Razzle Dazzle, Rock n Roll in a Mini Pizza Box

Here is one of the Make n Takes we made at our recent Summer Mini Launch. It uses the yummy Razzle Dazzle set, and it seems strange to see it in colours other than the current US In Colors, Razzleberry, Crushed Curry etc. But, I think it looks pretty good in Kraft and Riding Hood Red!

Here's how to make the Mini Pizza box:

1. Trim an A4 sheet of cardstock down to 6 x 11", or a 12x12 sheet down to two 6 x 11" pieces

2. Make vertical score lines down each of the long sides, at 1" in from the edges.

3. Rotate the cardstock 90 degrees and score at 1", 5", 6" and 10" in from the left short edge, you will now be able to see how the box is formed, with the folded hinge in the centre

4. Make short cuts along the horizontal score lines along both long edges, just in to the vertical 1" score lines (4 cuts per long side). At the centre spine, fold the flaps into the centre and glue down

5. Decorate the outside of the box now if you wish

6. Bend along the score lines to form the box, and use Sticky Strip on the end flaps to secure the corners. You can use ribbon across the top of the box or secured along the back hinge to hold the box neatly closed.

For the stamped panels on the lid, I used the wonderful Circle Scissor to cut a 2 3/4 circle from Whisper White and a 3" circle from Riding Hood Red. I inked up the large flower image from Razzle Dazzle with Sahara Sand ink and then used the Rock n Roll technique to add a 'halo' of Riding Hood Red ink around the edges. You can also use a sponge dauber to apply red ink if you don't like your wood blocks to look well used! I sponged around the edges of the RHR circle and mounted them together. I stamped the sentiment "It's good to dream" in Riding Hood red and punched it out with the Word Window punch. A second RHR Word Window is mounted offset it behind. To finish, a bow of Real Red Polka dot ribbon has been attached with a mini glue dot.

Now, what to put inside this little box?? Well, it would have to be a pretty special pizza, or you'd need lots of these little boxes to satisfy you. I have suggested on a number of occasions that it would be the perfect size for a gold pandora bracelet packed with gold charms, but that one has fallen on deaf ears as well. You could pack it with choccies, or make some notelets. Versatile and easy, why not have a go at making one yourself? Let me know if you need more instructions, and I might remember to make one with the camera nearby...

Check out the FREE stamp sets you can earn! SAB starts today!

It starts today!! Hot on the heels of the fabulous Inventory Clearance Sale, Stampin' Up! are continuing the New Year Cheer with their wonderful Sale-a-bration promotion. Free. Stamp. Sets. Cool hey!

You can check out the SAB catalogue by clicking on the banner image above, to view the four sets on offer. I like all the sets this year, they each have their own appeal, and cover a wide variety of styles and taste, so there's sure to be a favourite for you in there.

I have been able to play with the Vintage Labels set (a demonstrator perk is getting preorder opportunities) Vintage Labels co-ordinates perfectly with the Curly Label, Scallop Circle and Wide Oval punches, and has a versatile set of greetings to stamp in the centres of the label stamps. Gorgeous! You can see a card I have made with this set above. I am looking forward to creating with all the other sets too - want to join me? There are bookings available for in-home workshops during Sale-a-bration, why not host and enjoy the extra benefits? Contact me to arrange your date!

Some Creative Output and Sale-a-bration is almost here...

Here it is, the sum total creative output from my beach week holiday. I was quite pleased, considering the endless trips to the beach and refereeing of various child arguments on a per-hour basis. I was concentrating on using sets from the current Summer Mini, so those were the only ones I took away with me, other than the 'Best Yet" exclusive Hostess set and the "Sanded" and "Polka Dot" Backgrounds. Stay tuned for closeups and more detailed descriptions soon...

Oh! Sunday 24th is the totally LAST day to order from the Inventory Clearance Sale, and then we will be full tilt into Sale-a-bration!!

In case you're not familiar with SAB, my most favourite time of the Stampin' Up! year, here's a rundown about how it all works:

When?: It's an extra long SAB this year, running from Monday January 25th until Wednesday March 31st so there's plenty of time to earn the four free sets on offer.

How?:

* Spend - Get your wishlist out and spend $100 and earn one FREE Sale-a-bration set of your choice. There's no limit, so if you've a big wishlist, you can earn all four!

* Host - on top of our already great hostess benefits, hostesses receive an extra free SAB stamp set when your workshops reaches $600 in sales.

* Join - Become a part of my lovely team, StampInkPaper Inc during SAB, and on top of the fabulous discount on the Starter Kit, you can choose ANY set to the value of $79.95 free!

Contact me now to arrange YOUR Sale-a-bration and let's get this party started!

