Win/Win/WIn - Join today for ~$120 worth of FREE Designer Series Paper

There's no better time to join my team than the month of October! For a limited time, you can enjoy six months of FREE Designer Series Paper when you sign up to be a demonstrator. You'll receive one FREE package of Designer Series Paper, every month for the next six months.

Details:

• Choose one FREE package of Designer Series Paper, every month for six months, when you sign up as a new recruit during the month of October. 
• You can begin redeeming beginning November 2014 and ending April 2015.
• Free Designer Series Paper must be redeemed on a Demonstrator Order. If other items are not added to this order the order will incur normal shipping costs.
• New Demonstrators must remain active during incentive period to be eligible for free items.
• Paper will be limited to non specialty paper only; Specialty Designer Series Paper and Designer Series Paper Stacks not included.

That's around $120 worth of free paper.  Combined with the already great deals on offer with the fully customisable  Starter Kit ($235 worth for $169!) it's an ideal time to give it a try.  Check out the Become A Demonstrator tab above for more info, or give me a call to chat - 0403 175 790

Extra goodies for Hostesses, Extra goodies for new demonstrators!

There are 2 more weeks on the great promo running right now, so it's a great time to be a Hostess!  Until 30th May, when party sales reach a very achievable $400 you get an extra $60 to spend on whatever catalogue products you fancy - that's TWICE as much free fun!  Being a Hostess is easy-as - there is even an online system for sending invites and accepting RSVP's  - and all you need is a few friends, a dining table and a cuppa.  I come to you with everything we need to make a hand-stamped card or two.  Take a look at the "Host a party" tab at the top of the blog for lots more info, and call me to book a date!

Or, if you have a hefty wishlist (don't we all!), why not consider joining my StampInkPaper team by becoming a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator!   There are extra goodies for you too - pay just $169 for the Starter Kit, and choose $295 worth of catalogue products  - that's an extra $60, so it is great value.  There is no requirement to host workshops or parties unless you want to, although the kit comes with catalogues and other business supplies on top of your $295 in product, so you have a business in a box for just $169  - TOTAL no brainer!  There is lots more detail in the "Become a Demonstrator" tab, or give me a call to chat

Blooming with Kindness, Thanks, and Warm Wishes

I made these cards using a modified "rock n roll" technique, where I inked up the stamp first all over with "Pool Party".  I then used "Island Indigo" to add a darker colour around the rim of the stamp.  To create depth, I used a sponge dauber to put more Island Indigo on parts of the flower.  And isn't it a beautiful flower!  It belongs to a set from the Annual Catalogue, "Blooming with Kindness"  (just $39.95 in wood).  The set has a wide variety of useful and elegant sentiments, including for hope, thank you, kindness and birthday.  I've actually used some very special stamps on these, from a set given to Convention attendees last year in Canberra, called "Workshop Words".  I inked up the stems with Lucky Limeade.  Very quick, very easy, and lots of fun. 

In other news, Stampin' Crop! is next Saturday 23rd February, and there are just a couple of spots free.  Call me 0403 175 790 to get more information, or check the entry in the Google Calendar at the right sidebar.

A Sale-a-bration Brochure for The Linear Mind

I really like the funky design of the official brochures, but they can be a tad hard to follow if you're new to the SAB concept.  Some very clever, very lovely and generous fellow demo has deconstructed and reassembled it for those of us who like things all neat and orderly, and you can click on either of the images above to visit the PDF.  There is more choice than ever before, including selected special items from the Annual Catalogue, shown above.

The Opportunity side of the brochure has a neat flowchart design, which is easier to follow, but to summarise, here is the deal:
Host - As a Hostess, your guests will each receive Sale-a-bration rewards with each $100 in products they purchase, and so will you!  When your Party Sales reach just $300, you'll earn the following:
* $50 to spend in any current catalogue, on whatever you choose
* PLUS you receive a pack of 12x12 Silver Glimmer paper  - 2 thick and lusciously glittery sheets that can be coloured, diecut and lots more.

