I haven't forgotten you all!

Hi everyone,

No creating thus far this week. Mum is in hospital which has taken up a large chunk of my week, and this weekend (well, today and tomorrow anyway) I have an extra two little people with me, taking my tally to one 2 yo, one 3 yo, one 4 yo and 2 6yo's. You can imagine how much I will get done in that time!!

I got some new papers, and some new stamps, so I am desperate to start creating, but I am seriously drained out right now, so even if I can snatch five mins I think I will have a nap instead!

Must off to feed the troops some afternoon tea before they all faint from hunger and neglect (read: tear them away from playing cricket and watching cartoons so I can coerce some fruit into them!)

I'll be back on Sunday with a giveaway...have to put my thinking cap on!

Cass

Special Sunday - a petals & paisleys giveaway!

Hello to all my Sunday girls!

Today's giveaway is a sample of designer series double-sided paper, the petals & paisleys design you can see in the mini catalogue.

Remember, it is sample size only, not full sheet. I am so in love with this paper!!

First five Australian residents to reply here, who are not already part of the Stampin' Up! family are IN!!

GOLD gets a bonus today - an altered notebook like what you can see a few posts down.

Happy Sunday!

Cass

Special offer- 10% off!!

Place an order with me before Sunday 12pm and receive 10% off your total order.

I will deliver anywhere in Australia, and will pay the cost of having it shipped from me to you.

Payment can be made via direct deposit, or credit card.

This offer is not valid with any other current specials.

Arden Biannual Spring Fair

For all of you in and around Sydney, Arden school is having its biannual spring fair tomorrow.

If you are able to, you really should go for a sticky, there will be craft, rides for the kids, gourmet food, books, kids toys...the list is endless!

Details:

Date: Sat 25th August
Time: 8am-4pm
Place: Beecroft Village Green

It is not weather dependent, so even if you have to dust off your raincoat, be sure to go along for a fun day.

If you do go, be sure to visit the craft stall. You might even see my friend Kim, and if you don't, you'll at least get to see (and purchase!) some of the creations you've seen on my blog recently.

A notebook

I love little notebooks!

I got some from the junk shop and covered them to make them purty.

Make a nice little gift, this one will be on its way to a friend of mine in Vic.

Happy Birthday to Andrew!!

Happy birthday to you my darling husband!

I am not sure if he will read this, but just in case I thought I would put this here :D

Love Cass x

Stampin' Around - wash day wheel

I LOVE jumbo wheels. You can make whole cards out of them so easily. Here are two I created today using the jumbo wheel Wash Day. Perfect for baby cards of course, and I was also thinking I could use it for a thinking of you card for a friend I know who is always so swamped at home!

Please ignore the rubbish scans I took of them. I am cooking and trying to scare children up into the bath, so it was a rush job!!

A productive stamping day!

I went CASE crazy today! I had no inspiration for original ideas, so revisited my trusty Idea Book & Catalogue for inspiration. I only got a few pages in, and came up with all the cards you see below! I love CASEing ;)

CASEd from page 41

Ignore the 'fluff' on the card in the pic. It isn't really there.

CASEd from page 42.

CASEd from page 20

CASEd from page 16

I'm still alive!

Sorry for the delays in getting back to some of you, I have had no power downstairs today until 10 mins ago which has meant no computer, and no DORA :o

We actually had to enterain ourselves which was horrible lol

Not really, the girls have had fun playing with my offcuts while I made a few cards to replenish my very sad looking and depleted card box. I'll post my efforts later.

Cass

More craft stall items for Kim

Today's efforts and yesterday's pouches filled :)

Special Sunday - a mystery giveaway!

Hi everyone,

I have a tub full of samples in little bags. This week, I am going to put my hand in and draw out one for the first five people to reply here. I might even get Zoe to do it, make it more fun!

You know the rules, first five Australian residents who are not SU! demonstrators.

Sorry for the lateness - I slept in!

Cass

Pocket/gift pouch

These are so easy to make it is almost embarassing!

DP works great for these, but you can also use cardstock.

Dad's treasure box

With father's day coming up, I thought I'd put together a couple of dad type things.

Here is a box I have covered. The idea would be that the kids could put some little treasures in there for dad. Kim, this is coming your way for the craft stall.

A mini album

Remember the tutorial I did awhile ago on creating a mini album using just DP?

Well, recently an online friend of EB (http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/ for those of you not in the know!) went through a very rough and scary time health wise. Several girls got together to make an album for her full of well wishes.

I am putting this here so they can see it, and the rest of you can get a peek too :)

We are all very glad that you are on the mend Leanne!

My efforts so far today...

Include a canvas, and an album cover.

There are no photos on them as they are for sale at a craft fair.

ETA:

And a pencil holder -

What a nice surprise!

I received a lovely card in the mail today from Lesley.

Thanks darl, it really brightened my day!

That birthday card again...

I have a better pic now, not sure why the scanner didn't show the pink, but I realised I could just photograph it. See, it really is pink!!

I am so spoilt!!

