Christmas past..........

Hello and welcome to my blog post-Christmas 2007...........

At last, the hype and rush is over, and as usual I feel a little sad and a lot relieved! Keep an eye out here for the new stuff coming up in January and February.........

Stamp Club - expressions of interest now being taken to join my 2008 stamp club, to begin February, my place, bi-monthly, at least 6 people, ending December 2008, with the hostess drawn each workshop to get the hostess benefits.... A committment is required to purchase at least $50 worth of product before postage to make the club work......... watch this space for details - 1 spot already filled - (Hi Janelle!)

Sale-a-bration catalogue - including all the free stamps for customers, hostesses and new demonstrators!!!!! Remember the 10% off the starter kit until 12th January........ I have the magazine and the code number.......... All Sale-a-bration free sets are available right through until the end of February......

Classes and workshops commence in January - book yours in now to benefit from Sale-a-bration!

Here are some pics of the Advent Calendar boxes we made for our tree - I filled them with lollies and toys for the kids to open each day. Loads of fun!

Just in Thyme Double-sided Designer Series paper, Glorious green card stock, Confetti White card stock, Elegant Eggplant card stock, Rose Red ink, Sahara Sand ink, Cranberry Crisp ink, Elegant Eggplant ink, Silver ink, Silver embossing powder, Headline Numbers stamp set, Hung Up on the Holidays stamp set, Only Ornaments wheel, gold and silver cord. Cute little triangle boxes from Angela Sargeant's gallery, thanks to Hollie Curruthers. Artwork by Cheryl Andrews ('twould be ME) and images © Stampin' Up! 1990 - 2007.

I hope you all had a wonderful, peaceful Christmas, and that you got to catch up with the ones you love, and relax. I also hope you got lots of cool presents! Happy New year to you all, and I will post some of the things I make while I am on holidays and all nice and relaxed.......... ;-)

New Mini stuff + a Great Deal!

Hello All! Finally a moment to post..........

Let's cut to the chase.... These are the pics of what my lovely ladies made at my Summer Mini Launch table last Tuesday 4th - HELLO LOVELY LADIES!!!!

We made a card, a tag and a gift box. And I even managed to ignore how ghastly I felt! Hope you lovely ladies are still feeling well and fighting fit.... I tried not to breath on you!

This card features the Big Blooms set from the Summer Mini Catalogue. I have also used Small Sayings . The colours are: Pumkin Pie, Gable Green, Cool Carribean and Rose Red in card stock, ink and markers. There is also some Whisper White card stock and the White gel pen for the faux stitching. There is a So Saffron brad, Bashful Blue button, and we used the Word Window punch for the Small Sayings sentiment.

This yummy chocolatey tag is made with the Very Vanilla card stock, Au Chocolat Double Sided Designer Series paper, the new wide Chocolate Grosgrain ribbon, and the Small Sayings set. The ink is Chocolate Chip, and the Word Window punch has been used again to punch out the sentiment. The tie is the normal Chocolate Grosgrain ribbon.

This cute gift box is made with a half sheet of A4 Confetti White card stock (so therefore A5 size!). It is the easiest little box, and can be made using any sized rectangle piece of card stock or paper. Measure halfway on all 4 sides, and score across from one long side to the other. Then score diagonally from the midpoint on each end to the midpoint on the sides, creating a diamond shape on the rectangle with a fold across the middle. Crease all 5 score lines, and simple push the two halves together, making sure the 2 triangular flaps on one side slide inside 2 on the other side. Punch a hole through all 4 layers of card stock or paper, thread ribbon and tie a knot or bow. Done! No sticking required. This box is decorated with the Leaves A La Carte jumbo wheel in Certainly Celery ink, and then there is a strip of Orchid Opulence card stock layered under a strip of the Enchante Doube Sided Designer Series paper. The ribbon is Light Orchid Grosgrain. Voila!

All artwork is by ME! (Cheryl Andrews) and the images are © Stampin' Up!®.

So what is the great deal? If you have been tossing around the idea of being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, either just for the discount or to run your own business, then January is the time! Get yourself down to your local newsagents and buy a copy of the Australian Scrapbook Creations magazine. Inside is an advertisement for Stampin' Up! with a special code for 10% off the already great value Starter kit! Also in January and February is the much anticipated Sale-a-Bration promotion, with free stamp sets for customers, hostesses and demonstrators alike! So becoming a demonstrator has never been so affordable or such great value! With Sale-a-Bration, new demonstrators can choose a free Stamp set of ANY VALUE from the current catalogues on top of all the other sets in the kit, and PLUS the 10% discount! So what are you waiting for! It takes all kinds of demonstrators to be part of my team.... Discount, Career, Hobby, Short term.... In the mean time, watch this space for more Sale-a-Bration updates!

Alien Steals Boy's Face

This news just in.... on Sunday 25th November, 10 year old Samuel Andrews was swimming in a backyard swimming pool in suburban Sydney, when aliens attacked. They infiltrated his face between his eyes, also trying to gain access through his right inside elbow. The aliens have been identified as Wierd Alien Striped Pests, otherwise known as WASPs.

"At the time of the attack, we thought he was OK", said his distraught mother today. "It was only when he awoke this morning that we realised the WASPs had actually infiltrated his face. Something has to be done before his whole body is overrun!"

The pictures below show a before shot of a happy school boy from the Central Coast of NSW, and then the increasing likeness to a Wierd Alien Striped Pest as the day has progressed.

Samuel Andrews, aged 10, May 2007.

Samuel, aged 10, November 26th, the morning after the attack, when it first became apparent that the Aliens had indeed infiltrated his face.

Samuel later the same day, with the WASP infiltration almost complete.

Samuel's parents, Craig and Cheryl Andrews, will be seeking expert advice this afternoon with the family doctor who it is speculated has been involved in other Alien sightings, infiltrations, and kidnappings. He was unavailable for comment this morning.

Parents are warned to keep their children locked up and in front of the TV instead of running and playing in the great outdoors, as Wierd Alien Striped Pests are likely to be everywhere at this time of year, and will attack at the slightest provocation. Any sightings should be reported to the WASP control team closest to you (listed in the Yellow Pages under 'Pest Control').

Summer Mini.........

Hey there! Just thought I'd quickly post some pics of the cute little Art Journals that have been continued in the newest Mini Catalogue - the Summer Mini Catalogue. All the beautiful stamps and accessories will be available from the 1st December 2007 until the 31st March 2008. This of course means that all the sets and accessories from the Spring Mini Catalogue are unavailable from the 1st December! Email me quick if you wanted any of those and had been putting it off. You could take a chance that the set you are coveting will be in the new 2008-2009 Idea Book and Catalogue next April, but of course we won't know until March if that is the case, and it will be too late then!

