Dress Up for Christmas

The girls and I had a great Chrissy workshop on Sunday, Santa Hats were donned and it was a Delightfully Decorative Day! We made at least 3 main cards each, a set of Tree Ornaments and some cute little Dove cards using my new 2 Step Bird Punch. Stay tuned in the next few days for photos of my Christmas card designs using the beautiful new paper set Jolly Holly.

I've just found out about the fab Christmas special Stampin' Up! are offering this year - its free ribbon reels when you order a "Christmas Bundle" now until the 30 Nov. Here are the details:

Plus all orders received by this Sun 24th go in the draw to win a brand new hostess stamp set Silhouette Sentiments plus a collection of other SU goodies.


Just 9 more sleeps til all my "Christmasses come at once" - yes Miss Sophie is coming all the way from the North Pole!

Love Caz xx

Christmas workshop details

Every year we all say “I’ll get ready for Chrissy early next year”…….. well with only 12 weeks til Christmas this is your opportunity to prepare before the silly takes up all your time. I will be holding a day of Christmas Craft where we will be making a variety of gorgeous cards, gifts, tags and ornaments using the beautiful new stamp sets Delightful Decorations and Contempo Christmas and matching ornament punch – this is fabulous! Here’s all the details….

What: CAZ’S CHRISSY CRAFT WORKSHOP
Where: Sunday 17th October from 12 - 4.30pm
When: My place at 4/27 Myrtle St Rydalmere
How much: $15 which covers all the materials to make all your creations plus light lunch, lollies and lots of tips and tricks, PLUS a goody bag with supplies to take home to make more cards! We will also have a fabulous SU lucky door prize – you get one ticket for every $30 products you order on the day
BYO: Scissors, SNAIL adhesive/glue if you have it
RSVP: Please book your place soon email cazza74@iinet.net.au or 0408 472 510 – you are also welcome to bring a friend or your Mum!

Crafty catch up and Christmas workshop

This weekend in Sydney has been a bit wet and wintery really, not the weather for long weekends and school holidays but pretty good for staying inside cooking and crafting up a storm! Here are some of the cards I have been creating for friends near and far:

and a little birdie inside

After a very successful new catalogue launch party at my friend Michelle's home in Cherrybrook, I have been inspired to create lots of cards and gifts, and even start planning some Christmassy things! Ryn, Michelle and I put on a fun day of make and takes, product demos and nibblies, I think the 20 or so ladies who droppped in enjoyed seeing some new goodies and took away lots of ideas in their very own goody bag - as well as bagging the gorgeous 2010 -2011 Idea Book and Catalogue. If you'd like a copy just let me know and I can get it in the mail for you ($14 posted or $10 in person).

My next workshop on Sunday 17th October will be a Christmas theme and as well as cards we will be making gorgeous little decorations which make a cute, economical gift. I'll be back with a sneak peak and all the details soon.

Well done to the Dragons and the Pies, and go the Aussies in New Delhi!

Love Caz xx

Invitation to Be Inspired

My Stamping friends and I are holding a New Catalogue Launch Party to share lots of creative ideas and inspiration for your papercraft projects. Its an Open House style event with Make and Takes, technique demonstrations, fund-raising raffle and lucky door prizes, plus yummy nibblies and a glass of bubbly.

Come and see some of the great new products and samples on display and get your own copy of the gorgeous brand new Stampin' Up! Idea Book - all for just $15. Its on Saturday 18th September anytime between 2 - 6pm at 117 Shepherd's Drive Cherrybrook - just RSVP to me if you can make it so we know how many goody bags to prepare!

After I made my Father-in-Law's card shown in my last post I created this card for my Daddy Dearest. It reminded him of his visit to Paris last year, and uses my latest stamp set Artistic Etchings. Hope you like it!

I had a fantastic 36th birthday this week, I feel thoroughly spoiled and loved! The festival of the birthday continues tomorrow night as I'm going to see Wicked the musical with my old mate Jackie and then cooking up an Asian banquet for friends on Saturday. My birthday week will be topped off with my scrapbooking workshop on Sunday - too much fun!

Have a great weekend whatever it brings you!

