Wendy Todd - Independent Stampin' Up!® Demonstrator

Last Minute Gifts & Tags Class

 

Need a helping hand with some last minute gift ideas? I have the class for you! This Saturday at 2pm, I'm hosting a last minute gifts & tags class. Join us to create 2 complete gift items and 6 adorable gift tags. The gift items are the 12 month calendar and the "NOEL" garland (both pictured above). The gift tags are pictured below. I only have 3 spaces left, so be sure to book right away if you're wanting to join us!

When: Saturday, 10th December, 2pm start

Where: Blue Haven, NSW -address available upon request

Cost: $20 -includes all materials to complete the above 3 projects and all refreshments

Bookings are essential, please phone me on 0402 120 972  or email me to book your place.

Upcoming Class - Complete Mini Album

It’s that time of year again –Christmas is fast approaching and there’s less than 6 weeks left to get your gift-giving organised. Great News! I have a fantastic class coming up that will help with the task. Join us on November 26th to create a complete 6x6 scrapbook album that will make a fantastic gift for just about any family member. You can choose from a range of themes to suit your recipient and/or photos (little boy theme shown).

As part of this class, you also have the option to join us for breakfast as we raise funds for the National Breast Cancer Foundation Pink Ribbon Breakfast Appeal. We'll enjoy a buffet style breakfast together from 8:30am, then make our albums together in class from 9:30am. We'll also have games, prizes and competitions.

All the details are below, but be sure to book in quickly -spaces are filling fast!

Date: Saturday, November 26th

Time: 8:30am for breakfast, 9:30am class starts

Cost: $40 -includes all materials for a complete scrapbook album, breakfast and refreshments throughout the morning.

Bookings: Contact me on 0402 120 972 or email me on wendy@stampwithwendy.com.au

 

Strength and Hope Campaign

One of my favourite stamp sets in Stampin' Up!'s new Autumn/Winter mini catalogue is the beautiful "Strength and Hope" set. This gorgeous set comes with a special extra feature -your purchase of this set will contribute to Breast Cancer Research! 

Click here to read all about this great campaign and find out how you too can get your hands on this beautiful set.

Upcoming Class: Mother's Day Mini Album & Card

Can you believe that Mother's Day is just over 3 weeks away? This year is flying by so quickly! If you're looking for a special, more personal, gift for mum this year, come along to my Mother's Day Mini Album class! We'll make this beautiful 6x4 mini album and elegant matching card (pictured below).

When: Saturday, April 30th, 2pm

Where: My Place - Blue Haven, NSW (address available upon booking)

Cost: $25, includes all materials and a yummy afternoon tea, too!

Bookings are essential! Spaces are limited, so please contact me to reserve your place as soon as possible. To book your place, click here to email me or phone me on 0402 120 972.

Live too far away or can't make it on the day? No problem! This class is also available as a Class-At-Home kit! (class-at-home kit price includes postage) To purchase the kit, simply click on the "buy it now" button below to go straight through to paypal checkout, or email me to request my bank details.

Fun and Fundraising for a worthy cause

Join us on April 9th

And help us raise much needed funds for the Rotary Club of Toronto “Angela Edwards Appeal”

 
Angela Edwards is a single mum of 3 teenage kids, currently battling inoperable Bowel Cancer. The Toronto Rotary Club is currently raising funds to pay off their mortgage and provide for the future of Angela’s children.

When: Saturday, 9^th April, 10am start

Where: Blue Haven, NSW (address provided upon booking)

Cost: $40, includes all materials, lunch and refreshments 

• Fantastic Recipes/Photos/Cards Box project (yours to keep!)
• Door Prizes, Raffle and Guessing Game Comp
• Mystery Hostess Rewards
• Full lunch and all refreshments provided

A great day out, full of fun and stamping all for a worthy cause.

Call me on 0402 120 972 or email me at wendy@stampwithwendy.com.au to RSVP and reserve your place ASAP as numbers are limited.

