New website under construction
You can see that I haven’t been active here for a while – for so many reasons. But I’m definitely still a demonstrator and still holding classes, selling products and sharing creativity as much as I can.
And I’m working on an updated blog/website that I hope will be coming soon.
In the meantime you can keep up with all that’s new by heading over to Facebook and liking my page:
www.facebook.com/thestampers mess
Happy crafting and creating!
Genna
I’ve been quiet – here’s why
Many apologies for being so quiet for so long. One of the great things about Stampin’ Up! is that it’s flexible and can fit in with your life and change as you need it to. I just never expected other things in my life to take over as they have done this year.
The past few months have been the most intensely stressful sustained period I’ve yet to experience. When I first went quiet it was because we were completely renovating our house and putting it on the market at a time dictated to us by an inflexible bank, as well as having to be very hands-on with the process of building of our new house through an independent builder. Let’s just say that neither went to plan and the anxiety, exhaustion and stress have not been conducive to creativity.
I’ve had a lot of questions about what’s been going on so here’s the story. It’s long and complicated so bear with me. Or skip to the end.
January 2017
The problems started when our windows, which were ordered in January and due in April didn’t arrive. The first delivery was in June but was just the frames with the fixed windows and some of the screens. From that point on though we were stuck because the brickwork was done around the windows we had and we just had to wait for the rest, which we were always told were ‘just about to arrive’. We’ve ended up getting the rest of the windows but VERY slowly and with a lot of stress and sleepless nights.
The last windows were delivered last month but…they’re sliding windows with enough space between the panes to fit a paint stirrer. For double-glazed thermally broken windows, the great big gap allowing air flow and rattling is a bit of a surprise. We’ve begged, pleaded, threatened and gotten legal advice to start that process and at one point (11 months from ordering) the supplier told us our best option was to take them out and get someone else to make them. In addition we’re still missing screens, have windows that don’t fully function, have one that’s actually a door shrunk to look like a window (but not open like one), have loose glass, missing pieces, damage, etc. We have no idea when this part of the nightmare will end.
February 2017
When the windows were late we contacted our bank to ask for an extension to the bridging part of our loan. It was denied. We appealed. It was denied again. We were asking a bank we’d been customers of for 16 years to give us six weeks longer to repay the part of the loan secured by our current home. They refused because our house wasn’t on the market and we were asking more than a month from the deadline. We were asking so far ahead so that we could delay putting our house on the market. Once we’d done that it would be too late. They absolutely refused to budge even though not having our house finished would mean we wouldn’t even have fully drawn on the loan they wanted us to reduce. And it would mean selling our current house without a new one to go to but likely only for a few weeks over Christmas when there will be little chance of finding anything to rent.
So we had no choice but to put our current house on the market. To do that we needed to renovate and we had to do that ourselves. We spent weeks of 18 hour days painting, packing, shifting and moving things to storage. Everything in our house had to be physically relocated at least three or four times. In addition to the craziness of the lying and manipulative window supplier, we had carpet people confirm a booking one day and get us to move all the furniture (some of it outside) and rip out carpets only to not turn up as scheduled the next and end up shortening the window between new carpets and real estate photos from 4 days to just under 1-1/2. I had another tradie get angry and try to intimidate me into continuing with his services when I asked him to leave my house for behaving extremely unpleasantly. Others have aggressively pounded on our door on a Saturday morning – because we were unhappy with their work and cancelled anything further!
But it did pay off and we sold the house at a great price in just 6 days – one open home, two private viewings, two offers. We managed a long settlement but that is up next week and we will be moving – but we don’t know where to.
PLEASE NOTE – This means no more events
will be held at Kirra Close!
Once the house was sold the focus was back on trying to have the new house ready before we found ourselves homeless. We’re building with an independent builder who is fantastic but it means we’re doing a lot more of the practical stuff ourselves – researching and meeting with suppliers while he does the actual building. EVERYTHING about it became urgent and everything had to be dropped whenever the next thing was needed to try and make sure that absolutely nothing resulted in further delays. That didn’t happen.
