Sale-a-bration...

January & February are 2 very exciting months if like me, you love Stampin' Up! Why? because we are giving away FREE stamp sets! There are afew very easy ways to get your own SAB stamp set:

Customers: Simply spend $100 & you can choose a free stamp set out of the Sale-A-Bration catalogue. There is no limit on how many free sets you can earn, ie spend $300 & choose 3 sets.

Hostesses: By hosting a demo that has sales over $600 you can also pick free SAB stamp set. You will still also get your normal hostess benefits too & during Jan-Mar I have an added bonus - you will go into a draw to win the beautiful Remembering You Simply Set Kit.

Recruits: If you are interested in joining the wonderful Stampin' Up! family, there has never been a better time. Join during SAB (Jan & Feb) & you can choose any stamp set from the Idea Book & Catalogue up to the value of $79.95! As an added bonus if you join before 12th Jan you can also get an extra 10% discount on your starter kit - contact me to find out how

Don't miss out on your FREE SAB stamp set - they will never be available again, so if you are interested in placing on order, hosting a demo or becoming a demonstrator call me - 0428 964360, or send me an email - alana@aussiebroadband.com.au

I have made this criss cross card using the new Enchante papers from the Summer Mini & my favourite SAB set - Friendship Blooms.

On a side note - DOESN"T ANYONE WANT FREE RIBBON???????????????? You have until tomorrow, simply post a comment or send me an email & tell me what you would like to get for FREE. It really is that easy - & a free sample bag could be sent to you!

Free Friday Giveaway

What to give, what to give?? No-one left any suggestions for what they want! Today's giveaway will be a sample bag of ribbons/brads/hodgepodge etc. To be in the draw just leave me a comment or email me, before Monday, letting me know what you want for free!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas. Thought I'd share one final Christmas card with you for this year. It was CASEd from the lovely Linda. Now when I CASE something I usually change around the colours, stampsets or something, but this time I didn't - it is practically identical - woops, though I'm sure she won't mind.

I also drew thr lucky FF (Freebie Friday) winner today - thanks to all who entered & congrats to 'kylie'. Send me an email with the small Stampin' Up! punch of your choice along with your address & I will post your goodies too you. If you don't have a catalogue you can view the punch range here.

FREEBIE FRIDAY.........

Not Freakie Friday it's FREEBIE FRIDAY! If you would like to be in with a chance of winning a small Stampin' Up! punch (your choice) all you need to do is leave me a comment or email me alana@aussiebroadband.com.au - preferably with something nice to say - haha. If you have any suggestions of what you think I should have up for grabs next Friday let me know. Sam will draw out a name on Christmas Eve & I will contact the winner to find out which punch you would like.

Sleigh Full of Toys

At every Stampin' Up! demonstration I have a free make-and-take project that everyone completes - this is a card we made at a demonstration my SIL hosted a while ago. It is a CASE from SCS - I really love that place! We had so much fun making it - the little circle spins around to show a different pic on the other side - very cute IRL.
If you & your friends would like to make a free project to take home, give me a call or email me to book a demonstration - during Jan/Feb can also earn some great extra free stamp sets with Stampin' Up! Sale-a-bration.

Check back tomorrow to find out another way you can get something for nothing - well not technically nothing, but it won't cost you anything!

Some Christmas Cards

There is still over a week till Christmas & already things are starting to get hectic here!! Two 6hr trips to the cardiologist this week, but finally the doctors have decided Bernie (my husband) has a heart (he he) & it is fine!
I made these cards awhile ago, but thought I'd share them with you until I get a chance to make some new things. I have used the beautiful City of David stamp set on all of them, along with some of my favourite Stampin' Up! products - the Stampin' Write Markers & blender pens. I splurged & bought the whole set of markers & am so glad I did, I use them all the time & by colouring direct to the stamp, it means I have all 48 ink colours without having to buy all the stamp pads (although I am starting to get quite a good collection of those too!)

The cards below were made for an Inklings Team Cyberstamp last week. One of our challenges was to make a 'one layer card'. One sheet of card only, no patterned paper allowed, though we could add brads or ribbon. I am quite happy with how these turned out & it was so easy, so I will be trying out some more One Layer Cards again soon!