Can't make it on the day? Still want to support this fantastic cause? No problem! I can put together the project kit for you, with full instructions, to complete in your own time. Just contact me to request the class at home kit and I'll do the rest. You'll also receive a special "thank-you for your support" gift with your kit.

Sale-A-Bration is coming!

It's less than two weeks to go until my favourite time of the Stampin' Up! year -Sale-A-Bration starts on January 25th! I just love this time of year, I mean, who doesn't love the chance to get FREE stamps, right?

To launch this year’s promotion, I am hosting a Sale-A-Bration launch party –and you’re invited!

 
 

Please join me to create the gorgeous projects above, using  some of the fabulous Sale-A-Bration 2011 stamp sets. There will also be fun games, prizes, lots of project samples and a yummy afternoon tea, too! 

When? 2pm, Saturday, 22^nd January, 2011 

Where? My Place -address available upon booking 

Cost? $15 for 3 projects –all materials provided 

R.S.V.P. Essential, as spaces are limited. Ph (02) 4304 1294

The Yummiest Gift Card Holder ever!

Hi Everyone! I've got an extra post today because I just couldn't wait to share this gorgeous gift card holder! I'd seen the idea of Ferrero Rocher Cards a couple of times online and I did come across a tutorial for sale on how to make them, but I decided to save my money and make up my own. As I was formulating my plan for creating these, I thought what a great idea these are for giving gift cards. When I give a gift card, I always feel a bit uncomfortable at just handing over an envelope, rather than an actual gift. With these little cuties, you have a gift AND a card AND a gift voucher all in one. LOVE it!

I was so thrilled with how it turned out, I think I might schedule an extra class to teach this one before Christmas. What do you think? Would you be interested in learning how to make these? Leave me a comment on this post and let me know.

While you're here today, don't forget to subscribe to my blog posts by clicking on the "subscribe in a reader" link in the top left sidebar.

 Stamps: Perfect Punches, Always, Contempo Christmas

 

Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive

Paper: Jolly Holiday DSP, Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla

Accessories: Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Round Tab Punch, Sticky Strip

Introducing Wednesday WOW! Tutorial Videos

Hi Everyone! I'm really excited to bring you a new feature here on the blog. Today I'm introducing my Wednesday WOW! Tutorial videos. Each video will show a new technique that is sure to WOW you and today's video is no exception -we're going to create our own Shimmer Spray with Stampin' Up!'s new Shimmer Paint and then we'll make this beautiful vintage style thank-you card.

So, grab your supplies and let's get creating!

 

We Stamp For Lara starts Monday!

Just a quick reminder that the We Stamp For Lara program starts this coming Monday! With a tutorial EVERY day during November, this program is fantastic value at just $25. That's 30 tutorials, designed by top Australian and International Stampin' Up! demos for just $25. Bargain! And don't forget, all We Stamp For Lara participants are automatically entered into the draw to win a Big Shot machine and there are daily prizes to be won throughout the program too. What are you waiting for? Join the program now by clicking on the paypal button below and help us get vital equipment for the adorable Miss Lara May!

 

FREE Holiday Idea Book Download!

 

Don't you just love a freebie? A few days ago, I received an email offering this free idea book and I just knew I had to share it with my blog readers! I'm not one for Halloween, so I just skipped right past those pages to the beautiful Christmas projects. Click Here or on the image above to download your free copy! There's some lovely ideas in this book -just in time for your Christmas crafting! Enjoy!

We Stamp For Lara

One of the things I love most about being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator is the sense of family and community that we have in our fantastic team. I'm constantly witness to the generosity of fellow demonstrators and the awe-inspiring way they rally together to support a good cause. My announcement today is another great example of this.

Announcing the We Stamp For Lara Fundraiser!

