The REAL meaning of Christmas…

Hi everyone!

I KNOW that I haven’t been blogging recently, but that’s just fine with me… I’m enjoying doing some things that are just way more important – like spending quality time with my friends & family… without feeling guilty because I should be at home prepping for a class or workshop!   I may or may not continue to blog next year, but for right now, I’m enjoying the start of what I’m hoping will be a fabulous long Summer.    I wanted to leave you with something that struck a real chord with me last year when I was super busy doing my stamping, and feeling like I was really not pulling my weight as a Mum/Friend/Wife terribly well.  This is well worth reading – and thinking about.

Wishing you all a WONDERFUL Christmas, and a safe & enjoyable 2010. 

Michelle

1 Corinthians 13 Christmas Style
©By Sharon Jaynes

If I decorate my house perfectly with lovely plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights, and shiny glass balls, but do not show love to my family - I'm just another decorator.
If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals, and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family - I'm just another cook.
If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home, and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family - it profits me nothing.
If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties, and sing in the choir's cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.
Love stops the cooking to hug the child.
Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband.
Love is kind, though harried and tired.
Love doesn't envy another home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.
Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of your way.
Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return, but rejoices in giving to those who can't.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.
Love never fails.  Video games will break; pearl necklaces will be lost; golf clubs will rust.  But giving the gift of love will endure.

A Christmas Card & another recipe!

Happy Friday everyone!

There’s such a wonderful feeling about Fridays I think… the start of a couple of days off where we get to relax a little and do some fun things together.  YAY!!   Tonight I’m taking a group of ladies for some card-making at our church.  We only have about 15-20 minutes to make one card, so I am really hoping that I don’t go over time!   Here’s the card I came up with for the class

 

This will also be one of the cards I’m making at my Christmas Class next week – yes next Thursday, not the 12th as I’ve stated on my previous post… Sorry!  Phone me if you’d like to come along – details are on the side of my blog.

I’m really getting into this home baking (eating it as much as anyone!), so here’s another recipe for you to try out.  I’m always finding that our boys won’t eat the weet-bix crumbs, and I end up throwing them out.  Now, I’ve found a way to use them in a delicious recipe in the microwave. 

Terri-Lee’s Microwave Chocolate Crunch

125g buter, 1 cup self-raising flour, 2 Tbsp cocoa
1 cup weeb-bix crumbs, 1 cup coconut, 3/4 cup sugar

Melt butter & mix in remaining ingredients.   Cook on high for 6-7 minutes.  Ice & cut while still warm.   This crunchy slice is really crunchy, so make sure you don’t overcook it.

Have a fabulous Friday – I’m off for lunch with friends!

Michelle

NO PRESSURE Christmas Classes for you!

Good morning everyone!

As I have had so many lovely people asking about Christmas Card Classes, I have decided that I’ll hold two classes next month. The details are below.

If these dates don’t suit then please give me a call, as I am also available for classes on other dates, so if you would like to get together a small group (or a larger one!) then I’m happy to come to you at a time that suits us both. Details for this NO PRESSURE Christmas Class are the same as below, with a minimum of six people attending. I’m happy to come to your place, (there may be a small charge for mileage depending on where you live), or I can host it at mine.

DETAILS :

Thursday 12th November and Wednesday 25th November 7.30pm.
We will make 9 cards – 3 each of 3 designs.
Cost $20 per person
Phone me on 06 7533736 / 027 3711420 or email o2bstampin@hotmail.com to register.

Oh, you may be wondering about the NO PRESSURE part of these classes… I know some people are intimidated by pushy sales-people at events such as these trying to sell them a whole heap of things that they never end up using – well, I’ll guarantee you that this won’t happen at my classes! I’m no longer selling any stamping products (except cardstock by the piece if you need some) so there will be no need to worry that you’ll end up walking out with a huge bill! $20 is all you’ll need to bring.

Here’s one of my Christmas Cards that was inspired by the lovely Sarah Klass. Thanks Sarah – I just love your style!

Enjoy your day – it’s pouring here, so I cancelled everything for the day, and am enjoying a day at home.

Michelle

DELISH COOKIES :
Oh, I’ve been baking lots recently (funny that!), and have a wonderful recipe to share with you all – keep reading if you’re interested in a great biscuit recipe that makes a whole heap of biscuits, and even a Non-Biscuit-Baker like me can make successfully!

These cookies are called the $250 Urban Legend Chocolate Chip Cookies – this IS a legend, with no truth what-so-ever behind the emails that are circulated on a regular basis, but the cookie recipe is delicious anyway, and the story kinda makes the cookies taste ever so slightly better, I’m sure!!

1 cup butter
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 1/2 cups oatmeal or muesli
350g chocolate chips
1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla

Blend the oatmeal (I used old muesli that no-one would eat, as it had gone a little stale, and it was perfect) in a food processor until it is a powder. Cream the butter and both lots of sugar. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Roll into balls and cook at 190 degrees for 6-8 minutes. Deeeelish while still warm, but still a fabulous cookie for days after – if they last that long!

The ingredients listed are halved from the original recipe, as this makes heaps anyway. These cookies freeze well.

Enjoy, and don’t eat them all yourself before the kids come home from school…

Here is the Urban Legend in full detail

Creative Kids Class Tomorrow

Good morning!  

It’s so great that it’s warmed up a little again – it’s been absolutely FREEZING here for a few days.  It seems that Spring has run, and Winter is nearly coming back again!   Stink – school holidays are more fun when you can be out and about doing things!  Anyway, if you children are a little bored, then bring (or send) them along to my Creative Kids class tomorrow.  I have two sessions – the first is from 10am-12noon, and the second is from 1pm-3pm.  Children can come to both or one of the sessions.  If they are coming to both, then they are welcome to stay with me for the lunch break as well.

If children are staying by themselves, then I would suggest age 7 and up, or if you would like to come and stay with them and help them with the projects, then I’m happy to take any school age child.

Here is one of the projects we made last week.  It was a fun project to do, and even the adults all took templates to make one at home!  I have to thank CHERIE, my fabulous friend, who  made one of these for me last Christmas, and I managed to gently pull it apart and take a template from it to make.  Thanks so much Cherie – you’re just wonderul!!

Each session we make different projects, and usually we make at least 3 projects per session, depending on difficulty! 

Give me a call or email if you would like your child to come along.

Have a great day!

Michelle

Faux Alligator Purse & Matching Card

HelllllooooO!!  I’m here.  Finally.   WE Stamp has finished today, so the late night stamping is now a thing of the past.  For now!    I want to share with you some of the projects that I created for WE Stamp – these are all now available for you to purchase as a individual PDF Tutorial for just NZ$5 per project.   I’ll be uploading them over the next week, but if you can’t wait, just send me an email, and I’ll send you my bank account details so you can get it asap!  

It’s not too late to join WE Stamp – all of our projects will remain on the blog for downloading or printing until the end of November, so you’ve still got lots of time.   Just click on the WE Stamp blinkee on my sidebar to go to the blog and join up.  Today I shared a Faux Alligator Purse, and when I was photographing it, I realised that it matched perfectly with one of my favourite cards, so I’ve put them together as a lovely gift set.

This was such a fun purse to make – I’ve never done this technique before, and was amazed that it worked first time for me – that’s a first!

Well, the good news is that I now have a “To Do List” that has only 3 things left on it.   AMAZING!!   I always struggle with my list, and it frustrates me, as I seem to add to it more than crossing it off.  My office is now 99% in order (I may just post the “before & after” pictures!) and I’m loving being in my office once again.  There’s nothing worse than sitting down to create only to have to shove all the other things off your work area because you are too scared to file anything away in case you never see it again… YKWIM???  

Tell me your BEST de-cluttering tip as a comment on this post, and I’ll pick a random commenter and send you one of my PDF’s (of your choice) for free, just to celebrate being so much more in control of my life again!  

Happy Monday!

Michelle

A card that’s a little different.

Hi everyone!   WOW – school holidays have started today.   I’m just hoping for some lovely weather to get out and enjoy it with the boys, but at least we all get to stop the rushing around – YAY!

Speaking of School Holidays, I have a school holiday programme happening at my home both Thursday’s of the holidays.  The details are :
Thursday 1st October and/or Thursday 8th October
10.00am – 12noon and/or 1.00pm – 3.00pm
Cost $15.00 per session, or come to all sessions and pay just $50.  Children are welcome to stay with me during the lunch hour at no additional cost.   The programme would be best suited to children age 8 and over.  BYO Drink bottle, snack, scissors & lunch if staying all day.

We’ll be making three projects each session (each session will be different projects), and lots of lovely Christmas Cards & Christmas Gift ideas as well.  Phone or email me to register.  Limited to 8 per session.

I have been stamping a lot this week, (and spring cleaning the house…), but mostly for WE Stamp projects.  Here is one of my mini-projects that I have done this week.  I have no idea what it’s called! 
As usual, my photography was done late at night, so the colours aren’t quite true, but you’ll get the idea!   Our current round of WE Stamp is all go, with projects each day until the 5th October, especially focusing on some gift ideas and Christmassy things to get you thinking along those lines.   You can still join up – the cost is NZ$20 for the whole round, and you don’t have to rush through the projects, as you get about 8 weeks before we remove them from the blog!
 

And here is another sample for some more inspiration.

 
Happy Stamping!

Michelle

WE Stamp Wednesday #8

Hello everyone!   It’s been a lovely, crazy, busy week for me, and I just feel like I’ve been on holiday for a while.  Just lovely!   I’ve enjoyed the sunshine, walking (and losing) the dog and of course lots of lunches & coffees again this week.  I must admit to have a few MORE lunch dates than usual this past week, as it was my birthday on Sunday, and I started celebrating on Wednesday with lunch out with some wonderful girlfriends, then kept going like that until Sunday.   I was brought coffee and chocolate in bed on Sunday morning by people who obviously know me VERY well – that was breakfast!   YUM!    My fabulous family gave me a great dinner that was almost a surprise for me on Saturday night, then I a child-free birthday lunch on Sunday with my DH.   WOW – possibly the best birthday week I’ve ever had!   So now back to reality I think!  
Now, it’s Wednesday already, and of course over at the WE Stamp blog we have a new sketch challenge to take part in.  Feel free to pop over and upload a card you make with this sketch, even if you aren’t a member! 

I have yet to come up with my card for this sketch – that may have to wait until tomorrow I’m afraid!   Hope it’s lovely where you are today – it’s raining here, but we’re heading out for a birthday dinner at our friend’s who have an outdoor pizza oven.    AND they are going to make DESSERT PIZZAS!!!   MMMMm mmmmmm!

Happy Stamping

Michelle

WE Stamp Wednesday Sketch Challenge #6

Hi everyone!   I know it’s not Wednesday, so I’m either very early, or very late for the WE Stamp Wednesday challenge … you know that it’s the latter, right??  Never mind – I’ve done it, and I must admit that this sketch has been a real favourite of mine.  This is what I created today while the rain was pouring down.

Feel free to take part – you don’t need to be a member of WE Stamp, you can just play along for fun!   Our next round of WE Stamp begins on Tuesday 15th September – wooohooo!!   It seems like a long time since it finished, and I’m really looking forward to sharing some more projects with you.  So for less that NZ$1 per day, you will get 21 ideas and projects to motivate and inspire you.  This time around we will be looking at some gift ideas for Christmas, so you can get all sorted before the mad rush begins in December!

I’ve just got to show you what my darling middle son (only a MIDDLE child would do this, right??!) did last week.  The boys were all told to go clean their rooms up, and Mason’s room is always a mess.  He tries on too many clothes, then doesn’t put them away, and always finds lots of things to do rather than tidy up.  Last weekend though I thought I’d made a breakthrough when he lasted for 30 minutes in his room – WOW!   I looked outside for a moment, only to see this…

followed by this…

Little monkey – he was having a ball sunbathing outside while everyone else tidied up!   Today, I took the bull by the horns, and got two boxes, filled them up with everything that wasn’t put away, and told him he has until bedtime tonight to put them all away, otherwise I’ll take the two boxes full of stuff for the garage sale.  I think it made a little bit of impact, but time will tell.

Hope you’re having a fabulous weekend

Happy Stamping!

Michelle

FINAL CLEAROUT – DEMO SUPPLIES & LAST STAMP SETS

Now, I guess that got your attention huh?? I’m down to the last few stamp sets to sell from my huge sale – you’ve got some fabulous bargains over the past 3 weeks, and I’m really glad that these stamp sets have gone to some lovely homes – Happy Stamping with them!
Now I just need find homes for the last few things – let me know if you want any of these.

BOTANICAL BLOOMS – NEW $10
BUD BASICS – NEW $40
CONGRATS – NEW $10
EXPRESSIVE FLEXIBLE PHRASES – NEW $45
FRIENDSHIP BLOOMS – NEW $25
GREETINGS EIGHT – EX COND $40

KISSES REGULAR WHEEL – NEW $7

CHUNKY SPRINKLES BLUE – NEW $6
CHUNKY SPRINKLES GREEN – NEW $6
CHUNKY SPRINKLES WHITE – USED ONCE $5
CHUNKY SPRINKLES PINK – NEW $6
EARTH ELEMENTS BUTTONS - $4
THE TEARING EDGE RULER – EX COND $20
5/16” NEUTRAL BRADS – 1/2 PACK $7
5/8” NEUTRAL BRADS – 1/2 PACK $6
CORDUROY BASIC GRAY BUTTONS – 1/2 PACK $10
COLOUR COACH – GOOD COND $10

And now for some stamping! Here’s my card for the WE Stamp Wednesday challenge.


and here’s the sketch it’s based on

Pop over and have a go – I really enjoyed this one, and it was really quick!

Michelle

WE Stamp Wednesday Sketch Challenge #4

Good evening everyone.

While I’m sitting here at the computer, I thought I’d get a head start on Wednesday, and post my WE Stamp Wednesday challenge card here – the reject one!   WHAT a night.  Wrong stamp set to fit into the oval as it should be, then words wouldn’t stamp right, then ovals were all bumpy…  and on it went.  I finally put this card aside in disgust and made a whole new one, that’s just slightly better.  It’ll be over on the WE Stamp blog first thing Wednesday for you to see that I did actually improve – I think!

 

See – wrong way around, and just not right!   Hope your night has gone better than mine. 

Happy Stamping.

Michelle

WE Stamp Wednesday Challenge #3

Good afternoon everyone!   The WE Stamp Wednesday challenge is up for this week, and this is what I came up with. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pop over and take part in the challenge – it’s open to anyone, not just WE Stamp Members!  The next round is starting 15th September, so the work has already started on our projects, and it’s going to be FABULOUS!  
Hope you are enjoying your day

Happy Stamping.

Michelle

SALE TIME!

Hi everyone.

Sorry, after an absolutely wonderful evening out with some girlfriends, I forgot to publish the post with all of my stuff for sale, so here it is – finally!   Everything starts at 25% off and the discount goes up from there depending on the condition of the stamp sets.  There is no shipping charges, unless you wish for me to post it to you, then standard postage will apply – approximately $4 for a regular stamp set, or maximum $10 postage if you are buying a whole HEAP of things!  

CLICK HERE to go to my list.

Have a fabulous day!

Michelle

Season of Joy.

Good morning!

Firstly, I want to say that I have been surprised and incredibly overwhelmed by the emails, phone calls, visits, flowers, gifts and comments since sharing that I have resigned as a demonstrator.  THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!   Your support has really been so very encouraging and positive, and confirms that I have indeed made such great friends over the past couple of years.    I have read each one, but am unable to reply to all of you personally, so please accept my heartfelt thanks!   I’m nearly through sorting my stamp sets, cardstock & stuff for sale so I will post that later today on my blog.  I’ve set myself (with the help of a friend who has told me she’s coming to inspect my office in two weeks) a goal of having my office completely ordered and sorted by the end of August, so that’s been a great project to start getting into, along with getting all organised for tomorrow’s Christmas Class. 
Here is one of the cards we are making tomorrow – it is a CASE of Kim Richards from last year.  This is a card that Kim made as a swap last year, and I really liked the layout, so decided to change colours and DSP, and remake it – why change something that’s so gorgeous huh??



