Goooooooood Morrrrnnnnnrning SUNSHINE!

The title reference to this post is a little bit obscure, but those of you who are fans of the Robin Williams film Good Morning Vietnam will probably get it! Anyway, there ain't no sunshine in Sydney today, it's bucketing down right now (in time for me to meet the school bus of course!)

As promised, I'm back with a couple more sneak peeks from my Launch night... Featuring a gorgeously retro paper pack called "Good Morning Sunshine" I had fun making this page, of a sepia toned print of my daughter, aged 11 months. The "Good Friend" stamp set features here, and goes nicely with the paper style. This set has a cute bird with separate legs and beak, so you can play around with the construction using your Stamp-a-ma-jig, and also a two-step stamping stylised dandelion. The colours in this paper pack are chocolate chip, summer sun, and the two In Colors Pacific Point and Kiwi Kiss. I've used some other designs to cover some notebooks and pencils for goody bag recipients. What do you think?

The LAST MINUTE is..... NOW!

Today is absolutely the LAST day to order from the 2008-2009 Idea Book and Catalogue. I will be placing my final order just after 9pm this evening, let me know before then if you have any last minute requirements.

Things to remember:

*Many retired items are reduced by 25%, including most Designer Series Papers, down to a crazy $8.96! Look for the *asterisk* on the Retirement List

*Ink pads and refills will be priced a little higher from tomorrow, still great value, but why not save a little and order today!

* The Summer Mini and the Bushfire Appeal promotion also end today!

I hope to show some sneak peeks of the goody bag contents for my launch later today... Not a great day for photos in Sydney today, but the garden is sure enjoying the rain!

Invitations for a very special Birthday Party

Well, it IS a special party for Miss Lillian, who turns 4 in a couple of weeks. It will be the first party that she will be inviting guests of her own to, and she has quite a list from daycare, along with a few other friends ("for Ciaran to play with" - of course...)

I made these mostly yesterday at my first Stampin Crop day, it was nice to break out some stamps other than Stampin Up, although I have used those here too. The lovely pink flourish on the Confetti White is a Hero Arts Design block stamp called Flourish. Finally other companies got how much we love our SU background stamps that cover a whole card, and I couldn't resist this one (and a couple of others!) at a recent Papercrafts show. Especially after the imminent loss of some of my very favourite SU background stamps, SOB! I also added a heart shaped polymer clay piece I picked up at a clearance shop for a 3D finishing touch. They are millfiore or something like that, incredibly complex designs!! The cardstock colours are Pretty in Pink, Rose Red, Confetti White, and the stamps are Polka Dot background and the heart from Priceless. I've used the scallop circle and some pretty in pink grosgrain ribbon to finish, along with greetings from the Cheers and Wishes stamp set. They are pink, which is all that matters to her. Well, actually I AM surprised that she didn't protest about the lack of "My Little Pony" stamps on there - that might come later I suspect!!

Stampin Crop fun THIS SATURDAY!

Come along any time between 10am and 5pm to work on whatever craft projects are calling you. I will have my extensive collection of stamps, papercrafting and other tools available for your use, including a Cuttlebug and sewing machine. The cost is $10, and includes tool and stamp use, tea, coffee, light snacks and a make n take or two. I'll be holding these days on the 4th Saturday of each month, and I'm aiming for a fun, regular social gathering, where you can meet and craft with like-minded people. There are places available for the *inaugural* event THIS SATURDAY 28th March, so if you can squeeze a few hours of relaxation into your Saturday, give me a call on 9484 9447 to book a spot. It will be held at my home in Cherrybrook. It will also be an opportunity to purchase some of my retired stamp sets, as I'm making room in my collection for the wonderful new goodies arriving April 1st!
See you then!

New Stampin' Up! 2009-10 Catalogue about to Launch!

