All you card makers out there will know what it is when I say it is soooooo hard to make a card for someone you don’t know, especially whenever someone else is telling you what they’d like……through someone else……..Ggggggrrrrr – yep!! My big mouth sister (I truly do love her!) promised we’d make this 21st card for a lady she works with, to give her daughter I think……

The brief was as follows

“Colours need to be purple and teal, no flowerly girly stuff, had to have 21 on it and her name………”

I struggle to get requests like these to work. I did come up with something……not sure it is my cup of tea and uses a combination of stuff I had – some old SU!, some new SU! and some non SU!….too funny – all we need is something blue!!!

What do you think?? Not that I’m changing it, {rollin eyes}, she needed it yesterday!!! Tell me what you would create with such a brief…..

Off to organise the prizes for next Friday night for the Christmas Frenzy girls…….are you excited!! I am , you should see the prize box…just keeps growin and growin!!

All images © Stampin’ Up! 1990 – 2009

Yep, back from the brink of HSC marking. I have just yesterday completed marking 850 papers for the NSW HSC. A mammoth task, I thought would never end. I am finally comfortable at home and spent some time last eveinging making some little Christmas cards for some friends. I thought I’d share……

This was inspired by my sister and friend who attended the Sydney Regional training for Stampin’ Up! yesterday. I wanted these cards to hang from a bag, so the idea was just perfect. These very cute little windo cards are 10.5cm square and fit into these envelopes I had here at home. Notice the ribbon on the card shown on the right……………..hmmm, a sneak peak of what will arrive on December 1st in our new mini catalogue. It is teamed here with the ski slope papers that will be leaving our inventry on November 30th…..I have so enjoyed working wit the colour combinations these cards have in them.

This card came about while stamping with a group of ladies teaching them to make some window cards. I decided it would be better to use a square punch to punch the window section out of the cardstock and the paper. I usually just hand cut. Anyway while showing them, I started to punch a square out of each corner and low and behold – there was a EUREKA moment as Barbara (one of my ccustomers) and I looked at each other with wide eyes and the realisation hit us that this will make a great window pane card and the rest of the plan came quicklt from there.

The tree is actually all glittered using heat and stick powder and dazzling diamonds and I have used three stamp sets here, something I usually try and avoid – I know most of you want to see what can be made with just one or two stamp sets. Those who know me will understand the need to get this card out of my head…..LOL….it has driven me nuts that I have been working until 10pm every night and all day saturday for over a week…..I am much relieved to finally let go of this design…..it is so cute, but fiddly – especially when the 1 1/4in square punch packs it in….so back to hand cutting!! My dear Dad came to the rescue this morning and managed to fix my punch using a 5c piece of all things……..I have a close up below that might let you see the glitter on the tree and the glitter I got everywhere …… LOL……I may put up details of this project in my demo site a bit later on, after I delivered these cards to their recipients.

All images © Stampin’ Up! 1990 – 2009

NOTE – I AM PLACING AN ORDER ON TUESDAY AND AM OFFERING FREE POSTAGE UNTIL THEN. WHY NOT GRAB ANY LAST MUST HAVE’S FROM THE CURRENT MINI…….LAST CHANCE TO GRAB THOSE PARTICULAR GOODIES.

I have recently completed some wedding stationary for a lovely young lady whose mum works with my sister. Mass produced stationary like this doesn’t do my soul all that much good (the whole reason I stamp and papercraft). Also the reason I hate making my own Christmas cards….I so much enjoy making a card for a person as opposed to making cards en mass. Anyway, I did this and it was cool to see everything come together. The colours were bravo burgundy and very vanilla and the stamp set used was fifth avenue. As much as I can’t stand making lots of the one card, it is easy to do when using Stampin’ Up! products. Why? Because everything coordinates and you just already know when you pick two colours like this, I could order the ink, ribbon and cardstock and we weren’t going to have colour issues.

Trying to use up my stash for the fete goodies just didn’t work out either….I seemed to spend hours trying to match cardstock, patterned paper, ribbon and buttons…..in the end I used my Stampin’ Up! supplies….so you can see that we really will be selling the best quality products on Friday evening.LOL…….now to show you the card and a bit of a look inside to see how the inside was also stamped.

The invite matched the card I produced just nicely!(see a few posts down) Below the invite you can see the RSVP card we made to fit nicely inside the invite. The invite was a 14.5cm square card………not shown here is the service booklet which was very vanilla with a burgundy rose clear embossed on the lower right corner and tied together with burgundy grosgrain ribbon as well as the placecards which we made with my calendar fold in cream with a mini version of the RSVP on the front (vanilla rectangle, edged with sponging and rose in the corner).

Details of this project can be seen here, at my demonstrator business website.

The bride was very happy….esp as she was unsure what she wanted, knew it was to be roses and burgndy and cream, so I then designed something for her………..what do you think??

All images © Stampin’ Up! 1990 – 2009

Here is the beginnings of my last project for the CAMDEN PUBLIC SCHOOL fete to be held this coming Friday between 4pm and 9pm at John St, Camden NSW. Yep…..that’s a blatant plug!! Lana, my sister and myself have worked all year on the stuff we are selling and we have over $1000 worth of papercraft cards and gifts to sell off on the night – we’ve been busy! ………….especially Lana, who I reckon has used her entire Stampin’ Up! stash on her cards…..these cards are to die for – ribboned, bradded and blinged value for just $2 a piece of 6 for $10…..we even have Chrsitmas cards done up in 5 packs – these are just devine….dazzlin’ diamonds everywhere.

I’ve given you a sneak peak here of the stuff packed up into boxes……………….take a look……………….prices start at $2 and our most expensive items are $10, which are hand made fabric folded Christmas balls that are ribbon adorned and hang on the tree. These are gorgeous special gifts, great for teachers……………and we have just 13 of these……..when everything sells out, we’ll be out of there so you’ll need to come early…….you’ll notice us in our cute little red reindeer aprons…….

You will also be able to buy tickets in our raffle with the prize being a stampin class for 6 people at your home, making a cute project with a few cards in a holder. All materials supplied……just a $1 a ticket!! ALL the proceeds from our stall will be donated to the school, including the raffle entry money …………. We will also have the details of our Christmas card Frenzy night and people can sign up then and there (the money from that is obviously not going to the school LOL) …….the details are here. If you are interested in joining us or want a kit mailed to you, just pop me an e-mail at sharon@lvh.com.au and I’ll give you the payment details and organise confirming your place………the giveaway box for that night is getting bigger and bigger….you need to be there to win!!!

All images © Stampin’ Up! 1990 – 2009

Edited to add……Well it was a fabulous night!! We sold about $1100 worth of our cards and things….most popular items were cards, personalised christmas balls, calendars and post it note holders….oh and the altered notebooks…..they were gone by 6pm!! Camden public school will do great things with $1100!!!

This is a card I whipped up tonight to give to a friend/customer for her wedding this weekend. I have actually made the invites, servce booklets and the placecards. Her colours were bravo burgundy with very vanilla…..so, so elegant. Actaully the more I look at this card, the more I think this will be a great colour combo for this Christmas. The card is designed to match the invites – I have used the same colour combo and also stamp set. It really is quite elegant. I had this gorgeous piece of mega wide double cream satin ribbon that was crying out to be used on this card….so I did….this ribbon is enough to make the focal point of this card. The rose image is stamped from the fifth avenue set and embossed onto watercolour paper and coloured with an aqua painter and inkpad.

I will show you the invites etc later in the week.

I have stamped the “Mr and Mrs” stamp from the Occasions set – such a great versatile set – on scrap card stock and embossed in silver. I punched it out with the small oval and then embossed the edges using a little versamrk and silver powder.

I decorated the inside………I have used a piece of vanilla and then added a strip of lace punched burgundy which is accented with a tiny strip of cream with burgundy rose stamped on it – this is actually a stip of left over CS that comes off every time you stamp a scallop or lace border. I use these strips all the time – they are really fine and are straight LOL…. here is a big picture of the card.

A few of you have already booked into our CHRISTMAS FRENZY CLASS but we are taking as many who want to come……don’t forget to register your interest by e-mailing sharon@lvh.com.au and pay before the 30th to secure your spot on the night OR mail out kit.

All images© Stampin’ Up! 1990 -2009

Click here and it will take you to a link to download the flyer for this months special. Stampin’ Up!© are helping up pick some fab gifts for our crafty friends and relatives and along the way treating us to a gift from them. If you spend $85 on the products listed in the guide, then you will receive a FREE large square scallop punch……those of you who have used punches with your crafting will know how easy SU! make it when they provide punches that fit their images directly. If you would like to place an order, just drop me an e-mail at    sharon@lvh.com.au

OR 20!!! Yep, 20 great cards all in one evening……..just check them out!!

These are just a sampling of the cards you will make on the night. This evening is just perfect for beginners and perfect for busy people like me who will be just desparate by the 4th of December to get those cards in the mail………….there will giveaways throughout the evening….and plenty of them……….check the details below and e-mail me now to register your interest. I will send through bank details, and payment will secure your spot and a kit!

Date – 4th December, 2009

Time – 7pm til you’re done!

Venue - in Camden, NSW……I will give you the address of the hall I am are using when you contact me.

Cost – $40 , all inclusive cost. {Stamp camp attendees have a special price and should check with Lana or me}

Cost includes – One half of an “I Wish” scrappin kit – which will be precut for each and every card you will make. Any stamping required will be predone and each card will be packaged ready to just plonk together!!! You will receive any leftover cardstock and cardstock stickers with your kit, to use on other projects.  You will also receive a ticket for the prize draw”S” at the door. Not to forget a great supper spread, with tea and coffee provided throughout the night. You will also get your hands on the mini catalogue that begins December 1st….your own copy included with your kit!!

You need to bring - just scissors and adhesive and some festive spirit for a great night…… You can also bring along any cold drinks you might wish to consume.

What if I can’t make it on the night ?? – If you fall into this category like many busy people, you can buy a kit ready to go, with the photos of the cards along and with everything precut ready to use – no stamps or ink required!! . We will mail this out to you for $40 after the 4th……….

How do I register? - E-mail me at sharon@lvh.com.au to register your interest, however your spot will only be confirmed with payment into the bank with the details I will mail you. We do need to order and cut the kits in advance so payment will be required. In the case of cancellation you will still receive your kit.

Registration closes – for both mail out kit and the class on November 20, JUST ONE WEEK LEFT TO REGISTER……so we can get the hard work done for you…..

Looking forward to great fun night……..e-mail me today, bring some friends along and have a blast!!

All images © Stampin’ Up! 1990 – 2009

I’m being attacked by my tween!! She is off to a halloween sleep over and really looking forward to it. She wanted to make {code for – ‘Will you make something mum??} a small gift for the hostess and thought that following the halloween theme would be a good idea as Beth just loves halloween, hence her mum giving in and allowing a whole lot of girls to come over for a sleepover. My sister did Cait’s make -up and what a great job she did!….I made yet another notebook for Beth, using up some scrapping stuff that I’ve had forever……..altogether this gift cost less than $5…..including the lollies I put in the bag – used up some paper, ribbon and scrap cardstock. The card on the bag is a total case from the very, very clever Jayne Mercer……this is just such a great idea…….just like all her ideas!!

Thinking about doing a class on making these notebooks………anyone interested?????

Happy halloween…….from my crazy house to yours!!!

All images © Stampin’ Up! 1990 – 2009

Sharon xxxxxxx

I can’t tell you the number of people who end up visitimg this blog with the search terms ‘handmade cards for sale’…..I really want a $ for each one! Well there will be handmade cards for sale, hundreds of them actually…….along with handmade gift boxes, bags, calendars, post it note holders, etc etc etc……..We (as in lana, nicole and I)have been working on these for all of 2009. We have crafted every Friday night and Lana, almost every night. These will be on sale at the school fete…..details below……prices will start from $1 and we will sell the best handmade cards for just $2 each or 6 for $10. These cards are old samples as well as purpose designed ones……

When – Friday the 13th of November, 2009

From – 4pm til 9m

Where – Camden Public School, John St Camden NSW

ALL proceeds from our stall go to the school. All things we use (all SU! product – only the best!!!) have been donated by lana and myself……oh, and we will also have a raffle – $1  a ticket - win a stamping class for 6 people (all supplies included) to make a series of cards that go in the cutest little handbag – drawn at the end of the night. A great deal I reckon!!!

We’d love to see you all there…..come and support our cute little public school!!

While I was busy at Stamp Camp this weekend, my eldest daughter attended a birthday party for two of her mates – beautiful twin girls. Twelve year old girls are easy to please….especially when you make it all about them. So as a gift idea, I bought each an Angus and Robertson bookstore voucher and made each a personalised gift card wallet to store them in. I hung these from gift bags that contained the greatest little journals. These journals are A3 in size and are as cheap as chips – think they are actually under $3. So they make a great and cheap gift for teenage girls.

This gift card wallet is just those I have posted below. I did jazz them up a bit by lining the pocket and the back with patterned paper.

‘K” or Katie, had the brighter pinks from a retired patterned paper that SU! had out a couple of years ago and last year they had the same paper in muted tones that was perfect for her sister ‘C’ or Claire.

These were easy but very satisfying to make.

These are actually ditto notebooks that have ovals cut out of the cover. Hence why they are covered (both front and back) as well as the lining has been covered with coordinating paper. The covers have been punched through using the cropadile (or big bite) and I have threaded ribbon through to make a place to put a pen as well as using the ribbon to tie the book closed.I have used scallop circles to make flush little tabs to section off the book. This idea is totally CASED from a blog I’m trying to remember – as soon as I do I will pop up a link. The clever lady I saw had used this idea to make holiday journals to get organised for Christmas……such a great idea. She had stuck envelopes into the front and back covers to make little pockets for receipts and recipes etc……

I’m off to catch up on my school reports and I need to get going with the 100 place cards I am making for the wedding stationary I have been involved with. Once I have finished those I will take pictures of the ‘complete set’ for you to see…….til later

All images ©Stampin’ Up! 1990 – 2009