I am so very fortunate to have good friends who love me and know how to spoil me!!

Today I got the second installment of my birthday pressie from Kathryn and Kim, I got another stamp set - Wild About You.

What a wonderful surprise to come home to!

Now I have no excuse but to get stamping. I haven't had time to scratch myself today, but I will make time this week to use my new set and see what I can come up with.

I'm back!

What a lovely day I had in Brisvegas meeting some of the lovely EB girls :)

They were very welcoming, which was nice as by the time I got there I was quite frazzled (for those in the know, I ended up in St Lucia instead of Ashgrove and had to plot my way back!)

I have nothing to show you all, as we scrapped some pages (well, I did one) for an album for someone else.

I am a bit weary, so will have to wait til tomorrow or the next day to come up with something new to show you all.

So this is a bit of a nothing post - I love having a captive audience ;)

Hope you all had a great weekend. If you have anything to show me, please do email it through. I am always looking for additions to the reader's gallery!

Cass

Special Sunday - a brads giveaway

Hi all,

Today's offer is a sample of brads from the soft subtles colour family.

Offer open to first give Australian residents to reply here who are not already part of the SU! family.

Off to a crop in Brissie today, more later!

Cass

An open Album

I just finished making this for my mum:

Close ups:

Thought it might cheer her up at least a little :)

Eat Cake

Oh I do love this set!

I have CASEd this card from the IB&C.

To make the cake I inked it up with versamark, then pink passion, then stamped it onto the cardstock and sprinkled it with heat n stick powder. I set that, then sprinkled on some dazzling diamonds and set that.

If you pull the tag out it reads 'happy birthday'

I hope the pic shows up better on your monitors - the cake is actually a beautiful pink colour, but I can't see that on mine. If it is the scan, you'll just have to imagine it :)

And the winner of my birthday card comp is...

ROBYN!!!

Congratulations :D

The prize was drawn at random, by an independent person (namely Zoe, my 4 yo, so if there are any issues take it up with her!)

I loved the cards you all sent me, thankyou.

Robyn, you can choose from either Rich Regals or Earth Elements Watercolour Wonder Crayons. Email me and let me know which you would like and I'll put them in the post.

On to other news...

I got two new stamp sets to play with today. I have wonderful friends (thanks Kathryn and Kim!) who got me Eat Cake for my birthday. I can't wait to play with it, of course I am going to *have* to purchase the soft subtles markers to go with it, I think they will lend themselves nicely to the set. I also got the french script background which I have been meaning to get for ages!

I also got some new brads - if you have gotten any yet, you are really missing out! They match so beautifully with the cardstock, they really finish a card. I got the soft subtles and bold brights this time. Look out for samples on Sunday!

I haven't had time to make anything new to show you all yet, but the day is still young. Off to tear the girls away from Hi-5 for their nap in their freshly made beds, in their nicely vacuumed room (see Andrew, I do clean instead of stamp sometimes!). We are having a tea party this afternoon, so might whip up some fairy cakes as a treat for them. Not sure if Jack would go for fairy cakes though...hmmm...might have to ice some of them with mud or snakes or something...

Hope you're all having a great day. It is a sunny 24 or so degrees here on the gold coast. I have all my doors and windows open, and washing hanging from every available surface lol

Cass

Look at my new goodies!!

Recently I participated in an embellishment swap with one of the online scrapping groups I am part of. The idea was that we would make up a pack to the value of $20 and send it annonymously to our swap partner.

Well, I got mine today, and did I score!!

Just thought I'd share ;)

I've been bumper card tagged!

Okay. This took me a minute to get my head around, but I think it is great fun, and a great way to spread the love, which is a huge part of papercraft IMO.

How it works (and this is taken from Geeta's Blog)

Okay, the rules are simple:

1) Send ONE card to someone you know within 7 days! (family, friends, associates, cyber people, etc.) ANYONE!!! Doesn't matter who... just do it. Can you imagine the smile on their face when they open their mailbox and see a card from you?

2) Tag (yes, I know, but this is the only way to spread this) 5 people you know to do the same thing (Tag means tag them to send their own cards to their own people).

3) Proudly display this on your blog to spread a little sunshine and pass it on.If you get tagged again (we can all hope, can't we), send another card! You don't even have to mail... put one on your husband's dashboard of his car, your coworkers desk, your neighbor's doorstep, and so on and so forth.

Cheryl who tagged me, came up with the idea to include a little gift in there for the person you RAK, but that is optional.

So, I am tagging the following five lucky bloggers:

1) Sarah

2) Marelle

3) Lesley

4) Joanna

5) Claire

Now, just a tip. If you tag someone, maybe hop over to their blog and let them know. I always find out a week or more after I've been tagged, as I don't get to other blogs every day. I then feel a bit embarassed that I didn't acknowledge it, as it is a special thing being chosen :)

More birthday cards!

From Tina

From Cheryl

From Jacqui:

From Jodene:

And another...

I have just made this for a card sketch challenge.

Click here for the sketch. I took a bit of liberty with it as I used a flower instead of a star, but the idea is there (I hope!)