 Invite a few more guests and reach an easily achievable $600 in sales, you'll then earn:
* $100 to spend in any catalogue
*PLUS a free pack of Silver Glimmer paper
*PLUS PLUS any item from a current catalogue at 50% off
*PLUS PLUS PLUS a product bundle from the SAB brochure that inclueds 3 matching items - Sycamore Street DSP, Madison Avenue stamp set and the co-ordinating ribbon and button pack.

Shop -  If you want to party all on your own, that's OK!  (just make sure you read the above again, and decide whether or not you really would like to have a few friends over for a coffee and a bit of crafting??)  For EACH $100 in product you order, you can choose one product from anywhere on the SAB brochure, no limits!  I can have your order delivered to you anywhere within Australia.  You can view the catalogues online, via the cover images above right, and call (02) 9484 9447 or email me to place your order.

Join - This is the BEST bit!  Join during Sale-a-bration and you'll be able to select an extra 25% worth of products, a total of $294, and pay just the normal joining price of $169.  After you join, your first order over $300 within 45 days earns you an extra discount, of at least 30%  - and assuming SAB is still on when you place your order you'll get any 3 products from the brochure.  It's a fantastic deal if you have a nice long wishlist, and there's no obligation to order more, hold parties etc, unless you wish to.  As your upline, you'll be joining my fun-loving team of ladies, and we'll all help support you in achieving whatever goals you have for your demonstratorship.  There's lots more info about becoming a demo under the tab above, "Becoming a Demonstrator".

There you go, the long and the short (OK, the long) of Sale-a-bration!

Last days to order from Holiday Catalogue - ends Thursday 31st January

There are some really great products from the Holiday Catalogue that may never be available again after the 31st January (next Thursday), so I thought it would be timely to mention a few of my favourites.
Firstly, the Snow Flurry Bigz die - #127813  $37.95 - cuts through everything from tulle to glimmer paper to thin cork, to chipboard and more.  I have used it in several of the projects above, and it was probably my favourite of all items in this catalogue.  You won't regret adding it to your collection!

Secondly - Champagne Glimmer Paper.  It's not gold gold, it's not copper - it's an inbetween silver/gold colour that looks great with all kinds of other colours.  Of the three colours currently available (red, silver and champagne), it's the one I like best. I've used it (and the Snow Flurry snowflake die) in all the projects above.  It's $8.95 for two, 12x12 sheets of shimmery sparkly goodness - #127885.  Stock up!

Other products I will miss - tulle ribbon!   A major feature in the myriad of ornaments I made, and I'm hoping it will rejoin us in more colours come the new catalogue later this year.   
Coredinations cardstock in Early Espresso, Gumball Green, and Cherry Cobbler.
Googlies - self-adhesive googly eyes - just $4.50 a packet  - well worth it for the convenience of peel and stick!

So, take a look, and contact me soon with your order!  Remember you get an extra bite at the cherry with Sale-a-bration - with every $100 spend from the Holiday and Annual Catalogues, you can choose a freebie from the SAB brochure!  If you've been considering joining as a demonstrator, it's simply the BEST time of the year - there are so many extras and bonuses that I'd probably forget one if I tried to list them here - give me a call or email me for a no obligation chat about what Stampin' Up! can offer you.  There is plenty of information via the "Become a Demonstrator" tab above,  or click the image below for a taster.  You can even join online right now, via my Demonstrator Business Website!

Sale-a-bration is here!

Oh yum!  This is the best selection of free goodness we've had in the 5+ years I have been a demonstrator!  We finally have the same offerings as the US, including a wider range of stamp sets. In last year's brochure, the co-ordinating DSP, stamp set and ribbon + button pack was very popular, so you're going to love this year's suite!  There's paper, ribbon + buttons, a stamp set and an embossing folder!    Additional choices include a Simply Sent kit with very on-trend chevron designs, and a petite curly label punch!

