Challenge Started

It feels good to make a start on a challenge, I'm sure it will feel even better when I finish it.
The task I set for myself was to use every stamp set I own in the current catalogue and make 3 cards with it.  First of all I needed to sort out my stamp sets and decide how to tackle this challenge.  I decided to go in alphabetical order so today I have All In The Family and Artistic Etchings.

When I looked at the stamp sets I decided I would try and do some catalogue caseing as each year I love the examples in the catalogue, but rarely do I actually case them so, the first card is a case from page 57.

The next two cards I used my children as the inspiration.  I have used the DSP Just Add Cake on the All In The Family cards.

Artistic Etchings was one of those sets I just had to have as soon as I saw it and I have used it quite a lot.  This card is again a catalogue case, this one is from page 97.

I thought the Simply Scrappin Kit Tickets and Tags would go really well with this set and I am pleased with the result.

Now one without the Eiffel Tower!! When I finished this one it seemed like a great male card so I added the Happy Father's Day sentiment.

That's all for today, hopefully I will keep up with the challenge and have more to post very soon.  I think Aviary is next on the list.

Can it really be that long ago....

It really has been a long time since I posted on my blog.......So I guess this is my come back post!!!
Life has been busy with the last 12 months a bit of a blurr, but I feel I am finally finding the balance again! And that balance includes some time for stamping - yeah!!!!!

While my stamping time has been limited I have found time to do a few things since my last post, including 2 wonderful stampathons (one in Oct 2011 and the other April 2012).  Both days were lots of fun and full of creativity. I will also show you some cards I have made recently.

But first the reason I have started blogging again.
Today I realised that the current Stampin' Up! catalogue will finish in a few months sooooooooooooo I have set myself a challenge.............................................
My challenge is this...to use every stamp set I own in the current catalogue.  To do this I have decided to make at least 3 cards with each set, and blog them!
Since I only decided this today I haven't got anything to blog yet so here are some of the cards I have made since my last post in September.

 This one was for my Aunty's 70th Birthday.  She is a fantastic card maker herself so it was a challenge to make something special for her.  This is actually a case from the catalogue (pg 102). The DSP is from this years Sale-a-bration.

 The stamp set in this one is from Sale-a-bration also.

My niece turned 13 in January and this is the card I made for her.

The next 3 were made for 3 of Paige's friends who all turned 10 recently.

So as you can see I have done some stamping, just been slack blogging about it.  But stay tuned as I promise to blog about my challenge.......

New Catalogue

Wow how exciting is September!! The new 2011 -2012 Ideas Book and Catalogue has been launched and it is full of wonderful new stamps and products. One of the many new things is fabric. Yes that's right we now have a fabric range that coordinates with other Stampin' Up! products. To view the new catalogue on line click on the image on the side of my blog. If you would like your very own copy then please contact me for details.

Another very exciting change in the new catalogue is the hostess benefits. There has been an overhaul of the hostess benefits and you now have a lot more flexibility with hostess dollars and the chance to earn products at 50% off, so if you are interested in earning hostess dollars contact me to learn how.

Also in September Stampin' Up! have a fantastic Mini Starter Kit promotion, where you can join the Stampin' Up! family for only $169 and enjoy all the wonderful benefits of being a demonstrator - see flyer on side of my blog. And if you would like more details feel free to contact me.

My order of new goodies hasn't arrived yet (I was expecting it today, but no luck - fingers crossed for tomorrow), but I have two projects I made with sneak peak products. My plan is to have time this coming weekend to play with new stuff (including fabric) so there will be more projects to show soon.

Stamp Set: Pennant Parade, Sincere Saluations
Cardstock: 2011-2013 In colors (Indigo Island, Pool Party, Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade and Wisteria Wonder) Whisper White
Ink: 2011-2013 In colors
Accessories: Lattice embossing folder, Petitie Pennants Builder Punch

Stamp Set: Pennant Parade
Cardstock: Wisteria Wonder, Flirtatious Specialty Designer Series Paper
Accessories: Petitie Pennants Builder Punch, On Board Merry Medley, Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die, Basic Pearls.

My Husband's Birthday

Well for the couple of weeks leading up to Andrew's 40th Birthday he was a little, shall we say "in denial"...So I decided not to put a big 40 on the front of his card, but I couldn't resist making it look "aged". Since we had already celebrated Birthdays in Port Douglas the actual day of his birthday was some what low key (just the way he wanted!). We had a most pleasant afternoon with a long lunch at Jack Rabbit Winery. The kids had a great time running around while we enjoyed delicious food and wine on a rare sunny winters day!!

