Update...

It's been a little while, life has been somewhat hectic, in a creative way though!
I hope to get back to regular posting very soon, but in the mean time I have a little rush of catch-up posts to make up for my slackness.

 These are the fastest, easiest easter treats for my kids to hand out to their classmates!  I was a bit over chocolate, even before easter got here (did I actually say that?? ).  I had also found a mega jar of Jelly Belly beans at Costco that if I didn't parcel them up and ship them out, would have found their way into my tummy...  (maybe it was sugar I was over rather than chocolate?  Yeah, that sounds better!)  50 something packs of beans made short work of the jar, so that worked out really well.  I used skinny cello self seal bags, and had an idea to use the new Sizzix Framelits Labels Collection from the Autumn Winter mini as a topper for the bag.  Just like the fabulous "Top Note" Sizzix Bigz die we've had for ages, the Framelit shapes are symmetrical, and can be folded in either portrait or landscape to form a bag topper.  The best thing?  The SIZES!  I had no idea until they arrived that the largest Framelit shape is much bigger than the usual nested dies, big enough to use as a decent sized card.  So, there was a die size for pretty much any bag, including the mini bags I was using.  I was able to cut the label Framelits three sheets of cardstock at a time (pretty amazing) on the Bigshot, and was able to use up lots of scrap cardstock.   You can check out the Framelits on page 18 of the mini catalogue, $49.95, 125598.  The Designer Label punch was perfect for the front label, and I whizzed up a batch of those using the chick stamp from the "Best of Everything"set, 124946 $47.95.  I inked up in Daffodil Delight ink, but then I rolled the edges of the inked stamp onto a Peach Parfait inkpad, to get more contrast for the edges against the sharp white label.  A little greeting from good old "Teeny Tiny (something for everything) Sentiments" and a dab of SNAIL, and they were done!  I did gather them all together for the pics above, because they looked so cute and colourful.  They went down a treat apparently, so all was good there. 

Here I am, at my car boot sale stall, just after the completion of set up.  I managed to sell a few of the retired sets on offer, and quite a few cards from the donation box were purchased to benefit the Dural Rural Fire Brigade.  Thanks so much to the lovely customers who were able to drop by for a visit.  Unfortunately, the drawcard, car stopper of a Jumping Castle for the kids was a last minute no-show, so traffic was a bit lighter than expected.  I did manage to make quite a few swap cards, so it worked out to be a fun day.  Off to find more neglected pics in my blog folder!

And the winners are......

I have drawn the fundraising raffle, using an online random sequence generator. 

Winning ticket numbers are:

First Prize -  276    Brooke H of Silverwater NSW
Second Prize - 347 Joanne M of Miami QLD
Third Prize - 258 Kirri G of Indooroopilly QLD
Fourth Prize - 80 Veronica M of USA (with nominated Australian address)
Fifth Prize - 526 Michelle B of Wodonga VIC

Congratulations to all the winners, I'll be sending phoning you ASAP.  Congratulations to each and every one of you who bought  a ticket, together we sold 563 tickets, and raised very close to $1000, which goes most of the way to getting Ethan his much needed monitor.  MWAH! to you all!

Just a few days left to get your tickets!

It's nearly time!  Ethan's raffle will be drawn on May 31st, but there's still time to get some tickets and help us get closer to our goal.  Here are the steps again, to make it as easy as possible for you:

1. Make your donation to the following account, $2 a ticket or 6 tickets for $10
 St George  BSB 112879 Acc 456399187 using your surname as a reference

2. Email me - michelle.dyson@bigpond.com  to tell me your name, address, phone number and your donation amount

3. Wait for me to issue tickets - this does take a few days at times, as the funds need time to be cleared into my account, and then I need to record your details.

4.  Stand by to win a great prize!!  And, pat yourself on the back for being a part of something to make such a difference in a little boy's life!  Lots of great prizes, but that's not really the point of the exercise :)

THANK YOU SO MUCH for your support!

It's been a long time coming, but worth the wait I hope!!

Keeping this post at the top for easy reference, until the end of the ticket sale period!  There are also a couple of updates, in RED!