Last few days... Inventory Clearance Sale Closing Sunday 24th January

Click on the image above and browse the PDF flyer listing the items available in the Inventory Clearance Sale. Three items have sold out, but there are still lots of great sets and accessories, many half price! I will be placing further orders for these items, which can be sent directly to you anywhere in Australia for $5.95* Don't wait too long though, the sale ends on Sunday 24th January after which prices will revert to normal catalogue prices.

How do you place an order?

* Call me on (02) 9484 9447 or 0403 175790 and I can take your order and credit card payment over the phone or

* Email me at michelle.dyson@bigpond.com with your list and contact details

No catalogue? No problem! Simply click on the images at the right to be taken to the online versions of the current catalogues

Get your diaries out - Stampin' Crop Dates are done!

This year, as part of my resolution to plan ahead, I have scheduled my monthly Stampin' Crop days for January through to July 2010.

Saturday January 30th


Saturday February 20th


Saturday March 20th


Saturday April 17th


Saturday May 15th


Saturday June 19th


Saturday July 17th

So, pretty much we have them listed for the 3rd Saturday of the month.

When: 10am - 5pm Come for the whole day, or for a few hours when you can.


Where: Cherrybrook, North Western Sydney. Location provided on booking.


What it's about: These days are a social occasion to gather with fellow crafters, and catch up on whatever projects are important to you - stamping, scrapbooking, quilling, cross-stitch, whatever! I provide the use of all my stamps and tools, as well as an inspiration table with card samples and magazines. I also provide casual instruction in techniques, and demonstrate a couple of techniques or ideas.


What is provided?: Use of my extensive stamp and tool collection. Casual instruction. Tea, coffee, table nibbles and light refreshments.


What to bring: Your projects to work on, basic papercrafting tools such as trimmer, scorer, bone folder and adhesives. Bring your lunch with you, or there is a cafe and bakery a few minutes walk away.


Cost: $15.00 for the day.

How to book: Call me on 9484 9447 or 0403 175 790 to reserve your place. Early booking is recommended, as places are limited. Looking forward to seeing you, beginners are welcome!

I've also shown a card above that I made recently for a new baby girl arrival. It uses some colours that are not often featured in my cards, but it is nice to break away from the favourites sometimes! I started choosing colours with the Summer Mini paper range 'kaleidescope' in mind, hence the Apricot Appeal, Pixie Pink, Pink Passion and Pretty in Pink scheme. The stamp set is the gorgeous "Crazy for Cupcakes" and the sentiment is from "Short and Sweet". I used blender pen and watercolor pencils to colour the image. Dressing up touches come from some halfback pearls from the Pretties Kit and some lovely eyelet lace ribbon from the "Dress Up" ribbon originals pack and the eyelet border punch. I think I'm doing OK with my other resolution of "just USE it!" too! Kids are nagging to get in the pool now, might be back later if I get to take some photos!!

We're BAAAACCCKK!

Kim and I are back from a week in Bawley Point, and after a jam packed weekend are ready to go with bloggings again. Thanks very much to everyone who was able to come to our Summer Mini Catalogue Launch yesterday, we hope you enjoyed seeing many of the products in use! I'll be posting pictures of the Make and Take projects we offered soon .

For now, here's a project I made for a Secret Santa. Underneath is a tin that I saved from a china mug I bought, and was nice and easy to decorate with flat smooth sides. The papers are the delectable Bella Rose Designer Series. I used the wonderful Circle Scissor to cut the layers for the top of the tin (after demo'ing a number of times yesterday I can confidently say I am now a Circle Scissor expert!!!) using Riding Hood Red and Pink Pirouette cardstock to match the paper. It's so easy to pull a project together like this when everything matches so nicely - it's a simple matter of choosing a paper design you like, a couple of the matching cardstocks, some matching ribbon and stamp using matching ink colours! And with things like the Pretties Kit flowers, used here in the hat pin, which can be coloured with reinkers to match any colour you like, you have an ideal finishing touch to match. I have also used the Eyelet Border punch to decorate the strips on the tin base. The stamps are from the "Dreams du Jour" set, and I watercoloured them using a blender pen and inkpad puddle. I added some layered flowers to the central motif, and glazed them with Crystal Effects. It did blur the ink a little, but I decided I liked the soft effect and left it that way. I hope my recipient Angie finds it useful as a keeping tin for bits and bobs.

Hi from a clifftop on the NSW South Coast!

Kim and I are enjoying a beach holiday with our families near Bawley Point, south of Ulladulla on the NSW South Coast. We have no phone coverage, and are currently perched on a clifftop where there is some wireless internet coverage! Ah, the wonders of modern technology! Then picture above shows the famous beach dwelling kangaroos at Pebbly Beach - we only saw one, not on the sand, but it was a pretty spot nonetheless.