Meanwhile, the sets in the new Summer Mini will be showcased at our launch on the 4th December - see the post below for details. Book in quick! I'm almost full!

So here is a pic for you - The small sized On Board Art Journal was in the Spring mini, and has been continued in the Summer mini. You can also still buy the Spiral punch to make the patterned paper fit perfectly around the spiral binding of the journal.

I have used the Au Chocolat double sided designer series patterned paper from the new Summer mini to cover them, and the Big Blooms stamp set from the Summer mini to decorate them in Pixie Pink and Yoyo Yellow. I have also used some aged copper Hodgepodge, cream grosgrain and chocolate grosgrain ribbon as embellishments, plus some clear buttons. Don't miss the wide Cream grosgrain ribbon down the side! It also comes in Chocolate and Celery, and is new in the Summer mini catalogue! Other sets make an appearance here, including the Expressive Flexible Phrases set, and the Newsprint Alphabet set. Artwork is by Cheryl Andrews, and all images are © Stampin' Up!®

The journals are a present that a friend and I have made for our dancing teachers - yes, we do an adult dancing class, including tap and jazz, and a bit of modern and ballet thrown in. No, you may not come and watch and point and laugh!!! But we do appreciate our beautiful, patient, talented teachers - Katie and Kerry - who identified their favourite colours as bright pink and yellow respectively. Hi girls! Love you lots..........

Summer Mini Catalogue Launch

Hello Hello!

Just a very quick thanks to all who have already purchased the All in the Family stamp set. Remember that all the proceeds of the sale of this stamp set WORLD WIDE go to the Abbot family here in Australia. Check out my post below regarding the details, and remember that I am offering this stamp set with my demonstrator discount. Hopefully it will make it an easier decision to purchase this set. It will be in next year's catalogue, but not at this great price! You have until the 30th November to purchase this one for $59.15 (+ p&h)

And for those who have been waiting with bated breath for new Stampin' Up!® product......

HERE IT IS!!!!!!!!! The new Summer Mini Catalogue is here, and we are having a launch to let you play with some of the new things..........

So, the details are:

Tuesday 4th December - 7:30pm

Lion's Club Community Hall

Russell Drysdale St, East Gosford

Cost: $10, refundable with your order of $50 or more on the night. (not including postage and handling)

A gold coin donation on the night would be greatly appreciated for the Cancer Council

*3 projects to make and take home!

*Mini catalogue and Technique booklet

*Raffle - raffle sales donated to the Cancer Council

*Prize Patrol!!!!

Light refreshments provided

Email me at cherylandrews@optusnet.com.au to reserve your place. Payment is required to secure your spot at the table...........

All in the Family

In regards to my post below, and the passing of our beloved General Manager of Stampin' Up! in Australia, Dave Abbott, I am pleased to announce the release of this very cute set of stamps. There are 28 in the set, and all the pieces work together to create all the people in your family! Heads, arms, legs, bodies, dog, cat..... they are all there! All the proceeds from the sale of this set are going directly to Dave's young family, and to ensure that as many people as possible are able to purchase this set to benefit the Abbott family, I am passing on my Demonstrator discount to all who purchase it.

The set will be in the 2008-2009 Idea Book and Catalogue in April next year, but Stampin' Up!® are prereleasing it just for November, just for Cathy, William, Madeline and Molly, in memory of Dave.....

So for this month only, you will be able to purchase it from me for $59.15, plus postage and handling, and delivered to your door anywhere in Australia.... It retails at $73.95 for the set of 28 stamps.... Click on the link to Stampin' Up! over there on the right, click on the Aussie flag, and then click on the Specials and Promotions link. The All in the Family promotion is there, and you can probably see a bigger picture of this flier.........

In Memory......

.... of Dave Abbott - General Manager of Stampin' Up!® Australia. Aged only 41, Dave passed away last week after battling a rare blood disease for almost a year. He is survived by his wife and 3 young children. He was like a father and a friend to the staff at Demonstrator Support, and was a genuinely lovely man. I had the privilege of meeting him at the Stampin' Up! Convention in May, and of speaking with him on the phone at Demonstrator Support when things were so flat out that the extra person manning the phones was a real help. He is already dearly missed.

In honour of Dave's life, Stampin' Up! are going to release a new Stamp set in November called "All in the Family", a set I have not yet seen, but I am told is very cute! All proceeds from the sale of this set will go to Dave's wife and young children to give them a helping hand.

I hope to have this set in my possession very soon so I can make some samples for you to see... plus, if you would like to buy it too, you know the proceeds are going to a very worthy cause. Watch this space for details.........

Looks Like Spring is in the air....

Hello to all! In case you were confused by the weird weather we are having locally (stinkin' hot one day, howling a freezing gale the next...) it is actually spring in the Land Downunder! And to celebrate, Stampin' Up!® have their Looks Like Spring stamp set, matching Spring Bouquet Flower Punch and Double Sided Designer Series paper bundled as a special..... buy the Stamp set and the Punch, and get the Paper for free!

This pic shows the lovely stamps in the set, the punch (note that it punches out the triple flower stamp perfectly! - no need to cut those teeny things out!) and the Spring Showers paper... The Spring Flowers paper is the same, except instead of Bashful Blue and Creamy Caramel, it has Cameo Coral and Mellow Moss. Here are some things I have made with my Looks Like Spring set, Spring Bouquet Flower Punch and the Double Sided Paper....

The three cards in the front are all basically the same sketch (layout), but I have used different colours to get 3 very different results! The far left is Almost Amethyst, Lovely Lilac and Barely Banana, and the paper is Barely Banana with white dots. The middle one is the Spring Flowers paper (Coral and Moss) with some flowers in Barely Banana and Pretty in Pink. Far right is a card I designed for a male themed Stamp-a-Stack, and has the Spring Showers striped paper (Basful Blue and Creamy Caramel) with Sahara Sand, Bashful Blue and Chocolate Chip ink. In the back is a little card using Chocolate Chip and Bashful Blue.

Here is a scrap book page I did of my lovely Lilli on her 6th Birthday... all in Kraft, Lovely Lilac and Lavender Lace - with a bit of Cocoa and Vanilla thrown in.... so glad I did not cut out all those little flowers! Go the Flower Punch! I have also used Big Deal Alphabet and Rough Edges Alphabet, and on the cards, there is the Hostess Set from this years Catalogue called Warmest regards.....