Stampin' on candles

I have seen these around alot so thought I'd have a go - & they were sooooooo easy. I only bought a couple of candles at first to see if I could make them (I was prepared to fail!!) but have gone back today to get some more :).

I am going to run a class on these in the new year - so keep a look out for more info or send me an email to find out more - alana@aussiebroadband.com.au

Enchanted scrapbooking............

For anyone attending the workshop at Francis house this Sat, here is a pic of the scrapbook page we will be creating.

We will be using the new Enchante papers, Carte Postale & Leaves a la Carte stamps & wide grosgrain ribbon - these are all products available from the new Summer mini catalogue, that you can view online here. I will also have a Plum version available to make too.

New Summer Mini Catalogue

From 1st Dec to 31st March 2008 the new Stampin' Up! Summer Mini will be on sale. There are some really great sets & designer series paper available & I have been having lots of fun playing with a couple of them. I also really love the new WIDE grosgrain ribbon, it is lovely.

These two cards use Au Chocolat DSP & Carte Postale stamp set.

This next card uses an image from a main catalogue stamp set, Sassy Stems, but I have used some of the new Enchante DSP. Theses papers are gorgeous & also match with the Carte Postale stamp set.

If you would like a new Summer mini catalogue, send me an email - alana@aussiebroadband.com.au & I will pop one in the post.

National Premature Birth Awareness Week

24-30 November is National Premature Birth Awareness Week. The aim of this week is to celebrate babies that have been born early & more importantly to increase awareness of the signs & symptoms that may lead to premature birth. If you are considering having a baby, are pregnant or know someone who is pregnant please read on. If the following info can prevent one family from having to go through the premature birth of their child, I will be happy.
Please see your doctor if you experience any of the following:



B - Backache or pelvic pressure
O - Oedema swelling of hands or face
R - Regular contractions
N - Nausea, vomiting. diarrhoea or other flu-like symptoms

E - Eye or vision disturbances
A - Abdominal pain or cramps
R - Reductionin foetal movements
L - Leaking fluid from vagina
Y - You are worried, concerned or just don't feel 'right'



Please click on any of the following links for more information regarding Premature Babies:

http://www.bornearly.org.au/

http://www.austprem.org.au/



I would also like to add that if you are not happy with what your doctor is telling you - SEEK A SECOND OPINION.



This is a scrapbook page I created for our son Sam.
Sam was born 10 weeks early with very underdeveloped lungs. Doctors did not expect him to survive, but he proved everyone wrong, Sam is now a very active 6 yr old with no major complications from his prematurity. We are so blessed to have him & I thank God everyday.

Don't miss out.....

The fabulous Spring Mini catalogue will soon be finished, so if there is something in there you love, be sure to order before 30th November. I will miss nearly everything, but especially Scribble This & the double sided papers. The following two cards were made using another really cute stamp set - Polka Dots & Paisley. I particularly like the 2 wording stamps in this set.I have also used the Round Tab Punch from the mini to make the brakets on the card on the left & the tab for the card on the right, but I'll let you in on a little secret - this punch along with the spiral punch are in the new mini that will run from December 07- March 08, so you will have a little longer if you want to purchase either of these punches.

The little girls were made using the All in the Family stamp set that is also on special this month. If you haven't already heard about Dave Abbott & how Stampin' Up! are so generously helping his young grieving family please click here. Thankyou to everyone who has already purchased this set from me, as of 19th Nov Stampin' Up! demonstrators worldwide had sold 3100 sets! 100% of the proceeds of this set will go a fund set up for Dave's family, but only during November, so if you want to purchase a really fun & versatile set at 20% off & also contribute to a worthy cause email me now - alana@ceinternet.com.au.

FIND JOY IN THE LITTLE THINGS!

Sydney Regionals.....

Last weekend I travelled to Sydney for Stampin' Up! regional training. I had such a great day - met some lovely ladies, got some great card swaps, learnt some new techniques, made some cute projects & even got a free stamp set! We got to make 3 cards & a 6x6 scrapbook page using our new stamp set - Simply Said

The colours are Certainly Celery, Cool Caribbean, Tempting Turquoise, More Mustard & Real Red, which are not really colours I normally use, so it was great to get abit of variety. I know there are only 2 cards in the pic - I gave the other one to our lovely friends who were nice enough to put us up for the weekend - thanks Andrew & Leanne.

