolate Chip
Baja Breeze
Old Olive
Real Red
Sahara Sand
VersaMark
Stamp sets:
Many Merry Messages
Tree Trimmings
Paper:
Baja Breeze CS
Old Olive CS
Ski Slope DSP
Whisper White CS
Accessories:
Embossing Buddy
Eyelet Border Punch
Heat Tool
Ice Circle Rhinestone Brads
Silver Embossing Powder
Sponge Daubers
Stamp-A-Ma-Jig
Stampin' Dimensionals
White Embossing Powder
White Taffeta Ribbon
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Papercrafts Festival demonstration cards: day two
(To the tune of the seventh day in The Twelve Days of Christmas)
On the second of October
a card was made by me:
using oval punches
Large and new Scallop,
Five stamp pads,
Stamp-A-Ma-Jig,
Whisper White,
Tree Trimmings set,
and some Ski Slope DSP.
Stampin' Supplies
Ink:
Chocolate Chip
Baja Breeze
Old Olive
Real Red
Sahara Sand
Stamp sets:
Best Yet
Tree Trimmings
Paper:
Old Olive CS
Ski Slope DSP
Whisper White CS
Accessories:
Square Scallop Punch
Stamp-A-Ma-Jig
Stampin' Write Marker in Old Olive
Stampin' Write Marker in Real Red
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Papercrafts Festival demonstration cards: day one
(To the tune of the fifth day in The Twelve Days of Christmas)
On the first of October
two cards were made by me:
with Whisper White,
Stamp-A-Ma-Jig,
Three stamp pads,
Tree Trimmings set,
and some Ski Slope DSP.
Stampin' Supplies
Ink:
Old Olive
Real Red
Sahara Sand
Stamp sets:
Occasional Greetings
Punches Three
Tree Trimmings
Paper:
Ski Slope DSP
Whisper White CS
Accessories:
Square Scallop Punch
Stamp-A-Ma-Jig
Stampin' Write Marker in Old Olive
Stampin' Write Marker in Real Red
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
A pink lighthouse
To me, a lighthouse symbolises "Awareness" as it serves to alert unwary seafarers of dangers hidden nearby. Colour it Pink Ribbon Day pink and it so represents Breast Cancer Awareness, don't you think? Or am I speaking for myself? *looks around*
Well, it seemed like a good idea to me at the time! It still does except for the sting of rejection. *sniffle*
Anyway, the amazingly talented Teneale Williams sent out a request for 6" X 6" pages to compile a book of inspirational quotations for those affected by breast cancer while they visit the Westmead Breast Cancer Clinic and the McGrath Foundation office. You still have time to help her as she is waiting until Monday October 12 for the last submissions.
I chose the Elisabeth Guinot quotation for mine because I believe that we don't really know what we are capable of until we are tested. And I'd like to think that we are chronic underestimators.
Stampin' Supplies
Ink:
Kiwi Kiss
Pink Pirouette
Rose Red
Stamp sets:
A Great Friend
Eastern Influences
Lovely Letters
Uncharted Territory
Paper:
Pink Pirouette CS
Rose Red CS
Rose Red Prints DSP (retired)
Whisper White CS
Accessories:
Flower Assortment Designer Brads
Mat Pack
Sponge Dauber
Striped Grograin Ribbon in Pink Pirouette
Word Window Punch
PS. The title is Rose Red cardstock cut using the QuicKutz harvest font.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
World Card Making Day 2009
World Card Making Day 2009 is on the 3rd of October but Stampin’ Up!® is celebrating all month long! From 1-31 October, when you purchase either Rock Star or Flower Power Simply Sent® Card Elements, you’ll get 20% off a co-ordinating stamp set.
Buy a Simply Sent Card Elements kit:
| Item | Page | Description | Price |
| 112028 | 140 | Flower Power Card Elements | $30.95 |
| 112021 | 141 | Rock Star Card Elements | $30.95 |
and get one of the following stamp sets at 20% off:
| Item | Page | Description | Regular Price | Discount Price |
| 116779 | 140 | Wow Flowers stamp set | $24.95 | $19.96 |
| 116777 | 141 | Starring You stamp set | $24.95 | $19.96 |
Prices do not include standard Stampin' Up! shipping and handling charges of $5.95 or 5% of product total per order (whichever is greater).
Breast Cancer Awareness Promotion
For over 20 years, Stampin' Up! has helped women make a difference in the lives of others by simply doing what they love to do - sharing creativity.
You too can become a Stampin' Up! demonstrator and make a difference! Stampin' Up! will donate $5 to the National Breast Cancer Foundation for every person who joins between 1 October and 31 December 2009. As a bonus to you, Stampin' Up! will include a FREE pack of Raspberry Tart Designer Series paper and a Pretty in Pink Classic Stampin' Pad on top of your already great value starter kit.
