Brithday Choo Choo

My elder son attended his first birthday sleepover a couple of weeks ago so I pulled out the newly retired Choo Choo stamp set and got to work. I made a card, matching envelope then even stamped on the manilla wrapping paper for a wonderful coordinated look. That set is one I won't be parting with just yet!Stamps: Choo Choo, Right on Track (wheel), Big Bold Birthday ("make a wish")
Cardstock: Brilliant Blue, Real Red, Yo Yo Yellow
Ink: Brilliant Blue, Real Red, Yo Yo Yellow, Basic Grey

Inventory Clearance Sale

Stampin’ Up! have a “Inventory Clearance Sale” going on right now! You can get great discounts on all sorts of stamp sets and accessories and the really awesome thing is that there is no minimum purchase to buy, and no limits as to how many you can buy! SAVE UP TO 50% ON SOME ITEMS!

At these prices, stocks will run out fast, so e-mail me your order today and don’t miss out on these amazing specials!!

Check out the flyer with all the details by clicking THIS LINK, but here are the items available at a big discount:

Items Still Available from Spring Mini Catalogue

Great news! A few of the popular products from the Spring Mini Catalogue are still available for purchase, although the sales period for the mini is now over. These products will also be available in next year’s Idea Book and Catalogue.

Item #	Item	Price
112534	Jumbo brads 5/16" Neutrals Assortment	$18.50
112533	Jumbo brads 5/8" Neutrals Assortment	$16.25
114889	Scallop Oval punch	$35.95
106960	StazOn ink pad (White pad and refill)	$26.95
109196	StazOn Cleaner	$11.75

Progressive Scrapbook Page

So sorry I haven't been blogging lately! I had intended to blog everyday in November, and Jacque, our Team Leader, also gave us the challenge of blogging at least 21 times in November. I got to 22 and was struck down by a bad cold from which I am still recovering. The upside was though, that I won Jacque's challenge and received some gorgeous ribbon from the new Summer Mini Catalogue. So exciting, can't wait to use it!

Anyway, I have still been crafting so will share some things I have made over the next few days.

First up is a progressive scrapbook page:
The simple concept of the progressive scrapbook page is that you make a 6x6 page:
Step it up to an 8 1/2" x 11" (A4):
Then into a 12x12:
I recently purchased a Colour Coach from SU! as I find it easy to keep within the "colour families" that SU! have created, but unless I am matching my colours to designer papers, I sometimes struggle with selecting colours across the colour familes. For this layout, I knew that I wanted to make the calf a focus so chose Creamy Caramel for the background then layered on Chocolate Chip. I used my Colour Coach to select Tempting Turquoise as a coordinating colour. I would never have thought of teaming it with Creamy Caramel and Chocolate Chip as it is from the Bold Brights range but it really does make this layout pop!
I used the retired Daisy Field wheel in Chocolate Chip on the 12x12 Creamy Caramel but because the Chocolate Chip cardstock is quite dark, I clear heat embossed the wheel then coloured the flowers in using my white gel pen.
Stamps: Daisy Field (retired wheel), Hello Again (Summer Mini)
Cardstock: Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White, Ski Slope DSP (Retired)
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Versamark, Creamy Caramel
Accessories: Scallop Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Round Tab Punch, Basic Grey Marker, Scallop Border Punch, White Gel Pen, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Powder Pal

Lessons in Scrapbooking - Photo Preparation

Here's a few ideas which I have learnt since starting scrapbooking that I thought I would share. I won't even touch on how to take good photos as that is a whole other area in which I never cease to be learning!

1. Remove all the photos from your albums especially “sticky” ones. If you have trouble doing this, try applying some heat, such as a hair dryer (held 12cm away from page) or dental floss. If any photos have deteriorated badly, scan and/or reprint them. I know this sounds drastic, but it's necessary - the acid in the adhesive in these albums eats photos, makes them yellow, etc etc.

2. Keep all your photos together, ideally in a small box with dividers. (Checkout SU!'s Forget-Me-Not Keeper, click here to see the one I decorated.) If collating all your photos at once is too daunting, try doing the last decade, or a particular event/individual first.

3. Sort your photos the way you plan to do your albums, i.e. chronologically, theme, individuals, etc. For hardcopy photos which you don’t want to scrapbook (for whatever reason!) but want to keep, either put in a non-sticky album, or scan them into computer and save with your regular photos, then discard original if you wish (making sure you still have negative though).

TIP - Store memorabilia with your photos too. Anything that is no thicker than a coin can be stuck to your pages such as lock of baby hair, restaurant menus, postcards, theatre tickets, foreign money, birthday cards, invitations, certificates, school reports, recipes, calf club ribbons, etc.