So - how to get your choice of these?  (or indeed all of them if you so desire!)  As usual, each $100 in product ordered from any current catalogue allows you to select your choice.  Don't like any of them?  That's been covered as well, because there are selected items from the main catalogue you can choose instead!  Contact me to be sent a brochure, or click the banner image above to see a link to the PDF, or here to visit promo info on the Stampin' Up! website.  

Thinking about joining? It's a great time NOW!

Until the end of Sale-a-bration (SAB) on March 31st, there are extra great reasons to join my StampInkPaper team:

• The starter kit contains over $610 worth of products, and many of them can be selected by you to suit your personal tastes or mesh with what you might already own - ink and cardstock colours, stamp set, type of ribbon or adhesive, punch.
• The kit is usually priced at $289, a great deal in itself, but during SAB it costs just $249 - that's a very small investment for a no-risk business opportunity, or a bargain deal on supplies, no matter what you plan to do with your demo'ship.
• On top of that, during SAB, you get to select an additional stamp set of any value from any current catalogue (main or Summer Mini), FREE - so you can add up to another $77.95 to your $610 worth of goodies depending on which set you choose (mmm, $687.95 for $249? That's a whopping 64% discount!).
• The kit includes a great range of products that allow you to start creating right away, and includes business supplies such as a box of catalogues (and a pack of current minis) and order forms so you can start making an income the day you receive your kit.  There is no postage charge on the Starter Kit.
• You can even sign up online here , and you no longer need an ABN to start.  It's a good idea to have a printed set of forms so you can have everything ready, so just email me for a set to look at, no obligation. Or you can get more information and download them here.   I'm also happy to meet with you if you are local, or chat via Skype or phone if you're not - my small and friendly team extends from Sydney to South Australia and we have a private discussion forum to chat and support each other on.
• Not sure?  Like the products, but don't know if you want to sell to others?  You are free to run your business however you like within the terms of the Independent Demonstrator Agreement.  If you decide not to continue, you will simply drop as a demonstrator, there are no penalties, no charges, and nothing to return.  The image below shows the default kit contents - mmm, yum!

Have a think, and please feel free to contact me if you want more info, there is also quite a bit more listed under the "become a demonstrator" page tab under the header.

Off now to prepare for the Car Boot Sale I am participating in at Cherrybrook Public School, Saturday 24th March, 10am-3pm.  I'll have lots of retired stamp sets for sale, scrapbooking papers, hand-crafted cards and gifts, catalogue bonuses and more - if you're local why not drop in to say hi!?

Book now for Sale-a-bration - lots of goodies to earn - here's how it works:

I'm taking bookings NOW for the Sale-a-bration period, starting January 24th through to March 31st 2012.

You can always get great benefits for free, just by being a hostess, but during Sale-a-bration, you will be showered with goodies galore! It's wonderful for your workshop guests too, and there are great benefits to joining up as a demonstrator in my team as well.


Here's a summary of the goodness on offer:

*Spend $100 and choose a FREE stamp set from a choice of four, OR

*Spend $100 and choose a Designer Series Paper pack "Everyday Enchantment" - love this! OR...

*Spend $100 and choose a pack of organdy ribbon and printed brads that co-ordinate with one of the stamp sets and the paper pack!

*It's the first time here in Australia we've had accessories as well as stamp sets to choose from, and you'll probably have a hard time choosing what you like best - I know I have...  The gorgeous card above is not mine, it was made by the talented Krista Fenton, and has been borrowed, with thanks and appreciation until I get a chance to make some goodies with my preordered sets.  Krista has used the Everyday Enchantment paper with the matching brads and stamp set - just gorgeous!

*There's no limit, and the benefits are on top of the usual Hostess Benefits, which you receive starting with a $300 order, even without hosting a workshop.  For example, place a $400 order and choose *4* Sale-a-bration treats, AND choose $60 worth of products from the catalogue for FREE!  Place a $600 order, and choose *6* Sale-a-bration items, AND $100 to spend in the catalogue AND choose one item for HALF PRICE!  It's a great way to make that Christmas cash go very, very far! 