Love Carolyn xx

New Inspiration for Spring and Happy Dads Day

Well Spring has sprung and I'm excited! Not only is it my favourite time of year weather-wise, but it's also time for the release of the Stampin' Up's brand new Idea Book and Catalogue. Its a beautiful collection of images, ideas, fresh colour combinations and inspiration. Some lovely new paper ranges, stamp sets and accessories. Im happy to say that so many of my favourites from the mini catalogues are back and their are some exciting new designs (lucky its my birthday soon hint hint Stevie!)

There's a link to the online version on the right side of my blog but if you'd like your own copy of this great resource its just $10 pick up or $15 posted to your door - just call me on 0408 472 510 or email me.

Happy Fathers Day for Sunday - here's a card I made for my father-in-law which is on its way to country Queensland. It uses the vintage-look Newsprint Desinger Series Paper, with a little birdie from the Always set. I love the feeling of making something special for somone special.....

My next Scrappin Sunday is on the 12th September and I have 2 spots left so let me know by email if you'd like to join us for a relaxing afternoon of creating. Just $10 includes your goody bag, afternoon tea and use of my tools, scraps and creative juices! I have plenty of supplies for sale and lots of preloved items just waiting to be re-homed.

Happy crafting!

Love Carolyn :))

Newsflash - More Product Discounts!

A surprise newsflash for you today from Stampin' Up! Australia.


"The Last Chance List is quickly coming to an end. Before we welcome many exciting new stamps and accessories, we need to make room in our warehouse by clearing out some high-inventory last-chance items. For the first (and probably last) time ever, we’ve added a select number of additional discounted last-chance items for the final days of the promotion. Below are the items we have selected".


The Last Chance promotion ends 31 August, 2010. All items are only available while supplies last, and with these discounts, they won’t last long!  Get your orders to me by Monday 30th August, before these products are gone forever!


Stamps:
116342 pg 42 Big Bold Birthday 50% off NOW $ 26.98
116408 pg 100 Seeing Spots 50% off $ 14.98
116344 pg 121 Big Deal Alphabet 50% off $ 38.98


Cardstock and Designer Series Paper:
116208 pg 126 In Color card stock (A4) 50% off $ 7.25
112042 pg 132 Urban Garden Designer Series paper 50% off $ 8.48
112041 pg 134 Bella Rose Designer Series paper 50% off $ 8.48


Markers (page 127-128):
105538 Bold Brights Stampin' Write markers 25% off $43.46
105537 Soft Subtles Stampin' Write markers 25% off $43.46
105540 Rich Regals Stampin' Write markers 25% off $43.46
105539 Earth Elements Stampin' Write markers 25% off $43.46
105541 Many Marvelous Markers 25% off $175.46


Stampin' Spots (page 128-129):
105550 Bold Brights Classic Stampin' Spots 25% off $31.46
105551 Earth Elements Classic Stampin' Spots 25% off $31.46
105552 Rich Regals Classic Stampin' Spots 25% off $ 31.46


Punches (page 152):
107305 Oval Large punch 50% off $ 15.48
113692 Eyelet border punch 50% off $ 15.48
109043 Scallop Circle punch 50% off $ 15.48
113694 Heart to Heart punch 50% off $ 15.48
112082 Wide Oval punch 50% off $ 15.48
112091 Scallop Edge punch 50% off $ 15.48
113693 Full Heart punch 50% off $ 15.48
112004 AW28* 1-3/4" Circle punch 50% off $ 15.48
116629 CO* Butterfly punch 50% off $ 15.48


Other:
104310 pg 155 Crafters' Tool Kit 25% off $ 58.46
 *CO=Carryover Flyer

*AW=Autumn/Winter Mini Catalogue
 
 

If you'd like any of these goodies please email me or give me a buzz on 9684 6443 or 0408 472 510. Remember all orders made by 30th August will receive a free cardstock sampler = 6 sheets of A4 (tell me what colours you need).  Postage and Handling Charges - Order up to $119 worth of products and have them delivered to your door for just $5.95 anywhere in Australia.  Orders over $119 are charged postage and handling at a rate of 5% of the product total.
 
Have a crafty weekend
 
Love Carolyn :)

Vintage Vogue

From scrapbooking now to card making. My favourite colour match has always been pinks and purple combos. Here is a very feminine card I helped my friend Leanne create for her Mum's birthday recently. The Very Vanilla base is stamped with Pale Plum (retiring in 5 days!) using the lovely 'branch flourish' from the Vintage Vogue set in the Autumn Winter mini.

