Happy New Year!

Today is a GREAT day to be inside in the cool, stamping away!  Sydney's forecasted temperature maximum today is a crispy 43degC, with low humidity and high winds.  My kids have spent the morning in the pool, basted with sunscreen, rashies and extra shade shelter and are now enjoying a movie with their lunch over the 'heat of the day' (or the worst of it, in any case!).  I'm really hoping for no fires or incidents, and I hope everyone stays safe!

I am pottering about working on partially completed projects, and thought my somewhat neglected blog was due for an update or two.

Firstly, the final installment of the Clearance Rack Promotion starts this Thursday night at midnight.  Over the last three batches, I have been mostly successful in ordering the bargain products for my lovely stampin' ladies, by staying up late with orders in hand ready for quick data entry.  For this to work, I need to have your wish lists by Thursday evening, 10th January.  You can view the final list of products here:

My picks?  Hostess stamp sets have never been available after the end of catalogues before, so if you missed your chance to earn one, now's your chance!  Of the sets in last year's catalogue, the ones I used the most were Array of Sunshine, now $15 in woodmount and Happiest Birthday Wishes, now $21 in woodmount.  This must-have set would have been $65+ if it was in the main part of the catalogue, so at 50% off the special low Hostess price, it definitely deserves a place on your stamp shelf!

Another must-have is Short and Sweet - a bargain at $15 and full of versatile and good-sized sentiments in a great goes-with-everything font.  This was a set that I would take away with me to retreats as it was compact and had something for most occasions.  This was also a set that I recommended to new stampers, and it would make a fantastic gift for anyone starting out!

For alphabets, Calendar Alphabet and Numbers ($18) is a great small set ideal for names and scrapping, while Just Perfect Alphabet ($18) is just that!

In accessories, take the opportunity to get the current In Color pads (Wisteria, Limeade, Pool Party, Island indigo etc) and selected 2010-12 colours (Poppy Parade, Peach Parfait, Blushing Bride), in the felt style for a teeny tiny $3.75 each.  Remember re-inkers are still current for the current In Colors, so it would be a good idea to add those to your order to ensure you don't miss out at the end of this catalogue.  A4 Cardstock is available in Concord Crush and Pear Pizzazz, and I know several customers who have been in search of these!  At $5.25 a pack they will whizz off the shelves.  There's also a stack of brads in various styles, from bling to glimmer to jumbo.

To view the products, check out this online version of the catalogue, and you can browse by page order from the PDF list above.

First Stampin' Crop day for the year is scheduled for Saturday 19th January, in great timing to collect your new Seasonal Catalogue and Sale-a-bration brochure.  Bookings are essential, so please RSVP via txt to 0403 175 790 so I can keep track of spaces more easily.  You can view more details on the Google calendar at the side, or look at the word cloud index to read previous posts about these monthly events.

 I have earned most of the fabulous SAB goodies as part of the special Demonstrator promo, so I will hopefully be posting some sneak peeks soon!  Sale-a-bration starts January 22nd, and the Seasonal Catalogue starts on February 1st.  There are lots of perks for everyone, especially new members to the Stampin' Up! family!  If you'd like more info on joining my team, don't hesitate to contact me :)

A simple and fast card to finish, this is one that involved no stamping at all, apart from the sentiment and background stamp on the yellow layer!  It uses the Storytime DSP, with 1" strips cut from selected papers to turn into little banner flags, and a section of a large scale print as the main layer on the front.  I forgot to photograph the inside, but I used the co-ordinating Storybook Friends stamp set (from $33.95 in clear) to add another little fox.  The background stamp is 'netting', $30.95.

Off to do some creating!

Any of these beautiful bundles of Stampin' Goodness could be yours!

Here are a couple of pics of the most awesomely generous donation made by Stampin' Up! for my son's school fair tomorrow, at Northholm Grammar School, Arcadia.

