Best Wishes and More (it's Christmas after all!)

Here is a card I made back at the team weekend in August. It was made for a colour challenge, and I wanted to use a set that I don't own myself. I have never been quite sure of the success of the final result, but enough people have picked it out of my samples box to comment on, so I guess it must be OK!

The colour challenge was: Sahara Sand, Old Olive, Certainly Celery and Whisper White. The set is called "Best Wishes and More" and can be found on page 53 of the Idea Book and Catalogue. I used all the images in the set other than the Snowflake, so you get a fair idea of what you could do with it. The sentiments are great too. I stamped the leaf in Sahara Sand onto a Sahara Sand background, and I laid a sponged piece of Old Olive over the centre. I think if I was making it again I would make a thin mat with a second piece of cardstock behind the Old Olive, in Whisper White, but hey, that's what you get in hindsight!! The flower, heart and birdie are stamped on Whisper White and mounted on nested circles using Stampin' Dimensionals.

At the left I have used a round Flower Designer Brad, and a scrap of Old Olive striped grosgrain. These brads are much larger, heavier and more substantial than I expected, so you can easily get away with using just one of them on a card. The sentiment is stamped in Old Olive , and I added an Eyelet Border punch base. What do you think?????? All products from Stampin' Up!, all available to order through me. Got a question about a Stampin' Up! product? Just send me a note and I'd be happy to help you out!

Get THIS list and check it twice - BARGAINS GALORE!

Do you like to do your Christmas Shopping AFTER Christmas at the Clearance Sales? Or, have you got some gift money to spend?

Read on, because I have a great deal to show you! And, if you order ASAP there is still the chance to receive your goodies in time for Christmas (although it cannot be guaranteed from now on)

So, what's on offer? A great selection of Stamp sets and accessories, at clearance prices in the first ever Stampin' Up! Inventory Clearance Sale.

Until 24 January, 2010 you will get amazing discounts on selected, high-quality Stampin’ Up! products with no minimum purchase, and no limits to how many you can purchase!

To view the complete list of sale items- please click on the link below
CLEARANCE SALE FLYER

Products are available at these prices while stocks last during the promotional period, although they are all products that are featured in the 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalogue and will be available at normal catalogue prices until September 2010.

You may have read my excited noises about the transition to die-cut stamps, and that stamp sets will be produced in die-cut form when existing stocks of square cut stamps are exhausted. That's why all the stamp sets on offer are in square cut form. Never fear, the small amount of extra work is more than made up with the great savings. Some stand-out examples include 3 different alphabet sets, all 50% off! Grab 'em while they last at a teeny weeny $38.95 (+p/h) Jumbo Outline Alphabet is shown in the image above.

There's also chunky glitter, hodgepodge, die cut blooms, and ribbon, to name but a small selection. No cutting required there, just plain old great bargains!

Don't delay, some items are so well priced they can't last for long, and I'd hate for you to miss out. Click on the link to go to the flyer above, and get back to me ASAP with your list! Call me on (02) 9484 9447 or email me - your order can be delivered anywhere within Australia for just $5.95 or 5%, whichever is higher.

Christmas Classics part III

Here's the second card I whipped up using the Christmas Classics stamp set, this time using the Star stamp. I entertained the idea of using the other image from the set, the Christmas tree, but I thought it would look a little too strange dangling from the 'sky' - a bit of lateral thinking and design modification required, but I think I will give it a go to make the trifecta. The card is made in the exact same way as the previous bauble design, but using the star instead.

I really love how the detailed cross hatching on the stamps looks so authentically 3D when embossed. It's also the kind of stamp that looks great stamped in one colour, without needing to be coloured, or, you can stamp in Stazon ink and sponge colour over it, using a dauber. See, there's some more versatility with this set!