The Best is Yet to Be!

It is our 26th Anniversary today, and this is the card I made for my Gorgeous Hunk of a Man! He has been so good to me, looking after me whilst I have been sick. We even tried to go away last Friday for a night in Sydney for our Anniverary, but came home early as I was just too sick. I felt like I had ruined our only chance to get away, but as always he was just gorgeous and totally loving, and knew all the right things to say... like... "How could I ever ruin Anything?" How Blessed of God am I, to have a man like him!!!

So this card has a Promise within that "The Best is Yet to Be" and that I will promise to Love, Adore and Pamper him like never before, Forever!

It is using the new set "Upsy Daisy" and level 1 Free Hostess set "Best Yet" with a sponged background to create a sunset.

The small bow is actually threaded thru two holes made by the double rectangle punch to create a half sided bow effect. I hope the close up shows it well enough.

Hope he likes it.

Missing in Action

Yes Biggg Biggg Sorry Girls, I have been silent due to many many family health issues, children and my own, which I am praying are all hopefully at the end of a long battle. In order to try and keep up with everything, my blog has suffered.... sorry.

God never promised we would have a life that is easy, with no trials or pain, but he did promise to never leave us, to always be there and help us through whatever comes. And that he has done... AS ALWAYS, FAITHFUL AND AMAZING!

I figure sometimes battles come to take us of course what God has planned for our lives, but if we remain close, they bring us closer to him and we stay on track. I read something the other day that I thought was absolutely the best!!! I hope you understand it and agree.

Live your life in such a way, that when your feet hit the floor in the morning, Satan shudders and say's "Oh Hell She's Up!"

Colours I am going to miss

Here are a few cards using the "In Colours" now being retired. I am going to miss these so much especially "River Rock" and "Purely Pomegranate". If you are wanting these colours you had better be quick, as all the re-fills have gone, but the stamp pads and cardstock are still available at the moment.

There is something Regal about the simplicity of these three colours.

Below the River Rock with the Purely Pomegranate looks gorgeous together, but that bit of dazzling diamonds always adds some sparkle where needed.

Then there is "Blue Bayou" used in this card that I am also going to miss, it's such a lovely colour with this Afternoon Tea designer paper in the Summer mini (which I somehow don't think will make the new catalogue as it contains this year's "In Colours")

Boy! Change is hard sometimes :-( Anyone else going to miss a whole lot of stuff.

There has been a Stamp....ede of orders!

Sorry... but below is the list containing those already Sold out and now gone forever! And those that are dangerously low :(

Be quick if you want something, as there seems to be a stamp..eeed of orders going in at these prices. I can't believe so many are sold out already!!

Very Low in Quantity:

105316 Rich Regal Eyelets
101259 Black Hemp Twine
108740 Bareback
106662 Dasey Field
108638 In Color 12"x 12" card stock
109186 Theater Ribbn Originals
105445 Soft Subtle buttons
111850 Wild Wasabi A4 card stock
106610 Basics Outline
103981 Earth Elements
103981 *Earth Elements & Neutrals buttons
100900 Gift sacks
108763 By Land
104065 Fishy
112253 *Dad's Day
108849 It's Your Birthday
105531 Antique Brass Hodgepodge Hardware
112391 Everything Baby
112310 Fabulous Flowers
107464 Rough Texture
107465 Speckled
107467 Birthday
108923 Stipple Rose
112272 Classic Backgrounds
108929 Symbols of Solicitude
112316 Forever in My Heart
105446 Rich Regal Buttons
108746 Best Friends Alphabet Lower
112229 ABC Images
108857 Linen
108998 Beautiful Life
110248 Polka Dots & Petals
108765 Cheery Chat

The following products are now SOLD OUT :(

10756 Flip Flops
109020 Wild Wasabi Classic Ink Refill
109015 Soft Sky Classic Stamin' Ink Refill
109016 River Rock Classic Stampin' Ink Refill
109017 Purely Pomegranite Classic Stampin' Ink Refill
100381 Earth Elements Eyelets
100378 Soft Subtle Eyelets
109019 Groovy Guava Classic Stampin' Ink Refill
108748 Best Friend Numbers
107212 Mateys Map
105320 Basic Eyelets
103195 Gifts Galore
107561 Garden Annuals
109610 Confetti Simply Scrappin'
104279 Leaf Prints
110255 Bundle of Joy
112402 Short Order Numbers
109018 Blue Bayou Classic Stampin' Ink Refill
111852 River Rock A4 card stock
108720 Ahoy, Matey
108747 Best Friends Alphabet Upper
111851 Soft Sky A4 card stock

Retired List Promotion

Stampin' Up is saying goodbye to some wonderful stamp sets in order to make room for our New Catalogue due to be released April 1st. Not only do we now know which stamps and accessories are being discontinued from our current catalogue, many of the products on the list have been marked down by 25%!!!!!!!!!! (And a couple by a huge 50% - they are marked with ** on the list) This is the first year this has EVER occurred, and I am guessing that it means that it will not necessarily happen in subsequent years. I would encourage you to go through the list and see which sets and products are on your "wish lists" and make sure you grab them whilst you still can. Every item on this list is only available until March 31st OR UNTIL IT RUNS OUT. And as many have found out the hard way in past years, once they are gone, they are gone.

