Up to 50% OFF selected Stampin' Up! products during December only!! Click HERE to see the list. Order NOW to receive before Christmas...

Cheeky Meeky has landed!

Well this has been in the pipelines for a while now and Cheeky Meeky has now finally landed! (still a few minor technical issues to deal with).  My blog is now under the new name of "Cheeky Meeky - designs of a crafty girl in a material world".  This is my new business name and label and I will be using this blog and my Facebook Page of the same name as platforms to promote and sell my crafty creations.  I am still a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator and I will still be running my paper craft/card making classes on a monthly basis in the new year 2012.  I will endeavour to post photos and instructions and/or information about the things we make in the classes as well as links to other cool things that I have found and love also.

If you see something that I have posted that is for sale and you LOVE it, email me or click on the 'place an order' tab at the top of the page and fill in your details and a brief description of the item for sale.  But don't delay as all of my items are hand made and will therefore be unique and even though you may get a similar product, no two items will be the same.

Well I'm off to bed now, but keep a look out tomorrow for some new photos that I will be taking when the sun is up!

Bec xo

Creative Mess

We are now in the down hill slide to the end of the year - full steam ahead!  I have been busy creating 'stuff' and messing up my craft room, then tidying up my craft room to run a stamp class, then I promise myself to keep it tidy this time!  But THAT never happens *sigh*.  One day I will post a before and after photo so you can see what I'm talking about haha.

Last month in our Stamping Class we created these cute and simple 'bag in a box' using my favourite DSP from the 2011-2012 catalogue "Cheerful Treat" only available as hostess rewards (so host a party and get some of this cute paper for free!).  If you click HERE it will take you to a tutorial that will give you all the measurements I used to make ours.....they are quick and easy to make and would be great stuffed with sweets to give to the kids teachers for end of year.

Don't forget the cute little 'To Do' lists we made last month also would be a great gift - very simple and if you don't have the top note die you can use any shape, including just a rectangle.  Use a word window punch to cut the opening for the note pad (punch once, then slide along and punch again to make the hole longer).  I found my long shopping list style note pads from Bargain City at Westfield Chermside.  Decorate however you like and you have something very useful with a personal touch to give away.

For all of your supply needs contact me to place an order or to get some ideas or help on any project you may be working on....

Enjoy your creative messes until next time,
Bec xo

Holy Crow - check out this amazing NEW deal from Stampin' Up!

JOIN FOR JUST $169

During September, you can join the Stampin' Up! family as a demonstrator for only $169! The limited-time mini Starter Kit-valued at over $310-comes with the high-quality products listed below:
$169 Mini Starter Kit

• Easy Events Clear-Mount Set*
• Pennant Parade Wood-Mount Set*
• Basic Black Classic Stampin' Pad
• Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad
• Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin' Pad
• Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad
• A4 Smooth Card Stock Assortment
• Just Add Cake Designer Series Paper*
• Chocolate Chip 1/2" Scallop Dots Ribbon*
• Notes Cards (20)
• Clear-Mount Block C
• Blender Pen (1)
• SNAIL Adhesive
• Business supplies

*New to the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalogue
Or, if you want the full Starter Kit, you can get it 20 percent off during September only! That's over $610 worth of premium Stampin' Up! products and business supplies for just $231.20! See what's included in the full Starter Kit here.

Converting Wood-mount stamps to Clear-mount stamps

This tutorial will teach you how to go from this large pile of wood-mount stamps....

...to this neat little pile of clear-mount stamps. A must if you are limited on space for all you crafty needs.

1. Firstly you need to buy CD cases to store your new stamps in once they are finished, but you need to get the CD cases that the inner moulding can be removed. (I have searched everywhere for DVD cases where the inner moulding can be removed, but I can't find any here in Australia)

2. Put your wood-mounted stamp in the microwave for only 6-10 seconds (this will depend on the size of your stamp and the type of microwave you have). Just enough to warm the glue that holds the stamp to the wood.

3. Now that the glue is warm you should be able to peel the foam backed rubber stamp easily off the block of wood, if it doesn't come off easily, put it back in the microwave for a few more seconds.

4. Next you can peel off the clear sticker on the other side of the block.

5. If you have enough glue left on the sticker, you can now stick it straight onto the foam part of the rubber stamp, be sure to line up the image of the stamp with the image of the sticker. If you don't have enough glue on the sticker (sometimes I found that the glue got left behind on the wood) just add some tombo to the foam before placing the sticker on.

6. Once the sticker is in place, use tombo glue (as it dries nice and clear) straight over the image and then wait until it is almost dry.

7. Cut a piece of clear vinyl to fit the stamp and stick it on. I go my vinyl from Spotlight, it's the stuff used to cover a kitchen table to protect it.