I have my pre-ordered goodies on hand, and my stack of catalogues ready to show to my guests at my Launch Party, Saturday 4th April (more details below!). I've been busy creating with the gorgeous new In Colors, and new stamp sets. The picture above gives you a sneak peek, and I'll showcase each card in more detail over the coming weeks. There will be a prize of 6x6 designer series paper sheets and some ribbon samples for the person who invents the best story about how the bright Tangerine Tango card at the back left came into being... The less eye-catching version is on the right hand side...
I hope you like what you see, this is but a tiny sample of the wonders inside, with some fabulous treats for all tastes in stamping and scrapping! Can't wait to show you, so book now for Launch Night!

TEN NINE EIGHT SEVEN SIX FIVE FOUR THREE TWO ONE.....GONE!

Yep, there are only 10 days left for the 2008-2009 Idea Book & Catalogue, the Bushfire Appeal Promotion, the Summer Mini AND the Retirement List !! That's enough links to keep you going for a while I think!
Things to note:

The following sets from the Summer Mini have not managed to score a spot in the new catalogue, and will be UNAVAILABLE from March 31st

Live your Dreams $55.95 114261 (sob!)

Friendly Flowers $41.95 114261

Lots of Dots Jumbo Wheel $15.95 112414

Time for You $33.95 114279

Perfect Fit standard wheel $11.95 111251

Big on Spring $35.95 114277

In the Stars $51.95 114271 (even bigger sob!)

Love Owl Ways $35.95 114265

For Father $47.95 114281


PLEASE, if you have been thinking of getting any of these sets, contact me to place your order, there are a few shocks in there, some very popular and versatile sets.

Also, Classic Ink Pads will be increasing in price from $9.95 to $11.95 in the new Catalogue. If you are building your collection, it might be worth ordering a few at the current price while you can. Refills will increase by $1 to $5.95 each.

Some very positive news, the Designer Series Paper price of $19.95 per pack given to use was a MISPRINT! Phew! The correct price is a very reasonable $16.95.

The Bushfire Appeal Promotion, which donates half the cost of 10 selected sets has raised a wonderful $51000 + for the Red Cross to date. There's no such thing as too much money for a cause like this, so have a browse of the sets on offer. There's still 10 days to go, let's see what we can do!!

Retirement List - there are still lots of items available, some at a 25% discount! Have a look through your wish list and the Retirement List and see what you can match up!

A wonderful time away!

Last week, Kim Tonnet and I (along with my husband) drove down to Port Lincoln on the Eyre Peninsula of South Australia, to attend a scrapbooking retreat organised by some long term internet friends. It seems pretty crazy to drive over 4700 km round trip to scrap and stamp with "strangers", but we'd do it again in a heartbeat! Both the journey there and back and the weekend retreat itself were a fantastic experience.

Thanks very much to all the girls who made us so welcome, we all had a great time. Here are a few photos of the trip, we drove via Cobar and Broken Hill on the way there, and Renmark and Gundagai on the way back, so we covered a large chunk of NSW and SA along the way. The variety of scenery (and the varying effects of the drought) were fascinating. The last time I headed west of Cobar, I was about 10 years old, and I still remember the emptyness and dust. This time though, there had been good rains recently, and the country was looking great! And the Murrumbidgee and Murray irrigation areas, normally lush and green, were dry and barren due to lack of rain and irrigation water allocation. It really makes you appreciate the hardships of agricultural life.
Between the SA border and Yunta, we experienced a huge storm and flash flooding, and the photo of the road and of us following hot on the heels of a Road Train truck show how much water there was! The last floodway crossing would have been impossible on our own as the water level was too high, but the truck created a brief 'bow wave' for us to drive in.

We saw many oversized things being transported, from large sheds to mining equipment, but this huge truck was my favourite. Other photos show the road house at Cockburn, on the SA/NSW border, and a stubble field on coastal Eyre Peninsula. Hope you enjoy looking at my holiday snaps!