Towards the end of last year, I had planned a fundraising raffle for a fellow demonstrator's little boy, Ethan. However, there were already plans underway for a major fundraiser for another special demonstrator baby, Lara, of "We Stamp for Lara" fame, and I decided to postpone my (much smaller) effort so it didn't distract from that event. Then, of course, we have had the most disaster-laden summer I can ever recall, with floods, fires, earthquakes and tsunamis, so that timing didn't seem quite right either. Touch wood, things appear to be settling a little, but in any case I'm going to pop this 'out there' now, and do what I can, with your help for Ethan's worthy cause. Some of my lovely customers have purchased tickets in this raffle already, as I started it with my catalogue launch back in September 2010. In fact, they encouraged me to expand the raffle in an effort to raise as much as possible. So, I announce the new, improved......


Fundraising Raffle for Ethan


One of the nicest things about being a demonstrator is the wonderful friendships that develop between us. We rally together to support many worthy causes, this time to help Ethan.

Ethan is the 6 year old son of Corina Beyer, a Riverina demonstrator. Ethan has Type 1 Diabetes, very difficult to manage in a young child. He has an insulin pump fitted, reducing the burden of multiple daily insulin injections. However, he still requires blood glucose monitoring every 2 hours round the clock, to prevent him from lapsing into a diabetic coma. Imagine the kind of stress this places on a family, if only from lack of unbroken sleep!

Ethan has recently trialled an automated continuous blood glucose monitoring system, which sounds an alarm if his levels fall outside the crucial range. However, the device costs $1250. And, the consumables cost more than $150 per week. Unfortunately, the Diabetes subsidy scheme does not cover this equipment. Your support will help to give Ethan a much more normal life, as well as his family!


Tickets are $2 each, or 6 for $10
Your name and contact number will be recorded against ticket numbers, and you'll receive an email with your ticket numbers once your payment has been received.  Prizes will be drawn using an online random number generator on TUESDAY 31st MAY.

How to purchase tickets?
Please follow these steps:
1. Email me on michelle.dyson@bigpond.com with your name, address, contact number and the number of tickets you would like to purchase.
2. Make a deposit to the following account:  St George BSB: 112879 Acc: 456399187  Name: Michelle Dyson and use your SURNAME as a reference.
3. Receive an email with your ticket numbers and drawing details to keep as your record.
Tickets are generally available to Australian residents only, due to the expense of mailing prizes to international winners, thank you for your understanding.  However, if you are able to arrange payment from an Australian bank account and can nominate an Australian address in the lucky situation of being a winner, I'd be delighted to issue tickets!

Attention troublemakers (because there's always one...):
Please be assured that I have investigated the procedure for holding this raffle under NSW law, and you can read more for yourself about the conditions and rules here.  No permit is required as the total prize value and method of promoting and drawing fall within the guidelines in the document linked here.  I have also received permission from Stampin' Up! to run the raffle, and they have donated a large box of wonderful goodies which have enabled me to expand the number of prizes.  Due to difficulties other demonstrators have had using Paypal to collect charitable donations, Paypal will generally NOT be accepted as a method of payment for tickets.  If you are overseas, without access to an Australian account, and desperately keen to contribute, contact me via email to see if we can work something out. Funds will be transferred to Ethan's Trust Account in batches, after I process and issue tickets. Further details of the draw timing and location will be provided closer to the date, and observers are welcome to attend.

Now, nitty gritty stuff dealt with, on to the PRIZES!!  I'd like to acknowledge the kind donations from members of my team, other demonstrators and Stampin' Up! Australia.

First Prize:

Prize pack includes: Simply Sent Card kit

Papercrafts Gourmet Book

Simply Scrappin Kit

Butterfly Punch

Days to Remember 12x12 calendar

Selection of ribbon, adhesive, brads, glitter

Stamp Set, cardstock, patterned paper as shown

Valued at  over $400

Second Prize:

Prize pack includes: Simply Sent Card Kit

Simply Scrappin Kit

Designer Series Papers

Cardstock, rub ons, box kit

Blender Pens
Stamp set

Selection of ribbons, glitter, brads

Punch, as shown

Valued at over $300

Third Prize:

Prize pack includes: Simply Sent Card Kit

Simply Scrappin Kit

Designer Series Papers

Cardstock

Stamp Set

Rolls of ribbon, glitter and brads

Plier punch, as shown

Valued at over $250

Fourth Prize

Prize pack includes:  Simply Sent Card kit

Designer Series Paper pack

6x6 patterned paper pad

On Board Chipboard pack

4 rolls ribbon

Glitter, buttons

Stamp Set

Daubers and Sanding block samples, as shown

Valued at over $250

 

Fifth Prize:

Prize pack includes:  Punches Three Gift tin with punch, stamp set and ink spots

Designer Series Paper pack

On Board Chipboard pack

Jumbo roller

Ribbon Rolls

Ink Pad

three markers

adhesive remover, as shown

Valued at over $200

I'll think you'll agree you wouldn't mind winning ANY of these prize packs! 

