A Quick Interruption to Competitions and Birthday Celebrations

Hello everyone,

I think Cass is temporarily missing in action, having got lost in dining table assembly and preparations for her birthday dinner. So you'll have to wait a little longer to find out who can claim the runner-up prize of the scallop punch (or equivalent if you already have it).

I want to let those lovely ladies waiting for their Special Sunday - Christmas in July (from 20 July) that I now have all of the required stock and this coming weekend, I will stamp some Christmas images and get everything in the mail to you on Monday. Apologies for the delay and thanks very much for your patience.

Lastly, and with no effort to disguise blatant self-promotion, I have launched my own blog. Now Cass knows her customers are safe with me so please come and visit me here . I'd love you to pay me a visit and leave a comment.

Bye for now and I'm sure Cass will be back when she can!

Love from KimT aka Crafty Kim

And the winner is....................

For the second year running, I am shocked to say that Lesley is the winner!

She must have a sixth sense, because I sure didn't tell her.

The wierdest thing is, that she is sitting right next to me, having just ducked in to wish me happy birthday lol

Congratulations Lesley!!

no-one guessed the actual time, which is 1:53pm, however she was only 2 mins off.

As a suprise, I am also going to award a second place pressie of a scallop punch. If you already have it, we will work something else out! I haven't worked out who second place is yet, as I only just decided to throw in another prize, so will update shortly!!

THEY SAY IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!!!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!!

Birthday update 10:05am

I managed to survive breakfast, which was no small feat this morning with three hungry children, two trays of food and a McDonalds that was in the middle of being renovated! I was so proud of my boy, he did the ordering (he is usually quite shy) and he paid. He is turning into a fine young man. What was almost a stressful event was made a joyful (and much more comfortable) time when a lovely unknown man gave us his booth and sat at the metal stool/table that we were going to try and perch at. He even carried my trays for me over the to the table. Such a small, random act of kindness really buoyed my spirits. I know he won't read this, but I do hope that someone does something randomly lovely for him today.

Then I dropped the kids off at school (late lol) and took them to their classrooms to explain to their teachers why they were late. I walked into prep to find Zoe's teacher dressed as a lifeguard, for no other reason than they were learning about lifeguards, and upon venturing to Grade 2 I found out that I share a birthday with Olivia, who is in my son's class and I am (only?) 20 years older than her!! We were both quite excited to find we share a birthday.

Then, when I got home my bell rang, and it turned out to be a beautiful arrangement of flowers sent to me by my brother and sister-in-law. It is a running joke between he and I that he always forgets things. He has been pretty good the last few years and has remembered to ring me for my birthday, but this year he outdid himself, and it was very special.

After that, I got a phonecall from Amart to say that the dining table I had ordered was in, which is awesome as we are having a birthday dinner here tonight and I hadn't yet figured out where we were going to sit. So, they deliver it. It is flat packed, and is yet another thing I have to put together *insert hair pulling emoticon*.

Now, my good friend Nita is here, and she gave me a gorgeous handbag for my birthday. I am so lucky!

The countdown is still on....

More later!
______________________________


Hello faithful blog readers!

A quick post to say Happy Birthday to me before my children take me out for breakfast. Being that they are 3,5 and 7, any guesses for where we are going?

When I get back I will put up the last of the 27 giveaways, and stay tuned for the results of the WHAT TIME competition - you can enter right up until 12pm, and the winner will be announced in real time, so you can all do the countdown with me!

Have a wonderful day,

Cass

You're all on to me - time for some more!!

Only three giveaways to go! But you'll have to wait til the morning......
_________________________

It's not my PARTY, but I still stamped the night away.
The guests enjoyed themselves when they got their SWEET giveaway!
_____________________________

O! I wonder how I could use my holiday SCRAPS?
OTP? A card? A gift perhaps?
__________________________


I'm a bit SKETCHY on the details, but I know giveaway number TWENTY-ONE is around here somewhere!
_________________________
Find the girl who gave me a present on HER birthday!
Who knows, number TWENTY might RUB off ON you....

