And the winner is... (at long last)

June Online Ordering Competition - Gosh, I've been tardy with this one!  I have been getting far more casual teaching work than I anticipated, and it has become a case of 'make hay while the sun shines' - Term 4 is usually quieter so perhaps I can catch up then.  I am also busy busy with my training as a member of the Rural Fire Service!  I decided that by joining, I could build my skills and as a bonus get to spend more weekend time with my husband Andrew, who has been a member for some years.  But, this initial training phase is a little hectic!!!

In any case, I had slips of paper named and cut for some weeks before hooking my trusty assistant above into conducting the draw for me.  Drumroll......  The lucky winnner is Alison M of South West Sydney, and when I finish gathering the bundle I'll post a pic of her prize.

 Back to Year 11 Art - where strangely I have been able to help students with their projects thanks to the talented bunch of ladies I can call friends - Louise Nelson, Kate Mason and Nat May (mixed media on paper stuff with gesso and texture paste questions)  So, if you all get inundated with enthusiastic high school students on your blogs, you can blame me  (nah, never gunna happen :-p)

SOME DAYS LATER.......

Anyway, the bell rang, I had a lunchtime playground duty, and this post never made it past a draft that day.  The upside is that I now have a pic of the prize bundle, which should have reached the winner today :-)

Fun stuff not far away!

2013 was the Best. Convention. Yet!  I think I say that each year but truly, Stampin' Up! spoiled us rotten in celebration of their 25th year as a company with heart.  So many giveaways, so much inspiration, so much excitement over what is ahead!

There's still 2 weeks left to make sure you've ordered all those goodies that are leaving us - the best way to see what is available on the Retirement Lists is via the Shop Now button at the top right of my blog sidebar.  Create an account in a few simple steps and you're off and shopping for bargains!  In case you've left it to the last minute, there's about 1 hour left on the Digital Sale! - ends tonight at 11.50pm.  By signing up for an account and placing an order, either directly with me or via my online store, you'll also be helping us reach our Convention Challenge of introducing as many new people to our great product range as possible!  If we reach it, there's even more free goodies for us!  And I have some free goodies to give away too!

So, grab a pen and jot down this code for your order, and create an account to shop today - 69SHUUN7 - just enter these details when prompted for the Hostess Code - you'll also be entering my draw for a prize bundle to be drawn June 30th.

 Above I have put some pics of a sneak peek, just one of the inspiring cards made on stage at Convention, this one by the uber talented Shannon West.  We all know Washi tape is just awesome stuff to create with, and you can never own too much, but imagine being able to STAMP it!  In whatever colour combo took your fancy!  This card does just that, and I can't wait to get my hands on this set. 
 

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.

An apple for the teacher? Well, a cherry is close :)

Oh. My. Goodness. !!!
What a week!  During the intensive month of teaching methodology subject we were all placed at a random school for 8 days of "In School Orientation Program".  It's sort of a 'thrown in the deep end' approach, as after the first three days, you are teaching solo (while being observed, and rescued if needed).  I took a Year 8 science class, and a Year 10 class for the last 5  days.  Today, in our Year 10 class doing a genetics unit, every single bench successfully extracted great spool-able globs of gorgeous DNA from wheatgerm.  It was a prac usually done (with less success apparently) with Year 12 Biology, so it was sort of a 'proud mummy' moment watching them get great results.  I ventured outside into the playground with Year 8, looking at the effect of light on grass growth, and it was interesting to see their behaviour and engagement change over the days as they got to know me.
My conclusions:
1. I've never rushed from place to place so much in any job, I was totally whacked by the end of each day!
2. I've never had to cart so much paperwork and books from lab to staffroom and back again, and then to and from home
3. Lesson planning takes hours and hours!  Especially if you make the effort to make their lesson engaging and appealing.
4. It is hard to predict what is going to happen next - there's always something happening to throw a spanner into the lesson plan.  In the space of the 8 days I encountered Year 12 boys dressed in feather angel wings and red satin boxers delivering "Hug-a-grams" on Valentines Day, "mufti-madness", special assemblies, to motivational media presentations and more.
5. Seeing adolescents start to trust you and work for you is worth every bit of the above.  Bribing with lollies and stationery items helps here... ;-)

So, thank your kids teachers!  They sure deserve it.

