Welcome Baby PP151

It's always such a happy occasion when a new baby arrives safely, don't you think?

In some ways that makes New Arrival cards the easiest cards to make.

I decided to base my card on the sketch by Nance at The Paper Players. My card is made using Soft Sky card, a colour that is NEW to me and returning to the subtles range, and I can understand why.

I used a greeting from Lovely Labels stamped in Marina Mist and chose the sweet little kitten from Storybook Friends which I water-colored using the Aquapainter. I bought this stamp set after receiving the cutest swap made with it at the South Pacific Stampin' Up! Convention in May, I love all those sweet little animals, so cute!

29th June 2013

The {Welcome Baby, sweetness unlimited} is a retired single stamp from a few years ago that I retain in my stash, just because.... and it is stamped onto a half doily, the largest one to be cut from Perfect Pennant Bigz L. I usually have a "cutting session" from time to time with my Big Shot so I can keep some on hand.

The strip of  Storybook Friends DSP helps tie the colours together, and I added a strip of Marina Mist Taffeta ribbon too. Now I'm all ready for the next baby boy that arrives!

I'm travelling to spend time with and babysit two grandsons and their little sister on Saturday - lovely
You have a lovely weekend too,
Rachel

Storybook Friends $33.95 (clear mount)

Birthday in the Bag SSC52

I'm glad the challenge at Sunday Stamps lasts for a fortnight 'cos it has given me a chance to whip up an entry!

I used a water-coloured image from an old hostess stamp set, Birthday Bakery. I still love the rows of cakes and this sweet little bag for a session of relaxing water-colouring.

I've used lots of shades from the current  In-color selection, and a few colours you will be able to order next week (in Australia). The card base is Primrose Petals with a piece of More Amore DSP(retiring next Sunday).

 The banners are Blushing Bride, Pool Party and Soft Sky, the oval label is Strawberry Slush and the Apothecary Accents label is Raspberry Ripple. The labels are popped up on Dimensionals and so is the stamped bag and greeting. A couple of large Rhinestones trim the label.

Thanks for dropping by
Rachel

Topsy-Turvy Celebration Bling PP150

To celebrate some lovely stamp sets that are being retired by Stampin' Up!, my June classes were "Retirement" themed.

It fits the criteria for this week at the Paper Players for "Bring on the Bling". Check out the design teams inspiring cards here.

This card made with Topsy-Turvy Celebration was a class sample. It has ended up with heaps more bling on it, much more than I would usually use - 'cos I am a 'less is more' kind of girl, and I can't quite recollect the phrase Genella used to describe my turnaround. It seemed very funny at the time though!

The stamp set might be retiring, and the huge Designer Builder Brads (you can order them till the end of this month) but we get to keep the Rhinestones, the linen thread and the Silver Glimmer Paper.  Strawberry Crush and Bermuda Bay are NEW colours. The Mosaic embossing folder is new too, and the Pool Party Core'dinations is staying. We can buy mixed packs of core'dinations from the start of the new catalogue too, that will be great!

This month before the old catalogue retires and the new one commences is just a little bit exciting, but its hard to know what to use first. The old faves before they go, or the exciting new goodies. If you would like a copy of the catalogue and you live close enough to pick one up, let me know by phone 0417500681 or email rpalmieri5@bigpond.com and I will make sure I have one for you. If you need one posted, it will cost $10 for postage.

Have a happy weekend
Rachel

Bling Fish Birthday DD57 and Paper Players150

Fish and bling - a natural partnership?

I do hope so, because I've tried a couple of ways to make my fish glisten, some not so successful ! I settled for stamping Basic Black onto Pear Pizzazz and coating it with Stampin' Up! Crystal Effects and one little Basic Jewel Rhinestone for its eye.

Dynamic Duos challenge 57 is for Basic Black and Pear Pizzazz and The Paper Players suggested Bring on the Bling. That called for a strip of the fantastic Silver Glimmer Paper.