I look forward to issuing your tickets, and helping a young boy get a bit of his life back!

Many, many thanks for your kindness and generosity, and good luck in the draw!

Tickets anyone?? anyone?? Unfinished Business

Another super quick one (yes, supposed to be working on assignment for "Mathematics in Schools" right now).  So, in the spirit of "unfinished business", here is a card I don't think is quite finished.  While working on it at the e2c retreat, I thought it needed some pieces cut from the "Pattern Pieces" stamp from the Autumn/Winter Mini, to go with the buttons and "Tasteful Trim" Bigz XL die.  But, I didn't have that stamp with me, and so it remains, perhaps not quite complete.  Not unlike a certain maths assignment...

Colours are Peach Parfait, Pear Pizzazz, Blushing Bride and Whisper White.  I used the "Button Button" set to stamp some, and the embosslit die to match to make some 3D textured buttons.  The Tasteful trim pieces were run through the Square Lattice embossing folder, and I added some machine stitching and crimping.  When I get to it, I plan to play around with some vellum stamped pieces from the Pattern Pieces background, to make it look something like my floor when I sew (infrequently these days!)

Hope you like!  Finished or not!  Somehow, I suspect my maths lecturer will not appreciate an unfinished assignment, so must get back to it.

 However, you can keep me in the loop with Stampin' Up! by participating in my raffle for Ethan - tickets are on sale now, just $10 for 6 tickets, great prizes are shown down below - click on the pics to see bigger images.  Help me spread the word and get ticket sales going again after the easter break by linking to the post at the top - many thanks!!

 Instructions for entering the raffle are all there listed, and I look forward to sending the next installment of funds raised to Corina!

Cheers to you, with a Sweet and Sour Top Note chaser

Just a quick one, while I take a break from essay writing.   Here is another card I made at the e2c retreat, verrryyyy late one night.  It was inspired by they colourful cocktails being prepared by the neighbouring table.  The layout was inspired by an idea in "Papercrafts" magazine, a US publication that I like for the variety and style of designs, even the ads are interesting!  Catching a glimpse of the trends about to hit here is always good.  They often have design tips tucked away in the challenge articles, and this one was about using die-cut papers with a decorative edge as a design feature on a card - not just as the background for a scrapbook page.  I didn't have any die cut edge papers lying about, but was inspired to create my own custom one using the "Top Note" Big Shot die.  I cut a panel to the approximate size, and chopped off one end using the die to create the shape.  The shape created neatly frames the sentiment, and also shows off the "Sweet and Sour" specialty thermographic paper to its full advantage.

The image was done with "Cheers to You"  a set I took away with me to use, sadly neglected in my collection, although I do love it!  I stamped in Stazon black and coloured with my Watercolor Wonder crayons and a blender pen.  The papers were perfect for Cosmos and Mango Daiquiris, hence the choice of matting and layering.   The final touch was a bit of Pumpkin Pie narrow taffeta ribbon threaded through a Tangerine Tango button.  I added a glossy coat of Crystal Effects to the glasses before calling it a night morning. 

Did you receive my newsletter today about Ethan's Fundraising appeal?  If you'd like to receive my monthly-ish updates, you can click here to add your details to my mailing list.  If you'd like to help me spread the word, drop me an email at michelle.dyson@bigpond.com and I'll forward today's special edition.  Thanks!!

Thanks so much for your support - let's keep at it!

Thank you, thank you THANK YOU!  I have sold almost 400 tickets to date with your kind and generous support.  Corina, Ethan's mum ,has received all the funds cleared to date.  I'm hoping to be able to raise lots more however, my dream would be to cover the cost of the monitoring equipment and a few months worth of the consumables.  I would absolutely welcome any help in promoting the raffle, to help me achieve this goal!

For now, there are still spaces in my class tomorrow night, to make a beautiful origami box full of gift cards for all occasions.  Give me a call if you've been meaning to confirm, or if you'd like to book in.  There are more details in this post below.  The one in the pic is the prototype though. you'll be able to choose from a selection of co-ordinating SU! DSP and cardstock colours and a wide range of stamp sets and embossing folders to embellish with.