July 2017
As I write to you now we are just days away from moving out of our home of 16 years and the new house is unlikely to be ready for us to move into. Until last Friday there was still a remote chance – as long as the dodgy windows passed the occupancy inspection. But when the kitchen – ordered in July – didn’t arrive as promised our hopes were dashed – and we don’t know where that leaves us. Our cabinet maker – who did a great job on our current kitchen 14 year ago – completely out of the blue has been aggressive, insulting and regularly leaving me in tears. He’s become fixated that he won’t get paid even though we’re ahead on progress payments and have never had a late or unpaid invoice AND have tens of thousands worth of more cabinetry we’ve commissioned him to build. He’s refused to deliver our kitchen and demanded full payment for everything now. This is a violation of his own contract terms and a total shock because he’s done the bathrooms and the laundry and it went smoothly. He has since been nothing but rude and arrogant and we are just hoping he delivers the main kitchen this week.
We are now looking at taking up a very generous housesitting offer when we leave our current house next week, with the hope that our actual builder (who has been totally brilliant throughout all this) can get the house into a state where we can move in soon, although there will still be lots to finish over the coming months. We know it will be a wonderful house, and we will make it a fantastic home, but right now we are facing a long period of uncertainty, disappointment and possible legal battles. Things may resolve rapidly, they may not. We shall see.
Through all this I have been able to keep both my monthly stamp club and my twice-monthly Create & Chat classes going and posting sporadically on Facebook but that’s all I’ve managed. Once all the house stuff is resolved I plan to hit the ground running and be back with even more events than ever!
In the meantime I will be quiet for a little while longer. I have no events at all planned for December while I don’t have a venue so I want to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. If all goes well I will be back in January with the unveiling of my new classroom and the launch of the Occasions Catalogue and Sale-a-bration 2018.
Note how little has changed since July.
Especially when those windows are in the kitchen, laundry and bathrooms!
Annual Catalogue Launch Party This Week
New Annual Catalogue started 1st June
Click to view online
You’re Invited to a Card Buffet!
Drop in briefly or craft the day away.
It’s this week!
NARRE WARREN
Friday 16th June
Any time between 10am and 2pm
Saturday 17th June
Any time between 2pm and 6pm
Ribbon of Courage Stamps & Dies Bundle with the Ruffled Dynamic Embossing Folder
Come along to a free launch party
for your chance to have a play with new goodies
from the 2017-2018 Annual Stampin’ Up! Catalogue!
Each launch party will include:
The chance to try out new products
Displays with sample projects
Prizes
Free mini project to create
Free hostess draw for every $50 order
Bonus gift for orders over $100!
The option to partake of the card buffet
AND
Everyone who attends gets a goodie bag
of free sample products,
including all five of the new In Colours!
How the buffet works:
- View the range of projects to choose from.
- Select the ones you want to create.
- Purchase the ‘kit’ containing the consumable materials and instruction sheet. (Around $2 to $5 each – CASH ONLY FOR THE BUFFET PLEASE, credit cards welcome for catalogue orders)
- Locate the tools basket for that project.
- Get crafting.
Birthday Memories stamp set and the new Watercolour Pencils!
I’ll be sharing some more of the buffet projects on my Facebook page in the lead up to the launch so make sure you head over to see what’s in store…
Feel free to drop in to the launch events briefly at any time or stay for the whole session and you can choose to make just one project or all of them.
They will vary in skill level, style, products used and techniques.
What you get from the launch is up to you.
There’s no obligation to purchase anything or even to do the card buffet at all
– there will be a mini project for you to get your hands inky.
And I’ll be on hand to demonstrate and answer any questions.
IF YOU BRING ALONG A GUEST
WHO WANTS TO JOIN MY MAILING LIST!
(Remember – You must both have a place booked in advance.
And let me know you’re bringing a newbie so I can be prepared.
Only applies to guests not already on my mailing list)
Eastern Beauty Stamps & Dies Bundle
All are welcome to the launch but bookings are essential…
MAY CLASS – Patterned Paper
NOTE: Colours and patterns will depend on what’s available. All products are from the retiring list so once they’re gone, they’re gone. Colours and styles available to each participant will likely vary from images shown. (But I do have more of the Blooms & Bliss – the first one – than any others)
IT’S THIS WEEK!
THIS Wednesday 10th MAY
8pm – 11pm
NARRE WARREN
$30 per person OR $20 with discount*
OR
THIS Thursday 11th MAY
10am – 1pm
NARRE WARREN
Children able to entertain themselves
in the next room are welcome!
