The New Summer Catalogue is here

Woo Hoo, It's here and it is fabulous. The new Summer Mini is jam packed full of gorgeous new stamps, new scallop punches, new embellishments and of course new DS papers. I pre ordered the scallop edged punch and have been going crazy with it. I suppose it will be my next addiction - which is probably a good thing that I am over my red phase.

For anyone who is interested in checking it out I have added the link here and will soon upload a more permanent link on the right hand side. I also have a few paper catalogues and would be more than happy for you to have one and show your friends, just drop me an email at alisonengesser1@optusnet.com.au and I will pop it in the post or give it to you.

I have also received the much awaited Sale-A-Bration catalogue. Being a new SU! demonstrator I have heard so much about this promotion but have never experienced it for myself. So therefore, I have been dying to see what all the fuss is about. Well it was worth the wait. Here is the run down:
During the period of January 1st 2009 - February 28th 2009;

Customers -- Receive a free Sale-A-Bration product for every $100 purchase.

Hostesses -- Receive a free Sale-A-Bration stamp set with a $600 or more workshop, in addition to the normal hostess benefits.

Recruits -- Choose any retail stamp set (a value up to $79.95) from the current catalogue when signing up during the promotion.

Now I have seen the catalogue and although I cannot send you one yet I would be more than happy to show you mine, it really is a great deal. The stamp sets are gorgeous (as usual) and who would turn down a free set of stamps!!! So if you were waiting for the right time to invest in some of SU!'s fab products then during this promotion would definately be the time. This also applies to those who would want to host demonstations, but please get in quick for bookings as I already have quite a few lined up.

And finally it would be remiss of me not to mention the wonderful promotion that SU! has lined up for the month of december. The promo is titled Tying Up Christmas and if you spend $20.00 or more you can receive 20% off the following items.

Festive Favourites stamp set (page 27) was $45.95 now only $36.76
Crazy For Christmas stamp set (page 28) was $39.95 now only $31.96
Snow Flurries stamp set (page 29) $20.95 now only $16.76
Tag Time stamp set (page 43) $53.95 now only $43.16
Many Merry Messages stamp set (page 111) $64.95 now only $51.96
12″x12″ Days-to-Remember Calendar (page 133) was $20.95 now only $16.76
6″x6″ Days-to-Remember Calendar (page 133) was $18.95 now only $15.16
Winter Bright Simply Scrappin’ (page 138) was $36.95 now only $29.56
Three for You Punch Box (page 138) was $85.95 now only $68.76
Very Vanilla 5/8″ grosgrain ribbon (page 146) was $14.95 now only $11.96
Certainly Celery 5/8″ grosgrain ribbon (page 146) was $14.95 now only $11.96
White Square Aluminium Metal Edge tags (page 147) was $7.50 now only $6.00

It really is a very handy list for the christmas period and if you haven't started your chrissy cards this would certainly take the sting out of it. Plus it really isn't very often that you can pick up a set of stamps for only $16.76. What a bargain!!!!

If you were interested in any of these specials or mabye holding a workshop please don't hesitate to contact me at alisonengesser1@optusnet.com.au

New Crafty Creation

I have spent the weekend experimenting with a new technique that I had seen on SCS some time ago but have just needed a free weekend to give it a go. These are candles that have been made using Stampin' Up! rubber stamps and watercolouring technique. I absolutely love the effect the watercoloured flowers give. Here is a quick tutorial on how to make them but if this is all too much for you to take in then keep your eye on this site as in 2009 I will be scheduling a class on how to do them. Cheers. Alison.

Stamped Candles

Materials needed;

Rubber Stamps
Tracing paper
Baking paper
Permanent dye ink like Staz On
Stampin' Write coloured markers
scissors
Heat gun

STEP 1
Stamp images onto tracing paper and set aside to dry. Do an extra of each image just in case you make a mistake as it does take some time for the images to dry and this will save time.
STEP 2
Once the images are dry colour them to your taste and then cut them all out as close to the image as you can. Lay them out on the candle to get a gauge for where they will go.
STEP 3
Cut a piece of baking paper to the height of the candle and twice the length of it so that it wraps around about twice.
STEP 4
Place the image onto the candle in position and then wrap the baking paper around it and the candle firmly. Use the excess baking paper as a grip to hold the candle with.
STEP 5
Turn the heat gun on for about 30secs to warm it up and then gently pass it over the candle where the image is for about 5-10secs depending on the candle. Each candle will differ on it's melting point but you should see a change in the image to indicate that it has set. It works by the heat melting the candle slightly and then the pressure of the wrapped baking paper pushes it into the melting wax. Be careful not to melt it too much as this will change the shape of the candle.
STEP 6
Allow thw candle to cool slightly then gently peel the baking paper off to reveal the image. Voila!!!! You did it.