Here's another creation from my recent trip away to the Escape 2 Create retreat near Port Lincoln, SA:

This is a sneak peek of my swap cards for Convention 2011 - better start assembling more of them though, there are not that many days to go!!  It uses the "Clearly for you" set from the Autumn Winter Mini catalogue.  There are a wide selection of realistic botanical type images, and I can see heaps of versatility for it.  The base layer is Crumb Cake, stamped with the "Woodgrain" background.  Next, there's a layer of Pear Pizzazz, stamped with matching ink using the gorgeous tile background stamp from the set.  I've roughed up the edges with the distressing tool  from the Cutter Kit.  Peeking out from behind the torn and curled upper right corner is a bit of So Saffron, punched with the Scallop Trim corner punch.  There's also a band of So Saffron across the centre, that I rolled up and then across the table edge to soften and give it a faux ribbon look.  The central image was inked up to become raspberries, using several shades of green and red marker, using the thumping (perhaps better described as dabbing??) technique, before stamping on Very Vanilla.  This is layered on a distressed piece of Cherry Cobbler cardstock.  The finishing touches are some linen thread wrapped around the So Saffron band, a butterfly from the set stamped and fussy-cut out, and a hand-cut sentiment tag tied on with a snippet of Chantilly lace trim.  It might look complex, but it is relatively fast and easy to make en masse, so hopefully if I see you at Convention, I can maybe swap with you?

Happy New Year! Well, the only way is UP right??

Well, we could have hoped for a better start to the year, what a shocker!! There have been fires, floods and snow across various bits of Australia since Christmas. The widespread flooding in several states, worst of all Queensland has put a literal damper on the lives of a great many people. Spirits remain high, despite the devastation and tragedy, as evidenced by the picture above - The bronze statue of "King Wally" outside his home ground of Suncorp Stadium, sporting some very weather-appropriate gear - he was literally swimming for a while there!  One of the great things about the community of Stampin' Up! Demonstrators is how they react in a crisis to do whatever they can to help. This is true also of the company itself - hence the information below about their efforts to fundraise for the victims.

From the Stampin' Up! Office:
Australia Flood Appeal


13 January 2011
As flood waters continue to inundate Australia in what has been described
as the worst flooding in 37 years, we express our deepest sympathies to
those who have lost loved ones and homes and to those whose lives have
been changed forever. We, like so many of you, feel a compelling need to
lend support to all those who have been affected.
Stampin' Up! demonstrators have a long history of making a difference in
the lives of others--especially when disaster strikes and the need is
greatest. Nearly two years ago, we watched another tragedy unfold in
Australia. Our hearts were touched as demonstrators, customers and friends
joined together in support of the Bushfire Appeal. We've done it before
and we can certainly do it again!

Please join with us by supporting the Australia Flood Appeal--a cause in
which Stampin' Up! will donate $2 AUD of the retail value of sales from
any stamp set (with a retail value of $30 or more) sold in Australia and
New Zealand from 15 January through 15 February to the State Emergency
Services in Queensland.


Plus, there are still a few more days to get a FREE pack of Heart Shaped Sweet Treat Cups with purchase of the Full Heart punch or the Sweetheart stamp set:

Item	Page	Description	Price
121576	38	Sweetheart Wood-Mount Set	$38.95
120780	38	Sweetheart Clear-Mount Set	$29.95
119883	146	Full Heart Punch	$33.95

Purchasing the wood-mount set qualifies for the donation amount, plus you get a free bonus worth $6.50!

And/Or get your orders to me now, ready to be placed on the 25th January, when the biggest sales event of the year, Sale-a-bration, begins!  With each $100 spent in product, you can choose a free stamp set from a limited edition collection of four.  And, with every stamp set in your order worth $30 or more, Stampin' Up! will make the donation.  This fund-raising effort across Australia and New Zealand until 15th February has every potential to generate a very large amount of money for people in desperate need, so please do join me in making it a great success!  Contact me for details of the free stamp sets on offer, and polish up that wish-list today!  I can have orders delivered to your door anywhere within Australia, with postage from just $5.95 

Important Update for 'We Stamp for Lara' PayPal be DAMNED!!!!

