Woo Hoo!!

It's nearly New Years Day and in the Stampin' Up world that means HEAPS of excitement.  It's SALE-A-BRATION time!!  What's that I hear some of you ask?  It is your chance to gain FREE stamp sets.  Woo Hoo!!  Here are the details:

Customers -- Receive a free Sale-A-Bration product for every $100 purchase. {simply email or phone me if you would like to place an order}

Hostesses -- Receive a free Sale-A-Bration stamp set with a $600 or more workshop, in addition to the normal hostess benefits. {workshops are so much fun, would love to have one with you}

Recruits -- Choose any retail stamp set (a value up to $79.95) from the current catalogue when signing up during the promotion.  {Ooo, would love to have you join my team}

So now is the best time to book a workshop and buy up those items on your wish list.  And you will bag yourself the choice of four gorgeous stamp sets only available for the next two months.

And don't forget that the Summer Mini Catalogue runs for the same period.  Mmmm, scallop edge punches and beautiful papers.    Here is a little sample for you:

Stamp set used is Eastern Blooms.  Isn't it divine?  And that pumpkin pie paper, that is from the range called Bali Breeze.  Just like a holiday isn't it?  

Email me at scrapalley@aapt.net.au if you would like to book a workshop during the next couple of exciting months.  I can't wait to get back into it for 2009.  See you soon,

Alex

Happy Birthday......

to me.  Yep, I had a birthday this week.  Another year older.  I had a lovely day with my Mum shopping and then spent the evening at the local Christmas Carols with the family. 

Wanna know the best present I got?????  (Besides all the gorgeous gifts from friends and family!)  I am busting to share it with you all.  The day before my birthday I received a magazine in the mailbox.  I don't have any subscriptions at the moment and knew that I had a couple of cards coming out in a magazine soon.  So I figured that it must be the Cardmaking, Stamping & Papercrafts mag with one of my cards in it.......................well........................I ripped open the packaging to find.......................that my card is on the cover!!!!! 

That's it...the scalloped circle card at the top.  I know it's not SU stuff but I wanted to share my exciting birthday present with you.  "I'm a Cover Girl"  hee hee.  Of course I encourage you all to go out and get yourself a copy, it has some great ideas in there (and of course more of my creations!).

I have been busy making many Christmas presents this year, most of them for other people to give.  Any excuse to create is a good excuse to me.  But I seem to be quite organised this year and feeling really relaxed.  Hope you are too.  I really love this time of year and the kids are finished school today so it's time to sleep in, slouch around in PJ's and hopefully get some more crafting done.  

I will post again soon with some new creations from the Summer Mini Catalogue.  If you haven't seen it yet, go and check it out.  There is some great stuff in there. 

Bye for now,

Alex

Christmas Scallops

I just love the SU Circle Scallop Punch.  I seem to be using it on EVERYTHING this Christmas.  And the large Star Punch is handy too.  Oh, and see that scalloped edge along the top!!  That's new from the Summer Mini Cataglogue.

I made these lollie bags for my girlfriends, we are going out to dinner tonight and I always like to give a little something to them.  

Have a great weekend!  

Box in a Bag

Created this little beauty the other day.  You can find the instructions here.  Or maybe book a workshop in January to learn how to make one first hand?

I have used the Apple Cider paper from the Spring Mini Catalogue.  Isn't it gorgeous?  The Spring Mini finishes at the end of this month, so be sure to grab anything you still have on your wish list..........this may be your last chance.

Punches, punches and more punches for these details.

Bye for now,

Alex

Stampin' Up Hodgepodge - Styled Silver

Here are my little Hodgepodge swaps all ready to go to some eager papercrafters.  I love to package anything and everything and these swaps give me the opportunity to show you some of my packaging ideas.  These cute little hot pink bags are from the local packaging place and cost a very small amount for a bundle.  They are fantastic to dress up and fill with nice little goodies - especially at this time of year.

Would you like one of these little packages??  Visit this post further down to get all the details and let me know if you want a share of some 'Styled Silver'.

I will leave you with some cards I have made over the last week:

This one uses the 'Emboss Resist' technique with another new tool I bought to try out - the Brayer (thanks to Ness from Regional training, this idea is cased from her demo).