4. Previously photos were always kept in hardcopy and negative form. Make sure digital photos are stored in at least 2 different ways also, i.e. memory card, hard drive, memory stick, CD, hardcopy. Keep 1 copy separate from your photos, i.e. store them in a different room or even at a friends house.

5. Get into the habit of regularly printing the photos you wish to scrapbook (i.e. every 3 months so that memories for journaling are fresh in your mind), sort them into your album(s) and scrap these first before moving back in history. We don't have a photo processing shop in Paeroa (other than the chemist which sends them away, or standing at the Kiosk which I don't have time to do!) so I upload my photos to Frogprints and they post them out to me. For photos from digital cameras, 5 x 3 3/4“ is a good size for scrapbooking (or 6 x 4½“), if you print them out 6x4 size, you are actually loosing ¼” top and bottom due to the ratio which digital cameras use. See here for further info on this.

TIP - A good free photo editing programme is Picasa (www.picasa.com). Use it to crop, fix red-eye, retouch, lighten/darken, make b&w/sepia, etc.

Mini Triangle Box

This weeks NZSU! Challenge was to create a Triangle Box. These boxes can be made with DSP or cardstock then decorated. So easy and so cute! They're even small enough to hang on the Christmas tree.
Stamps: Priceless, A Holly Jolly Christmas
Cardstock: Real Red, Whisper White, Basic Black
Ink: Versamark, Basic Black
Accessories: 1/4" Whisper White Grosgrain Ribbon, Crop-a-dile, Large Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Gold Embossing Powder, Heat Tool

Christmas Decoration

After the Tauranga Extravaganza last Sunday, all the demonstrators swapped kits so that we could make each others projects at home. Just like a swap, but with added creativity!

Here's the project which Ria (Qrafty Queen) demonstrated. It is a Christmas decoration, made by folding pieces of 4x4 DSP, but can also be used as a gift tag too! This is in it's closed state:
And then opened to hang on the tree:
Stamps: Punches Three
Cardstock: Old Olive, Ruby Red, Whisper White, Holiday Treasures DSP
Ink: Old Olive, Ruby Red
Accessories: Scallop Square Punch, 1" Circle Punch, Crop-a-dile, Gold Brads, Gold Thread, Dazzling Diamonds

Tip of the Day - Protecting Wooden Blocks

I have little kids who love playing with my stamps, but unfortunately, ink usually ends up all over their hands and the blocks get rather messy. I now spray all my wooden blocks with polyurethane before mounting the stamps, works a treat!

Stamp-A-Stack Christmas Cards at Paeroa Kindy

Would you like to make Christmas cards this year and support Kindy at the same time?

Then come along on Thursday 26 November at 7.00pm and enjoy an evening of creativity using stamps, punches and designer paper while getting to know other mums at the same time!

I will design 4 cards and along with gift tags, you can make as many as you like.

Cost = $5 to register (this money goes to Kindy)

Cards = $2 each, Gift Tags = 5 for $2 (pay on the night)

RSVP 24 Nov 2009

Scrapbook Album in a Purse

Remember the little purse album I made the other for the NZSU! Challenge? Here's a reminder:
Well I have now finished decorating it with photos of my daughter and here's the final product:
A little album like this would make a wonderful Christmas present. I can just imagine one sitting on my grandmother's mantle!

Cardstock: Pumpkin Pie, So Saffron, Riding Hood Red, Washington Apple DSP
Accessories: So Saffron 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Scallop Circle Punch, 5-Petal Flower Punch, Boho Blossoms Punch, Rhinestone Brads, Velcro, Jumbo Eyelets, Silver Brads (which hold the accordian album in the back!), White Gel Pen, Small Tag Punch, Horizontal Slot Punch

"Wish" Scrapbook Page

Yesterday I attended the Tauranga Christmas Extravaganza as a demonstrator for the first time. I had a whale of a time, meeting such lovely ladies, being part of the "demo" team, as well as sharing some of my creative knowledge. Here's the page I taught:
I cased the layout for this page from Sharlene Torres in New Plymouth.

I had to laugh though, not all the ladies were interested in scrapbooking. In fact there was at least 8 out the 50 that made cards with the supplies provided! Oh well, better luck next time!

Stamps: Frames with a Flourish, Lovely Letters Alphabet, Life Definitions, A Holly Jolly Christmas Cardstock: Basic Black, Real Red, Baja Breeze, Ski Slope DSP Ink: Real Red, Baja Breeze Accessories: Eyelet Border Punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Scallop Circle/Square Punches (to cut the corners off the frame)

Extravaganza Door Prize

Here's my door prize for the Extravaganza in Tauranga today:
It's so easy creating embellishments like this using SU! product!

