One of those mornings!

Hi everyone!

It has been one of those mornings!!! I don’t even need to give details … but I know you will totally get what I mean.

I had all these good intentions of doing 4 posts today … 1 for today … and 3 to schedule for the next 3 days …

BUT!!!! …… Life sometimes gets in the way of good intentions.

And … this is now the third time I have sat down to do this post … and each time I have been interrupted … and haven’t managed to get back to the computer for several hours. It has been sooo frustrating. But … sometimes a mum just has to give her family priority!!! I know you will all understand!

Anyway, big apologies … but my bags are packed and I am off to the Canberra SU! Convention early tomorrow morning. I have decided NOT to take my computer … because I am really looking forward to sharing some fun time with my roomies (Tracey & Julie) … and really, isn’t that what it is all about – friendships!!

So … I just wanted to let you know that I won’t be back online until Monday! I have so much to share already (like my swaps) … and I will have lotsa news from Convention, too … So … I promise to be here on Monday!

Please come back!!! I don’t want to lose my blog friends just because I am away for a few days. I look forward to seeing you all here again next week!

Hope you all have as lovely a weekend as I will!

One that didn’t make the “cut”!

Tags

Embossing, Priceless, So Swirly Jumbo Wheel

Hi again! ……..  Phew! All 50 swaps are finished!!! I finally bagged them all this afternoon … after learning from Sarah (no. 2 recruit) that she had almost finished 100!!! And … then she tells me Ness has also done 100!!! Talk about showing off!!! I decided there is just not time now to do another 50 … and really … how many do I want??? I mean … if I come home from Convention with 50 gorgeous cards from other demos … and make up a display album … I really WILL have enough … don’t you think! And … I was just talking to Tracey … she has only done 50 and Julie has done 0!!! So … am happy again!

So … over the next couple of days I am going to show you my swaps … but first … here is one that didn’t make the cut!!!

I know … I am showing you all my duds lately!!! I hope you don’t lose confidence in my ability!!! Now … I know this kinda looks ok … but for some reason I just wasn’t happy with it! I’m really not sure why! It seems to be a nicely put together card … but I looked at it … and looked at it … and just decided to ditch it as a swap! I really wanted to do a card with Pacific Point (new blue in-colour) … but I just think this was somehow TOOOOO much???

Anyway … just in case there is ANYONE who may like this … here are the ingredients!!!

• Stamp Set: Priceless, So Swirly Jumbo Wheel Stamp
• Cardstock: Pacific Point, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White
• Inks: Pacific Point, Pink Pirouette, Versamark
• Extras: Pink Pirouette striped grosgrain ribbon, Eyelet Border Punch, White Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Embossing Buddy, Powder Pals

Don’t be scared to try embossing … it is really really easy. But … ALWAYS use your embossing buddy to dust your card before you begin. Then stamp your image with Versamark ink … sprinkle the embossing powder onto the images … tap off the excess … and then set with your heat tool! EASY!!! The powder will look glossy & wet when it is set.

You’ve probably also noticed that the main butterfly image is actually stamped & embossed 3 times & layered on top of each other! This is a really cute effect!

So … hope that keeps you going … BUT … SCROLL DOWN to the next post … for all the details of the latest SUPER DOOPER promotions from Stampin’ Up! You will be really excited about them!

C U tomorrow!

Images copyright © Stampin’ Up! ® 1997—2009. Artwork by Andrea Lowcock

May SU! Promo!

Tags

Picture the Possibilities Promotion, Scrapbooking Promotion, Scrapbooking Starter Kit

Hi there!

I so wanted to show you a card today … but … all the info for the May SU! promos has just come through. And … I am so excited … I just had to stop and do that first!

Here is the flyer … but it is a little “fuzzy” … so I will put all the details below. Make sure you read through them … there are actually TWO PROMOS on this flyer!!!

How great are these promos!

SCRAPBOOKING PROMOTION

Dates: 1-31 May 2009

Promotion Details

Buy three packs of select Designer Series paper ($16.95 each), and get one FREE! See selections below:

Item	Page	Description
112042	132	Urban Garden Designer Series paper
112470	132	Haiku Designer Series paper
113976	132	Pink Flamingo Designer Series paper
112468	132	Sweet Always Designer Series paper
113992	133	Tea Party Designer Series paper
113975	133	Raspberry Tart Designer Series paper
113966	134	Good Morning Sunshine Designer Series paper
112469	134	Holiday Treasures Designer Series paper
112041	134	Bella Rose Designer Series paper
113974	134	Bella Bleu Designer Series paper
113978	135	Urban Oasis Designer Series paper
112461	135	Washington Apple Designer Series paper
112039	135	Windsor Knot Designer Series paper
113980	135	Candy Lane Designer Series paper

Things to Remember

• Customers may choose a free pack of Designer Series paper for every three packs they buy.
• Order deadlines:
  • Phone: Friday, 29 May 2009; 3:20 PM (AEST)
  • OEX : Sunday, 31 May 2009; 11:50 PM (AEST)

FAQs

Q: Is there a limit to how many free packs of paper I can get?
A: No! For every three packs of select Designer Series paper that you buy, you’ll get one pack free.

