Australian Scrapbooking Cruise

Imagine yourself cruising around the Great Barrier Reef next November, paper-crafting between ports of call. Sounds fantastic to me.

I believe this is the first time such a venture has been undertaken locally (scrapbooking cruises have been on offer to US scrappers for a few years now).

I heard about this opportunity from two lovely ladies who operate Memories to Remember which will be the official on-board scrapbooking supplier.

Anyway, if you want to check it out, visit Crafting Cruises for more information.

Love from Crafty Kim

Notice of Holiday Period

Hello Everyone,

Well Christmas is almost upon us and the end of 2008 is near. I'm taking this opportunity to advise closure dates for Stampin' Up! which are as follows:

"Stampin' Up!'s offices and operations (including picking and shipping of orders) will be closed Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, 24-26 December for Christmas and Boxing Day. SU! will resume all office operations starting Monday, 29 December until 3.00 pm on Wednesday, 31 December 2008. The office will again close from 3.00 pm on Wednesday, 31 December (New Year's Eve) and will reopen on Monday, 5 January 2009."

I will be at home and able to receive phone calls and emails during the above holiday period so you are welcome to place orders with me during this time but delivery is unlikely to occur until after Monday 5 January 2009.

On Thursday 8 January, my close friend, Leanne Jarmyn, and I are flying to Africa for the holiday of a life time, including a safari to meet Africa's wonderful wildlife. We'll return to our families on Australia Day (26 January) . Wish us luck!

If you have any queries, please don't hesitate to ask me.

Love from Crafty Kim

Stampin' Up! Summer Mini is here...

The new Stampin' Up! catalogue has arrived and contains beautiful things to tempt us.

Enjoy browsing through it online and if you would like your own "hard copy", please email me with your postal address and I'll pop one in the post to you.

I'll be posting pictures of cards and other items made using my new goodies soon. In the mean time, have a think about hosting a Stampin' Up! gathering in January or February 2009 when you have the benefit of both this new catalogue and the Sell-A-Bration promotion (more details of this soon).

Thanks for reading and please come back and visit again.

Love from Crafty Kim

Tell Stampin' Up! What You Think About Their Colours

Now I know you're all way too busy at the moment but if you're a fanatic about colour (like me), see if you can find 2 minutes to complete this online survey to give Stampin' Up! input on their colour offerings:

Visit SU! Colour Survey to participate.

Thanks in advance in your time and thoughts,

Love from Crafty Kim

Christmas Bargains

As well as the Stampin' Up! Marker promotion running until 9pm tomorrow (= 14 December 2008), Stampin' Up! is also offering 20% off selected stamp sets and accessories when you spend $20 or more on any Stampin' Up! merchandise.

Festive Favourites stamp set (p.27) was $45.95 now $36.76

Crazy For Christmas stamp set (p.28) was $39.95 now $31.96

Snow Flurries stamp set (p.29) $20.95 now $16.76

Tag Time stamp set (p.43) $53.95 now $43.16

Many Merry Messages stamp set (p.111) $64.95 now $51.96

12"x12" Days-to-Remember Calendar (p.133) was $20.95 now $16.76

6"x6" Days-to-Remember Calendar (p.133) was $18.95 now $15.16

Winter Bright Simply Scrappin (p.138) was $36.95 now $29.56

Three for You Punch Box (p.143) was $85.95 now $68.76

Certainly Celery 5/8" grosgrain ribbon (p.146) was $14.95 now $11.96

Very Vanilla 5/8" grosgrain ribbon (p.146) was $14.95 now $11.96

White Square Aluminium Metal Edge tags (p.147) was $7.50 now $6.00

For full details of the promotion, please click here.

Offer ends on the 31 December 2008.

Thanks for reading,

Love from Crafty Kim

Stampin' Up! Markers Promotion Extended

(Photo and creation courtesy of Michelle Dyson)

Remember this post? Well the good news is that the Stampin' Up! Single Marker Promotion has been extended until the 14 December 2008.

My friend and fellow Stampin' Up! demonstrator, Michelle Dyson, has made colour selection very easy with her post called Bakers Dozen.

And thank you also to Leonie Schroder for compiling the following Marker Information Sheet which I've then "added my 2c worth to":

Marker Facts:
The Stampin’ Write Markers are water-based dye ink and come with two marking tips. The arkers with two tips are commonly referred to as "Dual Tip" markers, with one end having a durable, flexible nylon brush tip that provides broad coverage for general usage such as inking up a stamp, and another smaller end with a fine tip for coloring in tight spots of outline images or for hand-lettering.

The Stampin’ Write Markers offer exclusive coordinating colour families. All 48 colours come in card stock, ink pads, watercolour crayons and markers.

They are sold in colour family sets of 12 which include Soft Subtles, Earth Elements, Bold Brights, and Rich Regals. They also come as a complete set of 48.

These markers are odourless, acid-free, xylene-free, non-toxic.

Storing Markers:
Stampin’ Write Markers should be stored so that they lie horizontally. This way both ends will have an even distribution of inks to the tips.

Techniques to try:
• The markers work well with the blender pens. You can use markers instead of watercolour pencils. Stamp image in black. Outline the inside of your image with the markers and use the blender pens to pull the colors around. Or touch the tip of the blender pen to the tip of the brush end and color with that. Gives a lighter version of the color. It is much more subtle than colouring the whole design with the marker.

