Now that's Dedication to Real Inspiration!

I know I say it all the time... the Idea Book & Catalogues that Stampin' Up! print are not just a wonderful place to shop, they are also a perfect place to be Inspired with Beautiful Project Ideas in glossy colour print.

When the latest Autumn Winter Mini was released, my customer Barbara T fell in love with the 'Love Life' card on page 31 and knew she just 'had' to make it! She was Inspired!!!!!

But... after looking at the recipe that Stampin' Up! share with us at to what items are used to make each and every project, Barbara came up with a small problem that she rang me with. She couldn't figure out what the strip of colours down the left side was, and I have to say, it had me stumped too!

This was a few days before convention, and I had it in my diary to remember to ask Stampin' Up! what it could be. Without needing to ask, it was announced on stage (probably after others had also noticed this striped decoration) that it was a printing error. A staff member who had made some of the creations for the catalogue had been given a sample of the Printed Window Sheet used on the front of this card and down the side of it, it had a strip of colour samples, creating the pretty striped pattern that was added to the card.

I shared this info with Barbara when I got back, and like a true committed paper crafter, she didn't let this get in her way! Barbara committed herself to creating that strip so she could make that card.

After several hours of cutting thin strips of each of the colours and gluing them individually on a piece of Whisper White, side by side, she had made herself a sheet of

A4 Striped Card and this is it....

Barbara was then able to cut a thin end off her new piece of striped card and Voila!

There she was with a perfect thin strip to decorate the side of her card.

Yep, that's dedication!

Barbara's daughter Jennifer was the lucky recipient of this beautiful card for her Birthday!

Yes, it took hours Barbara says, but so so so worth it! The best part now is that Barbara has a whole sheet of this striped pattern that she can take a little strip off the end each time she wants a fancy edge down a card, and the hard part is already done!

Reminder: The Autumn Winter Mini ends on the 31st August as well as the 2009/2010 Idea Book and Catalogue.. there are some items in the Autumn Winter that we won't see again, such as the DS Papers in there and even the beautiful printed Window Sheets from page 31 that Barbara has used on this card. Don't forget to order any favourites from the Autumn Winter Mini as well as the Big Catalogue, before the end of the month!

Top Tip ~ Bows on 3D projects!

When tying bows on bags like these cute little gift bags made from DS paper, it can be tricky getting them to sit the right way up, or even sit right at all!

Try creating a flat cardboard template the same size as your project and tie your bows on this, then simply slip off the template and onto your project. Wha Lah!

Thanks Liz for this fabulous tip, it has saved me lots of time when demonstrating these cute bags getting the bows on quickly. It also makes my bow tying much easier having a flat surface to work on as well as being able to turn the card template anyway I need it, to get my bows right!

This is certainly the way to go when mass producing bags with bows like these.

For a friend - Pocket Silhouettes!

Adding another idea on how to make the most of the

Stamp Set of the Month this month -

Pocket Silhouettes,

I'd like to share this eye catching card with you.

This was the card we made as our make and take at Barbara's workshop last week.

Stamps: Pocket Silhouettes

Ink: Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip

Card: Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White, Summer Sun,

Good Morning Sunshine DS Papers

Accessories: Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon, Silver Brad

Tools: Eyelet Border Punch, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, Trio Flower Punch, Horizontal Slot Punch, Paper Piercer (for brad), Dauber, and Adhesives including Dimensionals.

The cute little flower is two layers created by 2 of the punches from the Flower Trio. When you place the brad in the centre you can curl the petals up a bit and it gives a cute 3D little flower embellishment.

TOP TIP: I did learn a good lesson with getting the eyelet border effect through two layers that I'd like to share... as you may notice, I have punched through DS and card stock together. This is not easy... my lesson... don't try this at home! lol. No really, it was quite an effort to punch through both layers with the eyelet border. BUT I did discover however a much easier way I'd like to share. Punch the edge of the card stock with your border punch first. Then adhere the DS over the punched area. Looking from the underside you can see where you had punched the card stock. Line this up again with your punch and now you will only be punching through the DS that was adhered over the top of the already punched card. Funny how you discover little tricks!

Pocket Silhouettes can be found on

page 72 of the 09/10 Idea Book & Catalogue RRP $33.95

If you like what you see and would like to

add Pocket Silhouettes to your stamp collection,

This month I am offering this set to you at

my Special Price of only $28

That's a saving of over 15%

Order your set today!

Offer only available during January 2010 and must be purchased through me.

Q&A: How do I re-ink my Stampin' Pads?

I often get asked "what is the best way to re-ink your stampin' pads?"

Re-inking an inkpad is really easy. Make sure to shake your ink refill bottle first, then simply 'scribble' your ink refill over the surface of the pad. Just one coating should do.

You don't want the pad to be too juicy!

TIP: Craft ink and Versamark inks can be quite thick, so I warm them in a jar of warm water before re-inking the pad. It makes the ink flow more freely.

Do you have a stamping question that you would like answered?

Email me to ask your question, i'd love to help you out.

Top Tip ~ "Oh no it's crooked!"

How many times have you adhered a layer of cardstock

onto your base card only to find

you layered it crookedly?

To avoid doing this, simply stand up when layering.

You'll find by standing you will be able to

layer your cardstock straighter

much easier than you would if you were sitting down.

Already layered some cardstock on and the

SNAIL Adhesive has stuck it down for life?

Try this....

Simply use your heat gun to

heat up the edges of the cardstock

and you'll find that your cardstock will lift easily so that you can reposition it nice and straight.

Top Tip ~ Name it!

A wonderful friend and fellow Stampin' buddy of mine, Margaret,
shared a great idea with me the other day...

When you are assembling your stamps, write your name or initials on the block before placing the sticker/image label over it!

This way your name will never rub off as
the sticker keeps it protected!

When you go on Camp, club nights, or share your stamps with friends,

you won't get them mixed up.

What a top tip Margaret, thanks for that!