Does the Title bring back flashes of the Venga bus?
I occasionally get a reminder that I was most certainly a child of the 90’s. These flashes normally involve bad music and floro clothing….rolled down sock in multiple colours were a favourite.
Parties were a huge part of my childhood and I remember my mum making us cakes from the same Australian Woman’s Weekly Children’s Birthday cake Book that now graces my cookbook shelf. I know we had the heart Ice-cream cake, The Gingerbread house, Little Piggy and castle.
I have made the Rubber Ducky for my SIL when she turned 1 or 2, The Bunny Rabbit when DD1 was 2 and a number 3 for DD2. I think my son earned a Helicopter when he turned 2 but it didn’t hold together too well and we had helicopter crash instead…kinda creepy!
Stampin’ Up! know how to throw a party and Sale-a-bration is the biggest party of the year. This year the party is even more spectacular as SU! celebrates 25 years of crafty goodness.
Salebration is always a time to get together with friends and be rewarded for shopping with Stampin’ Up!
There are 3 ways to earn fabulous free products.
Love to shop? How about shopping and getting rewarded? Welcome to Sale-A-Bration!
Customers may choose any one product from the Sale-A-Bration brochure for every $100 they spend. This year’s offering includes exclusive stamp sets and accessories, as well as a selection of catalogue stamp sets, digital content CDs, ribbon, buttons, and even an embossing folder! Now, more than ever, there’s something for everyone!
Looking for fun with friends? Grab your party hat and host a party (before 22 March 2013)
Sale-A-Bration + Stampin’ Up!’s 25th anniversary = the best time to host a Stampin’ Up! party!
- Get FREE Silver Glimmer Paper when you host a $300 workshop!*
- Get a FREE hostess bundle when you host a $600 workshop!*
Hostess Bundle Details: The Hostess Bundle includes
- Madison Avenue stamp set (wood- or clear-mount)
- Sycamore Street Designer Series Paper
- Sycamore Street Ribbon & Button Pack
Have you been looking to join the SU! family?
Sale-A-Bration + Stampin’ Up!’s 25th anniversary = 25% more Starter Kit products for FREE!
25% more product – so you CHOOSE $294 worth of product and only pay $169!
Sale-a-bration is absolutely the right time to party!
Stampin’ Up! always looks after it’s Hostesses because it’s you that allows us to share what we love and build our business.
Host anytime and get the cake, Host during Sale-a-bration and get the icing too!
Which brings us back to those cakes….
Which of the Australian Woman’s Weekly Children’s Birthday cakes did you have your eye on during your childhood?
If you would like to join us for a slice of cake and see some new Sale-a-bration product be sure to join me for a House party on Sat 2nd Feb at 2pm!
Best wishes
Crafty Little Fox
During the holidays you are suddenly aware that your children talk a lot, a whole lot. From the moment they wake up until they finally rest their little heads.
I read somewhere that small children ask an average of 500 questions a day, with 3 young kids my day is filled with them! There are times when I do ask them to just shhh for a minute, but when my mum was here, she had endless patience for their nattering. When she visited the kids would take turns to sleep in her bed and I would hear them talking away long after lights out.
So when I send my mum a card I love the idea that I can include the sound of their little voices.
In a previous post I talked about how card making is becoming a full sensory experience. Our cards and scrap pages are not just visually appealing, we can include a tactile element by using flocked paper, a combination of material and ribbon and buttons. To add the sense of smell you can use Stampin’ Up! scented embossing powders – which are a favourite with my daughters! Sense of taste is not covered but you could include some biscuits made with the cookie stamps!
So wondering why I skipped over sense of hearing? Because we now have two options when we want to include sound in a card.
The Stampin’ Sound Card records 10 seconds of sound in a card sized 10.8cmx14cm (121009 on page 160 for $9.95). I love how simple this card makes it for you to create a unique gift.
Option number two?
Stampin’ Up! new Talking Tags!
These are self adhesive stickers which are App driven = you will need a smart phone to download the App and record your message and the recipient will need to download the App to hear your message.
