Sale-A-Bration ends TODAY!!!!!!

Today is the last day to grab yourself a free stamp set

with every $100 order you place.

After today, these stamp sets will never be released

again!

Contact me to place your order, all orders must be in

before 9pm tonight.

Zoe's operation, and an update on mum

Today is the day my precious girl is getting her tonsils and adenoids removed, and grommets put in. She is fine with it, I am freaking out!

Dad is at the hospital with her, as I have to take the other 2 kids to school, and then I will spend the night at the hospital with her whilst Dad takes care of the other kids.

She will be going in at 8:30, even though I *know* everything will be fine, this is the first time any of my children has undergone anything like this.

Of course she is at a different hospital to mum, we are certainly becoming well acquainted with the health system!

On to mum...

She is continuing to improve, but still has a long way to go. I haven't seen her since Friday, as I have been unwell with the flu, and can't risk her catching it. She is still having some confused periods, however this is due to her medication. Some of it is amusing, some distressing. We are still taking each day as it comes, however her new liver is going well (thankyou thankyou thankyou). On Friday she was able to walk a lap of the nurses station without the walker, with the assistance of the physio, which was so amazing. I was as happy as if I had just watched one of my children taking their first steps.

A HUGE thankyou to everyone who has sent in cards for mum, she loves getting them, and they are certainly brightening up the room.

Thankyou also to the support I have received from some very special people, your emails and cards to me have given me the strength to 'just keep swimming' (for all you nemo fans!).

It is almost impossible to believe that it has been almost three weeks since mum's operation. We are so blessed, and eternally grateful.

Cass x

Special Sunday: A mystery giveaway

Hi everyone,

Today's giveaway is a mystery. We all love surprises, right?

Usual rules apply, not open to other SU! demo's, and you must be a resident of Australia.

First five people to leave a comment will win!

While you are here, be sure to check out the retiring list - once they're gone, they're gone...

Book Buddy

I saw this idea over at splitcoast and decided to change it a bit as I wanted it bigger.

Front cover

I have used Enchante DSP (love love love this!) and Carte Postale (which i managed to avoid for ages, and finally gave in to, and have never been happier!)

Inside. Sorry it's sideways, you'll just have to turn your head (I can see you doing it already lol)

Inside is a bookmark, notepad and pen.

CUTE!

FREE P&H - this week only!!!

Place an order with me this week, and receive free p&h on your order to anywhere in Australia.

Remember if you place an order totalling $100 or more you will also receive a free Sale-A-Bration stamp set of your choice.

Are you subscribed to my newsletter? If so, look out for an additional discount offer in your inboxes soon!

Special Sunday: A watercolour paper giveaway

Hi to all my Sunday girls!

I missed you all last week, I know you understand why I wasn't around, but I couldn't miss 2 weeks in a row!

This week's giveaway is a sample of watercolour paper. If you aren't sure what to do with it, I'll give you some tips.

Open to first five Australian residents who are not already part of the SU! family

Cass

21+ Techniques for Stampin’ Up!’s Stampin’ Write Markers

I didn't write this, I came across it in my saved documents when we were transferring to our new computer.

Only thing is - I don't know who to credit it to - so if you are reading this, and your wrote it, please let me know so I can give credit where it is due.

21+ Techniques for Stampin’ Up!’s Stampin’ Write Markers
1. Color book Technique
a. Stamp image using black ink, or emboss image using black ink
b. Color image using markers

2. Opaque Technique
a. Stamp image using White Craft Ink on dark cardstock
b. Color over White Craft Ink using markers. Image will pop!