$30 per person OR $20 with discount*
If you want to come along please make sure you click the button above and follow the prompts to book your place.If you don’t have a digital way to pay the fee send me an email and I’ll give you the cash payment password so you can still pay on the day.
*ALL CLASS ATTENDEES CAN GET A $10 DISCOUNT ON THE FEE BY PLACING AN ORDER OF $100 OR MORE ON THE DAY.
MARCH CLASS – Adding Colour
We’ll also be having a bit of fun with the designs of cards too, using tearing and angles as well as this fun peekaboo window:
*ALL CLASS ATTENDEES CAN GET A $10 DISCOUNT ON THE FEE BY PLACING AN ORDER OF $100 OR MORE ON THE DAY.
Occasions Catalogue Launch Party This Week
Click to view online
You’re Invited to a Card Buffet!
Drop in briefly or craft the day away.
It’s this week!
NARRE WARREN
Friday 13th January
Any time between 10am and 2pm
Saturday 14th January
Any time between 2pm and 6pm
So In Love Stamps & Dies Bundle
But we’re not just launching the new Occasions Catalogue
we’re celebrating the start of Sale-a-bration as well!
This is our gigantic annual promotion where you can earn exclusive free products when you buy, host and join!
Click on the brochure below to find out more.
for your chance to have a play with new goodies
from both the 2017 Stampin’ Up! Occasions Catalogue
and 2017 Sale-a-bration!
Each launch party will include:
The chance to try out new products
Displays with sample projects
Prizes
Free mini project to create
Free hostess draw for every $50 order
Bonus gift for orders over $100!
The option to partake of the card buffet
AND
Everyone who attends gets a handmade gift box using the new Window Box Thinlits
and containing a selection of free products:
How the buffet works:
- View the range of projects to choose from.
- Select the ones you want to create.
- Purchase the ‘kit’ containing the consumable materials and instruction sheet. (Around $2 to $5 each – CASH ONLY FOR THE BUFFET PLEASE, credit cards welcome for catalogue orders)
- Locate the tools basket for that project.
- Get crafting.
I’ll be sharing some more of the buffet projects on my Facebook page in the lead up to the launch so make sure you head over to see what’s in store…
Feel free to drop in to the launch events briefly at any time or stay for the whole session and you can choose to make just one project or all of them.
They will vary in skill level, style, products used and techniques.
What you get from the launch is up to you.
There’s no obligation to purchase anything or even to do the card buffet at all
– there will be a mini project for you to get your hands inky.
And I’ll be on hand to demonstrate and answer any questions.
IF YOU BRING ALONG A GUEST
WHO WANTS TO JOIN MY MAILING LIST!
(Remember – You must both have a place booked in advance.
And let me know you’re bringing a newbie so I can be prepared.
Only applies to guests not already on my mailing list)
Beautiful You Stamp set and the new Watercolour Pencils!
All are welcome to the launch but bookings are essential…
DECEMBER CLASS – Last-Minute Christmas
Time is getting away from all of us and Christmas will be here before we know it. For those who still have a few items to tick off their list, I have a class this week that can help.
Perfect for:
- TEACHER GIFTS
- COLLEAGUE GIFTS
- NEIGHBOUR GIFTS
- POSTIE, HAIRDRESSER AND OTHER END OF YEAR THANK YOU GIFTS
- CHRISTMAS HOST GIFTS
The jar contains all the dry ingredients needed – just add butter, eggs and vanilla and you’ll have a batch of cookies ready in a snap. Class attendees will even get to taste a sample at the class.
8pm – 11pm
NARRE WARREN
$25 per person OR $15 with discount*
OR
THIS Thursday 15th DECEMBER
10am – 1pm
NARRE WARREN
Children able to entertain themselves
in the next room are welcome!
$25 per person OR $15 with discount*
If you want to come along please make sure you click the button above and follow the prompts to book your place.If you don’t have a digital way to pay the fee send me an email and I’ll give you the cash payment password so you can still pay on the day.
*ALL CLASS ATTENDEES CAN GET A $10 DISCOUNT ON THE FEE BY PLACING AN ORDER OF $100 OR MORE ON THE DAY.
LAST DAY – Online Extravaganza
– just for Monday 28th November!
We’re coming to the end of our week of deals
– and that means another 24-hour-only sale!
