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?

Ain't nothing gonna break-a my str...uh, will do

Here I was hoping that June would be the month to get on top of things. I had Matthew Wilder's "Break My Stride" playing in my head:

What song would anyone want more to get the blood pumping and the body moving and to bolster's one's will? OK...The "Rocky" anthem "Eye of the Tiger" would be an exception but I reckon that this song is boppier and doesn't make me feel guilty for skipping the sprints up stairs.

And yet, this blog has been woefully neglected and my newsletter is still fighting with "Break My Stride" - ie for my attention, inside my head, constantly drowned out by synthesisers and a litany of "never met a girl like you...Have to say - Oh!"

Currently, I'm placing the blame on the fact that our TV went poof! and left me with nothing to ignore whilst trying to do some crafting. This coupled with the really cold weather that has me in Michelin-man attire, constantly running to warm myself in front of the fridge...and interruptions to do other things.

Anyway, there's nothing quite like a cyberstamp to give me a shove in the right direction. This month's INKlings set of challenges was hosted by the very lovely Fiona Brown. Her first was based on the sketch clean & simple stamping FTL 44. Not much stamping but lots of cramping cutting for my attempt. It also features one of my favourite things at the moment which is making glittery brads from Supernova glitter, mini glue dots and plain ol' brads. The wide grograin ribbon knot finally found its home on this card after sitting neglected (and in the way, at times!) since December last year when I first tied it into existence.

Stampin' Supplies
Ink:
Tangerine Tango

Stamp sets:
More Thoughts Simply Sent Kit

Paper:
Haiku DSP
Old Olive CS
So Saffron CS
Tangerine Tango CS
Very Vanilla CS

Accessories:
Mini Glue Dots
Old Olive Grosgrain Ribbon
Paper Snips
Stampin' Dimensionals
Stampin' Write Marker in Old Olive
Supernova Fine Glitter
Very Vanilla Grosgrain Ribbon

Three punch for you

Happy New SU! Year!

Bye Summer 2008-2009 Mini! Bye old trusty 2008-2009 Idea Book & Catalogue! I can finally lay your rather tatty form to rest...a much deserved deliverance from a year of constant rifling and the odd tear *winces guiltily*

Welcome Stampin' Up! Australia 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalogue! What a gorgeous new range of stamps, ribbons, accessories and In Colors - all showcased in a beautiful catalogue brimming with wonderful crafty ideas. As for getting your own copy to rifle through - you know the drill! Book a workshop and you'll get one free. Otherwise, you can buy a copy from me for $12.95 when you see me next.

As for the title of this post, it is for the Stampin' Up! wonks who would recognise it as a little rearrangement of the now retired Three For You Punch Box. So, why three punches?

Well, I've been a little punch drunk from demonstrating workshops, teaching classes and tending to orders (and backorders). Not that I'm complaining since it has been terrific fun sharing crafts with lots of lovely ladies and it hasn't been bad for my business either! BUT it is my excuse for being amiss in updating this neglected blog...

Secondly, I decided to celebrate the cheer associated with the new year (oooh! that rhymed!) by making a card with a bunch of punch. The punch bowl isn't visible because the beverage has already been doled out. I thought I should add that in case some of you start making things difficult for me by asserting that the drinks are actually cocktails. *looks cross*

Lastly, the cocktail punch umbrella was made with a couple of Stampin' Up! punches.

Look at the time! It's even past midnight in Perth (if they had stuck with our daylight saving schedule)! *grin* Sleep tight! Although I'm sure for most of you it'll be day when you read this...

Stampin' Supplies
Ink:
Almost Amethyst
Basic Black

Stamp sets:
Cheer & Wishes
Cheers To You
Tart & Tangy

Cardstock:
Almost Amethyst
So Saffron
Whisper White

Accessories:
1 3/8" Square Punch
Dazzling Diamonds
Heat And Stick Powder
Heat Tool
Many Marvellous Markers
Scallop Square Punch
Stampin' Dimensionals

What's all the Ocean Commotion?

Has there ever been a time when Australian and New Zealand demonstrators got access to a Stampin' Up! stamp set before every other country?

Like never!

OK...as far as I know - just once (which really is like never). Ocean Commotion was first released to the stellar AU/NZ 2008 Incentive Trip winners and now features in the current Australian Summer Mini.