• Make a colour palette by coloring with markers on a piece of acetate and colour with a blender pen or waterbrush.

• Line the inside of your stamped image with the markers and use a wet paintbrush, or Aqua Painter to pull the colours around. This gives a lighter version of the colour and is much more subtle than colouring the whole thing with the marker. Looks like you used watercolors to paint it.

• Markers allow you to omit apart of the stamp. Just use them to ink up the part of the image you want to see once stamped.

• You can match the marker color with a paper color without having to purchase the matching stamp pad separately.

• You can colour in a stamp with multiple marker colours and then huff on it (note the technical term “huff” . . . meaning breathe heavily onto the stamp so that moisture from your breath re-moistens the ink on the stamp.) Then stamp on your card stock. In the example below, part of the stamp has been inked in Certainly Celery and part of it in Regal Rose:

(Photo and creation courtesy of Jayne Mercer)

• Use your markers to do the "Thumping Technique". Thumping is not what you do to your husband when he asks a dumb stamping question although this might have merit at times. Rather, thumping consists of inking up a solid stamp with a light-coloured ink. Grab two contrasting markers and open them to their brush tips. Hold the markers as you would drumsticks and thump away onto your stamp. If desired, you can add several more colours. When finished, reactivate the ink by "huffing." Stamp and enjoy.

• When you emboss on vellum and color in the design on the back of the vellum using markers, it looks like stained glass!

• Markers are great for colouring directly onto glossy cardstock.

(Photo and creation courtesy of Michelle Dyson)

• Ink up in a lighter colour and use a darker, same tone marker to "shade" on the rubber before stamping. In the example below, the stamp has been inked up in River Rock and then edged in Always Artichoke. This gives a similar result as rolling the stamp edges with an ink pad.

(Photo and creation courtesy of Marelle Taylor)

• Use the markers on Paper Clay after it is dry. Stamp your image, allow it to dry and then use the markers to colour in the image. This is useful when you are making Paper Clay ornaments, jewellery, etc.

• Use markers to write a personalized message or for journaling in your scrapbooks.

• Use markers to add shadow to a computer printed greeting by just highlighting on one side of the type (such as to the right of each letter.)

• Use the markers to draw lines or shapes on a brayer, and then run the brayer over your cardstock. You can make some great tortoise shell, leopard or gemstone looks on glossy card stock.

• Use markers to colour white ribbon to match your card. You can now have 48 colours of grosgrain with just a couple swipes of the markers. Be sure to have a piece of paper underneath as you color on top of it and rubber gloves might be an idea too. In the example below a white taffeta ribbon has been dyed with a Rose Red marker:

(Photo and creation courtesy of Marelle Taylor)

• Use fine tip to highlight/outline inside edge of panel cards. Cut edge of cardstock with decorative shears and colour edge by using side of marker.

• Use a Bordering Blue marker to show "shadow" around a portion of image. The example below is from my previous post.


• Use on sponge to add colour to stamped images or create specialty backgrounds.

• Use brush tip to make hearts, butterflies, leaves, flowers, raindrops and watermelon seeds.

• Use the markers to fix "mistakes". If your stamped image isn't complete, use a coordinating marker to draw the incomplete lines.

• Emboss with them. Ink the stamp using Versamark then colour on your stamp with the markers. Stamp and emboss with clear embossing powder.


Well that was L O N G but hopefully you've got some new ideas for using marker pens. If you don't have any markers yet, you really can't be without them. Please contact me on 0402 347 010 or email me before 9pm Sunday 14 December to take up this offer.

I'll try to come back later and edit this post to put some pictures in amongst the above notes so it is clearer.

Have a good day.

Love from Crafty Kim

Christmas Lights on Show

Hello,

I'm finally back. Thanks for your patience and I hope to be posting more frequently.

Christmas celebrations have begun and I wanted to share something special with you. In my local area, the Baynie family has created a wonderful Christmas light show in their front yard (at 47 Oakleigh Drive, Thornleigh) for all to enjoy. The display, which the family have been producing for a few years now, is dedicated to the memory of their daughter whom they lost to leukemia when she was aged only in her twenties.

Their neighbours have joined in as well so there are three houses to view. So if you're located somewhere in North West Sydney suburbs, it is worth the trip. Lights are on from sunset until 10.30pm. They are lovely people and most welcoming. While you're out this way, please take a tour of my suburb, Westleigh, lots of families have got into the act, including our family's modest efforts. Please email me for more details of the streets.

If you're not in my local area, there are other light displays all over Sydney. Please visit the 2GB web site for details of the Christmas Lights Hot Spots (make sure you scroll down past the advertisements to see the various homes and locations) and to vote for your favourite display (no prizes for guessing who I'm voting for).

I'll be back posting about paper-craft next.

Love from Crafty Kim

Stampin' Up! Rub-Ons are 20% Off until 30 November 2008

Yes, that's right, Stampin' Up! have two promotions running this month: Individual Markers and 20% off Rub-Ons.

"What is a Rub-On?" I can hear some of you asking. They aren't stickers, they are more like transfers that you apply to your card stock by rubbing them with a "Paddle Pop" stick. They are very popular with scrapbookers who might not have discovered the joy of stamping (yet).

