Moving on Up.....Moving on Out....

Okay, so it's an old line, from an old song, but it's pretty much describing where I am now.

About two months ago, I sold the house I lived in for almost 11 years. This was followed very quickly by having to move out, into a rental town house (thanks to an amazing Real Estate agent....and not the one that sold the house, I have to mention.  I will never, in all good concience have anything good to say about them), and now it's only 3 weeks until I start "Moving on Up, Moving on Out".....of Sydney....for good....

My little family is moving "up" to Queensland, moving "out" of Sydney, and moving into a new and wonderful life.  It's hoped that this move into "warmer climes" will help my daughter's asthma, and even though I have been warned time and time again about the heat and humidity....I am very willing to deal with this, if it makes her health better.

Who knows - I might just lose the weight I have always wanted to, and the heat will mean no more "comfort food".  That can't be a bad thing, can it?

So, I wanted to thank every one of my friends before I go - all of those who have supported me, laughed and cried with me, and especially those who were always honest and truthful to me (even if it felt hurtful, I know that it came from the heart, and that I needed to hear those things from someone who cared enough to say the things they did).

With that in mind....Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Goodbye Sydney.  It's hard, it's heartbreaking, but I know it's worth it.

Two Step Stamping Class - July 24th

Yes, it's on again!  I am going to be 'Two Steppin' all over the place again.

It is so much FUN, and you really should be there.

So, without further ado....you know my email address, and if not...it's "here"

Email me with your booking request, because this class is really popular, and I would hate for you to miss out!

Deals of the Week

Stampin' Up!'s Two-Step Stampin' sets allow you to quickly and easily take your creativity to the next level. And from 1-31 July, you'll get 20% off select Two-Step Stampin' sets from our current catalogues—no limit, no minimum purchase required!

Choose from any of the stamp sets listed below:

Item Page Description Regular Price Sale Price

116386 39 Loads of Love $39.95 $31.96

116342 42 Big Bold Birthday** $53.95 $43.16

115860 78 A Rose Is a Rose** $66.95 $53.56

116332 86 Playful Petals** $52.95 $42.36

115770 98 Cheep Talk $47.95 $38.36

115946 115 Wonderful Favourites $39.95 $31.96

119187 14* Tiny Tags (wood-mount) $38.95 $31.16

118592 14* Tiny Tags (clear-mount) $28.95 $23.16

119163 31* Cottage Garden (wood-mount $32.95 $26.36

120003 31* Cottage Garden (clear-mount) $24.95 $19.96



*From 2010 Autumn-Winter Mini Catalogue

**Retiring stamp sets!

Contact me today to start two-stepping into fabulous

Two Step Stamping Class - July 3rd

I know that you are waiting to see what I come up with for my next class, and I couldn't help myself.....I went two-stepping!

Have a look at the two cards we'll create this weekend.

Something for the "man" in your life....but this stamp set (Wonderful Favourites) has 23 stamps in the set, so you have all SORTS of choices to make!  What's even better is that during the month of July, this stamp set is going to be on special!  Come to my class, and find out more!

Another example of Two-Step Stamping...something so easy and beautiful!

What are you waiting for?  Email me today, and book your space!  I only have a few 'chairs' left!

Week 3, and "The Deal of the Week" is absolutely fantastic!!!  

This week you can purchase any of the listed stamp sets at up to 50% off.

This is an amazing special and only available until next Tuesday the 23rd of June.

Don't let this amazing chance pass you by!  Email me to order these sets, you only have until Tuesday 23rd June, and orders must be received before 9pm.

Deals of the Week

Stampin’ Up! have announced their “Deal of the Week” promotion for Australia for the whole of June!  WOW!!

Deal #1:  Tuesday 1st June 2010 until Tuesday 8th June 2010, Stampin’ Up! are taking a whopping 30% off these punches

 

112801 Scallop Square Punch

109183 Trio Flower Punch

110711 Boho Blossoms Punch

114889 Scallop Oval Punch

 

All of these are normally $30.95, but until Tuesday next week, they are only $20.12

 

I can guarantee that at these prices, it won't take long to miss out on them, so phone or email me, to ensure you don't miss out on such a great bargain!!