Then we have used a strip of darker card as a mat for the using the Always in Bloom Stampin Wheel. Wheels are so much fun and can make great borders, quick (and economical) patterned paper or make a feature like on this card.  The flowers were stamped, cut by hand and popped using Stampin Dimensionals.

Its a nice touch to stamp inside your card, decorate and bring the insert to life a little, and don't forget your envelope needs a matching print. Mum's love anything "homemade" - apparently Leanne's Mum and her 4 year old daughter loved it.

Card Recipe:

Stamps: Vintage Vogue, Always in Bloom Wheel

Card: Very Vanilla, Rich Razzleberry

Inks: Pale Plum, Perfect Plum, Elegant Eggplant

Accessories: A few pearls from my stash, fancy scissors 

There is only 5 days left to order from the current catalogue and the Autumn Winter mini, which also means we are counting down to the release of Stampin' Up!s brand new 2011 Idea Book and Catalogue. So many nice new designs, colours and accessories, and some lovely fresh ideas that have already given me more inspiration and the 'itch' to get crafting. If you would like your own copy of the new catalogue just let me know and I will get one to you next week - just $10 if you can pick up from me or $14 delivered to your door (usually $12.95 + $5.95 postage and handling).

I'll be holding my next Sunday Scrappin afternoon on 12th September so please email me if you would like to come along.  

Love Carolyn x

Sharing the Simply Scrappin fun!

Last Sunday I held another scrapbooking workshop at my place and shared lots of Stampin' Up! fun with a group of keen scrappers. My Mum was working on her travel photos, Kath is making her Nanna's life story album for her 75th birthday and Karen has just started creating an album for son for when he turns 16. Here are Karen's first ever double layout pages using Stampin' Up!s Hoppy Memories Simply Scrappin Kit. 

And a close up......

So much fun, good thearpy and such a great way to preserve fond memories of your loved ones, and what a special gift!

The Simply Scrappin Kits are great for beginners and can create fast pages as they are all coordinated so you  can mix and match to your heart's content. No more searching for matching colours! They team up 8 sheets 12 x 12 cardstock (in 4 colours), 6 sheets matching Designer Series Paper (in 4 patterns) and 6 sheets sticky die cuts to use for journalling, borders and embellishments. Great value at just $36.95 - enough for a whole album. Until the end of August the I Wish Simply Scrappin Kit is reduced to just $27.71 perfect for all those Christmas projects.

If you'd like to order any stamping or scrapbooking supplies just email me or call me on 02 9684 6443 or 0408 472 510. All August orders over $30 receive a free cardstock sampler (6 sheets A4).

I'm off to continue creating Sophie's Scrapbook using the gorgeous Rock a Bye Girl Simply Scrappin kit. Gotta love all those cute baby pages!

take care

Carolyn xx

Bargain hunters heaven

OK the Last Chance List is soooo long and its hard to find the products that are reduced in price, so after requests from a few bargain hunters, aka discerning crafty buyers, we have pulled the discounted items into a neat little list (thanks to my StampInkPaper buddy Ryn!)


Here is our Last Chance Discount List which lists all the current specials on some gorgeous craft supplies. Think Christmas cards, think gifts, think savings! Some products are sold out and more are running low in stock so please get me your order as soon as you work it out, and definitely by the 30th August. A little birdie tells me the price of cardstock is soon to rise so it may be wise to stock up and get the discount.

Looking forward to my next Scrapbooking Workshop this Sunday woo-hoo!! My ladies are planning their pages and will complete a number of layouts on the day plus bag themselves plenty of ideas, products and be in the draw for a few lucky door prizes! Let me know if you are interested in comng to another card or scrapbook workshop and I can schedule a suitable time.

Have a sunny week

Love Carolyn xx

Helping Hudson: A Wheely Great Cause

http://www.helpinghudson.blogspot.com/

What Is Helping Hudson?

Helping Hudson is a fundraising project that will be taking place from August 1st - 22nd.

A group of stampers are raising funds for a little boy named Hudson. A KidWalker will help him learn to walk, and take another step toward more independence.