You may be wondering what Rub-Ons are useful for, especially if you're a passionate stamper. In short, why Rub when you can Stamp? Well, Rub-Ons can be applied to many surfaces, such as glass, ceramics, ribbons and textured cardstock. Please forgive me for the quality of the picture but here's a Piggy Bank decorated with a Rub-On:


And here is an example of a Rub-On applied to satin ribbon:

(With thanks to Cassandra Grambau for image and Kendall Joyce for card design)

Notice how the Rub-On above is white? Well Rub-Ons are a quick and easy way to get a solid white image. Much faster than first stamping in Versamark and then embossing with white embossing powder.

Rub-Ons are a good way to get started with paper-craft. With some card stock, Designer Series Paper and rub-ons, you can create a card or scrapbook layout. No stamps or ink pads needed!

Rub-Ons are also very easy to position on the page or card. Because you can see exactly where the Rub-On will be applied, it is easy to create titles from alphabet rub-ons. No need for a stamp positioner. Anyway, better stop there before I convince you not to buy stamps ever again :(

So what's good about Stampin' Up!'s Rub-Ons? Firstly, they co-ordinate with SU! stamp sets and papers but they are also of a high quality. In my experience, SU! Rub-Ons are better than other brands of Rub-Ons for several reasons. For starters, they actually transfer on with ease. With some brands of Rub-Ons, no matter how much you rub the image, some parts of it won't transfer. But SU! Rub-Ons are also less likely to accidentally transfer onto backing/other unintended paper and to crack in storage as well. Price wise, they are 2/3 the price of other premium brands such as Basic Grey (on a per square cm basis).

Anyway, if I've got you interested, there are 5 sets of rub-ons to choose from; each has two sheets of images, one black and one white. Please check out the details of the promotion here. Purchasers will also receive my tips to help you get the most from Rub-Ons.

And so ends the lesson in Rub-Ons. Writing this post has actually inspired me to get my Rub-Ons out and make a Stampless creation. I'll let you know how I get on.

Thanks for reading,

Love from Crafty Kim

Single Markers are Available Now for a Limited Time

Just posting to let you know about this great promotion from Stampin' Up!, running from the 10 until the 30 November 2008.

Stampin' Up! Marker Pens are usually available in sets only; there are 5 sets in total, one for each of the colour families of Bold Brights, Earth Elements, Rich Regals and Soft Subtles plus Neutrals. But now, you can buy individual markers.

The individual markers are available for $4.95 each which is competitive with the pricing of the SU! marker multipacks as well as other marker brands. The advantage of SU! markers over other brands is that they match the SU! card stock, ink pads, and embellishments. My personal experience with using SU! markers to colour directly onto stamps before "huffing" on the rubber and stamping the image onto card stock is that they don't dry too fast on the stamp and the image is very clear, with no patches of missing colour. This gives you time to successfully colour up more detailed stamps with 2 or 3 colours.

If you don't buy anything else, consider buying Bordering Blue or Almost Amethyst to outline your water-coloured image. This is very easy to do and while subtle, it makes your image "pop" out of the page. It is a little tricky to demonstrate using photographs, it is much easier to see the difference between an outline and no outline around the image "in the flesh" but here's the type of outline I'm referring to:

While you're at it, get yourself some SU! Watercolour Paper. It's a bit like your cooking being improved by a high quality frying pan. Your watercolouring will be greatly improved by the use of watercolour paper. I find it hard to use anything else now. Here's the whole card:

(Inspired by Makeesha Byl's Inkspirations)

I've got plenty of other tips on using SU! markers which I'll be including, along with my favourite marker colours, in my November newsletter (due out later this week). Please send me an email if now if you would like to subscribe to my newsletter.

And do yourself one last favour, head over to the website of Alisa Tilsner, a very talented Australian paper-crafter famous for her "colouring in", for her tutorial on using markers.

Bye for now,

Love from Crafty Kim

BOO! My First Halloween Card

Perhaps it should be WOO HOO instead because I'm very happy my camera is back in action. Have you noticed that it has become more common in Australia to observe Halloween? When I was a child, I don't think I even knew it existed or what it was about. But this year the "$2 shops" were full of things Halloween and in my bushy suburb of north west Sydney (Australia), kids were out trick-or-treating. This year I was slightly more prepared for the door knockers, last year they got sultanas.

Now, before you think this here Aussie country has gone the way of the Americans, did you know that Halloween originated in Europe? It has its origins in an ancient Celtic festival, known as Samhain (a word of Irish origin). Traditionally, the festival was a time used by the ancient Celtic pagans to take stock of supplies and slaughter livestock for winter stores. The Gaels believed that on October 31, now known as Halloween, the boundary between the living and the deceased dissolved, and the dead become dangerous for the living by causing problems such as sickness or damaged crops. Costumes and masks were worn at the festivals in an attempt to mimic the evil spirits or placate them (Source: Wikipedia). And something wonderful has come out of the modern day Halloween; it is estimated that children have collected more than USD119 million for UNICEF since the inception of "Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF".