Obviously I needed to stick to Pear Pizzazz and Basic Black for the ink/card and I played around with Gorgeous Grunge, my new favourite stamp set and By the Tide, another favourite because I have a 'husband who fishes'.


I used the 2½ inch circle punch to cut a window and there is another 'fishy' scene on the inside. Its hard to see, but I rather like making cards that are plain cream ,white or some other paler colour, and then adding a piece of card slightly larger to the back. In this card's case it was two pieces, one in Black one in Pear Pizzazz.

It's kind of like making a card in reverse, if you know what I mean (instead of adding a card front, you add a card back). Just a bit of a change, and change is good.
It's getting very cold in Melbourne now that winter has descended and so wet last week. Great weather for crafting though!
Cheers,
Rachel

Retiring Stamp Sets and Classes

Elements of Style and Perfect Punches

June Class
A little reminder that I have a class this Thursday evening, Retiring products and "ink to Rubber" technique.
If you click on classes at the top of the blog, it will give you a better idea of what to expect in a stamp class at my house in South Morang, Victoria.

July Classes
I have the dates available for July classes up there also, but I plan to run the same technique for all 4 dates, just putting it out there, what I have available. At this stage I haven't finalised what we will be doing, but I'm playing with the idea of using canvas for stamping, let me know what you think.

Retiring Stock

Speaking of retiring stock, there is two weeks left of the stock take sale.
This is the link for retiring stamp sets...
 and this one for accessories and colour (but there isn't much colour left)

You can also go straight to my online store and see the specials there, along with a small picture, so easy.

 Check for this special offer , exclusive to me. You are eligible for this prize if you purchase a minimum of $50 worth of Stampin' Up! just for the month of June. If you order $100, you get two entries etc etc.

Some more cards with retiring stamp sets

Natures Walk

Circle Circus

Baby Bundle

Send me a txt 0417500681, or email me @ rpalmieri5@bigpond.com if you need more information about anything, or to book a place for class.

I'd appreciate an early indication of interest, or (lack of interest from my regulars) regarding July classes, as family life is so hectic, and I need to plan my Grandma time too!! Thanks..

Rachel

Happy Day FMS 90

I've had some time to play with new products again, and I decided to use this weeks sketch at Freshly Made Sketches again. I keep a file of these sketches too, just in case my inspiration runs dry!
I have also entered CAS on Sunday challenge 10, which is "Black, white plus one." My plus one is Smoky Slate.

I have used Basic Black card, and the new light grey colour, Smoky Slate. It is such a gentle shade of grey, I can see  me using it lots.
I put ink to my new set, Happy Day and layered up the medallion stamp with some black scallop circles between and topped it off with a Basic Jewel Rhinestone. The Happy Day greeting is one of four bold greetings in the set, I think this one is perfect for a wedding or birthday card.

The others are sweet, sweet moments, hello there and smile, all written lower case. It looks very effective, I think.

 I've notched the end out of a piece of the two-tone grey ribbon, used a button from the retiring neutrals in grey and topped it off with the large rhinestone that are sold in a separate pack of 40.

Happy Day available 2 July 2013

Hope your day is a happy one too
Rachel

Simply Sketched Sympathy FMS90

I can hardly wait for the new catalogue to be released in Australia - just over 2 weeks to go now!

Ever since we had a sneak peek at Convention, there has been excitement in the air. Now many of us have our hands on the new In-colors and returning colours plus a few stamp sets and accessories we are desperate to show them off to our customers.

Sneak Peek!

Last week I was at my Upline, Sue's house, and she let me stamp off some images from a hostess set from the coming catalogue, Simply Sketched.

