Ok, I'm not going to tempt fate and try to upload any other pics tonight, I don't want to lose the lot should something happen with my unpredictable computer! I remembered after I posted my last message that I needed to add a link to the retired list of SU products...here it is!

http://www3.stampinup.com/au/documents/RetiredList_0309_AUNZ_Alph.pdf

I really need some instruction on how to change my links to appear in whatever form I wish...did that make sense? I mean to say that I've seen other people turn ordinary words into the actual link. ha ha ha I'm not very technical-minded, especially not at 2am!

This first pic is my Stampin' Up! desktop calendar. I used the Simply Scrappin' Crew Kids Boy kit...took all of about 5 minutes to place everything on there! So so easy with those stickers!

These three cards are examples of what everyone made at my demonstration yesterday. They got to choose which colour they wanted (of the 6 in-colours), which stamp image they wanted (from Priceless - one of the bushfire appeal stamp sets!) and which sentiment they wanted to coordinate the image with (from the level 1 Hostess set So Many Sayings). We heat embossed both image and sentiment and they all looked so professional when they were done!

I'm in love with fake grass on cards and scrapbooking lately! ha ha ha. I still love my Bugs and Kisses set! I'm getting a bit sentimental about it lately because it was the set I ordered specifically to inspire me with Jasper's 1st birthday party. I made invitations with this set, we had bug-inspired prizes in pass-the-parcel, and I made 2 caterpillar cakes. Just yesterday I ordered Gabriel's 1st birthday set...Ahoy, Matey, and Matey's Map...we're going to have a treasure hunt in the backyard, he can have a treasure chest cake filled with lollies (that I won't want him to eat!), and of course I'll make him invitations with this set. I know where I can buy some pirate accessories too, that would be fun to have both boys wear. I really want Jasper to have a good time on Gabriel's birthday so he knows that other peoples' birthdays are fun to celebrate and not just a day where Gabriel gets every scrap of attention. Of course there are aspects of siblings' birthdays that he will just have to get used to (the presents for instance...I'm not buying him presents just so he's not jealous!) but I love birthday's so want my boys to too!

This flower card was done in about 5 minutes too...I wanted to see just how easy it is to re-create cards in the catalogue. This is a quick attempt at the card on pg 15.

In one of our recent newsletters we were shown how to use the scallop punch to make a tree. I wanted to try it out straight away! I really like the effect!

This next one is using the exact folding technique as for the tree, placed as flowers instead of leaves. Nice effect!

Now here are quite a few pics of my decorated photo frames. These frames are just old ones from my young teens (they previously had cat pictures in them! ha ha). I painted the frames, created mounts the size I wanted, and then dressed them up because they looked a bit boring. I have all four in a straight line at regular intervals on my longest wall. It certainly adds a bit of colour! I alternated the four frames with two colour sets...two with Blue Bayou textured card stock and Purely Pomegranate flowers, and two with Soft Sky card stock and Pumpkin Pie flowers.

Just a close-up.

Here are my beautiful boys engrossed in a Playschool dvd! That particular dvd is my saviour when I wash the dishes! ha ha

Mr Gabriel growing very fast!

Mr Jasper not allowing me to take a photo of his actual face, as usual!

This pic really shows their love for each other don't you think? Often people comment on how much Gabriel loves Jasper but it really is two-sided! It's so gorgeous watching their relationship develop, I hope they stay close as they grow. :)

Ok, bedtime for me! I'll have to come back very soon with the rest of the cards I've made recently.

xxx

"Playtime!"

Wow, I haven't been very attentive to this poor little blog of late! I haven't been too busy but I have been too tired to update. *Sigh* Life is good though, plodding along in the right direction.

I am pretty excited about the new Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalogue coming out in a month! I've had a teeny sneeky peek of some new colours, stamps, and accessories and can just imagine how many hours of enjoyment I am going to get from 'playing' with everything! I held my very first party/demonstration just yesterday (yes, I know...it took me long enough! ha ha) and I was, as always am, amazed at how much fun paper crafts can be! As adults we don't always give ourselves much time to 'play' but it really is a worthwhile hobby...not only are we using our imaginations (or, at the very least, our copying skills), we are sending out positive wishes to others (through the cards and tags we make), and preserving our life memories for future generations (through our scrapping). I can't think of any other forms of 'playing' that are as beneficial!

The list of stamps and accessories that are 'retiring' (and won't be appearing in the Idea Book & Catalogue 2009-2010) was issued today! This is great because we have a chance to purchase everything we may have wanted to buy but just put off. There are a few things I really want for my own personal scrapbooking mostly. Hmmm, is it irresponsible to make two orders in the one week?? ha ha ha Even though we still have a month, the products are only available while stocks last and I really don't want to miss out on any of my favourites. There are savings to be had too...25% off some and 50% off others! There are also six (of the ten) stamp sets whose sales support people touched by the Victorian bushfires. Stampin' Up! is generously donating half of the sales of these sets to the Red Cross for the Bushfire Appeal. I'll have to make sure I order some of these!

I'll be back later today with some new photos/scans to show you what I've been making of late, along with some pics of my precious boys.
xxx