Xmas Stamp-a-Stack

Now you probably don’t want to know how many days there are left till Xmas, I know I don’t, but you can be sure it will be here before you know it.  So let’s get the jump on it early by starting your Xmas cards in July instead of Xmas Eve - sound familiar.

Starting this month I will be running an extra Stamp-a-Stack every month dedicated just to Xmas cards.  Join me and you can make 10 cards for just $20 and by Xmas you will have heaps of handmade cards to impress your friends and extra time up your sleeve to enjoy all those festive parties.  Just click on the Classes link at the top of this page to find all the details.

Stay tuned over the next few days when I will be posting samples of some of the cards we will be making there may even be a sneak peak of the new mini catalogue available soon.  What’s that a new catalogue you say can’t give away too much right now but be on the lookout.

Missing in Action

Sorry to say I have been MIA (missing in action) lately and I would love to say it’s because I’ve been stamping my heart out but it’s just not true.  I’ve just been caught up with life in general.  Sometimes no matter how good your intentions are or how much you want to play with your stamps other things are a higher priority and that’s ok.  It makes you appreciate your crafting time even more when you finally get around to it.

This is a card I made a few weeks ago when I first started playing with my Pretties kit.  I just love the silk flowers and how easy it is to adapt them to fit any project you’re working on. 

I had a lady ask me recently why they only come in white well that’s because you can make them any colour you like using any of the Stampin’ Up! colour mediums.  You can dye them using reinkers, stamp pads, pastels or water colour crayons and you can stamp on them as well.  What more do you need.

In this example I’ve used the So Swirly wheel, Soft Sky and Purely Pomegranite ink and sponge daubers to colour both the background and the large flower from the Pretties Kit.  I also dyed the white grosgrain ribbon to match.  I love the soft feel this colour combination gives and was quite happy with the result.  I have lots of the swirly background left over so don’t be surprised if you see more of it in future projects.

It’s a great time!

If you have ever thought about starting your own business now is the time to do it!!

July and August are a fantastic time to join the Stampin’ Up! family!

From 1 July through 15 August, when you become a demonstrator, you’ll receive $25 off the already low-priced Starter Kit!

That means when you become a demonstrator before 15 August*, you will start out with over $560 of Stampin’ Up!’s high quality, one-of-a-kind stamping products and business supplies for just $299!

But more important than that where else could you indulge your love of stamping, scrapbooking and papercrafting in a great home-based business for just $299 risk free.  Let me give you some additional reasons why now is the perfect time to start:

• You can customise the fantastic Starter Kit to suit your own needs;
• You will enjoy 30% discount off your first ordern within the first 45 days;
• 1 July was the start of a new Stampin’ Up1 quarter which means you will have until 31 December to meet your minimum sales quota;
• Lots of opportunity to earn FREE stamps;
• A new mini catalogue is just around the corner with heaps of gorgeous new stamps, papers and ebellishments that will kick start your new business and don’t forget you can purchase them at 20% off the retail price;
• You will have access to heaps of quality business tools, including on-line forums and a monthly full colour newsletter from Stampin’ Up!;
• You will have the opportunity to attend annual Stampin’ Up! Annual Convention and Regional events;
• You can attend any of my classes for just the cost of materials;
• and finally, you will meet a whole new group of wonderful people who share your interest in papercrafting and who are willing to share tips and techniques for running your own successful home-based business.

So what are you waiting for? Contact me TODAY to get super Starter Kit savings! or request an information pack!

River Rock and Chocolate Chip again

I really do like this colour combo so while I had the supplies out I thought I would whip up something else.  Now this really is a work in progress and at this stage it hasn’t ‘progressed’ very far, but this started out as a 6 x 6 scrap page but now there is no room for the photos so it will have to be either a card or the ‘front’ of something (not sure what yet).

This happens to me quite a lot, I will start out with some loose idea in my mind (my other half would say it’s my mind that’s loose) but anyway often what I end up with is nothing like my idea at the start.  Well I think I’m rambling now so maybe I should go back and try to use this image.  Stay tuned and I will post the end product when I’ve finished it.

Fun & Fast Love Notes

Been MIA the last few days had a very busy weekend both with the family and Stampin Up.  Sometimes I amaze even myself (and that’s hard to do these days) with how much juggling I can actually do in order to fit in all the things I love.

