Like most Victorian's, Tony & I have despaired over the state of our garden in the last couple of years. So the other morning when I was loading the washing machine and happened to glance out the window, I was really surprised to see very odd growths on one of our little trees near the back fence.

I thought, "What on earth is that on that poor drought stricken little excuse for a tree??" Then it occurred to me, that the tree was FLOWERING!!!  I grabbed my camera and rushed out into the early morning fog and these are some of the results.

Aren't they just the most gorgeous blooms?  And of course that inspired me to get out a set of stamps I have owned for a couple of months now and that were yet to see ink . . . so I have done a little creating with more beautiful Australian natives.

The stamp set is called Bloom Away and the base cards are cut from Sage Shadow and Mellow Moss card stock with Burgundy Grosgrain or Chocolate Chip Taffeta Ribbon. 

The stamps are inked up with the Stampin' Write markers which I just adore!!

I have a great tutorial of this technique on last winter's newsletter, so if you didn't receive a copy, please let me know and I will post you one out.  You will be able to see these cards in the flesh at my Papercraft Mega Class on 13th June.

Hope to see you there, Kathryn.

How cute is the little gift - just perfect for some of my hostesses as a little thank you!!  If you'd like to receive one of these cute little gift packs, please ring me today to find out how easy it is to host a free Stampin' Up! workshop and let me know what colours you like so I can prepare your little gift to bring along to your workshop!!

OR if you'd like to see more samples using this gorgeous stamp set, how about coming along to my papercraft mega class on the 13th June.  All details are in the post directly below, or you can click on my class page.

Here's another photo of this very cute project to tantalise your taste buds.

Check back in tomorrow (make that today considering the coach just turned back into a pumpkin and the footmen mice have fled . . .) for some lovely native blossom ideas!

Kathryn

All the details as well as more photos are now up on my class page for this very exciting afternoon of stamping fun which is just 3 weeks away.  Places are filling fast so don't miss out, contact me today to reserve your space in the class.

All the Details HERE

Hope to hear from you soon, Kathryn. 

Do you ever find yourself really stuck for inspiration, when all you really want to do is whip up a quick card for someone special?

This is where Stampin' Up!s beautiful Ideas Book & Catalogue really comes to the party.  If you have a look at page 51, you will see where I got the idea for this gorgeous card.  It's so simple - that's why the stamp set is called "Simply Sent" - and all I have done to personalise this card is to add a bit of ribbon and a punched label.

Don't you love the minimalist colours and simple, uncluttered look of this card - and I got it straight out of that wonderful book of inspiration - the 2009-2010 Stampin' Up! Ideas Book & Catalogue.

So don't be afraid to try this yourself when you are looking for fresh, elegant ideas.

Kathryn   

I had a great fun workshop today (thanks Angela, my lovely hostess!!) at which all the guests got to make a 2-5-7-11 box which I think are just the sweetest things!! Have a look at their awesome creations.

We used Certainly Celery, Barely Banana & Pretty in Pink cardstock from Stampin' Up!s Soft Subtle colour family and the gorgeous Tea Party Designer Series Papers - not to mention all the scallop and circle punches! What a talented bunch of ladies!! If you'd like the template and instructions for this gorgeous box, please email me at [email protected]

If you'd like to know how you and your friends can get to make a gorgeous creation like this, ask me about our free home workshops.

Kathryn.

Some joy filled occasions recently for thanking the wonderful women in my life - one of them of course being my extremely hard-working, and exceedingly generous mother, whom we got to take to Cruden Farm (Dame Elisabeth Murdoch's lovely home at Langwarrin) on Mother's Day. It was a gorgeous sunny day - perfect for wandering around a wonderful garden which was open to raise money for the bushfire appeal - a cause very close to our hearts.

Another cause close to our hearts is Australia's Biggest Morning Tea which raises money for Cancer research by the Cancer Council of Australia - and this is where my thanks TO YOU comes in!! At our Afternoon Tea with Stamping, the generous ladies raised over $213.00 and I have also had some donations from my Morning Tea web page.  (See the link in the post below).  So, a huge thank you to the ladies who came along - for such a lovely afternoon and for your generousity and a special mention to my dear friend Josie, and Sasha and Di - so glad you could all make it!

Here's another quick pic of the very simple Bella Rose card I made for mum for Mother's Day - I tried to show off the gorgeous Bella Rose Designer Series papers which are on special this month. If you buy 3 packs of Designer Series Paper, you can select a fourth one for free, including Bella Rose. See the post below if you'd like more details.

Isn't that paper divine??  For those who regularly attend my techniques classes, see you next Tuesday 19th. For everyone else, until next time . . . and thanks again!

Kathryn.

Hey everyone,

SU! has some great specials in May, including one especially suited to those who'd like to join the Stampin' Up Family!  And have you heard about our buy 3 get another one free offer on the gorgeous Designer Series Paper Packs? Have a look at my "Specials" page for all the details!

Special's Page

These specials only run until the end of May, so don't delay, ask me today if you'd like more details.

While I am at it -the Stampin' Up! Convention in Canberra was fantastic!! If you'd like to see some photo's and read all the amazing commentary on what was an excellent weekend, please check the blogs of two of my favourite fellow stampers, the very talented Sue Madex and Claire Daly (there's even a photo of me on Sue's blog!! - thanks Sue, I will have to get that one from you!!).  

Just think, if you take advantage of the Demonstrator special this month, you could be flying to convention with us next year!! It's in Sydney in late May - already in my calendar.

Really looking forward to seeing a good big group of you on Saturday at my Cancer Council Afternoon Tea with Stamping, oh, and thanks so much to those of you who have made a donation on-line.  If you aren't able to attend, but would still like to support this very worthy cause, please follow this link to make an on-line donation : Australia's Biggest Morning Tea

Your support of my event and the Cancer Council's fundraising is very gratefully received!

Back again soon!

Kathryn.

Q. What do you get when you mix 450 madly addicted cardmakers and scrapbookers with an amazing stamp company that wants them to get the most out their stamping??

A. Two days in Canberra full of FUN, FUN, FUN!!!

Yes, here we are in the nation's capital, preparing for two whole days of workshops, make & takes, new stamp sets, hundreds of samples and new project ideas and lots of catching up and getting to know you's!

One of the exciting things we do at convention is swap cards with everyone - we've all been working frantically making heaps of cards to exchange as a way of sharing ideas, seeing how others use a particular stamp set or technique or just as a great way of getting to know new people.

Here's a sneak peak of my swaps that I finished at 1.00am on my hotel bed!! I made around 30 "Matchbooks" which are the perfect size to include a coffee satchet in - only thing is, I haven't had time to get to the supermarket!! Oh well, I am very happy with them anyway. Don't  forget to pop in later for more updates on the amazing things we are learning at Convention 2009.