Q: Why did you choose this particular selection of Designer Series paper?
A: We wanted to offer a wide variety of some of our most popular Designer Series paper to help make this a successful promotion.

SCRAPBOOKING STARTER KIT PROMOTION

Dates: 1 May – 1 June 2009

Promotion Details

In celebration of National Scrapbooking Month, join Stampin’ Up! as a demonstrator for only $150 with our limited-time Scrapbooking Starter Kit. The Scrapbooking Starter Kit contains the following:

Item Code	Description	Retail Value
112231	Schoolbook Serif Alphabet stamp set*	$77.95
113059	Simply Scrappin’ Petal Party	$36.95
108697	Earth Elements Assorted textured card stock (12″ x 12″)	$21.95
105216	Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin’ Pad	$11.95
103179	Craft & Rubber Scissors	$37.95

*Substitutable for any stamp set up to $77.95 value.

Please note: Each of the products listed above may be substituted for like items.  Please see the Scrapbooking Starter Kit Order Form for details.

The Scrapbooking Starter Kit also contains all the business supplies contained in the standard Starter Kit:

• Getting Started DVD
• Getting Started Guide
• Guest Invitation Postcard (100)
• Idea Book & Catalogue (8)
• To My Hostess Envelope (10)
• Project Sample Sheet
• Recruit Brochures (20)
• Hostess Brochure (20)
• Hostess Benefits Form (10)
• Customer Order Form (50)

Things to Remember

• New recruits have the option of purchasing either the standard $324 Starter Kit OR the $150 Scrapbooking Starter Kit with a different product offering.
• The standard Starter Kit ($324) will continue to be available during this promotional period.
• Recruits who join Stampin’ Up! by purchasing the Scrapbooking Starter Kit are still eligible for any programs available to a new recruit. This includes but is not limited to the Extra 10% Instant Income offer and Stampin’ Start.

I am here waiting … I hope you take advantage of these great offers! What a great time to join SU! – ONLY $150 for the limited edition Scrapbooking Starter Kit. Check this link -> Join My Team to read about all the advantages of becoming a SU! recruit! And … don’t panic … you won’t be signing your life away … there are no hidden fees or charges … no sales requirements … no ongoing commitment at all! Unless, of course, you would like to be part of a great company … and have the best & most flexible job in the world!!! I can’t even begin to tell you about all the benefits. But … would be happy to have a cuppa & discuss how enormously happy I am being part of the SU! family!

Don’t forget to contact me if you need further details about either of these promotions, and I do hope you will be sending your orders in for the gorgeous new Designer Series Papers! I think the range of colours this year is exceptional! If you would like to purchase a new catalogue … I will also cover the postage for the month of May! All you need to pay is $12.95 … and you will be amazed at all the wonderful new products / colours & project ideas! (Mention this offer with your order!)

Will be back later with something creative!

Think I need some practice!

Tags

Michelle Zindorf, Simply Said, Sponging

Hi friends!

I had an urge the other day to try another of Michelle Zindorf’s creations … and popped over to her site to have a look! Man! Every time I go there I am just “gobsmacked”!!! She is just soooo talented! The problem with trying something she has done is that often you don’t have exactly the same stamp … and so the end result just doesn’t cut it!!! My dilemma … do I show you my feeble attempt??? Well … I want to get back to my swaps before I create anything to post … so I may as well give you something to laugh at … even if it is REALLY bad!!!

So … here is Michelle’s gorgeous card -> Swirly Butterfly – Tutorial #188

Isn’t this just AMAZING!!!!! I am in awe!!! Now … I thought this was going to be (relatively) easy to do this one. The instructions seemed simple enough … but then … I go to choose stamps and realise that I don’t have any “open leaf” brances or vines. I also don’t have a gorgeous big outline butterfly … what to do???

So I just fossicked around and came up with some alternates! Perhaps it would have been a better idea to try a different design?  

So … here is my sample … PLEASE DON’T LAUGH!!!!

I really think it is the photography! Well … look … Michelle’s colours are so much more vibrant … and my design is certainly as professional as Michelle’s … so it must be the photography!!! NOT!!!!

Now that I look at them side by side … I realise it is even worse than I first thought!!! Even the painted colour on the flowers really didn’t happen … did it!!! And … I really think I needed to be more aggressive with the sponging … MUCH more colour needed!!!! And … I totally forgot to do the gorgeous black swirl!!!

So … in short … a bit of a disaster … I think I need a little more practice!!!!!!!

I have given you the link for the tutorial (above) … in case you feel inspired to try this one for yourself! (Inspired by Michelle’s sample … that is! ) But … I am telling you … I am not going to let this get the better of me … I WILL try again!!!

Have a fun day! I will be back once those darn swaps are done!!!

My card: Images copyright © Stampin’ Up! ® 1997—2009. Artwork by Andrea Lowcock

Another Spin on TECC #65!

Tags

Garden Whimsy, Taylored Expressions Challenge, TECC65, tres chic

Hi everyone! Surprise! I am back again!