In the last day, there's been a disproportionate number hits on my blog looking for this set and I wondered why this was so. *ponder* *mull* After an extensive investigation lasting 10 whole minutes, I found out that
<SPOILER ALERT>
someone just let it slip that Ocean Commotion will be in an upcoming Spring-Summer catalogue.
</SPOILER ALERT>

So, I thought that I should be as helpful as possible by posting another card made with this fabulous set. This card was created for an amazing friend of mine, Kris, who makes a real difference everyday in her vocation in Wildlife and Zoo Medicine. She's definitely a wonderful reason to celebrate and worth making a commotion about. Pity that she's not a Marine Biologist as this set would then be completely perfect for her but, then again, I wouldn't want her to change her job just to suit my stamp sets *sheepish grin*

Stampin' Supplies
Ink:
Garden Green
Taken with Teal

Stamps:
Cheer and Wishes set
Curvy Verses set
Ocean Commotion set

Paper:
Bali Breeze DSP
Whisper White Cardstock

Accessories:
Dazzling Diamonds
Embossing Powder in White
Heat and Stick Powder
Heat Tool
Paper Snips
Stampin' Dimensional
Stampin' Write Markers in Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Pumpkin Pie, Rose Red
Whisper White Grosgrain Ribbon

Simply Sent-sational

Ever feel the need for a little bling? Just make a card with Dazzling Diamonds after you've put on your makeup and you'll have just the right amount of sparkle everywhere to attract attention. Cosmetics with creamy formulations help the dazzle to stay put while you dance the night away. Try using a glue dot dipped in Dazzling Diamonds for a blingy beauty spot that would make Cindy Crawford Certainly Celery with envy.

Get the kit with maximum shine: Sending Happy Thoughts with Dazzling Diamonds included. Going to a party? Get glammed up while assembling a card for the birthday girl. What can be a greater time saver than combining cardmaking with your beauty routine?? Nothing, nothing at all!
Because you take care ^TM - L'ornier

OK...silliness over...unless something comes over me... A Sending Happy Thoughts Simply Sent Kit has the instructions and supplies to make five of each of the following cards:

Don't you love that ribbon?

Here's my spin on the kit with a few extra supplies:

For the card on the left, I inked up one side of the square stamp to create the dotted stems. The Very Vanilla Cardstock is mounted on top of Old Olive Prints DSP and a couple of the flowers have Stampin' Up! buttons for centres and a little bit of hemp twine. For the card on the right, I've used Bashful Blue for a couple of the flowers to match the strip of Summer Picnic DSP. The flower centres are brads topped with glue dots dipped in Dazzling Diamonds (a trick I learnt from the Sydney Stampin' Up! Regional training). The sentiment, shaped using the Word Window punch, is from another item which is on sale this month - the Short & Sweet stamp set!

To make the most of the Simply Sent-sational 20% off kits and stamp sets, please contact me. Enjoy your Labour Day weekend - for those of you in the right places *grin*

Let's do the citrus twist

Hubby loves lemons. In fact, he loves just about anything sour. So, when you start telling him "When life gives you lemons" you don't have to finish the saying since he does it for you with a "when are we expecting delivery already?". He also delights is sucking all the juice from lemon or lime slices used to adorn drinks or lemon wedges accompanying fish and chips - straight. Yeah...it makes me screw up my face just thinking about it.

So, when I saw the new Tart & Tangy stamp set in the upcoming Stampin' Up! Spring Mini catalogue, I immediately thought of Hubby. And what makes me think of Hubby, I have to buy. And hey! I'm not saying that I need constant reminders of him...or that I don't need constant reminders either. Gee, that was surprisingly tricky to manoeuvre. Hmmmm...let's just say that things reminding me of Hubby make me smile.

The following card uses the Rock 'n Roll technique to imbue the limes with a darker coloured rind. The limes in the background have been embossed for added interest. Unfortunately, the embossing is not that obvious in the first photo so I've posted a second picture from a different angle.

Stampin' Supplies
Ink:
Basic Black
Gable Green
Glorious Green
VersaMark

Stamps:
Tart & Tangy set
Short & Sweet set

Cardstock:
Gable Green
Glorious Green
Whisper White
Accessories:
1 1/4" Circle Punch
Clear Embossing Powder
Corner Rounder
Heat and Stick Powder
Heat Tool
Mat Pack
Scallop Punch
Stampin' Dimensionals
Stampin' Glitter

Omitting Old Olive

My aunt asked me to make a birthday card for one of her friends who is turning 92(!) next week. Normally, my aunt is quite indifferent as to what elements should be included in the cards that she commissions. This time, however, she requested that the number 92 be prominently placed on the card. So, what better excuse is there for trying out some Stampin' Glitter? In addition to the numeric bling, the card has a couple of white eyelets set using a Crop-A-Dile and the embossing is courtesy of Cuttlebug Birds and Swirls and Birthday folders. A white gel pen was used to highlight the embossed sentiment.

Stampin' Supplies
Ink:
Sahara Sand
StazOn Black
Wild Wasabi
Stamps:
Oh, So Lovely set
Cardstock:
Blue Bayou
Lovely Lilac
Wild Wasabi
Accessories:
Basic Eyelets
Stampin' Glitter
Watercolor Pencils

I had considered using Old Olive for this card as I like it so much - it goes with all the cardstock that I've been reaching for, such as Rose Red, Chocolate Chip and, even, Kraft. But, in the interest of decorum, I decided to use Wild Wasabi instead ... as my aunt's friend's name is Olive.