Bold Brights Treat Bag Holder

This weeks challenge on the NZSU! Blog is to design a Treat Bag Holder like the one on Donna Calley's blog. Here's my entry:I'm nearly ready for my debut at the Tauranga Christmas Extravaganza tomorrow. It promises to be a full-on day for everyone concerned!

Stamps: Baroque Motifs
Cardstock: Green Galore. Yo Yo Yellow, Pink Passion
Ink: Basic Grey, Versamark
Accessories: Heat Tool, Silver Embossing Powder, Powder Pal, Small Cellophane Bag, Linen Thread, Boho Blossoms Punch, Large Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Rhinestone Brad

Sam's Birthday Card

A quickie post today with a quickie card. I've just spent the last 2 hours putting ALOT of lego together from Sam's 6th birthday present, I plan on blobbing out for the rest of the day!
Stamps: Live Like You Mean It
Cardstock: Pumpkin Pie, Wild Wasabi (Retired In-Colour)
Accessories: Stapler, Pumpkin Pie 1/2" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Crew Kids - Boy Simply Scrappin' Kit (Retired)

Tag Punch Birthday Card

It's my elder son's 6th birthday today and I'll show you his card tomorrow, but it's also my friend Steph's birthday too! Steph comes to all my classes here at home so I had to make her something a little different!I cased an idea that was in a recent newsletter from SU! which was to fold punches from the Small Tag punch then arrange in a flower shape.
Stamps: Big Bold Birthday
Cardstock: Whisper White, Bravo Burgundy, Rose Red, Patterns Pack II (Hostess)
Ink: Bravo Burgundy
Accessories: Small Tag Punch, Pretties Kit

Last of the Swaps

Here are the last few swaps I received on Saturday. I did get 2 more but I can't show them to you yet because they have been made using stamps sets from the upcoming Summer Mini Catalogue. You'll have to wait until 1 December to set what's in store!

A reindeer lineup from Rhonda Fawcett:Stamps: Winter Post, Short & Sweet
Cardstock: Whisper White, Going Grey, Basic Black, Bashful Blue
Ink: Basic Black, Whisper White Craft
Accessories: Boho Blossoms Punch, Bazzling Diamonds

A easel card from Bev Poultney:
Stamps: Flight of the Butterfly, Oval All, Pocket Silhouettes
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, Taken with Teal, Certainly Celery
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Green Galore, Taken with Teal, Versamark
Accessories: Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Embossing Buddy, Heat Gun, White Embossing Powder, Dimensionals, Crimper

Pun Fun Flap Card by Delys Cram:
Stamps: Pun Fun
Cardstock: Tempting Turquoise, Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White
Ink: Real Red
Accessories: Real Red 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Mat Pack, Dimensionals, White Gel Pen, Magnet

Matching Napkin Ring and Place Setting by Natasha Lipsey
Stamps: Totally Tabs, Season of Joy
Cardstock: Whisper White, Sage Shadow, Blush Blossom
Ink: Sage Shadow, Bashful Blue, Close to Cocoa, Versamark
Accessories: 1 1/4" Circle, Round Tab, Scallop Edge and Scallop Circle Punches

Angel/Fairy Tag or Decoration using Punches from Colleen Bawden:
Stamps: Spotlight on Christmas
Cardstock: Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red, Riding Hood Red DSP
Ink: Riding Hood Red
Accessories: 3/4" Circle Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, 5-Petal Flower Punch, Small Cellophane Bag, Linen Thread, Dazzling Diamonds, 2-Way Glue Pen

And the last one is:
Not sure which wonderful lady made this one, but it's using the Always stamps set in lovely purple tones.

Yummy Regional Swaps

Here's a few more swaps - these ones all have food in them!

A Tea-Bag Gift Holder by Richelle Phillips:Stamps: Sincere Salutations, Seasons of Joy, Life Definitions
Cardstock: Red Riding Hood, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip DSP, Holiday Treasures, Bella Rose
Ink: Close to Cocoa, Red Riding Hood
Accessories: Red Riding Hood/Chocolate Chip Taffeta Ribbon, Vintage Brads, 5-Petal Flower Punch, Rounded Tab Punch, Sponge Daubers

Bag Topper by Juliette Riddell:
Stamps: Punches Three (Hostess)
Cardstock: Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Ski Slope DSP
Ink: Baja Breeze, Real Red
Accessories: Scallop Square Punch, Cellophane Bag Med, Dimensionals

Santa Treat Box by Karen Williamson:
Cardstock: Real Red, Whisper White, Basic Black, Brushed Silver
Accessories: Scallop Edge, 1/4 Circle, Round Tab, Horizontal Slot Punches, Black Gingham

And last but not least:
I can't remember the name of the creator, but she did tell me how you make this treat holder. It's a piece of 6x6 DSP, folded in half, the sides folded in, then the front folded down. Cute eh?

