{A Fun Box}

This box was strongly inspired by one that Tracee Jones made. I only saw it briefly, so I'm sure it's not an exact copy. But what I do remember is all the fun flowers all over it. This is my version anyway.

I feel so lucky to have such creative ladies all around me, from team members to my customers and friends across the world via the internet. Ahh, so inspiring, so intimidating, and so uplifting!

This box uses Bodacious Bouquet, my favorite set from the 07/08 catty.

{My new favorite set}

Wowza!! Hard to go wrong with this stunner!! I think this has got to be the best set in the new catalogue - Baroque Motifs. A must-have, in my opinion.

Groovy Guava is also a must!

Do you have your new Idea Book & Catalogue yet?

{Bud Basics Box}

Say that three times fast.

It's the colour combo we all hated at first, but fell in love with after the Crab card we did last November - Cool Carribean and Old Olive. It was Anne who added the Blush and Kraft, and what a great combo it is!

Love this box!! Easy template and fast from start to finish. So easy that I think every child at my church made these!

Love the Bud Basics and really pleased it's in the new catty!! And what a great value at 39.95!!

{Rock and Roll Postale}

One last hurrah with these papers before they retired today . . .

I did hate the birds for a good long time, but I think I like them now. All the ladies up north liked him or her. We couldn't decide if it was a dove or a swallow. And I have absolutely no idea. If it were white, it would be a dove. But since it's a mix of pale and perfect plum, could be a woodpecker for all I know.

I look forward to a full year of playing with this set!

{Simple Postale}

This is one of the most elegant cards I've ever had the pleasure of copying off of another, more talented artist. Gorgeous.

What a beatiful set.

{Easter Biscuit Jars}

Well, the promised peeps never arrived . . . still I have not yet received them! So we modified the project and came up with a good alternative. I'm sure you've all done this kind of thing - layering the ingredients and then attaching the finishing recipe.

We had fun crushing and pounding that night! Tui swiped a stamp set from elsewhere and ended up making something totally different, which is her style. My version here is rather ho-hum, but I think everyone else's turned out really great. But this is the general idea anyway.

I took mine to a lady named Margaret. The story is: I was looking all over the place for inexpensive canning jars for this class. My good friend from church suggested I look in the paper, which I did and was so lucky to find Margaret selling the jars for 30 cents. I sent my husband over to get them, and he came back just gushing about how wonderful Margaret and her husband were and that I really needed to go and visit them. I'm not particularly shy, but that did seem a bit overly-overt to pop in and visit someone because they sold you some jars out of trade and exchange.

So on Easter evening, we were driving back from a wonderful musical presentation, and I still had this Easter cookie jar in my hands, so we decided to actually stop in at this couple's house and give them back one of the jars and show them what I did with them. And wow, were they so warm and nice! I felt like my girls just met Grandma! I have never met two people so kind, friendly, and inviting in my life. Goes to show, blessings are all around and come in the most unusual ways.

I have since had a call from Margaret, and I think we shall be friends for a good long time.

{Bunny Hugs}

Happy Easter!! This season seems more festive to me than Christmas in New Zealand because it's becoming cooler. I guess coming from the Northern Hemisphere, it's the winter season that speaks holidays to me.

I found this adorable card on SCS, and although it's simple and quick, it features some cool techniques.

And I love this little basket template! So easy and cute. I went with the covered little candy bars because I couldn't find pastel eggs anywhere here. The story is, I made some of these up for my Monday class, had them for the display, and by Wednesday's class, the chocolates had mysteriously disappeared. None of my children fessed up so far, but I thought I'd better grab a photo of this before the neighbor kid ate them again.

The papers used here are Loves Me, available until the end of March 19.95 for a set of 12 double sided. And the stamp set is Bunny Hugs, also available just until the end of March and is 39.95 for a set of six.

Don't you love this colour combination?!

March is the time for the retired list to come out (please see my promotions page) in preparation for our NEW catalogue releasing April 1st. It's the last chance to buy many of the wonderful images, colours, papers, and accessories!! And it's only until supplies last, so best to get those orders in early.

The image on this card is from Nice and Narrow. I chose this one because 1) I've always loved this set 2) It's retiring and last chance to use it and 3) I knew some of my ladies didn't want to do baby cards, so I chose a set where it was easy to just swap out for another image. (BTW, they used the flower; the Christmas tree didn't appeal either, for some reason).

This particular set is very easy to work with because the images are so "big" . . . . your card is practically finished! Also about a 30 second colouring - in job as well. The scalloped edge is acheived by using our Corner Rounder, a fabulous little tool . . . that is also on the retired list. We don't know why or what else is coming out, but I suggest you order one before they are gone!

To order this set, please email me at stamphappy@xtra.co.nz. Please also see my promotions page for further offers on your orders. I am in the last few weeks of qualifying for an all-expense paid trip to Australia, and any order helps!

Thanks for all your support and kind enthusiasm; it's the lovely ladies out there in New Zealand that make this job so fun.

Another little project using one of my favorite sets, A Little Love. And too bad this one is retiring as well! This particular set is really great value - 12 stamps for only 39.95! That's only 3.33 per stamp, which is a value I don't think you'd find even at the Warehouse. And not to mention quality . . .

I love the little images in this one. You can see here that I've omitted the words, giving the set more flexibility. Again, not everyone wanted to do a baby-themed card, but they still had eleven other images from which to choose.

The papers here are our Designer Series Papers called Sarah. They, too, will no longer be available after March 31 (or possibly even before that if supplies run out). I adore these colours and these prints, all easily slotting to either masculine or feminine.

To order any of the above products, please email me at stamphappy@xtra.co.nz.

The stamped stitching was still a little scary for some of my ladies, but I think most gave it a shot! No one cried and nobody was hurt; it's not so hard!

The fun fold is credited to SCS'er Cami, called the Triangle Tri-Fold. I love it - easy and fun.

Well, if you've wondered why the blog has been quiet, here's my excuse!

I left all the world behind and spent four days in paradise with my husband. No kids! And wow, it was unbelieveable.

You and I are so lucky to live here in New Zealand, just a hop away from such fairylands as this. There is just nothing like this in my homeland; itwas truly a daydream.

We sort of missed our children . . . I was literally feeling quite sad to get on that plane to come home. Just one more day, I said!

By the way, I would normally never wear a bikini in public. (Okay, with one exception for those who know me well). But as the story goes, I forgot to pack both the camera and a swimsuit. So this little Tempting Turquoise number was only $10, so I said for the next for days, I'll wear it.

Oh, we are so lucky to live in such a beautiful world.