______________________

Ruth is on fire!!!!!!!! I will really have to put my thinking cap on for the next lot so they can keep you busy for awhile ;)

In the meantime, I am going to give a clue to those in the birthday time comp (scroll down a couple of posts to see what I am talking about) - The doctor favoured a late lunch. Read the post if you're not sure how that fits in ;)

Number EIGHTEEN is on a ROLL
Look in through my WINDOW and it will be yours!


Number SEVENTEEN is in the hunt!

I wish it were a Monday because I am feeling really BODACIOUS!!!



Some of you are super sleuths! I have been having fun planting the more cryptic clues. Almost a walk down memory lane, I have made some cool stuff!

So, I have 10 more giveaways between now and tomorrow morning to do, better get going...

Clues will be up shortly!

In the meantime...keep guessing those birth times...not long to go now!

Keep hunting....

Number SIXTEEN will be yours,
But only if you're my BUDDY and you like to READ!

Think back to when it all began,
and 15 will become clear
A Purely Pomegranate gift
For someone near and dear...


Number FOURTEEN is not so straightforward,

Got to keep it interesting so you don't get bored.

I would say fourteen is halfway near,

My friend and I, and too much HOLIDAY CHEER!




Number THIRTEEN has been set free,

Don't be bugged if you can't see

Does X mark the spot?

Depends if you like to read or not!


The jig is up for TEN, ELEVEN and TWELVE
How far back in my blog will you need to delve?

The countdown continues with giveaway number SEVEN!!

First person to reply to this post wins some handmade by me magnets.

Have you found giveaways six and five yet?

Giveaway number 2!

First person to reply here gets a lovely handmade bookmark from me :)

Congrats to Kaylene who will receive giveaway number one!

The countdown begins....

Treat yourself to a clip that is the theme song to the week here at Crafty Cass!!

Whilst you are grooving away to that, put on your thinking cap - today is the launch of a new competition...drumroll please...

GUESS WHEN

I need a snappier title lol

The game: We all know from last year's competition that my birthday is on July 31st. What you don't know, is what time. The qn that needs to be answered by the winner is: What time on July 31st was I born?

The rules: Competition is open to Australian residents only. SU! demonstrators are welcome to play too.

There is a 'cost' to play. Each guess you make will require you to RAK someone. I will help you out with someone if you like, or it can be someone in your life who could do with a smile or a lift. A RAK can be a handmade card, or a small gift (ie handmade embellishment, length of ribbon, stickers, chippies, brads etc etc). The aim of the game is not to be expensive, but thoughtful. For every guess you register, you must RAK one person. I don't need proof, I trust you!

The prize: A stamp set of your choice to the value of $39.95

The clue: I rudely interrupted the doctor's lunch, and in my house lunch is between the hours of 12-2pm

The closing date: Thursday 31st July AT THE TIME I WAS BORN. I will be sure to be online at that time and post straight away.

How to enter: leave a comment on this post telling me your time guess.

The catch: There is none, have fun!

Questions? Email me admin@cassandragrambau.com.au

P.S I'll also be making random giveaways this week in the lead up to the big day - 27 random giveaways to celebrate 27 years of my life (yes, I'm still a baby lol). To score yourself a giveaway, stop by often and be the first to leave a comment on the giveaway post! Some giveaways will be announced in my newsletter, so if you haven't already signed up, now is the time. I have just sent out a new newsletter with the first giveaway, visit my website and hit my contact page to get in on the action!

Special Sunday: I'm baaaack!

Hello to my gorgeous Sunday girls!

Today's giveaway is a sample of Sterling Silver Hodgepodge - the one item from the mini that you absolutely can't do without. I love it so much that I already have two tins, so it's time to share the love!

First five Australian residents who are not already part of the SU! family are eligible, so get in quick!

Also, check back tomorrow for details of a new competition...it is almost my birthday and we can't celebrate without giving something away!!!!

Have an awesome day,

Cass

Hello from the trenches...

Hi everyone,

Sorry I have no pretty pics to decorate my post, I haven't crafted anything in AGES. No time, no motivation and no space have basically been my enemies recently.

However, I am pleased to say that all outstanding parcels have gone postal. If you haven't received yours by the end of next week please let me know. You have all been tremendously patient with me, and I am very grateful. If you could see the state of affairs at my house right now you would know why they took so long!

On a personal note, thankyou for your kind messages and thoughts. I am going through something that is certainly not new to many people, but is new to me and adjusting to being a single mummy is bringing its highs and lows. I choose to concentrate on the positives, like being able to watch as many soppy, sweet movies as I like, sleeping horizontally across my bed (when not surrounded by little bodies!), eating toast for dinner if I like, having the remote all to myself, and not having to be polite to someone if I can't be bothered :) On the flip side, have you ever tried to build a flatpacked bookshelf from Ikea that is taller than you are by yourself before? I wish I could say me neither! Last Saturday night was quite an adventure. It took me four hours to put together one bookcase (insert an embarassed looking emoticon here). Thankfully my good girlfriend Nita loaned me her hubby on Thurs night for the kids beds or I don't know what shape I would be in! Other DIY projects this week have included cleaning out the garage and relocating my craft room (except for my $5 desk - have you seen how BIG that darn thing is?), and fixing the vertical blinds using toothpicks (it works, I swear!) One thing I have learned so far is that th eonly way out is up, and that letting your hair down and getting your groove on with the kids is so much fun that I should make it mandatory on Friday nights! Another thing that really strikes me is that we are never alone in this world, no matter how far away it all seems, we all need girlfriends. If your sitting at home trying to count up your girlfriends and are drawing a blank (I've been there, believe me, it is not fun) then drop me a line, you can never have too many wierd and wonderful friends. Not sure which category I would fit into, but we can work it out ;)

What a novel! The first time I have sat down at the keyboard for several days, so it is more of a brain dump than a post lol

Mum is still in hosp, liver is stable, platelets are misbehaving. No real news, which is...good news?

Hope all is well in your corner of the world,

Cass

Special Sunday: Christmas in July

Hello everyone,

This is Cassandra's friend, Kim, guest blogging here. I'm sorry to say that I've had to put Cass in "time out" following recent events in her life. Her not posting a Special Sunday was the last straw!

If you're planning on making hand-made Christmas cards or gifts this year, you can never start too early. Trust me on this, I've been making Christmas cards for 5 years now and every year the period from July to November gets shorter.

So, to get you started, this week's give-away is some Christmas paper, stamped images and ribbon. For the first 10 (yes, I said TEN) readers who leave a comment on this post. Please also email me on kim@tonnet.org so I have your postal address. If you don't have a copy of the new Stampin' Up! Mini Catalogue (starts 1 August 2008), please let me know and I will also include this in your package.

Not sure when I'll be able to release errr...drag Cass from her exile. But be assured I'm taking good care of her and she is thinking of you all.

Hope to hear from you soon, and happy happy stamping,

Love Kim T

Paper, ribbon and accessory shares...

Just a note to everyone who is in a recent share or swap of mine.

All products are now in and I am busily cutting paper (SO much paper!) and ribbon and packaging them up for mailing.

On a personal note, I have quite alot on, my mother is back in hospital (those who have been around awhile know of her liver transplant earlier this year). She is *okay*, just a few bumps in the road which require some attention. Also, my husband and I have recently seperated, so please be understanding if your items take a few extra days. Rest assured that you will continue to receive your orders and shares as normal, it might just take an extra day or two for me to get on top of it during this time of adjustment.

Thankyou for your emails and messages, it is an extremely difficult time, however I am confident that we are never given more than we can handle, and this is only a curve in life's road.