The dedicated Heping Hudson team have put together bundles of tutorials from Stampin' Up! demonstrators near and far who've jumped on board to help, plus there'll be challenges and giveaways. I've just bought the Scrapbooking Tutorials very excited!

Knowing personally just how essential it is to have the right set of wheels, may I ask all my cratfy friends to help support Hudson and his family by visiting his blog, facebook page, entering a challenge or even buying a tutorial package - what a great concept and super value!

Thank you in advance for any support you can give towards the Helping Hudson project, and thanks for visiting my blog. Hope you enjoy a crafty weekend.

Love Caz xx

Last Chance List - retiring products and discounts

Stampin' Up! has just released its Last Chance List of retiring products - some are discounted up to 50% so check it out and get in quick while stocks last.

Here is the full list

None of these products will be available after 31 August, to make room for lots of exciting new stamps, colours and pattern paper in the upcoming 2010-2011 Idea Book and Catalogue. Punches in the new catalogue will be the new slimline design - great for storage and transport -  so don't panic when you see them on the list.

Also don't forget just one more month left for the Autumn Winter mini catalogue - if you don't have your own copy just let me know and I'll pop one in the post for you. Some of my most favourite products are in this mini, including the new colours Rich Razzleberry and Soft Suede - yum!

Please let me know your order on cazza74@iinet.net.au or just give me a call on
0408 472 510 I'd be happy to help you with your order.

I'll leave you with a couple of recent baby cards I made for friends with newborn bubs. Both cards use the very cute Forest Friends stamps, I feel like reading Bambi all over again!

Have a wonderful week and I'll see you soon with lots more Stampin Up! news, crafty tips and papercraft inspiration.

Love Caz xx

Stampin' Up! Specials and Sweet Sophie

Can you believe August is almost here?? I am certainly looking forward to the weather warming up and I'm also waiting excitedly for the new Stampin' Up! 2010 - 2011 Idea Book and Catalogue to be released on 1 September. Before then Stampin' Up have some super specials:

These Two -Step Stamp Sets are 20% off until 31 July
116386 p39 Loads of Love was $39.95 now $31.96

116342 p42 Big Bold Birthday was $53.95 now $43.16
115860 p78 A Rose is a Rose was $66.95 now $53.56
116332 p86 Playful Petals was $52.95 now $42.36
115770 p98 Cheep Talk was $47.95 now $38.36
115946 p115 Wonderful Favourites was $39.95 now $31.96
119187 mini Tiny Tags was $38.95 now $31.16
119163 mini Cottage Garden was $32.95 now $26.36

SU Starter Kit is 20% off
Until the 31 July, there is a 20% discount on the Starter Kit when you join Stampin' Up! as a demonstrator! Usually $324, you can join for just $259 - what a bargain!  The Stampin' Up! Starter Kit contains so many great supplies, valued at over $560 and you can choose your own stamp sets and colours! As a demonstrator you get a 20% discount on all orders which means you can make a nice commission, plus earn free stamps sets and catalogue dollars. Contact me if now if you want to get this great deal.

A few SU! reminders

•  Autumn Winter Mini - Items from this catalogue won't be available after 31 August so get your orders in before those cute products retire 
• Also the retiring colours list is on the sidebar as SU will be bringing out a new range of colour collections and discontinuing some quite nice colours so you may wish to check your supplies and stock up on some of your faves
• I will be able to let you know about Last Chance Items on 1 August, as that is when we find out which products will be retring on 31 August to make room for new SU goodies!
• My next Scrapbooking Workshop will be held on Sunday 15th August at my home in Rydalmere and I have 2 spots left - would love to stamp and scrap with you! $15 incl lots of supplies, lucky door prizes, personal tuition and cupcakes! Email me or call me on 0408 472 510 to RSVP

Before I go I want to share a picture of my adorablly sweet neice Sophie at 3 months of age (of course I can say that I don't haveto contend with colic or midnight feeds). I am counting down the days until I can meet and cuddle our 'little bundle of joy', as my sister Jo and Sophie arrive all the way from the UK for a month long visit at the end of October. Lots of quality sister and aunty time will be just perfect!

I am enjoying planning my Baby Sophie Scrapbook using one of Stampin' Up!s Simply Scrappin Kits. See you soon with some examples of using stamping in your scrapbooking.

