The RETIRED list is out!

The RETIRING list of stamp sets and accessories is now available on the Stampin' Up! home page for everyone to see. Please phone or email your order through NOW to avoid missing out on retiring products - items are going from BLACK to RED in a single day! I will continue to update the list with stock levels daily here for your convenience.

I am offering All RETIRING products at a 10% discount on the catalogue price, so make sure you check the retiring list against your wishlist so you don't miss out on some of the great sets we are losing!

- list deleted to save blogspace - Contact me if you would like a copy of the retired list emailed to you

More than cards...

I love to make 3D objects such as gift boxes and the like - it's especially easy with the huge variety of templates available. This 'cake slice' box is one of the templates provided to demonstrators by Stampin' Up! , similar templates are available to the public on papercrafting blogs and websites. Very straightforward, and easy to embellish for a variety of purposes.

This one is made from Chocolate Chip cardstock, and has a band of ivory organza ribbon as the 'cream layer' The box is assembled with my favourite adhesive for 3D constructions - Sticky Strip double sided tape. Super strong and sticky, yet easy to work with.

The 'cream rosette' on the top was made with a round 1 1/4" circle punched from Very Vanilla cardstock, topped with several layers of square 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" square Very Vanilla pieces arranged in an offset pattern to form little points. The layers are joined with mini glue dots, and the points of the squares were gently bent upwards to create a 3D shape.

The top with the ribbon bow is made from a 1" circle punched from Very Vanilla, and the double rectangle punch was used on this to create a faux bow in ivory organza ribbon.

To finish, sentiments from the Sale-a-bration set "Lots of Thoughts" were stamped in Chocolate Chip ink and punched out with the 1 1/4" circle.

Done! It was the perfect size to fill with a friend's favourite sweets as a little thankyou for a favour she did for me last week. Thanks Kim! You could also make a whole pile of these to assemble into a cake shape and use as party favours or goodie parcels, or as a novel place card idea at your next dinner party

A Valentine's Day Selection

I hope everyone was spoiled this Valentine's Day! Unfortunately my DH didn't get around to making me a card, and said he doesn't like to buy them as they are so expensive now, especially when I have a room full of cardmaking and scrapping supplies (insert rolling eyes smiley ) I guess he's been listening to me a bit too closely!!!

Anyway, I have a few here that I have made myself, variations on a theme for the card we made at teh recent fundraising workshop held for Cherrybrook Nursery and Preschool. Orders are being finalised now and the centre director is having fun selecting a range of free merchandise from the catalogue, along with several sale-a-bration sets and a hostess set! Everyone had a great time!

I'm looking forward to holding the first of my Beginner's Cardmaking classes next Saturday. You will receive a set of notes and make 3 projects to take away with you, highlighting the techniques learned on the day. Cost is $10.00 and there are still a few places available in both the morning 10am-12noon and evening 8-10pm classes. RSVP ASAP to book a spot!

Sale-a-bration is nearly over!

Sale-a-bration ends on February 29th, so be quick to get your orders in to qualify for one of the four great free sets on offer. Simply place an order of $100 (excluding postage/handling) and select from Birthday Whimsy, Merci, Lots of thoughts or Friendship Blooms. The sets can be viewed online at http://www.stampinup.com - just click on the link on the front page. There is no limit, so if you would like all four sets, simply spend $400!

Also, it's not too late if you have been thinking about signing up to become a Stampin' Up! demonstrator. There are two promotions running at the moment which make it the best time EVER to join this great company. You can receive your already heavily discounted Starter Kit at an additional 10% off, and because of Sale-a-bration, you can add any stamp set of your choice FREE - in total you will receive $664.95 worth of product for only $291.60 - and there is no postage and handling charge on Starter Kits. You can also customise many of the Starter Kit contents. Be quick, contact me today for application and order forms, or to make further enquiries about this fantastic opportunity. Forms need to be at Stampin' Up Head Office by February 28th, so don't delay!

Beginners Cardmaking Classes

I know there are alot of people out there that love the idea of stamping their own cards, but are thinking it's just too hard to get started, or that it takes talent and time to achieve a pleasing result.

I am planning to run a series of Beginner Card Making Classes, the first of which will be run on SATURDAY 23rd FEBRUARY 2008, to be held at my home in Cherrybrook. There will be a morning class from 10am till noon and an evening class from 8pm till 10pm. Places are limited, so please email me ASAP if you'd like to book a seat. RSVP by THURSDAY 21st FEBRUARY at michelle.dyson@bigpond.com

COST: $10.00, redeemable against a purchase of $50 or more from the Stampin' Up! catalogues. Don't forget it's Sale-a-bration time, so the timing is perfect to set yourself up with basic stamping supplies and earn free stamp sets as well!

You will learn the basics of cardmaking, from sizing to design elements, and several simple techniques for creating a stylish effect.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions you might have. I'm really looking forward to sharing what I love!