Help Aussie Demos In Need - A new support group!

THIS IS A STICKY POST - SCROLL DOWN FOR UP TO DATE POSTS

In light of the current natural disasters that are occurring in Australia at the moment, I felt that I needed to do something to help our sister demonstrators who have lost their stamping and therefore business supplies. I have created an online Yahoo group called HelpAussieDemosInNeed (HADIN).

Here's how you can help:

If you or someone you know of has been a victim of a disaster (or is affected in the future) which wipes out some or all of their supplies, contact me (soniagarbutt@yahoo.com.au) and give me their contact information.

I will contact them and get their permission, find out what their needs are, where we should send items, and (this is important) when they will be ready to begin receiving gifts of love from other demonstrators.

Once we know that, I will publish a list (kind of like a SWAP list but we won't be swapping, we'll be GIFTING) of what is needed to the HADIN group and people can sign up for what they would like to donate. They will mail the supplies directly to the person in need (please don't send them to me), but not before they are ready to receive supplies. I will co-ordinate the effort so that we don't send duplicates of items that can't be used and so that ALL demonstrators recovering from disasters of all kinds, can receive this outpouring of love and support from our caring family of demonstrators.

Items can be sent directly from you, using overstock or items that you would like to donate or you can place a CDO (Customer Direct Order) and have items shipped to them directly from Stampin' Up!®.

Please, if you know of anyone who has been affected by the recent flooding, storms and bushfires, email me as soon as possible so I can begin contacting them to see how we can help. In some cases, it may be difficult to contact the people, at least in the immediate aftermath of the destruction, but we will do our best.

Till next time, happy stamping...

Just Because

Sometimes there are people who come into your life through the most unexpected channels, yet provide you with so much joy and excitement! Well I have to such blogging buddies, who often email me and leave lovely comments.

I thought it would be nice to make them something special to say thanks! After all isn't that what cardmaking is about? Letting people know that we are thinking of them and that they are special!

Now this is probably not the best photo angle, but the two big boxes in the centre hold family sized Kleenex tissue boxes inside! I got this wonderful tutorial from the very clever Nikki Stalker. Click on this link to go to the tutorial!


I also decided to make co-ordinating notebook as well. I actually removed the original cover and made my own. I used the spiral punch, although I had to double this up as the punch holes were a bit too far apart. I then got a very narrow strip of co-ordinating cardstock and threaded it through the spiral and attached the front cover! Let me tell you, these covers are a vast improvement on the originals, which I think were bright yellow and hot pink!

Now the butterfly and flourish in the pink tissue box are from the new Sale-A-Bration set, Bliss! And the name certainly is so well suited to this set! Remember you can only obtain this set by spending AU$100 or hosting a qualifying party, before 31st March 2010. Contact me to work out the best way to get your FREE rubber!

I'll list the ingredients together... I am sure you can work out which is which!

Card: Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze, Basic Gray, Pretty In Pink, Concord Crush
Ink: Not Quite Navy, Basic Gray, Rose Red, Concord Crush, Pretty In Pink
DSP: Urban Garden (retired), Lap of Luxury
Punches: 1 3/8" Circle, Scallop Circle, Scallop Edge
Tools: Big Shot, Scallop Circle Die, Circle Scissors Plus
Ribbon: Basic Gray 3/8" Taffeta (retired), Baja Breeze Double Stitched Grosgrain (retired), Pretty In Pink 1/2" Striped Grosgrain (retired)
Embellishments: Rhinestones (non-SU), Pearls (non-SU)
Stamp Sets: Fifth Avenue Floral, Just Beleive, Occasional Greetings, Bliss

Till next time, happy stamping...

Tasty Lollipop Cover

Now I know that giant Lollipops are kinda cool on their own, but Rosita designed this cute tutorial for us, over at Inkspirations 4U Valentines and Birthday Extravaganza.

Isn't it just divine? I really loved the flower, which is made from the Heart to Heart punch! Who would have through?

If you are a true giant lollipop fan, you'll know that this photo has been staged! I used a skewer from the kitchen to give the look of it! I don't think this tiny little skewer would have the strength to hold up a giant lollipop.

Till next time, happy stamping...

Classy chocolate box!

Hmmmm... now does the title suggest that I have made a box from chocolate. If that's the case then I am misleading you a wee bit! Now this 'Classy' box holds chocoates or anything small you'd like to put in there!

This tutorial was done up my the marvellous Madeline Morcelo for Inkspirations 4U Valentines and Birthday Extravaganza. Her tutorial was so easy to follow!

Stampin_Up_In_Oz had a colour challenge when I made this. The colours to be used where, Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive and Pumpkin Pie! Hmmm, I am not sure if you've noticed but 'oranges' don't tend to get much of a look in with my projects, so this was a challenge!