If you would like to take advantage of this month's special, then email me at cherylandrews@optusnet.com.au, and we can arrange it! Make sure you get your order to me by Monday 29th October to avoid disappointment..........

One more thing! The Stampin' Up! Regional Training for Sydney will be held at Darling Harbour on the 17th November (a Saturday) and they have opened the doors to guests now! This means that I can take you with me! The cost is $75 for the days training sessions, plus a free stamp set (this year it is Simply Said). If you have been thinking of becoming a demonstrator (and therefore part of my wonderful team!) then this is an opportunity to see it all first hand! Kind of a try before you buy thing.... Stampin' Up! events are not to be missed - loads of fun and new things to see and try....... email me ASAP so I can book you in!

Happy Stamping!

An interesting couple of weeks...

Hi All!!! Our family has had some interesting moments over the last little while, including the removal of Darling Son's (10yo) appendix! It seems the dreaded lurgy has also not left us unscathed - the flu has brought down 3 in our family of 5 so far, as well as both my parents in Sydney, and of course many others we know!!! We finally got to give my Dad his Fathers' Day card on the weekend just gone..... You remember the one I have in a post further down about Fathers' Day? Yeah... Ages ago.... So here are some more offerings from me.... including another with the All About U set used in my Dad's card....

This one has a base of Confetti Cream - a lovely recycled card stock that has a bit of texture. It also has a background of Certainly Celery wheeled with the Petals Wheel from the Spring Mini Catalogue. The two largest circle punches came in handy for the images from the matching Polka Dots and Petals set, which are stamped in Regal Rose and Rose Red on Vanilla Card Stock. Believe it or not, the ribbon is Light Pink Grosgrain Ribbon!!!! (Looks white on my screen) A silver brad finishes the Thank You sentiment from the Seeing Spots set.

This card has the All About U set, Paisley Background, Everyday Flexible Phrases, Trimtastic and the Warmest Regards hostess set. I have also used the Tab Punch, Corner Rounder (with the guard off to make the scallop), Chocolate grosgrain ribbon, White Organdy ribbon and the Pumpkin Pie marker from the Earth Element set. The colour scheme is Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie and Almost Amethyst, with Whisper White.

I was on a bit of a roll with the Amethyst and Chocolate thing, and the Paisley Background and Trimtastic scalloped edging..... Also here is Certainly Celery, Whisper White, the white gel pen, tab punch, Expressive Flexible Phrases, Cheery Chat, Touch of Nature, the largest circle punches, spiral punch (for the notebook page effect) and some Celery grosgrain ribbon. All images are © Stampin' Up! 1990-2007. All the artwork is by Cheryl Andrews, and inspired by the likes of Linda Higgins (my gorgeous upline) and Teneale, one of the Elite Stampers (who inspired the colour scheme on the last card there.)

Don't forget, this is your last chance to get a free set of Hodgepodge with the Starter Kit if you have been dreaming of doing what I do, and having LOADS of fun at the same time.... Applications must be in to Stampin' Up! head office by this Friday 28th September... Call me now! We can express post.... It's been done before! ;-)

Happy Birthday to Me.........

And you thought I was modest and humble..... seriously, just wanted to share about my birthday, which was **********. Did you catch that? I'll say it louder.... my birthday was ***********. Make sure you remember it for next year...... Anyway, the point is that I got 8 cards, and all of them, with the exception of one from my Craft group, were Stampin' Up! creations! Yes, even my friends are now using the products I sell to make GORGEOUS cards for ME!!!!! How cool is that! Talk about great returns. So here is a pic. Hope it is not too fuzzy. Woops! How talented are my friends and Stampin' Up! team? Don't forget, if you would like to host your own workshop and earn your own free stuff, as well as learn how to USE it all, then email me at cherylandrews@optusnet.com.au so we can book a date.... Also, don't forget the marvellous deal this month with the Starter Kit - the Hodgepodge Hardware! It takes all kinds of demonstrators to make up my team, including Discount Demonstrators (just in it for the benefits), Hobby Demonstrators (in it to support their habit, and to run a few workshops and classes here and there) and Business Demonstrators (committed to putting the work in to build a successful business). You get to decide..... and this month is a good time to start. Email me for all the info you need to sign up today. And here is one more pic of a FABULOUS picture my darling son, who is 10, drew for me for my birthday... it is a picture of a goose that he copied out of an encyclopedia...... I just LOVE it! Isn't it tops! He even created a frame for it by stapling pieces of black cardboard around his finished masterpiece... I will definately be hanging this one up in pride of place... What a talented boy.

Happy Fathers' Day...

....to all you Dads and Significant Male Role Models out there.... Here is a card made in honour of you, which I am actually giving to my own Dad and Dad-in-Law...

I used the All About U set, which is available to Hostesses this month and until the 15th September as an EXTRA FREEBIE when their workshop sales exceed $600. Cool hey! I have also used: Chocolate Chip, Brocade Blue, Confetti Cream and Really Rust card stock, the Paisley Background stamp, Chocolate Chip, Really Rust and Brocade Blue ink, Linen Thread, Tab Punch, Earth Elements and Neutrals Button, and the Paper Crimper (My new toy!!!) Images © Stampin' Up!® 1990 - 2007. Artwork by Cheryl Andrews.

In addition to the Hooray for Hostesses promotion which concludes on the 15th September (you know, the free EXTRA stamp set deal!), Stampin' Up! have a great deal for those of you who have been putting off signing up to do what I do (and LOVE) - Demonstrating and using Stampin' Up! products and getting PAID for it!! If you sign up in September, you will not only get the fabulous Starter Kit, which is already great value, but your choice of 1 of the 3 sets of Hodgepodge Hardware valued at over $50 for FREE. This is a much saved for and coveted item on my customers' wish lists, and is something that will make beautiful cards and scrapbook pages even more special... Check out some of my creations below that have Hodgepodge on them.... (the metal photo anchors, brads, book plates, clips etc) All images © Stampin' Up!® 1990 - 2007. Artwork by Cheryl Andrews, or CaSEd from the 2007-2008 catty. Remember that you don't have to 'do' workshops, or do the sales thing if you don't want to... you can be a discount demonstrator (ie, get the 20% discount for you and your friends), or run classes from your place if you can't get out.... email me at cherylandrews@optusnet.com.au right now to make the most of this great offer...

Hope you liked my Hodgepodged cards.........

More Things to Drool Over...... and another competition!