 

 

Busy Times

Well, I have to say that since Easter, I have been madly-chaotically-busy!  That was the bad news.

The good news is that things are settling down, and I am now getting back to "Business as Usual".

So - announcement number one:

SWB (Saturday Women's Business) is on this Saturday (May 29th) from 5:00pm - Midnight!
SWB is my excuse for a "Me and My Friends" night.  Bring your supplies (or use a few of mine, for a small charge), and get ready for a laughter filled, child free (and that includes husbands!), relaxing night of fun! We all chip in for dinner (choose from Indian, Pizza/Italian, or Chinese), so leave your diet at home!!

Email me to let me know you are wanting to come (only a few spots are available).




Announcement number two:

June 5th Stamping & Technique Class - is going to be a Colour Challenge Class.  The card shown is thanks to Michelle Frost-Stevenson's challenge on ESAD (Ning) over the weekend.  I loved the colours - Rich Razzleberry, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive and More Mustard.

The second Colour Challenge will be using Barely Banana, Melon Mambo and Bashful Blue.  I will be posting the second card in the next day or so, just to liven things up a touch.

Your mission is to create two cards from each colour combination!  Will you accept the mission?  Do you think you can handle it?

Email me to let me know you are wanting to come (only a few spots are available).

Class News

Okay, so classes are going to be getting back to normal (after my week and a half at work!).

Last Saturday (Saturday just gone), everyone got the chance to play with ink refills and rubbing alcohol, which made some stunning "Polished Stone" items.  I don't think I have had so much fun in ages (even with a Middle Ear Infection), and to see some of the work produced....I was thrilled.

The youngest member was Isabelle...and I have to say that children, when given free-reign to create, come up with some of the most amazing work.  They don't have the inhibitions adults do, and just "go for it".  I think I am a bit jealous of that relaxed way they have, and it's going to be something I play with more and more....just to see what I can acheive.

So....enough of that.  Now for the next class.....we'll be doing Patchwork Quilting on cards.  The technique is so simple, and so easy....and the results are just amazing!!

Just a few pieces of scrap DSP, a gel pen and some pearls from our Pretties Kit...and you have a very, VERY effective card - especially with Mother's Day so close! (This idea is thanks to another demonstrator - I will be posting a link to her blog within the day....my apologies)

What on earth are you waiting for?  Email me to make sure you have a seat on Saturday May 1st!!

BIG Colour News!!!

Colour Renovation


We are excited to bring to you a new world of colour in Stampin' Up!'s Colour Renovation. For over two years, we have done extensive research including investigating colour trends in the fashion, home décor, and crafting industries, and have conducted focus groups involving demonstrators, customers, and Stampin' Up! experts. We have found that it was time to update our colours so that you have a fresh, on-trend colour palette to work with! We have learned from our successful In Colour programme that you love getting new colours, and your customers love them too.

The new colour palette is organized into four collections: Subtles, Brights, Regals, and Neutrals. You will see 25 of our current colours remaining, and ten past In Colors returning as core colours, and the addition of five new core colours. Check the colour charts to see what the new collections look like, and what colours will be retiring.

New In Colour Programme

One part of our Colour Renovation that we're sure you're going to love is the new In Colour programme! Each year we will introduce five new In Colours, and they will remain for two years. This means that the 2010-2011 In Colours will be introduced this year, but will not be retired until the 2012-2013 colours are introduced. This year there will be only be five In Colours, but after that, we will always have ten (the previous year's plus the new). Look for a later announcement on this year's In Colors.

Here are the New Colour Collections - I love the fresh new feel of these, and I know you will too!

I'm sad to see some of my personal favourites going, but all good things must come to an end....as they say.