We're off to the beach soon, just wanted to say HI, and remind you of our Summer Mini Catalogue Launch Party this SUNDAY 17th January, 2pm-5pm. Leave a message on (02) 9484 9447 or 0403 175 790 if you'd like to RSVP. Cost is $5 per person and includes your copy of the catalogue, light refreshments, make and takes, demonstrations and the chance to win prizes!

We've both been busy creating with the goodies in this catalogue, so promise to have lots to show you when we return!

And now for something COMPLETELY different!!

Here's a bit of an oddball post, and it has nothing at all to do with stamping! I was shopping last week with the kids and we happened to see some fluffy pencil cases. As it is the beginning of kindergarten in just 2o something days for Lillian, she naturally wanted one. As did Ciaran, who has most definitely inherited his mother's love of all things stationery! Hmm, says I, looking at the hefty price tag and the rather ordinary quality.

Spotlight happened to be just across the road, and I promised them I would sew them each a furry pencil case. Off we trooped, and found a dazzling selection of fake fur. I was thinking that Miss Lillian would definitely go for pink, and she surprised me by deciding on a steely grey that she named "Bentley" - he's our pretty British Blue cat. Having named the colour, she then decided, naturally, that the pencil case should look like a cat. Hmm. OK, well, we'll buy some pink too. Ciaran is my Mr Orange, always has been, so I thought that would be his choice. Wrong AGAIN - he chooses Leopard Print!

I made them in an evening, and they were quite fun. I lined them with some mid-weight denim, and made them with open end zippers (which makes assembling them easier as the zipper seams are enclosed to make them open smoothly) I like this style of pencil case with the sipper down the middle because it sits nicely on the desk without spilling the contents.

Lillian's has a pink 'tongue', and they both have a tie of ribbon to make opening the zip easier.

At least I know that amongst a host of smiggle/barbie/dora/smash pencil cases, they will both have something pretty unique. I made a couple of smaller zipped purse pouches with the excess width of the fabric, so they have a matching pouch for their lunch money too. Cool hey!

Snow Swirled, Dazzling Diamonds and Pretty colours too!

Here is a very special Christmas card, one that I made for my Secret Santa recipients (just one of the nice things about belonging to a friendly team of demonstrators). I made two of them the same in colours they both liked, a nice co-incidence, hence the non-traditional Christmas colours. It was also an excuse to go all out and make a really pretty card, hence the frills and glitter! It was a lot of fun too :)

The card base is Pink Pirouette, and I have stamped the snowflake images in Pretty in Pink ink, also sponging the edges for definition.

The next layer is a extended mat of Baja Breeze that I have used the Eyelet Border punch on one edge, and I have used the sponge again, with Baja Breeze ink this time.

A narrow mat of Chocolate Chip comes next, just around the white stamped panel. On the Whisper White I have stamped the gorgeous swirly tree from the "Snow Swirled" set in Baja Breeze ink. I also stamped a number of the small snowflake, in Baja Breeze, Pretty in Pink and Chocolate Chip, and cut them out with my trusty paper snips. I decorated the tree with a tinsel garland, by swiping some 2way Glue pen along the swirls, and sprinkling with Dazzling Diamonds glitter. I added a bit to the cutout snowflakes as well. I popped up the snowflakes over the tree using Stampin' Dimensionals, and placed an "Ice" rhinestone brad on the top as the star.

The ribbon ruffle is a trick we learned at the recent Regional Training day. Start with a strip of the super-dooper double sided "Sticky Strip" tape, and begin at one end with a length of ribbon. Remember the pleating takes up some length, so it's a good idea not to cut the roll end off until you're nearly done pleating your way across. Rub the liner tape firmly with your fingertip to warm up the adhesive first, because it is heat activated. Pretty hey! To finish, I stamped the Season's Greeting from the Snow Swirled set in Chocolate Chip on the bottom of the extended mat. Noice! My giftees liked it, hope you do too!

Happy New Year!

We're here, it's now Twenty Ten! Two Thousand and Nine was a pretty shabby year for a great many people I know, so I think it's time for a change, and sweep in the positive vibes for a fresh new decade full of good stuff!

Thanks very much to all those who visit my blog, especially my 'regulars' and anyone who cares to leave a comment. I wish you and your families a peaceful, happy and prosperous year ahead, with lots of time for nurturing your creative side. I have lots and lots of ideas buzzing around my head. As my daughter heads off to BIG SCHOOL in just 27 DAYS(!!), I am hoping that I might manage to get a lot more of them OUT of my head and ONTO paper and cardstock.

Now, what on EARTH is that photo I've put here?? On New Year's Eve we celebrated with Kim and her family, and the Glow Band bracelets were a big hit. Having tried and failed to get a reasonable pic with everyone sitting super still in the dark, I thought I'd go with the flow and get everyone to wave them about instead. Ta da!