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