Sara's Blog

Three cities in six days sure doesn't give you much time for sightseeing...unless you count the inside of a hotel ballroom or the airport. This week we've done retailer training courses in Brisbane, then flew to Sydney for another session, then to Melbourne for another go. Oh, the glamorous life! (Paulette and I were feeling anything but glamorous as we set up an all-day, 70-person class at midnight on Tuesday!) But as much work as it is, it's such fun to see everyone here: Some old friends and new faces and our good friend Sheila, who's worked so hard to make everything go smoothly. I'm loving Melbourne because I get to spend time with my favorite cousin Jacqui (tonight we're going to a play) and because on Saturday we've got our first-ever event for consumers, with such cool projects and prizes planned! I can't wait!

PS. Next year I promise myself I'll get to Ayers Rock!!!

New Zealand is beautiful, amazing and gorgeous. If you've never been, I encourage you to dust off your passport and come explore this amazing country. (Or check out a program on the Travel Channel!) It's the second time I've been here teaching classes and the friendliness of the people and beauty of the landscape never ceases to amaze me. And with yesterday's all-day class done, I have two days to explore Auckland before meeting Paulette in Brisbane, Australia. Last night my friend Sheila and I got a tour of the city from Norm, who manages the NZ warehouse that distributes HOTP. He took us to Mt. Eden, with an amazing view of Auckland...everything is so green here and there are so many trees it reminds me of home. Looking out we could see the remains of all the volcanic activity in Auckland, huge dips and holes now covered in grass. Afterwards, Norm took us around the harbor that hosted the America's Cup races and now is packed with condos, trendy restaurants, shops and clubs. Sheila and I have picked out our dream condos, with huge patios directly above the harbor and floor-to-ceiling glass windows. Norm says they cost about a million dollars so we quickly abandon that plan! Today I'm headed to the art gallery, the museum and if the weather holds, I might just hop on one of the ferries to one of the outlying islands. Of course, pictures to come when I get home next month!

Luggage. Passport. And enough reading material to keep me occupied for the 13-hour flight from San Francisco to Auckland, New Zealand. We’re going Down Under for our annual trip! The best part? This year we’re doing an all-day scrapbooking and card making event in Melbourne that’s open to the public. The projects are gorgeous and amazing—there’s a fantastic sarabinder™ that I’m absolutely in love with, plus cards and album pages using all our newest things. It’s on March 30 and I’d love to see you there! You’ve got to sign up and space is limited, of course, so contact Sheila Cafferkey at Birch Haberdashery if you’re interested: 03-9450-8900. See you there!

PS. We’ve gotten the projects back from Memory Makers…click here for more photos and instructions!

I opened my mailbox yesterday to find a special delivery: The April issue of Memory Makers magazine! I’m so excited because this issue features an article I wrote on new uses for brads...featuring projects from LeNae, Paris and Laura. Cool! (I love the altered clipboard Laura made, and it inspired me to run out and get a Crop-a-Dile of my very own.) We had to send the projects to the magazine for photography, but as soon as we get them back, we'll post them up with instructions in the photo gallery. I’m not sure when that will be, so check your mailbox for your issue. And if you don't have a copy, visit your local scrapbook store...before my mom buys all the copies for herself!

PS. This weekend is going to be dangerous…not only is the Creating Keepsakes Scrapbook Convention in town, but also the Heirloom Rubber Stamp Show! I’ll be a poorer woman on Saturday—but definitely a happier one!

In my family, spring means birthdays—lots of them! In fact, right now I’ve got four birthday cards in the works. That’s why I’m so excited about the new Instant Card Art. We came out with them in January, but with all my travel I’ve only just had a chance to play with them and they’re FABULOUS! There are four color-themed collections filled with heavyweight die-cut punch-outs. Just pop them out, sand around the edges with an emery board and add them to your card. The card here is using one of my all-time favorite images, from the Pretty Instant Card Art set. Notice how well it matches the paper? That’s from the Pretty Creative Pack and the brad and flowers are from the super-cool new Pretty Creative Kit. I just inked around the edge of the punch-out focal and around the outside of the card, added a grosgrain ribbon and the flowers and I’m done!

PS. We just finished a planning meeting for this spring’s Webisode lineup and I’m so excited! Think more clear plastic pails, metallic outline stickers, super-cool new templates (faux stitching, tabs and something called Thinga-Ma-Jigs) and cards, cards, cards!