And this one shows what you can do with a few markers.  See how the flower has colours fading into each other?  All done with markers.  

Thanks for stopping by, 

Alex

New Star Punch

Yes, I have gone a little bit crazy over the last month and bought myself a whole heap of new goodies.  Must be Christmas or something!!

This is a little tag I have made to embellish a pressie for a good friend of mine.  I have used my new Star Punch which is going to come in very handy at this time of year.  The saying is from one of my very favourite sets from this years catalogue - Short and Sweet.  It is very versatile.

Just wanted to let you know that I am having a Stamping Technique class on Tuesday 11th Nov at 7.30pm.  We will be playing with the SU Brayer, watercolouring and using the fabulous SU markers.  I still have a couple of spots left, so if you want to come on over for a fun night of stamping contact me on 4362 7209 or by email at scrapalley@aapt.net.au.

We will be using the SU Markers because we are having a fantastic special on this month starting on the 10th November.  For a short time only you can purchase the markers as a single unit......for only $4.95 each!  How good is that?  Now you can buy just a few markers or a whole bunch but from different colour families.  Gotta be loving that!

Thanks for stopping by,

Alex

Styled Hodgepodge Swap

Have you seen the Styled Hodgepodge in the Spring Mini Catalogue yet?  

I finally purchased some this week and I have to say................I'm impressed!  It is gorgeous.  I can't wait to create a heap more projects with these but thought I would share this quick card I whipped up today.

Want to get your hands on some of these beauties?  Rather than purchase a whole tin, how would you like to purchase just a share of them?  Certainly makes it more affordable and gives you the opportunity to play with the pieces.  Join in the Styled Hodgepodge Swap and receive 2 pieces of each item plus a bunch of matching brads for only $12.20.

Contact me at scrapalley@aapt.net.au and be quick.  I only have 3 shares left.

Bye for now,

Alex

Christmas Cards

Quick post to share with you the cards we created at a couple of workshops lately.

Seasons of Joy - out of the mini catalogue (pssst, new mini is out on 1st Dec!)  This set is available for another month, it is great for Christmas cards and Christmas scrapbooking pages.

All About Christmas Wheel - have you ever used the Stampin' Around Wheels?  They are a fast, cheap option for decorating your cards.  Want to know more about them?  Be sure to contact me and I can let you know how to get your hands on one.

Bye

Alex

New baby in the house and Happy Halloween

Those of you that know me well and have seen me lately know that I am pretty excited about a new baby to hit my house. Yep, and it's pink!!

It's my new laptop. See since I lost my study during the 'Try to sell the house' period and now have no study, my pay off was a new toy. So I made sure that it was PINK!! So THAT is my new baby. And don't I just love it!! Nothing like surfin' the web while cookin' dinner!

Anyway, also wanted to wish you Happy Halloween and share with you some little surprise tags I put in the boys lunch boxes today.They loved it and it was a great surprise.  And it gave me an excuse to use those Halloween stamps that come in some of the Stampin' Up sets.  This one is from the Hostess set 'Party Punch' and fits the Tab punch perfectly.  Then I used the black Stampin' Write marker to colour just the cats to stamp across the bottom strip.  The 'Happy Halloween' at the bottom comes from the 'Occasional Greetings' set.

Also want to wish all my customers that are teachers a Happy World Teachers Day. You are a gift to our children.

Bye for now,
Alex

Hello.....is there anybody out there???

OMG, it has been so long!! Over a month since my last post. I honestly don't know where the time has gone. But there is a reason for it. Over the last month we decided to try and sell our house and during that process I lost my beloved study. Oh the pain!! My beloved youngest now has his own room and I am 'kicked out' to the 'studio' (it's really my garage but studio sound sooo much nicer don't you think?). My computer was moved into a childs room for the period of trying to sell, therefore I couldn't get onto it of a night time, which is the most common time for me to play on it and update my blogs. It was like having my arms chopped off I tell you!

Well, we have decided to stay put and have taken the house off the market again (the house we really wanted sold and we couldn't find anything else we liked - plus we do love the area we live in), I am unable to get my study back due to a happy little 3 year old and finally I have moved the computer back out to the lounge room. So I will be back to sharing some creations and information with you again.