It's here! It's here!! New Catalogue Goss

One of the best benefits of joining up as a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator is that we get access to the new catalogue early, and from this year we also get to pre-order stamps and accessories so we are ready to RUN on April 1st when the new SU year officially begins.

It's a very exciting time of the year for both demonstrators and customers, where we get to see all the wonderful new goodies replacing the retiring items.

My pre-ordered copies of the catalogue arrived in perfect timing for my return from an outback road trip to rural South Australia, and I have been delighted with what I have seen inside (insert NINJA/SPY smilie here!!) In the next couple of days I hope to get a picture up showing some of the cards I have made with new goodies, and a sneak peek at the new Catalogue

Have you registered to attend my New Catalogue Launch Party on Saturday 4th April? It will be held at my home in Cherrybrook, North Western Sydney. Cost is $10 per person, and includes pizza, nibbles, drinks, make and takes, a goodie bag and your very own copy of the 2009-2010 Idea Book and Catalogue, valued at $12.95 on it's own! There will be games and prizes, demonstrations and more, so grab a friend and book in for a fun time

When: Saturday 4th April 2009 4pm - 9pm Come for the whole time or drop in when you can. See a few posts below for more details... Looking forward to seeing you there!

A birthday card for another special friend

Here's a card I made for a very special person. She's my birthday twin as well as my talented team member, Ryn. Happy birthday to you!

I've used the Together Forever set, which has a gorgeous flower sprig stamp. I stamped this in Stazon ink, onto glossy white cardstock. Then I simply coloured in the image with my Stampin' Write marker pens. The nature of the smooth absorbent surface of the glossy white is an ideal surface for markers, and you can add layers of colour easily. It's also a very quick and foolproof method of colouring, so why not give it a try?

Then I cut out the coloured image with my fabulous paper snips, and mounted it with Stampin Dimensional foam dots onto some scallop and plain circle punches. The colours are Barely Banana, Certainly Celery and Not Quite Navy, and the background stamp is Polka Dot. I have also used a piece of Certainly Celery Designer Series paper, and my distressing tool from the cutter kit. The Happy Birthday greeting stamp is from It's Your Birthday (on the retiring list and now low in quantity!)

We'll see if she spots it on my blog before she receives it in person!!??

Retirement List - Update on stock levels

Wow!! It has grown in the last day so much!!

Here is a list current as of this morning, 5th March: just click on the image above to see a larger version. As expected, wheels in particular are rushing out the door. Check those wish lists again!!

Stampin' Crop Days

Come along to my Stampin' Crop Days! Starting on Saturday 28th March, and continuing every 4th Saturday, these will be a casual event, where you can work on whatever crafty projects are calling you, be they stamping, scrapbooking, or anything else portable enough to bring along with you. Bring along a friend, or get to know a friendly group of papercrafters. While catalogues will be available to browse, the purpose of these days is primarily to relax and enjoy some crafting time with good company. There will be technique demonstrations, casual instruction and lots of inspiration on hand!

When: Saturday 28th March 10am -5pm, stay for an hour or 2 or all day!

Where: My home in Cherrybrook, location details provided on booking.

Cost: $10.00 per person, includes light snacks, tea, coffee, use of my stamps and tools and a make 'n take or two.

Bookings: Please book early on 9484 9447 or email michelle.dyson@bigpond.com to reserve your place, and mark your diaries! RSVP during the week prior to each crop would be very much appreciated.

Upcoming dates for your diary:
Saturday 25th April
Saturday 23rd May
Saturday 27th June

New Catalogue Launch! Saturday 4th April

Join me for an evening of fun when I unveil the new Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalogue for 2009-10! It promises to hold heaps of brand-new goodies, since the retirement list just announced has made lots of space for exciting new stamps and accessories. There will be make 'n takes, samples, prizes, games, and a supper of pizza and champagne to celebrate in stampin' style!

When: Saturday 4th April 2009 4pm - 9pm Come for the whole time or drop in when you can.

