See Ya Later Sale-A-Bration!

I thought it might be fun to share this card I made while on holiday this summer. When I go away, I take only a box of supplies, but there is an old sewing machine at the holiday house, so that is the time I sew on cards. I took my SALE-A-BRATION stamps, paper and the banner punch. I had also dry embossed card-front size pieces of card and taken them with me, and this one in Tangerine Tango has been embossed with the Sale-a-bration freebie Decorative Dots Embossing Folder. It really stretches my creativity having limited supplies, but gets some good samples made to show my customers.

CAS on Sunday has a challenge to use stitching, Faux or Real.

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This stamp set is called See Ya Later and is only available (free) with your $90 order, until 11.30pm tonight.(Australia) The Banner Punch has a matching stamp set, Banner Blast, and a couple of those banners have been stamped with the outline stamp from that set. Even the Sweet Sorbet Designer Series Paper was a freebie, it's just the best time of the year to put in a big order, because you still get hostess dollars to spend once you've spent $300 and 3 SALE-A-BRATION items too. I stock up on card, Dimensionals and Snail refills. So don't forget,  SALE-A-BRATION ends in 5 hours in Australia, hurry!

Cheerio for now,
Rachel

Sending Good Thoughts DD#96 & RS#108

Even I didn't think I could follow a sketch as closely as this! Just found this sketch at Retro Sketches fitted exactly with an idea I had brewing, how fabulous! I still have quite a bit of the Print Poetry Designer Series Paper stack (129312) left to use, and since it is in the clearance rack at only $7.99, more than one of my customers have taken advantage of the special price and purchased it, so maybe they're looking for some fun ways to use some. I had already cut the patterned paper into strips and mounted it onto Gumball Green when I spied a color challenge that would work with my card. Dynamic Duos have challenged this week with Gumball Green and 'your choice': - my choice is Primrose Petals
I echoed the design on the paper with an embossing folder Beautifully Baroque, and after it was attached I put it through the Big Shot again and 'ironed'  the pattern flatter for a very subtle pattern. My centre piece is a banner stamped with a sentiment from Perfect Pennants, although the last two words are covered with the mother's day greeting from Teeny Tiny Sentiments. The Word Window Punch is ever so handy and a Gumball Green banner from Bitty Banners Framelits really sets it off. In Australia, Mother's Day is early May (I actually don't know if it is the first or second Sunday, maybe my children will set me straight!) I expect I will make a good few more Mother's Day cards before then as my work colleagues like to purchase for their mothers.



We are still having very warm weather for Autumn, (30°c) but it is cool in the mornings and evening, such a lovely time of year! I have had a busy day at work, but needed good light to photograph my card.
Have a good week...
Rachel

Stars Card in a Box

It was a lovely card class here on Friday night, with the girls making Card In A Box cards, all individual and all beautiful creations. The trouble with working at night is a) tiredness b) difficult lighting! We all agree that my electrician son should install some more down lights in the craft room, but trouble is, he doesn't work in the trade anymore because he doesn't like getting into the ceiling space.
The conditions weren't really ideal for photographing their creations, but earlier I had taken a reasonably clear photo of the back of a card being created for Mother's Day which has a Travel/French theme. The front was gorgeous too, but by the time it was finished , it was VERY late! We had some lovely floral fantasies for special birthdays, and a small boy's first birthday card. I'm sure the recipients will be thrilled!
If the ladies email me photos of their finished card, I will edit them into the blog, how about it girls?

Genella's card above and below

During the week before the class, I decided to put together another variation of this fun card. Simply Stars and Starburst Sayings featured heavily in this production. The Starburst Sayings stamps are a breeze to cut out, with their matching Framelits, and you know, if you bundle the stamps and framelits, key in the right code (wood 134817 $77.25: clear 134818 $69.50) you save 15%. If you do it before Monday 31st at 11pm, you'd only have to buy another $20 (approximately) to earn a FREE SALE-A-BRATION item. $90 before shipping qualifies. After Monday, it's all over for another year!