Despite Lara's mum Madonna going to considerable effort to get a Government Approval Sanction specifically for this fundraising project, PayPal have seized her account where the donations have been made, and will not release any funds. PayPal were even asked prior to the donation buttons being placed if they required a copy of the documentation, but have blocked the account anyway. Come ON!!! We're mothers and friends helping a severely disabled child to access vital equipment, not terrorists or drug dealers!!! Get over yourselves, PayPal!! I'll be closing my Paypal accounts after this has been resolved, and I encourage you to do the same if at all possible. Vote with your feet to show how you feel about this reprehensible 'bully-boy' behaviour!

To this end, a brief message from the lovely Mads:

So, if you have friends that you want to join up or know of anyone else who’s interested, please direct them to Lara’s trust account:

Heritage Building Society
Mrs M J Dunn T/F Lara May Dunn
BSB 638010
A/C #: 12189650

So pass along the message girls. We will make sure that PayPal release the funds quickly. Word of mouth is a powerful tool. An angry Mother is another one!

Love and Hugs,
Mad

There's still plenty of time to jump in and join, you'll be able to access all of the daily tutorials to date, all the future daily tutorials and prize draws and of course, the grand prize draw of a Bigshot! Let's stick it to PayPal and show them we can succeed without their high fees and heavy-handed tactics!

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!

We Stamp for Lara

There will be alot more information coming very soon, about a special project that the ELITE team (of which I am a teeny weeny part) is organising in honour of a special little girl called Lara.  Consider this image a teaser maybe?

We're baaaaaaacccckkkkk!

Gosh, I feel such a slacker for not posting here in so long, especially since Kim Tonnet has not only posted a few times since our return from Fiji but also managed a couple of updates while we were there!! We all had a fantastic time, although as Kim also mentions, holidays with kids are never quite the same as the 'good old days' BC! We packed in lots of activities, interspersed with cocktails by the pool and a beach massage. I even took some Stazon stamped images to colour with Watercolor Wonder Crayons and a blender pen, but didn't manage many!

It is good to be home though, travelling always makes me appreciate how good we have it here in Australia. One of the highlights was a village tour where we met some local children. Because it was a weekend, the tour of their school wasn't on, but the kids were around the village instead.
Just before leaving I was reading some reviews of various tours, and discovered that stationery supplies like exercise books, pencils, pens, textas etc are in very short supply in rural Fiji, and are beyond the budget of many village families. I raided my stash of school supplies and took a bag full of things with me to give the children. They were delighted, and I encourage anyone visiting similar places to do the same. One young girl was proudly telling me she wishes to become a nurse, so anything we can do to help them on their path will be greatly appreciated. I plan to stock up big when the 'back to school' sales are on and post a parcel with more supplies early in the new year. Many of the resorts have a village they sponsor, so a parcel addressed care of a major resort should see the items reach their intended destination.

Ah well, better get back to it, so many things on my to do list!
I leave you with a couple of photos taken by my 8 year old son, it's amazing what kind of genuine images you can capture when the photographer is a youngster! I think he did a great job. The top one is of a Firewalking Warrior, and the second one is of my son with some of his village friends.

Christmas Craft Day - the aftermath...

Phew! What a day! Weeks upon weeks of planning and preparation culminated in a fabulous day for us and all our guests on October 10th at the Epping Creative Centre at our "Get Ready for Christmas" Craft day. This year's event, like last year's was a fundraiser for "Pink October", Breast Cancer awareness. Our chosen charity for the day was the McGrath Foundation. We ran four different Make n Take projects for a gold-coin donation and raised a nice pile fo such a good cause.

Here are some images from the day, out of order because I gave up trying to shuffle the pics...

Top image: In the midst of the action, with guests busy creating and getting inspiration from our display of cards, books and magazines. The venue was beautifully light, with windows along two full sides and banks of overheads as well - perfect for papercrafting!

Second image: Part of the goody bag received by each guest - a personalised decorated mug. I was delighted to find some mugs in great Stampin' Up!-like colours - Blue Bayou, Pumpkin Pie, Wild Wasabi, River Rock, Perfect Plum and something between So Saffron and Summer Sun. Kim and I, with the help of my husband Andrew decorated them with Stampin' Up! rubons, and also tags made from scalloped circles and plain circles. They were a big hit!

Third image: Setup the night before, in progress! It was certainly quieter then, but not nearly so much fun!

Fourth image: Our two lucky winners of the Challenges, Suzanne L and Kim M. Everyone voted on the anonymous entries, and the extra-talented Suzanne won 2 of the 3 sections! They won a Simply Sent kit for each Challenge win, kindly donated by Stampin' Up for our Pink October Breast Cancer Awareness fundraising event.

