Coming Classes

The last June Class is also running on 1st July, due to unexpected demand. I'm very happy to accomodate as best I can, so this one is on Saturday 1st July at 2pm - 4.30pm. There are 3 spaces in this class, so if you haven't participated yet, and would like to, you can use the link on the date or click on the picture to book in via Facebook. You can leave me a message at the end of the post, or text me on 0417 500 681 with your name, the name of class and the date you want to attend. Rachel Palmieri- Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, is where I keep you updated on classes, specials and mainly things Stampin' Up!® related. I'd be very happy to get some more 'LIKES'.

Christmas In July is the class for next month and I have two dates available. Friday 7th July at 7pm and Friday 21st July at 7pm. 

The August class is Mainly Masculine, but don't let that put you off if you're not wanting masculine cards, as I've prepared alternatives. The date for this one is Friday 18th August at 7pm.

Leaves can be any background colour, there are substitute cards for the other two.

Masking and sponging is the technique we are exploring on the leafy card. The colours can easily be altered to suit your taste. The other two cards have alternatives available. The  base is changed about by using different DSP (designer series paper) and I have lots of these prepared already. There are two different sentiments from the same stamp set which can be used on this card.

 You will make three cards as usual for $20. If you are a particularly fast worker, you can purchase additional cards at $3, stamp the sentiment and finish the card at home. This is special cash and carry for this class only, as I have prepared a LOT, due to the fact I only arrive back from holiday a few days before this class.

Super Duper is a fun and versatile stamp set. These are other versions of the two sentiments, made with more masculine-type colours and patterns. There's a dramatic YAY! as well.The bonus with this easy design is that you can add to it for a bit more 'dash'. Numbers for a special birthday, flowers for the ladies, an anchor for a sailor, and ice cream cone for a special little girl.

I'd love to give you some help in your creative journey, so let me know if you want to attend a class. I hold them at my home studio in South Morang, Victoria. I can send you further information on request.

Hope you've had a crafty weekend

Rachel

Best Birds

Best Birds stamp set and matching Birds and Blooms Thinlets made its way to my house last week, while I was still able to order it as a bundle at a 10% discount. That will finish on May 31st, the discount that is, not the stamps or Thinlets. I love the way the thinlets cut out these birds with tiny details (hearts) cut out.

Vintage Leaves were already stamped and die cut for another project but these colours look so fine together, don't you think.

It's a good stamp set with some pretty images and useful sentiments in an elegant font. I'm sure you'll see a lot more of this stamp and framelits over the coming year, and not just on my blog.

Happy crafting everyone,

Rachel

Sixth Anniversary!

Today is the 6th anniversary of my joining Stampin' Up!® and in all that time I've never regretted that decision. I appreciate the structure of the company, which provides support to demonstrators, while they promote a quality product to help others create beautiful craft. I intended to be "just a hobby demonstrator", until some friends asked to have a stamping date, and that eventually developed into a monthly class. Six years later, I still hold classes, in-home parties for hostesses to earn free products and I have a team who I do my best to help achieve what they want from belonging to the Stampin' Up!® family. Best of all, over the six years, many new friendships have developed with other like-minded crafters, including demonstrators, team members and customers.

It's always more fun to stamp with friends, don't you think?

This month I decided instead of just sending a thank you card to my customers, I would cut up some DSP (that's our gorgeous patterned paper) and make some simple, sweet cards for my customers to send to someone else. Those who were at the parties have already picked theirs. One very clever stamp set, hidden right inside the back cover of the Occasions Catalogue was perfect for the sentiments. Suite Sentiments is its name and the paper pack I cut and used this time is Fruit Stand. This will retire at the end of May, so it needs to be ordered now if you too love the fresh fruity images.

With at least half the cards, I let the paper make the statement. These were the boldest papers which really needed no more embellishment than a piece of ribbon and a sentiment. But then came the stripes and spots, and it was lots of fun to dream up some different dies to dress them up. With the apples, I tried for an apple-like leaf from Vintage Leaves. The stripes in red reminded me of an ice cream parlour and Cool Treats were perfect here. This sentiment, although in the Suite Sentiments stamp set, is designed to co-ordinate with Cool Treats. Isn't that cool?

With the orange stripe, I've used an ornate die from Up & Away Thinlet Dies and the sentiment from Suite Sentiments that matches Carousel Birthday. Isn't it great how they've given us the opportunity to add on to our stamp sets? The other has a partial die from Dragonfly Dreams in copper foil, matched with a copper embossed sentiment on vellum. Lastly, the lemon spots is perfect for another Cool Treats. Fancy a lemon gelati, anyone?

