Beautiful Wings Butterflies

Another little taster from the new catalogue for you, and I think this product is going to prove very popular - the gorgeous little embossilit die - Beautiful Wings.  I just love the detail and texture you get with these butterflies - five different butterflies (I have used four on this card, there is another, larger butterfly too) and they are so quick and easy to make. 

The colours I have used are Regal Rose (a Rich Regal colour from previous catalogues), and the fruity cocktail of Tangerine Tango (an 'in color' from the last catalogue) and Melon Mambo (from the last mini catalogue).  These three colours now join together in the renamed, regrouped Brights Collection (along with Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Tempting Turquoise, Pacific Point, Rich Razzleberry, Real Red, and the new Daffodil Delight).

The front of the card has some texture thanks to the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder.  The greeting is from the Teeny Tiny Sentiments stamp set.  I was tempted to add some ribbon, but decided that the polka dots and embossed butterflies provided enough texture and interest.   As a bonus, the card is less bulky (and so easier to post!)

These beautiful little butterflies make the perfect embellishment, and are just one of several new dies and embossing folders that the new catalogue has on offer.  Remember that if you don't have a big shot, most of these (including the Beautiful Wings Embossilit die) can also be used with your cuttlebug.

Something Old, Something New...

something that has come out of retirement, and of course, something blue!  No, nothing to do with a wedding, just a card I made to show you some of what is in the new catalogue.  Can you guess which is which?

Something old (Carried over from the last catalogue):

Fifth Avenue Floral Stamp Set (the flower on this card is made from several flowers that have been stamped, cut up, and reassembled)

Cropadile (the little circles in the centre of the flower were punched using the cropadile) and 1" circle punch (for the curves at the end of the greeting)

Something New:

Scallop Trim Border Punch (I used it all around the outside of the mat, and I love it!)

Something that has come out of retirement, or back from a mini:

River Rock  - an old 'in color' that is making a comeback - yay!

Teeny Tiny Sentiments Stamp Set - back from the latest mini catalogue - a very versatile greeting set.

Something Blue:

Baja Breeze - an 'in color' from the last catalogue, that has returned as one of the revamped core color range.

Now, while I love this new border punch, I must confess that my favourite part of this card is the flower.  I love the texture it has, with a few of the petals turned up, and that lumpy, bumpy flower centre.  Worth the effort of cutting out all those flowers anyway!

The new SU! Catalogue is here!

Just in case you hadn't noticed already!  Contact me if you would like a copy of your own, or you can click  here, or on the link over there on the sidebar, to view it online.  In addition to some exciting new products I was also pleased to see some of my favourites from recent mini catalogues are returning, in addition to some of the most popular products from last years catalogue that have been carried over.

The biggest change, and the one that will take me a bit of getting used to, is the colours in this new catalogue.  With the launch of this new catalogue we also get the introduction of the new Stampin' Up! colour range.  Remembering that a lot (a LOT!) of colours have just been retired, the new range includes some brand new core colours, some 'in colors' from previous years that have come out of retirement and are also now part of the core colour range, and of course the new in color range for this year.  Lots of exciting new colours for us to play with, and SU have put together some great value kits to help us get out hands on them.  Click here, or on the colour kit link also over on the sidebar, for more information about those kits.

SU! also have a special offer for new demonstrators available this month.  If you sign up to become a demonstrator not only will you get the usual fantastic deal on your starter kit ($590 worth of product for just $339), but this month only, you will also get the new In Color kit (inkpads and cardstock) worth  $100.90, completely free of charge.  I think that is the best new demonstrator deal SU have ever offered.  If you want more details about that, please contact me, or I can put you in touch with one of my talented team members.

Last chance to get Retiring SU products...

The new Stampin' Up! Catalogue is just a few weeks away, so of course that means last chance to get those products that will be retiring.  The full list of retiring product can be seen online here.  I'm not going to list them all in this post because there are nine pages of retiring products this year - eek - remembering of course with the colour renovation we are saying goodbye to lots of colours (ink, card, embellishments) to make way for some lovely new colours.   

There are 95 stamp sets in the catalogue that are retiring, as well as 15 stampin' around wheels (8 standard size, and 7 jumbo) and all of the hostess sets.