The other weekly challenge was Christmas in July -

A card is born!

You know you have too many stamps when...

It takes you two weeks to realis that three of your sets are missing, and it isn't until you find them that you realised they were missing in the first place

You have too many inkpads when...

a) You try to send some home with your friend because you don't have that colour

b) you order the same inkpad - for the third time because you really like that colour and have been meaning to get it for ages

On top of all that madness, I have a card for you all that I just finished. I CASEd it of course, Jayne made the original.

I have used cranberry crisp, old olive and brocade blue cardstock, and inkpads. Stamp is from Scribble This, which is a new set in the mini catty.

SU! colour combos

I have just come across this fantastic site that helps you work out colour combinations for your projects.

All you ahve to do is put in the colour/s you want to use and it will work out some colour combinations for you.

Eg: I am about to make a card using brocade blue. It has worked out 735 colour combinations I could use - there HAS to be one there I will like lol

Check it out for yourself -

http://www.scraptitude.com/colorcombo/

Say Cheese!

A scrapbook layout for you all to peruse. I have used some of the new paper I was oohing over in a previous post. It really is divine!

The journalling reads:

My three darling children! Your smiles and laughter are infectious. Jackson, the way a smile creeps onto your face is a delight. Zoe, you can't help but crinkle your nose when you smile, no matter how hard you try. Emma, a laugh from you has us all giggling! Say Cheese!

Stamping and scrapbooking mags

Hi all,

I am having a big clean out of mags, I have so many it is embarassing! They are great for people who are looking for inspiration, or wanting to learn new techniques, which is why I have so many lol

In case you are interested, you can view pics and prices here

Email me admin@cassandragrambau.com.au if you are interested in any of them, prices do not include postage.

August Hostess Promotion

Have you seen it??

This month, when you become a Stampin' Up! hostess, you will be celebrated in a spectacular way.

In addition to the fantastic benefits you already receive as a hostess (think FREE exclusive stamps and products!!), you will receive an additional free stamp set when your workshop hits $600 in sales. There are three pre-selected sets for you to choose from: all about U, nice and easy notes and petal prints. These sets are valued at $53.95. Amazing value, but even better when they are free ;)

To receive these benefits, you can host a workshop in your home, or a catalogue party. For more information, or to become one of my celebrated hostesses, contact me today!

Polka Dots and Paisley

Robyn, I saw this and thought of you!

I have to say, the set never really appealed to me until I saw that card, it is beautiful! There has been much discussion amongst myself and other demos about how the maker got the effect - it looks great, doesn't it?

I have to say, the papers that match this set are to die for, I think I am in love *swoon* You can see them here if you don't have a copy of the mini catalogue (email me if you are in Australia and would like a copy of your own)

Some changes in the air...

Some of you have noticed my blog is a bit slow recently (thanks for your emails!). I am finding it a bit hard to get the segments done on certain days, when I have so much going on with my family, an ill relative, and my other responsibilities. I am also finding that I am not really taking any time to create anything new, just for enjoyment, as I am using any of my creative time that I can squeeze in making things I 'have' to do, such as the segments for my blog.

To this end, I have decided to make some changes.

There will only be one 'regular' spot from now on - Special Sunday. I do enjoy giving things away, and I like that you all come to check in on Sundays. Believe it or not, you'll see more of me, as less time will be spent preparing spots for the site, so I can pop in to share handmade items, techniques, ideas, drivel any time of any day. The regular segments will probably come back at some stage in the future, but I just can't quite manage them right now. Some of you who know a bit more about what is going on in my life will understand, and for those of you who don't, I hope you'll understand too :)

Cass

Special Sunday - what should I give away????

Hi everyone,

I have been up half the night with my 2yo, so am in a fog!

Today is going to run a little differently. I want you to suggest what you might like to receive a sample of. It has to be something reasonable, and I reserve the right to say no lol I will suggest something else if I do though!!

Open to first five Australian residents who aren't part of the stampin' up family to reply here.

You can email me with your suggestion if you like, but you must also reply here so I can keep track.

Technique Tuesday - folding and scoring a card

Today we will look at one of the basics of cardmaking - how to score and fold a card.

One: How to fold a card

Step 1: Get your cardstock and folding tools. I will show you today how to fold a card with a teaspoon and a bone folder

2) Fold your card in half, and make the ends meet evenly.

3a) Using your bone folder, run it along the fold, pressing down firmly and evenly. Starting in the centre, run it along one side, and then the other

3b) If you don't have a bone folder, you can also use the back of a teaspoon.

Manic Monday - bundle of joy

Hi everyone,

This week I have only managed to squeeze in 8 cards! This 1 hour time frame has been spread over about 10 hours lol

I also completely forgot to take a before pic, so you only have the after.

Stamp set: Bundle of joy (from the mini catty)

Cardstock/inks: soft subtles

Accessories: white organza ribbon, blue gingham ribbon

Sorry the pic isn't great, the soft subtles inks didn't show up very well in the photo.