April Classes

As I am going to be working for the next 10 days straight, the 10am-2pm class that was going to be held this Saturday, has been postponed.

I will be still holding the Saturday Women's Business evening on April 17, so "get your gear together" and book your place.  $10 for the night (if you would like dinner, we all chip in and order pizza, or Indian, or Chinese!), and I will have a small amount of product available if you need to.

I will need to know by Friday of this week (April 9th) at the latest if you are coming, as I will not have access to the Internet or my PC until Wednesday next week!

So....are you in, or are you out?

IN....I vote IN...

Catch Up and New Class!!!

Well, it was an amazing weekend, I have to say.

I hosted my first (of many, I hope!) "SWB" Nights - that's Saturday Women's Business, in case you weren't sure!  Got rid of hubby (he didn't complain, I can assure you!) off to the movies for the night, then brought out the stamps and inks, and papers, and bling...and the coffee & nibblies - and of course dinner!

Totally awesome time - with me finally falling into bed somewhere in the region of dawn!!!  Time flies when you're having fun, and I can only say that "FUN" was an understatement.

So...if you are interested....you had better email me straight away to save your place.  Considering how far out we each stretched, it's really imperative you do book your seat!

NOW - what's on this weekend at the House of Eclectic Creations?   Well, I'm doing a box of cards...okay, it's not really a box, but it's BETTER!!!

First of all, we're going to be making a few really cute little cards!  I've used my favourite Sale-A-Bration set here, with what have to be the best colours to combine

These are just so cute, and so darn easy to make.  I actually did all four of these (including the colouring too!!) in under an hour.  Just think how many you could do 'in advance', and never be caught short again with that "last minute card" for that accidentally overlooked love-one!!



So, after making these cuties, I figured that I really needed something to put them in, so I whipped up a "Card Holder"....better look down!


And here it is....this is what we're going to be making to keep our little cutie cards in!!  What do you think?  Too cute, huh!

This holder can be whipped up in no time, and once you have made one, you'll have a problem stopping yourself from making more!!

So, here I am, with my cutie-cards, and my cutie-card holder....

I know, I know....what does the end product look like?

Ta Da!!!

NOW....you had better be emailing me and booking your seat! 

Class runs 10:00am-2:00pm

Cost:   $20.00 (supplies included)

Bookings are essential, as space is limited!

What on earth are you waiting for???  EMAIL ME!!!

New Classes & Times

As many of you know, I've been teaching classes from my "craft cubby" every second Saturday.  Well, it's time to change things up a bit, and add some excitement to the mix.

So....

I'm adding to my class timetable.  I will still have my classes on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month, but now I'll also be hosting the SWB on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays in the evenings.

What's SWB?  Saturday Women's Business!  From 5pm until....late!  $10 for the evening; BYO supplies (or I will have a few things available to purchase on the night); byo dinner, or chip in and we'll get Pizza or Chinese, or Indian delivered!!

You MUST email me to confirm your place, as seats are already being booked out - this weekend...I have ONE left (and I only announced the idea on Saturday).

So what are you waiting for?  The invitation doesn't get much hotter than this!!!

Saturday Class (27th February)

Oh dear, the weekend just screamed past so quickly, and here it is Monday and I haven't posted the next class information.  SORRY!!!

I am doing a "Garden of Flowers" class.....something a little bit different than a standard card, but so easy to make that you'll have Gardens growing everywhere.

Have a look at the Garden below - it's not mine, but isn't it beautiful!!! 

So, email or phone me, to book your seat....you will have so much fun making a garden, but without getting your hands (too) dirty!!!

February Classes

Hi All

Due to ongoing health issues, this weekend's class will not be going ahead. Both daughter and I have been laid flat with flu, and I have developed tonsilitis. Doesn't bode well for visitors, that's for sure.

Apologies, but there WILL be a class on the last Saturday of the month, and stay tuned for what we are making!

Haitian Disaster Relief

On 12 January, 2010 a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti, leaving in its wake devastation so overwhelming that the Haitian people and their leaders can only look for help from the outside to cope.

