A very Merry Christmas to everyone!

Well, I'm a few days late, but I'd like to send my best wishes for a great year ahead in 2008!

My new year's resolutions are many, but one is to post regularly on this blog, and another is to squeeze more stamping time into my schedule. Wish me luck!

I will also be planning some beginners card making classes, which will be perfect for those of you who are interested but have no experience at all with 'crafty things' - we will have you creating beautiful handmade cards in no time, and leave you itching to learn more advanced techniques. Please leave a comment here to express interest in the classes, so I can tailor something suitable for your needs.

Summer Mini is HERE!!

Well, almost! Tomorrow 3oth November is the very last day of the beautiful spring Mini catalogue. Have you placed your order yet? If not, be super quick because once it's closed we may never see the gorgeous sets inside again. Scribble This, Snow Flurries and the Office Accoutrement were my outstanding favourites, but I could happily have bought every single set! Orders MUST be submitted by 11pm on FRIDAY 30th NOVEMBER, so please email me with your wishlists right NOW! View the catalogue online HERE

But, not to fear if you have shopped your fill from the Spring Mini, cos SUMMER MINI starts on Saturday 1st December! Demonstrators have had access to the catalogue contents for a few weeks now, and it has been amazing as always to see the fabulous creations made with the new stamps. There is something for everyone, from a great beach and barbeque set, to edgy quotes and a cute easter stamp set. My favourite set of all is the Carte Postale set, with swirls, fleur de lys, birdies, flowers and more! View the catalogue online HERE from Saturday 1st December, or contact me with your mailing address to receive a complimentary copy.

A fun and easy technique!

Here is a card using the Crayon Resist technique. I learned this recently at one of the training days held by Jayne Mercer, and have been playing around ever since. I really like it because it gives a great effect, but is also quick to do, and would lend itself well to a mini production line for when you need lots of cards.

You need:

Glossy White Cardstock - 106555

Black Stazon Ink - 101406

Stamping sponges - 101610 (I cut mine into quarters, 6ths would be big enough but harder to cut evenly!)

Stamp set - I have used the Petals wheel from the Spring mini (108980) but it works well with most sets with an outline style.

2 or more contrasting inks, I have used So Saffron and Regal Rose in this card.

Co-ordinating cardstock for the rest of the card, and the corner rounder punch for the scalloped edge (103378) Using some black cardstock really picks up the foundation ink colour of the stamped image.

White WAX based crayon (raid the kids crayon box for this, Watercolour Wonder Crayons won't work as they are beautifully soluble)

• Firstly stamp on the white glossy cardstock with the black Stazon ink. Let it dry thoroughly, which takes a little while because of the glossy card surface.

• Then apply the wax crayon as a highlight around elements of the stamped pattern - wherever you put crayon, the cardstock will remain white.

• Next use the stampin sponge segments to dab on ink from a Classic Ink pad, building up the colour as much as you like, and blending with the second colour until you are happy with the effect.

• Finally, grab a tissue and 'polish' the surface of the card, thus removing the wax crayon and revealing the white lines underneath!

• If you have mass stamped a whole sheet of glossy card, you can now cut it into sections and complete your cards as you wish - a simple piece of ribbon or a scalloped edge is all you need to make a stunning card that will have everyone asking "how did you do THAT???"

Christmas Card Stamp-a-stack - THIS WEEK

Be quick for the last few places at my Christmas Stamp a Stack!

Sunday November 25th

10.30am -- 2.30pm

Location - my house at Cherrybrook, call for details

Everything you need to create 6 cards, 2 each of 3 different designs is provided, along with a pizza lunch and refreshments! The cost of the class is $15 dollars. No stamping or cardmaking experience necessary! Learn and create in a relaxed and fun environment

Stamp a stack Specials

"50/50"

If you place an order during the class to the value of $50 or more, the class cost is reduced by 50%

"Hostess Appreciation"

Book a Stampin' Up! Workshop during the class, and you will receive a Classic Ink pad FREE, in your choice of colour, valued at $9.95. Your inkpad will be delivered after your workshop along with the other orders. You will also receive a Hostess Package with all the information you need to host a successful workshop, including the Idea Book and Catalogue valued at $12.95 FREE

"Door Prizes"

Door Prizes will be awarded every hour!