Iam sorry to let you know that the ingredients list will not be included, due to the fact that it was an online tutorial.

Don't forget that Sale-A-Bration has started. You can earn FREE stamp sets by spending AU$100, hosting a party (conditions apply) or becoming a demonstrator. Contact me for more information.

Till next time, happy stamping...

Another picture challenge!

I think that Madeline over at Inkspirations 4U has found my weakness! Picture challenges!

Sorry about the size of this picture, but I wasn't able to make it any bigger without major distortion! Anyway if you squint enough you'll be able to make another lovely bed, with pillows and owls on it! Owls, I hear you say! That should be easy! Use the new owl punch.... but I don't have it! So back to the drawing board for me.

Finally I decided to look in the background, so to speak! And what should I see but patchwork! Now if you know me you'll know that I actually enjoy this craft. It's my other creative passion! So would you now beleive that I haven't ever made a patchwork card before? I hadn't and thought that it was obviously time to do something about that!


Most of the cards that I have seen using this technique butt all their squares up together, but I thought I'd leave a wee bit of a gap to give a 'sashing' effect! I also sponged around all the squares in their corresponding colour!

To finish the project off I decided it needed a ruffle around the edge. This is really easy to make. Just punch the eyelet border and then run it through your crimper a couple of times to soften it up!

Card: Wild Wasabi, Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Pink Pirouette, Bashful Blue
Ink: Rose Red, Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Pink Pirouette, Bashful Blue
Punch: Eyelet Border
Tools: Big Shot, Top Note Die, Crimper
Stamp Sets: Tiny Tags, Short and Sweet, Fun and Fast Notes

Till next time, happy stamping...

My contribution to Inkspirations 4U Valetines and Birthday Extravaganza

Well I guess you've been wondering what I designed for Inkspirations 4U online classes this time round.

Well here it it, we made a super cute mini scrapbook from the fabulous Top Note Die. It had ten sweet little pages to be decorated and filled with Love!


We also had a colour challenge very early on! I don't think that you could ever go wrong with pinks and greys... I know very untechnical names.... but I wanted to include all the lines, tones and hues!



I decided to make the very cute choccy box above! It's adorable I say! I got the tutorial from Becky Roberts 12 days of Christmas and just tweaked it a little. I am sure that it doesn't look Christmassy anymore! LOL!

I'll not be putting ingredients up for these items as they are from online tutorials, but you know where to go to get.... Click on the highlighted links above!

Till next time, happy stamping...

What would you make from this?

Over at Inkspirations 4U we were given this challenge! What do you see?


I was very confused by this photo. These sort of challenges really blow my mind! I can't ever seem to work out what to do. Initially I thought this one was telling me to go to bed, so that's precisely what I did!

When I awoke a little plan had formulated in my head and I decided to use the colours and the double circles to create a card. These colours cried baby to me! Or perhaps that's just where my mind is at the moment! In case you weren't aware, I am going to be an aunty any day now! Or maybe I have already become one, as I am scheduling this post!


I was really happy with this card. It was one of those super easy ones to make that just look great!

Card: So Saffron, Perfect Plum, Wild Wasabi, Chocolate Chip and Bashful Blue
Ink: Perfect Plum, Wild Wasabi, Chocolate Chip and Bashful Blue
Punches: Scallop Trim Border, 1 3/8" Circle, 1 3/4" Circle
Ribbon: 1/4" Bashful Blue Grosgrain
Stamp Sets: Fox and Friends, Curvy Verses

Till next time, happy stamping...

Scare me!!!!!

This is another project that is part of Inkspirations 4U. It's a cute photo frame and co-ordinating card. Please excuse the 'flash' on the window sheet!

I challenged myself to make this for a little boy! I only have daughters and just don't come across boys very much at all! I started with the DSP, which is not my favourite and built the colours from there. I used my new Make A Monster stamp set and I think it's extra cool! So many options!


I am not so sure that I even like this project... actually that's not true. I loved the project... I just don't like this take on it! I think I'll have to keep on working on the boy things!

Now since this is a Project, I am not going to give you any ingredients... if you'd like to know more, get yourself over to Inkspirations 4U!

Till next time, happy stamping...

A happy colour challenge!

Hi all,

I hope you are having a wonderful weekend! I have had a quiet one, just cleaning, cooking, washing, painting... you know all that normal stuff! I have been challenging myself to attempt every challenge and project thrown at us, over at Inkspirations 4U. So far so good, but that's because we got the weekend off, so we've all had a chance to catch up!


This was the second colour challenge thrown at us! I have to admit that I haven't been too friendly with Blushing Bride as yet! I wasn't really sure what to make of this, and suddenly while I was in the shower, I came up with this idea. Do you like my lightbulb moments?