 
Please join us as we create together to raise funds for The Lara May Dunn Equipment Appeal. Beginning November 1st, for the bargain price of just $25, you'll have access to the online community where there'll be new project tutorials every day, prizes galore and every attendee gets a free entry to the draw to win a BIG SHOT MACHINE!!! You can read more about Lara's story here and you can join the event or make a donation to the appeal by via payment to Lara's trust account below:

Heritage Building Society
Mrs M J Dunn T/F Lara May Dunn
BSB 638010
A/C #: 12189650

If joining the program, please email Madonna with details of the payment you've made on madonnna@madonnadunn.com.au

Handmade Christmas Gift Tags Class

Just a quick post today to tell you about an exciting class I have coming up. Come along and create your own bundle of Handmade Christmas Gift Tags in this cute gift box with matching card. This is a great Teacher's Gift Idea if you can bring yourself to give them away!

When: 4th November, 7:30pm

Where: My place -Blue Haven, NSW

Cost: $20 -includes all materials and a yummy supper too!

Spaces are limited, so please contact me to book your place as soon as possible, or click on the paypal link below to book and pay. Class at home kit for this class will require the purchase of the "Gifted" stamp set. Please email me to discuss this option.

Dressing Up Christmas with FREE ribbon!

 
Create beautiful packaging to fit any Christmas gift with exclusive products from Stampin' Up! From 16 October-30 November*, there are two ways to get FREE ribbon:

• Get an exclusive package of ribbon for FREE when you purchase a Christmas gift-giving bundle!
• Get an exclusive package of ribbon for FREE when you host a $550 workshop!

Choose from these bundles:

Description	Wood-Mount Item/Price	Clear-Mount Item/Price
Gifted Bundle Gifted Set and Jolly Holiday Designer Series Paper	124041; $66.90	124042; $56.90
Welcome Christmas Bundle Welcome Christmas Set and Christmas Cocoa Specialty Designer Series Paper	124045; $69.90	124046; $59.90
Season of Joy Bundle Season of Joy Set and So Swirly Stampin' Around Wheel	124043; $67.90	---
Delightful Decorations Bundle Delightful Decorations Set and Ornament Punch	124044; $72.90	---

Choose from the following limited-time ribbons when you purchase a Christmas gift-giving bundle or host a qualifying workshop:

 

Contact me today to place your order or schedule your Christmas workshop!

*Bundles and ribbons available while supplies last.

Pink Ribbon Breakfast Fundraiser

Come join the girls for a fun Pink Ribbon Breakfast!

 

Have a great time creating a gorgeous card set with matching tote bag

and help us raise funds for Breast Cancer Research.

 When: Saturday, October 23^rd, 10am

Where: Blue Haven Community Centre

         Colorado Drive, Blue Haven

Cost: $20 per person

RSVP: Wednesday, 20^th October on (02) 4304 1294 or 0402 120 972

 Dress Code: Pink, of course!

Spaces are strictly limited, so please email me or phone me on 0402 120 972 to book your place today!

A Treat for Class Attendees

Something a little different for you today. This photo produly displays the results of my first batch of cupcakes from my brand new cupcake maker machine. LOVE it! These little beauties are Chocolate Chip Cupcakes with Cookies and Cream Buttercream Icing. Can you say "YUM"?! I couldn't resist adding those cute little mini oreo cookies to the top of each cupcake. So sweet! I whipped these up last night for my class attendees this evening. I have one space left if you'd like to join us!

Are you looking for a fun night out with some lovely ladies? Why not join us at one of my upcoming classes? Click Here to view my upcoming classes and book your place today!

Handmade Cards with Matching Tote Gift Set Class

I'm SO excited to announce this new class I have for you! Come along and create this beautiful set of handmade cards with a gorgeous matching tote bag. This beautiful gift set will make the perfect gift for any special lady -including yourself! Such an impressive gift, you'll want to make them again and again!

When: Thursday, 30th September, 7:30pm

Where: My place -Blue Haven, NSW

Cost: $25, includes all materials, envelopes, template and a yummy supper too!

Places are strictly limited, so please contact me to book your spot today!