I'd like to offer you this opportunity too, as SALE-A-Bration, which runs from January 4th-March 31st 2017 is an extra-special time to join. You choose $235.00 retail of product from the Annual or Occasions catalogue and only pay $169.00. This order not only has free shipping, it also includes two

extra stamp sets (up to a value of $179) at no additional cost. Your second order earns you SALE-A-Bration bonuses until the end of March, a great way to build your stamping stash. If you discover that this isn't for you, or your circumstances change, there are no penalties for dropping and you keep your purchased products.

There is more information at the top of my blog page, plus a link to join my team. Still not sure? Call me, 0417 500 681 or send an email with your queries.

I am Rachel Palmieri, situated on the northern side of Melbourne in South Morang.

Cheers, Rachel

Cards For Significant Birthdays

It's great when people appreciate a handcrafted item, and I love it when someone orders a card for some special event. Over the year there are a number of these special orders which don't make it onto the blog and so I thought I would just write a post to share some.

At work this year, a couple of lovely ladies reached this significant milestone, and since 60 is the new 40, subdued tones weren't going to suit these girls. One has been trimmed with pieces cut with Flourish Thinlets. They look so elegant in black on the Emerald Envy and the other uses a selection of Botanical Blooms on Flirty Flamingo and a similar layout for both cards.

The 50th birthday card uses a retired stamp set and a lovely lacy scroll cut in Wisteria Wonder with the Flourish Thinlet again. Those Large Number Framelits cut dramatic numerals from Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper.

Now this 40th, for a fun loving girl who loves diamonds. I did my best to meet the criteria with gems in silver on Crumb Cake card, another lovely set of numbers cut from Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper and some Flirty Flamingo to bring it all to life.
Perfect for someone who loves a touch (or more) of bling!!

This last card for Darren might just have been the most fun of all! I was told that Darren likes camping and fishing ( and was being given a gift card from the local fishing and boating store.) With all this information, earthy tones seemed ideal, along with linen thread. After stamping a couple of Vintage Leaves, I placed them behind and through the '40'. These numbers were cut from corrugated cardboard and inked up around the edges.

I had some watercolour paper leftover from another project, so I stamped the little fish onto that and cut them out with the matching die from Bear Hugs.

You can see here that the pocket for the gift card was stapled in place, but the back of the staples were covered when I adhered the second layer onto the front cover. Some more fish to trim the inside of the card and a crisp sentiment from Guy Greetings.

I hope you've enjoyed this summary of some of the cards made for special orders this year. Cards usually cost $6-7 (depending on size, layers etc) plus postage, if you are interested in ordering one.

Cheers, Rachel

Mixed Thanks

As the end of the year draws closer, I try to start early to increase my supply of 'Thank You' cards. Maybe you find that you also have to do that. There are so many people to remember, my hairdresser, doctor and the very much appreciated man who delivers my Stampin" Up!® supplies.

Mixed Borders is the fun set used here, and I combined a couple of die cut leaves from Vintage Leaves tied with twine on the green version.Both have 'thanks' from the Hello You Thinlets, and the gap in the borders is especially designed to fit the sentiment in, and they include four of these, from thanks to birthday.

You can see more of this stamp set on pages 122/123 of you Stampin' Up!® Annual Catalogue.

Don't forget, if you're making an order through my online shop, it will ask for the HOSTESS Code before you check out. August 21st - Spetember 20th it is P2KYFUU9

Cheers, Rachel

Weekly Deals - Second Last Week 6th - 12th April

We received word yesterday that the Weekly Deals are coming to an end. Of course that is disappointing news but of late there has been less and less on offer, so it was a huge surprise this morning when I checked to find such a great array of products. You can pop straight over to see them in my Online shop, or read on to the end and I'll add another link. You'll be able to see the prices more clearly there, but I've shared photos of some of my big faves.

The punch is from the Occasions catalogue (still current) and co-ordinates with Grateful Bunch stamp set. I've used it a lot, because the stamp with three flowers matches exactly with the position of the spaces on the punch. If you decide you need both, you'll be better off buying the Bundle and Save combo at 15% off. (Item # 140801)

On this recent card I've stamped the background leaves from Grateful Bunch, heat embossed the group of daisies onto the teapot, and punched out some more to hold the banners. It's a versatile punch too, even without the stamp set as you can punch three sizes of flower, to use as is. Here is another one from earlier this year in mauve, combined with Timeless Textures.

