Lip balm anyone?

I love making gifts for christmas. I think it is just so much more special when it comes from the heart. This is a little lip balm holder I have been making recently, complete with leather thong legs.

Hello Noel.

This time of year just gets crazy in my house. There is always so much to do, so much to create and no time for anything like relaxation, or unfortunately blogging. But, I dropped in today to share a card I made recently using an easy woodgrain effect in the background. You simply swipe a burnt brown inkpad over some burnt brown cardstock, followed by some light swiping with a choc chip ink pad. Then run it through the Big Shot with the wood grain embossing folder. Thats it, easy peasy.

To finish the card I mounted some letters and a little holly. I love the texture in this card. Texture really sets a home made card apart from a shop bought. Don't you agree?

Santa's List

I spent a bit of time last week, playing with the stamp set Santa's List. Its a gorgeous pic of Santa, with a bit of an old fashioned slant. I also spent all week singing 'Santa Clause is coming to town'. It's funny how the tune just stays in your head and won't go away. I will be well and truly over it by the time christmas comes around.

This is a nice easy and quick card using Festive Flurry for the background. I have seen snow only twice in my life, but still love snowflakes. They are just such a pretty shape. I have also used a Frosted Finishes Embellishment. All I can say about these is 'Looooove them'.

Tag a Bag, turns Card

A male card using the tags and tape from the Tag a Bag Accessory Kit.

Woof, Woof.

Boy, its been a while since I have posted here. Life seems to just get in the way sometimes. I have made plenty of cards so my goal is to get them here very soon.
This is a simple card I made recently using the very cute Animal Talk stamp set. I should have bought this ages ago! Its tons of fun to use, and I have alot of dog lovers in my family, so I know this is going to get lots of use. I have also included some candy dots. Wow, these are easy to use. And I think they add that extra something on a simple card.

Fun with Flowers

The Flower shop stamp set and co ordinating punch were one of the first things on my shopping list this year. Its such a good size, you know, not too big, and not too small, but just right!

To make this card I used:
Stamps: Flower Shop, Off the Grid, Simply Sketched, Mixed Bunch
Inks: So Saffron, Staz On, Crisp Cantaloupe
Punches: Pansy, Blossom, Boho Blossoms, Extra large oval, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack
Card Stock: Champagne Glitter, Very Vanilla, Crisp Cantaloupe, Basic Black, So Saffron, Naturals Ivory
Other: Buttons and Blossoms Simply pressed clay, Basic Pearls, Black gemstones

Don't miss it!

Launch gifts

I made these to give out at my launch last month using the chalk talk set and matching framelits. Also uses the new in colours Strawberry Slush and Coastal Cabana.

Washi Banner

The heading says it all. It's a card with a washi banner. Easy to make and fun to play with as the banner is not stuck down to the card. I have used my grunge stamps for a little texture in the background.

My favourite item in the catalogue.....

....is the new simply sent kits on page 161 of the catalogue. These kits are just beautiful, and good value too. For $22.95 you get enough supplies to make 8 lovely cards with divine matching envelopes (that have polka dot insides). The die cut pieces are just perfect. For this card I put in some melon mambo cardstock just to change things up a bit. If you have not looked at these kits, I urge you too.. You won't be disappointed.
You can order some from my online shop and have them delivered in a few days. Just click the link at the side of the page.

Tag a Bag

The new boxes are just awesome. So easy to make up, so easy to decorate and use. The size is also very versatile. Big enough for so many gifts, but not overwhelming. I have put some scarves in mine and they fit perfectly.

I adore smoky slate in a way I have never loved gray before. It just seems to go with everything.

Frosty Christmas

The weather outside is so cold at the moment, it has inspired me to make these frosty cards. I have used my Evergreen stamp set, that I purchased last year and never got around to using. Terrible of me. I combined it with the beautiful Coastal Cabana cardstock, DSP and ink. I adore this colour.

This card was based on one I saw by the fabulous Shari Carroll. I have long admired her work, and it was fun to recreate one of her cards using Stampin Up products. Finally I can make tons of buttons with the new clay and moulds for next to nothing. So excited!!!!

New In-Colours, yum!

I just love the new In-Colours. I think they are the best we have ever had. Yeh!
This is a simple card using a few of them. Pistachio Pudding, Strawberry Slush, Crisp Cantaloupe and Coastal Cabana - such great names.