8. Trim around the vinyl and the sticker in one go.

9. That's it! You have now gone from a large bulky wood-mounted stamp, to a small easy to store clear-mounted stamp.

It does take a little time to do, not too much, but by doing this you will save so much storage space. You only need a few different sizes of the clear blocks which can be used and re-used for all your stamps, you can now see through the clear block to exactly where your image will be stamped, making stamping even easier.

Just look at the height difference in these two piles: the pile of CD cases in front hold exactly the same stamps as those in the pile behind!

To save even more space I have put several 'a la carte' stamps in the one CD case. Just remember to label your CD cases with the name of the stamp and how many stamps. I peeled the label sticker off the old cases and re-stuck it on my CD cases.

I would like to thank my friend Petrece who showed me how easy this was!

If you have any questions, I will be happy to help.

Happy stamping everyone.

Bec

Say Goodbye.....

It's time to say goodbye! Hundreds of products from the 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalogue are retiring to make room for new and exciting products in the new catalogue which will be available 1 September. So now is the time to get your retiring items before they are gone forever!!!

Check out the list of retiring products here, retiring products available 1 August - 31 August 2011.

Don't wait until the end of the month to order, or you might miss out!

Christmas in July - Why?

If someone has the answer to that I would be most interested!! But in the mean time lets just join in the fun as Christmas for some people is the only time they send out cards and when you can make beautiful cards for a fraction of the price of the one you can buy.....why not!

I have been asked to hold a Christmas in July card making workshop at my church, I was asked to keep the costs low and there is limited time, so I had to follow the K.I.S.S statement (keep it simple stupid!). So there is no heat embossing, not colouring in, no hand cutting and no glitter - it's an outrage for a Christmas card! LOL But if I do say so myself, I still think these designs look very festive! In fact sometimes the simple things in life are often the best right!

Design 1 - Beginners (my favourite)

Design 2 - Intermediate

Design 3 - 2 Gift tags

If you would like to join me at my home for a Stamp-a-stack Christmas in July to make something similar to what you have seen here, make sure you join my mailing list and RSVP.

Happy Christmas in July everyone,

xo Bec

What I've been up to....

I got really excited about the 'Petal Card Extra-Large Double' punch when the new catalogue came out last year (2010), especially because it has a co-ordinating Level 2 hostess stamp set (Cute by the inch)....but I used it once and then didn't touch it again! So lately I thought, enough is enough I need to learn how to use this better...so I just googled 'Petal Card Extra-Large Double' which took me on a lovely little journey onto other peoples blogs who have used it too, it gave me some great ideas, and now I really like that punch again LOL.

Here is a card that I have made recently using the 'Petal Card Extra-Large Double' as the feature little envelope in the middle with a stamp from the 'Cute by the inch' letter popping out.

I you have never used it or seen it before, the punch cuts the flower shape and at the same time it embosses fold lines between the petals so it can now be folded up completely or the top left open as I have done or put two or four together to create little boxes, it is quite fun.

I will post more photos soon of some little boxes I have made...who knows we might even use this in this months workshop!

If you would like to purchase this punch, it costs $33.95 code #119273

Happy stamping,

Bec

May Workshop

We had our May workshop on Wednesday night (the last Wednesday of every month) and we discovered the art of 'double embossing'......sooo cool!!

This technique is achieved by inking a brayer with versamark, then roll the brayer on the embossing folder (the side with the design going in/down). Place your chosen paper in the embossing folder then run it through the big shot. Now the versamark ink should only be on the parts of the paper that are flat and the raised part of the paper ie the design, should be clean. Now dust some embossing powder over the paper and it will stick to the versamark ink. Heat set the powder using a heating tool (or the good ol' fashion way - the toaster!). Then you will have an amazing finish on your paper with both dry embossing and traditional embossing.

In the design below I also used patterned paper (DSP) to give it an even greater WOW!

Here is a close up of the embossing:

For our second card of the night we tried out the new 'Build a Cupcake' punch available in the Autumn/Winter mini catalogue. But we built an ice-cream instead - just to show how versatile this punch can be. I cased this very cool design from Rebecca O'Gorman.

Thanks to everyone who came to the workshop in spite of the State of Origin :) If you would like have some fun and create some cards like these, come to my next workshop on the 29th June, or call/email me to host your own party and earn FREE stuff.

Happy stamping and creating everyone

xo Bec

Deals of the Week #4

Have you checked out the final Deals of the Week yet? Its wheels and rub ons this week, here is the list:

Item	Page	Description	Regular Price	Sale Price
113838	62	Right on Track Stampin' Around Wheel	$11.95	$8.37
115619	68	Retro Remix Stampin Around Wheel	$11.95	$8.37
119975	134	Vintage Type Rub-Ons	$15.95	$11.17
118760	134	Play Date Rub-Ons	$16.95	$11.87

I hope you have enjoyed checking out the 'Deals' this month, make sure you let me know ASAP if you are interested in any of these items as we only have a week!! Happy Stamping everyone....

