Pretty and Bright!

Here is a card made by one of my friends, Col from Sunny Queensland. She has made a wonderfully bright card (something that I don't do well, must file this away for inspiration!) Col has used her Cuttlebug embossing folders, Nestabilities Scallops, Bold Brights colours and the Pretty Princess stamp set, along with some double stitched ribbon and Scallop border punch. Well done Col, it's gorgeous, and I'm sure the recipient was tickled Pink Passion, Tempting Turquoise and Yoyo Yellow!

Do you have a card you'd like to show off? Simply send me an image to michelle.dyson@bigpond.com.au and I'll post my favourites. A brief description of techniques used would be great too, to share the inspiration!

Time to Stock Up!

It's time to stock up on our beautiful Designer Series Paper ranges!

Why?

*Because we are nearing the end of our current catalogue, and it is likely some patterns will disappear forever on 1st April, or at least in their current colourway

*Because they are great quality, heavy weight, double sided papers, with a multitude of uses on cards, scrap pages, Off The Page items and more

*Because they co-ordinate beautifully with our cardstock ranges, making for quick and trouble free colour selection

*Because it's Sale-a-bration time, where each order of $100 earns you a choice of four free stamp sets

*And, because they are fantastic value at just $11.95# for 12 double sided sheets, 2 each of 6 designs (# + 5% p/h)

However, this price won't be around for much longer! You may remember that Stampin' Up! generously honoured the $11.95 price printed in error in the 2008-09 Idea Book & Catalogue, these paper packs were $16.95 the previous year. While I'm sure they would love to keep it at the current cost, the sharp devaluation in the Australian dollar makes it a very slim chance indeed. The same deal applies to the gorgeous Bali Breeze, Afternoon Tea and Ginger Blossom designs in the Summer Mini catalogue.

So! Place your order with me today, to make sure you have your supplies on hand before the Retiring List rush.
As a bonus, each order placed with me during February containing Designer Series Papers will receive a free laminated guide to the co-ordinating colours for each range.

Where to find the paper patterns? Simply check pages 134-136 in the Idea Book and Catalogue , there's something for every taste from bright and preppy to soft and pretty, modern and classic. How to order? Call me on (02) 9484 9447, or send me your list and contact details by email to michelle.dyson@bigpond.com.au and I'll be happy to help you with your selections.

Have a wonderful weekend everybody! For those of us in NSW, stay cool with up to 47 degrees C (that's 116.6degF for my visitors from the USA) forecast for outer Western Sydney. Spare a thought though for the far west of NSW, where these temperatures are more common - they must be anticipating even more ridiculously high temperatures!

Groovy Afternoon Tea with Chocolate - Calendar

Yes, I know it is February (ALREADY!!!), but I forgot to tear off the little page for January before taking the photo. At the rate I am working, you will be seeing calendar ideas every month! Anyway, this one was inspired by a design in the pretty Afternoon Tea Designer Series Papers - available in the Summer Mini catalogue until only 31st March - get them before they're gone! This paper series co-ordinates beautifully with the 2008-2009 In Colours of Groovy Guava, Wild Wasabi, Soft Sky, as well as Whisper White and Chocolate Chip, so don't forget to stock up on the cardstock as well. This paper also co-ordinates perfectly with the versatile "Live Your Dreams" stamp set, also from the Summer Mini. It's a great set for scrappers and card-makers alike, with several versatile elements - I do love the little birdy, and the journalling dot block (behind the calendar in this example) is great!
Here's how it was done:
*I stamped the flower stamp in Chocolate Chip over a Close to Cocoa card base, concentrating on getting plenty of image on the outer edge which would be showing.
*I distressed the edges of a piece of Afternoon Tea paper, and inked them, before attaching to the base.
*Next I stamped the journal block stamp on a small piece of Groovy Guava to back the calendar, then mounted this again on Chocolate Chip.
*I stamped off the large floral stem stamp in Close to Cocoa over a larger piece of Groovy Guava, again distressing and inking the edges
*I stamped the bird and butterfly in Chocolate Chip ink, and then overstamped with Versamark using my SAMJ, and embossed with clear powder to give a 3D shiny look.
*To finish I stuck down the pieces, and added some white half pearls from the Pretties Kit and a piece of wide chocolate grosgrain. On the back I put magnetic strip tape, so it can go onto the fridge of a loved one :)

Hope you like it! I hope to get a newsletter out today, so stay tuned (bit of cleaning and tidying must be done first - even with children back at school this house seems to deteriorate into a bomb site before my very eyes!!)