Now go forth and create more candles. They are great gifts not to mention you can co-ordinate them to suit your own decor.

Fun and Fast Engagement Card

My good friend Sophia asked me to make an engagement card for her and I decided to go with, yes you guessed it, Bashful Blue combo again. I told you I have a thing for it now. I have used the very versatile set "Fun and Fast Notes" and although the picture doesn't really show it, there is watercolouring on the cakes. The word Celebrate is from the set "Wonderful Words" and has been stamped with the mini tinted Top Boss pad and embossed with silver embossing powder. This is an easy technique but is so very effective. I may have to schedule a class for it in 2009. Interested??
Sophia hasn't actually seen this card yet so I hope she likes it. If not I guess I will keep it in my collection for a future event. Let me know what You think!! Do you think she will like it?

Materials used;
Stamp set - Fun and Fast Notes, Wonderful Words
Card Stock - Whisper White, Bashful Blue, Ballet Blue
Stampin Pads - Top Boss Tinted Embossing pad, Basic Black, Bashful Blue
Accessories - Stampin' Emboss Powder (Silver), Heat Gun, Powder Pals, Aqua Painter
Ribbon - my own

Real Red and Bashful Blue Christmas Cards

Ok so I am stuck on two favourite colours again. I have had a thing for Real Red for about a month now but have now incorporated Bashful Blue as well. So as you can see I have gone a bit mad with them now. I got my inspiration from SCS as usual, and in fact one is a direct CASE from there with the ribbon being slightly different. I have also used the awesome SU! stamp set called "Seasons of Joy" which will only be available for one more week in the Spring Mini Catalogue. Pick up your set this week for only $1.00 P&H.
The materials I used in all the cards are:
Cardstock - Whisper White, Real Red, Bashful Blue
Ink Pads - Real Red, Craft White, Wild Wasabi, Bashful Blue
Ribbons - various.

Don't forget that the $1.00 promotion starts tomorrow so get your orders in now for delivery next week. Also the Super Saturday is looming as well and is sizing up to be loads of fun. Mark it in your diaries. I hope I can see you there next Saturday.

Special Offer week and Super Saturday

SPECIAL OFFER WEEK
Well the festive season is well and truly upon us now and I am feeling very much in the spirit. I have decided to have a Special Offer Week. For one week only I am offering $1.00 postage and handling fees on any orders placed between Sunday 23rd of November and Saturday 29th November. This is a huge saving of over 80% off the normal P&H price of $5.95. What a great opportunity to buy the Christmas present for yourself that you REALLY want!! Or mabye pick up your supplies for decorating your Christmas cards, gift tags and wrapping. You can even tell the hubby you are saving money!
Don't forget that this would also be a great,last chance opportunity to pick up some of those Stampin' Write pens for $4.95 or mabye some Rub Ons for 20% off with the money you save on P&H. Both of these promotions will be ending on the 30th of November so get in quick and pick up a bargain.
Check out the catalogues onthe links in the right hand panel.

SUPER SATURDAY
To launch the new Summer Mini Catalogue(1stDec.2008-31stMar,2008) and farewell the outgoing Spring Mini Catalogue(1stAug.2008-30th Nov.2008), I am holding an OPEN HOUSE day on Saturday the 29th of November from 10am - 12pm. There will be demonstrations, FREE make and takes, FREE gift for everyone and a lucky door prize with a minimum value of $20.00(to be drawn at 12pm). This is also the final day for the $1.00 P&H offer and the second last day for the 2 awesome November promotions mentioned above. Why not check out the Spring Mini one more time on the link in the panel to the right and catch some bargains before they are all gone.

Orders must reach me by 9pm the 30th of November to qualify for the November Promotiions as well as any orders from the Spring Mini Catalogue.

If you can make it to the Open House then as RSVP would definately be handy.

If you cannot make the Open House and would like to take advantage of the $1.00 P&H offer then email your order to alisonengesser1@optusnet.com.au or contact me on 0423 208 402.

Cheers
Alison

Baby shower cutie

I am going to a girlfriends baby shower on Sunday and have needed an excuse to make this "onesie" card I saw on Splitcoast Stampers for ages. I originally saw the idea on Splitcoast Stampers but the creator of this gorgeous design is Lauren Meader. You can get the instructions to do this here.
It is so very easy to make and I have included the 'recipe' for materials used below. Let ma know what you think.
Have an awesome day.
Alison

Materials used

Cardstock - Bashful Blue and Whisper white
Stampin Pads - Bashful Blue
Stamp sets - Lovely Labels
Punches - 1 3/8 and 1 1/4 circle punches
Ribbon - Little blue gingham ribbon
Eyelets - Bordering blue
Snail adhesive

Sorry for my absence

As the title says, I am so sorry for my absence. I have been dealing with some family dramas and unfortunately missed out on adding any blogs. But rest assure I am back now and boy do I have some catching up to do.