Where: At my home in Cherrybrook, North West Sydney (book for address details)

Cost: $10.00, payable on booking. Includes your very own copy of the New Idea Book and Catalogue valued at $12.95, pizza and champagne supper, make 'n takes , goodie bag and more!

Call me on 9484 9447 or email on michelle.dyson@bigpond.com to reserve your place and copy of the catalogue. Payment appreciated at time of booking by direct deposit ($10) or credit card ($11) RSVP by Thursday 2nd April please, to help me plan catering and goodie bags. Bring along a friend new to Stampin' Up for an extra gift for both of you!

Get those Wish Lists out and check them TWICE, Retirement list is HERE!

Yes, it's that time of the year again!
The new Stampin' Up! year begins April 1st, with the release of the new 2009-2010 Idea Book and Catalogue. And, to make room for all the wonderful new stamps and accessories, there is a HUGE list of things that are on their way out. Including some of my favourites :( Paisley background! Sob! Linen background Oh No!, Everyday Flexible Phrases! Surely Not!

And, for the first time, many of the retiring sets and some accessories are discounted by a generous 25%!

Now, in the past, things have flown off the shelves as soon as this list is announced, as once these items have sold out, there will be no backorders - they are gone for good. So, please don't delay, phone or email me with your orders ASAP and I will submit each day for the best chance of securing supplies while they last.

Of special mention are:

Designer Series Double Sided paper packs - were $11.95, most are now reduced to a crazy $8.96! And, if you like the patterns and love to scrap, stock up BIG, because, as expected, there is a price rise to $19.50 per pack of 12 sheets from 1st April. No jokes there.

In Color Ink pads - Can you live without Purely Pomegranate, Wild Wasabi, River Rock, Soft Sky, Groovy Guava and Bayou Blue? For a teeny tiny $7.46, they can be yours forever! Beeeee quick! Many of the gorgeous double stitched In Color ribbons are also reduced by 25%

Pewter Hodgepodge Hardware - Usually a big ticket item at $52.95, grab a bargain at just $39.71

Simply Sent Kits - Perfect as a gift, and even more irresistable at 25% off, starting at just $59.96 These kits contain EVERYTHING needed to complete up to 14 cards, stamps, inks, pre-cut cardstock, adhesive and embellishments.

There are also more bargains to be had, so check out the PDFs here: Alphabetical and By Catalogue Page number

Some items are already SOLD OUT on day one of the promotion, so I plead again, DON'T DELAY! I'm standing by to take your orders however you can get them to me - I'm notorious for not having my mobile phone handy, but rest assured it's charged and ready on 0403 175790

Here is a list of SOLD OUT items, I'll endeavour to keep it updated as further items are added:

Last updated: March 2nd, 2009 1:50pm AEDT

Stamp Sets:

108748 Best Friend Numbers

Wheels:

107565 Flip Flops
107212 Matey's Map
103195 Gifts Galore
107561 Garden Annuals
104279 Leaf Prints

In Color items:

109019 Groovy Guava Classic Stampin' Ink Refill
109017 Purely Pomegranate Classic Stampin' Ink Refill
109016 River Rock Classic Stampin' Ink Refill
109015 Soft Sky Classic Stampin' Ink Refill
109020 Wild Wasabi Classic Stampin' Ink Refill

Brads and Eyelets:

105320 Basic Eyelets
100381 Earth Elements Eyelets
100378 Soft Subtle Eyelets

Other items:

109610 Confetti Simply Scrappin kit

Other tidbits:

Not retiring, but worth stocking up on if you are building a collection, there will be a price rise of $2.00 per Classic Inkpad to $11.95. Re-inkers will rise by $1.00 to $5.95 Still great value, but between now and 31st March you can purchase them at the current prices. Do you need any further excuse to dig out your catalogue and pore over the lists?? Need a copy? I have some to lend out, just give me a call. If you're not local, you can browse the online catalogue HERE