Circle Scissors

I have been enjoying playing with my new toy, the Circle Scissors from the Summer Mini Catalogue. I thought I would share a card I have made using it. Hope you like.

Quiet Time

Well in regards to stamping it is a quiet time :-). So I thought I would just post a couple of recent creations. I will post some more over the next couple of days including the card I am sending out as my Christmas card this year, but, not until after I have posted them all out of course.

Inventory Sale

Stampin Up have just announced their Inventory Sale effective from tomorrow until 24th January. You can purchase these current products at discount prices. Contact me ASAP to place your order. Click on the image below to make it larger and readable :-).

Nature's Nest

This is one of the new sets in the Summer Mini Catalogue. I am really enjoying using this set, it is great for male cards which I have always found to be a challenge. Here are a couple of images of cards made with this set. Hope you like them.
We made this turtle card last night at the catalogue launch.
I used the masking technique and the pastels to try to give some depth to the shells.

Blog Email Updates

Due to some problems with my Feedlitz email subscription, I have had to change to Feedburner. So those of you who receive an email when I update my blog will no longer receive it soon. If you would like to continue to receive this update, please place your email address in the Feedburner section just to the right of this post on my blog. Where is says 'Would you like to receive an email when I update this blog?' Sorry for any inconvenience.

Summer Mini Catalogue

It is here, it is here. Click on the link in the right hand column to have a peak.
Don't forget the catalogue launch night on the 8th December, I still have a couple of places available if you would like to come.

Sneak Peak - Summer Mini Catalogue Launch

Here is a very small sneak peak of one of the projects we will be making at the catalogue launch on the 8th December. If you still haven't booked in, contact me quick.

5 Days Left

There is only five more days running of the current Spring Mini Catalogue, so if you want some more of the gorgeous ribbon or have been holding off ordering one of the Stamp sets, you have better contact me quick.

From the 1st December we will have our new beautiful Summer Mini Catalogue. If you haven't booked in for our catalogue launch on 8th December 2009 at Narara, contact me very soon as I only have a few spaces left. We will be making three wonderful projects from new products in the Mini and there is lots and lots of prizes as well.

Lastly, here is a photo of the projects we made at last night's class.

Sunday Class - Milk Cartons

This is what we'll be making at this Sunday's class. If you are not booked in contact me ASAP, there a still a few spaces left.
My plan for these is to fill the cartons with chocolates and they will be my son's Christmas presents to his teachers. Do you think they will like it?

Tuesday's Class - Pocket Wallet

This is what I plan to make at my class this Tuesday BUT as yet I don't have enough people booked in to actually hold the class. So if you would like to make this project with me on Tuesday night, please contact me ASAP :-)

Summer Mini Catalogue Launch

…and you thought the Stampin’ Up!® Spring Mini Catalogue was FABULOUS!

Just take a look at the 2009 SUMMER MINI CATALOGUE!

Come and join us at our Summer Mini Launch
It’s going to be lots of fun!
When: 7.30pm - Tuesday 8th December 2008
Where: Gosford Horticultural Institute Visitor’s Centre. Research Road, Narara
Cost: $15*
* Three Make & Take projects
* Mini Catalogue for everyone
* Watch out for the Prize Patrol! Lots of giveaways
* Light refreshments provided

Call Melissa Garland on 0411 490 593 or email garlandwm@bigpond.com to RSVP and reserve your place ASAP as numbers are limited. * Prepayment is required to reserve your place

Tonight's Class - Accordian File + Cards

Better late than never LOL!

New Web Site - Check it out

Don't worry I will still be blogging as well.
www.melissagarland.stampinup.net

Also, I have updated my classes in the right hand column of my blog, there are some exciting projects coming up and so is the SUMMER MINI CATALOGUE LAUNCH :-)

This Week's Project Class - Pop Up Card

This what we will be learning to make this Tuesday night. Everyone will make the card you see here and then one more card using the colours and stamps of your choice. I still have spots available if you would like to attend, please contact me ASAP.

As you can see, this card folds to fits into an envelope.

Girls Stampin Afternoon In Raffle Prizes

I just have to share the products that I have to raffle off at the Girls Stampin Afternoon In. All this will be raffled off, so if you are coming and buy a raffle ticket, you have a very good chance of winning something. I just couldn't fit it all in one photo! I will divvy them up into prize packs, oh my, what a task!
Simply Sents kits, Classic Ink pads, Craft Ink pads and even a Spectrum ink pad

Scrapbookers delights - Simply Scrappin Kits and Designer Series Paper packs

Lots of ribbons, rolls and packs plus punches and tags

Last but not least, card stock and box & tag kits.