3. Highlighting Photography (Photoshop technique)
a. Take a black and white photograph
b. Decide what you would like to highlight; color the pieces with markers. (Example: flowers in a bouquet)

4. Water Coloring Technique w/Aqua or Blender Pen
a. Scribble on the top of a stamp case with markers.
b. Dip Aqua Painter or Blender pen in ink and color image

5. Coloring Technique
a. Use colors with a few different shades
b. Use a lighter marker
c. Use a darker re-inker
d. Shade in image with light marker
e. Dip tip of light marker in re-inker
f. Highlight image with marker
g. To clean marker tip, color on scrap paper

6. Omitting
a. Color part of a stamp with markers (ex: one word of a phrase; one flower in a bouquet…)
b. Stamp

7. Embossing with Marker
a. Versamark ink on stamp
b. Color on top of versamarked stamp with markers
c. Sponge daub to smooth out color
d. Stamp image
e. Sprinkle clear embossing powder; heat

8. Shading and Highlighting
a. Color on stamp; start with lightest color on whole image
b. Go around outsides with next darker shade
c. Stamp image
d. Use blender pen to blend colors together (Remember to breathe on the stamp before stamping to reactivate the ink)

9. Marker to Stamp - Water mist
a. Color on stamp with marker
b. Spritz lightly with water
c. Then stamp image

10. Color Spritz Tool
a. Put Marker in spritz tool and use to color

When using color spritzer tool, remember to clean in between markers. Wipe the tip with a tissue or paper towel. Also, it’s a “bulb syringe,” so it’s sucking color in as well as splooshing it out. So, pull a little water into the bulb and squirt. Continue until water runs clear. Make sure it’s dry again before using the next color (just squirt a lot until no water comes out).

11. Color Spritz Tool Directly on Stamp *(See important note at end!)
a. Use 3 different color markers (light, med and dark)
b. Spritz light color first on Stamp
c. Spritz medium color around the edges on stamp
d. Spritz darker color outside (accent) on stamp
e. Then Stamp image

12. Thumping Technique
a. Ink stamp with ink pad
b. Hold markers between finger and thumb (like drum sticks) and thump on stamp
c. Then stamp image

13. Background Technique
a. Use old page protector or transparency sheet
b. Scribble on protector (or transparency) with markers
c. Mist with water
d. Lay glossy card stock face down on this creation
e. Brayer back of card stock for full coverage.

14. Dying Technique
a. Dye white ribbon with markers
b. Color edges of ribbon a darker color to accent, or just do edges and leave the center white

15. Dye Flowers
a. Use flowers from Pretties Kit
b. Mist flower with water
c. Color on flower with Marker
d. Let dry
e. Accent Pretties with the same marker, highlighting lines etc.

16. Dye Pearl Technique
a. Brush color on pearls (from Pretties Kit)
b. Use clear embossing powder on pearl
c. Heat set pearl

17. Marker with Dry Embossing Stencils
a. a. Use thin side of marker
b. b. Use with Dry Embossing to accent and highlight

18. Make Flowers
a. Use tip of brush side
b. Smoosh around to make Flowers and hearts!

19. Journal with Markers
a. Highlight certain words
b. Underline certain words

20. Stamp around Wheels Technique
a. Ink wheel with markers
b. Wheel image (Example in Fall/Winter Collection, the bag on p. 24). Remember to breathe on the wheel after to reactivate the ink.

21. Dye or streak your hair

Here are extras that are mine (Courtesy: Elizabeth “Buffy” Cooper)–
22. Multi-colored Stamping
a. Color directly on the stamp with markers. Use different colors (red, lavender, pink for flowers, greens for leaves, etc.)
b. Breathe on stamp to reactivate ink.
c. Stamp

23. Watercoloring #2
a. Stamp on watercolor paper with StazOn
b. Outline image with markers.
c. Use aqua painter to blend color or remove color.Add more color, shadows or highlights as needed

Hello from the trenches...

Hi everyone,

Firstly, a huge thankyou to everyone who has commented, messaged and emailed me over the last week.

It has been a week fraught with emotion, ups, downs, celebrations and commiserations.