I'm lucky enough to still have a retired star punch, which punches the larger star from Simply Stars. I sell off some of my retired stock to help finance the next purchases, but some things are just too good to let go. I do hope star punches return, or maybe there will be framelits for those in the new catalogue, released July 1st in Australia. The Circle Card Thinlets Die has a star and a heart included, and they were well used in the class.

Label Something stamp set provided the greeting and just like all the stamps in Label Love, it can be punched out easily with the Artisan Label Punch. My girls love Label Love, it has stamps for babies, weddings, birthdays, just for you and more. I've forgotten to point out to them that if they buy the stamp set and the Artisan Label Punch together in a bundle, they can save 15% on the cost as well. It jogged my memory when another clever customer put her order in today, so I'm just pointing that out too. The prices are actually slightly lower than shown in the current catalogue, a lovely surprise when you enter the following codes, although the prices I've entered here are correct - wood mount bundle 132723 $60.25: clear mount 132722 $52.50.

The back of the card is reasonably plain, another star punched out and 'Make A Wish' sentiment from the Perfect Pennants stamp set. That can be bundled with the Pennant framelits for a 15% saving. You just need to find the Bundle and Save  boxes throughout the large annual catalogue or the thinner Occasions catalogue.

You can see a floral card here, or another floral in a different color scheme, plus some childrens cards here.

If you and a friend would like to make your own card in a box, and South Morang, Victoria isn't out of your way, email me for a day or night. It takes about 3-3½ hours. The 8th and 9th April are good for me at the moment, daytime or evening.

Hope you're having a great weekend,
Rachel

Lovely As A Tree Sympathy FMS #129 CTD#285

Just a quick post today, I have so many chores to do and the day is racing away on me.

When I saw Jen's sketch over at Freshly Made Sketches, I knew that I wanted to use Lovely As a Tree. This stamp set has been around for about eight years now, it must be the longest of any in the Stampin' Up range! I had originally planned to place the row of trees across the horizontal strip, and I may still do that on another card when I get home from my errands. However, the colours in the Color Throwdown Challenge #285, steered me toward this design. The colours are Sahara Sand background stamped in the same shade with the large background stamp, Hardwood. There is a layer of retired DSP vertically on top, and then across is Natural Chevron ribbon and Linen Thread.After stamping the leaf in Early Espresso, and a sentiment from Teeny Tiny Sentiments it was rolled through the Big Shot, using a Chalk Talk Framelit. Next it was time to pick up the Scalloped Tag Topper Punch, to make a matt for the label in Pear Pizzazz. Finally, a Blushing Bride button and some smudged ink completed the card.

Have a wonderful weekend!
Rachel

You & Me RS #107

My poor hubby has been in hospital this week for a shoulder reconstruction. It gave us both a bit of a scare when the surgery took almost 5 hours instead of the estimated 1½-2 hours. Just goes to show that he really does have a very high tolerance to pain. I finally was able to bring him home today, and it is a really good feeling to have him safely tucked up at home.

I knew I wanted to use the Ampersand  Embossing Folder for this sketch, and that naturally then proceeded to using 'You & Me' from Perfect Pennants. Those two just fit together so beautifully, and I used my 1¾" circle punch to notch out a spot for the greeting to show. After I trimmed the Strawberry Slush card around the curve of the ampersand, I mounted it on a square of the Silver Foil sheet, and then onto another square, this time Coastal Cabana.

Another greeting which goes really well with this sort of card is 'Never Underestimate the Power of Two' from Yippee Skippee! I used that on the inside with two hearts from the Peachy Keen stamp set and a single flower from Oh Hello. The inspiration sketch is another terrific one from Retro Sketches, I haven't had time lately to enter their weekly challenge, and didn't think I would this week either, even though I have had some time off work. However, the patient is co-operating at the moment, so all is good in the craft cave!!! There's a day or two left on this challenge, why not try your hand at the sketch too? Click on the name to link over to Retro Sketches.

Hope you have some time  this week for what you love...