Stop Press! Live too far away to come along to the class? No problem! I'm also offering this as a class-at-home kit! For just $30, including postage, you'll receive everything you'll need (excluding stamps) to create this stunning gift set at home, including step by step instructions and templates. To order your class at home kit, simply click on the Paypal button below to purchase and checkout through paypal or email me to order and make payment via bank deposit.

Sorry, this kit is now sold out! Instructions only are available for $15. Please email me if you're interested in this tutorial.

Love Notes Gift Set with Vintage Vogue

Hi Everyone! I have a cute little gift set to share with you today. I apologise for the poor quality photo, I had to snap this one in fading light with little time to spare. Let me tell you, this photo does not do justice to this cute little set! The cards are love notes (3x3 inches square) that I cut from Rich Razzleberry cardstock, added a scallop border in Certainly Celery and stamp a sentiment in Rich Razzleberry on Whisper White cardstock. I added some (retired) Orchid Opulence 1/4" grosgrain ribbon and the flowers are stamped in Orchid Opulence using the Vintage Vogue stamp set. They're so adorable! The perfect little card to add to a gift for a special friend.

I made a set of 4 of these little cards, so I decided to create a matching gift bag to hold them in. I created the little box from Old Olive cardstock and then decorated it with some Cottage Wall DSP, ribbon and stamped images. I added a ribbon handle and I was done! Now I have a great little gift ready to share.

I just love the way Stampin' Up!'s inks, cardstocks, papers and ribbons all co-ordinate so perfectly. All the hard work of colour selection has been done for me and I can get straight to creating cute projects every time I sit down to stamp. Too easy!

If you'd like to purchase any of the supplies used to create today's project, please email me or phone me on 0402 120 972. 

ESAD Mother's Day Blog Hop

Mother's Day is just around the corner (next week!), so it's definitely time to get crafting and get those handmade gifts ready. Today's post is all about inspiring you with ideas for your Mother's Day crafting. I'm taking part in a blog hop with a great bunch of fellow demonstrators. We're all members of a group called ESAD (Extra Special Australian (and New Zealand) Demonstrators. If you're a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator located in Australia or New Zealand, please feel free to click here to join our wonderful group.

Now on to the project! I've put together a cute little Pillow Box gift, using the new Pillow Box Sizzix Die from the Autumn/Winter Mini Catalogue. This is a great little gift for crafty friends (or mums!). I've popped in some samples of the new In Colour ribbons and some pearls from the Pretties Kit. I also made a matching card to go with the gift. You can't see it in the photo, but there is a little pocket inside the card that you can pop a gift card into, completing the gift.

I hope you like my project! The next stop on the blog hop is the super talented Jenny Humphreys. I just love her new mum baby carriage card! So cute! 

If you make it around all the blogs on this blog hop, and leave comments on them, you could win some blog candy! Yes we have blog candy! There will be two winners, one from New Zealand and one from Australia. All you have to do is visit and leave a comment on each of the blogs in today's blog hop and then send an email to the lovely Sharlene and advise her that you have commented on all the blogs, and give her your name, email address and tell her whether you are from New Zealand or Australia. Good Luck!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Cracked Glass Technique Class

I have another exciting class comin up! In this class we'll learn the fantastic technique called "Cracked Glass". This versatile technique is one that you'll turn to time and time again for a wide range of project themes. At the class, we'll create a gorgeous birthday card with matching On Board 5"x5" Art Journal (both pictured). A gorgeous gift idea for Mother's Day, which is just around the corner! You'll also receive printed step by step instructions on how to recreate the effect at home.

When: Thursday 22nd April 2010
Where: My place -Central Coast, NSW
Time: 7:30pm
Cost: $20, includes all materials for projects pictured and a yummy supper, too!
RSVP: By 20th April 2010. Email me or phone me on 0402 120 972. Spaces are strictly limited. Please book early to avoid disappointment!

