Some Stampin' Up! cards ...

Don't fall over, but I have some Stampin' Up! cards to show you today. I just checked back and rather embarrassingly realised it's been over 2 months since I posted a card! I'm sorry but most of you know that life is taking me in many different but fabulous directions this year, so creating has been very much a hobby for me again.

Luckily for me though, we get to preorder new mini catalogue products, so I didn't have to wait as long to play with these fabulous new goodies from the new Stampin' Up! Autumn Mini Catalogue. I wanted to make some samples for my customers, and managed to make 5 brand new cards, so here's one for my blog as well.

This set is called Strenth and Hope, which I love as much for the sentiment behind it as the delicious vintage loveliness. It's great for layering and lots of random stamping, and of course pearls and antique brads. 

 

 

You might notice in this card that only the outside of the card is embossed, but the inside (the Top Note Die shape) is smooth. There is a great instructional video on You Tube how to do this and it's a great way to use up the cardboard from the back of the DSP packs to make your templates too! Here is the tutorial I liked: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GA8mEoNYHdk

Here is another card I made, or should I cased using the great example and template provided on Laura's blog. I just loved Laura's sample, so made up this one for my MIL's birthday.

 

There's still time until Thursday evening to grab your last minute Summer Mini sets and Saleabration freebies. Then it's the brand new mini catalogue starting selling on Friday. You won't want to miss the new mini catalogue. There's a couple of great new punches, 3 new DSPs, new embellishments and some gorgeous stamp sets. If you haven't already, contact your demonstrator and get your copy this week. If you don't have a demonstrator, email me and I'll put you in contact with a demonstrator close by so you can view the products, grab a catalogue or maybe even attend a class.

I've been busy with lots of others bits and pieces which is why I don't get to create so much these days. Our puppy Oscar is now nearly 4 months and has grown lots and is now in advanced puppy training :) He's a bundle of fur and energy but we love having him in the family.

I've achieved March's task for my OLW project, which was to do one little thing in line with my word 'nourish'. I just need to write that one up. I have also started dabbling in digital scrapbooking, which I think I LOVE! I can't see it ever overtaking paper scrapbooking for me, but I love I can get some quick pages done without making a mess. Here's my first ever digital page, which I made super easy using a Cathy Zieleske digital template. So easy!

 

My practice is going really well. I totally love being back in my career again and I can see how much I missed it. I'm enjoying learning new things and helping my clients and being among other health professionals again. I only actually see clients 1-2 days a week, but have another couple of APD's working for me on other days. I love going into Kew on those days and being amongst the hustle and bustle on inner Melbourne. I imagine it would be very different if it was full time, but for now I love it. 

The weather has become lovely autumn days in Melbourne, with cooler nights. I've found myself looking for warmer recipes this week and the grills and salads and bar-b-ques are becoming less frequent. Maybe this will change the way I eat again. I have found myself not feeling much like red meat over the summer, but this week I made a delicious Donna Hay recipe for baked veal shanks from her Modern Classics #1 cookbook. It was flavoured with thyme (from my garden), lemon and garlic and much lighter flavours than many of the traditional tomato and red wine versions. It was absolutely delicious and so easy (everything just gets baked in the dish). I would thoroughly recommend it.

Autumn is a lovely season for the garden as well. We still have roses blooming from summer, and it's warm enough for the pansy's and herbs to be growing well, but there is also promise of lots of fabulous things to come. Here's some pictures around my garden today.

This first photo brings a smile to my face. This is from a potted Sweet Jane Camelia that my Mum gave me quite a few years ago. On the scorching hot day of Black Saturday, even though it was on my patio in the shade, it was really scorched and I thought for many months after I was going to lose it. I hasn't flowered well at all the last two autumns, but this autumn it has stacks of buds on it. I can't wait until it bursts into flowers again. Nature is such a good healer isn't it?

 

I have stacks of limes as well,

 

and the herbs and pansies the kids and I planted a few weeks ago are powering along.

 

 

Better get off the computer and organised for the week ahead. It's Sam's birthday this week and he's having a Monster party after school, plus I hope to make it to the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show. Other than that I have all the everyday bits and pieces of our ordinary but lovely weekly routine:) I hope you have a fabulous and happy week,

Claire xx

 

Comments

[Jacqui]

Dunno which to fall in love with first. Your sensational card or the garden you planted with the boys. You sure make it difficult for a country chick! Love your stuff, but you know that!

[Kathryn Mangelsdorf]

Claire, I love the strength and hope stamp set, I think I will be casing your design as I love your card. Have not placed my order yet, but will do once my next quarter comes around as have had a very successful Saleabration.

[Judy May]

Gorgeous cards, Claire. Glad to hear everything is going well for you. Love your new window boxes too :).

[Kathryn Ruddick]

Love your Strength & Hope card - just gorgeous!