I have one more week of intensive methodology, and then an exam, and then things will settle to a more 'leisurely' routine.  If you'd like to offer your group of friends for me to practice my newly polished teaching skills on, I'm totally itching to do some Stampin' Up! workshops for Sale-a-bration, I'll even bribe you with lollies!  First to book will get an extra prize from my stash!  Give me a call, 0403 175 790 or send an email and we can compare diaries to find a suitable day and time.

Above is a card I made with the "Button Buddies" stamp set, coloured with markers, and stamped onto a Whisper White panel.  I matted it with Pear Pizzazz, and then Whisper White again, and put it on a background of Riding Hood Red stamped with the sadly retired "Polka Dot" stamp. I used some of the extra wide striped grosgrain as a hanger, and played around with a bit of narrow taffeta Old Olive ribbon to secure a knot at the top.  A sentiment down the bottom from "Just Believe" and it was all done.  If you wanted to dress it up even more, you could add a couple of buttons over the cherries, for a 3D effect.

Have a good weekend everyone, also a reminder that the next Stampin' Crop day is Saturday 25th February, from 10-5, details as usual.  New people always welcome, just call or email as above for more info.

A few days left to save! December Frenzy ends soon...

Hello everybody!  I hope all my readers have enjoyed a peaceful and relaxing Christmas Day, and are enduring the school holidays with ease and grace?  It's been unbelievably busy here, mainly due to me hosting the family Christmas.  I have NO idea how my grandmother managed to make it all look so effortless well into her old age, wish she was still around so I could ask her!! 

The kids are leaping on any chance to go for a swim, and it's lucky we've had a few days of warmer, less wet weather.  Or, perhaps I should make that ONE child is keen to don cossies, the other one was home from the last day of school for about 10 minutes before he broke his little finger!  It's all strapped up and splinted, but he's still managed to get it wet a few times, so I've had plenty of practice re-bandaging.  It's put a dent in his holiday style though!  Lucky he's pretty tough, and it should heal fine as long as he doesn't do more damage before it heals.  He's off to the doc again in a day or two for a repeat xray to see how it's healing, and a swimmable fibreglass cast if I get my way!

Onto more crafty matters:
The December Frenzy sale runs until 31st December,  and there are still plenty of bargains to be had.  Only the Every Moment set and the Ornate Blossom set have returned to normal catalogue price, as of today, but I'd still recommend not leaving it too late in case other items are also low in stock.

The pic above just shows the Christmas treats we made for the kid's classmates - Hershey's Nuggets, Red and Green M&Ms, and Maltesers, with Santa Owl toppers, apparently they went down well, making 60+ did take a wee while though!!

And, congratulations to Joan from Ulladulla NSW for being the winner of my pre-Christmas prize draw, I hope you enjoy your stamp set and goodies.

Happy relaxing everyone!

Last days for Last Chance! + win PRIZES!

There are just a few more days left for the current 2010-11 Idea Book and Catalogue, so it's time to take one last good look at the Retiring List to check for must-have stampin' goodness!

I tried to make another sorted list from the Excel file, without success, so I have included the link here to the PDF showing all the retired items and their availablility.  CLICK HERE for the list!  An "X" in the Availability column means the product has *Sold Out*, sorry!

If you're a visual person like myself, you probably know the sets more by their images rather than their names, so it might be a good idea to have your catalogue nearby and flick through it, crossing off retiring items as you go.  Yes, there is a lot of lovely stuff disappearing, don't miss them...  Don't forget there are two stamp sets on offer as prizes, you'll get a ticket for each $50 spent on any order that includes at least one retiring item.  Hurry, competition must close with last orders on August 31st!