Where: My house
When: 1pm, 18th October 2009
RSVP: 16th October 2009
Cost: $15 entry
Raffles:$5 per ticket or three for $10

Classes Update

I have had to cancel tonight's class as we have the flu in our house and I don't want to pass it on to anyone, as a results I have made some amendments to my class schedule.

Project Class – Pop Up Card
DATE: Tuesday, 13th October 2009 – 7.30pm
COST: $15 (Prepayment is required and all materials supplied).

Project Class – Squash Book
DATE: Postponed TBA

Christmas Stamp-A-Stack
DATE: Tuesday, 27th October 2009 – 7.30pm
COST: $15 (Prepayment is required and all materials supplied).

Project Class - Mini Christmas Scrap Album
DATE: Sunday, 15th November 2009 – 2pm
COST: $40 (Prepayment is required by the 6th November to ensure time to order supplies)

Girls Stampin Afternoon In

Join me for an afternoon with the girls to raise money for women’s cancers. Girls Stampin’ Afternoon In is simple – just come to my event for a fun afternoon in making some projects and donate what you would usually spend on a night out to the Cancer Council. The money raised goes towards research and support programs for women’s cancers. I have hundreds of dollars of Stampin’ Up! merchandise to raffle! There will also be a Lucky Door Prize which is a popular stamp set from the current Stampin’ Up catalogue. Everyone who attends will get a Lucky Door Prize ticket. If you bring a friend who has not been invited directly by me, you’ll receive five extra tickets and if you bring a plate of food you’ll receive two extra tickets.
I hope you can make it!

Where: My house
When: 1pm, 18th October 2009
RSVP: 16th October 2009
Cost: $15 entry
Raffles: $5 per ticket or three for $10 (loads of prizes to be won)

Double Slider Card Class

I know I am posting this too late, with the class being tonight and all. I am so sorry, but, I can run the class again if I get enough interest. This is what we will be learning to make tonight. I love it and soooo easy!

Join A Stamp Club

I currently have a couple of successful Stamp Clubs running and also have a couple of ladies interested in starting another one. Are you interested in joining a Stamp Club? What is a Stamp Club I hear you say :-)

This is how it will work....

As a group of 6 enthusiastic stampin' women, you will meet every month for 6 months or every 2nd month for a year. Each workshop will have a different hostess and get the hostess benefits. Everyone will get a turn at being the hostess.

Each workshop, all members must spend at least $50. This will mean the hostess is guaranteed to make the minimum $300 in sales to earn her free stamp set and an extra $30 to spend on products. Remember, it is more than ok to spend more if you so desire. If you are unable to attend a workshop, then you will still need to place an order of at least $50. We will try to make sure we schedule the dates so everyone can make it. You can also invite other guests to increase your sales.

Stamp Clubs are so much fun, I look forward to them every month, as do all the Club members. So, if you are interested, please drop me a line at garlandwm@bigpond.com I'd love you to join us.

September Christmas Stamp-A-Stack

Here are the cards we are making at tomorrow night's Christmas Stamp-A-Stack. The first one was inspired by a card in the IB&C and the second by a card on Jayne Mercer's blog.

It Has Been Too Long

Since I last blogged. I am sorry to my regular visitors. So here are some recent creations. The first two are Double Pocket Cards which are great for adding tags and gift cards as they just slip into the pockets on the front. We made these at a recent class.


The second two are cards from a workshop this weekend.


Don't forget to contact me if you want to attend this Sunday's class to make the following, as I need to order supplies ASAP. Please see the post below this one to see what we are making. There are more details in the 'Classes' section in the right hand column.

Mini Scrap Album Class

See photos below. There are 14 pages for photos and journaling in this album. You get all supplies included in the price as well as detailed instructions, including colour photos of each step so you can recreate this over and over in your own home. Afternoon tea will also be provided. Make sure you leave the whole afternoon free as this class takes a little longer.
DATE: Sunday, 27th September 2009 – 2pm
COST: $35 (Prepayment is required by the 20th September to ensure time to order supplies).

Flora Festival

Come and visit us at this year’s Flora Festival, 10th – 13th September 2009 at Mt Penang Parklands, Kariong. We will be having a stall for the entire 4 days in the Craft Pavilion with lots of displays, a lucky door prize to die for so make sure you fill out an entry form, project samples, technique demonstrations and make & takes. I’d love to see you. Here is a couple of photos of our stall featuring the lovely Wendy and Rebecca is hidden in the background, fast asleep. :-)

September Classes

I've updated my class schedule for September. Check out what is available down a little further in the right hand column of my blog.