You could attach the tag to anything
- cards
- invitations
- gifttags
- business cards
- catalogues
- scrap pages
- wine bottles
I thought a love note to seal my husbands lunch would be sweet but that would require me making him lunch…..maybe just on his “on the go” coffee mug which he takes on the train every day.
It could also make for a different way to do a Treasure Hunt where you scan the Talking Tags to find the next clue!
It is possible to copy your message to multiple tags by selecting a copy option and scanning multiple tags. This would be perfect for Invitations or Christmas cards.
A sheet of 10 tags will cost $12.95 and are available now.
The App is free from talking tags.mobi, iTunes store and Google Play T.
I know my mum would love a card from the kids which included their voices. I might not fit 500 questions onto the 60 second recording but I can think of some other options. My son reading from his home reader, the girls singing a song or a “Knock Knock” joke.
If you would like to order a sheet of your own talking tags let me know.
Happy crafting
a Crafty Little Fox
Want to hear a message from a Talking Tag? Click here to access a brochure and after you download the App scan the tag on the left to hear a message from Stampin’ Up! CEO Shelli
I am a big romantic at heart. I love the whole idea of love.
I met Mr Fox when I was 16 and I still get excited at the prospect of us enjoying some romantic time together. Of course the notion of romance changes over time and I can find the idea of takeout dinner and an episode of Dexter very romantic!
It does get harder to keep the romance alive once you have a family and mortgage and stresses that go with actually being a grown up, but I think a little romance can go a long way to keeping love alive.
Stampin’ Up! Is running a very special promotion from Jan 3 until 21 Jan. After this date the set will no longer be available.
The set is clear-mount and includes 4 very special sentiments especially for Valentines day. The set of 4 will cost $17.95 but you will also get Sealed with love, Simply sent set from the current Holiday catalogue absolutely free! Its valued at $15.95.
The Sealed with love, Simply sent set is a fabulous set which includes everything you need to make 10 lovenotes and envelopes. In the set you get foam dimensionals, twine and 20 paper buttons. Quick and easy creativity at your fingertips!
You can click on this link to see the stampset or this link to see the promotional flyer
Let me if know you would like to get this bonus gift when ordering the limited edition My little Valentine stampset, but be quick, promotion ends 21 Jan!
Happy Crafting
a crafty little fox
Hi everyone
Happy New Year!
We’re back from a lovely trip up the Sunshine coast and to our favourite holiday spot of Anna Bay.
It was a proper Summer holiday break with lots of sunshine, sea and sand. After my cancer scare in 2012 I am far more careful to do the full Slip, Slop, Slap and while I’m certainly a browner fox, I didn’t burn! Major accomplishment for a sun worshiper like me!
I was very blessed to receive some lovely Fox gifts from my friends this year.
My long time friend and up line, Annette delivered my Starbucks coffee mug. (which I wrote about in my post about SU! Heartfelt event)
I love it!
My clever downline. Jo, runs a gorgeous clothing company called Dapple Grey. She made me a very special apron with the cutest foxy fabric. She is so talented – you have to check out her millinery creations using SU! Big Shot Dies. Her work is stunning!
While not strictly Fox themed, Lovely Mr Fox and the 3 small foxes did buy me a red KitchenAid….red is a foxy colour right?! Looking forward to trying it on my cookie dough recipe, sure it will beat my doing it all by hand!
And how can I forget my one of a kind designer Converse shoes with Foxer on the pulltag! A very special thank you to Mrs KC for helping organise the postage!
I have lots of plans for 2013 and I feel more settled after living in our new house for a year. Hopefully we can now start some of the renovations we want. I know my craft teaching space is probably another year off but at least the house is big enough to host events and my ideal will just have to wait a little longer.
Lots happening with SU! over the next two months with another two weeks of Clearance table sales, exciting Valentines promotion, Sale-a-bration and the new Holiday Catalogue.
If you wish to receive a Sale-a-bration catalogue in the mail please message me.
Sale-a-bration starts on 22 Jan to 22 March, if you would like to book a workshop be sure to get in early as dates will fill up quickly.
“Afternoon Delight”
Launch party and 25th anniversary celebration!
You’re invited to a Launch party for holiday Catalogue at my house on the 2/2 at 2pm – its my wedding anniversary so bubbles will be on the menu.