Hopefully I'll be back in soon to show some of the creations I made at the INKlings Team Weekend last week - but first there is an assignment or two calling my name...!

List is shrinking, day by day... + Stampin' Crop day THIS SATURDAY 13th August

Hello everyone,
Just a quick update to post a list of items that are now SOLD OUT and unavailable to order from the Retirement List:

Sanded  [wood-mount]

Full Calendar  [wood-mount]

Bashful Blue 12" x 12" Card Stock

Early Espresso 12" x 12" Card Stock

Antique Brass Jumbo Eyelets

Metallic Eyelets

Pewter Jumbo Eyelets

Spiral Punch

1-3/8" x 5/8" Oval Punch

Photo Corners Punch

Star Punch

A bit of info about the 12x12 cardstock, you'll notice on the PDF or sortable Excel list that it is not strictly retiring, but will be reconfigured.  12x12 cardstock is returning to packs of 20 smooth (single colour) or 20 textured (color family pack, 2 sheets each of 10 colours).  The packs given in the list, aside from the Espresso and Bashful that are now sold out are 12 sheet packs, 6 sheets of smooth and 6 sheets of textured per pack in a single colour, for $13.95.  In future, to get 6 textured sheets in a single colour, you'll need to buy *3* colour family packs, an expensive and potentially wasteful prospect.  If you're a fan of Tempting Turquoise, don't miss the chance to nab some at 25% off, just $10.46 a pack.

So, I do recommend that if you have some favourite colours in textured, that you stock up now!   Similarly for ribbons, the styles are staying and the colours are current, but the colours in each style will be more mixed up.   Several of the ribbons are discounted, and if you are planning any large projects using ribbon, such as invites, make sure to stock up while you can!

I'm placing orders practically every day to give you the best chance of getting retirement items before they are gone.    Remember also that you'll get a ticket in the draw for the prize of the Level 2 Hostess Set, Fast and Fabulous, and I'm adding a second prize of your choice from selected Level 1 hostess sets.


In other news, Stampin' Crop Days have shifted to the SECOND Saturday of the month, making August's THIS COMING Saturday, 13th August.  These days are a casual social occasion where you can chat, stamp, soak up inspiration, learn a technique or two, or work on whatever you need to catch up on.  The cost for the day is $15, and includes a light lunch, use of my tools, stamps and equipment, and casual instruction.  Places are limited, so I'd appreciate it if you RSVP to me on 0403 175 790 or email me ahead of time.  Location is in Cherrybrook, time is 10-5pm, and new stampers are always welcome!

It's a RETIREMENT Party! Get 'em before they're gone... WIN Level 2 Hostess Set, "Fast and Fabulous"

The Retirement List is up - and there are some surprises!  Click on the banner image just above to be taken to the PDF of the Retiring items list,  which will be updated daily to reflect availability.  It's organised by category, and you can instantly pick out the extra special bargains, with some items reduced by 40%! 

Please dig out your wishlists and catalogue, grab a cuppa and a sweet treat, and browse through to make your choices while stocks last.  Some items will be limited in availability, so it would be advisable to have a reserve item or two in case your first choices are no longer available when your order is placed.

Stamp Highlights:  These are items I know have been popular, and on a few wishlists - but there's lots more, so be sure to check!

