What I've been up to.......

Have spent this morning preparing to meet with the Year 3 teaching team to discuss the card making sessions I will be doing with all three Year 3 classes next week.  Eeek - hopefully I'm not in over my head, and have tried to keep the cards simple, yet fun, a little bit challenging, trying to cater for everyone.

Not so easy a task, but hoping that the teachers are happy with the projects.  Thought I would pop them on the blog to get feedback from you all.  Needless to say, not my using colour selection but I am using the materials from the school, which they ordered in for me to use.    Each class has allocated an hour so am hoping as well that I have the time frame right to demonstrate the cards and for all the kiddies to make them.  Decided to make up instruction sheets for each project so the kids can refer to that - just in case there isn't enough of me to go around!

Phew! in between getting ready for this Friday's RSPCA Fundraiser, assignments on the go and school projects - you should see my craft space. 

 It's a "little" bit messy - but I love it!  Joc x

Stamp Club - three cards to share

Last Friday night I headed out East (which is Perth means heading to the hills, and not the water) for the first monthly Stamp Club mini stamp a stack.  Now I know that a S-A-S is meant to be the same card done lots of times, but when Sandy mentioned she was liked Creative Elements Stamp Set, I just had to share some different card examples I liked myself. 

That to me is one of the best things about being a part of the SU family, the generosity and sharing between demonstrators is amazing, and wow, are some of them so very talented.  You will see we also had a play with a different Big Shot Embossing Folder for the three cards we created.  Right, onto the cards for this month.

This one is my take on a Ngaire Anderson card which she showed a regionals.  I embossed the Vanilla Background card with the Vintage Wallpaper folder and then sponged in Crumb Cake.  Oh and the seam binding Cherry Cobbler ribbon, I love it - easy to tie, love the shimmery look

This one is a Jocie original!!  The Elegant Lines embossing folder/butterflies just really work for me on this card
Needless to say, Miss E wants to make one of these for all her friends.  The "happy birthday" is from Curly Cute stamp set.

Thanks to Claire Daly for the inspiration for this card.  Pool Party, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, and some Newsprint DSP.

Wishing everyone a great week, what ever your plans are!  Joc x 

Be quick, spaces are filling for RSPCA WA Fundraiser

Hope you might be able to make it for a great night out while supporting the RSPCA as they prepare for a busy Christmas and holiday period.  Ann and I also have a few other surprises planned - can't give away all the events and surprises! - but you'll have to be there on the night for that.  Thank you for sharing this with friends and family who you think might enjoy a great night out.  Happy hump day everyone!  Registration details below, RSVP soon so your 5 project kits can be prepared.  Joc x

6 Christmas Card making tips

I went to our letterbox the other day and found the first Christmas card of the season.  A bit early, I know, but it wasn't entirely unexpected. We have relatives who like to get their cards out by mid-November! Eek!  So with Christmas card season  here I thought I'd share some tips to make your bulk card making a little easier.





1. Pick a design early Found a card you enjoy making? Then stick to it. This will be your official "Card of the Year".

2. Keep it simpleChances are you'll be making a lot, so try hard to resist the temptation to add bits here and there. Keep it simple.

3. Have enough supplies on handCheck that you have enough ribbon, adhesive, card stock and embellishments. Is your favourite ink pad a little patchy this year? Allow 7 working days for me to get the raw materials to you.

4. Set up your crafting spaceClear off a bench or desk, or pull out the trestle table for the weekend. Think carefully about how you can best set up your craft station using optimally planned logistics. I'm serious! Five minutes spent in careful planning could be a great investment. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has stamped a bunch of images and then thought 'I should have moved the stamp pad over to this side next to my hand'. lol.

5. Set up an assembly line and add some friends to the mix.Mass produce elements first, assemble later.  i always have more fun crafting with like minded souls, so why not get together and create together as well.  As Christmas gets closer, and things get a little crazy, set aside a few hours to have some down time and just "be". 

6. Don't forget the envelope
Stamp it, emboss it… you name it. The envelope is the first thing the lucky recipient will see in amongst that pile of bills. Get them smiling before they even see your card by prettying up the envelope.

And most importantly, crank up the Christmas tunes and have fun!  We all love Christmas songs in our house, especially Brendan (who would have thought!!) even the daggy Mariah Carey ones (ie All I Want for Christmas Is You   love it to pieces), but I do put my fut down at purchasing the Bieber album........  Joc x

A card to share and jingle bells

I'm back!  Not in some weird Jack Nicholson way, but at least bouncing back from the delightful stomach bug that has been giving me grief this past fortnight.  Have not been totally wiped out, but have not been doing much either, lots of R and R in bed...which leads me to jingle bells.

Contempo Christmas, Delicate Doilies. 
Colours - Pool Party, Island Indigo, Whisper White, Crumb Cake
Rock and Roll Technique

Miss Em and I have been having lots of quality time hanging out watching You Tube and finding Christmas carol videos to watch.  She loves Jingle Bells the best and will sing it anywhere, anytime.  At the bank, backyard, going to sleep.  As well, Em has helped me design this card the other morning.  One card down, lots more to go.  Looking forward to some crafting time in the next few days to get my Christmas cards happening.  How are all your Chrissy projects going?  Can you believe we are only 6 weeks out!!!!  Where has 2011 gone........  Joc x

Big Shot Deals to "Die" for this month only

Hi, I'm Jocie and I'm just  a little in love with my Big Shot (Shottie) die cutting machine. Ahh that feels better! It has to be my fave tool to craft with as it is just so versatile and can be used with so many materials - paper, denims, felts, fabric, chipboard, vinyl vellum and acetate sheets just to name a few. 
I use it to emboss papers as well as die cut (or do one then the other) - love not cutting out shapes, letters, boxes - you get the idea I'm not a huge fan off cutting out.  So I was pretty excited when I saw that November is the month of the Big Shot at Stampin' Up! 
There is a great bundle deal, plus a whole bunch of folders and dies are  10 % off till the end of the month.  The Big Shot really is a wonderful machine, kinda makes me wonder now why I didn't get it earlier, and what did I do without it! 

As a special offer to my blog readers I am offering a free textured embossing folder (RRP $14.95) of your choice when you purchase the Big Shot bundle listed below.  Joc x

Page	Item	Description	Retail Price	10% Off Price
156	117332	Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslits Die	$21.95	$19.75
156	114515	Flower Burst Embosslits Die	$21.95	$19.75
157	114517	Manhattan Flower Textured Impressions Embossing Folder	$14.95	$13.45
157	116824	Petals-a-Plenty Textured Impressions Embossing Folder	$14.95	$13.45
157	119277	Elegant Lines Textured Impressions Embossing Folder	$14.95	$13.45
158	113440	Buttons #5 Sizzlits® Die	$9.95	$8.95
159	113466	Pillow Box BigzT Die	$36.95	$33.25
159	114507	Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Die	$39.95	$35.95
159	120903	Scallop Square Duo Bigz Die	$39.95	$35.95
160	115953	Mover & Shapers Punch Windows	$54.95	$49.45
160	120893	Tasteful Trim Bigz XL Die	$69.95	$62.95
160	121810	Petal Cone Bigz L Die	$59.95	$53.95

Don't have a Big Shot? Get 10% off our exclusive Big Shot Bundle! The Big Shot Bundle (item 128944) includes the following:

Page	Description	Retail Value	10% Off Price	Item
155	Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine	$186.85	$168.16	128944
	Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslits Die, Big Shot Die Cutting Machine, Manhattan Flowers Textured Embossing Folder
157	Manhattan Flower Textured Impressions Embossing Folder