You will see that the punches all appear on the retiring list.  This is because they are being 'reconfigured' into the new punch style we saw in the latest mini catalogue.  

There are five punches that will not be returning though, and these are:

•  Small Star
• Trio Flower
• Double Rectangle
• Horizontal Slot
• Slit

You will also see that some products have been discounted (25-50%) and there are some great bargains.  Some of the highlights of the discounted retiring product:

Three punches - Boho Blossoms, Scallop square, and the scallop oval punch are all 25% off.

17 of the stamp sets are discounted by 25%, and these Six stamp sets are 50% off:

• A Happy Heart (page 34) now $24.98
• Best Wishes and More (page 53) now $28.48
• Greetings Eight (page 57) now $29.48
• Only Ovals (page 93) now $23.48
• Enjoy Every Moment (page 97) now $31.48
• All Scallops (page 105) now $33.48

Many of the markers in the retiring colours are discounted (usually $6.75, now $5.06, or even $3.38 for a couple of colours!) as are many of the stampin' around inked cartridges.

Four of the Simply Sent kits are reduced by 25%

Six of the patterned paper packs are 25% off, and Pink Flamingo has 50% discount (now only $9.98 for 12 sheets of paper)

The Simply Scrappin' kits are all retiring, and the I Wish" Simply Scrappin Kit (page 137) is discounted by 25% 

Lots of embellishments are being retired (ribbons, brads, buttons, chipboard, assorted flower embellishments, rub-ons and glitter) and there are some great bargains to be had here too.

Double-Stitched ribbons in Rose Red, Chocolate Chip and Bashful Blue (page 150) are 50% off - now only $11.75 Several of the other ribbons have 25% off.

The Chunky Sprinkles Glitter (page 145) is also discounted by 50%  (now $18.98 for four colours).

Both the 'Flower Fusion', and 'Flower Fusion Too' felt flower packs as well as the 'Blooms Again' cardstock diecut flowers (page 144) are discounted by 25%.

The 'Blooms' cardstock flower die cuts (also page 144), are 50% off.

Don't forget that all of these retiring products will only be available until 31 August, or while stocks last.  I will try to keep a list up to date of what is running low/sold out already! You can find it by clicking the 'What's gone already?' tab at the top of my blog (right under the photo of Campbell and Bridie looking at the scrapbook).

A reminder also that the Autumn/Winter Mini catalogue will also be ending on 31 August.

Let me know if there is something that you want to order.

Stampin' Up! Convention

Last weekend the annual Stampin' Up! convention was held in Canberra. This convention was for SU demonstrators from Australia and New Zealand, and although I wasn't able to attend, quite a group of lovely ladies from my team were there. By all accounts a fine time was had by all - lots of great awards (congrats ladies), prizes, inspiration, fun and games - well maybe not games, not sure about that bit, but fun anyway.

I was very pleased to hear that I had received a sales award, as had my team mate Kelly Chase. Although we didn't get to go up on stage and receive the award from Shelli Gardner - SU head honcho (not being in Canberra made that a little tricky!) we have apparently had our five seconds of fame anyway - with our names up there on the big screen - yay! A big, BIG thank you to all my lovely friends (new and old) and family who have supported my SU ventures over the past couple of years. It is very much appreciated, and I have had a lot of fun along the way. I hope you have too!

One snippet of info that has come out of convention, which all of you may be interested in, is about our latest Idea book and catalogue. Having just launched on April 1 2009, this latest catalogue will be current until September next year, rather than March 31, like we all had assumed. The reasoning for this is to help bring all of the SU Markets (NZ/Aust, France/Germany/Great Britain, and US/Canada) more in line. If you are anything like me you will be now suffering from a case of 'What ?!' but the good news is, we will now be having three mini catalogues instead of two, to help get us through until September. Based on past mini catalogues, it is safe to say the minis will include new stamps, papers, accessories, and possibly new hostess goodies - as if we needed more stuff on our wish lists!

Now on a totally unrelated note - I have discovered over the past few days, that while some books can provide us will lots of inspiration, others can provide us with total distraction! I am blaming Peter for my total lack of creativity the past few days - he was the one who brought the books home from the library, so he can take the rap. The good news is I finished my book last night, so unless I sneak to the library again today, there is hope for something new coming soon...

More Random Thoughts...