I have added some new cards to the slide show so check them out.

Also, for those of you who are on my mailing list for Stampin' Up! news then you will have recieved my new ENewsletter. What do you think? It have come across this company and it is really helpful in helping me design my newsletters as well as keep track of who is receiving, opening and unsubscribing. If you haven't received it then check your spam folder as some systems put it in as spam!!
If you would like to receive this newsletter in the future then just drop me an email, alisonengesser1@optusnet.com.au and write Newsletter subscription in the subject line and I will add you to the list. It is a fabulous way for me to keep you up to date with what is happening with both Stampin' Up! and Totally Crafty.






I have also been very busy making lots and lots of Chrissy cards. I have included a few pictures here and also in the slide show. I must thank a very dear friend of mine, Rachel, who so generously lent me her "Hung up on the Holidays" stamp set and several of her stamp pads which I used to make these cards, which I also Cased the idea from her for. I would also like to thank another dear friend, Sophia, who lent me another SU! stamp set, Festive Favourites, to make some chrissy cards as well. Such wonderful friends I have. Thanks Gals.
Let me know what you think.

Christmas Card Stamp a Stack Classes

Christmas is a very special time of year for most of us.
It is a time of giving and receiving. A time for sharing with family and friends. A time for appreciating, loving and making the most of the things we have.

This year why not make your own hand made Christmas cards to give to those you love and appreciate. A handmade gift is a treasured one as it is made with love and care.

Join me on one of the below dates in making your own handmade cards this year.

For just $20 you will receive enough materials to make 10 cards of two designs as well as a storage box to display them in until ready for use as illustrated above (variances in printed papers may occur due to supply).
That works out to be less than $2 a card which is a bargain in today’s financial climate!

Friday 24th October at 7:30pm (RSVP 22nd Oct.)
Saturday 25th October at 2pm (RSVP 23rd Oct.)
Tuesday 28th October at 10am (RSVP 26th Oct.)
Wednesday 5th November at 10am (RSVP 3rd Nov.)

If these dates don’t suit you then let me know and I can sell you the kits for you to do at your own leisure, in your own home – you will need your own adhesive and cutter/scissors to do so.

Alternatively, if you feel this to be too much of a challenge then let me do the work for you for just $25 – you can even tell everyone you made them yourself!

Now is the time to get started so give me a call and make this Christmas a Totally Crafty one!

"Priceless" Mania - Pink Passion and Green Galore

Recently I took advantage of Stampin' Up's! September promotion and purchased the stamp set Priceless and received the free co-ordinating jumbo stampin' around wheel with it. Of course it literally took me a nano second to get started on playing with them and these are some of the final products. I have to admit I did CASE some ideas from Splitcoast Stampers but some are purely my own inspiration. I also combined them with some of my other SU! stamp sets as well and the results I feel are quite lovely. What do you think?

MATERIALS USED
Stamp sets - Priceless, Wonderful Words
Card Stock - Pink Passion, Green Galore, Whisper White
Stampin Pads - Pink Passion, Green Galore, Versamark Watermark, Basic Black
Snail Adhesive
Rhinestone Brads
Pretties kit
Stampin Scrub

"Priceless" Mania - Groovy Guava and Wild Wasabi

Here I used the combination of Groovy Guava and Wild Wasabi. I just love these 2 colours and will be very sad when the new in-colour range changes in 2009. I guess I will just have to stock up on supplies before then. Both of these cards are very simple and easy to make but I feel are very effective non the less. Tell me what you think.

MATERIALS USED
Stamp Sets - Priceless, A Beautiful Thing (from the Spring Catalogue)
Card Stock - Groovy Guava, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White, Choc. Chip, Close Cocoa
Stampin' Pads - Choc. Chip, Wild Wasabi, Groovy Guava
Ribbons - Wild Wasabi D.Stitched
Punches - 1 3/8" Circle, 1 1/4" Circle
Snail Adhesive
Stampin Scrub
Rhinestone Brads
Stampin Dimensionals

"Priceless" Mania - Arty Celebration

This lovely card I CASED from splitcoast stampers. I am not usually that good with the arty effects but this one seemed easy enough for me to try. What do you think?