This pic is some of the fantastic card swaps I received. I forgot to take a picture of mine, so will have to post it another day. You may not recognice some of the stamps as they are from the new mini that will be available in December. I will be posting some more sneek peeks soon!

On a non-stamping note, check out what was waiting for us when we got home! I had a feeling our mare was going to foal while we were away, so luckily had Mum go out & check on things. Josie calls her 'baby foalda', which I think is going to stick, isn't she a little beauty?

Co-ordination made easy.................

One of the things I love the most about Stampin' Up! is how everything matches so beautifully. I used to dread having to match up my ink colours with my cardstock & then again with the patterned papers, but with SU all the hard work is done for you. This first card uses the Spring Showers Designer Series Paper, I have used Mellow Moss for the base card & also coloured the family in with Mellow Moss, So Saffron & Cameo Coral markers, I have also stamped the words from Greetings Galore in Mellow Moss. As SU papers are designed to match with our cardstock, I know exactly what colours to use - if you purchase papers from me I am more than happy to provide you with a list, then you will know too!

The stamp set I have used is All In The Family, & it is such a versatile & fun set. I love how you can make the people do so many different things - I saw the Dad & Mum holding the baby on SCS & thought it was so cute. I have also seen people holding flowers, presents, balloons, bats & balls so will be trying some of these out soon. If you haven't already heard about this months special on this set & why it is so special please click here.

For this next card I have used some DSP from the Holiday Thyme pack that is also on special this month. Once again I didn't have to think about what colours matched - it was already done for me! I used Buckaroo Blue & Old Olive, however could have also used True Thyme or Bashful Blue. I am finding that Buckaroo Blue & Brocade Blue are very similar - so have stamped the Happy Birthday from Warmest Regards in Brocade Blue ink & also coloured the boys in using Brocade Blue & Old Olive markers.

I have just realised I have a fettish for ribbon - can you tell? both these cards have it tied at the bottom!. For the top card I have used a scrap piece I found & the bottom card uses SU White Grosgrain. I didn't have any blue ribbon so have coloured in the white using a Brocade Blue marker - I love doing this as I only need the one roll of ribbon & can use my markers to make it any colour I like.

I hope you like my All In The Family cards - I have been having so much fun with it, so will have some more projects using it to show you soon.

Masculine card

It was my Dad's birthday on the weekend & we all put in to buy him a new BBQ, so on Sat night we had a bit of a party to break it in! There was heaps of yummy food, I think they are still eating left overs, & we all had a great time - especially the kids. My 2 looked so cute, they both thought they were so cool with thier sunnys on
Josie looked too cute in her new matching outfit my Mum bought her - check out the matching thongs & sunnys!! She even has a little hat that matches too!
Unfortunately she didn't stay that way, as not even 5 mins after taking this pic she upended 1/2 a bottle of baby oil all over herslf & the floor - grrrrr the little terror. Luckily she has way more clothes than 1 little girl needs & it wasn't too hard to find another outfit in hurry. Kids - they are here to try us!!


Anyway, now for the real reason you are here - my card! I've felt as though I have been doing way too much CASEing lately so thought I'd try & be original. I am quite happy with how it turned out & think Dad liked it too - I had to give him a run down on exactly how it was made - lol!
Stamps - Be Happy, Warmest Regards. Cardstock - Close to Cocoa, Buckaroo Blue, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla. Ink - Chocolate Chip. Accessories - Twill Tape,Hemp Twine, Hodgepodge Hardware & a couple of staples.

Abit of scrapping.....

I have been working with the Elite team on a special project to create albums for each of Dave Abbott's children. Dave was the General Manager of Stampin' Up! who sadly passed away last month. You can help his family too, by simply purchasing the All in the Family stamp set during November - all proceeds from sales of this set will be donated to Daves wife & 3 children.

Obviously I sent off my scrap pages blank, so the children can add their own pictures, but liked them so much I made a second copy & added pics of my kids. Now I just need to add some journalling to finish them off.

Stamps: Looks like spring. Colours: Cool Caribbean, Pretty In Pink, Certainly Celery, So Saffron. Accessonries: Little Reminders, White grosgrain ribbon (I dyed it using Pretty In Pink & Certainly Celery Markers)

Stamps: Holiday Spirit. Colours: Buckaroo Blue, Versamark. Accessories: Eyelets, Hemp Twine, Cranberry Crisp stitched grograin ribbon, Simply Scrappin' At Home Kit.