The Spring Mini Catalogue is in full swing, and our launch on the 31st July was a whole heap of fun! Lots of People, Prizes and Projects...... If you missed it, do not fret, I can still show you all the things in the Mini catalogue at a workshop at your place, or at a class at my place.... I have one space left in my Card Compendium Class (scroll down to look at a previous post with a picture of a Card Compendium) on Wednesday 22nd August (one has had to pull out), and a Santa Stack on Wednesday the 19th September (6 cards for $10 - get ahead on your Christmas cards). I am also hoping to run classes on embossing and watercolouring - email me if you are interested in these.... $10 per class, all supplies provided, one completed project and lots of time to experiment and practice....

One of my favourite projects is the On Board Art Journal - we have 2 sizes, one pictured below, and a smaller one in the Mini Catty - 5" x 5". This weekend I am going away on a Women's Retreat, where I will be running a short workshop on how to go about covering these gorgeous journals. They have heavy duty chipboard covers, spiral binding, and actual card stock for the pages inside.... pefect for scrapbooking, or any other special project. Post here, or email me with your brilliant ideas for how to use these fabulous books (eg, address, recipes, birthdays), and you will go into the draw to win one of the 5x5 inch journals for yourself.... I will also publish all the great ideas on here. Please have your entries in by 15th September 2007, 5pm Australian Eastern Standard Time, no entries from outside of Australia will be accepted (although I still would love to have your brilliant ideas!!), or entries from other Stampin' Up!® Demonstrators (I definitely still want your brilliant ideas too!)

Here is my journal.....

All products are available through me from Stampin' Up!®. Images © Stampin' Up! 1990 - 2007. I have used the On Board Art Journal from the Idea Book and Catalogue as mentioned above, as well as the On Board Accents and On Board Simon Lower chipboard (flower and letter 'C'), Aged Copper Hodgepodge, White Grosgrain Ribbon, Olive Organdy Ribbon, Old Olive Ink, Pretty in Pink Ink, Tempting Turquoise Ink, Newsprint Alphabet Stamp Set, Expressive Flexible Phrases and Everyday Flexible Phrases Stamp Sets, Large Oval Punch, 1 3/8 inch and 1 3/4 inch circle punches, and from the Spring Mini Catalogue, the Petals and Paisley Double Sided Patterned Paper, Petals Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel (on the oval piece), the Spiral Punch (to fit the paper perfectly onto the cover) and the Tab Punch (to label sections inside the journal). The Spiral Punch is an absolute gem - it is sized to allow you to not only cover your journal with beautiful paper, but also to add more pages to your journal as needed, which is particularly handy if you need more pages for an address book, or if you left out a photo in your scrapbooking, or if you fill up your journal and want to do more in it! And the Tab Punch is extremely cute for plenty of other projects too, especially scrapbooking and card making.....

One more picture of a card for my Sister-In-Law (Hi Belinda!!) for her birthday......... it uses embossing and watercolouring if you are interested in those classes I mentioned.......

This card uses Elegant Eggplant card stock and ink, Perfect Plum ink, Pale Plum card stock and ink, Basic Black Card Stock, and Whisper White Card Stock and Ink. It also has the Scribble This Stamp Set and matching Scribble Wheel, and the Cheery Chat Stamp Set, plus some black grosgrain ribbon. (and a non SU! bit of bling in the centre of the flower - sshh!) I have embossed the Scribble wheel image in the background on the Pale Plum card stock using the Whisper White Craft ink (pigment ink) and White embossing powder. The big Scribble This flower (cut out and double mounted with a dimensional in between the layers) is watercoloured with the Aqua painter using Perfect Plum and Elegant Eggplant inks. It is also Stamped in Jet Black Stazon Ink, which I find is best for watercolouring - it doesn't bleed into your pretty colouring in!

My email is cherylandrews@optusnet.com.au if you want to enter the competition to win a journal for yourself to cover and enjoy, or to book a workshop or come to one of my classes......

Bye for now!

New Mini Catalogue samples, and a Piano....

Hmmm that got you looking, didn't it!!

Have been playing with the new sets I preordered from the Mini Catalogue, and here are some of the results.... The first is one of the designs for my Christmas in July Stamp-a-Stack, using the Wishing You set from the Mini Catalogue.... I will have the Mini Catalogues very soon and will be giving them away upon request..... Want one? Lots of yummy things to see! Just email me.... cherylandrews@optusnet.com.au . I also still have a couple of spots left in the Mini Catalogue Launch that a few of the members in my team and I are planning for the 31st July.... Cost is $10, which you can put towards your order of $50 or more on the night, and there will be things to make, things to win, and lots of fun to be had!!!!!!

I have a couple of spots left in my next Christmas Stamp-a-Stack on the 25th July too... email me and let me know if you would like to come...

Ok, the Christmas card on the left here uses Very Vanilla and So Saffron card stock, with Gold ink, Gold brads and Gold cord. We also made another design which I will post another time..... All images © Stampin' Up! ® 1990 - 2007, Artwork by Cheryl Andrews.

This next card I made using some

of the leftovers from the Stamp-a-Stack.... I have used the Polka Dots and Paisley set from the new Mini, and used So Saffron, Always Artichoke, Regal Rose and Very Vanilla card stock. The ink is Regal Rose, Always Artichoke, and both the markers in these colours too.... There is also some silver cord, and an aluminium small round tag... All images © Stampin' Up!® 1990 - 2007, artwork by Cheryl Andrews (Got the tag idea from the Mini Catty)

You can purchse all these thrings through me as well....

So! What about the piano, you ask... Well, I have an old upright piano here that I want to get rid of for $100. It is in ok condition, however it is a semitone flat, so only suitable to bang around on, not for teaching or learning with a mind to develop ones ear.... My kids have had a great time with it, and are seeming to be more serious about piano lessons, so I am actually investing in an electronic keyboard with weighted keys, which will never go out of tune.... I have not had it tuned for a couple of years, and the piano tuner I had out just the other week said it was well enough in tune with itself, just not able to be tuned up the semitone anymore.... So sadly, it must go in the name of my children becoming concert pianists..... ;-) You will need a trailer, and my hubby will help you load it..... if you are reasonably local, he will also help you unload it....

More Watercolor Wonder Crayon Techniques

Thanks to my upline, the Lovely Linda, (check out her blog over there on the right) I have a really cute design showing off another use for the crayons... (Thanks Lovely Linda!)