We’ll also be celebrating the 25th anniversary of SU! Be sure to let me know if you would like to join us.
Product playground will be open as well as demonstrations and lots of door prizes.
There will be a make-and-take using new items from the Holiday catalogue and Sale-a-bration items!
Looking forward to a crafty year!
Best wishes
acraftylittlefox
When I attended Stampin’ Up! Heartfelt event in Sydney this year there was much festive cheer. I loved the decorations and packaging and homemade gifts.
The thing I loved most of all was the announcement that the New Stampin’ Trimmer had finally arrived!
Stampin’ Up! had announced it at convention earlier in the year but it took a little longer to get here. Not that I mind because like all good things, it was worth the wait!
So you want to know why it’s quite so fabulous??
Well it comes with the Shelli stamp of approval. If you don’t know about Shelli, she is the co-founder and CEO of Stampin’ Up! Each catalogue we get just a few items which fall into Shelli’s Signature Collection – products which reflect her own personal style. Now Shelli has pretty high standards and the Trimmer is the very first tool she has ever stamped as a Shelli item. So you know its got to be a goody!
So first off – it’s so much bigger then any previous paper trimmer – the base board goes all the way past 15.5cm on the left and you get 3cm on the right. Why is that awesome? Well to cut A4 cardstock in half – a card size we cut frequently – you need to measure to 15cm. Most trimmers have the 15cm on the extender arm or even more annoyingly, right on the joint of the extender arm which makes it tricky to read.
The 3cm of space on the right is fabulous to make the precise measurements for narrow strips.
The grid lines and numbers are all printed beneath a layer of protective plastic. That means even after years of dragging paper across the surface you won’t get faded numbers and blurred lines.
The cutting arm flips up and down so you can line up your paper or card perfectly. What’s even better is that the arm can be locked in place so it won’t get damaged when you transport your cutter.
Each trimmer comes with both a score blade and a cutting blade. Both of which can be pushed out of the way of the cutting surface so you can still cut a full 32cm without bumping into your spare blade!
The lighter grey is your score blade and the darker one is your cutting blade. Easy way to remember is the lighter colour cuts lighter and the Dark blade cuts Deeper.
Next fabulous thing is the nifty foot which pops out under the extended measuring arm – helping you measure more accurately by offering a level surface. Clever thinking!
Time to flip it over! That’s right, even underneath is fabulous!
The Trimmer has 5 non-slip feet to ensure it doesn’t move when you’re making those precise cuts.
It also has a clever storage area – useful for a number of items – your Bone folder, spare blades and business cards….or as a sneaky hiding place for your favorite lollies!
So all in all the trimmer is fabulous and is now available for all customers to purchase.
Order yours before Christmas and get it as part of my Christmas Gift promotion where all orders till Christmas eve get FREE POSTAGE!
Merry Christmas
XXX
a Crafty little Fox
I would love this post to have photos of my own creative designs but alas I have not as yet received my Ornament keepsakes bundle!
I didn’t want you to miss out on the deal thought so I thought I would publish a quick post to remind you of the current offer.
Stampin Up! is giving you a Christmas gift of a FREE Paper Piercing pack valued at $13.95 when you buy either
- Ornament keepsakes stampset and Candlelight Christmas DS paper for $82.90 (wood) or $70.90 (clear)
- Ornament Keepsakes bundle (stamps and Framelits) and Candlelight Christmas DS paper for $109.90 (wood) or $99.90 (clear)
The Paper Piercing pack has the pierce patterns for Labels Collection Framelits (pg 191) and the Ornaments outline as well as the outline for Window frames Framelits dies (pg 30 of Holiday catalogue). I have wanted a piercer for ages but it kept getting bumped off my list. I finally have one and I love the new larger Pierce mat which means we no longer have to move our work as we pierce around a design. This is also an easy way to create faux stitching. I shall have to do a post for you so you can see how pretty it looks!
The Candlelight Christmas Speciality Designer Series Paper (126901 $21.95) is really gorgeous and includes a sheet of flocked Window sheet. (Mmmm) The colours are not traditional Christmas (Lucky Limeade, Primrose Petals, Early Expresso and Real Red) so the paper would be useful through the year. I’m thinking that these papers will be perfect for a masculine card or for Fathers Day.