Read more on joining Stampin' Up! or contact me for a free information pack on the benefits of running your own Stampin' Up! business.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Long time between scraps
It has been an inordinately long time since I completed a scrap page. I have been feeling the pull of it recently and it brought to mind a little conversation that I had with my sister over a year ago. In that exchange, my sister made me promise that I wouldn't devote myself to scrapping a hundred pages on my nephew, Shi Wei, and then neglect any other subsequent children of hers ... leaving them to wonder why Auntie Lin Mei loved Shi Wei the most.
So, here I am, wondering where are the pages of my baby niece, Shi Ying? Hmmmmmm ... I'd better set aside an album for her as a starting point! The following page will be the inaugural one.
After feeling rather guilty, I consoled myself with the fact I have yet to scrap a baby photo of Shi Wei ... so it is still early days for Shi Ying - phew! The other thing that I've noticed is that the recent supply of photos from my sister has slowed to a mere trickle so I think that it's time for me to remind her of her side of the bargain...
Stampin' Supplies
Ink:
Basic Black
Basic Gray
Cameo Coral
Pixie Pink
Stamp sets:
Calendar alphabet
Paper:
Pixie Pink CS
Raspberry Tart DSP
Vellum CS
Accessories:
1.3cm Circle Punch
Clear Buttons
Pretties Kit
Scallop Oval Punch
Sponge Dauber
Stampin' Pastels
Stampin' Write Marker in Basic Black
Summer Love Rub-Ons
White Grosgrain Ribbon
For my newsletter subscribers, I have to apologise for not posting a project featuring the custom coloured ribbon when promised. I lost the ribbon in amongst my scraps and I was hoping that it would float to the surface eventually. Needless to say, ribbon isn't particularly buoyant (especially without floaties) when immersed in scrap paper *sigh* Anyway, I applied Stampin' Pastels on another strip with a colour gradient starting from Pixie Pink to Basic Black. You should be able to spy it in the page above.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Pre-Yoga quickie
Just dashing off to yoga - first lesson in ages. But I thought I would post this card made with Certainly Celery Poly Twill Ribbon (that is available for this month only) embossed with a gold Christmas sentiment. I'll be back soon...
ETA: 8:31pm I'm back but it's time for dinner *sigh*
ETA: 9:12pm I've had dinner and except I haven't had dessert. I suppose I shouldn't throw away all the benefits of my yoga session in a fit of sugar consumption.
So, back to this Christmas card with the rather spiffy ribbon. I've always loved gold embossed ribbon and decided that I should try making my own. I initially experimented on the wide double-stitched grosgrain ribbon in Chocolate Chip by doing the responsible thing: which was to tip some embossing powder on the ribbon before using any VersaMark on it. Unfortunately, the fibres of the ribbon held the embossing powder regardless of how I tapped, flicked or hit the ribbon. So I brushed the powder back into its container and gave up on using the wide double-stitched grosgrain ribbon for this purpose.
When I followed the same procedure for testing the new poly twill ribbon, the powder dropped quite effortlessly away from the ribbon. Eureka! and I don't mean the stockade. And the rest is well ... this ribbon!
Stampin' Supplies
Ink:
Certainly Celery
Encore Gold
Rose Red
Stamp sets:
Many Merry Messages
Tree Trimmings
Cardstock:
Certainly Celery
Kraft
Rose Red
Whisper White
Accessories:
Certainly Celery Poly Twill Ribbon
Eyelet Border Punch
Gold Embossing Powder
Heat Tool
Stamp-A-Ma-Jig
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
So Saffree
Isn't this month's free (with purchase) So Saffron grosgrain ribbon so perfect for spring and summer projects? Of course, it'd be great for other seasons too (as it is So Saffron) but I doubt that my roll will last until next Autumn. *grin*
I've teamed it up with a Summer Love Rub-On and every time I look at this combination, I want to put on a wide brimmed straw hat and a fresh floral dress then sneak into the closest corn field to run carefree through it. Since I live in the 'burbs, the only accessible farms are those that exist in my mind...most likely a good thing since this romantic notion can't end with me actually being charged for trespassing or collapsing a 100 metres into a row of corn since that's about all my real life stamina would allow. *pictures calling Hubby on my mobile phone to save me when he gets off work and then waiting and waiting* Yep! Much better left in the realms of one's imagination...