In between friends for dinner, children’s birthday parties and a couple of workshops I managed to fit in last week’s Splitcoast Ways to Use it challenge  “The Whole Enchilada“.  The challenge was to make 3×3 card, envelopes and a box to put them in.  Well I didn’t make the envelopes, didn’t need to because the love notes from this month’s eScape promotion by Stampin Up already have the cute little envelopes included in the pack.

  Up until now I had always used my Fun & Fast Notes set for watercolouring as the bold outline images are perfect but I also found that they work really well for simple embossing.  The chocolate chip and river rock combo has become one of my favourites and works really well with the Brocade Background designer papers.

 

So if y0u would like to know how to make these cute little cards and the box why don’t you pop around to my house on Tuesday 24th June @ 9.30 when we will be ‘eScaping’ the ‘e’ with a morning of card making, a cuppa and a chat.

Alternatively if you would like to purchase the supplies needed for this project give me a call or email me michellegrech@netspace.net.au to place an order.

It costs WHAT!

I saw these funnies on Bethany Paull’s blog and thought they spoke volumes about the cost of fuel these days.

 Have a great day.

Stamp a stack of cards

Tonight is Stamp-a-Stack night at my house.  What is Stamp-a-Stack you might ask.  Well on the 1st Thursday of every month a group of ladies come to my house and stamp a stack of cards (10 to be exact).  I pre-design the cards for you and cut up all the cardstock so that all you have to do is get your fingers inky and stamp away.  Everything you need is supplied including a cuppa and bikkies and lots of laughs.  The cost of the evening is $20 (or $15 if you bring your own snail) and you get to take home 10 handmade cards.

If you would like to join us then give me a call or send an email michellegrech@netspace.net.au and reserve your spot.

Designer Series Paper gift card holders

I’ve been meaning to post these cute little gift card holders that I’ve been using in my workshops this month but time just got away from me.  Now I know that the May Palette o Prints promotion is over but but don’t forget that you can still get the gorgeous Designer Series papers (at least the Rose Red and the Certainly Celery as well as other yummy colours) in 12″ x 12″ size from the current 2008 - 2009 Idea Book and Catalogue.  So here they are anyway. 

I apologise for the “giftcard” in the close-up of the window.  In my haste to get good light for the photo I just grabbed the nearest card in sight (it just happened to be my other half’s forklift certification and not a gift card at all LOL).

The cards feature the Monochromatic Designer Series Papers and the Fun and Fast Notes stamp sets.  The image was stamped in Basic Black and coloured in using Stampin’ Up! markers.  It’s a bit hard to see in the photos but the icing on the cake is covered in Dazzling Diamonds and is really cute and sparkly.

Not one but TWO fantastic promotions

WOW Stampin’ Up! have really outdone themselves this month.  Not only do we have the fantastic “eScape” promotion (see today’s earlier post) but they also have an incredible hostess promotion.

Between 1 June and 15 July Stampin Up is offering an extra $50 in free merchandise to hostesses whose workshops reach $700 in sales.  This means not only do you receive the already fabulous rewards of a level one or two hostess exclusive stamp set but you also get to spend $130 on products of your choice from the 2008 - 2009 Idea Book and Catalogue.  What a spectacular way to get yourself LOADS of FREE goodies.

So if you’ve been thinking about having a workshop and just haven’t got around to it yet or you’ve hosted before and would love to do it again then don’t hesitate any longer, NOW’s the time to contact me and book in a time before I’m all booked out.  Send me an email michellegrech@netspace.net.au or give me a call.

The Great eScape!

Remember way back - when the postman brought you letters??

During the entire month of June Stampin’ Up! is breaking free from the “e”.   Put away your mobile phones and laptops and focus on reconneting with your friends and loved ones through handmade cards and notes.  A chance to rediscover the joy of making a personal connection that can’t be found in text messages or email.  To celebrate eScape day Stampin’ Up! is offering a fantastic escape bundle  with products at 25% off.

eScape Bundle

• Circle of Friendship Stamp Set 
• Love Notes assortemnt
• 1-1/4 inch circle punch

 Total price (non bundled) $78.40

eScape Bundle Price $58.80

I WILL BE HOLDING AN OPEN ESCAPE DAY AT MY HOME ON TUESDAY 24th JUNE @9.30am.  COME ALONG AND HAVE A CUPPA , A CHAT AND SOME CREATIVE CARD MAKING.  EMAIL ME michellegrech@netspace.net.au  IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RESERVE A PLACE.

Stay tuned for more details.