On a Sahara Sand base card, I have layered a Cranberry Crisp piece, stamped in Cranberry Crisp with the tree branch from Touch of Nature. Along the bottom is stamped the scalloped lace image from Trimtastic again in Cranberry Crisp, with a strip of the stripey Treehouse paper scalloped with the corner rounder punch (remove the guard). A tag stamped with the branch in Sahara Sand and finished with some linen thread adds the sentiment using the black marker to highlight the appropriate words from the William Shakespeare quote from the set. The butterfly is stamped in Basic Black ink on vellum paper, and when dry, coloured roughly on the reverse side with the Watercolor Wonder Crayons to give this beautiful effect... A one and a quarter inch circle punch creates the window, with a slender frame created by punching first the one and a quarter inch circle, then the one and three quarter inch circle around it on Sahara Sand card stock.... Images © Stampin' Up! 1990 - 2007. Don't forget the Just Add Water promotion, with 25% off the Watercolor Wonder Crayons and/or the Watercolor Pencils for each $50 spent on Stampin' Up! products. (Scroll down for more info)

Don't forget to book in for my Christmas in July Stamp-a-Stack this month! The 12th July is already full, but I still have spots on the 25th....

Also, the new Spring Mini Catalogue will be available soon, and we are having a Mini Catalogue Launch on Tuesday, 31st July, 7:30 pm, to celebrate! Cost is $10, refundable with your purchase of $50 or more.... Let me know ASAP if you want to come, as space is limited, and prepayment is required to secure your place. Lots of fun, with things to make, and prizes too... If I don't already have your email address, then email me (cherylandrews@optusnet.com.au) and I will email you back with all the details....

A very big Welcome to the newest member of my team - Kerry is based in the Southern Suburbs of Sydney, so if you need a workshop down in that area, she's your girl.... Hi Kerry! So my little team is growing.... now there are 5 of us! If you have been umming and arring about becoming a demonstrator yourself, let me assure you that it takes all kinds - A full-on business, a chance to make 'pocket money', a hobby, a discount demonstrator, selling to friends and family.... I am making some 'pocket money' to pay for my own stampin' habit ;-) :-) :-0 and to cover things like piano lessons for my kids.... perfect for me! I even covered the cost of my Starter Kit in the first 3 months.... even better!! Besides that, I am having SO MUCH FUN!!! I've made heaps of great friends, become part of a company that has a philosophy that puts people and relationships FIRST (fits right in with my own outlook on life), and get the most fantastic support and encouragement from my upline, sidelines and downlines..... not to mention all the other girls in the Elite Stampers team.... (Hi Gang!) I find it hard to call what i do "Work"! Surely one shouldn't get PAID to do this???!!

Email me at cherylandrews@optusnet.com.au to get an information pack.......

And the Winner is.........

Hello Hello! How exciting! It's the 1st July and it would appear that we have a winner for the 'Around the Block' retired hostess set from the Stampin' Up!® 2006-2007 Idea Book and Catalogue.... Drumroll...... Congratulations to MICHELE JUTRISA from the Southern Highlands! Woo Hoo Michele! Thanks for subscribing to my blog, Lovey! It's definitely paid off for you..... I'll actually be seeing Deb on Friday, so I will give it to her then, and she can pass it on to you... (Hi Deb! Thanks Dearest.....;-))

So to all of you who subscribed, I am honoured and humbled that you think my blog is worth looking at more than once! I wish I had a free stamp set for all of you..... Instead, I have another card for you to look at....

I really love the set 'Roses in Winter'. I made this one for my Mother-in-law for her birthday. I've actually used the same sketch for quite a few cards, including baby cards and sympathy cards. I CASEd the sketch from a card the lovely Claire from Elite Stampers made for her new baby niece. You can see more of Claire's work in the Elite Challenges Blog, and check out her blog too - it's in the Elite Challenges Blogroll.... I have used......Apricot Appeal, Whisper White, Almost Amethyst card stock and ink, Mellow Moss ink, and Moss Gingham ribbon. I also used Everyday Flexible Phrases in addition to the Roses in Winter Set. The three quarter inch circle punch created the scalloped edge. All images © Stampin' Up! 1990-2007. You can make lots of different sized scalloped edges with the different sized circle punches, as well as the slit punch AND the corner rounder!!!! The corner rounder makes a more subtle curve..... very nice. I'll have to get me one of those!!

Don't lose heart now that the prize has been drawn, and you have not won.... I will have more competitions coming up very soon.....

For those of you who are local, I have two Stamp-a-Stack classes coming up in July..... the Class on the 12th (Thursday week at 7:30 pm) still has a couple of spots left, and the class on the 25th (a Wednesday night at 7:30pm) has spaces also.... be quick! I am waiting for confirmation from a few girls, so let me know to secure your place!!! We are making 6 Christmas cards (3 each of 2 designs) for $10.... There will be more every month now until Christmas, so you can build up your supply....

Happy Stampin', Cyber Friends!!!!

Wow! 2 Posts in 1 day!!!!

Aren't you guys lucky:-) I had to share this great idea that some girls in the Elite Stampers team have been making (check out the Elite Challenges blog and see Jenni O's blog, and also Linda's blog over here on the right) It is the cutest little card compendium, and I have made mine for a friend's birthday pressie (Happy Birthday Georgie!) I will be running a class on how to make these soon - just need to work out dates and costs.... So here are some pics!

I have used three of my favourite sets - Paisley Back Ground, Roses in Winter and Touch of Nature. There are 6 cards, each with a matching envelope. The colours are: Perfect Plum, Pale Plum, Apricot Appeal and Mellow Moss ink and card stock, as well as Very Vanilla and Blush Blossom card stock. There is also Twill Tape, Olive organdy ribbon, Moss gingham ribbon and Celery grosgrain ribbon. The Hodgepodge Hardware is Aged Copper. All images are © Stampin' Up! 1990 - 2007. All artwork is by Cheryl Andrews. Email me on cherylandrews@optusnet.com.au if you want to know how to make it, and I will set up a class for July and/or August - Georgie now has a beautiful stash of cards to send to her friends and family all stored in the cutest box!

As June comes to a close..............

Hello Cyber-Friends! Not long now until June ends, and we are half way through the year... OH MY GOODNESS!!! How fast has the year gone! Before we know it, it will be Christmas! Speaking of Christmas, I am going to be having a Christmas in July Stamp-a-Stack at my place on Thursday 12th July at 7:30pm. We will be making 6 cards for a cost of $10 - 3 each of 2 designs...... I only have space for 8 people, so first in gets the places!! Email me on cherylandrews@optusnet.com.au to secure your spot at my table, and due to high demand, you will need to PAY me in advance as well... If there are enough people on the waiting list, I will make another night for the same deal on Wednesday 25th July at 7:30pm. This is a child free night of stamping and fun, and probably chocolate, so email now!!