Stampin' Supplies
Ink:
Cameo Coral
Kiwi Kiss
So Saffron
Stamp sets:
Great Friend
Paper:
So Saffron CS
So Saffron Patterns DSP
Whisper White CS
Accessories:
Aqua Painter
Designer Brads Flower Assortment
Mat Pack
Paper Snips
So Saffron Grosgrain Ribbon
Stampin' Write Markers in Cameo Coral, Old Olive, So Saffron
Summer Love Rub-Ons
White Gel Pen
I played around with the petals of the flower brad by filling them in with a white gel pen. The flower centre features a rub-on for contrast. Many thanks to Carol for this month's Elite Challenges card sketch which I've used for this card.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Stampin' Up! Gift to You promotion
30 September 2009 NEWS ALERT:
Ribbon bundles now comprise of:
• Chocolate Chip 1" (2.5cm) Double-Stitched grosgrain ribbon (approx 9.1 metres)
• Rose Red 1" (2.5cm) Double-Stitched grosgrain ribbon (approx 9.1 metres)
due to the original bundle running out of stock! This is an even better deal as the ribbons are normally $19.95 each + SU! S&H
During September, you get a FREE ribbon bundle if you place a product order worth $100 or more OR host a $600 workshop. The bundle includes 2 full rolls of ribbon, more specifically:
• Certainly Celery 5/8" (1.59 cm) poly-twill ribbon (approx 9.1 metres)
• So Saffron 5/8" (1.59 cm) grosgrain ribbon (approx 9.1 metres)
Please contact me to book a workshop or place an order to qualify for this gift made for ribbon lovers.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Christmas Bollywood colours
What's up with the title of this post? Sounds like a rather random amalgam of nouns, doesn't it? I suppose that is to be expected since the idea behind it is rather random - but I guess you must all be used to that by now! But, please let me explain...
For the first time in what feels like a long time, I devoted an entire night to watching TV (because "Om Shanti Om" featuring Shah Rukh Khan was showing on SBS Two) by myself (because Hubby is overseas). I'm almost a Shah Rukh Khan fangirl - except that I'm too lazy to read about his life story, I have no wall space for posters, I'm too cheap to buy most of his DVDs and I forget, by the time I go to sleep, to dream about him. Well, I did say that I was "almost" a fangirl...and I had to add the last qualifier just in case Hubby reads this.
If you clicked on the IMDB link of Shah Rukh (he and I are so on a first two names basis1), the one picture of him represents quite well how I think of him - endearing, earnest and ...um... conservatively clothed. Hey! I wasn't kidding about SRK not quite making it into my dreams. But, he is pretty spunky for someone who is in his mid-40s, don't you think? So, imagine my surprise when he appeared like this in a music sequence in the second half of the movie. "OM! Oh my Shanti oh my!" *fans self* *submerges head in a sink of cold water* *runs around the room squealing* I then had to lie down for the rest of the movie - admittedly, I was already lying on the couch for the first part of the movie but that was by choice.
So what does this have to do with anything at all? *ponders* Hmmmmmmm ... I just had to over share? *sheepish grin* That plus the fact that in one of the music sequences, Deepika Padukone was dancing around in scarves coloured just like a Christmas card I made the night before! You can see her outfit in the YouTube trailer of "Om Shanti Om" linked above (at around the 30 second mark). As expected, whilst I was excited to see the colours I had used swirling around the screen, I wasn't thinking about cards during SRK's performance. *sighs dreamily*
Oh yes! Where was I? So, here is the Christmas card:
Stampin' Supplies
Ink:
Green Galore
Pink Passion
Real Red
Silver Encore
Summer Sun
Taken with Teal
Tangerine Tango
Stamp sets:
Many Merry Messages
Tree Trimmings
Cardstock:
Whisper White
Accessories:
Stamp-A-Ma-Jig
Stampin' Write Marker in Sahara Sand
I included a shot of the card at an angle so that the sheen of the Encore Silver is visible. I also used a matt fixative to prevent the silver from smudging. Yet another deceptively difficult card - if only I could make cards that were deceptively simple instead!
Counting down the two days until Hubby is home *claps happily*
ETA: Just entered this card into Shelli Gardner's Stamps Ink Paper challenge. I hope the link to SRK was not too racy!
1. It's goes something like this in my head:
LMY: Hey hey Shah Rukh! How's it shakin' my man?
SRK: Hi Lin Mei! Long time no see. How come you never return my calls?
I imagine it'd go something like this in real life:
LMY: He..hello Shah Rukh!
SRK: Uh... Who are you?
