Single Marker Promotion is extended until 14th December!

Woo-hoo!  So you have more time to order your favourites.

However, the Spring Mini Catalogue and Rub-On promotions are not extended - they finish on the 30th November.

More Summer Mini Preview

Here is a cute gift card holder I made using the almost retired Holiday Harmony DSP (Spring Mini), Purely Pomegranate cardstock and matching satin ribbon (ribbon also from the Spring Mini).  It was really easy, but looks impressive.  I used a template by Kristina Werner at Two Peas in a Bucket.  Hmm, we have that sideways issue again!  Moving on....

To another Summer Mini preview!  Here I've used the NEW scallop edge punch (LOVE it!), new DSP, a new stamp set called Eastern Blooms, AND new chunky glitter.  What's not to love about chunky glitter?  The little flower I've randomly stamped is actually from the Three For You Punch Box set (not new, it is from the main 2008-09 catalogue).

Same new scallop edge punch, new DSP and I've also stamped then punched out flowers from the Three For You Punch Box.  Don't you love how they match the flowers on the DSP perfectly?

Here's two little boy's birthday card using my jumbo outline alphabet, new stamp set In the Stars, and I've punched out one of the stars with the Large Star punch.  Again, love how it was made to co-ordinate with stamps!

Heat 'n Stick tutorial (or how to make the sparkly tree)

Due to popular demand (well, Christine and Maree wanted to know, anyway!) I've made a step by step tutorial on how to use Heat 'n Stick powder.        

Here is what you will need:

• Heat Gun
• Versamark
• Ink colour of your choice
• Dazzling Diamonds Glitter
• Heat n Stick Powder
• small paint brush
• Powder Pal
• Embossing Buddy
• Cardstock
• Stamp

Step One:

Give your cardstock and the powder pal (scrap cardstock may be substituted if you don't have a powder pal) a vigourous rub over with the embossing buddy.  Don't worry if you see little bits of powder from the embossing buddy on your cardstock; they will easily brush away at the end.  This will help stop any stray bits of embossing powder (if you were embossing) or heat n stick powder from sticking to the places you don't want them to go.

Step Two:  

Ink up your stamp with Versamark.  Versamark is a clear "sticky" ink that can be used alone to create a lovely watermark effect (tone on tone) or can be used to heat emboss with coloured dye inks or coloured embossing powder.  It is a must-have in any stamper's arsenal of supplies, in my opinion

.

Step Three

Next ink your stamp into your dye ink of choice (here I've used Wild Wasabi):

And here's what it should look like:

Step Four: 

Next, working quickly while the ink is still wet, pour some Heat n Stick Powder over your image.  Tap off any excess and return it to the jar (it can be used many times over).  Here's where the Powder Pal comes in handy (and now you see why I rubbed it over with the embossing buddy:  static cling makes the fine powder stick even to the powder pal).

 

Step Five

Now heat up the image with your heat gun until you see the powder go shiny:

 

Step Six

While the image is sticky, dump on your glitter, and tap off any excess:

   

I store my glitter (and the embossing powders I use most) in these handy Glad containers,  much easier for clean up.

Step Seven

Then give it a quick (and I mean only for a couple of seconds) blast with your heat gun again to set.  It is frustratingly easy to burn your image if you overheat it - so you might need to do a few practice runs with this.

Step Eight

Allow image to cool, then using a paintbrush, or in my case, an old makeup brush, remove any stray glitter from your image.

  

And voila!  Your lovely, glittery tree is ready to be added to your project.  Click on the image to see more detail.  The other great thing about this technique (apart from the bling!) is that because the glitter is "set" with the heat gun, it won't rub off your project.

Summer Mini Preview!

Two posts in as many days!   Alert the media!

Got a lovely package with my Summer Mini pre-order goodies inside today, and I couldn't resist having a play with it right away.   Had to make a get well card for one of my daughter's little friends, and made another card while I was at it.  Good to have one spare, right?

Both cards use the new stamp set, "Live Your Dreams", and the co-ordinating DSP, "Afternoon tea".  So pretty!

Better get back to the children I've abandoned while inspiration struck.  

Bad blogger!

OK, I know its been a little while since my last post - lots of busy life stuff, plus bad storm activity here has meant no time to post.  I haven't been idle however!

Here are the cards we were supposed to be making at our Christmas Card Class last week - unfortunately, it was cancelled due to hail.  Hopefully Mother Nature will be in a better mood this week.  

The card on the left uses a technique known as "reverse masking" which is very easy, but looks effective.  The card on the right uses heat embossing - I know many of my "card ladies" have been keen to try this technique!  I've used stamps from Crazy for Christmas, Short & Sweet, Lovely As A Tree, and Occasional Greetings (just to make a change from Season of Joy!).

I'm also working on a 8 x8 scrapbook for both sets of grandparents for Christmas (Shh! don't tell!) and finally added another couple of pages today.  I've used Ahoy Matey, and Matey's Map (jumbo wheel) to make my cute little pirate baby page.  So quick!  I'm all about quick these days, LOL.

Finally, I've made a scrapbook page of my daughter using the Round Up Simply Scrappin' Kit.  I was amazed at how easy it was to put this together.  I also made the medallion embellishment using a stamp from the Wanted stamp set - it matched up perfectly with the scallop circle punch!  Ahhhh, I LOVE it when things work together like that!

Just a quick reminder - we are now in the last days of the Spring Mini Catalogue, and the November promos (rub ons and single markers) so you'd best order ASAP or you will miss out!

Sneak Peek at tonight's cards.....Season of Joy

Here are the cards my lovely "card ladies" (as my kids call them) will be making tonight.  Totally different looks with one stamp set - I love a versatile stamp set!

Apologies for the sideways photo - no idea why I keep doing that!  No doubt there is a simple explanation..........anyhoo, let's pretend they are supposed to be sideways.  Moving on, nothing to see here.

Remember if you wish to purchase this stamp set, you only have until the end of this month - 30th November - before the Spring Mini catalogue ends.  

Better go take these kids to school!

Launch and First Christmas Card Class!

A big thank you to all the lovely ladies who came to my Launch Workshop on Saturday - Linda did a fabulous job, and although space was tight and the weather sticky, everyone seemed to have a good time.  Thank you also to Linda, who made the day so successful.  

This week's Christmas Card Class is now fully booked, and I'll post a picture of the cards we will make soon.  It should be a lot of fun!

Please let me know if you wish to be added to my email list to receive my newsletter about monthly specials and classes.  

Right, better go prepare for Thursday!

Not a Christmas card......

I've just finished 50 Christmas cards for Mum so I'm feeling a little "over" Christmas already.   Hopefully I can find my Christmas spirit again soon, after refreshing myself with some NON-Christmas cards.

My lovely friend Kate asked me to make her some cards, and when I  went over to the Two Peas in a Bucket site I was inspired to CASE (copy and share everything) these cards by Jennifer McGuire.  I'm using different stamps and paper of course, all Stampin' Up!  The butterfly is from the Hostess set, "Time Well Spent".

 

I love the clean and simple look (hmm, you've probably noticed that already!)  I've come back and edited the photos - I jazzed up the cards a little. 

I also made some "girl" cards and "boy" cards using the same double-sided DSP (different sides) and some generic note cards.  Hope you like them Kate!

Hmm, wonder why some of my pictures end up sideways?  Let's pretend I meant to do that!

November Promotions

From 10-30 November, purchase the single Stampin' Write markers for only $4.95. Usually you have to buy the markers as an entire colour family, so this is very exciting! This is a special limited-time offer, so make sure you take advantage of it. Clink on the link to the side for all the colours.