July brings with it a new special from Stampin' Up!®. In July, if you spend $50 on product, you get 25% off the Watercolor Wonder Crayons or the Watercolor pencils. This makes them really affordable - Each colour family of Crayons comes down to $29.21, with the Neutral family being only $14.21, and the Pencils come down to $28.26! (If you scroll down, you will see a card I have coloured using the Crayons and the Aquapainters - the one where I have used In Full Bloom flowers...) Here is a picture of the Watercolor Wonder Crayons, complete with their very cute tin. The special applies to every $50 you spend, so if you spend $100, you can choose 2 sets of Crayons or Pencils at 25% off...

Also in July, I will be sending out a very special little catalogue to all my customers.... The new Spring Mini Catalogue will be available to gaze at and drool over by the end of the month. I have a copy in my hot little hand, and it is DELICIOUS!!! I will be preordering a set or two and some accessories from the new Mini to show off in July, and all the products will be available to you from August 1st until November 30th... So book your workshop NOW for August!!! There are some new Christmas stamps, some gorgeous papers and some awesome new accessories....

In the meantime, remember to subscribe to my blog before this Saturday, as I am drawing the winner for the stamp set on Sunday, 1st July, and will post that lucky person's name right here!

Things to remember: *Book your workshop for July or August now*

*Email me to book in for the Christmas Stamp-a-Stack on 12th July*

*Subscribe now to be in the running for the Stamp Set (scroll down to see the terms and conditions)*

Happy Stamping!!!!!

ANOTHER WINNER!!!

YAY!!! Congratulations to ROSEMARY of Wyoming (NSW Australia, not Michigan USA!) who is the latest winner of my 50/50 competition which has now closed. The first 50 people who spent $50 with me got an automatic entry into the draw. Rosemary has won the Happy Harmony Stamp Set from the Sell-a-bration promotion back in February... plus a Handsome Hunter ink pad and the Going Grey card stock which she chose for herself. Thanks for being such a great customer, Rosie, and Happy Stamping! Stay tuned for more competitions coming up, and don't forget the current one which finishes on June 30th. Simply subscribe to my blog for a chance to win (Details and conditions of entry are posted below). And for those who are very sad because they didn't win.............. here's another card to make you feel better ;-). I have used Mello Moss and Pixie Pink card stock, and the watercolour paper which is a lovely creamy colour. Jet black Stazon ink, and Mellow Moss ink too. I have water coloured with the Bold Brights Watercolour Wonder Crayons, and the aqua painter. In Full Bloom and Wonderful Words are the stamp sets. There is also some Moss gingham ribbon there. All images © Stampin' Up! 1990 - 2007. Artwork by Cheryl Andrews. You can buy all this stuff too from me! Just send me an email - I can have it shipped anywhere in Australia. cherylandrews@optusnet.com.au

I've been busy....

Hi all! Bet you thought I'd gone on holidays or something.... I wish! My Stampin' Up! business has been keeping me very busy with workshops galore and new recruits. So in addition to Melissa - Hi Mel! - (make sure you check out her blog too) I now have a growing team that includes 3 downline and me! Debbie and Tahnee both joined up last week. Deb is in the Southern Highlands, and Tahnee is up here on the Central Coast with me. Hi Deb and Tahnee!!

If you would like to join my team too, just send me an email - cherylandrews@optusnet.com.au . We have soooo much fun!

The Stampin' Up!® promotion for June is a great one if you are a fan of the Stampin' Write Markers. These markers are not just kiddie textas - they are artist quality, odourless and double ended markers with a brush tip on one end and a writing tip on the other. They contain dye ink in our exclusive Stampin' Up! colours, and can be used for inking your stamps in different colours before stamping (ever tried to ink up your stamps in different colours with the ink pads? Much easier with the markers!) You can also watercolour, journal, and colour-in with your markers, as well as use the spritzing tool to get a splatter effect.... Very versatile indeed!

So what is the special you ask (read, GET ON WITH IT WOMAN!!)

If you purchase one of the packs of markers (12 in a pack, 4 colour families to choose from) for $57.95, you will get 30% off 4 selected stamp sets - Greetings Galore (down to $40.57), Eat Cake (down to $34.97), All the Best (down to $27.97) and Heartfelt Thanks (down to $40.57) So email me with your order by 28th June so I can put it through in time.... cherylandrews@optusnet.com.au .

OK! So here is why I have been so busy - some cards I have been making..... enjoy! This one is a black and white and glitter card that a friend asked me to do for her workshop last Saturday (Hi Cass!) It uses Basic Black card stock, marker and ink, Whisper White card stock, and Dazzling Diamonds glitter as well as black and white grosgrain ribbon. The stamp sets used are Pretty Princess and Petal Pushers. All images © Stampin' Up! 1990 - 2007. Artwork by Cheryl Andrews. It's such a cool card! I used the Cutter Kit to make a perforation down the black wavy strip behind the centrepiece, and whoever receives the card can tear it off and use the side piece as a bookmark! Fabbo!

This card I made for Tahnee's workshop last week, just before she signed up, as I know she is a fan of Bold Brights (me too!) The colours are Pixie Pink, Green Galore, Whisper White, Apricot Appeal, Barely Banana, Tempting Turquoise and Lavender Lace card stock, with Pink Passion marker and Only Orange, Tempting Turquoise, Summer Sun, Green Galore and Lovely Lilac ink. We also used the half inch circle punch, the three quarter inch circle punch, Petal Pushers stamp set and Everyday Flexible Phrases stamp set. All images © Stampin' Up! 1990 - 2007. Artwork by Cheryl Andrews

This card was also for a workshop, and uses So Saffron, Bravo Burgundy, Mellow Moss and Very Vanilla card stock, Bravo Burgundy marker, Summer Sun ink, and Stazon Jet Black ink. The sets are Touch of Nature and the Floral background. There is also some Hodge Podge Hardware and Moss gingham ribbon. We watercoloured the flower using the ink pads and the blender pens. I CASEd the card from the 2007-2008 idea book and catalogue, just changed the colours and the Hodge Podge detail. All images © Stampin' Up! 1990 - 2007.

Don't forget to subscribe to this blog for a chance to win a stamp set (see below for pictures and conditions of entry). Make sure that when you subscribe, you send me an email as well as letting me know who you are! I love to know who is taking a peek, and where you are from, so don't be shy! Let me know who you are..... :-)

Subscribe Now!