The Ornament Keepsakes bundle is the set being used for some of the fabulous decorations you may have seen on Pinterest and on the cover of the holiday catalogue. I can’t wait to make mine as I will be using them as bows on the top of gifts this year, that way the recipient gets a decoration they can use for years to come. I really love the detail of the Vintage Faceted Designer Buttons (127555 $9.95 for 24) and the Cherry Cobbler Scalloped Tulle Ribbon (127841 $11.95 for 9.1m). I think I will add some sparkle with some Smooch Spritz (118772 $8.95). Just gorgeous!
Inspired?
Don’t forget to have your order for this special in before Friday 30th November!
It will still be available until Jan 31st but not as a special offer with the Free Paper Piercing pack.
Happy Crafting
XXX
Crafty Fox
Nothing like the joy of time spent crafting with friends. This weekend was a bumper crop of love and laughter!
Friday night was spent doing an in home workshop and Saturday was an all day bonanza spent at Stampin’ Up! Heartfelt in Sydney.
First stop of our morning was at the Starbucks for coffee to go. Imagine my delight when I saw their holiday cups had a fox on them! My sweet up line bought me a fox mug as my Christmas present. Shhh don’t tell. I can’t find a pic online so you and I will both have to wait until after Christmas!
We walked over to the convention centre, with my two friends in hysterics as I tried to balance my heels on the uneven brickwork (that’s my story and I’m sticking to it! It has nothing to do with my inability to walk in heels!) and explored the venue before hearing a welcome from Aaron.
Next we headed upstairs ( more balancing required! blaming slippery tile floor or snaggy carpets here) for the first of 4 presentations.
Sophie Zadeh presented on decorations. She is so lovely and wears the most gorgeous clothing. I absolutely loved her white dress with blue piping! So elegant!
She talked about how what we create can be more than just visually sensory. We can now incorporate sound by using a Sound card, we can include smell by using the Scented embossing powders and touch by using a variety on embossing folders, fabrics and ribbons in our work. She shared a work of art she had created for a Visually impaired exhibition. It was very clever how she incorporated all senses except taste in a lovely piece of work.
Her presentation was fantastic as she showed us new uses for the brown paper packaging we get in our delivery boxes. We also saw what the inside of a Sound card looks like as she took one apart to make a novelty door wreathe.
Next we heard from Marelle Taylor who showed us some fabulous cards made with the Snow festival tags! Absolutely have those on my wish list! Her Flocked Windowsheet card (not for Uncle Scrooge!) was inspiring. Princess fell in love with the puffy card so I know cotton wool will be in her shopping trolley this week!
Donna Williams presented on Packaging and wrapping Ideas. Her floating candy canes were so clever and I loved the Giant flower she created using the Flower frames Framelits. I will certainly use that on a Wedding gift box!
She made us all laugh at the suggestion that we should package our husbands Christmas gift in the Large die box (which is so beautiful) and then have the box make its way to our craft room afterwards. Smart girl!
My favorite presentation was by Ann Craig who showed us some wonderful Handmade gift ideas. I love a handmade gift and I think at this time of year we could all use some inspiration to create a special gift for someone. I know one special friend who will fall in love with her Birdie house!
On to very yummy lunch and a chance to chat to some fellow demonstrators and meet people who until now had only been virtual friends.
We then had a chance to wonder through the Product playground and use items we had not yet tried or see new techniques using Stampin’ Up! products. The new Heat tool is very pretty and the scent of Sugar and spice embossing powder filled the room.
We checked in at a couple of booths and were inspired to try the Natural Composition Speciality Designer Series paper. Its gorgeous!!
It’s always lovely to take a peek at the Inspiration boards and see what other people are creating!
Aaron made sure we all collected a Heartfelt Christmas gift from Stampin Up! and I can’t wait to use my Heart of Christmas stamp!
In exchange for our stampset we made and hung a decoration on the Christmas tree. We used the new Illuminate Glimmer Watermark Stampin’ pad which is going to have to go on everyone’s Wishlist right now!! It’s on page 23 of the Holiday catalogue and is just gorgeous as it creates a silvery shimmer image when stamped. Trust me, you NEED it!