Mum has had a very hard time of it. After a successful transplant operation which lasted 9 hours, she went to ICU under sedation. She awoke on Thursday morning, and it was decided that she would go to the ward, which was amazing, as we had been told due to some minor complications during the surgery she would have to remain in ICU for a couple of extra days. Whilst in the ward, it was thought she had a bleed in her stomach, so she was taken back into surgery. She then went back to ICU, where she remained for 24 or so hours, and then she was doing well so was taken back to the ward again. On Sunday she suffered a seizure (it is thought she had 2) and had some swelling of the brain due to fluid retention. She is still being closely monitored (those nurses are SAINTS), and we are hopeful she will regain her mental faculties as soon as possible. She is awake, and her new liver is continuing to gain strength, and she is able to now hold a conversation, however it is difficult as she is confused.

All in all, despite the ups and downs, and endless worrying, we remain hopeful. Every improvement, however minor, is cause for celebration, and I look forward to being able to walk into the hospital and have my mum walk to meet me at the door. At 49, she has gone through something that is so life changing, it is so amazing to think of the gift she has received, it is nothing short of a miracle.

I can hardly put into words the emotions we are experiencing, however the support and love I am getting from my friends and family, are keeping me going.

I have received many messages asking about sending mum a card. She would LOVE this, and I would love to be able to wallpaper her drab hospital room with cards from around the country.

If you feel you can manage to put one in the mail, please do.

You can address them as follows:

Christine
122/152 Palm Meadows Dr
Carrara QLD 4211

I will then take them into the hospital for her. She will be there for some time, and having something cheerful to look at can only hasten her recovery. Her partners name is Rick, if you would like to include him on the card, please do.

Obviously I have not been crafting, I know you all understand, and I look forward to getting back into the swing of things as mum recovers further.

Enough of a novel!!

Cass

The gift of a lifetime

Hi everyone,

I am here to tell you some amazing news!

As many of you know, my mum has been waiting for a liver transplant.

On Tuesday night, at 7pm, we got THE phonecall. She was operated on yesterday and is in recovery as I type.

I have not been around to respond to emails and messages, however rest assured that I will get to you all over the weekend.

It has been a week of mixed emotions - elation that she has the liver, and overwhelming grief for the donor family who we will never be able to thank in person. I can only hope that they know how selfless their gift was, and that our arms are around them.

Everyone please keep mum in your thoughts and prayers, there is still a way to go, but it has begun.

Cass

Special Sunday - a Bold Brights Brads giveaway!

Hello to my Sunday girls!


Today's giveaway is a sample of bold brights brads (try saying that fast three times!).

Offer open to the first five Australian residents who are not already part of the team (and I have 'lost' a few of you lately - hope you are enjoying being part of the family!).

More later,

Cass

Friendship Seeds

How cute is this!!

I was cleaning up my favourites links and came across these seed packets which I had seen in my blog surfing at some point.

I thought they were so cute I had to try them immediately!

Sorry the colours haven't come up too good, unless it is my dodgy monitor - I never can tell.

Now here they are fully dressed...

Kids card packs

I am trying to get my stock up for an upcoming market, and saw these over at splitcoast stampers and thought it was a great idea!

Each pack has 4 cards, each a different design, and 3 crayons to colour the images. My kids have each already nabbed a pack for themselves, so I guess I had better make more! I am going to make toppers for them, but for now I wanted to show you what I have been up to today, so they are topless :o

We have someone 'famous' in our midst!

A huge congratulations to Carole M. She is a long time blog participant-turned-friend who has been named Stamp Artist of the Month over at Oriental Stamp Art.

OK!!!! It is a new month and we have a NEW OSA SAM (Stamp Artist of the Month)!!!!

February's SAM is from "Down Under" and has been published in VSN and is now our February SAM!!!! Pretty darn good I'd say for a gal that has only been stamping for a couple of years!!!

Follow the link below to see her work in action, she is very talented!!

Without further ado....let me introduce to you Februay's Stamp Artist of the Month............


Carole Meisenhelter!!!!

Congratulations Carole and enjoy your month as SAM!!!!

Please click on the following link to read Carole's interview and to try your hand at her great project!
http://www.orientalstampart1.com/SAM/20080200-CaroleM.html

All in the family magnets

I am still loving magnets! I made these ones with the 'All in the Family' set that was available in November, and will be available again in the new catty when it is released in April. How cute to be able to have all the members of the family represented on the fridge!