I did a little bit of masking to create the 3D illusion. Then I watercoloured them, by picking up ink from the top of my Classic Ink Pads and a blender pen. Then I mixed Dazzling Diamonds and Crystal Effects and painted the balloons to give them some zing. This takes a whole extra five seconds to do and the effect is fabulous.... well I didn't count the drying time then...lol!



Card: Blushing Bride, Real Red, Baja Breeze, Very Vanilla
Ink: Blushing Bride, Real Red, Baja Breeze, Stazon Black
Ribbon: Real Red 5/8" Polka Dot Grosgrain
Stamp Sets: Crazy for Cupcakes, Party This Way

Come back soon to see the next instalment!

Till next time, happy stamping...

A Holly Krautkremer Design

Today I have a lovely set made from a Holly Krautkremer tutorial! Holly is another Design Team member at Inkspirations 4U. Really you should head on over their and join in all the fun! We have daily challenges and projects! It's so good to see how everyone interprets these and the positive interactive comments are inspiring!


Now I shall not be putting the details of ingredients up here since it is in the class notes. I am sure you understand!

On another note, we can be glad that the Brisbane River didn't reach the expected peak! Unfortunately this didn't stop the millions of dollars worth of damage and the unfortunate loss of life. My heart goes out to those who are dealing with grief at this time. At a time like this when words can't help, please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers!

Stampin' Up!® is such a wonderful company and as such have released today that they will be donating $2 from every stamp set (over $30 value), sold between 15th January 2011 to 15th February 2011, will be going to the Queensland State Emergency Services! I can't think of a better excuse to buy myself some more rubber, knowing that it will be helping someone else.

I can say that I have had some really positive responses to the Help Aussie Demos In Need group (see post above) and hope that if you are a demo you will also join us!

I'll be back soon with more Inkspirations 4U photo's!

Till next time, happy stamping...

Too busy creating to blog....

Isn't it annoying when I don't get online and keep you up to date.... but honestly I have been so busy... creating, and who can deny anyone creating time? Anyway in case you don't know Inkspirations 4U Valentines and Birthday Extravaganza is open and running! We've got a fortnight of classes, already commenced...but you can join now and still get access to all tutorials. Click on the header below for more information!


Okay so here is the first project that I tackled... and it was really easy to tackle! The tutorial was so easy to follow. This gorgeous little album folds out in a variety of funky ways and can hold nine photo's in it! This tutorial was made by Madeline Morcelo herself, the founder of Inkspirations 4U!



As this is a tutorial from an online class, I am not going to give you the ingredients... but join the classes and you'll have all the information at your fingertips.

On a side note, I'd like to let all my readers in QLD know that I am thinking of them. I have had contact from some of my friends and one family has lost their home and anothers livestock and farm is currently under water. They have all got their lives, for which we are extremely grateful, and praying for the safe return of the 90 missing people. If there is anything I can help anyone with please contact me.

Till next time, happy stamping...

This is a sweet card!

Well as I said in my previous post, I have to make a couple of sympathy cards. This is another one that I made.

I actually did this watercolouring before I left Queensland. I had just received my new order from the new Idea Book and Catalogue and was so busy packing! The only place that I could sit and not feel guilty was at the hairdressers. I like to do crafty stuff at the hairdressers, rather than read those gossip mags....


I wish I could tell you which watercolour crayons I used, however I had them all with me and didn't write it down. Sorry!

Card: Whisper White, Pretty In Pink
Ink: Stazon Black
Tools: Aqua Painter and Watercolour Crayons
Punches: Eyelet Border
Stamp Sets: Elements of Style, Great Friend

Till next time, happy stamping...

A sad time..

Well for most of us the end of 2010 and start of 2011 has been a great experience... however for some of my friends they have lost their Grandad and others have had their homes inundated with water from the Queensland floods. I am thinking of them all madly wondering what I can do to help from so far away. Of course, there is nothing like a card to just quietly let someone know that you are thinking of them.... I've got a little time up my sleeve for my wet friends, as they haven't had mail delivered for a little while and will need to let the waters recede before the postie can get through!

This card I made for my friends who lost their Grandad. I decided to use the watercolouring technique as it is this weeks challenge over at Stampin_Up_In_Oz. I used my Classic Ink pads and Blender pens here.


Card: Pear Pizzazz, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie
DSP: Greenhouse Gala
Tools: Blender Pens
Stamp Sets: Growing Green, Curly Cute

Don't forget to get on over to the Inkspirations 4U site and register for the classes starting next week. The early bird special has been extended until today, which is really great for us Australians as our dollar means that it will be even cheaper than normal. You have to get in TODAY (2nd January 2011) to qualify for the early bird special.

Till next time, happy stamping...