Stamp Sets: Lovely as a Tree, Teeny Tiny Sentiments and Woodgrain (difficult to see in photo - background on Early Espresso)
Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Old Olive, Very Vanilla and Early Espresso
Ink and Markers: Early Espresso and Old Olive, Tea Stain (from disressing kit).
Accesories: Distressing kit, Satin Ribbon, Brad, Oval and Word Window Punches.

New Stuff

My sneak peak preorder and the brand new 2011-2012 Ideas Book and Catalogue arrived on Monday....all I can say is wow!! Whenever a new catalogue is launched I sit down and write a first instinct wish list. This year it is quite a long list which suprised me. I honestly thought since it is my 4th new catalogue as a demonstrator (and I have lots of stuff) there wouldn't be too much must have new stamps and accessories. Well I was wrong!!! There are some great new stamp sets and I think I love nearly all the new Designer Series Papers and as for the ribbons....I could go on and on. So if you want to see what I am all excited about contact me to order your very own copy of the new catalogue which goes live on September 1st.

Unfortunately I am working (in my real job) extra hours at the moment and so I haven't had much time to play with my new stuff, but I managed to get these 2 cards made on Monday night.
This first one I made using the new In Colors.

Stamp sets: Pennant Parade
Cardstock: Calypso Coral, Pool Party, Lucky Limeade, Wisteria Wonder, Island Indigo and Whisper White
Ink: Calypso Coral, Pool Party, Luck Limeade, Wisteria Wonder and Island Indigo
Accessories: Petite Pennants Builder Punch, Itty Bitty Punch, Hemp Twine and Basic Jewel Rhinestones

The second card was a set I saw at convention and knew I would have to have it, so it was a definate on my preorder.
Stamp Sets: Forever Young, Teeny Tiny Sentiments
Cardstock: Lucky Limeade, Whisper White and Early Espresso DSP
Ink: Lucky Limeade and Early Espresso
Accessories: Scallops Dot Ribbon (Chocolate Chip), Large Oval and Word Window Punches, Big Shot, Beautiful Wings Embosslit Die and Basic Jewel Pearls.

Hopefully I will get time to play more over the coming weeks so check back to see more new products.

Also our next Stampathon is on Saturday 22nd October 2011. It will be a Christmas theme so keep the date free and look out for more info soon.

Sneak Peak

It is a very exciting time of year for Stampin' Up! The retiring list has been released (click on the link on the side to check it out) and August is your last chance to order anything on this list. Because on the 1st September our brand new 2011-2012 Ideas Book and Catalogue is available.

One of the fantastic benefits of being a demonstrator is we get sneak peaks at new products and are able to preorder select items from the new catalogue. I have already placed my preorder and am hoping it will arrive soon!!!
When I attended convention in May we were given this new set which will be available in September so this is my first sneak peak.

Stamp Sets: Creative Elements, Teeny Tiny Sentiments
Cardstock: Wild Wasabi, Daffodil Delight, Pacific Point and Whisper White
Ink and markers: Wild Wasabi, Daffodil Delight, Real Red and Pacific Point
Accessories: Basic Pearls, crimper and spritzer.

As soon as my preorder arrives I will make some more sneak peak samples to show you, including the new in colors!!

Monsters and Weddings

I have two projects to share with you today. The first one is a Monster Birthday Card made by my 7 year old son Hamish. He had lots of fun creating this and was so very proud of the end result.

Stamp sets: Make a Monster, Teeny Tiny Sentiments
Cardstock: Real Red, Pacific Point, Wild Wasabi, Daffodil Delight and Whisper White
Ink (and markers): Basic Gray, Real Red, Wild Wasabi, Daffodil Delight, Pacific Point, Tempting Turquoise and Tangerine Tango.

This next card is a wedding card I made for a girl at work (she is getting married next week).
As you can see I am loving my lastest edition (Elements of Style).

Stamp Sets: Elements of Style, Teeny Tiny Sentiments
Cardstock: Very Vanilla and Riding Hood Red
Ink (and Markers): Going Gray, Riding Hood Red, Crumb Cake, Pear Pizzazz
Accessories: Dazzling Diamonds