But for me, Halloween represents another card making opportunity and I've been quite attracted by the images of owls, ghosts, cats, witches and the like. So last night, I had a play. Using Sharon Davies' card for colour inspiration (thanks Sharon) and a sketch challenge from Makeesha Byl:


The use of purple with the traditional orange and black really lifts the card in my view. I had fun making the scalloped circle edge by punching small black circles and adhering them to the back of the main image card stock. I originally intended to watercolour the ghost stamp but after a few attempts I wasn't satisfied that it was bright enough so I took the easy way out and stamped it on Lovely Lilac cardstock. I was desperate for wide black ribbon too, until I decided to put two strips of narrow black grosgrain together. Good enough.

Thanks for looking. Have a great week.

Love Crafty Kim

Free Digital Subscription for Creative Paper Magazine on Offer

Thank you to Alisa Tilsner for making me aware of this offer which I am now passing on to you.

A six month digital subscription to Creative Paper magazine will usually set you back $29.95, but for a limited time, you can subscribe for FREE, no strings attached. Just click on picture above.

Take up the offer to be inspired. There's often Stampin' Up! creations in this magazine.

Love from Crafty Kim

Sydney Paper Crafts Festival

(Image courtesy of Creative Living Media)

Another quick note to remind you that the Paper Crafts Festival is on at the end of this week. Unfortunately I won't be sharing in the fun of being on the Stampin' Up! stall but Angela, Vanessa, Lin Mei and Teneale will all be there to meet you and showcase Stampin' Up! products. I think there will be a free make-and-take as well as prizes to win daily.

All the details about the Show, can be found here. I hope you can get along; I'm planning to go as a visitor on Friday so I might see you in the crowds.

Enjoy,

Love from Crafty Kim

20% Discount on Selected Stamp Sets - Offer Closing Soon

Hello again,

I'm just posting quickly to remind you that the Stampin' Up! 20th Birthday Celebration Promotion ends soon.

My camera is still out-of-action :( so here's a card made by another Stampin' Up! fan using one of the sets on promotion: Crab and Company. Thanks very much to Candy Williams for allowing me to use her creation and photo to show you a card idea using this set.

(Idea and photo courtesy of Candy's Land)

This set is definitely in the "cute" category of stamps but it is quite versatile. I've seen beautiful Christmas and birthday cards made with it, and also romantic cards too. For lots of more card ideas using this set, please visit the Split Coast Stampers website.

If you want to order any of the discounted stamp sets, please contact me on phone 0402 347 010 or email me with your order by 5pm on 31 October 2008.

Thanks for reading,

Love KimT

Happy Birthday Jayne

Today is Jayne Mercer's birthday. Jayne is a talented paper-crafter and introduced me to Stampin' Up! in June 2006. And we've been friends since then.

Have a great day with your family Jayne.

I hope you enjoy these balloons, created by David Taylor from Mad Balloons:

(Design and Photo Courtesy of Mad Balloons)

Love from Crafty Kim

P.S. If you'd like to keep partying, then hop on over to these blogs:

Alana

Carol

Merryl

Jo

Kari

Margaret

Beth

Suzanne

Checking In

Hello everyone,

Yep, I'm still breathing. Please accept my apologies for the absence of posts in the last week. Thanks to those faithful blog followers who keep popping back hoping to find a new post from me.

I've been keeping busy in the last week. I hosted my Get Ready for Christmas paper-craft event last weekend and today was the official Pink Ribbon Day (to raise funds for breast cancer research and patient services). I'll be posting news about these soon.

But first, some housekeeping. Remember this image? I am pleased to announce that Robyn A, Carolyn and Robyn L determined the stamp set to be Always from the SU! Spring Mini Catalogue. The card came from Yvonne Campbell, and here it is in full:


Clever Yvonne has used her Garden Green and Real Red markers to colour the stamp. Then after stamping, she has applied Crystal Effects to the red berries to give them shine and dimension. Thank you to Yvonne for sharing her card idea.

Robyn A, Carolyn and Robyn L will each be receiving a sample of this card and a small selection of Accents and Elements (Christmas stickers) which are also from the SU! Spring Mini Catalogue. Now, my camera is currently out-of-action so I can't photograph these stickers for you but with thanks to my Stampin' Up! family of demonstrators, I can show you some creations from another SU! demonstrators to give you an idea. Here they are:

(With thanks to Sharon Davis for idea and photo)

Gorgeous aren't they? Thank you again to Sharon for helping me through my current camera drama.

I've got lots to share so please keep checking back, there will be plenty of new posts to view this week. But for now, I need to unpack and sort my supplies after the recent Christmas event. And some housework and sleep might be needed too.

Love you later,

Crafty Kim

Making Christmas Cards from Non-Christmas Stamps

So you thought I was here to persuade you to purchase Christmas-themed stamps, right? Not exactly*, please read on.

I guess I've been in the Christmas frame-of-mind for weeks now because Michelle Dyson and I have been busy preparing for our Get Ready for Christmas Event coming up this Saturday (25 October 2008) - only 5 sleeps to go. When you consider it, many images from various Stampin' Up! stamp sets can be used to create Christmas cards. Here's a Christmas card where I have used Baroque Motifs:


And here's another where I have used Little Pieces:


Of course, it helps to stamp a Christmas greeting to make the festive connection abundantly clear but there's no doubt even in my muddy mind that these are Christmas cards. What other SU! stamp sets do you like to use to make Christmas cards? Here's one that another demonstrator (who will remain anonymous for now) thought of:

(Photo courtesy of a mysterious but very talented stamper)

Stamp sleuths out there, which stamp set is this image from? And for the technically-minded, how did the stamper create this image? Please leave a comment or email me to let me know. I will reward the first three correct readers with a surprise prize (in keeping with the element of mystery). Offer is not available to those who already members of the Stampin' Up! family but overseas entries most welcome.