LMY: Lin Mei
SRK: Er..OK. Bye Lin Mei. *snaps fingers*
*LMY gets dragged off by minders*
See - first two names basis EVERY time.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Really bright delights
I'm gettin' old! Oh boy! was it a shock to realise that today. I treated my aunt to a Donut King buy one get one free coffee - does that technically qualify as a treat I wonder? Probably only if I nominate hers as the one that's paid for...I digress. While waiting for the milk to get hot and frothy, I had a look at the garishly iced doughnuts on offer and was struck by the thought, "How can anyone eat fluorescent blue?" I imagine a munched up portion lighting my oesophagus on its trip down to my stomach, with all and sundry privy to its illuminated descent...I have to confess to shuddering a little bit at the thought. Nothing that incandescent could be harmless to the human body - no wonder little children become hyperactive after consuming this sort of food colouring: all that excess brightness has to be converted somehow (basic case of conservation of energy). Anyway, it didn't seem too long ago when such colourful doughnuts would have been a siren song to lure me into throwing myself at the unyielding rocks of my parents' legs begging for two or three or more (in all different colours because at that age, every colour is a different flavour ... which is why hundreds and thousands are the ultimate gourmet delight for kids). Now that I am getting old, I think you'd have to be nuts to want that kind of dough. *sigh*
On the subject of brightly coloured, please dust off your favourite eclipse viewing technique for the following card. I thought that it was time to be bold and use my stash of Only Orange...I have to say that I think "Only Orange" is a bit of a misnomer - as in whatdyamean it's ONLY orange? It's an in-your-face RETINA-MELTING orange. If you ask me, it'd be more appropriately descriptive as "Over-the-top Orange" or "Outrageously Orange". *folds arms stubbornly* Anyway, I matched it up with some Bravo Burgundy because I needed a bit of bravado to use Outrageously Orange for a Spring Mini swap. In the end, I think that I liked it.
Stampin' Supplies
Ink:
Bravo Burgundy
Only Orange
Real Red
Tangerine Tango
VersaMark
Whisper White Craft
Stamp sets:
Oval All
Simply Said
Cardstock:
Bravo Burgundy Textured
Only Orange
Whisper White
Accessories:
Aqua Painter
Bravo Burgundy Grograin Ribbon
Heat Tool
Scallop Oval Punch
White Embossing Powder
A tip with stamping on Only Orange cardstock - test your dye ink on some scrap cardstock first as some colours can look surprisingly dark or dirty on it.
PS. I left the post date as the date I started this post since it does mention "today" BUT it has only just been published - two weeks later. Oh the shame!
Monday, August 3, 2009
Decompression chamber
The INKlings team weekend was tremendously enjoyable and really constructive! It started with a bit of a wobble since I only finished my Card-in-a-Box and swaps at 4:30am on the morning of the camp, began packing anything a couple of hours before I had to leave and the only navigational tools that Kylie and I had to get to Vision Valley was a powerless sat-nav and some printed directions local to a cafe 10 minutes away from our destination. The motorways got us through the first 75km and even though we contemplated exiting a couple of times, we were too giggly (read: slow) to do so and, thus, were saved from ourselves. Once we neared Galston, it seemed like all the roads intersected with each other several times over - which made missing a turn just a reminder of what to do at the next juncture. Now that I look back on it, I am so thoroughly impressed that those responsible for the roadworks had the foresight to invent the equivalent of a Möbius strip highway...you couldn't even choose to be on the wrong side (I'm sure we tested and affirmed that theory a couple of times).
We met up with Fiona at the Greenshades Cafe, amazingly at the designated time, for a hearty serving of lamb shanks on creamy mash and crispy toasted bread soaked in olive oil with basil and garlic. Great company, good food and a wonderful way to start off the team weekend. As for Cania, what's that again?
After finishing lots of everyone else's Card-in-a-Box, I had time to try one of the sketch challenges suggested by Carol. As I only packed a paltry amount of cardstock and ink, I imposed on Fiona, Ruth and Lis for Dimensionals, mat pack and piercer, white embossing powder and inspiration - the last one was completely gratuitous and attention seeking. Thank you for putting up with me, INKlings! Here's an arty shot of the completed card: 
Stampin' Supplies
Ink:
Baja Breeze
Chocolate Chip
Sahara Sand
Stamp sets:
Always
Curvy Verses
Cardstock:
Baja Breeze
Chocolate Chip
Parisian Breeze Speciality
Whisper White
Accessories:
1/2″ Circle Punch
Heat Tool
Mat Pack
Stampin’ Dimensionals
Stampin’ Write Marker in Chocolate Chip
White Embossing Powder
The mug shot version is on the Elite Challenges blog ... my scanner has a penetrating brightness that seeps into all the indentations of the textured cardstock leaving it looking completely smooth - a bit like Hubby's head.
Many thanks to Jayne for a fabulous team weekend - I am very grateful to have her as my upline. Also, I'd really like to thank those of you who have been incredibly patient and dropped by even though my blog must have looked like time capsule - frozen in time with no hint of anything new, week after week!
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Published work
Cardmaking Stamping & Papercraft
Vol 15 No 3
Cardmaking Stamping & Papercraft
Vol 14 No 9
