Final Donation Amount for the Australia Flood Appeal

18 February 2011
In mid-January, Stampin’ Up! launched the Australia Flood Appeal to help those affected by the Queensland flooding. I’m  excited to announce that during the appeal, we raised $11,862 AUD from stamp set sales. We are touched that so many of you embraced this campaign–you truly have made a difference in the lives of others. All proceeds will be donated to Premier’s Disaster Relief Appeal on behalf of Stampin’ Up! demonstrators and customers in Australia and New Zealand.
We greatly appreciate your efforts in this cause. Thank you for lending a helping hand and contributing to Stampin’ Up!’s tradition of making a difference!
You may have seen these cute little bird houses around the place. My friend Linda Higgins shared a link with me on how to create these using the Mini Milk Carton Die and Big Shot – why not check it out and have a go at making one yourself! I thought I might make some Easter Egg baskets using this little idea…..and how cute would they be for Bon Bonaire (sp?) at a wedding!
So….here’s my take on the Mini Milk Carton Bird house :

I have been making these for my lovely workshop hostesses this month using the gorgeous Presto Patterns Specialty papers for the Milk Carton. The roof is decorated using the Square Lattice Die (makes it look a bit like roof tiles doesn’t it?). I’ve also used the Pinking Hearts punch along the edge of the “eaves”.  Instead of colouring the Presto Papers with ink, I got out my Stampin’ Pastels and swirled them over the top of the embossed patterns with a Sponge Dauber. The self-embossed pattern resists the pastels just like when you are applying ink.
Once I’d finished putting it together, I thought my little birdhouse needed something extra so I stamped the butterfly stamp from the free Sale-A-Bration stampset Bliss (my personal favourite) and then spritzed it with Silver Foil Smooch Spritz for a bit of sparkle.
Next I got out my Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die and whipped up some butterflies (this die creates 5 butterflies in one go all embossed with a pattern and cut perfectly).
The button was created using the Itty Bitty Buttons and coordinating Punch Pack (p12 of the Summer Mini Catalogue).
Products used, all available from Stampin’ Up! through me  :
Stamps : Bliss (Sale-A-bration stamp set – free!)
Paper/Cardstock : Presto Patterns  Specialty Designer Series Paper, Melon Mambo cardstock, Designer Series paper Pattern Stack Brights
Accessories : Two -Step Bird Punch, 1 and 1/4 inch Circle punch, Mini Milk Carton Die, Beautiful Butterflies Sizzlets Die, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Pinking Hearts Border Punch, Silver Foil Smooch Spritz, Itty Bitty Buttons, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, Mini Glue Dots, Sticky Strip.