And at the Get Ready for Christmas Event on Saturday, I will be demonstrating how to use masking and circle punches to create Christmas cards. If you want to find out more, we'd love you to come along. We're still looking for more people to attend so please don't be shy, phone me on 0402 347 010 or email me!

Love from Crafty Kim

* I happily sell any SU! stamps :)

Introducing Crafty Cow Creations

I've been feeling a bit shabby this end of the week and haven't been up to creating much. So, it's a perfect opportunity to borrow someone else's idea and introduce one of my Stampin' Up! team members to you, the very creative Clare McIllhatton.

Some of us come to paper-craft with no history of craft and without a clue as to how to create a work of art. Not so with Clare who can actually draw (unlike me who stamps for that very reason). Since meeting Clare in January this year, I've noticed she comes at her paper-craft quite differently from conventional stampers. With unique and admirable results.

Back at our team weekend away in August, we were set a colour challenge to make a card using Groovy Guava, Blush Blossom, So Saffron and Wild Wasabi:


Here's my card using True Friend from the SU! Spring Mini Catalogue:


Adequate you might say but a definite "Ho Hum", bordering on "Yawn Yawn". Far too much So Saffron for my comfort.

And here's the card Clare made:


Much more interesting and fun. Clare created her own template for the fish bowl (just drew it up) and, used some sponging with torn paper and blue and green ink pads, to give the rippled water background. The black outline is made with the Stamp Write Journaler and the white accent is from the White Uniball Signo Gel Pen. The stamp set is Fishy Friends and you can't quite see it from the photo, but she has used Crystal Affects over whole cut out image to give it a shine, allowed it to dry and then adhered it to the bowl using Stampin' Dimensionals. If anyone who can't draw would like a copy of the template, please email me .

I'm excited that Clare is going to be demonstrating her talents at the upcoming Get Ready For Christmas Craft Event on 25 October 2008. She is based in South West Sydney so if you're out that way and would like a local demonstrator, please contact her by email . Otherwise, keep an eye on her new blog for great ideas, especially for all things kid-related. She has three cherubs of her own and in another life, taught art to children at school.

Just one more of her creations to finish off:


Who doesn't remember Cookie Monster from Sesame Street? A great use of the Stampin' Up! scallop punch (you need one, trust me). For more details on how to make this card, please email Clare .

Hopefully I'll be back on track with more creations to share soon.

Love from Crafty Kim

Quick Scrappin' - Photo Board

I prepared this Photo Board as a make-and-take for a group of scrapbookers that I try to join every month at Brush Farm Bowling Club (warm "hello" to everyone in the group). Its actual size is 14 x 14cm. This one is free standing (i.e. it has a stand at the back). But my friend, Rachel English, suggested that some well placed magnets on the reverse would make it perfect for the fridge in your kitchen or the filing cabinet at your office.

I have used some of the bright Summer Picnic Designer Series Paper from the Stampin' Up! Spring Mini Catalogue to cover a thick, square piece of plain chipboard. The co-ordinating colours for this paper are Bashful Blue, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red and Old Olive. I chose to use Bashful Blue and Pumpkin Pie as the complimentary colours for my paper. The use of the Spiral and Tab Punches as well as the addition of some Pumpkin Striped Grosgrain and a Bashful Blue Brad is all I've done to complete the look.

The picture of Ashley and I, taken at Taronga Zoo on an overcast day in July, isn't brilliant in terms of focus or colour. One day I'll get the hang of digital photography - until then I keep experimenting with different papers and printers. The photo is not fastened down with adhesive, it is only held by the clip. So, if you get an updated photo, you can just clip it into place. For a step-by-step instruction on how to quickly create a photo board of your own visit Makeesha Byl's Tutorial (with thanks Keesh).

I'm thinking these photo boards would make nice, easy and affordable gifts for teachers, grandparents and the like for Christmas.

Thanks for visiting my web site.

Love from Crafty Kim

It's Beginning to Look Alot Like Christmas - But Will You Be Ready?

To me it feels like the shops put out their Christmas decorations and gifts and start playing the carols earlier every year. This year, my local supermarket was at it straight after Father's Day. Is your experience similar?

You'd think we would take the hint and get going on our Christmas craft-making early. One can never really start too early on making Christmas cards and other gifts.

Now, if you're already sorted, there's no need to take the following seriously; you might even want to indulge in a bit of laughing and head-shaking. But, if you're like most of us, and you still need to make your Christmas goodies, please pay attention.

Michelle Dyson and I still have a few spots left for our Get Ready for Christmas Event on Saturday 25 October 2008. Click here for all of the details.

Michelle and I have been preparing for the day and I'm feeling very excited and confident that it will be a "blast". I speculate you might even be sorry if you don't come along. And it's not only about card-making, there'll be scrapping and other projects on offer.

If you're already coming along, you'll soon receive an email from me confirming your registration and providing more details of the event. We're very keen to extend our invitation to your friends so please spread the word. If you introduce us to someone new to our Stampin' Up! businesses, we'll give you a gift in appreciation.

For all enquiries and registrations, please phone me on 0402 347 010 or email me .