All products used are from Stampin' Up! & are available to puchase through me. Let me know if you would like any further information on how these pages were made or if you would like to hold a scrapbooking demonstration to get some 'hands on' learning send me an email - alana@ceinternet.com.au

Thyme for another special..

Hope so, as Stampin' Up! have released some fabulous double sided paper, just in Thyme for Christmas. As usual it coordinates perfectly with the range of SU cardstock, but is only available until 15th Dec, so make sure you don't miss out. Check out the patterns below -

As an added bonus if you are a member of my Stampin' Club you can receive a further $2 discount (only available through me). If you would like to purchase these exclusive papers or need some more information about my stamp club send me an email - alana@ceinternet.com.au

Dave Abbott Family Fund

Last month the Australian General Manager for Stampin' Up!, Dave Abbott, passed away from a rare blood disease. This is made particularly sad by the fact that Dave leaves behind a wife & 3 young children (you can see thier picture in the scrap page below)

Because Stampin' Up! is such a caring company & want to not only honour Daves memory, but also help his family, they have pre-released a special All In The Family stamp set. During November Stampin' Up! are donating 100% of the sales worldwide to a fund set up for Daves family. Click here for more details.

This 28 piece set will retail for $73.95, but during Nov I will be passing my demonstrator discount on to you, so it will only cost $59.16 plus postage. Please support this worthwhile cause, you will not only receive a fantastic stamp set, but be helping a grieving young family. If you would like to help, but don't wish to purchase the stamp set , you can contribute directly to the fund - email me for details alana@ceinternet.com.au.

Before & After

A couple of really quick & easy things to show you. First is a notebook I covered - the Sprial Punch from the Spring Mini is great for this & although I haven't added alot of embellishments I think you will agree it looks much better -

There was no stamping involved at all for this, just the Notations designer series paper & Little Reminders accents & elements die cuts. These die cuts are great for creating in a hurry - they are self adhesive & coordinate perfectly with the DS paper.

I have been using this box to hold some of my card samples & thought it was about time I covered it. Sorry to my MIL who gave the boxes to me - but I really wasn't a fan of the party balloons - now I just need to cover the rest for a really nice matching set!

I lashed out & used some of my favourite Recollections paper for this - it is just gorgeous & matches perfectly with the Wild Rose stamp set (on the top) I have also used Cranberry Crisp card stock, Chocolate grosgrain & Cranberry Crisp stitched grosgrain ribbons.

We have been getting some lovely rain here over the last couple of days which has been great - hope you are getting some too!!!

Sorry it has been so long between posts, but gosh I have been busy! I had a full weeks 'real' work followed by a weekend of 'fun' work. Bookeeping is my real work, it is something I do to earn some money - not real enjoyable. Stamping is my fun work, it is something I do because I love it - extremely enjoyable.



I've just spent a great weekend at Lake Keepit for a stamp camp & it was soo much fun. I can't remember when I have laughed as much or stamped as much. These are a couple of the cards I made, they have both been CASEd from Marelle - I really love her work.

Stamps - Scribble This & Warmest Regards (Hostess Set). Colours - Ruby Red, Garden Green, Whisper White & Basic Black. Cranberry Crisp Ribbon.

This card uses the Looks Like Spring stamp set & matching punch. If you purchase both of these items during Oct you will receive the matching Designer Series Double-Sided paper for FREE! The wording is from City of David & colours are Cranberry Crisp, Marigold Morning & True Thyme.

I have some more to upload so will try & do so later tonight. I doubt that any of these people read my blog, but just in case - Thanks Vic for organising a great weekend & thanks to Francis, Anna, Suzy & Jo for sharing a table, cabin, ideas & fun with me :)

Spring is in the Air ....

Stampin' Up! are running a great promotion for October - for the price of the Looks Like Spring stamp set & the Spring Bouquet Flower punch, you'll get a package of Spring Flowers or Spring Showers Designer Series paper ($16.95 value) FREE - thats 12 sheets of double sided 12 x 12 paper! They are designed to match perfectly & I have seen some fabulous projects made using these exclusive products.
If you want more information check out the Stampin' Up! website or send me an email - alana@ceinternet.com.au It may Look Like Spring, but it feels like summer here!!!!