*Want to be a hostess?  It's easy, you just need a few friends, 4 or 5 is plenty.  There is no charge, and I travel to you (within approx 1hr from Cherrybrook, Sydney).  You and your guests will make a stamped project to take home, and see some great products demonstrated. When your workshop orders reach an easy $300, you receive benefits of $50 to spend, either from the specially priced Hostess Section, or from anywhere in the catalogue.  You and your guests also get to choose a Sale-a-bration item for each $100 you personally spend.  Reach $600 in workshop sales for $100 to spend, one catalogue item for 50% off, and an extra Sale-a-bration item for free for being a hostess reaching $600 in sales.

*Join my friendly and supportive StampInkPaper team for just $249 that's ~ 15% off, and receive an ADDITIONAL stamp set of any value FREE! The kit is very customisable, and worth $610, the free stamp set adds up to another $77.95 in value. There's nothing to lose, and plenty to gain, from friendship, business skills to a great supplementary income.  I'd be happy to chat with you, or check out the "Become a Demonstrator" page tab for some more reading before giving me a call to discuss the benefits for you.

*Dates  - I can organise weekend and weekday dates, both daytime and in the evening, so put the word out amongst your friends and give me a call to pick a convenient date to be spoiled!

It's a great time to join us!

If you've been considering what it might be like to become a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, now's a great time.
Here's my reasons why:

*We are at the beginning of a new catalogue, crammed full of goodies both you and your potential customers want!
*We are part the way into a quarter, which began September 1st - therefore you have until 31st March 2012 (the end of your first FULL quarter) to meet the low, quarterly minimum sales of $550 (catalogue price)
*You have a good amount of time to get bookings, sales and workshops before Christmas, and the Stampin' Start Program could land you up to 15 free stamp sets to encourage you off to a quick start!
*There's a short time to rest a little (if you want!) after Christmas before Sale-a-bration, the biggest promotion of the Stampin' Up! year begins, and that encompasses the second 3 months period of your Stampin' Start - the timing doesn't get much better than that!

and....

If you're thinking, I have so much stuff already, now I have to buy a full starter kit???

but wait!  there's more!   (no, not steak knives, or an extra ahh-bra for dialling now...)

*Purchase a mini Starter Kit, for just $169! - during September only...

The kit contents are valued at over $310, and are highly customisable to your taste, and include Stamp sets, stamp pads, cardstock, Designer Series Paper, ribbon, note cards, clear block, blender pen, adhesives and business supplies including a box of catalogues.

Click on the image above to be taken to the SU website to see what it's all about.

If you're keen on the extra value in the usual starter kit, it's available at 20% off, again for September only. Choose this option to get an incredible $610 worth of products for $231.20,  pretty good investment, with nothing to lose.

Why choose me, and the StampInkPaper team to join?
I've been with Stampin' Up for 4 years now, and am a Manager of a small team.  We're diverse in terms of location and goals, yet are a cohesive and supportive group.  We're large enough to provide great resources and support, and small enough to be personal, helping you to develop the kind of business YOU want. There's no pressure or pushing, just all the assistance you need to enjoy yourself thoroughly.  I'd encourage you to contact any of my team members from the blog roll list at the right hand side, to get my downline's perspective.

There's more info available at the "Become a Demonstrator" tab at the top - or give me a call 0403 175 790 or email to be sent an obligation-free info pack.  I look forward to chatting with you soon :)