Don't miss it!

Love from Crafty Kim

Kristina Werner Colour Inspiration #25

For the uninitiated, Kristina Werner is a graphic designer based in the USA who is also passionate about card-making and scrapbooking. She's taken to setting colour challenges to inspire her blog readers in their paper-crafting.

I've only done one of Kristina's Challenges before but I really like these colours so I decided to make a humble start on this latest inspiration. Now, seeing as Stampin' Up! is celebrating its 20th birthday with 20% off selected stamp sets including Short and Sweet, I decided to add another challenge - to use the Short and Sweet set as the only stamps.

Here is the resulting card:


Okay, it's not going to win any awards but given the simplicity of the stamp set, I'm quite content with the result. Given my use of the Print Designer Series Paper in background, there's lots of green happening but the other colours, especially the Whisper White, save the day.

There are no tricky bits to this card and it is easy to make by looking at the card, so I'll just list the project recipe:

Stamps - Short and Sweet
Paper - Certainly Celery Designer Series Paper
Card - So Saffron, Ruby Red, Ballet Blue, Whisper White, Certainly Celery
Ink - So Saffron, Ruby Red, Ballet Blue, Certainly Celery
Ribbon - White and Celery narrow grosgrain
Punches - 1/8, 3/4 and 1 inch circle, Word Window and corner rounder punches

If you also like this Short and Sweet Stamp Set, you don't need to deliberate too much. It's only $24 this month. Great value for 12 stamps including words and images. Please ring me on 0402 347 010 or email me to take up this offer.

Thanks for visiting and please keep coming back. I'm aiming for 100 visits to my blog each day and every visitor is welcome and appreciated.

Love from Crafty Kim

Pink October - In Support of Breast Cancer Patients and Research

Some of you will know that I am a Breast Cancer survivor. So, please indulge me when I write to publicise Breast Cancer Awareness Month or what I term Pink October. You'll see lots of pink this month in Australia.

Pink Ribbon Day on the 27 October 2008 is a joint initiative of the National Breast Cancer Foundation:


and the Cancer Council of Australia:


There are various fundraising activities happening this month such as the sale of Pink Ribbon Merchandise, Girls Night In and the Pink Ribbon Motorcycle Ride.

I'm pleased to report that Scrapbooking Memories Magazine has a special issue planned, with heart warming stories and stunning projects to inspire. Plus, they are donating 10 cents of every copy of sold at Australian newsagencies and major chain and grocery stores to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. So look out for this issue:


And it is never too late to book a Stampin' Up! gathering for a Girls Night In. If your October is already booked up, consider November, the NBCF and Cancer Council of NSW gladly accept money for breast cancer causes at any time.

Lastly, for all those readers who do support the breast cancer cause, please accept my heartfelt thanks for helping people like my family and I. And to young women especially, please examine your breasts regularly to detect a breast tumour early. Don't think it can't happen to you, I was 34 years old with a 12 month old infant at the time of diagnosis. And my cancer had already begun to spread beyond my breast. But don't be scared to get any abnormalities checked because most breast lumps are not cancer.

Thanks for reading this message, I very much appreciate your attention to this compelling subject.

Love from Crafty Kim

20% Discount on Simply Sent Kits - Offer Closing Soon

This lovely card was designed and made by Carol Dunstan. She has come up with lots of extended usage ideas for the Simple Delights Simply Sent Kit which is currently discounted by 20%. But, please note, this offer ends tomorrow = Saturday 11 October 2008. So, please phone me on 0402 347 010 or email me as soon as possible, if you wish to take advantage of this offer.

The colours in this Kit are Sahara Sand, Chocolate Chip and Bashful Blue which are soft and elegant and the stamps are in the style of Stampin' Up!'s Tapestry collection. Here's another card from Carol's creations:


Thanks again to Carol for sharing her work, especially helpful for me as I don't personally own the Simple Delights Kit so I haven't had an opportunity to play and make cards from it.

If this Kit isn't your style, there are four others to choose from. Go to pages 12 - 14 of the main Stampin' Up! catalogue to view them. There's one to suit everybody.

Thanks for looking, please keep visiting.

Love from Crafty Kim

World Card-Making Day Promotion

Yes, there is such a thing as World Card-Making Day. Not quite up there with Christmas but a novel idea for card-makers. This year it fell on Saturday 4 October. I was scrapbooking with my friends at Brush Farm Bowling Club that day so, most unusually, I wasn't making cards.

But Stampin' Up! is offering 20% off its Simply Sent Kits from the 4 - 11 October 2008 to coincide with World Card-Making Day. If you don't know about Simply Sent Kits, they appear on pages 12 - 14 of the main Stampin' Up! catalogue. They make a great gift, especially for new card-makers and stampers. The cardstock is pre-cut, and there are instructions for making the suggested cards. Last year, I gave one as a get well gift to a new craft friend who was recovering from surgery. At the end of this year, I'm going to suggest one as the class gift for my son's school teacher. I'm even contemplating buying one for my Mum who is yet to make a card (not a huge recommendation is it, when your own Mum hasn't attended one of your classes)!