We finished off the day working on our Make and Takes which I never finish but love the time to chat and create with fellow demonstrators and friends. I will post some pictures of the projects when I am done.
The day was fabulous and I hope its a formula Stampin’ Up! use again. The Heartfelt event was the perfect opportunity to see new product, hear about sneak peeks and introduce customers to a bigger part of the Stampin’ Up! family.
Can’t wait for next year! Well, convention first! and then Heartfelt Sydney 2013.
Much love from
A very excited Crafty Little Fox
This weekend DD2 had an ice-skating party with her old crew.
I wanted to create a birthday card which was themed to the party and woke up on Sunday morning envisioning my design.
I knew I wanted to use the Silver Glimmer paper ($8.95 for 2 12″x 12″ sheets) and the retired lace boarder punch – because it does remind me of snowflakes.
Suddenly I wished I had purchased the treat cups so I could fill one with sparkles to look like snow…..so I made an alternative plan and filled a cello bag with sparkle! I cut it to the size I needed and sealed it with Sticky Strip.
I love Baja Breeze (and note to self to order some more) I thought it made the perfect background for this card. I stamped the 2nd smallest Daydream medallion in Versamark to get the watermark effect of little snowflakes in the background.
I punched a hole in the Baja Breeze with the 1-3/4″ circle punch and created a frame in the Silver Glimmer paper with the 2-3/8″ Scallop circle punch and 1-3/4″ circle punch.
I placed my little cello packet behind the frame and held it in place with sticky strip.
When I peeked through the frame it felt like something was missing…..
And so I added the little penguin from the NEW 25 & Counting stampset. I used the Baja Breeze 2-way marker to colour him in and just left off the ’17’.
This set is really gorgeous and you just need to get your head around being able to use it for so much more than an “Advent set”
He looks very sweet building his pile of snowballs behind the falling snow.
To keep everything looking neat and tidy I placed a piece of Baja breeze across the inside top of the card to hide all the detailing work.
I created the sentiment by stamping 8th Birthday using the Memorable Moments stampset in Baja Breeze on Whisper White cardstock. I punched it with the 2-3/8″ Scallop circle and the snipped it straight. I then cut a strip of Silver Glimmer paper and glued it in place with sticky strip. To punch it I only put one end of the paper into the punch at a time and lined up the scallop edges to get the desired frame edge. I thought I was pretty clever 😉
DD2 was very happy with the card and it complimented the cookies I had baked for the special occasion.
Happy Crafting
XXX
Miss Fox
I’ve been baking for most of my life and have clear childhood memories of baking with my mum, friends and cousins.
Since having my own children I have rediscovered a love for beautiful biscuits and have created iced treats for most birthdays and special occasions.
At Stampin’ Up! “I am…” convention 2012 we had a sneak peek of the biscuit stamps. I squealed with delight and clutched my poor friend with excitement! Baking and Stamping all in one:)
In the Holiday catalogue we had our first peek of the Sweet Pressed Cookie stamps as a Holiday collection. The main catalogue has another two sets as Special events and Occasions.
So especially for all my sweet toothed friends a baking post for you!
I have been working on my own biscuit recipe for years but SU! does include a recipe with the set.
My only hints are to really cream your sugar and butter and use more than one type of sugar. Add some yummy brown to the castor or you can even buy crown castor sugar now which is delish! I also add honey for flavour but for those who are allergic you could use some Golden syrup.
The texture of the dough once you have added flour should be really silky. I use a combination of SR flour and Plain flour but don’t use too much SR or baking powder as it will distort the shape of your biscuits and can leave a nasty aftertaste to your biscuit. Don’t over knead as you will get dense heavy biscuits.
The little blue measuring cup makes me smile as it was one of my very first purchases when I arrived in Australia – I couldn’t live in our tiny rented apartment without a set of measuring cups!
Cut your dough into 3 or 4 portions and wrap in plastic wrap and place in the fridge to chill. in Australian summer this is important as it will affect the texture of your biscuits and how they hold their shape while baking. Leave in the fridge for about 20 min before you roll out the dough to about 3-5mm.