Next, is Remarkable You, a red rubber stamp which is included in the Weekly Deals in both formats. Clear mount for those who like to use clear blocks with their stamps or wood mount for those who like to mount stamps ready for use all the time.  This set is current in the Annual catalogue and has lovely, bold, floral images, great to leave plain or watercolour. There are some magnolias and waterlillies on my work table that I'm still working on using this stamp set, love 'em! This is another using the lily.

Two more of my favourite photopolymer stamp sets listed are Vintage Leaves and Snow Place. You can't go wrong with leaves, and last year I shared this swap card using Vintage Leaves at the November Onstage in Melbourne. This one combined the Vintage Leaves with Gorgeous Grunge.

My 25 year old son used Snow Place to make a very cute birthday card for his girlfriend last year.

 I made a few Christmas cards and held a class using Snow Place too.

My grand-daughter is mad for penguins, so this was her birthday card.

Shop here now for weekly deals.





Check out this fabulous card kit in the Clearance Rack too. There are clear mount stamps, a couple of little 1 inch square ink pads and 20 cards and envelopes, all for $20.78. Wouldn't it make a great gift for someone who dabbles in craft, a teenager, your mum?

Hey, I do hope you find something you want, and don't forget to use the Hostess Code when you check out.
Copy and paste- JSDCTABC

Cheers, Rachel

Stampin' Up!® Onstage Event, Melbourne Victoria

On Saturday I travelled up from my son's coastal home where I had been caring for his three children while he and his wife had a well-deserved break. Hubby had arrived down after work Friday, asssuring me that he would cope. (He did)

Stampin' Up!® were holding OnStage, an event in Melbourne (and many other locations worldwide). It was a first for this format, but as the Occasions 2016 Catalogue would be launched on this day, I wanted to be there to check it out. I also love a chance to meet up with my demonstrator friends, have a chat, a laugh, stamp a bit, and get the lowdown on what is coming in the Stampin' Up! world for the next 6 months.

As I'd had quite a long drive, leaving at 7 am, I was glad that a seat had been saved for me with some of the Think Ink team. Tracey and Sue are standing, while June and I are in front. OnStage was a mix of business talk, recognition of achievements, stamping and Prize Patrol. What's Prize Patrol, you might ask. Well, when we pick up our goodie bag on checking in, we received a badge in one of 6 colours, and when that colour is shown on the screen, everyone with that colour wins the prize for that draw. Pacific Point came out in the very first draw and I had a new stamp set from the upcoming catalogue!!! By the end of the day, I walked away with a bag stuffed full: - three new stamp sets a paper stack of designer series paper, and four projects made with new products. Sorry, but I can't show you any of this, it's top secret until nearer launch date (5 January, 2016). Sale-A-Bration starts at the same time, and I think it's okay if I tell you, it's a compact 20-page catalogue with a great mix of stamps and paper, one choice for every $90 you order from the Occasions or Annual Catalogue.

Another thing we do at these events, is swap card fronts, using current products, but because I was away from home, and my craft supplies I struggled a little with this task. I needed to pre-plan and work on it when I could find a moment to do one or two steps of the project. Originally, I had made a birthday card using a retired Lost Lagoon button, then decided the design was perfect for a swap.
I spent an evening after work stamping out the three different leaves in Mint Macaron, Pool Party and Lost Lagoon and die cut them. By the way, the stamp set Vintage Leaves is at 20% off until Friday 20th November. Another evening was spent cutting the Soft Sky, Lost Lagoon and Crumb Cake rectangles.

I took them away to our holiday house another weekend, and glued the leaves into place, with the third leaf on Dimensionals. The sentiment was stamped, using four of the stamps from the Watercolor Wishes Kit,

As there wasn't going to be enough of the white bakers twine,  I changed to Linen thread. I had several packets on hand and you can probably see that I used metal buttons to tie it all together. The one other thing I had to do before leaving home, was to type out a 'recipe' along with my name and location to adhere to the back, and pack all the glues, ribbon and such I needed to finish them off after a tough day wrangling small people. They're fun to make, and its a good way to meet other demonstrators, and bring home a card front that you can share with customers, to show other ways people are using the same products.

To finish, here is a picture of a silver necklace that I received earlier in the month, from Stampin' Up!®. I'm grateful to my team and customers, who have all helped me reach Silver level.

Being a Stampin' Up!® demonstrator is very rewarding. As a way to buy your craft supplies at a discount, all the way through to earning an income, it depends on your commitment to your business. There is no pressure on you to hold parties, classes or workshops, you only need to meet a quarterly spend of $440. It can build your confidence too, as it has for me, with support from team members and the company.

Q..What happens if you don't meet your quarterly minimum?
A..There's a month grace to try to meet your target, and if you don't, you drop from being a demonstrator, with no penalty. You don't have to return anything, and you can rejoin at a future date, if you choose to.