Fifth image: Kim standing with the fabulous entries in our three challenges. They included a sketch challenge, colour challenge, and a non-christmas stamp challenge.

I did plan on taking lots more photos, but as with last year, the camera sat under a table for most of the day... Maybe next time!!

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.

QUICK! Last call for Early Birds!

Early Bird registrations for our "Get Ready for Christmas" Craft day to be held October 1oth, 9.30am - 5pm

CLOSE WEDNESDAY 23rd SEPTEMBER

(that's just TWO MORE DAYS!)

Registrations will still be open after that date, but we're trying to firm up numbers attending to help us with our planning, so the price will rise to $40 for the day.

What do you get?

* Morning tea - an assortment of homemade goodies - cakes, biscuits, slices

* Lunch - buffet-style cold meats, veggie slice, salads and rolls

* Afternoon tea - more homebaked goodies

* Tea, Coffee and Filtered water all day

* Access to our extensive stamp, punch and tool library

* Inspiration by the bucketload, with samples on display, books and magazines to browse and more

* Make and takes (for gold-coin donation to Breast Cancer Charities)

* Lucky Door Prizes

* Creative Challenges to complete if you wish - more prizes to win!

* Demonstrations and more!

Already planned on coming? Please ensure Kim or myself have received your payment ASAP to confirm your place

Thinking about it? Go on! It will be a great day, productive and enjoyable, with good company and yummy food.

Just saw this? Check your diaries and give us a call for all the details (or read below)

Michelle: 9484 9447 or 0403 175790 michelle.dyson@bigpond.com

Kim: 0402 347010 ktonnet@bigpond.net.au

TEN NINE EIGHT SEVEN SIX FIVE FOUR THREE TWO ONE.....GONE!

Yep, there are only 10 days left for the 2008-2009 Idea Book & Catalogue, the Bushfire Appeal Promotion, the Summer Mini AND the Retirement List !! That's enough links to keep you going for a while I think!
Things to note:

The following sets from the Summer Mini have not managed to score a spot in the new catalogue, and will be UNAVAILABLE from March 31st

Live your Dreams $55.95 114261 (sob!)

Friendly Flowers $41.95 114261

Lots of Dots Jumbo Wheel $15.95 112414

Time for You $33.95 114279

Perfect Fit standard wheel $11.95 111251

Big on Spring $35.95 114277

In the Stars $51.95 114271 (even bigger sob!)

Love Owl Ways $35.95 114265

For Father $47.95 114281


PLEASE, if you have been thinking of getting any of these sets, contact me to place your order, there are a few shocks in there, some very popular and versatile sets.

Also, Classic Ink Pads will be increasing in price from $9.95 to $11.95 in the new Catalogue. If you are building your collection, it might be worth ordering a few at the current price while you can. Refills will increase by $1 to $5.95 each.

Some very positive news, the Designer Series Paper price of $19.95 per pack given to use was a MISPRINT! Phew! The correct price is a very reasonable $16.95.

The Bushfire Appeal Promotion, which donates half the cost of 10 selected sets has raised a wonderful $51000 + for the Red Cross to date. There's no such thing as too much money for a cause like this, so have a browse of the sets on offer. There's still 10 days to go, let's see what we can do!!

Retirement List - there are still lots of items available, some at a 25% discount! Have a look through your wish list and the Retirement List and see what you can match up!

Last chance!

Quick!! Get those orders for your In Colour inkpads, reinkers and cardstocks NOW!! There are only a few days until the retirement list is announced on the 1st March, and after that date they will only be available WHILE STOCKS LAST. With some of the reinkers already on backorder, this is your last chance to stock up.

So, why get reinkers? Well, depending on how often you use your inkpad, your climate (and if you're like me, your propensity to leave the lids open accidentally...) eventually the liquid ink evaporates and your pad will be a little dry instead of nice and juicy with great impressions from it.

With a reinker, you can refresh your inkpad over and over as necessary, and be happily using it in years to come! Thanks to Kim Tonnet for the image.

Why not check out the Bushfire Appeal list of stamp sets, where 50% of the cost is being donated to the Red Cross by Stampin' Up, and my commission goes to Victoria Wildlife Rescue, and stock up on a few essentials to earn a free Sale-a-bration stamp set? Click here to view the catalogue online.

I'm taking orders up until about 9pm this SATURDAY, 28th February.... DON'T MISS OUT!!

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!