Scrapbook In An Evening Class

I have an exciting class coming up that I wanted to share with you all today. I often have mums tell me that they just don't have enough time to do all of the scrapbooking they'd like to get done. I recently had one of those lightbulb moments and thought "I should do a class where we make a complete scrapbook album in one evening". So here it is. My "Scrapbook In An Evening" class. Love it!

This class will not only provide you with a gorgeous completed album, but you’ll also receive full step by step instructions to recreate the album at home in any theme and colours you like! The completed album has 12 pages for photos and journaling and 6 pockets for hideaway mementos or hidden journaling. With fun, bright colours, it’s the perfect album to record all those special moments of the special little ones in your life.

Here are the deets:

When: Thursday, 18th March, 7pm start

Where: My house, Blue Haven, NSW (address given upon registration)

Cost: $30, includes all materials for complete album AND supper! Bargain!

I have strictly limited places in this class, so be sure to get in quick to secure your place. Email Me or phone me on 0402 120 972 today to book your place at this exciting new class! 

Quick & Simple Gift Ideas

Yesterday, Bev hosted a workshop at her house and I had the pleasure of demonstrating for her and several friends. I'm always grateful for the opportunity to share my passion for papercrafts with others, so I like to make a handmade gift for my workshop hostesses. For Bev's workshop yesterday, I decided to make up a gift bag of Love Notes with a matching card.

Using an idea I learned at Convention last year, I cut a piece of Baja Breeze Patterns Paper to fit neatly inside a small cellophane bag (IB&C page 130), then punched a handle using the Word Window Punch. For the gift card set, I CASEd the 3x3 card design for my set from our current Idea Book & Catalogue and made a set of 4 of them. I slipped them inside the bag and then tied it closed with a piece of double stitched Chocolate Chip Wide Grosgrain ribbon.

For the matching card, I used the same design layout as the 3x3 cards, but enlarged the scale to make a standard A6 card. I layered a few felt flowers from Flower Fusion Too and secured them with a Vintage Brass brad to give a bigger size embellishment with a bit more detail to give my larger card balance.

As this gift card set is such a quick, simple gift idea, I decided to show the workshop guests how to make it themselves at home. For my demonstration, I decided to make the same design in different colours, using the colours from the original Flower Fusion set. I gave away the second set as a door prize at the workshop.

Workshops are a lot of fun and a great way to spend an afternoon with friends! If you'd like to learn some great quick and simple card and gift ideas like these, or even some scrapbooking techniques and layouts, why not host a workshop at your place? Don't forget, hostesses can earn EXTRA benefits during Sale-A-Bration! Email me  or phone me on 0402 120 972 to book your workshop now!

I {heart} Hearts Mini Accordian Album

I am really loving the I {heart} Hearts stamp set. I'm finding it to be a very inspirational set, which makes it really easy to create with! When I bought the set back in early January, the first project that I began planning was a mini accordian album for my husband for Valentine's Day. I plan to put some family photos in my album and I chose an accordian style because I wanted my husband to be able to stand it up on display, either on his desk at work or on our TV cabinet at home. I was so excited with the finished album that I decided to offer it as a class. The class sold out so quickly that I didn't even get to advertise it online!

The class was held at my place last Thursday night and we all had a great time. Everyone's albums turned out a little differently with each person's personal touch. This is one of the things I love most about teaching papercrafts -the way we can all create something different with the exact same supplies and tools. It's so inspirational!

Don't forget... Until February 28th, the Stampin' Up! will donate $2 from the sale of every i {heart} Hearts stamp set to the American Red Cross Haitian Disaster Relief fund. PLUS, during this fundraising promotion, I will personally discount the stamp set from the full retail price of $42.95 to just $35.14 (plus shipping). Don't delay! Contact me today to place your order and help the people of Haiti to begin rebuilding their lives.

Haitian Disaster Relief

I am proud to announce that Stampin' Up! are joining the relief effort to bring aid and support to the people of Haiti. From now until 28 February, Stampin' Up! will donate $2 from the sale of every I {Heart} Hearts stamp set (pictured left) 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.
 