The kits might be useful for when you travel too, because they are compact, and contain everything you need. Who knows? Instead of packing your whole craft stash, you might be able to fit some clothes into your bag for a change ;)

And for more confident/experienced card-makers, you don't need to be limited by the suggested card ideas. There are plenty of ways to extend or "step up" the card ideas in the kits. And if you use up all the supplies in the kit, you've still got the stamps. To give you an idea, The Sending Happy Thoughts Kit shown in the picture above was also used by Kristin Moore to make this card:


As an aside, doesn't Purely Pomegranate go well with Bordering Blue and Night of Navy?

I can already hear some of you saying "I don't need another flower stamp". Fair enough. But don't think the Kits contain only flower images; there are five Kits to choose from, each with a different style. For more information on this promotion, please contact me on 0402 347 010 or email me. Please don't delay though, the promotion is for one week only.

Love from Crafty Kim

Baby Jumpsuit Card

Congratulations to Suzanne, Wesley, Luke and Robert on the birth of baby Matthew. Three boys. I read somewhere that the average life span of mothers of only boys is less than that of those with only girls. Now why would that be, hmmmmm....anyway enough philosophy, here's the card I finally made to congratulate them all on the new arrival:


It is approximately A6 in size but is in the shape of a baby jumpsuit. I'm really pleased with the result. This card style would also make great baby shower invitations because they are quite easy and quick to do. The original design and instructions come from Lauren Meader. I decided to use Bashful Blue as the base card and the "Happy New Baby" greeting from the Level 1 hostess, For A Friend stamp set. Since this greeting has some small flowers on it, I used the small flowers from Little Pieces stamped in the same blue and Whisper White. Then, thanks to Marelle Taylor's suggestion, I added Faux Stitching to the arms with the Mat Pack, Piercing Tool and White Gel Pen and matching Bashful Blue Eyelets as press studs the bottom. Done (at last - the babe is 6 weeks old).

Love from Crafty Kim

Is there a Baby Boom happening?

My friend, Mia, who is an early childhood nurse, tells me September/October is the peak period for births. That's certainly true for my circle of friends, there's plenty of new babies around.

While I was up in Queensland, one of my SU! team, Kendall had a baby girl, Savannah Dawn. A new daughter for husband, Daniel, and a little sister for Amelia (Millie). Here's the card I made for them all:


The design is largely inspired by a card from Marelle Taylor. I've used the big and small flowers from the Little Pieces and Big Pieces stamp sets, stamped in Pretty in Pink and Regal Rose on Whisper White card stock. I've pieced together a baby from the All In The Family stamp set and mounted it on a scallop made using the Scallop Circle Punch.

The "Welcome Baby" greeting is from the Short & Sweet stamp set which is great value this month at 20% off its normal price. Both words and graphics for under $24!

Thanks for looking,

Love from Crafty Kim

Happy 20th Birthday Stampin' Up!

It's been 20 years since Shelli Gardner and her sister began Stampin' Up! in the USA. Now with operations in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, UK, France and the Netherlands, the company has come a long way and is a great credit to Shelli and her family.

To celebrate, Stampin' Up! is offering 20% off the normal retail price for the following select stamp sets when you spend $20 or more on regular catalogue merchandise:

Item	Page #	Description	Regular Price	20% Off Price
112594	37	Big Bold Birthday	$53.95	$43.16
108894	38	Pretty Princess	$45.95	$36.76
108753	51	Birthday Best	$25.95	$20.76
110246	55	Crab & Company	$52.95	$42.36
112318	118	Short & Sweet	$29.95	$23.96

(Please note that 5% postage and handling does apply to the above prices)


You can view these stamp sets in the online SU! catalogue

The offer closes at 9pm on the 31 October 2008 so to take it up, please contact me on mobile 0402 347 010 or email me before then.

Back with more soon.

Love from Crafty Kim

Take Two on "The Swap Card That Wasn't"

Remember this post? Thanks to Michelle, Robyn and Marelle for your suggestions on how to improve the card as well as to others such as Leonie who praised it when I lacked confidence in my creation.

Here's what I came up with in the end:


The changes are background stamping with French Script (now replaced by En Francais), some extra layering of card stock, addition of scalloped corners (made using the Slit Punch) and more half-pearls, one in each corner. The heart from the Always stamp set and overall colouring of Blush Blossom and Groovy Guava, the "For You" greeting from the One of a Kind stamp set and the white taffeta ribbon all remain as per the original card. I'm alot happier with the result although I would never have made many multiples of this card for the purpose of swapping. Note to Michelle, this card is on its way to you.

I'm really into the duo of Almost Amethyst and Lovely Lilac at the moment so decided to extend this card idea into the following card:


This card shape fits into a DL envelope and I've used Almost Amethyst Print Series Designer Paper for the background. I've placed another "For You" greeting (this one from the Occasional Greetings set) punched out with the small oval punch. Note to Robyn, this is on its way to you.

Only one more sleep and I'll be back home in Sydney. I've had a grand time stampin' with Cass. It all ends too soon.

Love from Crafty Kim

Finishing Soon - A Wheely Good Deal

I CASE'd this card from another 2008 Stampin' Up! Convention card swap (unfortunately giving credit to the designer of the inspiring card will have to wait until I return home where I have my SU! records).