More washi.

Here is another quick card using washi tape. I thought this would be good for a teenage boy. Best of all, quick to construct. I tend to never spend too long on male cards!
Thanks for dropping by today.
Michelle

Washi, washi

Have you noticed the new washi tape available on page 171 of the new catalogue. I have found it so much fun to play with. It just adds that something else to a card and best of all, only takes minutes.

This card uses the Gingham Designer Tape.

And this card uses the Epic Day This and That Washi Tape. I love that you can reposition it, if you make a mistake (something I do constantly). You can tear or cut the tape, and best of all, its really economical. Got to love that!

New Catty Invite

Yeh, its finally arrived. New catalogue time. I know alot of you are like myself and study the catalogue so much that by the time a year has gone by, you are more than ready for a new one. I know I was. The new catalogue is beautiful. Lovely photography, lots of new ideas and most importantly, full of lots of new products.

If you would like a copy, why not come to my open house on Wednesday the 10th of July. I am planning a very special day with projects to make (of course), specials, some displays of new products and things I have made using them, food and everyone gets a copy of the catalogue to take home. Cost is $20 and is all inclusive. No need to bring a thing. I will have all the tools and materials here to make the projects. To start around 10am.

If you would like to come, please email me so I can prepare a kit for you as well as a special small gift.
I will have ribbon and paper shares to purchase too.
If you would like any more information or to book a place don't hesitate to contact me.

Kindness does Matter

I have used another retiring set here, Kindness Matters. Isn't that a nice name? I have used the retiring More Mustard and Riding Hood Red, as well as some Old Olive. A simple card with some detail added in the form of the dry embossed border on the white and the gold embossed border on the butterfly piece. The detail on those little butterflies is quite amazing. Also amazing is that this set of five stamps is available in clear mount for only $12.71 till the end of the month.

Just Believing

I still remember the first time I saw the stamp set Just Believe in the catalogue. It was love at first sight! There is something about those beautiful elegant images that just grab me.
Here I have made a simple card by colouring the stamp with markers and then spritzing with water before stamping. It gives a hand watercoloured look.

I needed a quick little card the other day and this is what I whipped up. It uses another image from the Just Believe set and I have put that on Summer Starfruit cardstock with alittle paper piercing to jazz it up a bit. A handmade envelope in matching paper completes it. Easy peasy.
There are only a few days left to order from the retirement list. If you would like to check it out, go to my Stampin Up website.

Flowerpot card

Flowerpot cards have been around along time, but I thought it was time for me to make another one with some new and some old Stampin Up items.
Using the Secret Garden stamps and framelits made this so much quicker than flower pots I have made in the past. Just a quick pass through the big shot and perfect flowers and greenery. Wow, why weren't these around years ago? I have used some retiring colours - bravo burgundy and lucky limeade, and some daffodil delight and pumpkin pie.

This is inside the card. I think this is quite a cheery card. I must make more of them while I have everything out.

All dressed up

Again! I just love playing with these dies, and I love that sentiment from the All Dressed Up stamp set. . I think that might get a big work out in my house. I am often late with cards. Kind of like the plumber that has leaking pipes in their own house.

Lots retiring....

A quick card using lots of retired items. Baja Breeze cardstock, seam binding and ink, Elegant Bouquet Embossing folder and Perfect Punches for the greeting. Check out the retired list at the Stampin' Up website. There are some huge bargains, inlcuding a massive discount on the embossing folder.

Brisbane Convention 2013

Hi blog readers, How are we? Well I hope.
I have been to the annual Stampin' Up! Convention in Brisbane this year and it was terrific. I flew home Sunday, to a mass of housework and chores, but it was definitely worth it. I thought I would share a few quick pics of some of it. But be warned these were taken on my phone and are not the best. I was having too much fun to worry about terrific photos!


The first day (Wednesday) was a leadership event with some business training which was very interesting and informative, followed by a beautiful dinner. It was just perfect. It started with drink and nibbles and then we went into a beautifully decorated room with flowers and candles and music to enjoy the main meal. I photographed the menu for you to have a look.

The next day was for everyone and all 700 of us descended on the convention centre to enjoy a day of presentations, some entertainment, and lots of giveaways. And boy was there alot of giveaways. More than ever before.



