Craft retreat 2011 part 2

As you can see we had lots of fun on Saturday doing what we all love best - paper crafting! Most of us brought shoe box swaps for others to do, and that was pretty successful. I must admit though that I didn't get an awful lot else done as the swaps were so lovely I had to make them all!

Meegan was happy she got to make loads of cards for all the men in her life,

Sharon was just happy to have completed something, lol!

I don't know if Teresa was about to hit Neda with that Stamping Around Wheel, or if she was just giving it to her...

Neda, Elaine and Elisa all hard at work.



The obligatory group photo, thanks girls for a fab weekend.

Craft retreat 2011

Well we had a fantastic time, and I can't believe it's been a week already since we were away down the coast at Coolangatta for a weekend of paper-crafting. I loaded the XL-7 to the brim with all my stuff, and just had room for Sylvia, who said "never mind, some of this won't be returning so we'll have more space on the return journey". We arrived just after 11am on Friday, missing our turning because we were talking so much, and had to double back through Twin Towns. We re-arranged the tables and had two cups of tea before we were satisfied that everyone had enough space to craft in! Next to arrive was Elaine but not until later in the day, closely followed by Teresa and Sharon. Elisa, Rachelle and Neda got there just before dark, luckily Rachelle knew the way.

We decided to go out for dinner along the main drag in Cooly. We went to the Ruby Thai restaurant, and had a nice meal there. Mine was a bit too spicy and I ended up forgetting what the dish contained because all I could taste was chili. But it was fun to get together with everyone.

I had arranged a couple of competitions for a bit of fun, and so that evening when we got back we had a memory game where you had to look at things on a tray and then remember what they were after they were covered up. Meegan did very well, closely followed by Sylvia and Sharon I think (sorry if my memory isn't that great - I would have failed miserably at that game!) Meegan won a stamp set and the others won scrapping goodies.

Saturday was a glorious day compared to Friday's rainy clouds. Meegan and I got up for some exercise on the beach at 6am, and after a leisurely breakfast we got into some crafting. Most of the girls had made a project kit for others to make, and so there were six projects to choose from (I'll post pictures when Blogger stops mucking me around!)

More to follow...

Olivia's birthday

I had to pull my finger our and get her invitations done as time was ticking, so I came up with this really simple card design - I had seen this type of thing done at convention, but I tweeked it with her photo in the owl's nest, and text added from the computer. I used the 'Woodgrain' and "fox and Friends' stamp sets, with the large scallop circle and large circle punches. The toppers for the party bags were along the same lines, but I used the owl from the Sale-a-Bration set 'Punch Bunch' instead.

spend/host/join

Why not earn some FREE stamp sets this month and through to the end of March by spending $100 on products from the Idea Book and Catalogue (IB&C) or the Summer mini catalogue?

or host your own workshop and also get FREE stamp sets with qualifying sales levels?

or you could join my team and earn a FREE stamp set from the IB&C up to $79.95 from Stampin' Up!. Get 20% off your own purchases and 20% commission from sales you make as a demonstrator, this could fund your craft hobby or build a successful, fun business. You can choose how far to take your love of paper craft.

ADDED VALUE!
Not only will you get to choose your FREE stamp set up to $79.95 from Stampin' Up!, but I will also give you a FREE punch of your choice up to the value of $33.95 when you sign up during Sale-a-Bration!

valentines day card and gift box

This little gift box and card were made at last Tuesday's craft class, and went down a treat! I love the envelope for the card, made using a C6 envelope that is cut and then corrugated to create a pouch. The box is made from Riding Hood Red card stock, and contains a coffee sachet wrapped in ribbon. The sentiment reads, "Love you a Latte" from the Pun Fun stamp set. I decorated the box and envelope/card with "Hello Again" stamp set and "Retro Remix standard wheel. The DSP is some left over from last year, the "Washington Apple" pack. Hope Mike likes it on the 14th!

embossed butterflies

I've been meaning to scrap this photo for the last four years!! It was at Liv's first birthday. That's what I love about scrapbooking, you don't have to be obsessive about it, just wait until the right papers and images come along that match your photo. I love this DSP from Stampin' Up!, its called "Blueberry Crisp" and blends well with Marina Mist card stock. The butterflies are cut from the exclusive Big Shot die "Beautiful Butterflies", and the stamped butterfly image is from the new Sale-a-bration set "Bliss". I stamped the flower image from "RazzleDazzle" in Whisper White, and embossed it with a mixture of white embossing powder and turquoise glitter, which is a bit hard to see but looks really pretty. You can get a FREE sale-a-bration set by spending $100, and if you have a qualifying workshop too you can get extra free sets. Check out the link to my web page to find out more.

Pretty Punched Posie

Here is my gorgeous girl posing with the Punched Posie hostess stamp set! This set is designed to co ordinate with a variety of punches from the Idea Book and Catalogue, and also includes a butterfly stamp (not shown). I used Poppy Parade, Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Daffodil Delight and Marina Mist card stock with the matching ink pads to create this simple 8" scrap page. I still have to add a title to the page, but I'm still thinking about that! The centre of the yellow flower is created by stamping in a different colour and punching with the larger flower from the triple flower punch. If you host a workshop and have over $600 in sales, this set can be yours for FREE.

Feeling summery in all this rain

Had a great time with my ladies at craft class on Tuesday making this box and matching gift cards. The DSP is the new Island Oasis from the Summer mini catalogue, isn't it bright and sunny? Just what we needed with all the rain lately! If you'd like to learn how to make these cards or a similar project, why not book your own workshop? It's free and is a chance to get together with friends and get creative. You could get money to spend in the 2010/11 catalogue (and the Summer mini catalogue too), and get free stamp sets only available to hostesses! Please contact me for more information at flickandmick@aapt.net.au

Treats for your Sweets

'Sweet treat cups' make any card look extra fabulous, and now you can get the heart shaped ones FREE with any qualifying purchase of the Sweetheart stamp set and/or the Full heart punch! You can make your valentine cards with an extra sweet something this year, and heart shapes are a winner on many types of cards as there will always be a reason to send love to someone, no matter what the occasion. But be quick this offer only lasts until January 24th! Contact me here and follow the links to the 'promotions' or 'contact me' pages to place your order...

NEW Summer mini catalogue!

Have a look at the new Summer mini catalogue from Stampin' Up! As usual they have excelled themselves by giving us a variety of products to inspire us creatively. I love the new punches, especially the big scallop circle as it layers beautifully with the large circle punch and works well with the sweet treat cups. I also love the Smooch Spritz, that gives a delicate spattering of gold or silver ink on your projects. Have a look yourself, and then contact me to place your order!