There are two ways to view the list - alphabetically or by catalogue page number. When you look at the list you will see the prices written next to each product. Here are a few I need to mention that are just plain ridiculous!

Many of the Patterned Paper packs are going out for $8.96!!!!!!
The Pewter Hodgepodge pack is only $39.71
The Incolor Inkpads are only $7.46
and most of the Incolor Double stitched ribbon is also marked down.

Other things marked down include many of the ribbons, some punches, some of the chipboard, most of the rubons, and the Simply Sent kits.

How long do you think this stuff will be available?
Well most of it is sold out already! ... and in my next post I will list all that is sold already or low in stock.

Here are the lists guys:
The Alphabetical List
The list by Catalogue Page Number

Don't delay - email any orders to me at tracyclarke7@gmail.com or call me on my mobile which is 0401 161998

You don't want to miss out at these prices!

Donation Amount for the Bushfire Appeal

I'm thrilled to report that to date, with the sales of the Bushfire Appeal stamp sets, Stampin' Up will be able to donate $58,131.68 to the Australian Red Cross Victorian Bushfires 2009 Appeal.
Thank you for your efforts to help those who've suffered from this tragedy.
I will keep you aware of the donation amount as the month progresses. Remember you still have until the end of this month to buy any sets from the list (see post Feb 13) of which 50% of the retail value goes to this great cause!

Fundraising Event

Sorry to say girls, the Fundraising Event is not going ahead after all, as after hours of ringing all my beautiful friends and customers, I could only get two people to say yes :-( But it is all good, as I totally understand that everyone is struggling financially at the moment, and they have already given to the Appeal in very generous ways, so this would be an extra strain on the budget.

Still I have had a couple of orders from some girls who couldn't resist the chance to buy these sets at cost (Bargain!), get a Free Sale-a-bration Stamp Set, and know that they can help the Bushfire Appeal too. So if you would like to place an order also, just email me.

Just a thought.....If you can afford to.....Don't forget the animals either, click on this link to give to the RSPCA who are helping countless animals, re-uniting pets with owners and boarding all the pets for those without homes.
Blessings & Hugs xx

Bushfire Appeal Fundraiser

Like many of you I have been trying to think of a way to help the poor families of Victoria, and also waiting to see what Stampin' Up would come up with, as we knew they would.

Well here it is .....Stampin’ Up! have just announced a Bushfire Appeal, offering to donate a Generous 50% of the retail value of all sales from a select group of 10 stamp sets! I personally will also be offering a further 20% discount on these sets, in the hopes to sell as many of these sets as possible. This doesn’t affect the amount that Stampin’ Up! will donate, which will be based on the full retail value.

Priceless pg105 was $48.95 NOW $39.16
Seeing Spots pg89 was $29.95 NOW $23.96
Baroque Motifs pg98 was $39.95 NOW $31.96
Live Your Dream pg3 (Sum Mini) was $55.95 NOW $44.76
Looks Like Spring* pg76 was $58.95 NOW $47.16
The Snowflake Spot* pg27 was $39.95 NOW $31.96
Bodacious Bouquet* pg80 was $58.95 NOW $47.16
Polka Dots & Paisley* pg46 was $35.95 NOW $28.76
G’day Mate* pg115 was $35.95 NOW $28.76
Be Happy* pg51 was $39.95 NOW $31.96

You can read the full details of this promotion here.

Also, don't forget with Sale-A-Bration on at the moment you will recieve a free stamp set if you spend $100. So if you ever needed an excuse to buy some stamps, this is it! Email me now to order any of these sets to help such a worthy cause. Any questions, just ask.

In addition to these great stamp sets for sale, I will be organising a Fundraising Event in the very near future, so stay posted as I bring you more details on that.

*These sets with an asterik, will appear on the upcoming list of retiring products, so they will only be available for the Bushfire Appeal–while supplies last, then they will never be seen again :(

Linda's Inspiration Challenge

Here's something that is hopefully a little brighter to talk about, a Challenge from Linda's Forum.

So here's what the Picture Linda gave us looks like.

And here is what I made.

I am not sure how an inspiration Challenge works, so I just used the colours and shapes, and try to make a card that somehow is inspired by it? It's not really me..... It feels like something is missing? Maybe I should have used a linen background stamp for the Blue linen material.