The massive box that arrived was packed with an eclectic yet wonderful assortment of goodies, and the challenge was to bundle them up and package them in the most appealing way to raise lots of funds for the school.  There were new colour kits for the crayons and pastels, so I sorted those out into full packs in great colour combos.  The pastels were a little trickier until I remembered some retired colour pastel refills I'd received in a past donation box - a ha!!  By adding these to the new colours, I was able to make up four almost full boxes.  Ribbons!!  Rolls and rolls!  I chopped these up into lengths and packaged them in the crayon tin boxes, they looked quite yummy when I was done with them, all tied up with Baker's twine.  There's DSP, specialty papers, Simply Sent kits, Simply Scrappin kits, accessories like buttons and chipboard and lots lots more.  These will be on the Silent Auction stall tomorrow, with one box on display in my stall tent.  Come along and place your bid for a great cause and enjoy a fun family day out.

Tastes of Spring!

(images and text from Glenorie/Galston Community News, August 2012)


I'd love to see you out at the Spring Fair, last year's event was so much fun!  There are ride wristbands for $30 each giving the kids unlimited rides ALL DAY on almost all the attractions, including Gladiator Duel, shown at the top.  Last year's mini jeeps and giant slide were a huge hit for my kids.  There was delicious food, cakes, coffee, chocolate fountain, fairy floss and lots more.

The fair is the major fundraiser for Northholm Grammar School, and this year the funds raised are earmarked for an outdoor barbeque area.  One of the nice things the school does is involve the dads in running a monthly bbq lunch, instead of the usual canteen.  The kids just love it, all the way from Yr 3 -12, and it's a nice break for the usual canteen mums.  This facility will benefit all the kids AND the dads too!

Stampin' Up! have donated a MASSIVE box of wonderful (retired) products, that I have packed into multiple bundles of goodness each valued at well over $300.  There will be one on my stall and four more around the event for different fundraisers. I'll also have my red bushfire brigade hat money box to collect a gold coin donation for Dural Bush Fire Brigade  - take a card from the donation box, pop your coin in the hat.  You get a bargain card, the Brigade gets much needed funds for the volunteers to put towards their great work for the community.

So, come on out for a Saturday drive.  Northholm is at Arcadia, and can be reached from Old Northern Road through either Middle Dural (take the Wylds Rd turnoff towards Arcadia) or Galston Village (past Swane's Nursery on Galston Rd, and past Fagan Park on Arcadia Rd).  If you're on the north side of Sydney, you can drive the scenic Galston Gorge route from Hornsby.  It's also the very FIRST day of the new Annual Catalogue, and the gorgeous Holiday Catalogue (no longer a mini!), so you'll be able to get your copy and even place an order!

Stampin' Crop Day Saturday 28th January

Sorry for taking so long to set a date for this, the holidays have whizzed
by!  At times it seemed like I was never going to squeeze one into January, but I am determined, especially since I start an intensive full time uni subject
crammed into a solid month from 30th Jan!!

So, drumroll please!!!!!!

Saturday 28th January, 2012
Any time from 10am - 5pm
Bring - your basic personal tools and projects you wish to work on, if any.
Some lunch or plate to share - there will be the usual crusty bread and jam,
dips etc, and bottomless tea/coffee
Cost:  $15, includes use of my stamps and tools, refreshments and casual
instruction.

There's also another great reason to come along, as Sale-a-Bration will be
on!  I'll have the catalogues available, and there are 6 choices this year,
including some delicious designer series paper and brads, ribbon to match
one of the 4 stamp set choices.  So, take an inventory of your supplies,
adhesives, cardstock, and check your wish list for punches or stamps you've
been wanting to own.  Each order of $100 will earn you a choice of a
Sale-a-Bration item, free!  For attendees at my Stampin' Crop, I am also
offering FREE postage and handling for Orders placed on the day.