I only stamped two of the three sketched images, and one of the greetings, because that is what I needed at the moment, but as well as this sweet poppy there is a sprig of  leaf with a few berries, and a darling little bird, which I've now seen very subtley water-coloured too. The other greetings are Happy Birthday Wishes and Thanks So Much.
There I was this morning with a page of stamped images, a sketch from Linda Callaghan at Freshly Made Sketches and an urge to break out my new ink pads. I began by cutting the images with a variety of Framelits, this one is two sizes of  the Labels Collection Framelits. These were the first ones released and mine are very well-used. I have used Crumb Cake as my base, and teamed it up with Pistachio Pudding, the prettiest shade of green ever. I embossed a piece using the Fancy Fan embossing folder through the Big Shot. At convention we were given a stamp set (in the New Catalogue) called Gorgeous Grunge, and it definitely is that. These diagonal stripes (or half chevron, if you like) are stamped in Strawberry Slush using, probably, the least grungy stamp in the set. If you love splodges and sprinkles, this stamp set will be a "must have". I finished it off with a Very Vintage button threaded with Calypso Coral Bakers Twine.

I have had the Aquapainter for ages, but had only ever used one of them to bleach stamped images. I thought that Stampin' Write Markers and a Blender pen were all I needed for watercolouring. However, at the weekend I spent some time with a fellow demonstrator and she showed me the water colouring she had done with an Aquapainter, so I decided to give mine another try. Oh my goodness! It was so much fun, and I love the effect, so soft and pretty. So once I have earned the Simply Sketched stamp set, I will really be giving the Aquapainter a work out. You can order a pack of two for $19.95, and you don't even have to use the water colour paper, although I think that would give a nice finish to this image.

You get to choose from our lovely Hostess only stamp sets if you host a demonstration, and your sales reach at least $300. Another way is to hold a "Virtual" party and collect up the orders and money from your friends totaling that amount, or you might be Stampin' Up! obsessed, just like me, and have no trouble putting together a $300 plus order all by yourself!

I've already finished my "other job" working week, and I look forward to the next few days stamping up a storm, although my darling husband and I are travelling into the city tomorrow night to see "Jesus Christ, Superstar".
Hope you have something nice to look forward to, as well
Cheers
Rachel

My Mosaic Madness! CCMC255 & SSC51

A lovely, long weekend in Australia, and I have really been enjoying my extra free time!

My big, brown box of Stampin' Up! goodies from the upcoming New Catalogue release arrived just in time for my playtime today, and I chose to use the sketch from Create with Connie and Mary, together with the fresh, bright colours at Sunday Stamps.

I loved the fact that the new Specialty Designer Series Paper, Quatrefancy, has Daffodil Delight and Strawberry Slush (a new colour similar to Melon Mambo) and this piece of DSP is the same sheet showing both sides.

(I have to confess at this point, that I thought it was Melon Mambo, and used MM ink. I've only found out because I referred to the back of the pack to check the colours, and I don't know the difference after only playing for one day. But oh dear! I CAN definitely see the difference now, please forgive me?)

I should have just used Gingham Garden, it has Melon Mambo and Daffodil Delight!

Trouble is, I was so keen to try out the Mosaic Madness stamp set and the matching punch, and that is why I rushed off to use the Quatrefancy DSP! I love to bits the way it all coordinates - thanks Stampin' Up!

I added a little texture with the Fancy Fan Embossing Folder on a layer of Sahara Sand card, rounded the corners and attached it to a matching card base. The dimensionals were perfect to give some height to the punched shapes and the Apothecary Accents label, with the greeting, and then just a few Rhinestones.

Are you excited to see the new colours, stamps etc that Stampin' Up! has for us at the beginning of July?
Thanks for passing by,
Rachel

Online Shopping and Special Offers for June

Have you been wondering how to get these supplies but don't know a Stampin' Up! demonstrator?

Do you live somewhere in Australia?

Do you like FREE stuff?

Because I really want to meet some new customers, and encourage people to try the online store, I am offering an incentive, exclusive to my online business. Currently, I have an offer running where ANY online order over $50 (before shipping) will receive a small gift (value $5-$10) from me, separately to your order shipped from Stampin' Up! By the way, shipping is very reasonable, $5.95 minimum, or 5% of order value. You can order around $118 worth of lovely goodies before the shipping rises ever so slightly. Packages are delivered safely and securely by Australia Post. Any questions, please email me rpalmieri5@bigpond.com

 Maybe you would like to be in the running to pick up this prize? 