All Stampin Up Products:

Cardstock: Creamy Caramel, Cool Caribbean(now retired), Whisper White.

Stamp set: Wonderful Favourites

Accessories: Pretties Kit, Purely Pomegranate Ribbon, Mat Pack, Scallop Edge Punch, Embossing Powder, daubers, slit punch.

In Memory of My Beloved Bonnie

Well I haven't been on here in a little while, it's just been too hard to blog anything new. Knowing if I did, Bonnie's beautiful picture would have to move down the page. I wish I could find the CD containing a really pretty picture of her, but do you think I can find it? When I do, I will post you all a copy so you can see how pretty she was. Yes, we had to do that terribly difficult decision Monday 2nd February, and let her go. It was heart wrenching stuff, and I have been an absolute mess over it since, but she was in such a bad way that last day, and could hardly lift her head, wasn't breathing well, and I am sure in a whole lot of pain. So today I know we have done the right thing, but back then, I couldn't be sure, I kept beating myself up with "What if's". What if I had tried this, or what if we had tried that, but I had to stop that, and knew I had done my best, and it was time.

Still it never makes it easier to loose someone you love so much and that is constantly there with you EVERY DAY. My Best Friend, My Faithful Friend, My protector, My work collegue, My little lass, My comforter, My constant companion, My shadow :(

No one on this earth, (except for God) has quite loved me like my Precious little Bonnie, such Unconditional Love! And Always There For You!

Wonderful Friend

I created this card last night as my sick little "Bonnie" lay fast asleep at my feet. She is my border collie of 13 years, but I still would like her to live a few more years, God willing?

In the past week she has been given a death sentence of "take her home to die" to.... or maybe not, to... maybe it could be something else, to....or it could still be liver and pancreatic cancer, to....she also has an auto immune disease that is still very serious, to.... hospitilisation, to.....now ..."lets see how this treatment goes". What a rollercoaster ride it has been.

She is not out of the woods and is still seriously ill, but all I knew was, I wasn't going to let her go the way she was without doing something! It has cost me like you can imagine in money, but in tears and heartache like only God can understand.

I love her so much :(

I wish I had a prettier photo of her before she had her coat taken off for summer, but that is on a cd somewhere, and my cd player on the computer is not working, so this is one I took the other day after a very very gentle bath. She is not too well, but you can see her soft loving eyes.

Oh... the card? Sorry.... well it says it all! Wonderful Friend xx

Oh So Lovely..... Another Free Set!

Don't you just love this Hostess Reward Set! It's FREE when you host a workshop that reaches the $300. Plus you get $30 to spend on any products in the catalogue. Plus at the moment, with Sale-A-Bration running, you qualify for another Free set for every $100 you spend. And if your workshop order reaches $600 you get another Free set!

How cool is that..... I LURRRV SALE-A-BRATION!

I've watercoloured this set with my all time favourite colour "Purely Pomegranate" and I've also done another one of those fake Hodgepodge, only this time in silver. To get the ribbon behind the hodgepodge like this, I used the double rectangle hole punch and slipped it through one slot under the hodgepodge, and out the other again as shown.

Off to wet my rabbit down again, I think it's 40 degrees here..... it's Hot!!

Believe, Love, Laugh, & Create!

Morning Gorgeous Girls,

This card is not really me, but anyways I was in the mood for another Challenge, and Our Stampin' Up! Team had two separate challenges this month, I just thought I would roll them into one.

1. To use any of the New Sale-A-Bration Reward sets,
2. To use four colours.... Saffron Yellow, Bashful Blue, Old Olive and Ruby Red.

But the real challenge, and main reason for my card, was to encourage two of our Team members who thought they had lost their Creative Mojo..... Whatever that is? I just wanted to encourage them and say....

Believe in Yourself, Love, Laugh & Create!






I hope it has encouraged them, they are such Great Girls, with such wonderful Talent! I think they may just be like the rest of us after Christmas Hols..... You Need a Holiday!!! Lol.

Materials (All Stampin' Up!)
Stamps: Polka Dot Punches, Yummy (Both Sale-A-Bration Sets) Tres Chic
Cardstock: Whisper White, Saffron Yellow, Bashful Blue.
Ink: Bashful Blue, Saffron Yellow, Old Olive & Ruby Red. Versamark
Other: Embossing Powder, Stamp-a-ma-jig, 5-Petal Flower Punch, Mat Pack & Paper piercer

Embrace Life

My new Favourite Set!

So here are a few more cards I've created using this Beeeeauuutiful Set.