If you would like to buy $235 worth of products, and pay only $169, this might be something to consider. You can email me -rpalmieri5@bigpond.com - if you have questions. My team are the South'n Stampers, or you can click on the "Join Now" button and read the terms and conditions, without any obligation.
Maybe I'll see you at the next OnStage in Sydney, next  16th April as part of my team?

Cheers,
Rachel

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Vintage Leaves for Fusion

Everything on my agenda has come together so smoothly today, unbelievable! This meant I had spare time to play with stamps and ink, so being inspired by both the sketch and picture at Fusion Card Challenge, I've pulled Vintage Leaves from the shelf and stamped & die cut a couple of leaves.

I've cut 2 squares using a stitched square die, and tried a few sentiments before settling on this one, from Butterfly Basics and splattered the background with a Gorgeous Grunge stamp.

To echo the strip across the sketch, I've sliced into the top sheet of card and removed a strip so that when the two pieces were glued together, it leaves a ribbon effect.

Also, I decided to tie two wooden buttons together with linen thread, and wound more linen thread twice around the card.

Thanks for popping by,
Cheers,
Rachel







Customers in Australia, please note that Vintage Leaves is on a Weekly Deal from 7th October through to 13th October at $33.75, a saving of $11.25. This does not show up until you go to the online store.

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Lighthearted Birthday -CTC 48 - Holiday DSP

Here it is Friday again and this week at CASE-ing the Catty we are inspired by the Holiday DSP - that's the patterned paper to put it simply. You may have arrived here from Julia's Blog, didn't she have a lovely project? However, if you have started with me, just keep on clicking on the links at the end of each blog, and you'll see them all that way.

My first order from the catalogue consisted mainly of the must-have stamp sets, no Design Series  Paper at this stage, but I do love the colours of the Into The Woods DSP.  So for this Holiday DSP challenge, I decided to be inspired by the colours used in that range, there's quite a lot to choose from, so it was easy to pick a few to try with the Lighthearted Leaves stamp set from the Holiday Catalogue,

Something about this stamp set (and Dove Of Peace) remind me of the seventies and the gorgeous, colourful fabrics clothing was made from and I know that I am going to enjoy lots of colouring in with these two. Gold heat embossing was the starting point today, and onto the Stampin' Up! White Vellum Cardstock, because it has lots of body. Once the embossing had set, it was easy to colour the gaps with Stampin' Write Markers® and then adhere with mini glue dots. I chose a sentiment from Cottage Greetings, the mixed fonts appeal to me.

Could you see that I used the thick Whisper White card and dry embossed it with Woodland Textured Impressions Embossing Folder? It is rather subtle when you don't ink it up, but on this card I was aiming for a 'clean' look. The embossing folder was in my initial order from the Stampin' Up!® Holiday Catalogue too, and I know I will use it in many different ways, it complements leaf and tree stamps so perfectly, and there are some amazing Christmas stamps about, also using the Woodland folder.

Already in my stash were the Leaflets Framelits, which I bought at 15% off as a bundle with Vintage Leaves when the Annual Catalogue was released. I'm yet to share a card using that stamp, but it is great for masculine, sympathy and cards for gardeners - so I had to have it too!

If you need more information, or just want to tell me you like my card, leave a comment at the end, and I'll get back to you. There's a complete list of all the 'ingredients' used at the end of the blog, with a link back to each item in my 'Open All Hours' online store or this link will take you to the storefront. Now it's time to pop on over to Elizabeth's blog, Lilly Loves Paper.(I love that blog name!)

Cheers
Rachel

You can visit the online store anytime of day or night, here.

The Hostess code for this month is 36JSEMF6

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Butterfly of Happiness CTS#129

I stamped a little last night using the sketch from CAS(E) This Sketch. It is a lovely simple design but those are the ones I REALLY struggle with. I just can't work out where to stop. I tried first with Vintage Leaves, but didn't like what I made.  The only thing sorted there, I resolved to add the Leaflets Framelits to my order, since they're a Weekly Deal starting today, but only while stock lasts.
Since I have been using Choose Happiness to make another card, I tried the leaves from that with a butterfly from one of my new hostess stamp sets, and a squiggly line in place of a sentiment. I used an Aquapainter and some ink in the lid to colour the images.



It still seemed to 'need' something to fix it in the corner so an Antique Brad filled the bill there. It has been mounted on a piece of Pear Pizzazz and then Tip Top Taupe. I'm not happy because I have followed the sketch too exactly, but will link it up anyway.
Hope tomorrow is a more creative day!

Cheers
Rachel

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog