Stampin Up! have released a “Christmas Gift Giving Guide” for November. For every $85 of product purchased from this guide, you get a FREE square scallop punch (valued at $30.95). Click here to view the pdf.

Don’t forget, the current Spring Mini catalogue finishes on 30 November. The “Summer Mini” will be released 1 December and contains some lovely new and fresh goodies! As a demonstrator, we get to have a look and play with these earlier than the 1 December release date! If you would like to receive the new summer mini catalogue in the mail, email me today andrea.eppingstall@gmail.com.

I decided this year, instead of buying a chocolate advent calendar for each of the kids, I’d buy a kaiser craft kit and make my own.

Tip for those embarking on doing the same thing, put it together then paint it. I thought it would be ‘easier’ to paint the pieces and put it together, wrong!!

I’ve used paint similar to ‘real red’ ‘chocolate chip’ and ‘gold’. I will ’scrapbook a xmas page and pop it in the middle. If you take out all the little boxes, you can use it like a ’shadow box’ for little ornaments on the wall. It’s so cute!!

 Here’s a few different Christmas decorations I have made with paper. The little diamond and round shapes have been made with lots of scallop circle punchies, and scallop square punchies.

The ‘ball, is actually a Kusudama Ball, made using 60 pieces of 3 x 3 designer series paper that are folded into petals. Each 5 petals made a flower, then the 12 flowers are stuck together. I was inspired by Jayne Mercer’s  Kusudama ball, which has a link to a tutorial. It took me around 3-4 hours, from start to finish. Not sure if I’ll make another one, but they are gorgeous!!

Well I’ve been flat out during the last week! Little DS turned 4 yesterday and we had his party over the weekend. This is a pic of him yesterday at ‘kinder’ with the ‘birthday hat’ on.

I’ve got a number of things I want to share with you.

This first one, I stumbled across at Jackie Thomas’ website. She inspired me to make my own!! These are so cute. I’m thinking of making some for pressies this year. I’ve put together my own tutorial, with step by step photos. It only takes 1 piece of 12 x 12 cardstock (plus decorations!)

Yes my classes are about to start!!! All classes listed will be held at my home (in Mount Clear).

 Wednesday 4^th Nov – 10am to 12 noon $70 including Christmas stamp set you’ll be using (then you get to take it home!). Make 6 cards with your new stamp set.

 Tuesday 10^th November – 1pm to 3pm (sharp) $25 Make 3 xmas, and 3 birthday  cards

 Tuesday 17^th November – 7pm to 9pm (sharp) $25 Make gift box, paper bow, and 10 tags

 Tuesday 24^th Nov – 1pm to 3 pm (sharp) $25 Make 3 birthday cards, and 3 ‘blank’ design

Tuesday 1^st Dec – 10am to 12 noon $25 Make 2 gift card holders of one design and one other project.

 Limited places available at each class, book now!

Please note that you must register for any of my classes.  If you wish to attend, click on the ‘classes’ tab above http://aedesigns.com.au/?page_id=302, and then click on the ‘buy now’ button and select the particular class you would like to attend. Classes need to be registered and prepaid at least one week before the scheduled date. I will confirm the class with you 5 days before the event. If you would prefer,  you can email/ring me to book your place at any of my classes andrea.eppingstall@gmail.com / 0400 03 88 33. If there is a particular class you would like to do, or would like me to hold another evening or weekend class, please contact me.

Class cost includes all product, tools used, as well as refreshments and nibbles.

If you place an order over $100 at the class (excluding postage), I will halve the class cost.

In a similar vein as the last few, here’s a silver embossed engagement edition! I’ve used ‘greetings 8′ for the heart and sentiment, and baroque motifs for the swirl.

Paper Craft – Open House Sunday 24th October 1 – 4pm

If you’re in Ballarat on Sunday, come along for free, make a card and item, browse handmade papercraft items, and products for purchase. Find out about planned card making and Christmas papercraft projects occurring before Christmas. Light refreshments also available.

If you support our fundraiser for ‘Girls Night Out’ Cancer fundraiser for every $2 donated, you get a ticket into a draw of 5 great prizes of Stampin’ Up! products (prizes are valued at $30 – $300 each!!!!) If you can’t make it, but you would like to donate and be part of the draw, simply make a donation at the Girls Night Out website: https://secure.cancercouncilfundraising.org.au/registrant/myEventRSVP.aspx?EID=10614&SID=202311&HID=4C0F7915B51353D9C689F313C8FC0111,

or contact me with your donation and I will put you in the draw for these great prizes! RSVP: Phone or text Andrea: 0400 03 88 33

One of the guys from work asked if I could create a ’stylish’ wedding card’ for his friend’s wedding. He said they have a butterfly theme, so I thought I’d try and incorporate a butterfly. The ’swirl’  is from Baroque Motifs ($39.95), the butterfly is a stamp from the current mini catalogue. Colours are black and gold metallic. I have also used gold embossing powder. I love the raised effect that embossing gives.

The second card is very similiar. Here I’ve used the ‘cake’ out of ‘Fun and Fast  Notes’ ($58.95). It is one of the many stamp sets that you receive if you join as a demonstrator. The ‘now and forever’ is out of “occasional greetings” ($60.95).

The third one is quite similar to the others. It’s using the baroque motifs, and butterfly stamps as described above, plus I have used a definition stamp from “Lifes Definitions” ($90.95). This looks great ebossed too!!  The Life’s Definitions stamp set has lots of special words and their definition. Great for scrapbooking, and cardmaking alike! The black ribbon is from a special ribbon pack called “Ribbon Originals” ($24.95). The gold cord is a retired product which is no longer available.

Turn this ….

into this…..

Another idea for Christmas cards (and scrapbook pages), is to use a ’simply scrappin’ kit’ from Stampin’ Up!. Here I have used the Christmas kit “I wish”. Not only have I made cards and tags, I’ve also made a gift box and ribbon, gift bag as well as a ‘post it note holder’. If you purchase the kit, with the additional extras, I will also provide the pdfs of all 3D patterns! 

I’ve made 9 christmas cards, 2 tags, and 4 3D items, and I have still got over half the kit left!!!

Scrappin’ kit “I wish” $36.95

Optional extras ($25) to add to the “I wish” scrappin kit:

• glue pen
• tub dazzlin diamonds
• sheet of dimensionals
• 1/4 pack of silver or gold brads (approx 50)
• 3 metres of ribbon (1m choc chip & old olive 1/4″, 1m red 5/8″)

Simply click on the paypal option below that suits. There is a $10 postage charge, which will help me cover the postage to me, then for me to send to you, anywhere in Australia.

I wish – Christmas Card making & scrapbooking kit

I wish – Scrappin Kit $36.95I wish – optional extras $25.00I wish – Scrappin Kit & optional extras $60.00

Here’s another one I have been working on, using the same kit contents as the ’snow swirled’ kit above. I’m offering a Christmas Card Kit by mail, consisting of most of the things you see in the picture, plus a few more things! I estimate you can make over 50 cards with the kit. I have only included 20 envelopes, so you can buy more if you need to.
 

• 3 markers (suggest ruby red, old olive, and choc chip)                         
• glue pen                                            
• tub dazzlin diamonds                          
• sheet of dimensional (approx 100)       
• 1/4 pack of clear rhinestone brads (approx 20)
• 1/4 pack of silver or gold brads (approx 50)
• 10 pieces of A4 white or very vanilla cardstock
• 24 pieces of A4 coloured cardstock (suggest 6 ruby red, 6 old olive, 6 choc chip & 6 baja breeze)
• 3 sheets of Holiday Treasures Designer Series Paper (12 pieces 6 x 6)
• 20 Envelopes (very vanilla or whisper white)                 
• 1 metre hemp twine                             
• 2 metres ribbon 1/4 inch (suggest 1 metre of choc chip and 1 metre old olive)

All of this, for just $65. If you wish to order ink pads instead of the markers, it will cost $83.

If you wish to add either of the stamp sets “Snow Swirled” or “Christmas Classics”, click this paypal button: $110 with marker option, or $125 for the ink pad option. 

Types of kits available:

Card kit with markers $65.00 Card kit with inkpads $83.00 Card kit with markers & Snow Swirled Stamp set $110.00 Card kit with markers plus "Christmas Classics" stamp set $110.00 Card kit with ink pads plus "Snow Swirled" stamp set $125.00 Card kit with ink pads plus "Christmas Classics" stamp set $125.00

Here’s some samples I came up with, using the kit: