Wonderfully Versatile!

Here is my slight variation on a card created by Michelle Dawn, from Minnesota USA. I saw this gorgeously cute card amongst the creations submitted to Shelli Gardner's blog Valentine Creative Challenge, and although it was not selected as a winner, it certainly made it into my CASE book!! Thanks so much for the inspiration Michelle!

We don't have some of the stamp sets and elements Michelle used, such as the diecuts and grass stamps (here's hoping the Big Shot exclusive SU dies come SOOOOON!!), so I improvised! First I used Nestabilities Labels 1 design to cut a vanilla and a pomegranate label in nesting sizes

Next I sponged some Wild Wasabi 'grass' and some Soft Sky 'sky', over a heart cutout as a mask. Then I inked up the stems of the flower stamp in the "Live your Dream" set from the Summer Mini - it was the closest thing I could think of to make grass, and I stamped this several times, stamping off to vary the colour intensity.

Now, Michelle has used Whisper White for her sheep, and that might be well and good in freezing North America - but our sheep here down under get decidedly dusty looking. So, I chose Confetti Cream, for genuine burrs and dirt splotches. The sheep is made from the following punches:

* Circle Scallop x 1

* 5 petal flower x 1 in black

* Flower Trio punch from "Three for You" punch box, but you could substitute another small flower from a blossom punch.

Next I inked the edges for the authentically grubby look, using Sahara Sand ink.

The 5 petal flower is cut into 3 petals and 2 petals, and small notches are cut into the 2 petal piece to create hooves. Then the sheep is assembled, and I used Stampin Dimensional foam dots to pop up sheep's hairdo. The final touch is a couple of eyes made with SU white gel pen.

Now, to the greeting???? I ummed and ahhed about stamping alphabet letters, stamping on the cream at the top left, but decided to use a completely different stamp set - "Wonderful Favourites" There is pretty much something for every occasion in this set, with a series of greetings and people label stamps that all go with either of the large "wonderful" and "favourite" stamps. As an aside, if you don't already own this set, don't delay!! I don't expect that it will retire, as it was new in the current catalogue, but it is one of the pricing errors honoured by Stampin' Up! for the year. In the US catalogue it sells for US $40.95, but here it is a teeny, tiny AUD $39.95!! "You do the math" as our American friends would say! It will almost certainly be listed in the new 2009-10 catalogue at the proper price, $58.95 would be my best guestimate. Don't miss out on a great bargain for a fabulous set! You've only got until March 31, so why not add it to your Bushfire Appeal order?

And, finally, you are not experiencing double vision, just one of my usual tricks to get the most out of my stamping time. It doesn't take much longer to make 2 cards of the same design rather than one, and it also reduces the amount of part-sheet cardstock lying on my desk! The colours are the same, simply line them up on the desk and stamp step by step in duplicate. Until the end that is, because this is a versatile design, that combined with the versatile "Wonderful Favourites" set (pssst, have you ordered it yet???) can create a card for lots of different occasions. The one on the left is a Valentine's card for my hubby, who can actually shear a sheep, so it is quite appropriate! The one on the right is for my newest "nephew" - although he probably wasn't figuring on me becoming his Aunty by default when he decided that he wanted to be cousins with my son and daughter. Happy Birthday Ashley!! I'll be waiting to see how long before he notices...

Off to bed with me, this one ended up quite long, so well done to you if you reached the end!!

Dig deep with Stampin' Up!

In support of the victims of the Bushfire Disaster in Victoria, which have so far claimed at least 181 lives and more than 750 houses, Stampin' Up! has selected 10 special stamp sets. For each of these sets, Stampin' Up! will donate 50% of the retail cost to the Australian Red Cross. For example, purchase Baroque Motifs for $39.95, and you will be indirectly giving nearly $20 to the cause!

Some of the sets listed (click on the image to see the flyer full-sized) are heading for the retirement list shortly, so it is your last chance to nab them before they're gone.

Do you need any more excuse to shop up big? No? Well, here's one anyway! As an added incentive, I will be delighted to add my commission for all of these selected sets into a donation to WIRES - the Wildlife Rescue service, to help take care of the hundreds of homeless and injured animals.

Finally, to get you all to dig really really deep, for anyone able to pick up their order from Cherrybrook NSW , I will cover the postage cost, saving you a minimum of $5.95!

So, get those orders in to me today, and I'll keep you updated on the fundraising tally being kept by Stampin' Up!

Farewell Cassandra!

It is with regret that I pass on the news that Cassandra Grambau is hanging up her Stampin' Up! apron, and moving onto new and different challenges in her life. We (and I think I speak for her friends and team members here!) will miss her, and wish her all the best for her future endeavours. Thanks so much to Cass for introducing me to Stampin' Up!, and for guiding me through the early days, so very much appreciated.

In the meantime, if you are a customer of Cass, please feel free to contact any of the following: Myself, Kim Tonnet, Lesley Annabel or Kendall Joyce and we will be happy to answer your product questions or help you with your Stampin' needs. Kim and myself are also able to pass messages along to Cass, just email us and we'll forward them for you.

I have been suffering severe procrastination lately, so promise to get stuck into my 'to do' pile and post some positive inspiration. I'm going to try and concentrate on bright and happy things, to try and distract from the horrific disaster still ongoing in our southern neighbour state, Victoria. My heart goes out to each and every one affected by the firestorm tragedy, so many lives lost, so many more changed forever. My deepest sympathies and best wishes are with you all.