It has been a bit quiet around here this week - you may have noticed that already! The cold I thought was going to be easily beaten has come back for another round - cough cough, sniffle sniffle. Whoever invented Codral Colds - THANK YOU! But maybe next time if they could stop the coughing and sore throats that would be good.

One good thing to come from it though - more inspiration. Who knew a box of tissues could be so helpful! Those boxes are just so darn pretty!

Midst the coughing and sniffling I have managed a bit of creating. I have discovered the problem with having all that inspiration, is not only the lack of time, but deciding where to start. Or trying to stick to one project at a time. I have several things that are at various stages of planning and creating, and will hopefully start sharing those during this week. I have completed a double page layout (does it count as two if it is a double page layout?!) so that will probably be first.

We have also been helping Hayden to make a big papier mache peach for his book report presentation (three guesses what the book is). I love it when we can go to the closet/Mum's 'craft room' and find just what we need. Helps me to justify having the stuff in the first place!

Speaking of stuff, don't forget the embellishment shares that I am running - contact me if you would like to take advantage of this offer. You can find all the details in this post.

Now a few more catalogue related comments...

• You will remember a few posts back I listed some corrections to the new catalogue. I was hoping that would be the end of that, but unfortunately it wasn't. I am pleased that they are now available on the customer SU website - see the link on the sidebar, or click here to go straight to the latest version.
  
• I have also added sidebar links for the supplies list for all the projects shown in the catalogue. If you see something you like, you can check here to see exactly what colours and supplies were used to create it. There are two versions - this one has photos and text, while this one is a text only file.

• Some really good news, is that with this new catalogue SU are making the move to all diecut stamps. Although you will still need to assemble them yourself, you will nolonger have to cut them out first. Although trimming the stamps wasn't difficult, it was a little bit nerve wracking, and certainly time consuming, so I am especially pleased about this. All the new stamp sets are diecut, and all of the stamp sets that have carried over from the previous catalogue will be diecut, once existing 'trim your own' supplies are exhausted.
  
• Did you notice that we now have all the stampin' write markers available individually? YAY! I am especially pleased about this. You can still buy the colour family packs if you want (with the exception of the 'in colors'), but if you prefer, you can now get just your most favourite colours. I have heard about a clever way to make your own 'in colour' markers though, so will share that with you some time soon (have to have a little play myself first!)

• Fingers crossed, it is looking like the shipping delays that we would expect with the end of one catalogue and the beginning of a new one (all those extra orders being placed!) may be finished, and shipping times should be back to 'normal'. There are still some items on backorder, but hopefully they will be arriving soon too.

I am also looking forward to another colour challenge from Kristina Werner coming soon. Why don't you join in too? You don't have to display your project for all the world to see, but I bet you will enjoy it!

(How much am I loving links in this post? Dare you to click on one!)

Told you they were random thoughts! I blame the codral colds.

Embellishment share time...

because we all know it's good to share, and because our wishlists are long, and our budgets may not be, and sometimes you just need a few, not a whole pack, and for lots of other reasons too .....

Let the sharing begin!

Share #1 - Designer Brads (as pictured below, and p148 of the catalogue)

Price per share - $14.60 ($29 for a double share)

There are four great new brad designs - flowers, filigree, circles and stars - each design is normally $14.65 including 5% postage, for a total of 16 brads (eight of each size shown, plus 16 mini brads with the filigree design). If you are like me you want them all!

The way this share will work is that each person will pay for just one pack of brads, with four people per share. You will then receive a mixed brad pack, with two of each design shown - a total of 16 designer brads, and the four little brads that come with the filigree brads. Of course, you will get the container to store them in too - that will make life easier!

Share # 2 - Flower Fusion (see page 144 of the catalogue, or picture below)

Price per share - $12.60

The Flower Fusion pack would normally cost $37.75 including 5% postage, for approximately 130 felt flowers. They come in 14 different flower designs, as shown, and a mixture of three colours - Pumpkin Pie (pictured), Rose Red, and Old Olive. Yum, yum, yum.

The way that this share will work is that each pack of flowers will be divided between three people, with the cost also being shared between three. You will receive a bag of approximately 42 flowers - including each of the 14 designs shown, in a mixture of pumpkin, rose red and olive. (The tin is not included in this share, because, well, one tin between three just doesn't work).