Challenges!

Here are the other 2 challenges I completed for Jaynes cyberstamp!

I really love this origami box, it was so easy to make. You can find a video tutorial on Kristina Werners website, or let me know & I can show you! Jayne, Beth & Karen have all made boxes using the free paper from this months Spring is in the Air promotion, so if you get the chance check them out. If you want to know more about the Oct promotion, have a look at the next post!

This card was for the sketch challenge. It didn't turn out the way it looked in my head, so I'm not sure if I like it - what do you think?

Beautiful Boxes

I had a lovely day yesterday doing a demonstration for my Mother in Law at the Pilliga Community Centre. Everyone got to make a little box, then stayed on for a Christmas Stamp-a-Stack. It always amazes me how the finished products can all be so different. From the same basic box design, we ended up with 12 different boxes! Everyone adds there own little bit of creativity & I think you will agree that they look fabulous.

I also thought I'd share the following card with you. My talented upline, Jayne Mercer, held a cyberstamp for her team The Inklings & one of the challenges was to create a card inspired from the Stampin' Up Spring Mini Catalogue. If you have your mini handy, check out page 8 & hopefully you will see where my card is similar. If you don't have a spring mini email me for a free copy - alana@ceinternet.com.au All products in the mini are only available till November 30th 2007, so be quick or you'll miss out!
Stamp: Heartfelt Thanks. Colours: Mellow Moss, Chocolate Chip. Accessories: Hodgepodge Hardware & non SU ribbon. Thanks must also go to my Sister in Law, Shirl, for the colour inspriation!

Criss Crossed Again!

This is the project we are going to do at my Sister in Laws on the weekend. It is another criss cross card, however this one is portrait instead of landscape.

I have used the At Home - Simply Scrappin' kit & it made things soooo easy. Stampin' Up! currently sell 6 different types of these exclusive kits, they each include 8 sheets of 12x12 coloured cardstock, 4 sheets of 12x12 patterned cardstock & 6 sheets of self adhesive die cuts. Everthing coordinates beautifully & the die cuts are so versatile - the flower on this card was made by layering 4 stickers on top of one another! With the addition of some white cardstock, one of these kits would make up 24 criss cross cards with heaps of left over die cuts & coloured cardstock.

What do you think of my watermark? Another Stampin' Up! demonstrator, who I have never even met, kindly created it for me (Hi Wendy). Check her blog out here, she has some great cards you can check out & I really love the tote bag she has recently made. I am so glad that I have joined Stampin' Up!, the other demonstrators are so friendly & supportive, I can't wait to meet some of them in person soon. If you too would like to join Stampin' Up! or find out more information on what is involved, send me an email - alana@ceinternet.com.au

Happily Ever After

My sister asked me to make a wedding card for some friends of hers & I drew a blank! So I went for abit of a blog surf & found this card made by fellow Stampin' Up! demonstrator Melissa so had to CASE it.

Once I had finished I liked the colours so much I had to make the following card too!

Stampset used is Greetings Galore, colours are Mellow Moss, True Thyme & Barely Banana. I have done some embossing on the 2nd card, which I really like - hope my sister does too!

Have just gotten home after a very busy long weekend - we are now all exhausted. Still got time to make the following card & little gift box. I love making these boxes - they are so easy & make such a great gift.

Stamps - Heartfelt Thanks. Colours - Perfect Plum, Pale Plum & Vintage Violet. Accessories - Perfect Plum & Always Artichoke crayons, Hodgepodge Hardware, Organdy Ribbon, Corner Rounder & Paper Piercer.

Does the card look familiar?? It is the same as one I have posted previously - just a different colour - hope you like the new look.

So the 5 drops of rain turned into nothing, obviously my stamping didn't work - I will have to do a dance or something (could be scary!!!).

I have been trying to get some Christmas card samples done - here is my favourite so far

Cardstock - Cranberry Crisp, True Thyme, Whisper White. Stamps - Greeting Galore. Inks - Versamark, Basic Black. Accessories - Gold Brads, White Gel Pen.