Raspberry Tart Pursonality

I still have more swaps to show you, but because my camera battery has run down, I'll share this today. Many people have commented on this little purse because it's so cute! It was the project most people liked at the Kaihere School indoor market last week. I also have a couple of friends who make jewelery who thought it would be the perfect girftwrap because it's so petite.
The template can be found here. I printed the template directly onto the DSP then cut out. The only addition was another strip of DSP, punched with the Eyelet Border Punch then put through the crimper.

Cardstock: Raspberry Tart DSP
Accessories: Hodgepodge Hardware, Bravo Burgundy 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Silver Eyelets, Velcro, Sticky Strip

Regional Swaps

Here's the swap I made for yesterday's Regional Seminar. It's actually one of my Christmas Stamp-a-Stack cards but I had a few extras cut out so decided to cut even more out.
Stamps: Life Definitions, Priceless
Cardstock: Whisper White, Brocade Blue, Patterns Pack II (Hostess)
Ink: Brocade Blue, Bravo Burgundy
Accessories: Bravo Burgundy 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, White Gel Pen

This one, made by Kirsty Walley, was hard to photograph as it's got acetate for the base but it's definately on my to-do list to try:Stamps: Season of Joy
Cardstock: Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Mellow Moss, Acetate
Ink: Certainly Celery, StazOn Opaque
Accessories: 1/4" Certainly Celery Grosgrain Ribbon, Glue Dots

Joanne Jensen:
Stamps: Priceless, Bugs & Kisses
Cardstock: Sahara Sand, Whisper White, Windsor Knot DSP
Ink: So Saffron, Old Olive, Sahara Sand
Accessories: Crystal Effects, 2-Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds, 1/4" Very Vanilla Grosgrain Ribbon

Shona Davy:
Stamps: Upsy Daisy
Cardstock: Barely Banana, Basic Gray, Urban Garden DSP
Ink: Basic Gray, Barely Banana
Accessories: Oval Scallop Punch, Basic Gray Taffeta Ribbon

Michelle Cave:
Stamps: Inspired by Nature, Sincere Salutations
Cardstock: Elegant Eggplant, Pale Plum, Whisper White
Ink: Elegant Eggplant, Pale Plum, Certainly Celery, Old Olive
Accessories: Wide Oval Punch, 1/4" Elegant Eggplant Grosgrain Ribbon

NZSU! Blog Challenge - Purse

I'm just back from SU! Regional Seminar in Hamilton and thought I'd better do todays post. I have lots of swaps to share with you from the Seminar but they will have to wait until tomorrow. This weeks NZSU! Challenge finishes tonight and I want to get my entry in. The challenge was to create a purse which can hold cards, but because I'm a scrapbooker, I gave mine the scrapbooking makeover following the Purse mini Scrapbook Album I found on this website.It can hold 14 4x4 photos. Now I realise I haven't finished it but that's because the photos haven't arrived from Frogprints yet but will post photos again when it's finished.
Cardstock: Pumpkin Pie, So Saffron, Washington Apple DSP
Accessories: So Saffron 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Scallop Circle Punch, 5-Petal Flower Punch, Boho Blossoms Punch, Rhinestone Brad, Velcro, Jumbo Eyelets, Silver Brads (which are in the back!)

Gift Tags

Just a really little post tonight, with really little things to show you! On Wednesday night, I attended Kaihere School's "Joie de Vivre" indoor evening market with my Stampin' Up! display. It was a lovely evening with over 300 people in attendance. Here's the little make and take which I had available:
Stamps: A Holly Jolly Christmas
Cardstock: Whisper White, Real Red, Glorious Green.
Ink: Basic Black, Yoyo Yellow, Real Red
Accessories: Tag Punch, Small Tag Punch, Crop-a-dile, Linen Thread

Christmas Gift-Giving Guide Update

Further to my post the other day about the Christmas Gift-Giving Guide, Stampin' Up! are now offering another punch to choose from when you spend $105, Boho Blossoms!
Either of these punches would make a fantastic addition to your papercrafting tools. Check out the guide here.

Tri-Shutter Card

I've seen lots of beautiful tri-shutter cards on other blogs and SCS and decided it was time I made my own. This card is really in the "fancy-fold" category, but having said that, it was really easy to make! I followed the tutorial in SCS to make the card, and another tuturial to make the fan-fold flower on the front.Stamps: Punches Three, Curvy Verses, Frames With A Flourish
Cardstock: Whisper White, Real Red, Raspberry Tart DSP
Ink: Whisper White Craft, Real Red, Cameo Coral
Accessories: Scallop Border Punch, Scallop Square Punch, Boho Blossoms Punch, 5-Petal Flower Punch, Rhinestone Brads, Real Red 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon