Another baby card

Here is yet another baby card – boy is DH getting nervous!!! This was also made for a friend expecting babies in her family. The photo is crappy (as usual LOL) and the colours are washed out because I tried to photograph too late in the morning. This design is based on one Marelle made – with the stacked animal images from Wild about you. This is made using the soft subtles. I also used the baby medallion image from In the stars and inked it up using my soft subtles markers. This has been punched using the 1 1/4 in circle punch and matted on banana punched with a 1 3/8 in circle. The crop a dile was used to punch a hole in the tag and to add a jumbo eyelet above which the ribbon ( wide celery) ties through. This is my ‘left over right – right over left knot’.

My customers screw their noses up when I show this………it isn’t all that difficult – after tying 100 of these around the calendars I think I’m an expert!!It is all in the way you pull the tails….I always pull the one in my left hand tighter – this gives a flatter, squarer knot…….I know I’m nuts LOL!!!! I will put up some pictures of the calendars I made to be sent to Warren’s clients – I should make some and send them off to mine – what a good idea!!! That has potential…………….I still have some 2009  calendars……….just need some time LOL!!!!

I’m still away on holidays and this was written for you on boxing day……..if you need me – just ring my mobile or send an e-mail – I will check those the minute I return……….enjoy the summer!!!

All images © Stampin’ Up! 1990 – 2008

Using up my scraps……

Now there really is the most gorgeous stuff in this mini catalogue. In fact – I have nearly purchased everything!! There are two stamp sets that aren’t really my style but everything else I have LOL!!

The patterned paper known as Ginger blossom is stunning and I used some of it to make the altered tins I gave away at Christmas. I had some scraps and was intrigued to have a go at using the colour combo the paper sports – I wanted to try – cameo coral, ruby red, groovy guava and I choose to use Mellow moss (instead of river rock). Strange combo !!! So this is the result!!I think I actually like it!! I’m also sure it is not everyone’s cup of tea.

This was a very quick and simple card that would be great to send out ‘just because’. The card base is cameo coral and it is stamped with the same coloured ink using images from Eastern bloom stamp set (available for $39.95). I then stamped the large image from eastern bloom onto ivory naturals CS with ruby red and cut it out. I stuck on some of the Stampin Glitter from the mini ($31.95 for 4 pots) with some Tombo Multi purpose adhesive. I cut a groovy guava circle out with my 1 1/4 in circle punch and a mellow moss scalloped circle which was all adhered to a large circle metal rimmed tag. The strips of paper all come from the one set with the middle piece folded into a concertina. The ribbon wrapped around is mellow moss taffeta……..what do you think?

The close up gives you a better idea on how this was put together. I must add that I sponged the white surface of the tag with moss ink so it would not be so obvious.

All of these cool new products are available for a limited time and you can get some freebies when you spend over $100 on any SU! products during January and February. This happens but once a year – so grab that wish list and make that purchase!!!

All images © Stampin’ Up! 1990 -2008

Baby cards…….

This is my first scheduled post….hope to be able to leave you with a few gems before I go off on holidays….we’ll see how it goes!

Now, Christmas day in the afternoon saw me creating – bit sad huh!! I actually enjoyed it a lot. I made a baby card or two (much to the nervousness of my hubby…) for a friend who is expecting new additions to her family……. This card is using a set from the Summer mini and some of the soft subtles. The card base is certainly celery with a bashful blue layer on top. This layer has been stamped with the linen stamp set using the same ink with the sentiment coming from Bundle of Joy (both of these are from the main catalogue). I used part of the announcement stamp with the blue marker just inking up the bit I wanted. I cut a strip of whisper white and masked the stars (In the stars – summer min for $51.95)and stamped various stars using pale plum, barely banana, certainly celery and perfect plum. On a scrap piece of white I used the pale plum to stamp the small scallop edge from All scallops (also in the mini for $55.95). I then used the scallop edge punch ($30.95 in the mini) to punch out the scallops and then more stamps and the stamp-ma-jig to line up the outline and the little lacy bits using the perfect plum ink. A white gel pen added a final subtle touch to the lacy edge. The two bits of white were stuck together and a piece of wide celery grosgrain was added for a delicate touch. This piece was added to the card front using stampin dimensional BUT TIP HERE – I used the edge pieces…..snipped each edge piece on the dimensional sheet in half, peeled them off and placed each L shaped strip into one corner , with a few dimensional placed in the middle it makes a great stable raised feature…….hope you like it. Check out the products in the new mini and write a wish list!! Once you get to $100, you can get yourself a FREE stamp set when you order between Jan 1st and the end of Feb………drop me an e-mail or call me on my mobile to get more details…..

PS. I am hoping to start to fill my diary up for the next few months and organise myself. Get in early if you’d like to hold a workshop over the holiday period. I will be available for workshops from about the 12th of January………give me call!!

All images © Stampin’ Up! 1990 – 2008

Happy day 359!!

Well, I’m not all that religious, but happy Christmas to all my loyal readers. Theday started about 7.45 this morning – would have started earlier but we sleep with our door closed because we have the dog in our room, so we can’t hear a bloody thing. I reckon the girls were up at the crack of dawn and when I passed the boys room they were in annoying them – much to DS14 disgust! The kids were thrilled with their haul and I have ben in hysterics watching them play their new Wii. All of us threw in the money we use to buy gifts for the kids and pooled it, and with very clever shopping got a Wii, and a heap of games – think there were 7 or 9 in total,,,,so they are having a ball.Here is a photo of DH ‘fighting’ with DS9……so, so funny! The girls were wrapped in their gifts too, they got lots of girly things – love their clothes and beach towels and DS games each. Jared loved his yoyo (aint it the way $5 thrown into the trolley yesterday when we picked up some last minute groceries……hehehehe) and his new funkets and DS game (and Santa bought the wrong one……..never mind – I must say my kids are never ungrateful). DS14 is THRILLED with his set of copic markers, marker tablet and airbrush system. He is just thrilled……..I can’t wait to see the creations he comes up with. Will have to share them with you all some time. He loves his drawing and his talent is impressive. DH got a mobile office to store his lap top and files etc in……my motivating factor in this purchase is for him to clear up the corner he dumps bag after bag of shit!!!! You never know…………He also got diaries and some mags to help him out with his new DSLR. I got a CD/MP3 player for mycar !! I’m excited – have wanted one for years and years……..I also got some cool shirts (lovely loose cotton ones for my holiday) from Dad and Nic. Oh and best of all was when DS14 bought me a present with his own money – he has been working with DH and has saved up quite a stash of cash…- I got the new Patricia Cornwell book………I was very proud(as was he…) I will have to read that first!!!! Now, no more crafting for a week or so – made 100 calendars yesterday for the clients at Liverpool Vet Hospital. I will show you a picture later…….BUT I did get my self the best recipe tin from Darrell Lea yesterday – they were selling out jumbo tins (empty) for just $6. I will alter that soon ans show you that one. It will fit cards 3/4 th size of an A4 sheet………

Now, I have just (5pm Christmas eve) picked up my catalogues for Salebration. I will be home for two more days and am ready to throw some in the post. If you’d like one, send me a quick e-mail (sharon@lvh.com.au)with your street address and I will throw it in the post straight away, so you can be ready as soon as it starts……..Jaunuary 1st………..

Sharon xxxxxxxx

More great hand stamped Christmas presents

Not a great photo, but my camera is about to die and I need to clean up the study if I want to find the charger…LOL!….the last room left before Christmas. I have covered 8 little suitcases with designer patterned paper – matched to each of our employees personalities, and then monogrammed the front. This project was made so much easier using the dreamkutz and bind it all. I made a small notpad (about 3in x 4in) and covered the front and back with a piece of the paper their tin is covered with and then made a little 4in” envelope that my hubby can put in their Christmas bonus. I went along to my very new and exciting smiggle store and found mini silver bullet pens to go in each. So cool !! I used my vast ribbon collection to decorate the tops of the notepads and the handles as a finishing touch. No surprise to anyone who has been here , how easy it was for us to find ribbons to match….. This project was completed using just one sheet of a 12in” double sided paper piece. I put a strip around the outside(after removing the handles). Covered the outside surface of the lid with the patterned paper. I used modpodge to coat the metal surface and this left the paper stuck down without any troubles. I coated all paper with modpodge and let them dry overnight (I think you only need to wait 20 minutes) and then stamped and punched the letters. I was wanting something quick and easy here, so I used the defining alphabet which fits perfectly into the 1 3/8 in round punch and then the scallop punch to finish off. I really hope they like them.

Yep, it’s Monday and we still haven’t finished – Christmas cards are next and then calendars {gosh}………………….be back with the Christmas cards……..

All images © Stampin’ Up! 1990-2008

A special Christmas present…….

Anyone who knows me well , knows that I’m always doing this sort of thing at the last minute. Well this timing is often enforced on me but I love the adrenalin that comes with having to get something done by Ysterday. One of my attributes is that i usually do – I rally anyone who can help and we work away until the early hours of the morning. Traditionally my uncle (my mum’s bro) visits us on Christmas eve after work. He is a butcher and this is certainly his busiest time of year. He rang us last weekend and said that this year he and his wife would visit us this weekend. This has advantages, but NOT when you haven’t made their gift yet.

My uncle has very few memories of his distant family and my mum, being the eldest and an executer of everyones wills, ended up with lots. My sister and I found an old box recently that had recipe books from a number of generations and some great pictures. Some of the pictures included original shots and plans of the original federation home my family built in Carlton, the butcher shop they built and ran up the road from the house and the press shots from the garden competition they had won. I knew then what I wanted to do.

My idea mulled in my head for quite some time (an essential process !!!)and I decided that I wanted to do a family recipe box that was filled with cards that contained photographs along with copies of the hand written recipes and household tips that were in the books we found. We selected the photographs, covered the paper mache box (a bargain for $7 at spotlight)and then photocopied the recipes onto cardstock. Then we decorated. The tip with a quick, but effective project like this is to stick to a theme – we used the Afternoon tea designer paper that is in the current mini. I used the coordinating stamp set and the same coloured inks that appear in the paper, the same with the ribbon. This made it a no brainer……..the whole project only required half a pack of designer paper but gives so many different looks with the paper having 6 different double sided designs. The use of Modpodge just makes the project simpler. I used this to stick everything down on the box and then coated it so it i now wipable as it will live in the kitchen. Take a look at the project below…….

He loved it!! In fact he cried…………..we will add more cards as the years go on……….must remember to buy up the designer paper before it goes………..

Now, this is not the only project I’m running on – This was Friday night…..Saturday night’s extravaganza should be finished today some time. I will show you that later on …….two more projects after this one……

All images © Stampin’ Up! 1990 – 2008

Basking in the glory of it all……..

Well, the HSC results are in and I’m in a bragging mood. …….now you all know that I teach the cleverest kids (and the nicest too) in the world and really all I do is steer them in the right direction. BUT I am still proud….so proud!!! I have two Year 12 classes. One was my Chemistry class and they have done amazing well…..nearly half my class scored over 90% in Chemistry – truly amazing!! There were some real workers and a truly fun class to have. In fact two of my Chem kids were also in my other Year 12 class. The other class was Senior science and I had so much confidence in their abilities. Some of my time this year was actually used to convince them that they would do as well as they have. In this class one student came FIRST in THE STATE……..I am so thrilled for him…………AND (I’m not yet finished!!)……TWO others came in the top 20 in the state !!! In fact they both came equal third. They were just one mark away from his results………….what a week!!! The rest of the class have also done amazing well with 60% of them getting over 90%. Mind you, they all deserve it, they really are hard working – study, study, study. I always had a steady stream of e-mails checking up something or other. So, this is one of the reasons that I love this job. Some of my kids visited on Thursday to help celebrate their success, with UAI’s in the 99′2 they can pretty much do what they like at Uni!!!!!  Some of them pop by here and I’ve discovered their blog’s…….so funny how our Chemistry blog idea has grown!!!!! Anyway, will be back to share a great project with you all later……..

Tying up Christmas sale!

Hi Guys….Stampin’ Up! is having a huge Christmas sale – 20% off the following items.

1. Festives favourite SS (page 27) is now only $36.76

2. Crazy for Christmas SS (page 28) is now only $31.96

3. Snow flurries stamp set (page 29) is now only $16.76

4. Tag time SS (page 43) is now $43.16

5. Many merry messages SS (page 111) is now just $51.96

6. 12″ days to remember calendar (page 133) is $16.76

7. 6″ days to remember calenday (page 133) is just $15.16

8. Winter brights scrapping kit (page 138) is $29.56

9. Three for you punch set (page 143) is $68.76

10. Very vanilla wide grosgrain ribbon is just $11.96

11. Certainly celery wide grosgrain ribbon is also just $11.96

12. White aluminium square tage are just $6.00

Sound great!! You have until the end of December to take advantage of these. I have already and got myself the winter bright scrappin kit, snow flurries and the ribbon and used them to make many, many of these. So far I have 5 done and I still have lots of spare bits and pieces.

These all use the resources listed and a tutorial I found on the web. See here at Jackie Topa’s blog for all the instructions. I have had to make some adjutsments for the size because US cards are a different size to ours and so our cards and envelopes didn’t fit. This is the first time I have ordered this particular scrapping kit and it has certainly made this project quick , easy and attractive – not to mention economic. i will be ordering another one so that I can tuck it away to make some of these for some more friends next Christmas. If you’d like my measurement changes or you’d like me to order you one…….just pop me an e-mail and we’ll organise it!

sharon@lvh.com.au

All images © Stampin’ Up! 1990 -2008

Great sale ……this weekend!

AT ACN PACKAGING, here at Narellan…………. This is the home of an inline store that sells amazing bpxes, buckets, packing materials, wrapping materials and a whole lot more……….take a look and see the great range of stuff. If you order online this weekend you receive a 10% discount or for even better bargains – pop into the factory unit on Graham Hill Rd in Narellan to pick up odds and ends that sometimes aren’t even on the website……..I use their stuff ALL the time to alter for gift wrapping. In fact last week I was stamping some paper bags and totes that my husband uses for carry bags at the vet surgery. This is a must – in fact I’ll be finding time today to pop in and grab some bargains and squeeze my friend Angie…….

here are some posts that I have that show altered ACN items…..

1. black gift bag

2. more black gift bags

3. The cutest ever flat packed boxes

4. More boxes and packing material

5. Display tray and shredded packing material

6. Baby tins…..   and the list goes on. They promise lots of Christmas stock…………see you all then. Funny story , last Year my sister took her car and we went up with Lana. Between the three of us we filled the bloody boot of the car!!!

Edited to add – I went along to the sale – twice actually LOL!! and picked myself up a bucket load of boxes and the like that you will no doubt see altered on here in the near future. In fact, grabbed me some great metal lunch pails that will be turned into packagaing for the Christmas presents I am making the nurses at the vet hospital and few other special girls I work with {winkin’ here} So thanks Angie – another great sale………oh and you know I had to grab me some ribbon LOL!!! Never have enough ribbon…..

NEW MINI FINALLY HERE!!!

AND SO AM I!!!!!  YAY!!!!!!!

I know I have been incredibly slack on the blogging front…….but let me tell you – I’m going for teacher of the bloody year…LOL……sheesh – when is this year going to start winding down???? I’m more than ready!!!!

Ok – here is a card made with a new stamp set AND ribbon from the new mini that started on December 1st……IF YOU WOULD LIKE A COPY OF THE MINI ….just e-mail (sharon@lvh.com.au). I’d love to send some out. If you would like a copy of the current big  catalogue and are willing to pay postage – just pop me a line -the first 10 to take advantage of this offer will get it for nix.

Stay tuned for more stamping – have lots to show you once I finish a few up…..

Like this? It is actually a birthday card for my dear old dad who celebrates another year on this crazy planet on Friday……more soon , I promise…….stop rolling your eyes! I can see you!!!

All images © Stampin’ Up! 1990 -2008