Rachel

Ampersand Embossing Folder 132970 Occasions Catalogue

You're My Hero Birthday

Do you find making cards for little boys challenging? I do too, possibly because there are so many small boys in my family, there's an awful lot of cards to make. I have to hold onto the retired stamp sets like Dinoroar for the dinosoar fans and I Dig You for the little guys that love all things construction. I am looking forward to the Annual Stampin' Up! catalogue on July 1st when we will see new stamps. My fingers are crossed for a different vehicle/digger stamp, but in the meantime I've used You're My Hero, which is also pretty cute.

It comes with the two greetings you see on the card, and one other, which just happens to be the same as the name of the stamp set! The three vehicles are a cute little police car, a fire engine and an ambulance. I've punched out portions of the images to use on this card. Those squares are mounted onto a coloured square a little bigger and then with Dimensionals, on to a much larger double-mounted square. Right in the middle is a square with the number 4, from my favourite and much-loved Memorable Moments stamp set.

I have just bought myself a new letters and numbers stamp set, mmmmm... that would be ABC-123 Sketch Alphabet & Numbers on page 131 of the catalogue. There is an outline set as well, but I have chosen the filler part to try out first. So you just might see a different style of number appear on my 'age' birthday cards soon.

Happy stamping
Rachel

Black and White Wedding Card

My husband and I went to a wedding at the weekend. It was a lovely event, and I tried to make a classy card for the occasion.
Shimmery White card #121717 (page 156) is a better card for these types of greeting cards. It is heavier than Whisper White and has a delightful shimmer. I used Chalk Talk for the large stamped label, behind it is a plain black label punched with the Scalloped Tag Topper Punch. It's very hard to see in the large photo but on top of the Chalk Talk Label there is a banner cut from Silver Glimmer paper using the Bitty Banners Framelits, and then a Label stamped with MR & MRS from Label Love and punched with the Artisan Label Punch.

These Framelits and punches make crafting so easy.

At left is another very similar card I made at the same time, to have a spare on hand, and you can see the layering in more detail here.

Happy crafting
Rachel

Birthday Flowers

I had a lot of fun colouring this Wildflower Meadow stamp with my markers today. It gives a watercoloured effect in a way, very soft and subtle. I did a few images while I was on a roll, another is full-size, but this is only a half of the stamp approximately.The panel is mounted on a rectangle of Pistachio Pudding and then a small strip of Blushing Bride DSP was laid across the bottom of the picture. White Bakers twine was wound a couple of times around this panel before it was adhered to the Blushing Bride card base.
The Card Concept called for a birthday card, with this as the inspiration picture, so I have gone with the flowers, no cake this time, and clean layering.

To explain the "no cake" comment, if you saw my previous post, you might realise that I took the challenge rather literally using an image I had already stamped from Love & Laughter, which happens to be a wedding/engagement stamp set. When I was getting ready to link the post, I re-read the challenge. Oh whoops! It was meant to be birthday, and there's no way to turn a wedding cake into a birthday cake when it has "I do" and similar all over it!!  Not that I mind, making cards is just what I like to do for fun anyway.

Hope you're having some time for yourself this weekend...
Rachel

Wedding Cake and Flowers FMS #128

This wedding card uses a simple masking technique to 'layer without layering', if you know what I mean. I've stamped Off The Grid in gold ink, over the word cake from Love & Laughter. While the mask remained in place, I inked up a stamp from Mosaic Madness with Calypso Coral and stamped from side to side. No worries about whether the lines match up, it was all done in one! I do wish that I had stamped the cake in something other than Crumb Cake though, as it is very difficult to distinguish the cake from the grid, unless it catches the light.I punched out blossoms in Crisp Cantaloupe and Pool Party with the Itty Bitty Shapes Punches, and finished each one with a tiny pearl. There's just one Petite Petals flower stamped in Pool Party too.

Another closer photo gives a better idea of the detail. I thought I was making this card for two challenges, but when I went back to link up the post, I discovered that it was meant to be a birthday card! I may have to make another card, perhaps.

The sketch at Freshly Made Sketches was the starting point for my inspiration. Pop on over to see what the Design Team produced, and the other contributions are sure to be great too.
I must get a move on, enjoy your day...
Rachel

Tag Topper Punch Class

Stampin' Up! released the Tag Topper punches in the Occasions Catalogue 28 January and initially I wasn't overly impressed. That lasted about a week, when a number of innovative demonstrators had revealed some other ways to use these punches. Need I say they were in my very next order?