Friends Never Fade - Team Weekend Swap

This card is the one that I designed for the Card in A Box swap for the "INKlings" team retreat in August.  It uses a few of the new goodies in the new 2010-11 Idea Book and Catalogue.
I chose the colours from my favourite Designer Series Paper, Elegant Soiree, although it wasn't available to purchase at the time.  The card base is Baja Breeze, back with us for good now that it is a Core Colour!
I ran the card front through the "Vintage Wallpaper" embossing folder in my Big Shot machine, isn't it pretty!!  The next layer is Basic Gray, and I tore the lower half and rolled and distressed the lower edge, and did a bit of sponging also.
The greeting is stamped in Basic Gray ink, using the "Thank you Kindly" stamp set.  The stamped panel is Very Vanilla, and I stamped the gorgeous stylised flower in Soft Suede, Baja Breeze and Sahara Sand.  To add some dimension, I used the lovely new "Beautiful Wings" Embosslit die to make some pretty little butterflies from various colours, this card has a Vanilla and a Basic Gray creature fluttering above the flowers.  I attached them with mini glue dots, and bent the wings up a little.
To finish, I made some paper ribbon.  I cut some 1cm strips of Soft Suede cardstock, and ran them through my crimping tool to soften the paper fibres.  A few goes passing the strips in and out, and the cardstock ends up being soft and flexible, just like real ribbon.  I used Sticky Strip to pleat the paper ribbon across the join, being deliberately messy about it, to echo the torn bottom edge.  All done!  I might try something similar now that we have the Elegant Soiree paper to match the colour

Even more Friends 24-7 and a reminder about 2-step Stampin' Special

The final part of my Brocade Blue Friends 24-7 set...  Brocade Blue cardstock is the base, stamped with Baroque Background in Brocade Blue ink.  The sentiment is from the unmounted "Friendly Words" wheel, who would have thought you could get 14 stamps that match the main set for just $15.95?  To embellish I used a hat pin, crystal faceted beads, pearls and silk flowers from the Pretties Kit.

Here's a pic of all three pieces together:

Two-Step Stampin' Promotion
We're now half way through July, so there's about 2 weeks left in the special offer on selected stamp sets.
Make sure you take a look at the list in my post below here and see if you can be tempted...

Discounted Starter Kit Promotion

July 31st is also the very last day to take advantage of the 20% discount on the Starter Kit.  Start your own business for just $259, and make your job something you love, flexible, and rewarding.  Lots more details can be found here, or give me a call to chat about this enjoyable opportunity.

The time is..... NOW! Joining Special - save more than 50% off retail prices!

It's never been a better time to join my StampInkPaper team of Stampin' Up! Demonstrators.

Between now and JULY 31st, you can get started on your own profitable business from as little as $259

The Starter Kit contains products valued at over $560, so this represents a more than 50% discount on retail prices, the Starter Kit has never represented better value!

The Standard kit contains everything you need to begin your business, but it is also highly customisable.  There are 4 stamp sets, and you can select alternate sets to suit your tastes (up to the same or lower value per set) .  You can choose which colour family cardstock, which colour inkpads, which Stampin' Around wheel and cartridge etc.  Should you choose to add the fabulous "Stampin' Memories" kit for an extra $75, you will receive a further $150 worth of products, including 12x12 cardstock, an alphabet stamp set, Simply Scrappin kit and more.

Click HERE for the fine details listing what comes in your Starter Kit.

This offer is just ideal if you have been pondering this opportunity for a while - there is absolutely nothing to lose!  The only ongoing requirement to remain as an active demonstrator is to place orders totalling $550 (catalogue value) in each Stampin' Up! quarter.  Everything else is up to you - from building your own team and generating real income, to self-funding your passion for stamping and papercrafts.  IMAGINE that!  Guilt free purchases of as many stamp sets, accessories and more, knowing it has all been paid for by your very own Stampin' Up! Demonstrator business.  It's a very nice feeling, I can attest to that myself!

As your Upline, I offer you a unique combination of access to some of the largest Demonstrator team forums while maintaining individualised attention to my team members.  Please feel free to contact any of my downline team - Carolyn Gibbs, Clare McIllhatton or Kay Jacob to ask them if I am the right upline for you.