Please let me know by email if you'll be joining us :)

The set of three little cards in the image was one of the projects I whipped up while my kids ran themselves ragged at Lollipops Playland.  They use the latest batch of In Colors, Calypso Coral for the bases, and accents of Lucky Limeade and Island Indigo.  The stamp set is "Fresh Vintage", my absolute favourite from the Sale-a-bration selection this year.  The postage stamp stamp (??) co-ordinates with the new postage punch from the Summer Mini, and this set also co-ordinates with the Designer Series paper and ribbon/brad SAB choices.    Quick, easy, and versatile.  I've seen so many gorgeous ideas with this set alone, why not add it to your collection, FREE!!

Workshop dates for Sale-a-bration are available, I'd love to show you and your friends the great range of beautifully co-ordinated products, and make your crafting time productive and enjoyable.  Lots of bonuses on offer, especially for SAB, so give me a call to book your free workshop soon!

French Foliage and some Rock n Roll

Well, not exactly rock n roll for the recipient, he's just turned 80, but I did use the technique on the card here to achieve a multicoloured autumnal effect on the leaves.  I started by pulling out the Cajun Craze, More Mustard, and every shade of brown in the caddy from Sahara Sand to Early Espresso.  Starting with the palest colours of each, I then daubered or rolled the stamps onto the other colours to add highlights.  The base is Crumb Cake with the fantastically useful water splodge stamp, followed by a Confetti Cream layer stamped with the script background.  This is shredded a bit with the Cutter Kit distressing tool.  Next after that there is a scrunched up and shimmer-misted piece of Early Espresso and then a layer of Very Vanilla for the stamped panel.  A bit of hemp twine and Early Espresso grosgrain finish it off, along with a sentiment from Teeny Tiny Sentiments on a Modern Label punchie.  Some layers of the stamped panel have been popped up as a second layer with Stampin' Dimensionals and I have also added some drips of Crystal Effects on the leaves to give the effect of water droplets but these are a bit hard to see!

Off to find the other SD card with more pics on it - why do they have to make those things so gosh-darn small !  It's on my desk, somewhere!  I do need to declutter away the research papers on dyslexia and metamemory, having submitted the last of my assignments for the year (woohoo!) - just 2 exams to go and then from the beginning of next year I'll be on prac placement (watch out kids!) so maybe I'll uncover it shortly...

As I have a little time a little free-er than usual, I am hosting a "Get Ready for Christmas" Stamp-a-Stack event at my house on Saturday 22nd October.

10:00 AM - 5:00 PM  (AET)

 Mega Christmas Preparation Event!
A great opportunity to get started on your stash of Christmas cards for the year with much of the hard work done for you. You'll make 12 cards, 6 each in two different designs, and a set of 12 gift tags.
Everything is provided for you - pre-cut cardstock, all materials and embellishments, adhesive and envelopes for the cards.
The class will be set up so you can construct the cards in an assembly-line format, with full instructions to create more later if you wish.
The class runs for the whole day, so you can choose to come in the morning or the afternoon, or stay all day and make more Christmas projects of your choice.
The cost of the class is $25 and places are limited to ensure individual attention. Please give me a call if you'd like to book a seat, on 9484 9447 or 0403 175 790, or email me.

There are one or two spots free, please  ASAP call if you'd like to nab one!

Stampin' Crop Day - this Saturday 19th February

Stampin' Crop Day 10am -5pm  Come along for the day and work on whatever papercrafting projects you want. There is plenty of inspiration available, and a huge selection of stamps, inks and tools to play with.  A light snack-style lunch is provided, and bottomless tea and coffee.  Bring your own basic tools and projects to work on. Cost for the day is $15.00, and bookings are highly recommended as places are limited.  We're located in Cherrybrook, North Western Sydney.  Beginners are welcome, as are older children under the supervision of their accompanying adult.  I offer casual instruction and impromptu demos during the day, and it's a great social occasion.  To book, please call 9484 9447 or email me today!

We Stamp for Lara - starts November 1st, please help!

Please get behind me and many other Stampin' Up! Demonstrators in our support for a fellow demo, Madonna Dunn.  Madonna's youngest daughter, Lara May, was unexpectedly born with the most severe form of Cerebral Palsy, and will need ongoing treatment, therapy and extensive support for her lifetime.  As with anything medical, special needs means especially expensive.  Essential items that we take for granted such as chairs, strollers and car seats are available, but at a cost of many thousands of dollars.  To this end, Madonna and the members of the wider Elite team have organised a project, We Stamp for Lara.  This is a month-long event, to which you can subscribe for a cost of $25.00.  Entry into the event gives you access to a wonderful selection of tutorials, challenges and daily prize drawings, as well as a gallery and forum.  Everyone involved has donated their time and skills to ensure that every cent raised will benefit Lara.  Madonna, angel that she is, has also arranged to donate any outgrown equipment to the Xavier Children's Support Network for the use of other children like Lara, so your participation will benefit others for years to come.

There is just a few days before the event begins, so please share this information with your crafty friends, and have a great time doing something GOOD.  Payment is via Paypal, and you can click on the button at the right hand side to sign up NOW!

Thank you!

Launch Party Winner and a Make and Take with "Friends Never Fade"

Congratulations to Vanessa J of Castle Hill for being the winner of the Lucky Door Prize at my New Catalogue Launch party a week or so back.  Vanessa has won a new stamp set, "Perfect Punches", a sampler pack of new colour cardstock, and some ribbon lengths.  The draw was based on attendance, but with a bonus ticket for each $50 in orders placed at the Launch Event.  Well done Vanessa, I hope you enjoy your new goodies and your prize!

Above is the card I designed for my Make and Take at the launch.  You can see the one designed by Carolyn Gibbs HERE, using "Morning Cup".  Carolyn Campbell-McLean had designed a cute 3D bauble using the "Delightful Decorations" set, I must ask her to post all the info!

My card uses the "Friends Never Fade" stamp set, one that jumped out at me from when I first laid eyes on it in the new US catalogue when it came out over there in July.  Thankfully, because of the catalogue realignnment, us downunder folks don't have to wait long at all!!  My review - it's a versatile set, with both bold and more delicate images.  The style is reminiscent of Art Nouveau, particularly the abstract flower. You can find it on page 71, and it's just $31.95 in wood mount!  It's shown in the catalogue in Peach Parfait orange, because it's one of the sets co-ordinating with the themed suite, "Graphic Botanical"  That means there is co-ordinating goodies and Designer Series Papers available, and it's a great way to theme an album or event.

I've based my card around the colours in one of the other Designer Series Papers, Elegant Soiree -  Baja Breeze, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla and Basic Gray.  This sample card uses the standard scallop edge punch, as I was waiting for my Scallop Trim punch to arrive - taking this photo I realised that I didn't take a photo of the real deal!!   Then there is a strip of Elegant Soiree paper, that has all the colours in a fine stripe pattern.  The card base is Basic Gray, and I have stamped around the edges with the abstract flower in Basic Gray ink.  The panel is Crumb Cake, stamped with matching Crumb Cake ink  (Yay!!  No more 'making do' with Sahara Sand ink as a Kraft substitute!) with the flower branch design.  I think it might be a Honeysuckle, at least that's what it reminds me of!  The motif is stamped in Baja Breeze, with touches of Early Espresso ink added with the matching marker, then mounted onto a Scallop Circle of Early Espresso.  I then layered it onto a Fancy Flower punchout in Baja Breeze, and there is a Stampin' Dimensional or two in there for some lift.  The sentiment is from my favourite Level 1 Hostess set, "Afterthoughts", stamped in Early Espresso.  To finish there is a simple knot of Early Espresso narrow grosgrain ribbon, attached with a mini glue dot.  Tell me what you think!

Gosh, it's been all action around here!

Sorry, sorry!  It's been so long since I last posted here, I've been pretty flat out getting ready for the biggest party of the year!
Saturday was my Stampin' Up! New Catalogue Launch, and it was a great day.  Thanks SO much to my helpers Ryn and Caz, who made this busy day a big success.  There's lots more I have saved up to show you, so I hope to be back tomorrow with some more!  For now, here are some images from the goody bag treats and the action on the day!