Share # 3 - Flower Fusion Too (see page 144 of the catalogue)

Price per share - $12.60

exactly the same as share #2, but with different colours. The felt flowers in this share are pink pirouette, baja breeze, and chocolate chip. Flower Fusion Too has the same 14 flower designs (as shown above in pumpkin), and once again, you will get a mixture of all 14 designs, and all three colours - approximately 42 total.

For all of these shares, the order will be placed when all the shares are taken. For this round of shares, they can be included as part of a stamp club order. If you are interested please contact me ASAP either on my usual email address, on my new stampy email - tracee.creates@gmail.com

Oh, and just a little reminder - these shares are only open to people in New Zealand.

Now I am hoping this all makes sense. My head is a little fuzzy today. It makes sense in fuzzy world, but if you have questions, please contact me.

I will have some more shares coming soon, including ribbons and 'onboard' embellishments. I am thinking about designer papers too - but I prefer to keep those at 12 x 12 size as I think that is more versatile than a smaller sample, so still thinking on that one. Do remember you can easily organise your own shares for these though - just go halves with a friend!

new pjs

So I think I have about 100 birthdays and other special events waiting to be scrapbooked, and yet somehow, Bridie's new pyjamas made it to the top of the scrapbook to do list.

Actually, I can tell you how that happened. The arrival of Bridie's new pjs, and her resulting obsession, coincided with the arrival of my brand new 'on board so tweet', fresh from the new SU catalogue. Six sheets in the pack - enough birdies to make a lot of pj layouts. And I especially like those branches that you see below, they could be fun.

If you don't have a whole lot of birdy pj photos, remember there are enough pieces in the pack to easily divide between two - four people (and better on the budget too!). See page 146 of the new NZ catalogue for a peek at all the pieces.

The So Tweet chipboard birds were a little fiddly, but not difficult to use. This time I covered them with card - paper would have been a bit easier to use, but I didn't have paper in those colours, so card it was. I did use versamark ink and some background stamps to clear emboss a bit of interest on some of the chipboard pieces. After I had used a craft knife to trim the card from around the chipboard, I used sponges to ink around all the edges - just to help hide any of the bits that may have been a bit wobbly.

I am really loving the ABC alphabet sets at the moment. This time it was the lowercase version for the title - I love the nice clean lines. A little bit of journaling to explain the pj obsession, and stick it all together. To finish up I sponged around the outside of the layout - pink pirouette ink on pirouette card, for a nice subtle look.


Ingredients for this one:

• Card - Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink, Rose Red, Baja Breeze and Whisper white
• Ink - Pink Pirouette, Rose Red, Baja Breeze, and Versamark
• Rose Red and Regal Rose Stampin' Write Markers
• Clear Embossing Powder
• Stamps - Boho Backgrounds, Sanded, ABC Alphabet Lower
• Sticky Strip and Sponges
• On Board So Tweet - (birds and hearts)

Happy Birthday Stampin' Up!

Two years old in New Zealand - and a shiny new catalogue to celebrate! If you preordered a copy and haven't received it yet it shouldn't be far away. If you hadn't preordered, there are still a couple of copies in the bottom of the box, available for $10. Please contact me if you would like one. In the meantime, the catalogue is now available online here, or click on the pretty picture over there on the side bar....>

Now to some random thoughts about the new catalogue....

• firstly, you may have noticed already that the 'recipes' for all the projects shown in the catalogue are nolonger listed in the back. They were apparently left out this time to make more room for goodies. Cannot really complain about that I suppose. The list of materials used is available as a separate file. Contact me if you would like it. I am also hoping that in the VERY near future it will be available on the SU website, at which time, I put a link over there with the catalogue.

• A few typos have been noticed. Annoying, but cannot be helped I suppose (afterall, last year that worked in our favour with super cheap papers all year!) Here is a list, and I am hoping I don't have to add to it in the coming days.