Have a lovely week

Love Caz xx

Thank You Mini Butterfly Prints

Its been a while since I blogged here, life just gets so busy and to tell you the truth typing is one of the last things I feel like doing when I get home from work (having typed most of the day!). However what I do like about blogging is sharing ideas and creative info and sayng hello to my crafty friends out there in blogland ** HELLO**. It makes me feel so great when someone tells me they read my blog, or leaves a little comment for me! It's the little things....anyway onto a stampy creation.....

Recently at work we had our annual team planning day where we come up with all the projects we will undertake for the coming 12 months and also have a lovely lunch together, and do a bit of team bonding. I wanted to take the time to thank my workmates for their support and friendship throughout the year so I made a set of Butterfly Notecards inspired by the talented Marelle Taylor:

I used the Chocolate Chip and Baja Breeze Scallop Notecards from the Summer Mini catalogue (retired now :( ). I dressed them up with some Bella Bleau Designer Series Paper, Kraft Taffeta ribbon and popped butterfly, using the ever-popular Butterly Prints stamps and matching punch. The greeting 'Thank You' or 'Just for You' is from my recent favourite set Teeny Tiny Sentiments which has just about anything you can think of to put on a card, and I've used the Word Window punch as well. I made 14 notecards in a production-line style and was really happy with how they turned out. Here is a close up:

  

And as my friend Kim always says "Never a Naked Envelope!' completes this set - the Very Vanlla envelopes came with this set of Scallop Notes:

I'm sure my workmates appreciated their little butterfly note and some of them couldn't believe I made them myself! If you would like to know about any of the techniques or Stampin' Up! materials I used for this project just drop me an email

Have a warm and creative weekend and I'll post again soon

Caz x

Lovebirds Tri-fold Wedding card

My friend Melanie has been building her collection of crafty tools and supplies and recently bought the delightful Always stamp set, for its beauty and versatility. It can be used for many different cards as well as being great for decorating scrapbook pages. Melanie has used it to make a special wedding card for her sister, in Rose Red and Rich Razzleberry: 

The card is trifold which simply means folds in 3 to create a card with a difference, just perfect for a special occasion such as a wedding. Melanie has cleverly used the scallop circle punch on the cover which allows the stamped images to show through. When you open it you see the Two Sweethearts using the paisley heart stamp from the Always set:

And finally fully opened to reveal a personal message and photo of the happy couple, framed using die cuts from the Simply Scrappin Petal Party kit:

Nice work Mel, such original ideas, cute wording and creative flair! Mel is attending my upcoming Stampin Up! workshop on 4 July which focuses on scrapbooking. If you'd like any tips on how to get started in scrapbooking without spending a fortune, drop me an email -  I have plenty of ideas to share.

Love Carolyn xx 

Deal of the Week #4 - ends 30th June

The final week of the 'June Deal of the Week' promotion is all about embellishments!Purchase selected ribbons and rhinestone brads for 40 to 45% off!  Here are the specials on offer:

Bashful Blue 1" double stitched grosgrain ribbon - 9.1 metres of highest quality ribbon, perfect for your card and scrapping projects. Was $19.95, now $10.97, save 46%

Certainly Celery 5/8" grosgrain ribbon - 10.9 metres of 16mm wide ribbon, was $14.95, now $8.97, save 40%

Rhinestone Brads -choose from Circle Ice, Square Ice and Square Fire colour/shape assortments, each reusable container includes approximately 80 brads, in four colours per pack. Were $19.95, now $11.97, save 40%

 

So please let me know if you'd like to order any of these specials by 8pm Wednesday 30th June. I'll be back on the weekend to show you my lateset batch of creations.

take care

Carolyn x

Deal of the Week #3 - only until 22nd June

Hi guys

Here are this weeks specials - yay this time its stamp sets! It is likely that these sets from the main Idea Book and Catalogue will retire in September so get in whle they are available and reduced by up to 50%

114263 p34 A Happy Heart stamp set was $41.95 now $20.98



115792 p57 Greetings Eight stamp set was $49.95 now $24.98 (I'm getting this one as its so versatile!)


116330 p78 Bella's Bloom stamp set was $24.95 now $14.97


113009 p97 Enjoy Every Moment stamp set was $53.95 now $26.98


114283 p105 All Scallops stamp set was $55.95 now $27.98

Here are a couple of gorgeous cards my friend Michelle Dyson made using the A Happy Heart set, isn't she clever!