Hello loyal blog readers! Hey, do you like my new header? Looks a bit more funky now, I think... I am slowly getting a little more computer literate every day........ And so you may notice a new page element over there on the right up the top. It is a spot to enter your email address, and so every time I update my blog, you will get an email to tell you that I have... Cool huh! So you won't have to keep on checking anymore to see if I have or not, and being disappointed because I am slack :-). To celebrate me becoming more computer literate than before, (though still quite a dunce relatively speaking), everyone who subscribes to my blog before 30th June 2007 will go into the draw to receive this stamp set.... It is called Around the Block, and is a retired hostess set from the Stampin' Up!® 2006-2007 Idea Book and Catalogue. There are 4 stamps in the set, and in case you cannot see them very well, they say: W is for Wonderful, B is for Bliss, T is for Thanks and G is for Genuine. Great for cardmakers or scrapbookers! So get subscribing to be in the draw.... Competition only open to Australian residents, (but a big G'day to all of you in the big wide world) and is not available to other Stampin' Up! Demonstrators..... Hope you win!

Some fabulous news....

Well, for two lucky people anyway!

Firstly, my 50/50 promotion has now got a winner! ALEX HUGHES of Lisarow (http://scrapalley.blogspot.com) has won one of the Sell-a-bration sets from the January/ February promotion (she is yet to pick which one) plus a soft subtles assorted A4 card stock pack and a Pretty in Pink ink pad (her choice of colours - amongst my faves, I must say!) Don't be sad if you missed out - I am continuing the promotion for one more round. So if you have my little yellow cards - HANG ON TO THEM!! they will still be valid. As soon as my next 50 customers spend $50 each and fill my sheet, I will draw again for another of the Sell-a-bration sets, an A4 assorted card stock pack, and a Classic Ink pad of your colour choice.... So book your workshop today, or place an order to go towards you entries in the draw......

Also, we drew a name from all those who put their details down at the CAR BOOT SALE at Narara Valley Baptist Church to be on our mailing list..... Congratulations to LOUISE GRATTAN of Narara who won a stamp set, some card stock to make cards, and a Basic Black ink pad..... happy stamping Louise!

May Special

The Stampin' Up!® Convention for 2007 is OVER! The excitement and build up were agonising, but well worth it! It was everything I expected and dreamed it to be, and then some! I learnt soooo much to help me in my business, and not just about making money - the thing I loved most was the way that even the most high up executives actually care more about the people they are getting to know through their business than about the money they make. This was so appropriately demonstrated by the co-founder and CEO, Shelli Gardener, who was there with her husband, and who was so excited and emotional about meeting US! She also spoke about how it Starts with Heart (the theme for the convention) and actually demoed as well some lovely things... I love being part of a company that fits in so well with my own life philosophies of caring about other people, and not pushing people to buy things, and going at my own pace (incentives are there for attaining goals, but everyone is encouraged and applauded for their own successes) and supporting and helping each other..... Such a breath of fresh air!!!
This month, Stampin' Up! are offering a discount on their already discounted Starter Kit - $299 for over $500 worth of product! That's an excellent deal.... and it is such a good time to join up as the Stampin' Up! year begins in April, which means there is still more than 10 months to achieve some great goals by March 2008, and collect awards at the 2008 convention!!! By the way, the 2008 convention is going to be on the 11th and 12th of April in Brisbane, so I am already planning a family holiday in the sun.............. If you'd like to join me, email me at cherylandrews@optusnet.com.au and join with a huge group of fellow stamping and papercraft addicts.... oops!... I mean artists.... The support is fantastic - you won't be left out on your own to find your own way. Regular training and support is offered to enhance your business and keep the creative juices flowing, both from the company and from within the group I belong to - the Elite Stampers (check out our creative blog over there on the right).

Well, I've raved enough. Soon I will put some pictures up of the things we made at convention so you can drool some more - not to mention the free stamp sets we got, the convention bag, the pen, badges and key chain wallet, and all the cool things we could buy in Memento Mall... Only a person addicted to rubber could understand........

It's been a while....

...so I thought it was about ime I let you know what I have been up to! April has been an extremely busy month with the launch of the new catalogue, and I have had quite a few workshops keeping me on my toes. Topped with a good dose of Selmonella from eating a chicken kebab (me and a significant number of others it seems!) the time has just slipped away..... But I have not been idle. On the 28th of April, four of us Stampin' Up! demonstrators are going to be at Narara Valley Baptist Church's Car Boot Sale. We will have a stall selling cards and Stampin' Up! products, and booking in workshops. Here is one I created to sell....

Colours: Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White, Rose Red, Pretty in Pink and Old Olive. Roses in Winter stamp set. I found out about the technique of turning the stamp on the paper to get this lovely smudged effect from one of my fellow Elite Stampers, Alisa Tilsner. All Images © Stampin' Up! 1990 - 2007.

So come along and join in the fun! 8:30am to 1pm, 127 Narara Valley Drive, Narara.

Also, the Elite Stampers (the group I belong to headed up by Angela Sargeant - see her blog in my list of sites I frequent) have started a blog called Elite Challenges, which you can take a look at.... http://elitechallenges.wordpress.com. Challenges such as Colour, Stamp Set, or Sketch will be posted every fortnight or so, and the Elite Stampers will upload their creations, so you can get some great ides for your own projects and also some new ideas for colours and sets you have! Due to all the hooha this month in my own life, I have NOT done the current challenges, but keep looking! I will get to it.

Here are some other recent projects for you to enjoy looking at.... The photo is of a make-and-take project I did at a couple of workshops recently. The cute little box will hold a chocolate, or a jewellery box! (Give it to your loved one to fill for you....) Colours: Taken with Teal, Whisper White and Lavender Lace. White Organdy Ribbon, Confetti White tag, copper brad, Word Window punch.

Images © Stampin' Up! 1990 - 2007.

Stay tuned for more projects and updates! Classes coming up in May include a Stamp-a-Stack (6 cards for $10) and a Spinner Card class... Don't forget, you can purchase these products from me, or book your own workshop to learn some great tips and techniques for your own creations.... Post a comment here, and it will be sent to my email address before being published. I will delete your personal details, and only publish your comments. I can then contact you!