1. Bugs and Kisses - p 60 - the ant is missing from the catalogue, but is still in the set.
2. Dreams du Jour - p 80 - catalogue says it's a two step set, but it isn't.
3. Good Friend - p 99 - a small heart is shown in the catalogue, but is not actually included in the set (but you could cut your own from the rubber scraps?!)
4. In Color striped ribbon - p 126 - price is actually $22.95 (as listed on p 150)
5. Bold Brights Classic ink pads - p 128 - price is actually $13.95
6. Rich Regals Classic ink pads - p 129 - price is actually $13.95
7. Soft Subtles Classic ink pads - p 129 - price is actually $13.95
8. (earth elements, neutrals and in color ink pads were priced correctly - whew!)
9. Love Notes - p 131 - everything was wrong for this one - actually called 'Love Notes', # 111861, priced $16.25
10. On Board Loads of Letters -p 146 - incorrectly listed as 'lot's of letters' in catalogue
11. designer label punch - p 152 - correct price is $35.95
12. missed altogether - the 3/16th (4.7mm) corner rounder punch IS available. #109047, priced at $15.95

and I think that is it on the corrections!

• There are also some great new inclusions. Scattered throughout the catalogue you will find technique reminders - complete with photos and simple step by step instructions. I am also really pleased to see that the colours of the patterned papers are listed by each sample which makes coordinating your projects easier than ever!


• Overall the catalogue seems alot more in line with what is offered in the United States. We have got a lot of great new stamp sets, and also see the return of some favourites from the last spring and summer mini catalogues, as well as both the scallop punches - square and border, and six other new punches.


• Embellishments - what to say - yummy new buttons, brads, clips, ribbons, diecut and felt flowers, gorgeous new glitters, and some fantastic new 'sticky cut' shapes and letters to go with those glitters.... I am planning on organising some embellishment shares so you can sample them without having to spend a fortune - watch this space!


• Simply Sent card kits are back, but with a little difference that I am really liking. While there are a couple of the all inclusive kits (stampset, inks, card, embellishments etc) they have also included some 'mix and match' card elements. You can buy the stamp set and the card/embellishment kits seperately, which is much easier on the budget. Inks aren't included - you can use the ones you have, or just choose to buy the coordinating colour that you like.

And that will probably do it for the minute. You can be sure I will have more random thoughts to share in the coming days! Maybe even a photo or two!

Some important dates

Okay ladies, so this post is all about SU stuff, a couple of important dates to be exact.

Tuesday March 31st

This is a day of 'lasts'.

It is the last day on which you can order product from the current catalogue - including all those super specials on the retiring list (see the link on the sidebar). Please contact me ASAP if there is something you would like to order.

It is the last day that you can order from the Summer Mini Catalogue (see the link on the side bar to view the catalogue online). I understand there are a couple of the stamp sets that have made it to the new catalogue, as well as the scalloped edge punch, but the rest are going, going, gone!

This is also the final day of the Victorian Bushfire Appeal promotion. When you purchase one of the stamp sets below SU will donate 50% to the appeal, and I will cover the cost of postage (you just pay the usual price for the stamps).

Priceless 112312 p105 $57.95
Seeing Spots 108909 p89 $35.95
Baroque Motifs 112380 p98 $46.95
Live Your Dream 114261 p3 (Summer Mini) $66.95
Looks Like Spring 108864 p76 $68.95
The Snowflake Spot 108934 p27 $46.95
Bodacious Bouquet 108756 p80 $68.95
Polka Dots & Paisley 110247 p46 $42.95
G'day Mate 111973 p115 $42.95
Be Happy 108744 p51 $46.95

Wednesday April 1

Not just a day for Fool's, this is the day that our new Catalogue is launched. Although I haven't seen it myself yet, boo hoo, I know for a fact that it has arrived, and is looking lovely. If you would like to get a copy for yourself please contact me - Until April 1 you can pre-order them for $10. After that they will of course still be available, but at the SU price of $14.95

If you have already contacted me to request your copy, or are a member of my stamp club, placing an order in April, you will automatically have your copy sent out to you over the next week or so. Definitely in time for April 1.

And a final note on the topic of new catalogues.

On Friday evening I finally got my hands on a copy of the US stampin' up catalogue - it is keeping me going until I get my hands on the new NZ/Australia one. Lots of great ideas, and yummy stuff that I am hoping we will get too. And then I turned the page and saw this....

(excuse that camera flash in the bottom left corner)

Hey! that was my idea!!

Must have been a good one if they thought of it too!

So who has been saving their tin cans?!