Time for a Cuppa?

This is such a cute image - perfect for a "just because" card.  I keep promising myself I'm going to send more of these types of cards out, but to date that hasn't happened.  I've also been known to forget birthdays!

The colour is off in this one because it was taken late at night.  It is a CASe of the Mini Catalogue and it uses Soft Suede, very vanilla and the soft suede ribbon.

These two cute gift cards are simple but bright and happy.  Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry and Old Olive.  I think I CASEd the catalogue here too!

Finally, another CASe of the Catalogue, with some changes.  Love the texture the punched flowers add to the background!  

Medallion Background

I just love this beautiful background image,  it lends an easy elegance to cards for weddings, birthdays, etc.

Very easy to make a lovely card with a touch of ribbon, a label and a sentiment.

Cute Bots

How cute are these little guys?  They are from a set called "Lots of Bots."  Adorable!  Perfect for boy and male cards.  Not babyish and fun to colour.
Edited post to add that I CASED (Copy And Share Everything) these cards from Splitcoast Stampers, but I forgot to note who the artists were.  

Finally......some cards!

Let me apologise, first of all, for the poor quality of my photos in the next few posts.  You see, my sisters-in-crime and I were putting together sample boards and packing boxes for the Big Launch on Sunday until midnight last night, when it occurred to me to photograph a dozen or so cards I haven't put on my blog yet.  The lighting was horrible, and even after Photoshopping the heck out of them, the photos are still bad.  I would like to take better photos in natural sunlight when I get the cards back, but I can't guarantee I will get around to it.    So for the next couple of posts (I'm preparing a few posts to appear in the following few days) you will have to suffer the Terrible Photos Taken at Night.

After that long disclaimer, here we go!  I must say, this gorgeous 2-step bird punch was the first thing that grabbed my eye when I saw the new Mini.  I had to have it!  I just see so many uses for it in cardmaking, scrapbooking, etc.

This would make a sweet and simple wedding card, don't you think?  I sponged the edges of the birds and I ran the heart through the Big Shot spotty embossing folder for some texture. 

This one also used the Big Shot.  I ran the base card through the spotty embossing folder, and added a scalloped edge.  The sentiment is from the Elegant Thank You which was available in the Spring Mini (now retired) but notice how perfectly it fits in this label?  The label was also die cut with the Big Shot.  I gave these little birdies eyes by drawing them on with a black marker and adding a drop of Crystal Effects.

I am really pleased with this card - hardly any stamping on it!  I used my Big Shot again to cut out a Top Note, and the little leaves die cut, AND the label.  The Melon Mambo layer on the label was punched with the wide oval punch (there they go, making things work together, love it!). 

Not sure if I've shown you these cards previously, I made them ages ago and have already given them away, but they also feature the birdie!

I used some retired DSP and the sentiment was also from the Spring Mini (now retired) - doesn't it fit beautifully in the big circle punch?

Stay tuned for more examples!

Quick Reminder - Autumn Mini Launch Day on Sunday 18th April

Just letting any blog readers in Brisbane know that there are still a few places left at our Big Cardmaking Day at the Virginia Golf Club on Sunday.  We are finalising numbers for catering, so if you wish to come, you need to contact me by tomorrow so I can include you!
Here is the flyer with the details:

Although there is an amendment - we ditched the notecards!

Also, I'm not sure if I remembered to post this but there are some products from the now retired Summer Mini which have carried over, and you can still order them.  Here is the flyer with those details:

Gotta run!  Hope to hear from you if you are coming to the Launch!

A Colour Renovation!

Change.  Some people hate it.  Loathe it, despise it.  Can't cope with it at all.   If you are one of these people, I have some challenging news for you.  Sit down somewhere comfortable, make a cup of tea.  Ready?  Here it is.

Stampin' Up! has just revealed some exciting changes to demonstrators.  I wanted to share the news with you  right away. 

At Stampin’ Up!®, coloor is part of our identity. It’s fundamental to our ability to create and be creative. That also means that it’s important for us to be able to stay up-to-date with the trends in colour to keep your artwork fresh and exciting.

That’s why we’ve worked to present you with the Colour Renovation—a refreshing, updated color palette! The new colour collections combine current colours with 10 RETURNING IN COLOURS (Baja Breeze, Melon Mambo, Pink Pirouette, Rich Razzleberry, Riding Hood Red, River Rock, Soft Suede, Tangerine Tango and Wild Wasabi) and 5 NEW COLOURS (Marina Mist, Daffodil Delight, Cherry Cobbler, Cajun Craze and Early Espresso).  Also, our current Kraft colour will be renamed Crumb Cake and will have ink, markers and accessories to match.

These luscious collections give you new and vibrant choices, keeping your papercrafting passion original and exciting. Mix and match for your favorite combinations, and make the Colour Renovation work for you!   Our gorgeous new colour collections will be available to everyone with the new Stampin' Up! catalog beginning September 1 .... if you are a DEMONSTRATOR you get to order them early!  Not a demonstrator yet?  Contact me for information! 

 I can't wait to play with the new colours and am so excited about the returning colours which have many of my favorites I have missed.  I am looking forward to showing you what I know will be beautiful, exciting new combos!

The chart below shows which colours we will bid a fond farewell to at the end of August 2010.  Click photo for larger image.

Now that you’ve seen the new colour collections, you probably have a favorite colour—or several—that you’re sad to see go. But on the bright side, you have plenty of time to get all the ink and paper you think you’ll need before your favorite colors are gone.  I will suggest that you don't wait until the last minute, as I'm predicting there will be a last minute panic at the end of August.  

I'm planning to make sure I have all the markers and re-inkers for the retiring ink pads in my personal stash, and I'm going to start ordering a few that I'm missing every month between now and September, so I don't miss out.   If you have the re-inker, your stamp pad will keep going for years.

Change is nothing to fear - this will be an exciting time!  I can't wait to start creating samples in the new colours, and am so excited that Wild Wasabi and River Rock are back to stay (my favourites!).

Make sure to contact me if you have any queries or concerns about the changes, and I'll be happy to help you through it.    If you need me to pass you tissues, administer smelling salts,  or help you deal with the change by unwrapping copious bars of chocolate, I'm here for you.

3rd new product.....

Are the new punches!  Aren't they gorgeous?  I only have the bird one so far, but it is only a matter of time before I get the others too - I'm a sucker for punches.

The Big Shot is Here!

Wooo-hoo! This is big news, people! The fabulous Big Shot by Sizzix is here with Stampin' Up!

What is it? A die cutting system which allows you to cut shapes and make boxes with exclusive Stampin' Up! dies. You can emboss too!

Click on the title of this post to go to the YouTube video. (crosses fingers that it works)

I'll edit this post in a little while to show you some fun projects I've made with the Big Shot.

New Mini - Cool New Products!

This new mini (click the picture over on my sidebar to check it out) has three new products!
1. Clear Mount Stamps - I love them! See this video to show you what they are:




Next video on the next post - can't post them all at once, it seems!