New 25 -50% Discounts on retiring product!

Stampin' Up have just announced some additional discounts on selected items from the retiring/last chance list:

Item #	Page	Description	Discount	Discounted NZ Price
116342	42	Big Bold Birthday	50%	$    31.98
116408	100	Seeing Spots	50%	$    17.98
116344	121	Big Deal Alphabet	50%	$    45.98
116208	126	In Color card stock (A4)	50%	$      8.63
105538	127	Bold Brights Stampin' Write markers	25%	$    51.71
105537	127	Soft Subtles Stampin' Write markers	25%	$    51.71
105540	127	Rich Regals Stampin' Write markers	25%	$    51.71
105541	127	Many Marvelous Markers	25%	$  209.96
105550	128	Bold Brights Classic Stampin' Spots	25%	$    37.46
105551	128	Earth Elements Classic Stampin' Spots	25%	$    37.46
105539	128	Earth Elements Stampin' Write markers	25%	$    51.71
105552	129	Rich Regals Classic Stampin' Spots	25%	$    37.46
112042	132	Urban Garden Designer Series paper	50%	$      9.98
112041	134	Bella Rose Designer Series paper	50%	$      9.98
107305	152	Oval Large punch	50%	$    17.98
113692	152	Eyelet border punch	50%	$    17.98
109043	152	Scallop Circle punch	50%	$    17.98
113694	152	Heart to Heart punch	50%	$    17.98
112082	152	Wide Oval punch	50%	$    17.98
112091	152	Scallop Edge punch	50%	$    17.98
113693	152	Full Heart punch	50%	$    17.98
104310	155	Crafters' Tool Kit	25%	$    68.96
112004	AW28*	1-3/4" Circle punch	50%	$    17.98
116629	CO*	Butterfly punch	50%	$    17.98

As with all product that is retiring these items will only be available until the end of August, or while stocks last.  To see the complete list of retiring product you can click here.  To see a list of product that is running low, or sold out already, you click here, or on the link at the top of my blog (right under the photo of Campbell and Bridie admiring their scrapbooks!)

Contact me ASAP if you would like to order any of this retiring product.  With discounts like this it is likely to go fast!

More Last minute Holiday Cards

What happens when you sit down with the 'Occasionally' stamp set, some kraft card, assorted coloured card scraps and matching inks and ribbons, and your trusty crimper, in order to make just a couple of last minute  holiday cards?  There is a chance you may get a little carried away, and end up with something like this:

Not just Christmas cards, but cards for all occasions (and this photo was taken after we had given away a couple of the cards already).

After stamping the images on white card, it was a quick job to punch them out with a square punch, mat them on a kraft square made using the bigger square punch, and then attach those to some crimped card, using stampin' dimensionals.  Most of the cards got some coordinating ribbon to finish them off, but a few were left more simple. 

For the holiday cards I made little sets of cards in a couple of different sizes, and some without the ribbon.  They all had the stamped image on the crimped coordinating card though.

 

The snowman, Christmas Tree, and Candy Cane images were especially good for these cards.  And when I had more than enough of those, I couldn't help myself.  I had to keep going with some other occasion cards like these birthday ones:

I like the fact that this quick and easy design could be used for boys or girls of all ages, just with a quick change of colour.  I especially like them with the wider ribbon, but if you didn't have coordinating ribbon you could use a strip of card and perhaps stamp on a greeting instead.  Use some softer colours and swap the images and you have baby and first birthday cards:

You probably get the idea by now.  Quite a productive morning on the card making front - not so much the bed making and laundry!  Never mind that though, making cards was much more fun, and best of all, if you want to make some for yourself, the 'Occasionally' Stamp Set that I used here is one of several that are currently part of an inventory clearance sale, and is discounted 50% for a limited time.

  To see the full list of discounted products, (with discounts from 25-50%) you can click here, or see the link on my sidebar over there on the right.

Quick little gift tags

It is true that you can find gift tags pretty cheaply (especially from December 26 onwards) but there is something very nice about a hand made tag.  They don't have to take a long time to make, and they don't require a lot of supplies (although of course, you can make them just as fancy and embellished as you like!)

These ones fit right into the quick and easy category.  They are all made using stamps from the 'Occasionally' stamp set.

It really does have something for every occasion, although as you can see here, I have stuck with the Christmas theme for these ones (afterall, it was Christmas gifts I needed them for!) using white card, and then matching ink and coloured card for the back of the tag (real red, garden green, elegant eggplant, night of navy, and baja breeze with a splash of glitter for those little snowflakes).

Tomorrow I will show you the last minute cards I made using the same stamp set.  I might have gotten a little bit carried away!

SU mini catalogue and promo news

I have some projects waiting to share, but technical difficulties mean I cannot get to the photos again, and the posts just won't be the same without the photos - so, while I wait for Peter to come home and figure it out for me, I thought I would make a quick public service announcement instead.

The Stampin' Up! NZ/Aust Spring Mini Catalogue is coming to a close.  You can click on the link over in the side bar (to the right) to view this mini catalogue online, or contact me ASAP if you prefer a paper copy - I think there may still be a couple floating around.

November 30 is the last day to order product from this mini catalogue, and I can tell you that nothing from this mini has been carried over to the new summer mini that will be available from December 1.   This includes the very popular scalloped oval punch, the handy white StazOn ink, and the even handier StazOn Cleaner.  It is possible they may return in future catalogues, but your guess is as good as mine on that one - I do know they are not in the upcoming Summer mini.

As for the Summer Mini - I can tell you that there is some fun, fun stuff in there - stamps, punches, papers, embellishments - and if you are a fan of circles you are in for a treat!  I will have the online link available here on December 1 so you can see what I am talking about.