MATERIALS USED
Stamp sets - Priceless, Wonderful Words
Card Stock - Basic Black, Whisper White, Ruby Red
Stampin' Pads - Ruby Red, Basic Black
Ribbons - my own supplies
Snail Adhesive
Stampin Dimensionals
Stampin' Scrub
Wire and beads - my own supplies

1st Birthday

September 11 marks a most memorable day in American, if not world, history for a very sad reason. In my household it marks a very happy day in history. It is my 4th and last childs birthday and for each of my kids I like to make a special card for their birthdays. For this card I used a variety of Stampin' Up! products and supplies I already had at home which just goes to show how versatile their products are.
- UTEE -
One of the techniques I have used on this card that I would like to share with you is Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel or UTEE. Although the picture doesn't quite do it justice, the no.1 has a very glossy and raised look to it. This is achieved by first giving the chipboard colour by pressing it into a stamp pad or you could even paint it if you wished. When it is dry stamp it with the Mini Top Boss Tinted Embossing Pad, then using some UTEE (which at present can only be purchased through other craft outlets) and the small Powder Pals tray sprinkle it all over the chipboard. Tap off excess onto the tray and move to another surface and heat with the Heat Tool. Once all the UTEE is melted and still wet quickly return to the tray and reapply the UTEE. Continue this process of heating and adding UTEE for about 3 or 4 times until desired thickness is achieved. When finished allow to dry. Alternatively at the last application whilst it is still wet stamp an image into the UTEE for an interesting effect. This is such a cool effect and can be used in card making, scrapbooking and beyond the page items. Ask me to demo it for you at my next Freestyle class!!

Materials used from SU!
Stamp sets - Big Bold Birthday
Card Stock - Summer Sun, Green Galore, Whisper White
Stampin' Pads - Summer Sun, Ruby Red, Green Galore, Ballet Blue, Mini Top Boss Tinted Pad.
Ribbons - Wild Wasabi double stitched
Powder Pals tray
Heat Tool
Stampin' Scrub

Totally Pink

Last week my daughter achieved the highest award in the schools behaviour and discipline system. It was a special occasion as she was the 2nd person in the school to achieve this and we were very proud.
To mark the occasion I made her a card for her to keep in memory of this and have posted it here for you to see. I was quite pleased with the final results.
Materials used were a variety of Stampin up! materials and some of my own supplies.

Card Gift Pack

Last week a girlfriend of mine asked me to make some cards for her. The first two were fathers day cards and the third was a baby shower card for a lady who knew she was having a baby boy. I put the kit together as shown in this photo. The kit was $10.00 for the 3 cards.
If you or anyone you know is interested in having cards made for you either separately or as a pack then just drop me a line and we can discuss the options. Generally I charge $3.50 for each card or $10.00 for a pack of 3.

Hostess Gift for my friend

I just thought I would show you what I made for my girlfriend Sophia for hosting my first out of home demonstration. I made it from a tin that I had in my cupboard and used mostly Stampin' Up! products. It was filled with cards that I had made as well.

It was reasonably easy to make and I would be more than happy to hold a workshop to demonstrate how to make a similar box. If you are interested in this sort of idea then just drop me a line.

Also, don't forget that this Thursday is "Freestyle Thursday" and I already have a handful of ladies coming, so just drop me a quick message to let me know if you will be attending.

In the meantime, Happy Crafting to all.

Materials used;

Designer Series paper - Fall Flowers

Eastern Elegance Rub ons

Double stitched ribbon in wild wasabi

Pretties Kit

Rhinestone brads

Fathers Day Card Workshop

As I mentioned in the WORKSHOPS AND CLASSES column here are the cards that we will be making at the workshop. All the cards have been made using products from the Stampin' Up! product line.

Materials Used;
'Celebrate" Card is made using Big Bold Birthday and Wonderful Words Stamp sets. The cardstock used is Bravo Burgundy, Always Artichoke, More Mustard and Very Vanilla. The inks are Stampin' pads Summer Sun, Ruby Red and Green Galore.
"I Love You" card is made using Seeing Spots and Unfrogettable Stamp Sets. Cardstock used is Close to Cocoa, Ballet Blue and Very Vanilla. The Ink is Stampin' Pad Ballet Blue and Chocolate Chip. The ribbon is Brocade Blue and Caramel Gingham.
"You're Unfrogettable" card is made using Unfrogettable stamp set and Daisy Field Stampin' Wheel. The cardstock is Garden Green, Brilliant Blue and Very Vanilla. The inks are Basic Black and Old Olive ink cartridge. The ribbons are Wild Wasabi double stitched and Real Red. The goggle eyes are my own supply.

Thank you for looking!

I would like to start of my blog by thanking anyone who has come to check out my new blogspot and therefore my new business of Totally Crafty and as a Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator. I hope you find it easy to manoeuvre around here and if there appears to be anything I may have missed or you could recommend then please let me know. I assume there will be teething problems so please be patient with me as I sort out all the glitches!!! In the mean time enjoy checking out some of my latest work and don't forget to check out the WORKSHOPS AND CLASSES column on the right to see any upcoming events.
In the mean time, happy crafting and I hope to see you soon.
Cheers
Alison