There is the Scalloped Tag Topper Punch (133324) $39.95 and the Angled Tag Topper Punch (133323) $39.95.

I am holding classes at my home in South Morang, Vic., during April showing some of the other possibilities with these punches. I will be providing typed notes and photos showing the relevant measurements and so on. In addition, there will be an opportunity to try out some of the large background stamps and see how useful they really are for adding some extra interest.

Thursday 10th April 7pm -10pm:

3 places left

Daytime and evening classes available 7th, 8th, 9th April

Some of the large Background stamps...

Dictionary

World Map

En Francais

Get in touch by phone 0417500681 or email if you have any questions.

Cheers 

Rachel

Love You FMS#127

This card has meandered off in its own direction! I find it funny how they do that sometimes - just take over! I had been looking through the Fresh Prints Designer Series Paper Stack for colour inspiration, never expecting that this piece of patterned Crumb Cake would 'be the one.' I had even had my Real Red Ink Pad at the ready as I was sure the paper would include red somewhere. Well, Raspberry Ripple is a lovely, luscious red and there's a length of the lovely silky ribbon on the card as well. I have three layers of banners in Crumb Cake, White and Raspberry Ripple. The white has been dry embossed with a retired Embossing Folder (can't remember its name but a pretty script).

There is a small rectangle of DSP taken from the current Fresh Prints Designer Series Paper Stack and mounted on white card. I stamped the Crumb Cake base card with the flower from Happy Watercolor that looks like an orchid and the word 'love' from Fabulous Phrases.

No button for this card, it doesn't really need one, and I will finish the inside later with white card, and a partial stamped flower. Just beginning to run short of time (and light).
Don't forget to pop over to the gallery at Freshly Made Sketches, for lots of inspiration. There are more than a hundred submissions, plus the teams very fine designs too.

Happy stamping
Rachel

Happy St Patrick's Day!

Just a quick Happy St Patrick's Day to everyone out there with a little drop of Irish blood. Apparently there are 80 million of us world-wide! My kin emigrated to New Zealand to farm the countryside there. They made a great choice as the climate is similar, and it would have been like home away from home. Only one brother remained in Ireland, and for the last 30 plus years, my mother (who found the family back in Ireland and made the connection) and her generation have maintained contact. I first visited this family in 2001, with my mother and eldest son, and a new link was forged.
Last year my distant cousin and his wife visited my family in Melbourne during March, one of the nicest months of the year here. My husband and I, who had been planning a trip to Canada, then altered our plans and headed off to an unofficial family reunion in Ireland, in August.

In a country pub in Donegal

It was The Gathering in 2013, but we knew of no official gathering of our clan. However, we began with independent touring from Dublin south to Wexford. We did stay a few more days in Killarney to travel the Dingle Peninsula and the Ring of Kerry, but oh how we wish we could have lingered longer there! We met up with John in Donegal and had a blissful 3 days out in a very remote coastal area before we followed them back to Armagh.John's mother and aunt were keen to meet up again, they are in their late eighties, hence the reason we decided not to postpone the trip any longer.

In the rain on The Giant's Causeway

From Armagh, we headed out for a few days around the Antrim Coast including the wonderful Giant's Causeway. We stayed at the hotel right beside the Causeway and went for a walk after dinner, when the crowds had all gone home and the rain had ceased (not the wind though!). Another day we travelled into Belfast to the Titanic exhibit, and we visited small towns like Portadown where my ancestors were Linen weavers. Many times we lost our way, but never too seriously that we didn't get found again!

The people are what makes Ireland special. You don't have to be related to be welcomed with open arms, we found the B & B hosts very friendly and helpful. Above I've shown a scrapbook page I did on a small town called Thomastown where we stopped for lunch one day before visiting the nearby Jerpoint Abbey. We used to live in an area in Melbourne with the same name, which is why we were curious to pass that way. The girls in the cafe were very interested in why we had come and wanted to know the differences between the two towns.

Thanks for allowing me to reminisce a while

Rachel

Celebrating You!