• Sanded, Bella Toile and Calendar Background stamps - these are verstatile and will be missed!  They are on page 87 of the current catalogue
• Occasional Greetings - full of the most used occasion sentiments, p 19
• Gifted - just in time for Christmas cards and quick tags, and a whopping 40% in both wood and clear mounts  (be super quick for this to avoid missing out) page 21
• Christmas Classics - (!)  A bit of a shock this one, jog your memory by looking at page 28
• Kimono Kids - sob!  page 42
• Cheep Talk - beautiful bird and branch set, page 50
• Beware Pirates - another shock, it's a must have set for those tricky older boys - and 25% off
• Just Cricket, Extreme Surfboard and Extreme Guitar - more great boy stamps - be quick I reckon!  Check out page 53
• Choo Choo, the matching track wheel and Forest Friends - pages 62/3
• Eastern Blooms and Scribble This!  p66/7
• Dreams du Jour - p81 and 25% off too... and Friends 24/7 on page 82!!
• Priceless and Fresh Cuts on pages 90/1

Wheels

• Most of the wheels that go with retiring matching stamps are going - typically rolling out the door.  Check the catalogue on pages 158/9 for the list, especially Neighbourhood, Stars, So Swirly, Scribble, Always in Bloom and Right on Track.

Punches

• Spiral Binding (#39), Large Star (#41), Designer Label (#7), Photo Corners (#22), Oval (#14)

There are plenty of other treasures tucked away in the accessories section, including some Big Shot dies, ribbons (current colours, retiring styles, some 25% off), ALL of the Designer Series Papers and Simply Scrappin Kits (some 40% off).  There are lots of cardstock items that will be reconfigured, so don't panic when you see those.

Go into the draw to win!

All retirement list orders of $50 or more will go into the draw for a brand new, unmounted Level 2 Hostess Set, "Fast and Fabulous" - this is a set earned with a $600 workshop, so it's a great opportunity to win!  You will receive one entry in the draw for each $50 spent (before postage/handling).  You can check out this great set on page 13, and click here to see the gallery on Splitcoast showing the gorgeous cards you could be making with it!

I'll be sending out a newsletter next, so please forward it to any stampin' friends who might like to have a look through.

Postage and Handling:

All orders that can be collected from me at Cherrybrook will pay the 5% postage and handling rate, and all orders being sent directly to you will pay the minimum charge of $5.95, or 5%, whichever is the greater amount.  I can have orders posted anywhere within Australia!

How to Place an order?

You can call me on (02) 9484 9447 or 0403 175 790 or email me at michelle.dyson@bigpond.com.  I can accept cash, cheque (subject to clearance), direct deposit, Mastercard and VISA payments. 

Happy Browsing, I do hope you can nab the retiring sets you've been wishing for during the year, they are mighty hard to get hold of when they're gone...

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!

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!

SUMMER MINI is here! Enter the Virtual Launch to win a great prize!

Woo hoo!  It's here!  And, it contains a number of the most requested items that didn't make it into our main Idea Book and Catalogue back in September.   Well, I guess Stampin' Up! had to keep something back to fill our mini with!

There's just too much else happening in everyone's lives this close to Christmas, so I won't be holding a formal launch like I usually do.    However, I'm having a Virtual Launch instead!  If you'd like me to send you a copy of the Mini catalogue, please use the "Contact Me" form on my Demonstrator Business Website to drop me a line.  Everyone who places an order of $20 or more from either the main IBC, December Frenzy promo or the Summer Mini  before December 29th will go into the draw to win a fabulous 'door prize' including stamps and accessories  (stay tuned for a pic of the prize goodies).  You'll get an entry ticket for each $20 you spend (excl p/h), so you could be getting an extra gift when you spend your Christmas money on some delicious Stampin' Goodies!  (yes, I changed it to a ticket per $20 spent in recognition of the expensive time of year - more chances to win!)

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!

You don't know what you've got till it's gone...

No, I'm not channelling Joni Mitchell, but I do have an important point to make... I *really* don't want anyone to panic, it's just paper after all, but I do want to make everyone aware of the facts so that they can avoid disappointment, hence this reminder post...

The Colour Renovation Project has exceeded all forecasts of demand in the US. Some colours (despite analysis by SU! of sales trends, previous retirement purchasing behaviour, and building in a comfortable 'safety margin') have already SOLD OUT in 8.5x11" smooth cardstock, having exceeded demand by as much as 4x predictions. Where possible, more is being manufactured to meet backorders, but there is a limit to what can be done without affecting production of the exciting NEW colours.

