STAMP CLUB DATES FOR 2008

Ooops, for got about the dates for Stamp Club for 2008 - here they are.
Stamp Club #1 - Meets on the second Wednesday of each month from 11.00am-1.00pm.This is an existing club that is going to do another round ('cos we've had so much fun together!), and has only two spaces still available. First date for 2008 will be Wednesday 13th February.


Stamp Club #2 - A new Stamp Club, which will begin meeting on the Second Monday of each month from 7.30pm-9.30pm. First date for 2008 will be Monday 11th February

Stamp Club #3 - Another new Stamp Club, which will begin meeting on the second Tuesday of each month, from 9.30am-11.30am. First date for 2008 will be Tuesday 12th February.

Each stamp club is based on 10 members, each purchasing a minimum of $35.00 per month. If this has really confused you, then please give me a call - it took me several tries before I actually understood the concept, but it's a good one!

Look forward to meeting with some of you on a regular basis.

CLASSES FOR JANUARY

Thursday 17th January - $2 CARDS Open Home from 6.00pm - 10.00pm
Come along any time from 6-10pm, and make as many cards as you wish for just $2.00 per card. There will be five different cards to choose from. A great way to stock up your card suppy. This year envelopes will be included!
Just give me a call or email me if you are intending to come along, so I can make sure there is plenty of nibbles to keep your strength up while you are stamping!

Friday 18th January - 10-10-20 Cards 7.30pm
This month we will be using Natural Beauty
We make 10 cards using one stamp set, that take approximately 10 minutes to make each, for a cost of $20.
OK, so last year, the cards might have taken more like 20 minutes to make each, but hey, there's always hope huh??
Register for this class by Tuesday 15th January. Cost $20.00


That's all for now, as I'm just working on the rest of of the classes, and have had lots of lovely interruptions to my day, making me running just a little behind. Sorry - hope you will cope with the suspense of waiting 'til tomorrow (or possibly the next day...) for the rest of my classes for January & February.

Have a fantastic, safe New Year's Eve.

NO BETTER TIME TO SIGN UP AS A DEMONSTRATOR!

If you have been tempted to sign up as a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator so you can get some of the wonderful benefits (such a a minimum of 20% off your purchases, plus your initial starter kit, valued at $695, for just $379.00) or how you can make money doing something you love, then you will want to read this!

AVAILABLE ONLY UNTIL JANUARY 11th.
If you sign up before January 11th, then you will get the following extra special offers :
~ An additional 10% off the cost of your starter kit - WOW
~ A FREE stamp set of your choice - valued at up to $94.95

This is such a fantastic deal - if you are only wanting to get your stamping needs at cost price, or if you are wanting to earn some money to pay off your Christmas spending, then this might be what you are looking for.

Don't leave it until the last minute - I'm posting off two lots of paperwork today, for two ladies who don't want to miss out, so if you'd like to be next, give me a call - 06 7533 736

SALE-A-BRATION DETAILS

Promotion Details:
CUSTOMERS — For every $120 purchase they make, customers will be entitled to choose one free Sale-A-Bration stamp set.

HOSTESSES — In addition to our regular hostess benefits, hostesses will choose one free Sale-A-Bration stamp set for workshops that reach $700 or more.

WANT TO SIGN UP AS A DEMONSTRATOR?? — Anyone who joins as a demonstrator during Sale-A-Bration can choose any stamp set, a value of up to $94.95, from the current catalogue.


Don't miss out on confirming your preferred date for a workshop - these sets are really cute! Phone me to book now.

STAMP CLUBS FOR 2008

Join My Stamp Club!
Want to earn a level 1 exclusive hostess stamp set AND get a FREE annual catalogue, AND get $35.00 FREE STAMPIN’ UP MERCHANDISE OF YOUR CHOICE, without actually hosting a party or placing a single large order? Join the club! Whether you live in the New Plymouth area or elsewhere in New Zealand, you can join my stamping club.What does membership involve? It's really simple! The club's duration is 10 months and all you need to do is purchase at least $35 of Stampin' Up! merchandise (plus shipping) from me each month. Each month we will have a ‘Hostess’ who will provide the nibbles (if local), plus get to have the Hostess Rewards.. We meet once a month at my home (see dates for the three Stamp Club’s I have starting in FebruaryThat's it -- no other requirements, no hassle. . For the club members who do not live locally, I would be happy to make & mail the completed projects and instructions to you for a fee of $5.00 per month. You will get three projects each month (or occasionally only two, if we do a complicated project for one).So what do you say? No time like the present to join! Just call (06) 753 3736 or email me at said@xtra.co.nz to join up.

FREE INK PADS!