I'll be back soon with all the details of my next workshop on Sunday 4th July. And I'm so excited I'm off to the Craft and Quilt Show tomorrow at Darling Harbour -  I love feeling all crafty and creating things for my friends and family! 

Happy Crafting

Carolyn xx

Thinking of My Mum

I created this card for my Mum's recent birthday using my favourite new colour combo Pale Plum and Rich Razzleberry, with Cottage Wall papers from the current mini catalogue.  A touch of polka dot ribbon, a torn edge and a popped butterfly from Dreams de Jour I think it became a simple yet classy card.

I also like to paste an insert into the inside of my cards, especially when the card is dark and hard to write on. I have used the stamps from Cottage Garden set and the sentiments are from A Little Birthday Cheer, with daubed Razzleberry ink edges for that finishing touch. Of course the matching envelope has my signature butterfly - just so Mum knows its from her #1 daughter!

Mum's card has been posted over to the UK to my sisters house where Mum and Dad return to today, after their 10 day tour of Austria and Switzerland. I believe they have visited the home Szavorski, the Alps and Saltzburg where our beloved Sound of Music was filmed. Mum especially wanted to visited Salzburg as it was my Nan Christmas's (Mum's mother Kath's) favourite place in Europe. I have fond memories of making my "Sound of Music" scrapbook with Nanna's photos when I was a ten year old!

Thinking of you Mum and Dad as you enjoy the final few days of your big trip. Wishing you well on your journey home and can't wait to see you and all the photos!

Love always

Carolyn xxx

Deal of the Week #2

It's time for Stampin Up's second week of June's  'Deal Of The Week' promotion. I love the range of SU's DSP - Designer Series Patterned Paper - great for cards, scrapbooking (all acid free) and anything else you can think of!  Selected packs are on special for this week - here's all the details.
Item            Page Description                          Regular Price Sale Price


112470 132   Haiku Designer Series paper              $16.95       $10.17


113976 132   Pink Flamingo Designer Series paper $16.95        $11.02


113992 133   Tea Party Designer Series paper         $16.95      $10.17


113975 133   Raspberry Tart Designer Series paper $16.95       $11.02


114037 133   Sweet Slumber Specialty paper          $22.95      $14.92

Contact me by Tuesday 15th June 8pm to take advantage of these great discounts!

take care

Love Carolyn x

Bon Voyage Jess

                                                                     Our carer and dear friend Jess left the country last week, bound for a global adventure . Jess cared for Steve and I for over 18 months and is a sweet, fun-loving and loyal girl, someone I am proud to call a friend. Jess's first stop is to catch up with her sister in Korea, then she's off to her parents homeland of Ireland, and then she plans to see Europe with backpack intow.

Before she left Jess had a massive clean out and basically gave away everything she wasn't taking with her. We put on a little farewell for Jess and it turned into a fun 'Second Hand Rose' party. It was so generous and kind of Jess offer her whole wardrobe to Wanda and her 3 girls, Anna and myself.  

Here is the farewell card I made for Jess using Seeing Spots stamps teamed with Pale Plum and you guessed it Rich Razzleberry.  The greeting 'Go confidently in the direction of your dreams' is very apt and is from the set Live Your Dream (retired but hopefully may return in the new catalogue in September)

Hope you have some warm and snuggly plans for the weekend its freezing here in Sydney! I'll be back with a new Deal of the Week which is a great special on Designer Series Paper.

Love Carolyn xx

Deal of the Week #1 - 30% off punches

 

Welcome to winter, the perfect time to get into your papercrafts! Throughout June, Stampin' Up! will be offering Deals of the Week. Each week there is a new deal, and each deal only lasts for a week...so be quick!

Deal Number 1 is on SU's most popular tools - punches!

Until next Tuesday, 8th June, you can take 30% off these punches:

• Scallop Oval punch
• Scallop Square punch
• Trio Flower punch
• Boho Blossoms punch

This brings their price from $30.95 to just $20.12 each (plus p&h). They are so handy, relliable and make craft so quick and easy! Just email me at cazza74@iinet.net.au or call me on 0408 472 510 if you'd like one or more of these fabulous tools.

 

Stay warm and chat soon

Carolyn x