The sold-out colours in the US do not affect us here in Australia/NZ directly, as our cardstock is a different size, A4. However, the same result could ultimately be expected here as we get closer to the release of the new Catalogue, and extra production is limited by the same factors as the US market.

So - please, don't delay, take a good look at your colours. Decide which you are willing to leave behind as you move to the beautiful new palette, and also which colours you feel you can't do without for a while yet. Own the inkpad? Check you have a reinker on hand. Use the colour a lot in your cards or scrapping? Check you have a pack or two in reserve. Matching ribbon? Marker? Like to watercolour flowers and nature images? Consider the Earth Elements Watercolor Wonder crayon kit for all the colours you need in one set. Have some patterned paper featuring a retiring colour? Check your stash for matching cardstock, etc

A timely investment now will save you (and me!) much stress later on when stocks become unavailable. There's nothing worse than trying to track down a reinker for a retired colour, "hen's teeth" doesn't even come close! And I can see the Ebay prices skyrocketing along with demand...

We are lucky that we have a couple of extra months to plan ahead and order, but I do recommend that you organise and order for your future needs sooner rather than later.

As an added incentive, place an order of $50 or more (excl p/h) before MAY 31st to receive a free Stampin' Write marker, valued at $5.75 + p/h in a retiring colour (random choice, but I will match with your order where possible) Your order must contain at least one retiring colour product. Limit of one marker per customer, per order. Sorry, full packs/rolls only, no split packs - why not consider sharing with your stampin' friends?
Off you go, consider it your homework for the week from your Creative Coach!

I'm off to prepare for my Friday Evening Class on PUNCHES, finish some 6x6 Scrapping pages, and work on my projects for the upcoming Inklings Team Blog Hop - starting Thursday night! - theme is MASCULINE projects, so you're bound to find heaps of inspiration. Stay tuned for details, and have a lovely, crisp Autumn day! Thanks very much to Caroline LeBel, a Canadian SU! Demo for her lovely Colour Renovation image (spelled the non US way!)

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!!

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!!

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

A Winter Post Christmas and Christmas Craft day approaches!

I fell in love with the Winter Post set (p 33, $47.95 115902) when I saw it in the catalogue, it has so many elements that you can use in combination or separately. I know some people don't like the wintery theme for their Christmas cards, but I've never had a problem with rugged-up Santas and snowflakes! Probably because I prefer to be able to get warm near a roaring fire in winter, rather than trying to beat the stifling heat of a Sydney summer! Tradition is probably another factor, as I do like to celebrate with the hot roast dinner followed by pudding - again this would be much more suited to a chilly climate...

On to the card, I wanted to create a vintage look and to use the fabulous Postcard and Postmark stamps, so I have created a postcard lookalike using a Kraft cardstock base, sponged with Chocolate Chip ink around the outside. over this is a piece of Confetti Cream cardstock, and the stamps are inked with Close to Cocoa ink.

For the skaters image, I stamped onto Watercolor paper, and used Riding Hood Red, Chocolate Chip and Close to Cocoa inks and a blender pen to colour the image. This is matted with Riding Hood Red, and the edges have been put through the postal service wringer by applying my distressing tool.

The greeting comes next, and I have used a sentiment more usually placed on the inside of a card, from the Many Merry Messages set, stamped in Chocolate Chip ink, as if it were writing on the postcard.

A strip of Kraft taffeta ribbon completes the almost monochrome look, and I added a smidge of bling in the form of a "fire" square rhinestone en pointe, threaded through a small felt flower from the felt Flower Fusion Too set.

The final touch was dropping my inkpad on the finished card, while trying to close it. Hmm. I guess Aussie Post were a touch heavy handed with the ink in the postmarking machine, what do you reckon?? LOL!