Happy New Year's Eve everyone!
I've returned from a wonderful few days at a bach, with fantastic weather, and very cruisy days.
Now back to the work though, huh??
Just checking if you are actually reading this blog - thought I'd give away some BLOG CANDY!!
Well, sort of - the first person who books a workshop with me and mentions BLOG CANDY, can choose THREE FREE CLASSIC INK PADS! That's on top of the already amazing hostess rewards and Sale-A-Bration offers that are available during January & February. Now, that's got to be an incentive to decide on a date for your workshop.
I will be loading the information on Sale-A-Bration later today, plus my list of classes for January and February. Make sure you don't miss it.
Talk to you later!
Michelle

My Letter to Santa

dID YOU SEE THE COUNTDOWN TREE - ONE MORE SLEEP 'TIL CHRISTMAS!!
Actually, my family are celebrating Christmas today, so I've snuck into the office with a much needed glass of wine to post this, as my children are playing wrestle mania in the next room, and it's only going to be a matter of minutes before tears! My wonderful sister has come over this morning and saved my sanity - amazing how the presence of another reasonable adult can just change your whole perspective of things huh?
Thought I'd like to share with you today my Wish List for Santa. Sorry, no cards today, just can't face the thought of making cards today.
Have a fantastic Christmas - enjoy the magic of the season with your family.


Dear Santa,
I've been a good mom all year. I've fed, cleaned and cuddled my children on demand, visited the doctor's office more than my doctor and sold sixty-two cases of candy bars to raise money to plant a shade tree on the school playground.

I was hoping you could spread my list out over several Christmases, since I had to write this letter with my son's red crayon, on the back of a receipt in the laundry room between cycles, and who knows when I'll find anymore free time in the next 18 years.

Here are my Christmas wishes:

I'd like a pair of legs that don't ache (in any color, except purple, which I already have) and arms that don't hurt or flap in the breeze, but are strong enough to pull my screaming child out of the candy aisle in the grocery store.

I'd also like a waist, since I lost mine somewhere in the seventh month of my last pregnancy.
If you're hauling big ticket items this year I'd like fingerprint resistant windows and a radio that only plays adult music, a television that doesn't broadcast any programs containing talking animals, and a refrigerator with a secret compartment behind the crisper where I can hide to talk on the phone.

On the practical side, I could use a talking doll that says, "Yes, Mommy" to boost my parental confidence, along with five kids who don't fight and three pairs of jeans that will zip all the way up without the use of power tools.

I could also use a recording of Tibetan monks chanting "Don't eat in the living room" and "Take your hands off your brother," because my voice seems to be just out of my children's hearing range and can only be heard by the dog.

If it's too late to find any of these products, I'd settle for enough time to brush my teeth and comb my hair in the same morning, or the luxury of eating food warmer than room temperature without it being served in a Styrofoam container.

It would be helpful if you could coerce my children to help around the house without demanding payment as if they were the bosses of an organized crime family.

Well, Santa, the buzzer on the dryer is calling and my son saw my feet under the laundry room door. I think he wants his crayon back. Have a safe trip and remember to leave your wet boots by the door and come in and dry off so you don't catch cold. Help yourself to cookies on the table but don't eat too many or leave crumbs on the carpet.

Yours Always, MUM...
P.S. One more thing...you can cancel all my requests if you can keep my children young enough to believe in Santa.

Quote for Today

Ok, so this is more than just a quote, but it really is lovely to read, and so appropriate for this time of year. Take the time, read this, and remember the special women in your life. Thanks to Tracey who sent this to me a while back, and a huge HUG to my Mum & Sister - who have both broken the rules, and "walked in and carried me out" on more than one occasion. I love you both!
Have a great day
Michelle



Time passes. Life happens.
Distance separates.
Children grow up.
Jobs come and go.
Love waxes and wanes.
Men don't do what they're supposed to do.
Hearts break.
Parents die.
Colleagues forget favors.
Careers end.
BUT.........
Sisters are there,
no matter how much time and how many miles are between you.
A girl friend is never farther away than needing her can reach.
When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you have to walk it by yourself, the women in your life will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on, praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on your behalf, and waiting with open arms at the valley's end. Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk beside you...Or come in and carry you out. Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters, daughters-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law, Mothers, Grandmothers, aunties, nieces, cousins, and extended family, all bless our life!
The world wouldn't be the same without women, and neither would I. When we began this adventure called womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we would need each other.
Every day, we need each other still.

Quote for Today

Forgot about the quote for today for yesterday!! Here's today's :

"Sometimes the most urgent and vital thing you can possibly do is take a complete rest"
Ashleigh Brilliant

Yes, this is a real quote from this woman. Such wisdom! I'm taking her up on these words of wisdom, and going out for dinner to celebrate the end of school for the year, and great reports from my sons!
Have a great night, and make sure you take up the words of wisdom as well.

ALTERED TINS

Here they are - two of the three tins that I made for my boys teachers. The other one was taken to school before I had a chance to take a photo of it. Never mind. Also made one for a girl in eldest son's class as a secret santa gift, and her Mum told me that she just loved it. That's so cool! Worth all the effort. The blue tin is made with Holiday Thyme DP (retired), choc chip, and Time Well Spent stamp set. The red tin is made with basic black, real red, and snowflake from Perennial Favourites. Words are from Many Merry Messages. Silver 'ribbon' is non SU.

Tins filled with what was left of the chocolate mints! Yum.

Bundle of Joy - while the earthquake was going on!

This is what I have been working on today - at least one of the things!

I finished this card tonight, while a 6.8 earthquake shook our house. Gave me a bit of a fright I can tell you. Anyway, Mason's teacher's wife has had a baby this week, so this is the suspension card I have made for them. It really is very sweet, and I hope they love it. I enjoy Bundle of Joy, and was very sad that the mini has finished, and so the end of Bundle of Joy. Here's hoping that it turns up again some time in the future!

Lots more work to do tonight, like making six altered tins filled with mints. Well, sort of half filled with chocolate mints, because I keep having "just one more" while I work. Hmmmm. Sorry to those teachers who are receiving these - I did try and restrain myself, but I just have no self control when it comes to chocolate. Yum.

Have a fantastic night, and who knows, when I've finished the tins, I may have time to put them on as well...

Take care, and be good, "'cause Santa Claus is coming, to town!"

A Dazzling Christmas - Lovely As A Tree

I just had to upload this card - we made it as our 'simple' card for "WOW" cards last week. It is gorgeous - it sparkles with dazzling diamonds on the trees.
Recipe : Lovely As A Tree stamp set ($58.95) Riveting Hostess Set, Holiday Thyme Paper (promotion has now finished), Old Olive, Very Vanilla Cardstock (each $17.25 pack of 40), Glossy White Cardstock ($10.95 pack of 25). Crystal Effects ($14.25) & Dazzling Diamonds ($10.25)
If you really want to WOW someone, then add some dazzling diamonds to your card. It just turns your card from 'pretty' to 'pretty amazing'!
Also, until the end of this month I still have 10% off heat tools, making them a fantastic deal, at just $53.95. Once you have used a heat tool (aka heat gun) you will NEVER go back to the toaster. Believe me, I won't! To get this deal, just email me, and make sure you have full payment to me prior to 31 December.

I will try to upload the other WOW cards we did later on - they really need to be played with to be fully appreciated. We did a double slider card, and a magic slider card (thanks to the impromptu lesson on making them from Megan on Friday morning!!) They sure were "WOW".
Look out for my class details for next year that will be released on 31st December.
Have a great day!

Quote for Today

"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle"

Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak Kindly.

Leave the rest to God.

Ok, so it's a litle bit slow... and BIG, but it's there!

Hey there all you who are eagerly awaiting my next posting... LOLL (Laugh Out Loud Lots!) here it is. Yes, it's big, and slow, but it's here. Just still playing, so please be patient! I'll work on it, and soon, it'll be just fabulous! Boy, it's 7.41am, and I've been trying to do this for over an hour. Breakfast. Hmmm, better go wait up sleeping beauty who has to go to work today, and get breakfast for kids. Wonder how quickly I can get them off to school so I can do some more work on my blog.
Enjoy the rain!
Michelle

Christmas Slide Show

Snowman Kisses For You

These are just the cutest little gifts! Huge thanks to Luann for sending me the pics of this project. I've had so much fun doing them, and am making them for the boys to give to their friends at school.

Recipe : DP Holiday Thyme, Let It Snow Set, French Flair Background stamp.

Easy & Cute!

Free Demonstrator Stamp Set!

I've DONE IT!!! Loaded a card. I sure do hope this looks ok when I publish it. Trudi - you'd be proud of me! This is the first card I made with our free demonstrator set we have been given. I just LOVE IT. It has the most beautiful words, and is so much fun. Thanks Stampin' Up!

If you have been thinking about signing up to become a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, then watch this space for some very exciting news coming later today.

Welcome to my blog

Hey everyone. Welcome to my blog. Firstly, a huge THANKYOU to Trudi, who has got me up and running today. My brother-in-law has also spent time with me trying to teach me how to do this blog thing, but I think I'm a little bit slow, 'cause it didn't really sink in very well, so Trudi has just jumped in and done it for me, just to get me started. I hope to have new postings at least every other day, with ideas, techniques & cards to keep you looking & being inspired.
For now - I'm just really pleased to be up and running.
Wishing you all a great night.
Michelle

Coming Soon...

Sale-A-Bration

Starting from the 1st of January 2008. Stampin' Up! are celebrating the new year with a great promotion.

Spend $120 and recieve a FREE stamp set (four to choose from)

Summer Mini Catalogue

The new 'Summer Mini Catalogue' is out now. With gorgeous new stamp sets and matching designer papers, ribbons etc. Follow the link to check out the catalogue on-line or email me.