I've used the Bodacious Bouquet stamp set stamped in Real Red (flower) and Certainly Celery (leaves) on Whisper White card stock and then cut the image out. It is mounted on Kraft card stock which has first been stamped with Itty Bitty Backgrounds in Versamark and then wheeled in Whisper White ink using the co-ordinating jumbo wheel, Bodacious. The base card stock is Black and I've added a "For You" greeting from the Occasional Greetings stamp set in Real Red ink on Whisper White card stock. The small Oval Punch is just the right size for this greeting. The Natural Hemp Twine also works well with the Kraft card stock.

Until 9pm on Tuesday 30 September 2008, you can receive the jumbo Bodacious wheel FREE when you order the Bodacious Bouquet stamp set. Please phone me on 0402 347 010 or email me to take up this offer.

I'm still in sunny Queensland and Cass is already at her craft desk waiting for me to join her so I must rush off.

Love from Crafty Kim

Get Ready for Christmas Craft Day - Save the Date

Hello from Queensland where I am visiting my close friend, Cassandra. I'm using her camera and computer to make this post - thanks for sharing Cass.

Now that I've re-stocked my supply of PINK Columbines (not sure what happend to the blue ones), I can show you one of the projects for an upcoming event. It's a double purse made from SU! Designer Series Paper and Satin Ribbon, filled with sweets and embellished with a stamp from the Season of Joy stamp set. By using different paper, ribbon and embellishments it can be made to suit kids, men and anyone who loves confectionery. Or fill it with other goodies like bath salts, lottery tickets or a gift card.

If you're on my mailing list, you should have received an email invitation recently inviting you along to our "Get Ready for Christmas" Stamp and Scrap-a-thon on Saturday 25th October. My good friend and fellow Stampin' Up demonstrator, Michelle Dyson, and I are getting together to host this great day, to help you prepare for Christmas! We'll be demonstrating some gorgeous Christmas projects, and providing our stamps and a selection of tools for your use, and there will be plenty of tables to spread out your projects. There will also be challenges to participate in if you wish and prizes to be won, along with a goody bag of Christmas project materials for each guest.

Where: Pennant Hills Bowling Club, 52 Yarrara Rd, Pennant Hills

When: Saturday 25th October 2008, 9.15am - 4.45pm, come when you can, leave when you absolutely have to!

What's provided?: Morning and afternoon snacks, tea, coffee and water. Other drinks and lunch will be available to purchase from the Club bistro, or take a short stroll to the local cafes. Use of our tools and stamps, a goody bag and prizes are also on offer, along with loads of inspiration and fun!

What to bring?: Your projects to work on, basic tools and adhesives, lunch if you'd like to picnic at the nearby park.

Cost and registration details: The early bird price is $30, payment is required at the time of registration. We can accept cash, cheque, bank direct deposit, Paypal or credit card (Mastercard or Visa) Early bird registrations close Sunday 28th September. To register, please phone me on 0402 347 010 or email me. Full price registration fee after the 28th September is $35, and registrations close Friday 17th October 2008.

Places are limited, so please book early to avoid disappointment. Didn't get an invitation? Contact me with your email or mailing address and I'll send one straight out!

Welcome Nathan James

It's been a busy few days but I finally got to making a baby card. My beautiful friend, Kathryn, has been blessed with a gorgeous boy, her third son. Big brothers Thomas and Benjamin are thrilled with their new brother. Ben, is especially proud to be a big brother for the first time after nearly five years of being the little brother.

In the words of Don Herold..."Babies are such a nice way to start people". I couldn't agree more.

The starting point for this card was Bashful Blue. I looked at my trusty Colour Wheel and found that it teams well with Brilliant Blue. I tried teaming the blues up with Barely Banana and it wasn't in any way offensive but it was hardly eye catching. All by myself, I came up with Pumpkin Pie instead (with apologies to Michelle Dyson who has an aversion to orange). But what else? I'm thinking green but what green? So I went for a visit to Stampin' Up! Colour Combos site and plugged in the colours in use. Back came Whisper White (obviously), Gable Green and Wild Wasabi. I do like Wild Wasabi but I love the soft freshness of Gable Green.

I was away...I love giraffes and have a few of them in my collection. I decided to use the little giraffe from Little Hellos and use the Spotlight Technique. I just coloured the giraffe with an orange pencil since Brilliant Blue smudges if you try to water colour or use a blender pen on the image. I used the corner rounder punch to create a scalloped edge and then the 1/8 inch circle punch to add the holes to the scallops. I love the new Silver Hodge Podge from the Spring Mini Catalogue so I framed the words "baby boy" from Everyday Flexible Phrases with silver. I couldn't leave my ribbon reel in its home so Pumpkin narrow grosgrain was threaded behind the silver frame. I used my favourite pad, Versamark, with Itty Bitty Backgrounds to stamp the Gable Green base card.

So, if you're ever faced with a colour dilemma, be sure to solve it by visiting the Colour Combo site. There's always a link to it on this web site, on the right under "Places I like to visit".

I have been working on a Christmas novelty item today and bought some Pascalls Columbines for the purpose. Unfortunately, I was unable to complete the project due to a shortage of the lollies. It seems the manufacturers put less in the bag than they once did ;)

So I'll be back right after I've re-stocked the Columbine supply.

Love from Crafty Kim

P.S. Note to my lovely friend Suzanne, also a recently appointed mother of three boys, if you're reading this. I know baby Matthew is older than baby Nathan and I still owe you a visit and a card. You're not forgotten. Thanks for your patience.