Please feel free to bring your own additional cardstock and adhesive to complete as many more cards as you can, using my stamps and tools - including my extensive Sizzix and Cuttlebug collection, in perfect time for sending them off!

RSVP ASAP, by Wednesday 21st November on (02) 9484 9447 to reserve your place, and get the location details or if you have any questions

I have included some sample cards images so you can see what you will be making!

Cuttlebug freebies!

Cuttlebug Giveaway!
I love my Cuttlebug, I've owned my green cutie since they first came out in the US - couldn't wait to get hold of one! I am pleased that he's getting more of a workout now that I am making lots more cards!
Just because I feel like it, I'm offering 2 prize packs of 6 card front sized pieces of SU cardstock, embossed with an assortment of cuttlebug embossing folders, including the snowflake pattern, textile, bloom dots, script and more. All you need to do to be in the running is to add a link to my blog on your site/blog if you have one and leave me a comment here. I'll draw the winners when there is a few entries to choose from!! SU demos welcome to 'enter' :)

All in the family - let's get behind this!

On October 18th, at the age of only 41, Dave Abbott, the Australian General Manager of Stampin' Up! passed away, after a year-long battle with a rare blood disease. He leaves behind his wife Cathy and their three young children. Unfortunately, I never had the opportunity to meet Dave, but he was legendary for his enthusiastic and dedicated support of every single SU!demonstrator, and he is sorely missed by us all.

Stampin' Up! Global have decided to do something very special in honour of Dave, a fine testament to their basic philosophy, and a very rare thing in the Corporate world. Worldwide, every cent from sales of the "All in the Family" stamp set during the month of November will be donated to a special fund for Dave's family. Not just profit, not just a percentage, but every single dollar raised worldwide during November. How wonderful is that!!??

This set will be appearing in next year's Idea Book and Catalogue, but it is being specially pre-released for the month of November only, and will not be available again until April next year, so lets's get behind SU! and support this amazing and heartfelt project.

Myself and many other demonstrators are offering the set at cost price so we can sell as many as possible. By purchasing the set, you get a wonderful discount as well as a good feeling about making a big difference to a young family. The fabulous set contains 28 stamps, to mix and match and create endless cute combinations of people and pets. Click HERE for a link to the downloadable flyer showing the stamp images. Please Contact me to order "All in the Family" today for just $65.00 including postage and handling.

many thanks, and have a great day!

Christmas Card Stamp-a-stack

I am planning a Christmas Card making Class! I will be designing 3 different cards, and you will make 2 of each desing, with all materials for the cards included in the cost of the class.

Date: SUNDAY 25th November - make the most of the Election weekend to do something more productive than standing in a queue!

Place: Michelle's home at Cherrybrook, contact me for details

Time: 11am onwards

Cost: $15.00, including a Pizza lunch

You are welcome to bring your own additional cardstock etc and use my stamps and other tools to create as many more cards as you can manage on the day - right in time for sending them off! If this interests you, please let me know ASAP so I can start planning in earnest! Places are limited!

Stay tuned for a taste of what we might be making...

I had me a lightbulb moment...

Don't fall off your chairs, but I had a sudden thought today about one of the most difficult people on my Christmas list - my "has everything" sister in law. It hit me like a blinding flash, and already I feel like there is less on my mind. This year, she is getting a beautiful cardmaking set, with everything in it to create at least 12 cards, with the ideas and stamps to create any number more - a Stampin' Up! "Simply Sent" card kit. I have selected the very elegant "Remembering You" set, but there is one of these versatile sets for every occasion. Check the online catalogue near the front for sets to choose from and codes, and contact me to place your order!

As a special bonus, if you order any of the Simply Sent kits through me, before December 25th 2007, you will receive an additional pack of assorted Stampin' Up! ribbon lengths and a sample of HodgePodge Hardware pieces, to help you create even more beautiful cards.

Heartfelt Thanks

This one is the actual first of the cards I made with my starter kit, and my very first attempt at 2 step stampin' - WITHOUT the benefit of a Stamp a ma jig! A very useful gadget that I qucikly added to the essential purchase list!! It uses Always Artichoke, Rose Red and Very Vanilla Cardstocks, Rose Red and Bravo Burgundy Ink and the Heartfelt Thanks stamp set. The fibre scrap is attached with an Antique Copper D ring hanger and brad. I almost forgot, the background is stamped with the speckled stamp from the Itty Bitty Backgrounds set.