In order to sell as many of these sets as possible (in the hope of raising lots of money!), I will be removing my demonstrator discount. This brings the cost of the stamp set down to just $35.14 (plus applicable shipping of $5.95 or 5% of order value, whichever is greater).
 
Don't forget, Sale-A-Bration is now on and the purchase of this set will count towards your $100 order!

I just love this stamp set, so I'm really excited that Stampin' Up! chose this set to fundraise with. I sat down yesterday and created this cute milk carton gift box, using the I {heart} hearts set and Candy Lane DSP. This is such a cute gift box and will make a perfect valentine treat for my hubby.
 
Contact me today to place your order for this gorgeous stamp set and help the people of Haiti to begin rebuilding their lives.

12 Days of Christmas Projects - Day Twelve

Thanks for joining me for Day 12 of my 12 Days of Christmas Projects Series! I've had such a great time preparing this series for you and I am so grateful for the overwhelmingly positive response I've had from you, my valued readers. I'm glad that you've enjoyed the projects I've been preparing for you.

Remember, if you would like to order any of the supplies used in the 12 projects, please email me or phone me on 0402 120 972. I can have orders sent directly to you, anywhere in Australia. 

So, here is the final installment in my 12 Days of Christmas Projects Series. Today we're creating a gift package of Handmade Christmas Thank-You Cards. I've created this gift with my neighbour in mind, but it really is a fantastic gift idea for anyone. Teachers will love it, as will mothers, grandmothers, sisters, daughters... I can see I'm going to need to make a few more of these as the names run through my mind! I hope you enjoy today's tutorial!

12 Days of Christmas Projects - Day Eleven

Welcome to Day Eleven of my 12 Days of Christmas Projects series! Today I'd like to show you how to create a paper bow with a matching gift tag. There's something special about handmade gift packaging -it's so touching to receive a gift that someone has put so much effort into preparing for you. So, I hope you enjoy today's tutorial...

12 Days of Christmas Projects - Day Ten

Today is Day Ten in my 12 days of Christmas Projects Series. Today we're going to make a cute little Paper Globe Ornament for the Christmas Tree. This is a great project for using up scraps of patterned papers that we all have laying around! I hope you enjoy today's project, here is the video tutorial:

12 Days of Christmas Projects - Day Nine

Welcome to day nine of my 12 days of Christmas projects! Today we're making some cute little Gift Card wallets (original design by Lauren Meader). I'll be catching up on the missing PDF sheets tomorrow, but for now, here's today's video:

12 Days of Christmas Projects - Day Eight

Day Eight already! I hope you're enjoying my 12 Days of Christmas projects series. Today we're making some cute Origami Cups to fill with yummy Christmas treats. They make a lovely addition to your Christmas decorations and being filled with treats, the kids will love them! Here's today's video:

12 Days of Christmas Projects - Day Seven

Welcome to Day Seven of my 12 Days of Christmas Projects! Today we're making these adorable Sunny Boy containers to fill with yummy Christmas treats. They're a great idea for those who aren't a fan of Crackers -use them as Christmas table Bonboniere instead! They're a lot of fun to make and of course, are seriously cute! So, enjoy today's tutorial and if you have any questions, or would like to order some supplies to make any of the projects featured in my 12 Days of Christmas, please email me or phone me on 0402 120 972.

 

12 Days of Christmas Projects - Day Six

Welcome to Day Six of my 12 Days of Christmas Projects series! I'm so excited to share today's project with you, it's definitely one of my favourites. For me, Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas without crackers! And that's what we're making today. So, without further ado, please enjoy today's tutorial and don't forget to send in a photo or two of the projects you create this week!

Click here to download the PDF Cracker Template

I'll be back tomorrow with the printable PDF Instructions and a full supplies list. 