More crafting later in the week,

Cass

Special Sunday: A MYSTERY giveaway!

Hello to my Sunday girls!

Today's giveaway is a secret, all I can tell you that it is a new product exclusive to the Spring mini catalogue.

First five in who are not already part of the SU! family are eligible.

I will be attending The Heart of Craft today (come along Gold Coast girls!) so will have some new things to show you tomorrow!

Happy Stampin,

Cass

SPRING has sprung...

Well, Mother Nature might not be playing along, but Stampin' Up! sure is!!

For your complimentary copy of our new Spring Mini catalogue email me your postal address admin@cassandragrambau.com.au or if you know I already have your address, leave me a comment on this post.

Scalloped edge tutorial

ETA: Tech staff are fab, and QUICK!

I can log in now, tutorial is up.



Hi all,

I haven't been able to post the new tutoiral as my control panel is down.

Tech staff are on it (i hope!) and I will let you know once it is up.

Tart n Tangy

Check this out! A sneak peek at one of the new stamp sets in the mini - Tart 'n' Tangy!

I don't know why, but I love this stamp set. There is no rational reason I can think of, though my husband will probably tell you it's because I am a little fruity ;)

It inspires me tomake gorgeous, bright, summery things. Here is the first of what I expect will be many creations...

I have used Wild Wasabi, Real Red and Pumpkin Pie.

Tutorial for the scallkoped edge will be up in a minute, so check out my tutorials section on my website.

WANT TO SEE THE NEW MINI CATALOGUE FOR YOURSELF?

Email me for your free copy today (Australian residents only please)

THANNKS Kim!!

Today I received a lovely parcel in the mail from my fab upline and friend Kim.

Today is HER birthday, and I get a present! Noice :)

She sent me this cute card and a pack of rub ons to say congrats for becoming Manager recently. It was even addressed to Manager Cass *insert cool looking smiley here*

I love the card, such a simple idea, and so effective. I can't wait to CASE it lol It would work in any colour combo really.

I am particularly excited as she knows of my love affair with rub ons. Hmmm...wonder what I can rub on next....

Stuck for storage?

I knew these tins would come in handy for something eventually.

I recently participated in an embellishment swap on one of the boards I haunt and we were challenged to make something with the stash we received. So, I pulled out my DSP offcuts, grabbed the tins and went to work! FINALLY - an excuse to use the Crop-A-Dile that I borrowed from Nella! I needed some cute storage for all the bits I got from the swap, and these tins are just the thing. Now to find a use for the other forty-seven thousand I have here...

Special Sunday: A Pretties giveaway!

ALL GONE! THANKS FOR PLAYING...

Hello to my Sunday girls!

Today's giveaway is a sample of the Pretties Kit.

Priced at only $55.95 for 350+ pieces, they give any project that special touch. And, if you follow my tutorial, you can dye the flowers any colour you like.

First five people to reply who are not already part of the SU! family are eligible.

In all my excitement I forgot to let you all know that I promoted to Manager last week! I am so proud of my team, and look forward to watching many of them achieve great things too.

Next goal, to be published...a girl has to dream!

NEW - Card Kit of the Month!!!

Do you love to make cards, but rarely have time?

Do you love the fuss-free option of having all your cardstock pre-cut and scored?


Do you want beautiful designs and easy to follow instructions?

YES!!


Then my new Card Kit of the Month is for you!!

Each kit contains all the consumable supplies (with the exception of adhesive) needed to create 8 beautiful cards and matching envelopes. You will also receive detailed step-by-step instructions on how to create the cards, 2 each of 4 designs. You will not see these cards on my blog, they are exclusive to the July Card Kit. All this for only $15!

Don't own the featured stamp set?