So - get out that wishlist, grab the catalogue, think about where this could take you, and CONTACT ME for more information.  You can even sign up online in around 30 minutes, with your ABN and Starter Kit order ready to go.  Simply visit my Demonstrator Business Website at http://michelledyson.stampinup.net/ and click on the "join now" button.  My Recruiter Authorisation Password is: ciaran  You'll soon receive your Stampin' Up! Demonstrator ID, and some emails to log you into the Stampin' Up! Demonstrator website.  You can then get started placing orders right away!

The next few months with Stampin' Up! will see the release of a new Idea Book and Catalogue with lots of new products and stamp sets, a new Online Discussion forum called "Stampin' Connection, a Colour Renovation and more - join now and you'll be ideally placed to take advantage of customer excitement and start making your Stampin' Passion pay for itself and more!

Convention - what a blast!!!!!

Phew!  I overslept this morning after a HUUUUUGEEE weekend of being inspired, creating and sharing.  But, the kids were duly shuttled through morning routine and onto the bus in record time.

Stampin' Up Convention 2010 was the best event so far - and they have all been great, so that's a pretty good rating!  The perfect mix of stamping, creating and business stuff (which still manages to be energising and inspiring!)

Just a quick post right now, hopefully I'll be back later when I've done some unpacking and photography, but I wanted to show you my swap card.  I was pleased with it, and judging by the rate at which they flew out of my swap box, I think others loved it too!

The card base is Old Olive, cut using the Scallop Circle Big Shot die, using a folded piece of A5 cardstock.  The fold is positioned just on the inside of the cutting lines on the die, to create a hinge rather than two scallop circles.  I used the "Very Vintage" Stampin' Around wheel to ink up the background (so fast, using an Old Olive cartridge inserted), and sponged the edges too.

 Next up is a So Saffron circle, cut on my Circle Scissor.  So easy!  Yes, EASY!  So easy that my hubby was able to cut me a few more all on his own, to bring to the Awards Dinner, so I could assemble a few extra.  I didn't even need to talk him through it, cool hey!


OK, after the So Saffron circle there is a Not Quite Navy circle, also cut on the Circle Scissor.  This layer is stamped with the totally GORGEOUS Pendant Park Tree, and edges sponged as usual for definition.  The Owl stamp is from the "Fox and Friends" set, so versatile.  I inked him up with More Mustard, and used my Chocolate Chip marker to add some accents to his ears, eyes, wing and belly feathers.  He is stamped onto a 1 3/4" circle of Confetti Cream, to become a 'moon' behind him.  Of course he needs something to sit on, and what better that the branch from the 2 Step Bird Punch, cut from Old Olive.

 To finish, you could stamp anything you liked on a scallop circle, word window or other punch, but I used the word 'hoot!' from the Owl Together Now stamp set, punched with the Jewelry tag punch and tied on with a bit of Linen Thread.  Hope you like! 

Back soon with some exciting news about joining my Stampin' Up! team - there is a fabulous deal to sign up between NOW and 31st July.   So, take out your wishlist, check out the standard kit on the inside back cover, and start IMAGINING where you could take your own, flexible and fun business or hobby.  To Convention in Melbourne next year perhaps??  Stay tuned...

There's still time to Sale-a-brate! + FREE POST BONUS

Sale-a-bration has just FOURTEEN DAYS left to run!

Have you got your FREE stamp sets yet? Got more on your wishlist?

Simply get your order to me before 9pm on March 31st and you can choose one of 4 never-to-be-seen-again stamp sets for each $100 spent on fabulous Stampin' Up! products!

There's "Happy Moments" , shown in the two cards above, with it's cute birdie in a cage and great cake - simple to watercolour, and with three versatile sentiments to go with it - 'for you', 'happy birthday' and 'thank you'

Or, 'Vintage Labels' - a set of three elegant frame stamps and three sentiments to go inside them, designed to co-ordinate perfectly with Stampin' Up! punches. You can see a card made with this set HERE

Then there's "Good Neighbours" - a cute collection of little houses and trees you can mix and match with. This set goes beautifully with "Trendy Trees" and "Funky Forest" and is just the ticket for housewarming and moving home announcements as well as great borders for scrapping. Shelly May has done a great selection of cute cards with this set!