Deals of the Week #3

Here it is #3 time to stock up your ribbon and brads for a steal!!!

Item Page Description Regular Price Sale Price 119750 137 Daffodil Delight 5/8'' (1.6 cm) Satin Ribbon $16.95 $11.87 119963 137 Certainly Celery 3/8'' (1 cm) Taffeta Ribbon $12.95 $9.07 109112 139 Square Fire Rhinestone Brads $19.95 $13.97 109113 139 Square Ice Rhinestone Brads $19.95 $13.97

Deals of the Week #2

Ooops I am a little late in getting this out, if you are interested in anything listed let me know ASAP as this deal finishes at midnight tomorrow night!!!!

Item	Page	Description	Regular Price	Sale Price
120963	142	Stampin Pastels New Color Kit (19)	$28.50	$22.80
115957	151	Thanks Embosslits Die	$21.95	$17.56
114513	151	Sweetest Stem Embosslits Die	$21.95	$17.56
113483	155	Pennant Bigz XL Die	$74.95	$59.96

May Deals of the Week

When Stampin' Up! says DEALS they mean DEALS!!!!

During the month of May, Stampin' Up! will offer several discounted products as 'Deals of the Week.' Get up to 40 percent off a selection of incredible products from the 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalogue! No limits and no minimum purchase required. But you will have to get in quick as this promotion is very popular and stock does run out....

Below is a schedule of when the weekly deals will be announced on the Stampin' Up! customer websites:

• Weekly Deals # 1: Sunday, 1 May 2011; 12:01 AM (AET)
• Weekly Deals # 2: Wednesday, 11 May 2011; 12:01 AM (AET)
• Weekly Deals # 3: Wednesday, 18 May 2011; 12:01 AM (AET)
• Weekly Deals # 4: Wednesday, 25 May 2011; 12:01 AM (AET)

But also check back here too for all the information you will need.

This Week's Deals are:

Item Page Description Regular Price Sale Price 121578 37 Tag Alongs Wood-Mount Set $31.95 $19.17 120468 59 More Monkey Accessories Clear-Mount Set $23.95 $14.37 121550 59 More Monkey Accessories Wood-Mount Set $29.95 $17.97 120003 75 Cottage Garden Clear-Mount Set $24.95 $14.97 119163 75 Cottage Garden Wood-Mount Set $32.95 $19.77 121494 98 Compliments to the Chef Wood-Mount Set $35.95 $21.57 WOW what a DEAL!!! Put your order in ASAP so you don't miss out. To make ordering easier for you now, just click on the 'place an order' tab at the top, fill in your details and product number and description, and I will be notified immediately of your order :) How cool is that! Enjoy May and the Deals of the Week, it's so fun and exciting to see what comes out next......

Mothers Day Workshop

This Wednesday, 27th April, if you haven't already let me know you are coming and you would like to come along at 7:30pm to make this lovely Mother's Day card and gift including the love heart choccys, please let me know ASAP....... I know you'll love it and so will your mum!

Easter Workshop

Last night was my Easter Workshop, I love making little baskets and boxes and gift baggy type things to give away for Easter.....I just need to remember to give them away LOL!!

This is the card we made, I got the idea for the 'punch art' bunny from Kris McIntosh, a fellow Stampin' Up! demonstrator, it was so cute I had to share it with you all.

And here it is in pink:

We next made this cute little box that opens out to reveal a chocolate or two. If you would like to see a tutorial on it click here.

As I was planning for the workshop I came across this bunny from Chic n' Scratch, and I made this card with it, but I found the bunny very fiddly with so many tiny pieces especially if you are to make a few, then my 9 year old daughter told me the bunny looks 'freaky' not cute at all, hahaha what you think, freaky or cute??

And lastly, this was very popular, we didn't make it last night but everyone liked the idea and how simple it was to make. It pops out like a pocket so you can put a little treat in. It's and oldie, but a goodie, it's been around Stampin' Up! for a long time,read on for the instructions.

Make a square out of your choice of coloured cardstock, this one is 21cm x 21cm (the width of A4, then cut down the length to make square) Fold in half to create triangle. Fold front of triangle down so that tip of flap is approximately 1.5 cm from bottom edge. Fold right side of triangle in so that top edge of side is even with the top edge of flap. Repeat with left side. Pull right and left sides back and pull flap up, then fold sides in and fold flap over. Voila simple as that, now to decorate, stamp an image over the cardstock or stick co-ordinating paper onto the back section, add a ribbon if you want and an embellishment. Then stick the front flap down with a little sticky strip to hold in place. Pop some choccies in a clear celo bag and pop in the pocket. Cute as and super simple.