12 Days of Christmas Projects - Day Four

Welcome to Day Four of my 12 Days of Christmas Project Tutorial Series! Thanks for joining me today for another fun Christmas project! I just love this time of year! I hope you enjoy today's project -we're making some gorgeous Glitter Ornaments using Stampin' Up!'s Classic Reinkers and Dazzling Diamonds Glitter. Have fun!

12 Days of Christmas Projects - Day Two

Today we're making this adorable Chocolate Treat Gift Box. Don't you just love it? This little gift makes a great teacher's gift or stocking filler. So cute you almost don't want to ruin it by eating the chocolates! Almost...

So here's today's video and I'll be updating this post later today with the link to the PDF Instructions. Enjoy!

 

Click here to download Day Two PDF Instructions

Stamps: Cute & Curly (Curly Label Punch Bundle)

Papers: Holiday Wishes DSP, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip

Ink: Kiwi Kiss, Riding Hood Red

Accessories: Chocolate Chip Wide Grosgrain, Linen Thread, Curly Label Punch, Sticky Strip

Christmas Gift Card Wallet with a difference

I have a bonus project for you today. I'll be back later in the day with my 12 Days Project, but I wanted to share this little beauty with you first. I created this Christmas Card for the So Shelli November Challenge. Shelli's challenge this month was to share our Holiday Cardmaking projects with her. I wanted to think outside the box a little and create something that was more than just a Christmas Card. I have a few gift cards as gifts this year, so I decided to come up with something to incorporate a Gift Card that would add a little "wow" factor for the recipient. I was shopping in Coles the other day and found the inspiration I needed for this special project. They had some Gift Card Wallets and one of them was a pop up card, where the gift card slides down inside the pop up insert. Naturally, the wallets on offer at Coles were a little "bleh" in design (not a single stitch of ribbon on the whole thing! Tragedy!), so I brought one home to copy the template for the pop up bit and made my own version of it. Here is the result:

This is the view from the outside of the card. I've used the gorgeous Striped Riding Hood Red ribbon from the Spring Mini Catalogue (only 5 days left to order this stunning ribbon! Email Me Now if you'd like to own some for yourself!). "Wow!" You say? "What a gorgeous Christmas Card!" Why, I thank-you, but this is sooooo much more than just a gorgeous Christmas Card. Just you wait 'til you see inside this treasure! Take a peek:

 

 

This is what you see inside the card when you first open it up. That green section in the middle is like a gift box that is stuck to the centre of the card and the gift card insert pokes into the top of the pop up box part. So cute! The photos really do not do this card justice. It is just so adorable. I can't wait to give it to the recipient on Christmas Day and see their face as they open it up! Anyway, so you just pull the ribbon bow up to take out the Gift Card Insert and voila: You have your gift card...

So, what do you think? Do you love it? I was so excited with how it turned out. It was definitely a labour of love, though! Quite a few Sticky Strip errors along the way, but I got there in the end and I'm really pleased with the result. I hope Shelli likes it, too! 

12 Days Of Christmas Projects - Day One

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas! Today I am introducing my 12 Days of Christmas Project Series. Over the next 12 days, I'll be sharing a video tutorial and printable PDF download with instructions to create a different Christmas-themed project each day. Today we're making a Chocolate Slider Gift Package. Enjoy! And please leave a comment to let me know what you think!

Click Here to Download Day One Project PDF Instructions  

Stamps: Cute & Curly (from the Curly Label Punch Bundle)

Papers: Ski Slope Designer Series Paper, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Riding Hood Red

Accessories: Stampin' Dimensionals, Chocolate Chip Wide Grosgrain Ribbon, Paper Snips, Sticky Strip, Curly Label Punch 

Christmas Mini Album Class By Mail

Last week's Mini Album class was fantastic! We had a great time and everyone went home with a completed (gorgeous!) mini album. I originally offered the class as a "Baby's First Year" Mini Album, but I had a couple of ladies ask if I could offer a different theme for them as they didn't want to do the baby theme. As this fabulous mini album is so easily adapted with any of our Simply Scrappin' Kits, I was happily able to oblige.