Either substitute with stamps of your own, or with purchase of July's card kit, receive the co-ordinating stamp set Pick a Petal at 15%off! Usually priced at $52.95, Pick a Petal can be yours for only $45 (plus p&h as detailed below)

To purchase your kit, email me admin@cassandragrambau.com.au and let me know if you would like the kit only, or the kit and stamp set. Payment can be made via bank deposit or credit card, whichever is more convenient for you.

All kits must be ordered by July 15th, and will be shipped directly to you after this date.. Shipping fee for kit only will be $2.50 and for the kit and stamp set will be $6.00 to anywhere in Australia.

*Special thanks go to Robyn A for letting me know I had neglected to put the prices on the original post!

Using a sketch

Remember that sketch challenge I did a few posts back?

I loved the sketch so much that I used it in a workshop recently to do my samples. I thought I'd show them to you here so you can see that there are SO many possibilities when you use a sketch to get you going. Did you know that card sketches can be used for scrapbooking too? And vice versa.

Here are my two cards...

And here is my 6"x6" scrapbook layout. My worst photo yet lol

The layout can easily be extended into a 12"x12", or whatever size your album is. I am leaving it as is as my album is 6"x6".

Super Starter Kit Savings!

How are we all this BRRR Gold Coast morning? I imagine either setting off for the office, or tending to kids. Me? I am doing both!

It is said that when you are doing something you love you never work a day in your life.

I really stand by this philosophy, which is why I am SO lucky to have found something I am interested in and passionate about - Stampin' Up!

Part of the company's Statement of the Heart (or mission statement for those who don't work with people as fab as I do!) is to ...share what we love...and love what we do...in this we make a difference...

Every day I get to embody this statement in my job, my creative endeavours and in my dealings with my team and customers.

What a way to pay the bills!

Sound like a life you would like to be living?

Read on...

Join Stampin' Up! as a demonstrator from 1 Jul-15 August, and purchase the kit for only $299. This is a saving of $25! Remember, the kit is valued at over $560, so really you are saving a massive $260+!!

But wait - there's more!

When you join the Stampin' Up! family you receive a huge 30% off your first order over $300.

At the moment SU! is also running a promotion that offers an additional $50 FREE product for all orders over $700.

What does this mean for you as a new recruit?

Join the team before 15th July, and place an order totaling $700 RRP and not only will you receive $25 off your kit (saving you $260+), but you will also receive $700 product of your choice for only $490 PLUS you will receive your choice of level 1 or 2 hostess stamp set, PLUS an additional $130 of products of your choice.

Sound to good to be true?

Let's recap:

Join the SU! family before 15th July and receive:

$1390 of product for only $789!!

This is a MASSIVE saving!!!

Plus, you'll get a free stamp set for good measure.

If you'd like more information on becoming a demonstrator, simply contact me via phone or email and I will send you out a no-obligation information pack. Remember, we are looking for demonstrators of all kinds, from discount demonstrators, to hobbyists, to business gurus. There are other benefits to being an INKspiring Stamper - access to demo only websites, ideas, templates and forums. Regular support from me and everyone else in the team, and a ready-made crafty family to share all your creations and successes with!

There has never been a better time!

Also, you don't have to spend all those $$ yourself. Why not join me and the INKspiring Stampers (my team of groovy stamping girls) and then get together with some friends to make up the $700 order? You will still receive 30% off, and you can then use the $130 hostess benefits to purchase things for yourself. Little outlay - and BIG savings!

Contact me today!

STILL NOT CONVINCED?

A few more reasons why July is such a good time to join SU!

- July means the start of a new quarter ($500 minimum needs to be met by Dec 31)
- Mini Catalogue just around the corner (pre-order for demos is on NOW. Won't be open to everyone else until August)
- Christmas is also just around the corner (buy gifts for yourself and your friends/family at a discount!)
- The next quarter is SAB and Retirement List (HUGE months for SU!)
- 8 free minis in your kit
- The next mini will be mailed to you free (and first!), so will SAB brochures.

zoeandjack@hotmail.com
07 5594 2308
0412 004 782