Happy Easter Everyone!!!

Meet Ellie...

This is Ellie, isn't she adorable? I made her from a pattern I bought from "Funky Friends Factory" for my friends son's 1st birthday. I now have to make another for my elder daughter and I have a teddy bear pattern to make for my younger daughter and a set of 3 monsters to make for my son! They are sooooo cute and fairly simple to make, just a bit fiddly on some of the smaller pieces. They are a nice cuddle size, about the size of a basket ball more or less. Pauline, the owner and designer of Funky Friends Factory is a Brissy chick too, so check out her awesome website, it will make you want to get out the sewing machine - even if your kids are grown up!!!

Sale-A-Bration ends THIS month

Not long now until the end of Sale-A-Bration so place your orders now to receive a FREE stamp set. Also anyone who places a qualifying order (of $100 or more) with me before the end of the month you will also go in a draw to win this card making kit valued at over $80.00

You gotta be in it to win it!

OP SHOP SCORE!!!!

Ok this is soooo cool, after stalking this Blog 'Made' I found that she often goes to Op shops to pick up 'stuff' and makes goodies from them or she spots 'vintage' bargains for her decor etc well it reminded me how much I love op shopping and that I haven't done it in ages. So after I dropped off the kids as school this morning I decided to pop into at least one of the 3 op shops down the road from school. I was very excited with my stash:

A wig for the kids dress up box $4.00 (for some reason my lovely olive skinned, brown haired daughters always want to be blonde!)

But she looks much better like this:

An attempt to dress up the dog LOL

A navy blue corduroy bean bag cover which looks brand new $5

3m (150cm wide) of navy blue stretch material, it's quite thick I'm thinking it's something like rugby knit $6 and some lovely floral knit fabric 3m x 0.5m $2. I think I will make an Ellie the Elephant out of this navy with the floral as an accent on her foot pads and inner ear, I'll let you know how I go....I think my son will get plenty of shorts and pants out of this navy fabric too!

And the best thing ever!!! I can't believe how cool this is....I got a Matryoshka doll (commonly know as Babushka dolls or nesting dolls) for $3

This starting doll is approx. 10cm tall, it is beautifully hand painted and has 10 dolls in total!! I can't believe it....10....when I was opening it at the shop and it kept going and going, the lady said "If I knew how many there were I would have put the price up!! Ha! I score!

This is where they normally stop at about 5......

......but it just kept going and going and just when you think it HAS to be the last one, there is one more inside that little one - look how small it already is compared to my fingers.....

......and then the last doll is the size of a grain of rice, I have never seen nesting dolls go that small and still have a hand painted designed on it - it's just amazing and impressive of the skill of that artist!

I am so excited because I just LOVE Matryoshka dolls and this one is so lovely and for such a steal.

So get out there and op shop your little hearts out and then tell me what YOU have scored :)

I Love Sewing

I have been sewing so much lately, and I have been really enjoying it. When I was younger I used to sew clothes for myself all the time - in fact the very first thing I ever made for myself was a shift dress, no pattern, I just lay down on this huge piece of black stretch material that my mum had stored in her sewing cupboard that I knew she would never use as she hates black, then I drew around myself. I then cut it out sewed some side seams and shoulder seams leaving gaps from my head and arms and voila a shift dress!!! I added a belt I think and I actually wore it to town!!! I was about 13 years old and I was allowed to go to the city with my girlfriends by ourselves so it was a big deal :) I continued to sew and all the way through high school I did Home Ec and always got A's for sewing (just a little bit of bragging is ok isn't LOL)

I sewed a little when I had 1 child, made sheets and valance etc for the cot to save money, but I guess the more children I had and the lack of a sewing machine meant the end of that for a while. So when I turned 30 I wanted a sewing machine just to be able to mend things at least! My husband and my mum put in together and I got an awesome Janome sewing machine that had more stitch varieties than my mum's....so that was sooooo cool LOL. I have made various things in the last 4 years (now you know how old I am) but lately I have really gotten into it again for some reason and I am LOVING IT.

I am trying quilting for the first time, I am still very impatient but I am enjoying it none the less. I have made some bags that I am really excited about and I have just recently bought some toy patterns to make some stuffed toys.

I must give gratitude to my mum who introduced me to sewing and guided me through it and who on many occasions would unpick my mistakes after I threw it in a pile never wanting to see it again (I still hate unpicking), and I am forever greatfull for my talents and I thank my Father above for all that he has given me :)

This is my very cool Beach Bag I made in January 2011

An inside view

This is a cute little patchwork tote I made for my niece who turned 11 recently (I just finished it today)

and here is the inside view

So I hope I have inspired you to dust off your sewing machines and get sewing - it's so much fun and so rewarding....Luv ya, Bec