And onto other important news, it is now less than ONE MONTH until our "Get Ready for Christmas Craft Day" on October 10th at Epping Creative Centre, Dence Park. If you would like to come along, please get in touch with Kim Tonnet or myself to have an e-invite forwarded to you.

The details:

When: 9.30am - 5pm on Saturday 10 October 2009

Where: Epping Creative Centre (Dence Park), 26 Stanley Street, Epping.

What we'll provide: Morning tea, lunch and afternoon snacks, juice, tea, coffee and water (BYO other drinks). Please let us know if you have any special dietary requirements. There will also be a huge selection of stamp sets, punches and papercrafting tools available to borrow, along with loads of inspiration and samples. Great prizes too!

Bring your own: Basic tools and adhesives and projects to work on. Coins/small notes to pay for extra make-and-takes (all takings will be donated to the NSW Cancer Council Breast Cancer Cause, in honour of Pink Ribbon Month).

Cost: $35 *Early Bird Price. Payment required at the time of registration. Methods of payment accepted are cash, cheque, bank deposit, PayPal or credit card (MasterCard or Visa).

Registration: Please phone Michelle on 0403 175 790 or email us. *Early Bird Registrations close Wednesday 23rd September. Full Price Registration fee is $40. Full Price Registrations close Friday 2nd October 2009.

PLACES ARE LIMITED, SO PLEASE BOOK IN NOW! We have been collecting items for goodie bags, some of which are limited in number, so the sooner you register and pay, the plumper it will be... Why not come with a group of friends and enjoy a great day creating?

Spring Mini Launch Party Winners, and more...

Thank you so much everyone who was able to make it to the Spring Mini Catalogue Launch party held last Saturday, Kim and I had a wonderful time sharing the new goodies with you. Everyone was able to make three different Make n Take Projects, and Kim treated us to several "WOW"'s including White Stazon on Cello, and Faux Silk using the pretty Soft Summer set from the Mini.

We offered two prizes on the day, a Lucky Door Prize and a prize drawn from guests who placed orders of $100 or more on the day. Andrew drew them for us at the conclusion of the day as we recovered with a bottle of wine and yummy gourmet pizza.

Firstly, the Lucky Door Prize of A Spring Solitude Hostess Stamp Set and Wheel Bundle (from the last catalogue), Tombow Multi Glue and Signo White Gel pen was won by....

Leanne J of Wahroonga! Congratulations to Leanne, we'll arrange to deliver your prize along with your order very soon.

The Incentive Prize of a Simply Sent Card Kit was won by Joanne P of Kingsgrove, Well done Joanne!

Additionally, because I never actually finished my July Newsletter in my busyness preparing for the Launch, I'll announce the winner of my June competition of a "for a friend" Hostess stamp set.... Congratulations to Fiona R of Glenorie!

Would you like to be in the running for prizes and giveaways? And get information on special offers, Papercraft classes and events? Simply click the button at the right hand side to subscribe to this blog, you'll receive an email update when I update. To receive my monthly-ish Newsletter, send an email with SUBSCRIBE in the subject to my email and I'll add you to the list.

I'll finish with another card for Kim, this time made by my husband Andrew. He carefully selected a stamp set to use, Pun Fun, and a design to CASE from the Idea Book and Catalogue. He chose a colour scheme, around what else but PURPLE and did a wonderful job, all by himself. The card base is Pale Plum, stamped with Pale Plum using the Polka Dot background. The background panel of Perfect Plum was run through the Cuttlebug with the Tiny Bubbles embossing folder. The Pun Fun Birthday birdy, (so cute!) was stamped in Stazon, and coloured using the Inkpad Puddle technique and a blender pen. Some small stars punched in Elegant Eggplant, Pale Plum and Perfect Plum were inked and popped up using Stampin' Dimensionals, and a strip of Elegant Eggplant grosgrain ribbon was added to complete the card. Hope you like it!