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...

Mark II - Scallop Circle + Fox and Friends + Medallion = Quick and Easy!

Here is Mark II in my series, and I hope you'll agree it's a slight refinement on the original prototype below!!??

The card base is Close to Cocoa, and I cut the base in the same way, using the Scallop circle bigshot die to cut a card from a folded piece of A5 cardstock.  I stamped the Medallion background using Close to Cocoa ink - it's a match made in heaven size wise!!  And if you were thinking a little more deeply than I was at the time, you could probably line up the points on the Medallion with the bumps on the Scallop much better!!

Over this, I have cut a 3" circle out of Kiwi Kiss cardstock, and sponged the edges.  A slightly smaller circle of Really Rust was also cut on the circle Scissor, 2 3/4"  - also sponged.

I had a thought of using the 1 3/4" circle as a "moon" backdrop for the cutest little owl, from the "Fox and Friends" stamp set.  He's inked up simply in plain Chocolate Chip, and is perched on a branch cut from Old Olive using the 2 Step Bird punch.  A snippet of Kiwi Kiss striped grosgrain was the finishing touch.  I didn't add one to this card, but a sentiment from the "Teeny Tiny Sentiments" set would look just fine under the branch.

Hope you like it, there's another to follow that I like even more, still working on lots of Mark III for my Convention Swap - only one more sleep before I head into the city to stay at a hotel ready for a bright and early start on Friday morning!!

Friday Night Classes and Saturday Stampin' Crop

This week I have two events for you:

Friday Night 14th May 7.30 - 10pm Punches Class:

Come along to learn how to get more out of your paper punches. I've got a long list of tips and tricks to share with you, from 'outside the square' applications to clever punch art ideas. There are limited places available, so please give me a call to book your seat. The class cost is $20 and includes comprehensive written notes and all materials needed to make a bunch of samples - turn them into cards or keep them in your techniques folder for future reference. Either way, you'll go home enthused and keen to create with these invaluable tools

Where? My home in Cherrybrook, please call me on 9484 9447 or 0403 175 790 to book and get location details.

What to bring? Your pleasant company for an enjoyable evening of learning and crafting - everything you need will be supplied!

Saturday 15th May 10am-5pm Stampin' Crop Day:

Join myself and a lovely group of ladies for the day, and bring whatever projects you are keen to work on. I provide morning and afternoon tea, casual demonstration and instruction, heaps of inspiration, and my extensive collection of tools, punches, die cutting machines and stamps for your use on the day. Come and go as you please, lunch can be BYO or grab a bite to eat from the bakery or cafe just 2 minute walk away.

Where? My home in Cherrybrook, ring 9484 9447 or 0403 175 790 to book your spot and get location details. New ladies are most welcome!

What to bring?: Your basic papercrafting tools (trimmer, bone scorer), your projects, a selection of adhesives.

Cost: $15 for the day, includes tea, coffee, nibbles, morning and afternoon tea and use of my equipment.

And the Winner is.... Vintage Vogue!

Well, I think it is a winner of a stamp set - versatile, matching wheel, nice sentiments etc. But I'm really talking about a different kind of winner. After my launch, I wrote out tickets for each guest, one for every $50 spent on the day. I had my daughter help scrunch them into balls and draw the lucky winner.....

Debbie S from Normanhurst!

Congratulations Debbie, your prize will be delivered with your order. Debbie has won the limited edition Hostess Set "Picture this" from the A/W mini, "Vintage Labels" Saleabration set, some Pendant Notes, samples of the polka dot ribbon in our 3 new colours, a marker, white gel pen and some retired "Mini take out box" template sheets. I hope you enjoy using your prize Debbie, and thanks so much to everyone who came and made it a great day!

Now for the third Mother's Day card, and the second of my Make and Take projects at the A/W Mini Launch.

Card Base: Lovely Lilac, rolled with the "Very Vintage" jumbo wheel in "Lovely Lilac" ink.