I have just arrived home after a rather busy weekend and found this card, still in pieces on my desk. I remembered that I was making it for Try Stamping On Tuesday challenge, the sketch is below and use stripes and squares. I'd taken a while to hunt down a piece of masculine striped paper and match the other colours with it on Friday before I went away, so it seemed a shame not to complete the challenge.
This piece of patterned paper was out of the Print Poetry Designer Series Paper Stack which is in the Clearance Rack at the moment. The reverse of this stripe is a gorgeous pink and yellow spot, so there's something for everyone in this stack.
Its always easier when you have a sketch to go with, or so I find. I thought straight away of the cute shapes in the Starburst Sayings stamp set and the framelits which cut them out so beautifully. For the greeting I picked one from Remembering Your Birthday. It echoes the 'celebrate' theme of the middle Starburst, plus it's no-nonsense, really suitable for a male. All the greetings in this stamp set are partnered with another, making it a simple task to finish off the inside.
The colours on this one are Midnight Muse, Gumball Green and Summer Starfruit.

Hope you've enjoyed your weekend too
Rachel

Card In A Box Class

Just letting you all know that Card in a Box class, on 28th March, is now full. If you were meaning to book in for this one and hadn't done so yet, perhaps we need to find another timeslot?
I can hold daytime parties during the first week of the school holidays (Tuesday 8th, Wednesday 9th) or evening classes Monday - Thursday that week.
I prefer we make the compact, ready-to-go version of the Box, but both measurements are supplied with your class notes. The larger size needs a specially made to measure envelope requiring a 12" x 12" piece of paper, and the smaller one fits straight into a standard envelope.
 It's best to email me or text 0417 500 681 . I work with children Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday so cannot take calls, nor would I have my diary with me, which is why email is preferable.

Another quick reminder that SALE-A-BRATION will finish soon, on March 31st, so if you have been planning to buy some goodies and get your freebies, it might be time to get on to it!
 Click here for my online store.

Hope you've had a lovely weekend
Rachel

YOU + US + 26 MARCH = AWESOME!

Who? - 

You, me,  everyone! Demonstrators and their customers will be stamping alongside the staff at the home office.

What? - 

This is a live-streaming event where we will stamp with the All Wrapped Up Bundle on Page 6 of the SALE-A-BRATION catalogue. This bundle is available to order 135339 = $100.45 wood mount stamp set or 135340 = $96.45 clear mount stamp set PLUS you can claim your free SALE-A-BRATION gift when you order. The projects feature the Sweet Sorbet Designer Series Paper, so you might like to choose that as your free SALE-A-BRATION product. Click on button at right for my online store.

Then choose your preferred device - computer, tablet, smart phone - and tune in to make some fun things with your bundle!

When?-

Wednesday 26th March at 5:00pm, 7:00pm or 10:00pm (all times listed are AEST). The same projects are demonstrated in each time slot. Just pick out the time that's right for you.

Where?-

You don't even have to leave home. Come to www.youtube.com/stampinupvideo at your chosen time and be prepared to stamp! There will be door prizes for selected participants.

Why?- 

With so many occasions coming up - Easter, Mother's Day and more you'll be ready for them all.

And don't forget - SALE-A-BRATION ends on 31st March!!!

Happy 60th Carol!

My friend turned 60 last Saturday and I needed to make a pretty card for her. I seem to go to Daydream Medallion every year for Carol, well the last 3 anyway!
As she loves pink, they're usually pink, and this year I added in my favourite, Coastal Cabana. Memorable Moments is my 'go to stamp' for the 'Happy 60th Birthday" and leaves came from the Bird Builder Punch. There are a scattering of Itty Bitty Blossoms punched in various pinks and rhinestones trim the flowers and points on the Raspberry Ripple medallion. The embossing folder is Decorative Dots, available from the SALE-A-BRATION goodies.
Fortunately, the cards always look quite different from the previous years and Carol was thrilled.
I did see a similiar card by Krista on Pinterest, thanks for the inspiration Krista.

Cheers
Rachel

What's New at Stampin' Up!

Hip Hip Hooray Card Kit

Hip Hip Hooray Card Kit 134998/$34.95

I waited to see what this Card Kit was like before telling you about it, but when it arrived last week, I was so happy with it, I made some customer 'thank you' cards straight away! It contains everything you need to make 20 cards:  there are 20 pre-scored cards with 20 matching envelopes and 5 sheets of self adhesive labels, banners etc that can be stamped on.Then there are 3 clear mount stamps, and a mini block to use with them and a Basic Grey stamp spot (about one inch square) so this makes a great pack for someone starting out, as well as someone who wants to always have some cards on hand. The stamps are great for your "crafted from scratch' cards too. The only things you need are a pair of scissors (to cut the twine) and a stamp to post your card. Can you think of someone who'd appreciate this as a gift?

The Hip Hip Hooray Card Kit is not a promotional or limited time item, it will also be available in the upcoming annual catalogue.

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        Only another 20 days of SALE-A-BRATION left to go!

It really is the best time of the year for FREE product, so if you need card, Design Series Paper, ink pads, or you've been meaning to get some new stamps from the Occasions Catalogue, perhaps its time to get onto it?The SALE-A-BRATION  DSP (patterned paper) is gorgeous and there are stamp sets, embellishments, treat bags and even the cutest little banner punch to choose from. If you live in Australia, you can shop with ANY Australian demonstrator - why not pick me? the online shop button is over on the right or you can click here.

For the card on the left, I copied the SALE-A-BRATION  brochure and made this simple card using Banner Blast stamp set with the points stamped off the page and featuring a greeting from Remembering Your Birthday. 131347 W $41.95 /131350C $33.95. The linen thread and button were my additions. The pink card has stamped and punched banners used with the stamp from Make A Wish 131928W $41.95/129222C $33.95.

This card has been made with Petal Parade (free for SAB with a $90 order) and Four You, which as its name suggests, contains four different greetings. Hello as shown, Thinking of you, Thank You and Birthday Wishes. Its on page 22 of your catalogue: 130535W - $25.95 130538C - $20.95

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Texture Embossing Machine

There have been some issues with the Texture Embossing Machine which Stampin' Up! are working through with the manufacturer.If you have purchased one, you can continue to use it, if you aren't experiencing any difficulties. The issue is occasional uneven embossing. You can wait until a solution is found or call Stampin' Up! on 1800 787 187 (AU)

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Get in touch if you want further information, email rpalmieri5@bigpond.com or txt 0417 500 681 (I'm working with children and can't take calls at work)

Rachel

Hang In There

I have an extra day to my weekend this week - Yay! Although we are officially into Autumn now, it is very hot outside. I gardened yesterday, when it also was rather hot, so today is an inside day.
I have been preparing for my April class, when we will use large background stamps and the Tag Topper Punch, so although this isn't exactly what I will be offering, I like to show different samples to my crew.

What better for these colours than Lovely As A Tree? This stamp set has been around for years, longer than I've been a demo certainly, but it still has something for everyone in it. Just as everlasting as a tree, I guess.

Firstly, I stamped Crumb Cake card with the same colour ink and the large background stamp, Hardwood. Its very authentic looking, available in the new Occasional Catalogue and I love it, especially stamped in out of the ordinary colours like blue. I'm making some of those too! I didn't want to make the usual Tag Topper Punch card this time, so I snipped the side and trimmed it up. I chose the single old oak tree from Lovely As A Tree and inked the greenery with Pear Pizzazz before thumping with different green Stampin' Write Markers. Also used an Early Espresso marker for the trunk and branches. This is a combination of Ink to Rubber technique and the Thumping technique. The variation in greens is perfect!

For the greeting I went to a very neglected stamp set, From My Heart. You'd really have to know the recipient of this card well, to know whether they would appreciate the sentiment. It says, {HANG IN THERE} and on the inside of the card  'They say "this too will pass" they just never say WHEN'. I was able to use an off-cut from the hardwood card front to trim the bottom of the card.

I'm thinking this card will fit the Clean & Layering section of the Card Concept Color Challenge. Check out the gallery there too.

See you again soon?

Thanks for visiting my blog

Rachel

Lovely As A Tree 128655