I ended up with six stamp sets (sorry I can't show you just yet), a handy backpack, glitter paper (it was the silver anniversary of Stampin Up this year), clips, Jewels, a new colour coach, a new catalogue, a new christmas kit, dazzling details, a pretty silver pen and I didn't even win prize patrol. Some ladies in our group did though which was really exciting.


This is a pic of the main stage where all the presentations were held. You can see they had a huge screen above so you didn't miss any of the gorgeous details on any of the projects. Plus they displayed them afterwards for us too.






Memento Mall was a place we could purchase Stampin Up branded merchandise. It was decorated with pretty flowers
and was just a joy to be in.


This is a little sneak peak of some new product on a card made by Shelli. She is just so lovely. I think every time she cried on stage I wanted to too.


One of the great events at Convention is card swapping. I managed to make 30 this year. So thats 30 new ideas I have to share with you in the coming weeks. The swap boards were available to take photos, so thats 700 new ideas I have in my head now.



Friday night was awards night and the place yet again was decorated so beautifully with vintage style vases and candles and muted soft colours. I took this at the end of the night as I didnt think of it earlier. They had free photo booths for us to zany photos of our groups and the most decadent table of desert treats ever. Yummy lime tartlets, chocolate cakes that looked amazing with mini oreo's on top, muffins with lovely sounding names like salted caramel and my favourite thing ever.....Macarons.....wow....I was in love.

The event finished on the Saturday at 4pm and then it was drinks and a really (really, really) fun night out before flying out on Sunday morning. Exhausted but inspired.

If you have been tossing up joining Stampin Up so you can attend these events, my advice is do it! The friends, the fun, and the stamping have become such a huge part of my life, I don't know how I could survive without it.

Playing Dress Ups

Yes, I love playing dress ups. This card is for a special friend whose birthday is in a few days. I had to give it to her early though as I am off to Brisbane tomorrow for the Stampin' Up! annual convention. It's been an extremely hectic day today getting ready for it. Not for myself, but getting the kids prepared for the rest of the week has been crazy. My youngest was even invited to a birthday party this Saturday, today, so I had to rush to the shops to buy a present and make a quick card. The things we mothers do. But, I am looking forward to the trip and being surrounded by crafty people and things. I will tell you all about it when I return.

Tim's message to me

I hope you all had a lovely Sunday. Mine was quite nice, spent the day with mum outside on the verandah nibbling on cheese and biscuits. The weather was perfect, so a nice relaxing day was had by all.
This is the card my youngest son Tim gave to me. The message is so cute I thought I would share it with you. This will be a great one to show him in 10 years time!

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the females out there. I truly hope you have an amazing day, whether it be with your family or even by yourself. Take some time out to do something nice. You deserve it. Read a book, prepare a lovely treat to eat, make a card, have a nap, or indulge in a favourite movie.

Here is the card I made for my mum.

It is made using almost all the papers from the Fan Fair pack. I love that they go together so well.
And this was the inside.
The pocket was for the tag, which I have now written on, and a gift card.

As my 11 year old says to me every morning when I drop him off "Enjoy your day!"

Dapper Dad

I have been making a few male cards lately. Sometimes life calls for them. Sometimes...
This one was really easy using the bow tie stamp from Dapper Dad.

Another gift card box

Here is another version, this time using bits and pieces from the kit. Those doilies are amazing. I wish I could just buy packs and packs of them.

Gift Card Gift Box

Have you noticed the Boutique Boxes pack on page 25 of the Seasonal Catalogue? They are the perfect size for a gift card. Also perfect for a small gift like a charm, the Tea Time Trinkets on page 3 to be exact. These boxes only take minutes to assemble, so I can see myself making lots of these. And the die cut doilies in the kit are just sooooo beautiful. I will have to make one up to show you.

This is the closure at the back. Even the foam dimensional dots and twine are included in the kit.

A hidden surprise

Hi ya, how have you been? It's school holidays here, and I am enjoying the break in routine so much. Its just wonderful to be able to sleep in and not have to take the kids to a million things. I love school holidays.
But back to cards....last week I was fortunate enough to attend a downline meeting and make a card with a drop down part made by Belinda Brown. It was so pretty and had lots of butterflies and used these very pretty colours. So I decided to make one and change a few bits to call it my own and this is what eventuated.

I just had to use a designer build a brad. Definitely the best thing since sliced bread!


The best part is this cute little book that opens up when you untie the bow.
Have a wonderful week, which I hope includes a sleep in for you all.