Birthday Owl and Spiders!

My summer holiday is over!

So sad to be going back to my regular day job tomorrow, I like being a "free spirit" flitting here and there with plenty of time to read, garden, craft and socialise.

Before I become totally disciplined again, I wanted to share a couple of birthday cards.



     Owl Occasions 

                       

 This stamp has been available for the past 4 months, but cannot be ordered after this coming Thursday (31st January) so ring or email me promptly if you think you too would like to own this one. 128003 $37.95 for clear mount, 128000 $46.95 for wood mount.

#3 grandson, who will be 3 on February 14th, has a bit of a 'thing' for that owl character in a TV show. (I'm being slightly cautious in case there is a copyright issue). I'm hoping my card featuring the Party banner, branch, balloon and owl from Owl Occasions and the "3rd Birthday" from Memorable Moments is a big hit with him.

Memorable Moments was one of the gifts I came away with from last year's convention in Canberra, and I've found it very useful with all those numbers, plus an rd, nd,th, and st as well as Happy, Anniversary, Birthday and a label outline. It is on page 139 of the annual catalogue if you'd like to take a closer look.

Tangerine Tango, Tempting Turquoise and Lucky Limeade are the colour choices for this card.

Jar Of Spiders

I had lots of fun creating this card for #1 grandson's birthday, exactly one week after his cousin's.

I used three stamp sets for this one, and DSP Comfort Cafe, which is in the Annual catalogue and available till the end of June this year.

The spiders and web come from Googly Ghouls, page 27 of the Holiday catalogue, finishing this week.

The jar is from Perfectly Preserved, page 29 of the Holiday Catalogue (but this one is carrying over, at least for another few months).

The 'happy' on this card is from a cute Hostess set on page 200 of the Annual Catalogue, Wacky Wishes, yours free to purchase with your hostess dollars if your order reaches $300.

The number and 'birthday' are again from Memorable Moments and I used the frame stamp from that stamp set and the matching size in Framelits to hold the greeting. Crumb Cake and Midnight Muse were the main colours, with a touch of Cajun Craze

Thought you might like to see a close up view.

Ordering is Easy

If you live anywhere in Australia you can place your Stampin' Up! order through me and it can be shipped right to your door (by Australia Post) for 5% of your order total, minimum shipping $5.95. If you click on the catalogue symbols on the sidebar you can view them online. The 25th Anniversary catalogue will be uploaded after it goes"live" late this week.Sale-a-bration has begun, so for each $100 of your order you get to choose one item from 19 exclusive stamp sets, designer patterned paper, or buttons & ribbon.

If you have a $300 order, you receive $50 hostess dollars to spend on ANY items in our catalogues but can choose the EXCLUSIVE hostess stamp sets too, you receive your choice of 3 sale-a-bration items and you will also get a pack of two sheets of 12" by 12" silver glimmer paper (for Stampin' Up's 25th anniversary).

The Holiday Catalogue finishes on 31st January and the new 25th Anniversary Catalogue commences on 1st February.

If you need any of the brochures, you can contact me by email or txt/phone 0417500681.

Keep on stamping,

Rachel



Freshly Made sketches #70

This week at Freshly Made Sketches Rita has provided this great sketch for our inspiration. I changed the format for my card because (I'm hiding embarressingly behind my hands... LOL) I didn't look carefully at the sketch before I put it together!

There is a strong possibility it wouldn't have fitted in landscape, but maybe I will try a different card in that format, this is such a great sketch.

I have used Ciao, Baby! (page 16 mini catty released Feb 1st) for two of the stamped images and 'Hello' is from the sale-a-bration set Pretty Petites. I love these two sets, probably because they have the sweetest little punches to match, mainly the Petite Curly Label Punch, because its new, and it is free with your $100 order. There is a 1and a quarter scalloped punch, originally in the Holiday Catalogue, but carried over now. I punched a one inch circle in Pool Party for them to sit on and then and Island Indigo punched out of the original Curly Label Punch. The ampersand fits pretty well inside the three-quarter inch circle punch. The patterned strip is a stamp from Summer Silhouettes, (page 82 annual catalogue) stamped in Pool Party too, which is a handy image when you just want something subtle to join it all together. The 'its your day' greeting is a retired hostess set called Happiest Birthday Wishes, which I still use quite regularly.

Hope you are feeling inspired to get a little inky too.

If you live in Australia and need help to get any of these products or catalogues, call me (0417 500 681) or email.

Cheers

Rachel

CCMC235 - Sketch Challenge

Thought it was time for a challenge and I love the sketch from Connie and Mary for this week. I love what the other contributors have made too, go over here to see.

I have broken out of my usual style too, for a bit of a change, because these adorable little blossoms,(a sneak peek from the mini catalogue coming Feb 1st)were crying out to be used.The paper is Sycamore Street, a new DSP for Sale-a-bration (Free with your order of $100). The embossing folder was placed on one side of the paper and put through the Big Shot, then turned and matched for placement and sent through again. It left a flat spot, which would have been perfect for the greeting but this time I have layered some 2.2cm cotton ribbon (ending 31st January), some crochet trim and some seam binding which I have tried to crumple for the shabby Chic look. Not sure whether I have achieved that or not. I haven't added a greeting at this stage, will sort that out when I need to use it.



Just a close-up of the trim.

Thanks for looking

Rachel

I'm back - Happy 2013!