What's new

Hi y'all! It has been a while since I posted, and thought it was about time I did. April has marked the beginning of a new Stampin Up!® year, and therefore the launch of the new 2007 - 2008 Idea Book and Catalogue. And oh boy, is it YUMMY!! There are lots and lots of things on my wish list, including chipboard, new scrapbooking papers, card stock in single colour packs in EVERY colour, storage solutions and of course new stamp sets!! And some of my favourites from the mini Catalogue that expired in January have made it into this new one! Yay! So, book a work shop with me before the end of May to see the new range, and get a lucky dip to redeem with your workshop order.



I am also still running the 50/50 promotion, which means for every $50 you spend, you get an entry into my draw to win an exclusive Sell-a-bration Stamp set (now retired), a pack of assorted A4 card stock and a Classic Inkpad of your colour choice. When I have 50 people on my sheet, I will cut it up and draw a name out of a hat. Easy!

Here are some new things I have made too....

This card was for a colour challenge during a Cyber Stamp on a forum I belong to. It uses Chocolate Chip, Sahara Sand and Bashful Blue, and my beloved Looks Like Spring stamp set, which is now in the new Catalogue. I have also used some Hodge Podge hardware in aged copper (even though the photo anchor looks silver, it is actually aged copper too) All images are © Stampin' Up! 1990 - 2007.

This next project is a 'J' I decorated for my Mum for her birthday (I gave her the card above too!) The patterned paper is not Stampin' Up!, not sure whose it is, but the ribbons, tags and ink are all SU, as are the stamps I used. I have used Pretty in Pink ink, Confetti White tags, Certainly Celery ink, Pink and Celery Grosgrain Ribbon, White Organdy ribbon and Looks Like Spring, Simply Said and Wee Watercolours (retired) stamp sets. The first two sets mentioned here are in the new Catalogue.The brads and clips are not SU either. I have used one of our fabulous circle punches here too, with the Certainly Celery card stock. All Images are © Stampin' Up! 1990 - 2007

Hope you like! I had fun making them....

I have lots of workshops booked for April already, so if you would like one of your own, be quick! May is already filling up.... But there is always June..... and soon I will be starting the Christmas Card Madness to avoid the chaos in December. Christmas in July with a twist - a get organised twist!
Post here with your contact details - I view them before publishing, so your private details will not be published here....

World's Greatest Shave

Hey! Hope this post finds you well and happy.

Two that I know of are not. They both have diseases related to leukaemia, and so I am going PINK to raise some funds. Click here to check out my Shave Page and to sponser me.. http://www.worldsgreatestshave.com/profile.php?id=314023
I will very soon post a 'before' photo, and of course some after photos for you to admire (fluttering eyelids). My hairdresser friend tells me that pink is IN, so I'm safe. (All the stars are doing it.)
So visit my Shave Page and get sponsoring!

My Big Colour Day will be Tuesday, so check out this site again on Tuesday evening to see me PINK.....

Cheryl xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

See Ya Later, Alligator!

Well the long awaited Stampin' Up! 2007 - 2008 Idea Book and Catalogue is almost here... April 2nd is the day we can start to buy the cool new things inside...... Meanwhile, there are 139 stamp sets and accessories that WILL NOT make it to the new catty! Thankfully, Stampin' Up! let us know in advance, so for the month of March, stamps and accessories from the retired list can be purchased for the last time..... If you want to see the retired list, contact me by leaving a comment, which will go to my email address. I will not publish your personal details on this blog. Your personal details are for my use only to contact you.

Furthermore, I will be selling the current IB&C at cost price + postage while stocks last - only $6. The new catalogue will be the usual $10. Host a workshop from April, and the new catty is yours free. Plus, if you book a workshop for March or April, you will receive a 'Lucky Dip' envelope with a surprise inside - but you have to Book to Look!

As there is no official SU! promotion other than the retired list, I am running a little competition called a 50/50. For every $50 you spend, you will receive an entry to win a prize - the prize is a Sell-a-Bration set (Delight in Life or Very Punny) + an assorted pack A4 card stock + a Classic Stampin' Pad of your choice - and I have 50 squares to fill. First in, best dressed! Also, for smaller purchases and odd amounts over the $50 mark, I will issue you with a punch card, so you can receive an entry in 10 $5 increments, getting you closer to your goal - but be quick! When my 50/50 sheet is full, I will draw a winner!

So contact me now, and be part of the fun...

Birthday Aftermath

Grandma's 90th Birthday Bash was a wonderful day! There were lots of family to catch up with, story swapping, and of course, cake!

Today though, poor old Haley is a tad crook! Methinks there was too much cake, too many lollies and not enough sleep over the weekend..... Meanwhile, of course, kids only throw up in their beds when it's pouring rain and you can't hang out the washing.....

Hi y'all! Sorry it's been a few weeks! Craig is home safely from Thailand, and life has returned to normal - the house is a mess, noone knows what to cook for dinner, and school steals a huge chunk of my children's day from me...

But there is always time to party!! Sam had his 10th birthday celebration on the weekend, which involved 5 friends ice skating with Dad, then pizza back at our place. Afterwards, two of the little darlings went home, and 4 cherubs, including our own, 'slept' in a tent in the backyard. Despite the limited sleep, they were such well behaved boys! Some highlights for me were: one of Sam's friends dressed in Lilli's hula skirt, swishing the matching pom poms around in a very provocative manner; Lilli working for about an hour and a half on a bird in a tree sculpture as a present for Sam; Sam opening the bird in a tree sculpture present with all his other cool presents, and openly admiring it in front of his friends, and telling her what a wonderful job she did... and those friends also openly admiring the sculpture and letting her know how clever she is... it was a teary moment for me, when all the years of speaking peaceful, encouraging words to my children (amongst the regretted ugly words) are spilling out into real life.... And, that his friends took the cue, and that I know their parents have the same values as me.... Makes it all worthwhile. Sigh. What a relief that despite the ugly words from my mouth, the good words do take their place as well. Their is hope for my babies yet!!

I am looking forward to my Grandma's 90th birthday bash this weekend. My Grandma and my youngest daughter share a birthdate, though 88 years apart. That makes Haley 2, for those of you who are mathematically challenged! And it is so special that Grandma is still alive, and has all her faculties, and can delight in my children, and they in her.... We are very blessed to have such wisdom and serenity in our lives from her - and what a fabulous link to our ancestry! She has tons of great stories and rememberings from her younger days..... Very precious indeed.

So check out my latest stamped offerings below all the ramblings..... See anything you like? Simply post a message here, and an email will be sent to me (so your private details won't be published here) and I can contact you about how to get some goodies.... Don't Forget! The Sell-a-bration promotion finishes on the 26th February!!