The first has a fake piece of pink hodge podge I created using the two oval punches and then I applied crystal effects to create the risen shiney bit (see the close up shot below). I am quite happy with the result and hope you can use this idea yourself. The photo corners were made using the technique described on Splitcoast Stampers. (see link below) This is a very simple technique and great if you don't have the punch.

On the second card I have used our lovely new scallop edge border punch to create a medalion that the white card runs through behind, you could also use a wide white ribbon and rubbons through the medalion. Again this technique is found on Splitcoast Stampers.

Now do I keep this card for Valentine's day...... or give it to my wonderful hubby now, today, for no reason at all? I think the second option is much nicer. Don't you?

Chat soon,

Blessings,

Tracy xxx

Makeesha's Challenge! My First Ever!

This is the First Challenge I have ever taken part in, and to be honest I did feel it quite a challenge to keep to a certain shape or size when I just wanted to make that little white square a wee bit bigger to do what I wanted to do....lol.

But I suppose that is the idea.... A Challenge!

Makeesha (also known as Keesh) if you don't know, is a very talented demo who's work I am in total admiration of.

Below is the sketch we had to follow!












And this is what I came up with...... "Embrace Kindness"
















I called it Embrace Kindess, because it used the stamps "Embrace Life" and Wheel called "Kindness." This is my favourite wheel because it has a lovely quote on it from Mother Teresa... "Kind words are short and easy to speak but their echoes are truly endless."

I also absolutely Luuurrv this new Set from the Spring Catalogue called "Embrace Life" as it can be used to make so many different cards using this one set! I will be posting a few that I have made over the next few days. And those flowers are just gorgeous to watercolour or sponge. (my new favourite technique... it is sooooooooo relaxing!)

First I embossed them on glossy cardstock, sponged the large flowers using daubers, then used markers on the darker edges of the flowers. On the blossums I used my blender pen and Purely Pomegrante stamp pad to give them a gentle shading in colours from light Pink to the rich darker colour of Purely Pomegranate. Lastly I dotted the "thingy-mi-bobs," in the middle of the flowers, with the Stampin' Up white Gel Pen.

If you want to know how i did anything else I haven't described, just email me.

Materials (all Stampin' Up!)
Stamps: Embrace Life, Wheel.. Kindess, Short & Sweet,
Ink: Purely Pomegranate, Basic Grey, StazOn Ink Pad, VersaMark,
Cardstock: Glossy White, Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Rose Red,
Other: Clear Embossing Powder, Sponge daubers, Rose red marker, Blender pen, White Gel Pen, Pretty in Pink Grosgrain Ribbon, brads, dazzling diamonds, 2-Way glue pen.

I Hope you like it?

Look......Free Stamps Sets! Sale-A-Bration!

This is absolutely the best Promotion Stampin' Up runs all year! It's my favourite, You just get so much FOR FREE!!! Please Read on......

It's Sale-A-Bration time again at Stampin' Up! and free product is what it's all about!
Every year Stampin' Up! gives customers, hostesses, and new recruits the opportunity to earn fantastic, FREE, limited-edition stamp sets they'll enjoy for years to come.
Click on the brochure to see the sets.

Here's how Sale-A-Bration works:
CustomersWhen you spend $100 on Stampin' Up! merchandise, you'll receive a free Sale-A-Bration reward. There's no limit--for every $100 you spend, you can select another free Sale-A-Bration reward!

HostessesWhen you host a workshop of at least $600 (before tax and shipping), you'll receive a free Sale-A-Bration reward--in addition to all of the regular hostess benefits!

RecruitsDuring Sale-A-Bration, anyone who joins as a demonstrator can choose any stamp set--a value of up to $79.95--from our current Idea Book and Catalogue!

The Sale-A-Bration promotion starts on 1 January and runs through 28 February, so don't miss your chance to earn free Stamps! Call me or email me today to book your workshop or learn more about this promotion. I also have a full-colour Sale-A-Bration brochures full of beautiful project ideas you can make using these limited-edition Sale-A-Bration sets, if you would like one just let me know.

Enjoy!
Hugs,
Tracy xx

Where have I been?

Wow? That is going to take weeks to explain, so I'll just abbreviate it to LIFE (and fun) Happens!!

Christmas was wonderful, as was New Years, then we have been on hols, and I don't think I have hardly been near my computer throughout that whole Season.

Here are a few shots of my Mad Kids (sorry adults now?) Christmas morning. Jonathan is the my oldest son, who put a plastic bag on his head not wrapping paper, his girfriend, Adeliade, to the left of him, then Jasmine, and Christopher.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas Season too, and I am looking forward to a Blessed and Happy Year ahead for all of us.

Too make up for my lack of posting, I may just have to put through quite a few this week, so I hope you can keep up with it all, because I've got lots to tell you and show you.

Stay tuned.......

Hugs, Tracy xx