The most popular of today’s specials is bound to be the Magnetic Platform – if you’ve got a Big Shot you absolutely HAVE to have one of these. Its magnetic surface holds dies in place so you can stamp first, cut second and get the perfect placement.
Magnetic Platform
Usually $70.00
Today only $45.50
Or you can let me know what you want and I’ll order it for you. I can send it directly to you or add it to one of my orders for collection from Narre Warren.
GET IN QUICK TO SAVE ON POSTAGE
AND BE INCLUDED IN MY ORDER AT 6PM!
Check out the updated lists below
(Now edited to include all discounted prices and to remove any items that have already sold out)
Online Extravaganza Starts Today
Or you can let me know what you want and I’ll order it for you. I can send it directly to you or add it to one of my orders for collection from Narre Warren.
The first order will be going in at 6pm today (Monday 21st) but there will be others later in the week!
Click on the image above to download the sale product list.
Or you can view everything in my online store!
Cheers,
Forever Evergreen Trees – Project Kit Class
Bookings closing tomorrow!
In this class you’ll get to use my co-ordinating stamp set, inks and adhesive to make up the three trees in the amazing Forever Evergreen Trees kit!
This kit makes three trees in two sizes—
one 13″ (33 cm) tall,
two 11″ (27.9 cm) tall
—each individually trimmed with handmade ornaments.
Everyone is surprised just how big they are in real life!
The cost of the kit includes all these pieces:
8pm – 11pm
NARRE WARREN
$60 per person including the three-tree kit
OR
Friday 25th NOVEMBER
10am – 1pm
NARRE WARREN
Children able to entertain themselves
in the next room are welcome!
$60 per person including the three-tree kit
As a kit-based class I need to order the kits in advance so bookings and full payment are required by
FRIDAY 11th NOVEMBER
Click on the image above to view a video guide to the kit
In the class you’ll get to make use of my stamp set, or you can order your own so you have it to make matching cards, place markers, tags, etc. for years to come.
Forever Evergreen
(142184 Photopolymer)
$30.00 for 23 stamps
NOVEMBER CLASS – Diamond Folded Christmas Cards
IT’S THIS WEEK!
Each of the three projects features a fancy fold and a diamond shaped design.
8pm – 11pm
NARRE WARREN
$25 per person OR $15 with discount*
OR
Thursday 10th NOVEMBER
10am – 1pm
NARRE WARREN
Children able to entertain themselves
in the next room are welcome!
$25 per person OR $15 with discount*Bookings essential
If you want to come along please make sure you click the button above and follow the prompts to book your place.If you don’t have a digital way to pay the fee send me an email and I’ll give you the cash payment password so you can still pay on the day.*ALL CLASS ATTENDEES CAN GET A $10 DISCOUNT ON THE FEE BY PLACING AN ORDER OF $100 OR MORE ON THE DAY.
(143493 Photopolymer)
$61.00 for 17 stamps & matching punch
(143511 Photopolymer)
$52.00 for 21 stamps & matching punch
AUGUST CLASS – Shaker Cards
This month we’re making three super fun interactive ‘shaker’ cards.
This will be a busy class with lots of steps but cards like these are easier than you might think! Each card uses the ‘shaker’ idea in a different way, for a different purpose, and with different materials – you’ll be scouring your house trying to figure out what else you can re-purpose for your own shaker card designs!
Are your eyes deceiving you? Are there really bubbles in the jar with the colourful fishies?
Know someone who loves heading down to the beach and feeling the sand in their toes?
What little girl wouldn’t love this birthday card with its fun peekaboo shaker?
ALL DATES ARE THIS WEEK!
Wednesday 10th AUGUST
8pm – 11pm
NARRE WARREN
$25 per person OR $15 with discount*
OR
Thursday 11th AUGUST
10am – 1pm
NARRE WARREN
Children able to entertain themselves
in the next room are welcome!
$25 per person OR $15 with discount*
The products featured in this month’s class are…
Jar of Love
(141587 Photopolymer)
$47.00 for 37 stamps
You can also get this one in a bundle with matching dies.
Jar of Love BUNDLE
(142342 Photopolymer)
$92.50 for 37 stamps & 17 dies
Seaside Embossing Folder
(141481)
$15.00 for 15.2 x 15.2cm folder
Painters Palette
(141907/141910 Rubber)
$44.00 for 9 stamps (wood blocks)
$31.00 for 9 stamps (clear mount)
Layering Squares Framelits
(141708)
$58.00 for 19 dies
Wetlands
(126695/126697 Rubber)
$38.00 for 6 stamps (wood blocks)
$30.00 for 6 stamps (clear mount)
Stars Collection Framelits
(133723)
$45.00 for 5 dies
Endless Birthday Wishes
(140273 Photopolymer)
$28.00 for27 stamps
If you want to come along please make sure you click the button above and follow the prompts to book your place.If you don’t have a digital way to pay the fee send me an email and I’ll give you the cash payment password so you can still pay on the day.
JULY CLASS – Alphabet Stamps. This week!
Making Alphabet Stamps work for you!
We’ll make three cards all using Alphabet Stamp Sets in different ways.
Did you think alphabet stamps were just for scrapbooking? Or for adding the recipient’s name to a card?
In this class you’ll find out how alphabets can be used to tailor your cards for different people, themes, styles and occasions.
Ever wanted to say something on a card that you just didn’t have the stamp for?
NARRE WARREN
$20 per person OR $10 with discount*
10am – 1pm
NARRE WARREN
Children able to entertain themselves
This is a great alphabet for adding names!
(138692 Photopolymer)
$47.00 for 34 stamps
And the large letters make an impact at approx 3 x 6cm!
Letters For You
(141968 Photopolymer)
$85.00 for 37 stamps
(142348 Photopolymer)
$231.25 for 37 stamps & 37 dies
This set has everything including different styles of letters, numbers, shapes and punctuation!
The multiples of the same letters allow you to build your words onto a clear block and stamp them all at once – how easy is that!
(141936 Photopolymer)
$30.00 for 101 stamps
(141772 Photopolymer)
$45.00 for 65 stamps
If you want to come along please make sure you click the button above and follow the prompts to book your place.If you don’t have a digital way to pay the fee send me an email and I’ll give you the cash payment password so you can still pay on the day.
New Catalogue Launch Party – This week!
It’s this week!
NARRE WARREN
Friday 17th June
Any time between 10am and 2pm
Saturday 18th June
Any time between 2pm and 6pm
Floral Phrases stamp set & Detailed Floral Thinlits Dies
for your chance to have a play with new goodies
from the 2016/2017 Stampin’ Up! Annual Catalogue.
Each launch party will include:
The chance to try out new products
Displays with sample projects
Prizes
Free product sheet to complete
Free mini project to create
Free package of sample products
Free hostess draw for every $50 order
Bonus gift for orders over $100!
The option to partake of the card buffet
Foxy Friends & Fox Builder Punch
How the buffet works:
- View the range of projects to choose from.
- Select the ones you want to create.
- Purchase the ‘kit’ containing the consumable materials and instruction sheet.
(Around $2 to $5 each – CASH ONLY FOR THE BUFFET PLEASE, credit cards welcome for catalogue orders) - Locate the tools basket for that project.
- Get crafting.
and you can choose to make just one project or all of them.
They will vary in skill level, style, products used and techniques.
Have you spotted some examples of the types of projects you can create?
Baby Bear
What you get from the launch is up to you.
There’s no obligation to purchase anything or even to do the card buffet at all – there will be a mini project and a product sheet for you to get your hands inky. And I’ll be on hand to demonstrate and answer any questions.
IF YOU BRING ALONG A GUEST
WHO WANTS TO JOIN MY MAILING LIST!
(Remember – You must both have a place booked in advance.
And let me know you’re bringing a newbie so I can be prepared.
Only applies to guests not already on my mailing list)
I have another stash of pre-loved retired stamps for sale
and I’ll have them all ready for you to browse at the launch.
CASH ONLY for second-hand sales.
CREDIT CARD welcome for catalogue orders.
All are welcome to the launch but bookings are essential…
Going, going…..don’t miss the retiring list sale!
Do you have a wishlist of stamping goodies from the current Stampin’ Up! catalogues?
Is there anything you’d be devastated to miss out on?
Both the Annual Catalogue and the Occasions catalogue are finishing on 31st May and everything that is NOT going to be in the new Annual Catalogue is now only available while stocks last! Even better, they’re currently at up to 50% off!
ENDS 31st MAY
ENDS 31st MAY
You can download a pdf of the full alphabetical list of retiring items by clicking the image below
Please note that this list is being updated regularly
so keep checking back to see what’s out of stock.
Or you can take the easy route and view everything – including images – in my online shop
by clicking on the image below:
This one will be kept up to date so if you don’t see it there
it’s probably already too late!
If there’s anything you want to order
you’ll need to get in quick.
You can email me at genna@thestampersmess.com
Call me on 03 9705 2553 or 0438 062291
Or simply click on the link below and place an online order:
Cheers
Genna
Last Days of Sale-a-bration 2016
Must end Thursday March 31st!
Yes, we’re nearing the end of March already and so it’s time for Sale-a-bration to end. In case you haven’t caught up with what all the fuss is about here’s a look at how you can get free stuff during Sale-a-bration:
You can see all the fun stuff you can choose from here:
Click the image above to view the Sale-a-bration brochure.
Or click the images below to view the second release of freebies you could choose from!
And here’s a reminder of some of the projects I’ve been making, sharing and teaching using the free Sale-a-bration products:
Botanicals For You
Hello & Perfectly Artistic Papers
Sky Is The Limit
Wildflower Fields Papers
Wildflower Fields Papers
Honeycomb Happiness
Botanical Garden Designer Vellum Stack
Pedal Pusher
What I Love
Sky Is The Limit
Botanicals For You
To make sure you don’t miss out on the Sale-a-bration products, place your $90 order today:
And if you want to take advantage of the $295 worth of products for just $169 you can order your Starter Kit here.
It really is a bargain. You get to choose any products you like up to $295, you get a business pack for free, and you don’t pay any shipping fees. All for just $169! There’s no obligation to do anything else. If you never place another order it’s all still yours for the bargain price. But…you also get the opportunity to get your own future orders at at least 20% off, and the opportunity to earn and income with Stampin’ Up! What you do when you become a demonstrator is entirely up to you. Hobby, business or somewhere in between.
Feel free to get in touch if you’d like any more information.
Cheers
Genna
ENJOY THE LITTLE THINGS – Project Kit Class
Don’t you just love it when someone gives you a break and does the hard work for you!
Thursday 24th MARCH
10am – 1pm
OR
8pm – 11pm
NARRE WARREN
Only $50 per person
including the full kit to take home!
in the next room are welcome to come to the morning class.
Because of the nature of this class I need to do things differently,
so for this class only please take note of the following:
Bookings close Friday 11th March.
All fees must be paid by this date.
and follow the prompts to book your place.
AND access to all my tools
for just the cost of the kit itself!
Here’s a look at all 13 finished panels, there’s something there to suit all moods and all seasons!
Watch this video to find out more about the kit!
– make one for yourself and one for a friend
all at the same time!
(Plus postage)
REMEMBER
You can qualify for a FREE Sale-a-bration product with this class.
All you have to do is buy TWO kits
OR
Buy ONE kit, ONE stamp set and ONE ink pad of your choice
Either way you get any Sale-a-bration product you like!
MARCH CLASS – This Week!
Interactive Easter Surprises!
We’ll make three projects perfect for Easter, all containing swinging, spinning, fun surprises.
But if Easter isn’t your thing there’s a quick and easy way to change the occasions and put the same designs to completely different uses.
We’ll be using pretty much the same materials so you can mix and match and make whichever ones appeal to you on the day.
NARRE WARREN
$25 per person OR $15 with discount*
10am – 1pm
NARRE WARREN
Children able to entertain themselves
$25 per person OR $15 with discount*
(138279) 9 dies for $54.00
If you want to come along please make sure you click the button above and follow the prompts to book your place.If you don’t have a digital way to pay the fee send me an email and I’ll give you the cash payment password so you can still pay on the day.
March & April Calendar Pages
Don’t miss out on another class or event!
Here are my March & April event calendars.
Click on the images below and print out your own copy of my schedule month by month.
With handy icons to highlight different types of classes, gatherings and other events you’ll always know what’s coming up.
MARCH
Click on the image to view the printable pdf.
APRIL
Click on the image to view the printable pdf.
Cheers
Genna
Awesome Card for His Awesomeness!
In The Meadow to the rescue.