It's a bit of a shock to realise that it has been more than a month since I last blogged. I hope you had a lovely summer and an opportunity to recharge the batteries doing things you enjoy, and spending time with those you love.

I have really relaxed too with time at the beach with #2 son's family and #4 and his girlfriend over the after Christmas-New Year period, then nearly a fortnight with just my husband. We enjoyed a little bit of doing "not much", just throwing together this and that for a meal and wandering to the beach (usually in the evenings when it cooled off a bit).

We enjoyed a rummage through antique stores too, and a meal out from time to time so it was a lovely break. We came home briefly before heading down the coast again (different direction) to where #1 son and family reside full-time. We wanted to spend a little time with them all, before their numbers increase again (in March). Poppy took his grandsons fishing and a fish was caught by the eldest who was so excited!

                                                                   

 February Classes

I'm back to school on 29th January, and I thought it might be about time to think about classes for the coming months. I'm thinking of holding some daytime classes on Thursday mornings, if there is anyone interested out there. I won't schedule anything too complicated for the first one, just call (or email me) and we can discuss what you would like to learn and your level of expertise. Tentatively, I'd like to share some simple stamping techniques and you can try out some of the Sale-a-bration stamps and  petite curly label punch. If you click on the classes tab (see top of blog) you can get a little bit more information.

For my regular ladies, your Friday night class is on 8th February. We will be able to tackle three cards of your choice using the new stamps, embossing folders and punches just released for sale-a-bration and available February 1st from the Summer mini.
You will need to contact me (rpalmieri5@bigpond.com /0417500681) so I know how many places to set at the table. There might be a couple of spare spots in this class, feel free to ask.

Sale-a-bration

"What's sale-a-bration ?" I hear you ask.

 

At this time of the year, Stampin Up! have a fabulous promotion and for every $100 of product ordered, you get to select one item from the 19 on offer this year! I thought it was pretty good last year when designer printed paper and brads & ribbon were added to the selection of great stamp sets. (I'm still using some of that DSP and the co-ordinating stamp, in my Italy scrapbook).

When I saw the pamphlet promoting this year's offerings, I wondered if there was a mistake, or perhaps the stamp sets were only available in clear mount, but no, everything is as it appears. Stamps are available in wood mount or clear mount, there is a matching petite punch for the petite label stamps and gorgeous paper, ribbon and buttons as well as an embossing folder for your Big Shot. Yes, some of the items are also available for sale in the Annual catalogue (you can check the value of the freebie). One of the beautiful things about this range, the colours and images are so perfectly co-ordinated, just like all the Stampin Up! range.

Special Offers

Now if you've been waiting to order for a while and your 'wish' list is a little long, the great deal is that if you spend $300 (can be a group of friends ordering too), you get 3 items from sale-a-bration FREE, a pack of silver Glimmer paper FREE, AND you get the $50 Hostess dollars to spend on hostess items or regular stock. If you wanted to gather a few friends for a party where I can help them make a card and your orders amount to $600, you will get a pack of FREE silver Glimmer paper, plus a FREE product bundle containing a stamp set, ribbon, buttons and designer patterned paper AND $100 hostess dollars, to spend on anything from the two catalogues! Incredible how many freebies there are! If you mention that you've read this blog, and can tell me the code word, I will give you free shipping on orders placed by10th February.

Ordering

Anyone, anywhere in Australia can order from me and the order will be shipped by Stampin Up! right to your mailing address. Shipping charges are 5% of the order total, $5.95 is the minimum amount. You can have approximately $118.00 shipped for $5.95, so it is pretty good value. If you're nearby, it can be shipped in with my bulk order, which can lower the cost for you if you pick up. All orders need to be prepaid, direct deposit to my bank account, cash or the easiest option of all, credit card.

Catalogue Schedule

Sale-a-bration runs 22nd January - 22nd March, Holiday catalogue (see right hand panel for online copy) is finishing 31st January, that's just over a week away, so if there is anything you were wanting from that one, call me soon to order. If it is carrying over, I will let you know because Stampin Up! are about to release the next mini catalogue to carry us over until the release of the next Annual catalogue on July 1st. If you are a fan of Shabby Chic, there is lots in this mini to tickle your fancy! However, if that doesn't excite you, there's bright and bold too and quite a few things in between.

Want to join and fund your hobby for 20% less?

It's quite easy and it is okay to join as a hobbyist, Stampin Up! does not require you to do parties, unless you really want to. It's a very supportive environment of like-minded people and your commitment is to purchase/order $400 (retail value) every three months.  You get 20% off the catalogue price and a chance to earn free stuff too! If you are anything like me, that's not so hard to do, but when you add in a few orders from friends and relatives, its even easier. There is no obligation to continue either if you find it too difficult to make the minimums and you don't have to return your stock.

 * A bigger kit. 
During Saleabration you get an additional 25% in your starter kit, so you get $294 for the  $169 starter kit fee if you join between 22nd Jan and 22nd March.

* How does someone join online with me? 

You can click on the button on the top right side of the blog which says "Want to join my team?" That will take you directly to the agreement, which you can freely read, have a think about, ring me with any questions(which I will attempt to answer, otherwise I'll find out and get back to you!!!LOL) I'd love you to join my team.

Thanks for popping in,

Rachel

Code word: PANSIES   Ph. 0417 500 681 email: rpalmieri5@bigpond.com