Stamped panel: "Top Note" Bigshot die cut from "Whisper White" and stamped with "Vintage Vogue" in "Sage Shadow", "Lovely Lilac" "Elegant Eggplant" and "Lavender Lace" Flowers were trimmed with Papersnips, and layered with Stampin' Dimensionals, and given a Dazzling Diamonds glitter accent. The sentiment is from "Occasional Greetings", but like the previous card, you could easily turn this one into many other cards by switching the greeting around. There is also a Sizzlit "Little Leaves" diecut tucked behind the flowers, cut from "Sage Shadow" cardstock and glued on with Tombow glue. The colours in RED are on the Retiring List - check your supply of cardstock and ensure you have a reinker for your inkpad before it's too late!!

It's a (Pony) Party! THIS SATURDAY 24th April

Cute hey! Excuse the little girl colour palette, but this was the card I made for my daughter Lillian's 5th birthday a week and a bit ago. It uses the adorable new stamp set "Pony Party" in the Autumn/Winter Mini catalogue. I've stamped in Stazon black onto watercolour paper and then coloured in using Stampin' Write markers and a blender pen. The pony is a rough approximation of one of Lillian's faves, Rainbow Dash - hence the slightly curious colour combo! The stamp set has wings, a unicorn horn, and lots of little stamps for their hindquarters (called 'cutie marks' in My Little Pony speak!) It's just the ticket for little girl cards, from babes to, dunno, Lillian's 5 and counting, with no sign of the horse obsession fading anytime soon!

Speaking of PARTIES - there's one coming up THIS WEEKEND, SATURDAY 24TH APRIL at my home in Cherrybrook. We're having a launch for the new Autumn Winter Mini. There's the amazing Big Shot and exclusive dies to see, the wonderful clear mount stamp option, new punches, and of course new stamp sets! It's a bumper catty, designed to keep our creative juices flowing until the new Idea Book and Catalogue arrives in September. So, come along, make some cards with the new stuff, have a glass of bubbly, win some prizes, and enjoy some time out from the mundane. Cost is just $5, and this is fully redeemable against a purchase of $50 or more on the day.

When: Open House - come any time between 2pm and 5pm

Where: At my home in Cherrybrook, North West Sydney - address provided on booking

Bring an interested friend for an extra gift in your goody bag!

RSVP to Michelle on 0403 175 790, 9484 9447 or email me

See you there!

A bit of this and a bit of that - e2c totally rocked!

Well, I have had a curiously amazing week. I have travelled over 4000km in a car, been in 3 different states at various times, spent an awesome few days at a brilliant retreat in SA, and back to normal life via a sad and unexpected funeral :( Phew! And, funerals most definitely excluded, I'll be doing it all again next year!! I am almost reluctant to tell you more about it in case you all decide to go along and steal all the spots!!

The Escape 2 Create retreat was organised and run by a bunch of fab girls I feel I have known for years, and in some (online) ways, I have! Thanks!! Thanks!! and more Thanks!!! go to Amanda, Meredith, Sue, Val, Kathryn and Mel for your wonderful hospitality and brilliantly smooth organisation. I haven't laughed so hard since... last year's retreat!! I also managed to get quite a lot done, with three classes, a scrapped 2010 calendar from a kit (thought that since it was nearly April that I should make that a priority!), and all up I made 13 cards as well.

The top layout is the one I made during Amanda Hall's class. She's such a clever chicky that it's already been snapped up for publication, so give me a yell if you need me to take it down! It was lots of fun, and although I had reservations about my choice of photo (taken by my then 8 year old!), it turned out to fit in just brilliantly. Ciaran is very excited to see it scrapped at last.

The second layout I made during a class by Mel Forbes, who was guest teaching at e2c all the way from WA. It was great to catch up with Mel again IRL, and I got to watch her talent up close sitting at the same table, making the most stunning off the page creations. The layout looks a lot more complicated that it actually was to create, so that's a bonus!! And, it was nearly as messy as a good stamping session, so I felt right at home!!