Basic Gray

I know I have gone a little Basic Gray mad lately but I am really enjoying this colour right now. Here is a scrap page I am doing for a workshop tonight, and I have done it in three different colours to show the versatility of the layout. Baja Breeze, Riding Hood Red and Pink Pirrouette. I hope you like them, but I don't think the photos really do them much justice.

Recent Creations

Here are some recent creations I'd like to share with you. The Seasons Greetings card is my favourite, it is a great layout you could use with any colour as Basic Gray goes with all SU colours. Hmm, don't be surprised if this is the card you receive from me in December this year, LOL!

My Mum's Birthday

It is my Mum's birthday tomorrow, so I thought I would share with you the card I made for her. Yellow roses have a sentimental meaning for our family so I wanted to use a yellow rose, but Mum loves Old olive and Choc Chip. Not sure I have married the colours well but I am reasonably happy with it but, I have to admit, I don't think the photo does the water colouring or the colours justice.

The Kids

Rebecca is 4 weeks old today and Jarrod will be 3 in 2 weeks time. Here they are:

Class: Water Colouring on Gloss Cardstock

This Tuesday night I am having a class; Water Colouring on Gloss Cardstock. Here is a sample of this technique. Would you like to learn how to make these roses? Contact me ASAP to reserve your seat.

I Can't Believe They Aren't Pink!

I would have thought my first stamping projects since starting my unofficial 'maternity leave', would have involved something pink but I didn't even consider it. I went straight for the Pacific Point and Tangerine Tango ink pads and this was the result. I think I need to get some more creative practice in, and fast. But they do look better IRL, I promise.

Spring Mini Catalogue it HERE!

And it is beautiful, filled with great new limited edition products. If you'd like to receive a copy of the Mini Catalogue, let me know. You can view the online catalogue through the link in the right hand column of my blog. Just below the IB&C link.

Let me know if you would like to place an order.

It's a Girl!

I would like to introduce my beautiful baby girl, Rebecca Grace. Born 4.55am on 20/7/09, natural delivery 8pds 2ozs, 49.5cm long. She is just wonderful! We came home from hospital yesterday and she, so far, has adapted well to being home. I am tired and am sure I will be for some time yet, and a little sore but otherwise well.

And here is Jarrod meeting his baby sister for the first time. He loves her so much already.

Creator's Block

All day today I have been trying to make a card for a workshop I have coming up for a group of new stampers. Nothing seemed to work today, and after several hours of pulling my hair out and bit of swearing, I started to do some blog surfing. I found the perfect card for this group on Marelle's blog and have CASed it. Here it is:


Thank you so much Marelle, I don't know what I would have done without some inspiration.
At Convention this year, Marelle did a fabulous presentation on how she runs her workshops. Once thing she shared was that she likes to make a project with the guests but then also shows them how they could step it up a notch by adding some further elements or layers. So as it was Marelle who inspired this card, I have taken her advice and added another layer of colour and some hardware to show off at the workshop. Here is the result:

Slack Blogger

Sorry I haven't been posting regulary, I have no excuse other than trying to rest when I have some spare moments rather than being on the computer. So here are a couple of recent cards for you to have a look at. The first one was inspired by a card I saw on Kerri's blog. Then, I've posted a photo of a new friend who has been visiting me every day for a couple of months.

Earn Extra $$$ to Spend During June and July

Hostesses who hold a $600 workshop during the months of June or July will receive an additional $40.00 in hostess free dollars on top of the usual hostess benefits.

That means, if you achieve $600 in sales by hosting a workshop or even just by collecting orders from your friends, you will receive a free hostess stamp set as well as a minimum of $110 to spend on yourself! HOW EXCITING! Call me for more info.

A Rose is a Rose

Just thought I would share a card I've made for an upcoming workshop. The inspiration came from a card on Page 9 of the IB&C, but I've just simplified it a little. I hope it hasn't lost too much of the impact. The set is 'A Rose is a Rose' and the colours are Kiwi Kiss and Riding Hood Red. I love these In Colours, especially together with Choc Chip.

Project Class - 3" x 3" Tote Bag + Cards

This is the project we will be making in this Tuesday night's class. Please see 'Classes' in righthand column for further details. Hope you can make it.

Inspired by Nature

I have had this set for a while but tonight was my first crack at it. This is a card I made for a special friend's birthday. Hope she likes it.