I have held a couple of stamping classes at home recently and wanted to share with you what we created last night. It is a cute little bauble card cased from Becky Roberts that can be used on your gifts for Christmas or even as tree ornaments. Very sweet!And most of you probably already know of Stampin' Up's birthday special on this month. It's easy - spend $20 on product and have the opportunity to buy one of five stamp sets at 20% off. What a great saving! I have taken advantage of the special and they arrived today. Stay tuned for samples from 'Birthday Best' and 'Big Bold Birthday'.
As you can see the special ends on the 31st October, so if you want to take advantage and purchase any of the following stamp set specials please contact me ASAP.
Will be back to update again in the next few days with my upcoming classes.
Bye
Alex

Christmas Card Stamp-a-Stack

***edited to add: Stamp-a-Stack is now full. Please keep a look out here for the next one***

What's a Stamp-a-Stack??? Well, it's where you stamp a stack of cards of course!

Want to get started on your Christmas Cards?

Come along to my Christmas Card Stamp-a-Stack on Wednesday 24th September at 7.30pm. Create 6 cards (3 each of 2 designs) to get your Christmas list underway. Cost is $15 and all supplies are included.

Contact me at scrapalley@aapt.net.au to book in. Be quick, spots are limited.

Scrapbooking and Ribbons

***edited to add: Ribbon swap is now full. Thank you everyone who participated, your ribbons are on their way***

Been working on some older photos lately and here is a page I completed this week.
A couple of weeks ago at a friends workshop I opened up the idea for a Ribbon Swap. It was a big hit and everyone liked the idea. What is a ribbon swap? Stampin' Ribbons are very generous with their ribbon rolls and most of them come with approx. 13.7m on each. That's a LOT of ribbon in one colour. A ribbon swap gives you the opportunity to sample each colour in a range of ribbons without buying all the rolls.

Interested???? Well email me at scrapalley@aapt.net.au and we can get another one started. I will need 5 people to join the swap and this one will be for the Double-Stitched Ribbon. You will only pay $17.80 (one ribbon roll +5% postage) and you will receive 1/6th (approx. 2.25m) of each ribbon roll, sampling 6 different colours. These ribbons are beautiful and look fabulous on your projects. Here is an example using the Purely Pomegranate:
Let me know if you want to join in! Local customers only, thanks)

Happy Father's Day

Remember the first Sunday of September is coming up real soon. Let's celebrate the men who play a special part in our lives.

I have used the Father's Day stamp from the Occasional Notes set, the Word Window Punch and some new papers and stamps from the Mini Catalogue. Need a copy? Contact me and I can make sure you get one.

Bye,

Smart Storage

...in the style sense that is! Yesterday the kids got busy crafting in the garage (which is where their stuff now lives) so I sat down with them and covered this little box in the Summer Picnic papers from the Mini Catalogue.Aren't those cherries just the sweetest!? And the die-cuts from the Mini are divine!
These are on the top of the box. This will be my new home for my small Stampin' Up punches. They have out grown this little tine they were hiding in.
I absolutely LOVE the new paper in this Mini Catalogue. And if you like the covered box above, keep your eye on this blog for a class coming up real soon. Numbers will be limited so keep watch!!

Bye,

Spring Mini Catalogue Launch at Narara

I have been MIA for the last couple of weeks, I know. It has been a very busy time with preparation for the Launch of the Spring Mini Catalogue and I also have some other exciting news that you can read about over here (it involves more papercrafting, yay!)

I wanted to share with you the projects that we did at the Mini Launch at Narara. Nine of my great customers and my new downline (Hi Denise) got busy stamping, sticking and creating and everyone went home with one each of these:

Popsicle Card.

The tutorial for these can be found here at Chic n'Scratch. This idea has been floating around the net for a while and I am unsure as to the original designer. But the tutorial I found is nice and easy to follow and she has some great ideas on her blog.

Takeaway Gift BoxWe used the new Apple Cider papers to cover these takeaway boxes and the new stamp set - True Friend.

We also made a Christmas Gift Card holder, which I have forgotten to photograph so I will share with you the Apple Bucket I created for display.Launch nights are so much fun and I really enjoy sharing the new goodies with everyone.