While I'm talking SU stuff I should also mention the promotions that are running at the moment.  Firstly a great Christmas one.  SU have put out a Christmas Gift Giving Guide  that includes a variety of products.  As an added bonus, when you spend $105 on product from the guide you get to choose a free punch - either the scalloped square punch, or the boho blossoms punch - FREE.  This promotion is available until December 14.  If you are wanting product for Christmas gifts I would recommend ordering ASAP though.

 The second promotion - The SU Breast Cancer Awareness Programme, is one for new demonstrators. 

For every new demonstrator who signs up before 31 December Stampin' Up! will donate $5 to the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation.  In addition, you will receive FREE a pack of Raspberry Tart papers, and a Pretty in Pink Classic Ink Pad.  For more information about what is involved in becoming an SU demonstrator you can check here or contact me.

Promo #2 - $175 SU starter Kit!

If you have thought about becoming a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator in the past, now is a good time to think about it again. For the month of May, SU are offering a 'scrapbooking starter kit' for just $175 (valued over $220). A sample of a kit is shown below (of course you are welcome to exchange colours, and the stampset for another that you prefer) and includes:

• Any stamp set valued up to $91.95 (schoolbook serif alphabet pictured)
• A Simply Scrappin pack (petal party pictured)
• A 12 x 12 Textured Card Stock Pack (bold brights pictured, but should have been earth elements I think!)
• A classic Stampin' Pad (Pumpkin Pie pictured)
• Craft and Rubber Scissors.
  

In addition you will receive all the business supplies you need to get your business up and running:

• The Getting Started DVD and Guide, and a project sample sheet.
• 100 x Guest Invitation Postcards
• 8 x Idea Book And Catalogues
• 10 x 'To my Hostess' envelopes
• 20 x Hostess Brochures
• 10 x hostess benefit forms
• 50 x customer order forms
• 20 x recruit brochures

This streamlined starter kit is particularly good for people who have already purchased SU product, and don't necessarily need everything the standard kit includes, or those who would like to build their supplies a little more slowly. Of course, throughout the month the standard kit will still be available for the usual price of $379 - click here to see what that includes.

So, a couple of questions...

What are the benefits of becoming a demonstrator?

As a demonstrator you will enjoy many benefits, including discounted purchases for yourself, and the opportunity to earn free product. You also have the opportunity to turn this into a business if you want, and make money from SU. Then of course, there is the wonderful opportunity to meet others with similar interests, and a good excuse to get creating - this could be just the kick in the pants you need! One of the things I found was I nolonger felt guilty for spending time scrapping - it was my job after all!

Do I have to take workshops and/or classes?

Only if you want to. I consider there to be three main types of demonstrator.

1. Discount Demonstrators - those who join primarily for the discount, buying for themselves, and perhaps selling to a few friends and family.
2. Hobby demonstrators (this is where I see myself) - doing occasional classes or workshops, but only when it fits in with life (!), and having my hobby pay for itself.
3. and Business demonstrators - those people who see it as a part time/full time job, and who are creating hugely successful businesses (money in the bank).

What support will I receive as a demonstrator?

As a demonstrator you will receive access to the demonstrator part of the SU website (a great source of ideas and inspiration), as well as a monthly 'magazine' sent out by SU. You also will have the opportunity to attend optional training days put on by SU, and of course the annual convention (next year in Sydney?). You also become a member of a fantastically talented, and supportive team of demonstrators (many of whom have just recieved top honours at convention), having the opportunity to participate in team swaps, trainings, events, and an online forum, for advice, guidance (and just chatting!)

What's the fine print?

click here to see a copy of the demonstrator agreement.

More questions? Please contact me and I am happy to answer any questions you may have. I can definitely recommend becoming a demonstrator. I know I love SU product - and so do a LOT of other people! As an added bonus, because I love my punches so much, if you sign up as a demonstrator with me this month (either with this limited time $175 scrapbooking starter kit, or the standard $379 starter kit) I will throw in the punch of your choice from the current catalogue.

SO, let me know if you have questions, or are interested, please contact me - tracee.creates@gmail.com or traceeandpete@xtra.co.nz I look forward to welcoming you onto the team!

Free Designer Patterned Papers - promo #1

Who doesn't love free patterned papers?

So, in a celebration of scrapbooking, Stampin' Up! have a couple of fantastic promotions for the month of May. First up, free papers. When you purchase three packs of selected Designer Series papers (19.95 + pp) you will get one more pack for free. There is no limit on how many free packs you can get - so if you bought six packs you would get two free....

The paper packs that are included in the promotion include a wide variety of colours and patterns...

• 112042 Urban Garden Designer Series (see photo above)
• 112470 Haiku Designer Series
• 113976 Pink Flamingo Designer Series
• 112468 Sweet Always Designer Series
• 113992 Tea Party Designer Series
• 113975 Raspberry Tart Designer Series
• 113966 Good Morning Sunshine Designer Series
• 112469 Holiday Treasures Designer Series
• 112041 Bella Rose Designer Series
• 113974 Bella Bleu Designer Series
• 113978 Urban Oasis Designer Series
• 112461 Washington Apple Designer Series
• 112039 Windsor Knot Designer Series
• 113980 Candy Lane Designer Series
  

All of these papers can be seen on pages 132 - 135 of the catalogue. If you don't have a catalogue you can view them online - see the link on the sidebar, or click here.

If you would like to take advantage of this promotion please contact me. The free papers are available until 31 May. Tracee.creates@gmail.com

Keep an eye out for another post coming soon - the second promotion for the month sees the cheapest ever offer of an SU starter kit - is it time for you to start your own business, doing what you love?