My friend, Diane, came along to the class and created her album using the "I Wish" Simply Scrappin' Kit. It turned out so well! As you can see in today's photos, Diane's album is just gorgeous! I like it so much that I plan to create one of these myself!

Now, I know there are some of you who would love to create your own "I Wish" Christmas Mini Album, so I'm offering this album as a Class By Mail. For just $35 (with FREE shipping!), you will receive full step-by-step colour instructions, along with all materials (excluding adhesives) to create a completed album with 14 pages for photos and/or journalling.

To order this class by mail, simply click the paypal link below to be taken through to my automated checkout OR email me with "I Wish Class By Mail Order" in the subject line. I will then reply to your email with instructions on how to make payment. Orders will be taken up til November 10th and kits will begin shipping on November 15th. 

Seriously Fat-Free Cake!

Last Friday it was my friend, Lyn's birthday. Lyn was coming to a class on Thursday night, so I decided to surprise her with some fat-free birthday cake -the most fat-free cake you will ever get. How cute is this cake slice gift box? I love it! I printed out the template on whisper white cardstock, then embellished it with chocolate chip cardstock that I had embossed in my cuttlebug and Pink Passion cardstock that I punched with my scallop edge punch. The flowers and rhinestone are by Kaisercraft. So cute! A guilt free cake, still filled with yummy goodness (SU ribbons for Lyn to use on her own projects at home! Lol)

Quick and Easy Gift Box

I recently had occasion to put together a thank-you gift for a special friend who had helped my husband and I out in a big way. I wanted to create something special for her, but I was limited on time to put together this gift. I had chosen to give her a set of stamps that I knew she would enjoy, so I wanted to create a little gift box to put them in. As I thought about what to create, I had a lightbulb moment where I suddenly pictured what I wanted to do and to my shock, the finished product is exactly what I was going for and just looked so fabulous -that never happens to me! I created a simple box base, then made a belly band for the box and decorated the band with some ribbon, stamped image and embellishments as shown. I love how it turned out!

Stamps: Frames with a Flourish, Greetings Galore (retired)

Papers: Kraft, Basic Black, Rose Red, Whisper White

Ink: Black StazOn

Accessories: Flower Fusion, Black Brads, Rose Red Wide Stitched Grosgrain

If you would like to order any of the projects used to create this project, please email me or phone me on 0402 120 972 

Holiday Thyme Versatility

I really do love these Holiday Thyme papers (only 2 days left to get them, sob!). Today I've used them to create a cute gift bag, called a "Double Pocket Bag". It's perfect for that "little something" gift for acquaintances or school teachers, like note cards with envelopes. You can find the tutorial for the bag here. The picture below shows the two pockets, from the top of the bag.

Stamps: Many Merry Messages

Inks: Chocolate Chip

Cardstock: Holiday Thyme Designer Series Papers, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla

Accessories: Twill Tape, Taupe Grosgrain Ribbon

If you would like to order any of the items required to complete this project, please email me

Cute Cute Cute Tote Bag GSD

I created this file tonight to save myself having to cut and score totes with my trimmer. I love them and plan to make them all the time, so using my Quickutz Silhouette will save me literally hours! This file will work with any cutter that works on GSD files (Craft Robo and Silhouette both do).

I hope this helps others! I've test cut it and it's perfect. Fits the standard A6 cards like a glove!

This is my first GSD file creation, so I would really appreciate your feedback. If anyone has trouble with the file, please feel free to contact me and I will endeavour to help you.

You can download the file here. The password is "cardlover".

In sharing this file for free, I ask that you please DO NOT share it with others. Please direct them here to my blog where they can download it themselves. Whilst I did not come up with the idea to make card totes myself, I did spend hours creating this file. If you do download, please post a comment and let me know what you think of it!

Edited To Add: Here's a pic of a tote I made this morning. So happy with how it turned out!