•  Madison Avenue stamp set (clear mount block required)
• 3 rolls of satin ribbon: Island Indigo, Pool Party and Tangerine Tango
• packet of buttons: Pool Party, Tangerine Tango, Rich Razzleberry

Every purchase over $50 before shipping, through to June 30th is eligible for this prize. Meaning that if you spend $100, your name will be entered twice, giving you more chances in the draw.

The winner will be randomly drawn and emailed. If you are the lucky winner, and you agree, I will announce your name on my blog too.

You even earn hostess dollars if your order reaches $300 (it's $50 to spend at that level)

Online Store

My online store is here: http://www3.stampinup.com/ECWeb/default.aspx?dbwsdemoid=4004988

The online store is well laid out and easy to shop from. Special promotions like those below are clearly marked

Single Stamps Available

Details

• Single stamps can be ordered in the online store.
• These won't be sent in our typical cases or packaging; they'll be packaged in cello bags. If you'd like a case for your stamp, you can buy our Clear-Mount Stamp Cases that come in packs of four.
• This offer is available for clear-mount stamps only.
• The stamps won't come with a Clear-Mount Block, and you'll need to purchase a block separately if you don't already have one. The recommended block sizes can be found on the flyer.
• There's no limit on how many stamps you can purchase.

Best of Flowers

For a few months now Stampin' Up! has been offering The Best Of... stamps to its North American customers. The demand from the South Pacific market has been large enough for us to also participate. The stamps are clear mount only, there is a new set every month and are available until supplies run out.  They are $25.95 for the 4 stamps and these are also available from the online store.

Retiring Sale

There is a huge list of retiring items, with supplies of some already exhausted. There is a special section for retired products in the Online store.

I hope you will try online shopping with Stampin' Up! and that this is an enjoyable experience for you.
If I can help you with any queries, please email me, I can usually respond in 12-24 hours.
rpalmieri5@bigpond.com

Cheers
Rachel

Birthday Banners

It seems to have taken me ages to make this little birthday card today. It shouldn't have taken so long but I was really having a big play with colour, so there are a lot of partly made samples on my work table!!!

I wanted to use the sketch from Freshly Made Sketches, and I probably should have used a different focal stamp, because the orientation is all wrong and it doesn't allow the banners to shine.

I've used a sale-a-bration stamp Vintage Verses, and some flowers from Betsy's Blossoms. The banners were cut  mainly using the Hearts A Flutter framelits and mostly DSP from More Amore.

The colours that ended up on this card were Basic Grey and Primrose Petals, a far cry from the Summer Starfruit and Gumball Green I began with!!!

I usually go for a swim on Thursday morning at my local, indoor heated pool, but I have a cold and decided to give it a miss today. I was also waiting on my box of goodies from Stampin' Up!, but it hasn't come. Boo hoo! It shipped on Saturday, and I thought it should have been here by Thursday, and if it doesn't arrive tomorrow, it won't be here till Tuesday. Its good that we are having a long weekend, but sad that my new toys haven't come yet!

At least I will have a big rest this weekend

Hope you have time to do something you enjoy too,

Rachel

Everything Eleanor Meets Dynamic Duos #55

Isn't this a dramatic colour scheme?

Perhaps DYNAMIC?

I wasn't too sure about this colour scheme, but I actually like the richness. Thanks to Dynamic Duos for this challenge.




I've stamped the label from Everything Eleanor in Wisteria Wonder and one of each of the floral images from the same set with the Raspberry Ripple.

The greeting is from the retiring set Friendly Phrases, only available until the end of this month (if the stock lasts that long) and It has been debossed with the Lacy Brocade folder. It is mounted on a piece of  Wisteria Wonder card just slightly larger, and a strip of (retiring) ruffled ribbon in the same shade is tied to the left of the images.

I'd love to know what YOU think of these colours!
Cheers
Rachel