In the past, when terrorists attacked the Twin Towers, when a tsunami struck Indonesia, when a hurricane destroyed New Orleans, and when wildfires ravaged Australia, Stampin' Up! demonstrators stepped forward and showed their commitment to making a difference in the lives of others.

This time is no different.

From now until 28 February, 2010, you can partner with Stampin' Up! to make a difference in the lives of those who continue to suffer from the effects of this devastating earthquake. Stampin' Up! will set aside $2 from the sale of every I {Heart} Hearts stamp set and donate that money to the American Red Cross' Haiti Relief and Development Fund.

The Red Cross is already well-established in Haiti, and this money will be used to provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need

I too, like many other demonstrators feel strongly about the support we can offer, and as such am donating my demonstrator discount. This will means it will be $7.80 per set that I can contribute! Contact me today, to ensure your order is made, and that support goes where it is truly needed.

Glass Class

Okay,

My next class is NOT what you would call normal by any standard. I wanted to try something different, alternative...'new' for me.

So, I grabbed some frosting paint, ribbon, stamps and contact adhesive (you know, the stuff you cover books with !!), and found a very cute way to create a gift using an old jar or two.

Now, I'm holding the 1st Glass Class on January 30, from 10:00am sharp. The class is $25. This includes the class kit, paint as well!!! To make sure your place is kept, you must email me. (Otherwise I will not be able to supply your paint!!!)

RSVP no later than January 22nd, or you'll miss out on the most fun you've had in a long time!

You'll have enough supplies to paint and decorate two jars (I used old Moccona jars!), as well as make a gorgeous card, and matching cute little tag.

Update

This past weekend was a bit of a wash-out for me. I've been playing with a few ideas, and tried something a little "out of the ordinary".....worse luck the products I used didn't work at all, and it was pretty much the most outstanding failure I have had to date.

Not to worry...I've been put in touch with someone who I am hoping can help me, and point me in the 'right' direction.

I can't say much more about this, because this project is ( I am hoping) going to be a total "WOW", and do not want to give anything away until I have everything done.

Sorry...but no peeking!

Projects.

Over Christmas and New Year I really do try and NOT do anything. If your lead-up is as frenetic and chaotic as mine, I'm sure that you will understand why. I'm lucky enough that I get the week between Christmas and New Year off, but that is spent with family and friends, and NOT in the Classroom working on things (unless I absolutely have to).


I was asked to make "a little something" for the volunteers who come into our office each week, and these were presented at their luncheon (two weeks before Christmas).



There were 22 in total made, and I was thrilled with the way they came out. Popped inside were Christmas Mints - just as a special 'extra'.


I used DSP and Stamps from the Spring mini - sorry, but they aren't available anymore - and watercoloured the image on each. Blowing my own trumpet here, but everyone seemed to love them!

Then, in case I hadn't given myself ENOUGH to do, I made a little gift for each of the ladies that I work with. Since I work in an office, what better to make that a re-useable Post-It-Note holder!?!?




Don't you just LOVE the colours? I used the Kaleidescope papers from the Summer Mini.

I knew they were going to be pretty....but they blew me away with how eyecatching they really were. The 'shine' and 'sparkle' were Crystal Effects and Dazzling Diamonds. Yes, truly my work when there is shiny-bling everywhere!











And last but not least.........I have AIR CONDITIONING in my Classroom now! Doesn't matter what is going on weather-wise outside, it's always a beautiful 23 inside! I can close the door, and not be invaded by Christmas Beetles at dusk; can teach without looking like I've just run a marathon, and can have COFFEE no matter how hot the sun tries to make the place!

So...forgive me, but I really wanted to thank the person who installed the Air-Con. He's a friend of ours, and brilliant at what he does, so if you want a new system, or have an old system that needs 'revamping', you would be quite silly NOT to use him! His name is Tony Farrugia, and his email is info@ccair.com.au