I don't have many supplies yet, so have had to be abit creative!! No ribbon yet (I love ribbon so it won't be long) instead I cut a strip of cranberry crisp cardstock, inked with Versamark direct to paper to add some texture, then added abit of faux stitching with a white gel pen. I have also done abit of paper piecing with the tree - stamped it in basic black, once on white & once on thyme cardstock, then cut out the thyme tree & star, then stuck them on top of the image that was stamped on the white cardstock. I am pretty happy with the result - even though the brads are quite wonky (this happens when you are too lazy to get out the ruler - lol). All supplies are Stampin' Up! & available through me - alana@ceinternet.com.au

Hope everyone has a great long weekend - I know I will :)

Stampin' Up! a storm!!!!

I have been having so much fun playing with my Stampin' Up! starter kit. It is full of stamps & inks - chosen by me!! The following card is a sketch challenge for the Elite Stampers website I am lucky enough to be part of - check it out using the link on the right.

Colours: Buckaroo Blue, Cranberry Crisp & True Thyme. Stamp: Heartfelt Thanks. I have also used a spiral clip from my fab Hodgepodge Hardware (available in Sept as a FREEBIE with any starter kit!) I have coloured the flowers with Brocade Blue & Always Artichoke wonder crayons. Email me if you have any further questions - alana@ceinternet.com.au

Although I haven't actually stamped up a storm, we did get about 5 rain drops on the roof! Maybe I need to stamp some more - he, he.

Independent Stampin' Up! demonstrator!

OK - I'm sorry I haven't been here for awhile - but promise to make it up to anyone who may read this blog (is there anyone out there??).

I am very excited to finally post that I have become an Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator! Stampin' Up! is a fabulous company that sells beautiful stamp sets along with exciting card & scrapbooking supplies. I am loving everything I've seen, so if you want to host a demonstration or check out a catalogue send me an email - alana@ceinternet.com.au .

I will try & take pics of some of the cards I have been making tomorrow to upload, but in the meantime check out the 2 cards below! They are made using the Remembering You - Simply Send card kit. These kits are exclusive to Stampin' Up! & include everything you need to make 10 cards. There are 4 different types of these kits available & they are a great way to sample some of the fab products offered by Stampin' Up! If you purchase one between 4-8 Oct you will get 20% off!!

Criss Cross Card

After seeing the tutorial for this card on SplitCoastStampers I couldn't resist making some. I think they turned out quite well & were really easy to make. Email me if you would like any info on how you can make your own - alana@ceinternet.com.au

Baby Girl - not any more!

This in one of my favourite scrap pages at the moment - isn't my girl gorgeous? She looks so peaceful, not at all the way she is now. At 18mths she is a stubborn chatterbox who is constantly getting into everything she knows she shouldn't. I'm sure her determined nature will be an asset in the future - just not at the moment!. Photos are once again courtesy of Margot Palmer - After Image Photography, it is easy to scrap when you have such beautiful pics.

This is a fairly simple layout, I swiped some bazzill cardstock with pink paint, cut the title from plastic sheets & swiped the same coloured paint on the edges, before attaching using glossy accents. I made the slide mounts using cardstock (swiped with paint again), 2 different sized square punches & a decorative corner punch - see closeup below.

A flower with abit of bling & some journalling finishes it off. I love the idea of hand journalling, it adds such a personal touch - it's just a pity I hate my own handwriting.

A CASE of copying for Fathers Day

OK, I'll admit it - not many original thoughts here!!

In the past I have been embarrassed (especially when working with Trish - the most original thinker I know!) that most of my craftwork is copied. However I have just recently discovered that copying is quite acceptable in the world of stamping, it even has it's own acronym - CASE Copy And Share Everything.

This is great news for me & following you will see why:

I have been making some Fathers Days cards (it is this Sunday 2nd Sept) & this one is cased from Trish (almost exactly!). Quite simple - abit of distress ink & the cool little fisherman is colourd with chalks.

This shirt was so cute I had to case it from here . A stamp down the bottom & abit of ribbon. Bernie wanted me to make it like a footy jernsey - cute idea, but I'm rather challenged when it comes to colouring, so stripes it is! Email me if you would like instructions on how to fold the shirt alana@ceinternet.com.au or come along to my day at Burren on the 1st Sept to make it just in time for Fathers Day.

I also thought I'd share with you some tags I made for Sam to take to school for a stall.

Here's to CASEing - I love it!