And lastly, an elegant and versatile sentiment set called "Whimsical Words" Shelly May has shown us even more great cards with this set, and I agree with her, you can never have too many sentiment sets, because you'll always have the right thing to say! Clever girl this one, I wonder if she's a 'Michelle' as well, or a born 'Shelly'??

And, if you've been thinking about signing up to become a demonstrator for the great bonuses and product discount (as well as the most fun you can have earning money!), there's still time! Please give me a call for a no-obligation chat and I can help you sign up online! During Sale-a-bration each new team member can choose any stamp set valued at up to $79.95 FREE, in addition to the great value, highly customisable Starter Kit. If you place your first order over $300 before March 31st, you not only earn a generous extra discount rate, but you can select THREE (or more!) Sale-a-bration sets as well! Tiny investment, huge opportunities and bonus freebies - it doesn't get much better!

Lastly, I have a BONUS offer for my local customers - from today 17th March 2010 until 9pm March 31st I am offering free postage on all orders if you are willing and able to collect your order from Cherrybrook (North-West Sydney). For my non-local customers who have their orders shipped directly, you can select a FREE Stampin' Write marker in your choice of colour, valued at $5.75! I have a goal to reach the next Sales bracket for the Sale-a-bration promotional period, and I hope that you can all help me reach it!

Have you been to visit my new Demonstrator Business Website yet?

Here'tis!

It's fledgling, I'm definitely still learning what is on there! And how to update it! The best thing is that Stampin' Up! are regularly adding features and soon it will be a fully-featured portal for all things happening in my Stampin' Up! business.

Go on, have a peek, and bookmark the site to your faves (under this blog of course!) and browse through the different tabs and pages. There is a massive amount of inspiration and information there at your fingertips. Everything from project samples to info on why becoming a demonstrator may be the best thing you'll ever do! You can even sign up to become a member of my team online - and receive your Demonstrator ID number super fast!

Please let me know what you think, I'll be endeavouring to add items and personalise it over the coming weeks.

About the card in the photo: It's another in the "Nature's Nest" series, and I was very happy with this idea that popped into my head very late one evening. One of the curious things about bird eggs is the number of colours they come in, and some of the most interesting are a lovely shade of Baja Breeze - hence the card base. I coloured the eggs with Blender Pen and inkpad puddle, shading and adding spots of colour to give them a life-like appearance. The matting layers are Kraft , Mellow Moss and Chocolate Chip, and I have stitched them at the tidy end before ripping the loose ends in sequence. The background has been stamped using the Sanded Background and the sentiment is from the must have "Best Yet" hostess stamp set.

Employment Advertisment - 3 Positions Available

Are you the candidate I'm looking for?

I'm searching for three or more creative and independent individuals to join my small dynamic team, StampInkPaper Inc.

Selection Criteria:

Essential: An interest in papercrafts, enthusiastic attitude. The desire to work in a fun, rewards-based environment.

Desirable: Experience in stamping and scrapbooking, or a desire to learn.

Working Hours: Flexible, will suit anyone with a spare few hours to 30+ hours per week to build your own customer base.

Job Description: Create cards, scrapbook pages and off the page projects with the fabulous range of stamps, cardstock, inks and accessories in the Stampin' Up! range. Share your love of stamping with others, teaching people about this rewarding and constructive hobby. Extensive and ongoing training is available, both from Stampin' Up! and myself as your team leader.

Salary: Commensurate with effort dedicated to the job. Earn a generous commission starting at 20% instantly, rising to 32% of your personal monthly sales. Other rewards include free and discounted products, early access to new releases, and a fulfilling sense of camaraderie with members of my own team and wider team. Operate at varying levels to suit your life circumstances, with full support.