See the clever way Kim made this tag – I thought this was a fabulous idea!   Using the 3/4" circle stuck to the back of the 1 3/8" circle then punching a hole through with the horizontal slot punch.   Very cute – thanks Kim for your fabulous idea!  REALLY looking forward to tomorrow’s class – see you then!

Michelle

News. Finally.

Hi everyone.  I know you’re all probably thinking I’ve run off to a desert island, but unfortunately the reality is not quite as exotic.  This week I resigned as a Stampin’ Up demonstrator after a very long and difficult few weeks.  I’m not going to go into details here, but instead focus on the positive side of all this – lots more time for coffee, walking, squash, coffee, shopping, coffee and of course stamping!   YAY!   Did I mention coffee??   See, every cloud DOES have a silver lining.  AND, this is the fastest I’ve ever lost weight, and I’ve ALMOST weaned myself off chocolate… I’d better try and fix that!

So, the good news is that I’m having a huge sale of all the stuff I’ve accumulated over the past 2 1/2 years, including lots of brand new sets, all at the best prices you will get anywhere!   These will be available to purchase for about 2 weeks.

I am currently putting together a list that I will put onto my blog later this week for you to check out, otherwise just send me an email if there’s something you are wanting to get before I sell it to someone else!

Now for some stamping – over at the WE Stamp blog we are having our latest WE Stamp Wednesday sketch challenge.  Here’s my card for it – go over and check it out, and even upload your creation if you like.  The next round of WE Stamp is starting on 15th September, and is going to be staying at the AMAZING price of NZ$20 – that’s less than $1 per day! 



This card was made for my wonderful friends Cherie & Angela – friends like you are hard to find, and I’m absolutely blessed to have two of you!!

Have a fabulous day everyone.

Michelle

WSSC1 – My take.

Good morning.   Here is my simple card for the WE Stamp Sketch Challenge (WSSC1) – pop over to the front page of the WE Stamp blog and check out my more detailed version.  I’m really loving this set – Three Little Words.  You are welcome to play along as well – simply create a card using the WE Stamp Sketch provided and post it to your blog or online gallery, then upload it via Mr Linky. 

 

The Spring Mini Catalogue Launch taking place on Sunday is now fully booked sorry – watch out next week for some cards from that.  You can still place an order by Sunday with me to enter the draw for one of two Stampin’ Up! Gift Vouchers though – you don’t have to be there to enter the draw. 

Happy Friday everyone!

Michelle

WE Stamp Sketch Challenge #1 (WSSC1)

Good Evening!
Tonight we started our classes at Inglewood High School again.  SO much fun – the women are really fabulous, and I come away from there buzzing.  Thanks ladies – you’re so much fun to stamp with!

Over at the WE Stamp blog we are having our first Sketch Challenge, and I’d love for you to take part.  This layout is a favourite of mine, and one that I use often.  It can be as simple or detailed as you wish.   You can go over to the WE Stamp blog (whether you are a member or not… and if you’re not… why not join up now and get all of our projects from this round before they disappear!) and participate in the challenge, and upload your card via Mr Linky.

I will be posting a card tomorrow for this challenge, and look forward to seeing what you all come up with as well!

Michelle

Mojo Monday #97

Woohoo!   It’s another Mojo Monday sketch to play along with.  These sketches are so great – give you a fabulous place to start, and things just seem to flow from there.    This card has been made with a particular friend in mind – a very special friend - “just because”.  OK, so maybe it’s “just because she had a birthday last Wednesday”.  NO – don’t even consider that I may have forgotten her birthday.  I sure didn’t forget – in fact, when she arrived at my place on Sunday, I asked her if she was all ready for her birthday tomorrow…  See – I didn’t forget – just wrote down the wrong date for her birrthday.  {SHAME}!   Sorry Jacqui – you are so incredibly gracious, and even when I SAW YOU ON YOUR BIRTHDAY and didn’t wish you a happy birthday, you still didn’t say anything!  Man – I’m really bad!   So I’ve made this card, and am just putting some finishing touches on a little something to go along with it, and then I’m heading up town with Blake, who has a teacher-only day today, and we’re having lunch up town.  Blake has spent about 3 hours cleaning his room from top to toe.  No grumbling, no whining or moaning – he just got stuck in, and our rubbish bin is now FULL!  Isn’t that fabulous?  So we’re celebrating – with lunch!  After lunch I’m coming home to make some Triple Mini Chocolate Cheesecakes – YUMMO!  We’ve got our final squash competition against another club tonight, and it’s all come down to the wire – we're only 1 point apart at the moment, so if our team all win our games – we’re the champions!!    No pressure or anything!

 
STAMP SETS : Tres Chic, Great Friend.  Cardstock/Ink : Sahara Sand, Basic Gray, Whisper White, Cameo Coral, Baja Breeze.  Accessories : Photo Corner Punch, 1/2 Pearls from the Pretties Kit, Dazzling Diamonds, Oval Punches, Coluzzle, Taffeta Ribbon, Walk In The Park DSP.

Better fly – have a great day!

Michelle

Mini Catalogue Launch THIS SUNDAY

Good afternoon!
Come along this Sunday to my Mini Catalogue Launch. If you are interested in coming along, please let me know by Wednesday night. I have a couple of spaces left for Sunday afternoon from 2-4pm, and lots left for Sunday night from 7-9pm. There is NO COST to come along, and we’ll be making two make & takes with some of the lovely new sets from the Spring Mini Catalogue. You’ll get your own copy of the mini catalogue as well as some nice nibbles & bubbles to enjoy your evening, AND there are TWO $50 GIFT VOUCHERS to be won – simply place an order on the night, or book a workshop! Even if you haven’t been to a class with me before, you’re VERY welcome! Bring a friend who hasn’t been before and you’ll receive a little thank you gift from me as well.

I wanted to share a couple of cards from yesterday’s $2 cards. Both of these were swaps from convention – I LOVE that we come home with heaps and heaps of new samples that are just stunning, and then when MY brain freezes for ideas, I can use someone else’s – fabulous!!

This stunning card was made by a demonstrator from Australia – Cathy Clark
RECIPE : Stamp Sets : Dreams Du Jour, Watercolour Vine Wheel. Cardstock/Ink : Whisper White, Pink Pirouette, Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze. Accessories : Markers, Earth Elements Brads, Mat Pack, Baja Breeze DSP.

And this wonderful card was made by another Australian Demonstrator – Chris Parker-Barnes.
RECIPE : Stamp Sets : A Rose Is A Rose, It’s Your Birthday. Cardstock/Ink : Very Vanilla, Pink Pirouette, Mellow Moss, Ruby Red. Accessories : Mellow Moss Taffeta Ribbon, Spiral Punch, Stamp-A-Ma-Jig

THANK YOU ladies for your fabulous swaps that I have very much enjoyed making.

Have a wonderful night.

Michelle

Stamp Club Project

Good evening! I thought I’d show you one of the cards we made last night at Stamp Club – it started out as a complete case of Cherie’s card (SUCH a huge thank you for allowing me to case your projects AND for providing all the templates – you’re a real GEM!) and then as I discovered I didn’t have the right cardstock or ribbon, I changed it and this is how it came out.

RECIPE : Stamp Set : Three Little Words, Priceless. Cardstock/Ink : Regal Rose, Kiwi Kiss, Real Red, Whisper White. Accessories : Scallop, 2 circle punches, narrow grosgrain ribbon, markers, Raspberry Tart DSP

Now I can’t show you a picture of the inside, as it didn’t come out, and now it won’t photograph well, so that will have to wait, and I’ll add it on tomorrow! Instead, I’ll show you another of the projects from last night – A Pillow Box.

RECIPE : Stamp Set : Sweet Little Sentiments (Hostess Set), One of A Kind. Cardstock/Ink : Textured Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White. Accessories : A CD!!, Cutter Kit, White Taffeta Ribbon, Scallop Oval Punch, Oval Punch, Word Window Punch.

This is the cutest little box, that we decided should definitely have chocolates, or A RING… in it! Everyone made theirs from different cardstock & Ribbons, and they all looked gorgeous!
I’ve just got home from Business House Squash, and had a long hot shower, and am now in my pj’s – and it’s only 8pm!! How lovely! Sad huh – Friday night and I’m excited about a night at home. Boy how things change!

Hope your night is fabulous, wherever you are!

Night!

Michelle

Mojo Monday Sketch #96

I saw this sketch layout at mojo monday, and knew that I simply had to make some time to do it – LOVE this layout!  Unfortunately, when I sat down to create last night, I just sat.  And sat.   Hmmm.   What set to use… what colours… what DSP??  HELP!  

RECIPE : Stamp Set : Enjoy Every Moment.  Cardstock/Ink : Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Baja Breeze,, Whisper White, Real Red.  Accessories : Coluzzle, Fire & Ice Brads, 1/2” & 3/4” circle punches, striped grosgrain ribbon, cutter kit.

This card took me about 2 hours, and lots of re-stamping, as I kept getting red ink on the white cardstock each time I cut it out – I think I had some red ink on the back of the inkpad.  Drove me CRAZY!    The three strips of DSP got lost on the Old Olive cardstock, but NEVER MIND!  I got there, and managed to hide the imperfections pretty well.   I think!   Not quite what I imagined, but it will do.  Wrote off last night, then started stamping this afternoon, and was on a roll!  YAY!   I’ll show you the three projects we are making at Stamp Club tonight later. 

Have a fabulous night

Michelle

For my darling…

Helllllloooo Stampers!!

I’ve had one of THOSE weeks.  You know the ones… “STOP THE WORLD.  I WANT TO GET OFF” weeks.  Started on Monday having my tooth pulled out – long story – and went downhill from there, ending last night with me falling asleep on the couch at 9pm during a great movie, with Brad Pitt, Matt Damon & George Clooney in it… I mean, HOW could I possibly fall asleep with the eye candy on t.v???  (Not that I don’t have my very own eye candy right here in my house….).  After a fabulous weekend playing squash and having no children all weekend, this week has been quite a shock.  So, last night I decided that “tomorrow couldn’t possibly be any worse.  Right!?” and it hasn’t been.  I took myself off up town, did the groceries, a couple of jobs, and bought a pair of shoes.  YIPPEE!  Nothing like retail therapy, ESPECIALLY shoe therapy to make yourself feel better, and there are lots of SALES in the shoe shops, including a 50% off EVERYTHING sale in one of my favourite shoe shops in town.   So, now I’m home, cooking a Pork Roast for dinner that will convince my DH that' I’m a Domestic Goddess (honestly, it really doesn’t take much!!), and finally blogging!   I’ve had this box half made for a couple of days now, and finally bought some more lollies (‘cos I ate the last ones in one of my moments of desperation) and finished it this afternoon.  I have made this for my Darling Husband (DH – aka Said) as he’s been so fabulous over the past couple of days, including listening to a good friend of mine sobbing on the phone and not freaking out and throwing me the phone; Coming home from work last night and saying “Off you go – I’ll finish doing the dinner.  You go and relax!” – WOW!  WHAT A MAN!    Everything seems so much better when you have a supportive ear listening and backing you, (and right now my grateful thanks go out to the “others” who have been incredibly supportive & encouraging to me.. you know who you are! – does this sound like an Oscar acceptance speech??).  

ANYWAY….   this little cube is one of the “mini” projects I have done over on WE Stamp this week.   I have made up a template to print directly onto your cardstock so it’s super easy.   To join up all you have to do is CLICK HERE and then hit the “join WE Stamp” button.  You will then have access to all of our fabulous 8 projects, templates & ideas so far, and be delighted each day until the 4th of August with new projects.  OK.  So.  Are you sick of me talking yet??  LOL – I’m making up for lost time.   I already have something else to blog for tomorrow, so I’ll see you all then!

Have a great night.

Michelle

Tomorrow is THE DAY!

Hi everyone!   Finally, just one more sleep until             WE Stamp’s first round opens tomorrow – I can’t WAIT!   I’ve been flat out with school holidays, a sick son, squash and WE Stamp so not much other time left for creating!   Today I want to give you another sneak peek – this time at one of our fabulous projects that will be included in this round of WE Stamp!  

Doesn’t this look gorgeous??  You can still join WE Stamp, simply by CLICKING HERE to go to the WE Stamp blog, and clicking on “Join WE Stamp” – simple!   If you are desperate to do our projects, but enjoy making things as a part of a group, with someone to instruct you, then we have that covered for you as well!   On Saturday 15th August WE Stamp are holding an all day event, where we will be making lots of the projects from the current round.  If you are interested, then watch this space for details coming soon.

I hope you all stay warm tonight – I’ll be back later this week with some creating for you.

Take care
Michelle

Do you want a peep at the new mini??

I KNOW some of you are desperate to see some of the AMAZING new stuff in our new mini catalogue, which is beginning on 1st August… so here’s a little peep for you.   I must say, this mini is my absolute favourite ever – soooo hard to decide what NOT to buy.  I really LOVE it!   This set is my current favourite, and I was very excited when I saw it was in the mini.

This shows you not only a new stamp set, but also some new DSP – fabulous!!  

This card also fits into the MOJO Monday Sketch #94 – hooray for Mojo Monday! 

I have a wonderful invitation for you all – I’m having a Spring Mini Event, to celebrate Spring getting closer… AND to show you all our fabulous Spring Mini catalogue.  Here are the details :

Sunday 2nd August  2-4pm OR 7-9pm
Cost : Free – includes a free mini catalogue & make & take

I’m offering free shipping on all orders during August, and giving away a $50 Stampin’ Up! Gift Vouchers to two lucky people who place orders on the night.  Bring a friend who hasn’t been before, and you’ll also get a lovely goodie bag.  We’ll be making something using some of the new stamp sets & products from the mini, and of course having a few nibbles, and even some bubbles (and no.. I don’t mean the type you blow at kids parties!), so make sure you RSVP by Sunday 26th July – I look forward to sharing some of these wonderful new products with you.

PLUS : Book a workshop to be held during July or August and receive either a free pack of the gorgeous new Designer Paper OR a pack of mixed cardstock of your choice, plus get a second entry into the Gift Voucher draw.

Michelle

MOJO MONDAY SAVED MY BACON!

So…. it was only 8 1/2 hours until we started our monthly team meeting, where we are swapping cards made with our favourite stamp set.   And I was stuck!   Until 1.30am this morning, I was freakin’ out, wondering if I could fake Swine Flu and get out of the swap for another day.. then I spied the Mojo Monday sketch challenge – THANK YOU!!   I used the image that I had already stamped seven times (ok, so more than 7, as I had to ditch quite a few due to the state I was in trying to stamp in a hurry!) and added some more layering, and my card turned from “ho-hum” to “whew!  I’ve done it”!  Sometimes we all get “stampers’ block”, and need a little kick start.  I find a challenge sketch or colour challenge often is just what I need.

Stamp Sets : Inspired By Nature, Dreams du Jour.  Cardstock/Ink : Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Riding Hood Red, Whisper White.  Accessories : Crystal Effects, 1 1/4” & 1 3/8” circle punches, Haiku DSP, Riding Hood Red Taffeta Ribbon. 

I hope your day has been a good one.  I’m off to prepare for our children’s holiday class – tomorrow!   WHY do I leave everything until the night before??  I will do better… soon!

Michelle

WE STAMP BLINKIE & BLOG CANDY!

Good afternoon – I hope you are all enjoying a little bit of sunshine today – just perfect for the start of the school holidays!  We have had an overwhelming response to the opening of WE Stamp so if you haven’t yet been to our gorgeous new blog, then check it out by clicking HERE.   You can enter our blog candy draw (valued at $150) any time before the 20th July by downloading our FREE template for my Guylian Chocolate Box and uploading your creation.  You can ALSO get an entry simply by displaying our blinkie on your blog!   If you want to post our blinkie, just cut & paste the HTML code below and insert it as a gadget in your blog sidebar.  Don’t hesitate to email me if you would like some help doing this – it’s not hard once you’ve done it once!
HTML CODE :
<a href="http://westamp.blogspot.com/" target="blank"><img src="http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu49/Michellehabib/westampblinkie.gif"></a>

Here is a card that we made at Stampin’ Up! Convention in Canberra recently – I haven’t quite got around to posting it before today …

Stamp Set : Trendy Trees.  Cardstock/Ink : Textured Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Whisper White, So Saffron, Baja Breeze, Tangerine Tango.  Accessories : Twine, Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals.

Have a wonderful day!

Michelle

Some Scrapbooking

This is one of the pages from May’s double page layout that we did at our Scrapbooking Madness evening.  I’ve just got around to putting a photo on it, and I’m so delighted, as the colours just tie in perfectly!  We are having a Scrapbooking night THE LAST FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH.  There is a class from 6pm-8pm, then an open crop from 8pm-midnight.  You can come for the class and the crop for just $20, and make two double page layouts, or just the crop for $10, where you bring all of your own cardstock, and can use our ideas and inks, stamps & punches.  
Gorgeous photo, huh??  Yep – this photo was taken by Jacqui Jones – who I’m sure will very soon be a famous photographer, and I have the honour of receiving some of her photos in a gorgeous calendar.  Thanks Jacqui – this was just a stunning gift, and one that I can continue to use in my scrapbooking!

This is a photo from Pukekura Park – our gorgeous Park right here in New Plymouth, and one that has heaps of photo opportunities.  In fact, as teenagers we used to go up there most Sunday afternoons during Summer and hire the boats that go out on the lake – and have water fights!  We used to get some of our passengers to get off on the little island in the middle of the lake… then leave them there.   Yep – that was sooo much fun, until someone fell in, and we got banned from going back..     hmmm.   Mum – hope you’re not reading this, as I don’t remember that I ever told you about this!   Oops!
Hope you’re enjoying your Sunday – don’t forget to pop over to the WE Stamp blog  to get your free download of our template and enter the blog candy draw.  There is also a new challenge up for you to take part in.  A great way to spend a Sunday afternoon!

Michelle

I TOLD you I’d be back with some creating!

Good morning!   OK, so if my creating is for a class, that does still count, right??   This adorable little fish comes from the website of the very talented Jan Tink.  Isn’t he sweet?   This is one of our cards we are making this morning at my Punch Art Class.  It’s repeated tonight at 7.30pm, and I can still fit you in if you have found yourself at a loose end – phone me to let me know though!

And here’s a close up…

Stamp Sets : Circle Circus, On Your Birthday.   Cardstock/Ink : Tempting Turquoise, Pumpkin Pie, Green Galore, Whisper White.  Accessories : Haiku DSP, Bold Brights Brads, White Eyelet (retired), Large Oval Punch, Scallop Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, Five Petal Flower Punch.   Have I forgotten anything…??

Have a wonderful Friday – yippee – I LOVE the feeling of a Friday!   Lunch out with friends again today after my class, which I’m very much looking forward to.  Hope you all get some time having a coffee with someone lovely as well!

Michelle

WE made it!

Good morning!

I’m delighted to tell you all that  WE Stamp is now LIVE.   It’s been a long and very interesting journey, and we are all very excited to finally have our blog open.   Go and check it out for the BLOG CANDY and for the FREE TEMPLATE to download and create on of my lovely Guylian Chocolate Boxes.  

If you would like one of my lovely sparkling Blinkies for WE Stamp, just cut and past this HTML code and put it on your blog – once you’ve done that, leave a comment on the WE Stamp blog and you’ll get an entry into our BLOG CANDY draw!

  <a href="http://westamp.blogspot.com/" target="blank"><img src="http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu49/Michellehabib/westampblinkie.gif"></a>

I do hope you will forgive me for the lack of regularity that I have been blogging in the past month, but WE Stamp is one of the big reasons.    I have been busy busy creating some fabulous projects for our first round which begins on 15th July.  

SO…. I can hear you asking “What IS WE Stamp”?   In brief, it’s an online course that teaches, inspires, rewards & (hopefully) motivates you in all things stamping.   Each round runs for 21 days, with loads of ideas and projects for you, which come with full instructions.    The cost is just fabulous…. wait for it…. NZ$20.00 per round!!  WOW!   That’s even better for you overseas customers who will benefit from our weak NZ dollar, so what are you waiting for?   Go visit, make sure you become a follower to get one entry into our blog candy draw, and better yet, register now for our first WE Stamp round.

I’m really hoping that I’ll have something creative to share with you all here by tomorrow.   Really hoping!

Don’t forget about our school holiday programme, which is on both Thursdays of the school holidays - $20 per session per child.   Morning sessions from 9.30am-12.00pm or afternoon sessions from 1.00pm-3.30pm.    The second Thursday afternoon is already fully booked, so hurry and confirm your place for one of our other sessions.

Have a fabulous day – just one more day of school until we have two weeks of school holidays.  YAY.  Hmmm.  Maybe.  Depends how much the little tykes fight I guess!

Bye!   Oh, and a HUGE Happy Birthday to my BF Keren.  We’re going to celebrate with lunch and coffee.  And chocolate – of course!! 

Michelle

Scrapbooking Class tonight.

Hello!   After an unbelievable downpour that lasted about half an hour this morning, the afternoon looks like it might almost be sunny!  YAY!  I can handle the rain, but HATE the wind & HATE being cold.  I love Summer & Spring, but Winter really is a bit tough for me.  Never mind – it only lasts for 3 months.   3 LOOOOONG COLD WINDY MONTHS…. Right.  Luck for me that in the last month of Winter, I’m escaping with Cherie to THE SHERATON, NOOSA – YIPPEE!   All expenses paid by Stampin’ Up!  YIPPEE!   How’s that to get you out of the Winter blues??     OK, so back to New Zealand…  here’s my double page layout that I’ve created for our class tonight.   Once again, these photos are some of my very favourite, taken right here at a local beach, on one of those spur-of-the-moment days when we decided to take the dogs down to the beach for a quick swim.  I took my new camera, and the pictures were just gorgeous.   That was in Summer.  When it was warm enough to go to the beach after 3pm and swim without getting hypothermia.  Ahhhhh.  

  

Only yesterday I was complaining about one pack of DSP that I haven’t been able to “get into”, and one of the in-colours that I NEVER use.   Today, I’ve created two pages using these, and just love them.  Funny!     Don’t forget, we have our Scrapbooking Madness the last Friday of the month from 6pm-midnight, or anything in-between, and you can come along for just $10 if you wish to just do the open crop, where you use all of our inks, stamps, punches etc but bring all of your own perishable stuff, OR you can do the four 12x12 pages that we have prepared for you AND stay for the open crop for $20.   It’s BYO adhesive & a little snack to share, then chill and have fun with all of us working together to create some gorgeous pages!

Have a wonderful weekend – I’m off to Auckland in the morning, so you won’t be hearing from me ‘til Monday. 

Take care!

Michelle

Oh yeah… I forgot – did you see the blinkie??  ALL will be revealed on 1st July, but this is going to be FABULOUS!   Prizes, challenges, give-aways and of course… loads of FUN!

Oh BOY!

So this morning when I didn’t want to get out of bed… I should have taken that as a divine sign that I should STAY in bed!  Last night it all started when my darling son dropped his fathers WHOLE plate of spaghetti bolognase on the floor.  SPLAT.   Not a good look, when it splatters all up the cupboards (that are white!) and right across the floor.   Don’t tell my DH, as I can no longer find the plate that we shoved it all back into, and have a funny feeling that he may have eaten the dropped food when he got home last night…   oops!   That was ok.   This morning, I found a dead hedgehog on our driveway when I was walking the dog home from school.  Disgusting!  So, I got it into a box, and put it out of the way, along with the other evidence we have that we have a dog running around on our property… Nice!   Then I looked at the dog and remembered that she had a dirty brown mark on her neck last night.  You guessed it – she rolled in above mammal, and the smell was.. was you can just imagine!   SOOOO, in the absence of my DH who would usually do the real dirty work, I washed the dog, ignoring the stench coming from her as I washed, and reminding myself that I was yet to have a lovely hot shower and the smell would be gone soon enough.   So, then I was on a roll, and washed the windows, and the car – woohoo!   That’s amazing for me, and it was only 10.00, and the surprises were not over for the morning.   I went to be organised and get the meat out for dinner, to discover that our freezer door had been left open a little, and had frosted over…  fortunately, the chicken that I was about to have for dinner was the only thing apart from the bread that was a little defrosted, but now I had to clean out the old freezer that we use for a beer fridge, then put the meat out of the big freezer into there  - squishing everything into very small spaces… then start to defrost the big freezer so I could clean that out and get the stuff back in.   Charming!  The morning continued, with me discovering that my darling child (the same one who had spilt the plate of food last night) had indeed cleaned up his bedroom – right into the laundry basket.   Apart from one item, everything else looked very very familiar – that would be because I had only washed and folded it all yesterday, and the little imp decided that it was easier to throw back into the wash rather than put away!  BOYS!!!!   So, I now have a huge washing basket full of his clothes to fold up himself and put away tonight.  That should discourage him from a repeat of this little idea for a while at least!!   So, needless to say, I’m onto my third coffee, and second gin this morning~!!   (Just kidding about the gin!)  OK, so I’ve got that off my chest, and now I have some more calendar pages to show you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This was one of Cherie’s pages – gorgeous colours, and a page easily done for male or female.   Thanks Cherie – this is just great!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And this page was done by Toni – my favourite stamp set at the moment, so means that of course, I LOVE this page as well!   The words from this set are so good!   Thanks Toni – you’ve done such a fabulous job with this page!

 

Oh, and the date…   1st JULY!   You will want to be checking back here on the 1st of July to see what it is that has kept me from blogging so often recently – I’ve been so busy working on my project, and have been slightly delayed in telling you all about it.. but I promise – it will be worth the wait!    Without giving away too much more today… keep your eyes open!

Catch you later – I’m off for a squash game to get rid of some of my frustration (see above for source of frustration!)

Michelle