Mini Backpack Class

I am sorry I'm posting this so late. This is tomorrow night's class project.

It's Been a While ...

... since I have made a 12 x 12 scrapbook page but here is one I have made for an upcoming workshop. The photo mat is the right size for a special 4" x 6" photo and believe it or not it is completey original, no CASeing! I'll do another post when I find just the right photo for it. I've used Sahara Sand, Pink Pirouette and Chocolate Chip card stock and it features the 'Friends 24-7' stamp set and the Border Eyelet Punch.
Hope you like it.

May Christmas Stamp-A-Stack

Here are the cards we will be making at this Tuesday night's Christmas Stamp-A-Stack. If you are not booked in and would like to attend. Please contact me. We will be making 6 cards, 3 each of these designs with matching envelopes for $15. If you would like to have a Christmas Stamp-A-Stack another night and can get 4+ friends together, please also contact me.

The stamp set I have used is Season of Joy which of course is a Christmas set but as you can see below, it is a very versatile set as I have also used it in the same layout to make some Birthday cards.

Join Stampin' Up for just $150 - WOW!

Scrapbooking Starter Kit Promotion
Dates: 1 May - 1 June 2009

In celebration of National Scrapbooking Month, join Stampin' Up! as a demonstrator for only $150 with our limited-time Scrapbooking Starter Kit.
The Scrapbooking Starter Kit contains the following:
* Schoolbook Serif Alphabet stamp set* $77.95 value
* Simply Scrappin' Petal Party $36.95 value
* Earth Elements Assorted textured card stock (12" x 12") $21.95 value
* Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin' Pad $11.95 value
* Craft & Rubber Scissors $37.95 value
Note: Each of the products listed above may be substituted for like items.

The Scrapbooking Starter Kit also contains all the business supplies contained in the standard Starter Kit:
Getting Started DVD
Getting Started Guide
Guest Invitation Postcard (100)
Idea Book & Catalogue (8)
To My Hostess Envelope (10)
Project Sample Sheet
Recruit Brochures (20)
Hostess Brochure (20)
Hostess Benefits Form (10)
Customer Order Form (50)

This means for just $150, you can start purchasing Stampin' Up products for you and your friends at the Demonstrator discounted rate. There is no better time to join Stampin' Up, I'd love to have you in my team. Please contact me for further info.

Christmas Stamp-A-Stacks

I have been requested by a few people to do a second Christmas Stamp-A-Stack each month for those that can not make it on Tuesday nights. As you can see in the Classes on the right hand side, I am re-running last week's class this Wednesday night due to popular demand. If I do get enough interest I will run this class twice a month, once on Tuesday and once on another popular night, so please let me know and give me your feedback.

New Creations to Share

Below are a couple of recent workshop creations I'd like to share. The last few weeks have been difficult but thanks to my DH, DS2 and family, my fabulous friends, including SU demos around Australia and wonderful customers, I am getting through. I thought for a while there I was never going to enjoy creating anything again. Thanks for encouraging me back on that horse as I have enjoyed my quiet time creating.


Now I can not wait for the Stampin' Up Convention in Canberra next week and some of you Demos better beware of the pregnant lady giving out bear hugs as thanks for your support this month. I'll be on a mission! :-)

Christmas Stamp-A-Stack

Our first Christmas Stamp-A-Stack for 2009 is tomorrow night. I know it is early but these nights are so much fun and we could always do with a little Christmas cheer now and then. We make 6 cards each month, so by December you'd have enough to send everyone a hand made card. Here are the projects we are making tomorrow night.

I've been quiet ...

My life took an unexpected turn recently, my dear Father passed away suddenly. We were very close and there was no warning. So, as I am sure you can understand, I have been busy lately with all the relevant 'arrangements' and helping my Mother, as best I can, to cope with the massive changes in her life. I am tired and think this may be just the beginning of even more changes to come, so this is why I have been quiet and I will probably spend some more time being quiet for a while.

Yesterday I had two workshops with some great ladies who helped me have a bit of fun. I thought I would share the projects we made with you.

In Colour Ribbon Share

With the new Catalogue being released, it’s time for an In Colour Ribbon product share. You will get ¼ roll (approx. 3.4m) of each of the six new 5/8” Striped Grosgrain Ribbon In Colours for $30, being:
* Riding Hood Red (shown below)
* Pink Pirouette
* Baja Breeze
* Pacific Point
* Kiwi Kiss
*Tangerine Tango

Please contact me if you would like to be included in this product share.