Start up costs: Purchase the Starter Kit for just $324 including postage and handling. You can extensively customise the kit to suit your tastes in stamp sets and colours. A pack of business materials including catalogues and order forms is included, as well as a comprehensive training CD-ROM. The kit contents are valued at $564, a saving of over 40%. Until March 31st 2010, you can select an additional stamp set worth up to $79.95 for no additional cost.

Click here to learn more, and contact me to discuss your new career.

Applications close: When you're ready to start having fun with Stampin' Up! !! Don't miss the fabulous extra value until March 31st!

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!

I have such lovely customers! THINK PINK in October

One of my favourite things about being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator is the friendships that have developed with my customers. It is so wonderfully satisfying to have the privilege of helping people discover and develop their talents as stampers and cardmakers, as well as introducing them to a useful outlet and diversion in their busy lives. It has also enabled me to become directly involved in fundraising for various groups, both locally with schools and community groups, and nationally for Camp Quality and Breast Cancer Charities.

The gorgeous card above was made for me by a lovely lady to thank me for running my regular Stampin'Crop days, she enjoys them so much and learns something new each time. Thank YOU! for coming along Barbara!

Barbara has adapted a card design we all made at the Spring Mini launch event, using the set "Great Friend" and also the Hostess set "Best Yet". The card base is Pink Pirouette, and the strip backing is Regal Rose. The stamping is also done using Regal Rose ink, and Not Quite Navy for the sentiment. The butterfly in Regal Rose on Whisper White cardstock has had Crystal Effects added to the white pattern, so it really 'pops' A strip of patterned paper, some ribbon and a sticky rhinestone complete the card. So pretty!

More 'warm fuzzies' came on Monday this week, when Kim Tonnet and I attended a fund raising event for the McGrath Foundation hosted by the Muirfield Golf Club Ladies group. The McGrath Foundation, in loving memory of the courageous Jane McGrath, support women diagnosed with breast cancer by funding the employment of specialist Breast Care nurses, particularly in regional and rural areas. You can find out more about the invaluable work of the McGrath foundation, and make a donation yourself if you are able HERE. Each of the ladies attending donated $10 towards the foundation, and have also donated their group's Hostess Benefits towards a raffle to raise even more! Stampin' Up! Australia have been extremely generous in donating a large box of goodies to add to the raffle and prizes for this event and also our October Christmas Craft Day, and we thank them sincerely for their support - they are truly a Company with heart.

Would you like to join me and my team in our efforts to make the world a nicer place? For more information on becoming a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, please contact me for a no pressure, no obligation chat, or to receive a Joining Kit in the mail.

Meanwhile, if you are Sydney-based, there are still places available at our "Get Ready for Christmas Craft Day", on October 10th at Epping Creative Centre. Registration cost is $40 and includes morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, lunch, use of stamps and tools, demonstrations and more. There will be lots of prizes and giveaways, and a number of Make n Take projects to enjoy for a gold-coin donation to Breast Cancer charities. Do join us if you can for a fun, creative day, while supporting these most important causes during Pink Month! Call Michelle on (02) 9484 9447 or email to book your place today.

Sneak Peeks as promised

There's lots more, these cards use just a small selection of the products on offer. I hope to get a chance to play with more of my pre-ordered products during the upcoming weekend, when I am attending a retreat with other members of Jayne Mercer's Inklings Team. Would YOU like to have access to the latest products first, and at a great discount? Give me a call on (02) 9484 9447 or email me with your contact details and I'll arrange to send you some more information on becoming a demonstrator on my team, StampInkPaper Inc.

Here we are, dressed up for a change at the Stampin' Up! Convention Awards Night dinner. It is a nice excuse to wear stuff that doesn't see the outside of my wardrobe very often!! Left to right are Carolyn Gibbs, myself and Clare McIllhatton, the members of my team who joined me at our first Convention. Do we look like we're having fun? A couple of days filled with stamping, fine dining, a touch of dressing up and really inspiring and interesting presentations - it could be you next year, join my team and find out for yourself :)