Fantastic Good Greetings Stamp set - yours free for a very limited time!

There are ELEVEN more days to earn an exclusive new Hostess Set called Good Greetings.  On top of the $50 in hostess benefits you receive with a $300 order, you get this versatile and appealing sentiments set FREE of charge.  It's an ideal time to spoil yourself, or get started on some Christmas shopping from the Annual Catalogue, Holiday Catalogue, Holiday Supplement Catalogue and not forgetting the Clearance Rack and My Digital Studio offerings.
Here are some excuses REASONS to place an order today...
1.  Teacher Gifts - very important - Term 4 will fly by!  I may be biased, but I think a good teacher deserves something with a bit of thought and effort put into it after a year of educating your children.   Rotary Stamps?  Card Kit?  MDS Printables? Something relaxing to make over the break?
2. Christmas Card Supplies - start now and you will have time to make your own cards, with love and care to go along with your end-of-year salutations.  Choose your colours, grab your cardstock and envelopes - maybe with a new stamp set to match?
3. Stocking treats - the Clearance Rack is a great place to start for Christmas sack bits and bobs - there are many versatile ideas hiding there just waiting to be turned into creative genius by kids of all ages - mini albums, customisable Simply Adorned jewellery and more.
4. Halloween - it's coming, and it's getting bigger every year!  Make some cute tags with a punch and a Halloween themed stamp set, attach to a lollipop and you'll score some serious playground Brownie Points.  Thinking of Halloween, the same applies for those end of year classmate treats.  Heaps of ideas await on Pinterest.

So, what are you waiting for?  It's the perfect time!  Click any of the text links, or the photo to Shop by Solution.

Current List of Stamp Sets for Sale - May 2012

Cupboards have been emptied, and quite a number of wood mounted stamp sets have hit the pile for re-homing.  Some are well used, and quite a few are new and unmounted and would make great gifts.  All are bargain-priced at less than half their catalogue price!  Some might be stained on the rubber or wood block, but this has no effect on stamping performance.  All stamps are in great condition.  UPDATED 5th MAY 2012 - I have included lots more new sets from my latest ruthless cull!

Postage is available via satchel, with up to 500g costing $9 and over 500g costing $15.  If you'd like several sets, I can combine into a large satchel.  Pick up from Cherrybrook is also available by arrangement.

This would be one very large post if I made pictures for all of the sets, but since Stampin' Up! stamps are so widely admired,a simple google images search will pull up lots of ideas about the sets and what you can make with them!  Where I have easy reference I have included the 6 digit item code.

Stamps A la Carte - single stamps in clamshell boxes  $7.00 each

Sweetness Unlimited - 117721 (Welcome Baby Sweetness Unlimited sentiment)

Stamp Sets in clamshell boxes- $12.00 each

Bella's Bloom (new, unmounted) 116330


Stamp Sets in clamshell boxes- $15.00 each


Birthday Bakery (new, unmounted hostess set) 121452
Good Neighbours (new unmounted) 118780
Good Neigbours (new, unmounted) 118780
Sweet Summer 123286 (mounted, unstained)
Yummy (new, mounted) 115243
Sweet Little Sentiments (mounted, lightly used) 115736
Botanical Blooms (new, mounted) 115237
Bliss (new, unmounted) 123282
Bliss (new unmounted) 123282
Congrats (new, unmounted) 115239
Picture This (new unmounted, rare hostess set) 119157


Stamp Sets in clamshell boxes - $20 each


In the Spotlight - Hostess set, for many occasions, including Christmas
Rustic Rooster (new unmounted) 115744


Stamp sets in clamshell boxes - $25 each

Friends 24-7 115808 - one of my favourites..
Greetings Eight (new unmounted) 115792
Echoes of Kindness (new, unmounted) 115940


Stamp sets in clamshell boxes - $30 each

Asian Artistry - 119159 - Hostess  set from a mini, rare!

Stamp sets in clamshell boxes - $35 each

Occasionally - (new, unmounted set of 28 icon stamps) 112372


To purchase, please leave a reply here in the comments, and send me an email - michelle.dyson@bigpond.com  with your list and contact details.  Happy shopping, I'll cross them off as they find new homes :)

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!