I sprinkle my edible glitter on a side plate and tap my stamp into the glitter before pressing the shape into the rolled dough.
And because I like neatness and order to my biscuits I cut my biscuits with a round cookie cutter!
As a disclaimer the glitter does say nontoxic for decorative purposes – so don”t eat it by the pot load! I did try another batch with castor sugar which I lightly coloured with food colouring. It’s not as pretty but it works!
Make sure when you place your biscuits on the tray you allow room for rising. Trays should be cool and covered in baking paper.
Keep an eye on the cookies – bake at a lower heat – about 120deg C and bake until edges are golden.
You can package them up in a clearbox to showcase their prettiness – I bought this one from Kosh and co. and made a quick Bellyband to hold the lid in place.
This is mixed batch of Blue edible glitter and White Glitter and the castor sugar variety! I took them down to a Worker bee at our local school and they were gone pretty quickly! Have a look at my Crafty Fox Biscuit page for other baking inspirations or order a batch for your next event!
Now Halloween is just around the corner – the Jack-o-lantern press is gorgeous!
I used the orange edible glitter for this one – don’t they look wicked baking in the oven!
So by now I know you want your very own set of these gorgeous cookie press biscuits! Be sure to get in touch a place your order for Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps – 3 silicon stamps, 7cm diameter, one wooden handle. food-safe and easy to clean. recipes and tips included!AUD $29.95
Happy crafting
Miss Fox
Stampin’ Up! sure know how to throw a party and this time EVERYONE is invited.
I have been fortunate enough to attend one regional and one national convention and they are amazing.
This time you are invited along too!!
Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre
Darling Drive, Darling Harbour, NSW
10 November 2012
9h30-17h30
Stampin’ Up!’s Heartfelt Stampin’ event will be an exciting day out for you. Not only will we have the opportunity to create some fabulous “Make and Takes” using new product but we will also have the opportunity to attend presentations on a number of craft activities and ideas.
Decorations and Packaging and wrapping ideas will be especially useful in the lead up to Christmas!
I am looking forward to the handmade gifts presentation to gather ideas for teachers gifts as we approach year-end.
This year, our ‘Heartfelt’ theme celebrates the introduction of the holiday catalogue, so be prepared for lots of exciting, Christmas-focused things to see and do.
The make and Take part of our day will include all materials – that’s right, you don’t have to bring a thing! (Although I do find bringing my own snail adhesive and snips useful….as well as table lollies to share!) We will receive the materials and instructions to take home 4 projects.
The stampset we use will be included in the registration cost so you will be going home with the Clockworks Stampset (Valued at wood $41.95 and Clearmount $33.95)
I have selected my set as Clear-mount because I know I will want the clock face to line up perfectly with the fobwatch and the hands to line up with the face. Often when I talk about which set to buy, clear-mount or wood-mount, I highlight the lining up as a major benefit for clearmount. It is a personal choice and you can use a Stamp-a-majig to line stamped images perfectly 😉
When I looked at the set it wasn’t one that I had on my VERY LONG wish list but once I visited Splitcoast and saw some of the great ideas using the set I knew it would be fabulous. Especially since the textured waves and diamonds will make great background stamps. I also find it hard to find stampsets for older boys and dads and I think this one will be perfect!
Throughout the day you will be able to view the Inspiration boards which will display creations by various demonstrators at the event. I love these boards and my phone photo album is normally full of inspirational ideas by the end of the day. Don’t forget your camera or make sure you clear your phone album before you arrive.
The $120 fee provides you with access to all activities and presentations at the event, lunch, the Make & Take kit and Stampin’ Up! products (including the Clockworks Stamp Set and more)!
Only thing you need to bring along is a handcrafted name tag. If we have time before the event we could do a get-together and all make our tags before the big day.
Please contact me if you want to come along – I booked my place this morning and the morning sessions are already at half full after opening on Monday! You will be booked in with me so you won’t be on your own in a room of nutty crafters.
I’m hoping for a table for crafty fox and friends.
XXX
Crafty Fox
acraftylittlefox 