Don't forget to head on over to my other blog to see what else I have been up to.
Bye for now,

Pinks & Browns

Yes, more pinks and browns. I love these two colours together - strawberry and chocolate....mmmmm!Here are some up close details:

This card uses the Berry Bliss Designer Series paper and new goodies from the Spring Mini Catalogue. The rub-ons are just divine and really good quality. And good quality rub-ons are always so much easier to use in my opinion.

Speaking of the Mini Catalogue, I am holding a Launch Night with some other demonstrators and if you are local to the Central Coast.....you are invited!

…and you thought the new Stampin’ Up!®

2008 – 2009 Idea Book & Catalogue was FABULOUS!

Just take a look at the

2008 SPRING

MINI CATALOGUE!

Come and join us at our

Spring Mini Launch

It’s going to be lots of fun!

When: 7:30pm - Friday 1^st August 2008

Where: Narara Valley Baptist Church Hall

127 Narara Valley Drive, Narara

Behind the main church building in the hall - just drive on in - plenty of off street parking.

Cost: $10*

(Refundable with your $50 order placed on the night, not including p&h)

v Three Make & Take projects

v Demonstrations of new products and techniques

v Mini Catalogue & Technique Booklet for everyone

v Watch out for the Prize Patrol! Lots of giveaways

v Incentives for booking a workshop on the night

v Light refreshments provided

Call Alex Hughes on 0414 444 150 or email scrapalley@aapt.net.au to RSVP and reserve your place ASAP as numbers are limited.

* Prepayment is required to reserve your place

I still have a few spots left, so contact me now and come along for a fun night. Believe me the new items in the Mini Catalogue are just gorgeous!
Bye,

Something to share.

This is my new display for my SU cards. Isn't is sweet? It began life as a 'Dorothy the Dinosaur' photo album designed as a handbag. I saw it on the shelf at K-mart and immediately pictured it altered with the delicious Berry Bliss papers from our catalogue. And don't you just love the glittered letters and hat pin?!? And the flowers......sigh! Just love it all really!

Bye for now,

Colour Challenge #16

Loving these challenges lately. Great for a starting point.Here is the challenge from Kristina Werners blog:

Aren't those shoes just the cutest! Have to go and surf Martha's site now.

Bye,

{Stylish Storage}

Check out this little number:
No, it is not a handbag. Although it looks suspiciously like one, doesn't it? Look what it holds:


Yes, all my SU cardstock. How cute is that?

Have a great day!

Quickie!

A quick post tonight to show you some more new creations from the up-coming Spring Mini Catalogue.

This scrapbook page was cased from Making Memories 'Beyond Attachments' book and features my youngest boy when he was a baby:I used the new rub-ons on the tag and they are FABULOUS!

And a couple of cards: I really love the new papers that will be available next month - can't wait to share them all with you!

Bye.

New Spring Mini Catalogue coming soon.....

....and I am sooooo excited. As a customer last year, I used to get REALLY excited to see the new products that come out in the Stampin' Up Mini Catalogue. THIS YEAR, as a demonstrator, I get to order them FIRST! Yay. My pre-order arrived last week and although it is school holidays (my time is not my own to an even larger extent!) I did manage to create a few things with them. Here they are:
A Thank you card featuring die-cut flowers and Summer Picnic paper. (Psst! Guess what!?!? The new stamp sets are die-cut too. What does that mean? You don't need to cut out the rubber image yourself. YAY!! This is Stampin' Up's treat to you - the customer - for being so great!)And I also created a scrapbook page:I have to admit that I just love the new papers and stamps in the Spring Catalogue. These papers I have used here are so fresh and bright. And the others I have are nice and earthy (will show you some photos of these in the next couple of days when I can steal some more time to myself!).

Contact me at scrapalley@aapt.net.au if you would like a copy of the catalogue on 1st August. That is when you are able to start ordering. In fact, on Friday 1st August I will be holding a Catalogue Launch Night with some other demonstrators to show you the new stamp sets and goodies. If you would like to come along and make some goodies, again email me for details (numbers are limited). If you are on my Customer database, you will be receiving my newsletter in the next couple of days with all the booking details - be sure to keep your eye on your email box for it.

Bye for now,