Window Dressing and watercolouring

This is a card I made for a special birthday boy recently. The set I have used is called "Window Dressing" which is a stamp set available exclusively to hostesses. I have also used one of the cute little characters from the "All in the Family" stamp set to fill the window, although the set does come with several choices to put in the window including a kitty cat, flowers and a sweet little girl. The background layer is Real Red, and I have stamped it with the retired "Linen" background, in Real Red ink, and the next Night of Navy layer is also stamped in Night of Navy ink with "Linen". The window image has been stamped in Stazon black ink on Watercolour paper, and I used Watercolour pencils and blender pens to add colour. The soccer ball is from the Family Favourites accessories set, and I stamped it separately and popped it up on some Stampin' Dimensionals. The entire window is also raised up on Dimensionals. The ribbon is Real Red Polka Dot ribbon from the Summer Mini, but tied upside down so just the stitching edge can be seen. The greeting is stamped in Whisper White Craft ink using a stamp from the "On your Birthday" stamp set, and some coloured brads added to frame it. Lots of fun, contact me if you would like to find out how you could earn the "Window Dressing" Hostess set for free!

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.

Natures Nest turtle, isn't he cute!

Here is another in the series of cards I made with the Natures Nest set of stamps from the Summer Mini catalogue. As with the Shell card, I stamped onto Watercolor paper using Stazon black ink and then used a selection of markers and a blender pen to build up colours, mixing and layering them to achieve a look of depth and reality. There's Really Rust, Sage Shadow, Mellow Moss, More Mustard, Close to Cocoa, Always Artichoke, Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, Sahara Sand. More maybe, I lost count! I ruffled up the edges with the Edge Distressing tool from the Cutter Kit, and then matted it onto a piece of Kraft cardstock. Then we have a sponged layer of Mellow Moss that I have punched with the Spiral punch and distressed a bit to make it look like a torn page from a notebook. The base layer is Chocolate Chip, stamped with the "Sanded" background in Chocolate Chip ink. To finish, I used a piece of Mellow Moss taffeta ribbon, and tied short lengths of Chocolate Chip and Very Vanilla taffeta around it. The greeting is from the exclusive Hostess set, Best Yet. Want it? It's easy! Give me a call and book your workshop, and take advantage of the great Sale-a-bration promotion too for even more benefits.

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.

A special card for a special friend

You've already seen one of the cards our family made for Kim, and here's mine. It's a layer upon layer job, 8 in fact!! The base is Perfect Plum, Kim's all time fave SU colour. This is sponged around the sides using s wedge of SU sponge and Perfect Plum ink. Next up is a thin mat of Always Artichoke. Then, a layer of Pale Plum stamped with En Francais in Pale Plum ink and again sponged along the edges. For good measure, this layer is popped up with Stampin' Dimensionals.

Then we have a couple of layers of Nestabilities Labels 2 shapes, cut from Always Artichoke and Mellow Moss and then embossed. After practicing a bit, I watercoloured an image from the Echoes of Kindness Hostess set using my blender pens, inkpad puddle and aquapainter brush. There's Perfect Plum, Pale Plum, Always Artichoke, Mellow Moss, and a touch of Lovely Lilac . Sahara Sand has been added to create a little shadow.

Then a matching pair of smaller Nestabilities shapes were cut and embossed for the greeting, from the On your Birthday set, stamped on Watercolour paper in Always Artichoke ink. A tie of Mellow Moss ribbon completes the outfit!

It did look good alongside her matching Perfect Plum and Pale Plum Punch cabinet!

Live like you mean it

Here is another card I made at the Stamp Camp weekend at Collaroy. It uses two Level 1 Hostess-exclusive items, so if you want to make it yourself, contact me me to organise a workshop, catalogue party or cut that Wish List down to a more manageable size with an order of $300 or more - there is a great selection of goodies to choose!

The stamp set I have used is "Live like you mean it", and the Patterned paper is from the Patterns Pack II Designer Series paper pad - a block of 60 sheets of 6x6 DSP in 5 different colours.

The base of the card is Whisper White, and I've stamped the 'Life' and sentiment in Regal Rose to match the DSP. A panel of the patterned paper is laid over a mat of Regal Rose cardstock edged with the gorgeous Eyelet Border punch at the top! Whisper White Craft ink has been used to stamp the flowers directly on the patterned paper, and a layer of cut-out flowers inked up with Certainly Celery, Regal Rose and So Saffron markers is positioned in front, so it looks (I think anyway!) like a bed of flowers going backwards. A snip of narrow Certainly Celery grosgrain is the finishing touch. Hope you like it!