I also got to meet IRL a lovely digiscrapping online mate, Ange Byrnes. You have probably seen her super 'real' creations in the mags, and she was also the lightest packed scrapper in the shed!! Her expanse of table top looked positively vacant!! In the top pic we have Mel, Ange and Amanda left to right, nice and happy scrapped out faces from the final hours on Sunday.
It was lovely to catch up with old mates from last year, thanks to Tiff, Sue, Sandra, Val and plenty more for making me feel so welcome. The piece de resistance was a shoulder, back and neck massage by the diminutively powerful Mandy - I fair glided out of the shed and into the car for the trip home. Stay tuned for some card creations and the cutest mini flap album (the source of much late night hilarity) by Meredith maybe tomorrow - off to the Royal Easter Show with kids in tow!

3D Box making class and Stampin' Crop Day

Hi everyone,

There is still time to book into my Friday Evening Class this Friday 19th March at Cherrybrook. We'll be making several styles of container from Designer Series paper and cardstock, and embellish them. Class cost is $20 and includes supper, full written instructions, templates to take away and all materials used to make the projects. I need two more participants to run the class this week, otherwise I will move it to the end of the scheduled class queue, so please RSVP ASAP if you are interested in attending. The time is 7.30pm for an 8-10pm class.

And, this Saturday is Stampin' Crop Day! Come along any time between 10am and 5pm and enjoy a day crafting with good company, lots of stamps, tools and accessories to play with. There will also be casual instruction, informal demonstrations, loads of inspiration and light snacks. The cost is $15 for the day, call me on 9484 9447 to book your place, or email at michelle.dyson@bigpond.com

Butterfly Prints and Sweet Slumber are a great pair!

This card is one my guests made at the recent Summer Mini Launch. It has lots and lots of panels, but was still quite easy to make in mass production. The colour selection was as always, easy, by selecting the colours used in the DSP - Baja Breeze, Riding Hood Red, So Saffron and Very Vanilla. The heavy weight felty texture of the paper is also lovely to work with. And one of the patterns is fluffy blue clouds on a white polka dot background, so it just yelled out for using with Butterfly Prints. I also popped some Sahara Sand in there as a subtle background layer. The matching punch is so easy to use with the butterfly stamp, To finish I used some So Saffron ribbon from the Ribbon Bundle promotion a few months back. But! This pretty set, just $25.95, may not be around for much longer, so make sure to order in time - Summer Mini ends on March 31st...

Friday Evening Classes

It's the end of the week, and the weekend lies ahead... Why not take a couple of hours to relax and learn with one of my Friday Evening Classes?

We'll be concentrating on one style or technique in each class, and you'll make at least two projects to take home with you. You'll also receive some printed notes with samples you make to keep for reference so you can repeat and practice at home.

When: Third Friday of the month, 7.30 pm for 8pm-10pm class

Where: Cherrybrook, North Western Sydney - location advised on booking

Cost: $20, includes tuition, printed notes and all materials required to complete projects, tea, coffee and light supper.

What to bring: Your own paper trimmer, bone folder, paper snips and a selection of adhesive types (such as Two way glue, SNAIL adhesive, Tombow Multi glue, Sticky Strip tape, Dimensionals, these are available to order from me if you wish)

How to book: Places are strictly limited to 4 people, to ensure individual attention. Please call me on (02) 9484 9447 to reserve your seat, or email me at michelle.dyson@bigpond.com

Upcoming classes:

Friday 19th February - Watercolouring. Learn how to colour stamped images using several methods, including blender pens, aquapainters, watercolor wonder crayons, markers and more.

Friday 19th March - 3D boxes. Construct several styles and sizes of boxes, and take home templates to make them over and over.

Friday 16th April - Embossing. Use several heat embossing techniques to decorate your papercrafting projects in glossy style.

Friday 14th May - Using Punches. Learn how versatile your punches really are, and create some punch art projects.

Got a burning desire to learn about a particular technique? Please feel welcome to make a suggestion or two and I'll endeavour to include it in a future class.

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!!

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!