Hmmmmm

Well, that might have been because I was trying to add a small watermark to a simply enormous image, instead of to the resized web version, which will teach me to go to the right folder if nothing else!! Lets try again shall we!

This is the second card I made with my brand-new starter kit, and features flowers from the Heartfelt Thanks set and the "thinking of you" greeting from the Greetings Galore set. I made a scalloped edge with the small corner rounder punch. I then added a strip of Very Vanilla cardstock stamped with the "Watercolor Joy" to the inside of the card to highlight the scallop. " Ink is "Night of Navy", cardstock is "Night of Navy" and "Very Vanilla" The scrap of fibre is attached with an Aged Copper Hodgepodge brad, and the Thinking of you label is punched with the large oval punch.

Well, maybe not so much...

LOL, I just tried to repeat what DH did this afternoon on my own, and place the watermark on a new photo.... Well, I can get it there, but it's gone all pixellated like it is too small... Back to the drawing board for me! Just as well I am better at papercrafts than new fangled graphics programs...

Progress has been made....

Yesterday I got stuck into this blog, and changed it from empty default to something I hope you'll agree looks a lot better!!

I also (with a little help from DH) muddled my way through making a watermark for my stamping artwork photographs, so I am going to test out the first one here. These are the very first make and takes I designed for my very first workshop held last Saturday. Let me know what you think :)

How to order....

Eventually I will find a moment to add some sidebars and fancy schmancy stuff to both this blog and my website under construction, but for now here are the details you will need if you would like to place an order through me for Stampin' Up! ® products.

I can be contacted by phone on (02) 9484 9447 and mobile 040 3175790
My email address is michelle.dyson@bigpond.com
My web addy is www.michelledyson.com.au (but it's a bit empty right now LOL!)
Visit the Online catalogue at :
http://catalogs.shoplocal.com/stampinup/index.aspx?pagename=shopmain&storeid=1039381
and contact me with your wishlist! I can arrange to have your order delivered to your door!

The Stampin' Up! ® Idea book and catalogue is a fabulous resource for inspiration and card design. It is a high quality glossy softcover book, 160pages, much better value than a single stamping magazine (and no ads!). You can order one through me for $10 plus postage, or free with an order of $100 or more.

have a great day everyone!

Oh what FUN!

My starter kit arrived the day before I left for my holidays, so I packed it all to take! I have mounted all my stamps, and have made a few cards already - guess I better get cracking on making a watermark etc so I can display my creations. I am amazed at the constant source of inspiration available from the training materials, demonstrator section of the website, and the Idea Book and Catalogue - so many ideas, so little time! I am also busy planning my first two workshops - which feels both exciting and scary at the same time!

I'm so excited!

Well, I've done it! My paper work has been mailed in, my ABN received, and now I am waiting for everything to be processed so I can become a Real Life Stampin' Up! demonstrator! I have been dreaming about the catalogue and the various stamp sets I could select for my starter kit - one night it had me awake pondering combinations for hours!

I knew after only a few minutes browsing the gorgeous Idea Book and Catalogue for the first time that this was something I would simply LOVE to do. I have always been a stationery geek, since I was a little girl, and have been making cards for years. More recently I got into scrapbooking, after the birth of my second child. But, those stamps and embossing powders have always gotten a workout on my pages, so I guess this is a natural progression. Or maybe it's a regression??!!

I work part time for an online scrapbooking shop, so I am constantly exposed to great new products, but the Stampin' Up! range impressed me outright with it's quality and the amount of thought put into the colour family system and more. No more trying to pick out a few stamps to work together from the many I have collected over the years - simply pick a set and go! The majority of the products are very well priced compared with similar items on the market, and the quality is second to none.

I recently attended my first ever Stampin' Up! workshop (Thanks Linda!) and learned quite a bit over a few hours, new techniques, got to play with lots more products IRL and more. I have a natural teaching bent, so I can't wait to start spreading my enthusiasm for this great hobby and great range of products as well.

enough rambling for now - stay tuned for details about how to order, arrange a workshop, host a catalogue party and more...