After creating my challenge card this morning … I was “blurfing” through some of the samples for the TECC#65 sketch challenge. It struck me that a simple sketch can be used to inspire cards that are soooo totally different. I found a gorgeous sample of this challenge on Denise’s blog (one of my favourite sites for inspiration!). I loved this design so much that I just HAD TO stop AGAIN and CASE Denise’s card! Oh dear! When will I get those swaps finished???

Now … before I show you my card … I want you to remember … I don’t have the lovely “Cuttlebug” machine that does the gorgeous dry embossing that Denise has done … and neither do I have butterfly die-cuts. So … please don’t expect as professional looking a card as the one Denise has done! Ok???

So … here is a reminder of the sketch …

And here is my card (cased from Denise) …

Card details:

Cardstock: Whisper White, Basic Grey, Almost Amethyst, Vellum Card (butterfly). Stamp Sets: Tres Chic (ret) background stamp, Garden Whimsy & phrase (sorry … took the photo before I put the phrase on the bottom section of amethyst card!!! ) Inks: Almost Amethyst. Extras: Almost Amethyst grosgrain ribbon (ret. ribbon originals pack), Flower embellishment (non SU!) Eyelet Border Punch, Sponge Daubers.

So … how different are these two cards using the same sketch idea!

__________________________

Don’t forget to check out some other ideas at Taylored Expressions. I am guessing you can come up with something totally different too! Why don’t you send me a pic of your creation???

Images copyright © Stampin’ Up! ® 1997—2009. Artwork by Andrea Lowcock

Fresh & Funky!

Tags

All Scallops, Colour Throwdown Challenge, CT36, On Your Birthday, Petal Pizzazz, Taylored Expressions Challenge, TECC65

Hi everyone! I still have to finish my swaps … but just had to stop this morning for a moment to do a challenge! I was having withdrawals after spending so much time preparing for classes/workshops & doing my Convention swaps. So … I have actually combined two … I hope that is allowed???

The sketch is the “Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge #65” and is a such a simple sketch! You could do so much with it! (I actually think I may have “overdone” it a little!!! )

And … I have combined this with the “Colour Throwdown #36” colour challenge! I hope you visit both sites to see the gorgeous samples for both of these challenges!

So … here is my card …

And … here are the card details …

Stamp Sets: (All new in this year’s catalogue)

• Petal Pizzazz
• All Scallops
• On Your Birthday

Cardstock:

• Whisper White – A5 (14.8 x 21 cm)
• Pretty in Pink – 12.5 x 5 cm + scraps for stamping flowers
• Soft Sky – 4 x 10.5 cm + scraps for stamping flowers
• Apricot Appeal – scraps for stamping flowers

Inks:

• Pixie Pink, Tempting Turquoise, Only Orange Stamp Pads
• Pink Passion, Taken with Teal, Real Red Stampin’ Write Markers (for highlights on the flowers)

Extras:

• Scallop Border Punch
• Scallop Circle Punch

Details:

All the flowers on the left side are stamped onto cardstock & cut out with paper snips. They are layered on using snail adhesive & dimensionals. The 4 flowers on the top right were stamped directly onto the white card using a “mask” to overlap images but not colours!

So … are you ready for a challenge??? I hope so! These colours are so pretty … and I was really in the mood to do something bright!

Images copyright © Stampin’ Up! ® 1997—2009. Artwork by Andrea Lowcock

PS … I have added another sample for this sketch challenge … here -> TECC #65

Cupcake Fun!

Tags

Crazy for Cupcakes, Gift - Cake Box, Gift - Cake Treat Basket, Gift - Treat Box, Hostess Gift, Say it with Scallops, Simple Birthday Thanks

Hi again!

How lovely … ANZAC day … so no junior soccer this morning! I know … we should have got up for the dawn service … I did wake up … but the wind was blowing … and I just couldn’t bring myself to get out of my warm bed! That is soooo slack when you think about all that our diggers had to put up with to serve their country … and I really don’t have any excuse! But … it is nice not to have to race out to Sandy’s game this morning (especially after a late night – project class, last night!) I am looking forward to a LOVELY day. I plan to put an order into SU! from a workshop I had on Tues (just haven’t had a moment all week to do so!) … then I am going to sit and make my Convention swaps … maybe go watch Gav & Shane play soccer this afternoon (or maybe not!!!) … and then dinner out tonight at a lovely little restaurant in Kiama with some VERY special friends! HHHmmm … sounds like a blissful day! Don’t you think???

How great is this new stamp – SIMPLE BIRTHDAY THANKS! It is HUGE! (Just like a background stamp – but much more fun!)

Card details: Card & Papers: So Saffron, Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery, Tea Party DSP. Ink: Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery, Certainly Celery Marker. Extras: Eyelet Border Punch, Square Scallop Punch, Crystal Effects. Stamp Sets: Simple Birthday Thanks, Say it with Scallops.

And here is another sample … this time when I stamped the image onto the card … I made sure I stamped it with the side of the patty paper (cupcake base) running along a fold on my card … this makes it into a card you can open. I stamped the image onto Choc Chip card … then used a stamped template to cut the cupcake patty paper from DSP (slightly wider than the original image) & crimped it (crimping takes up the extra width – just trim a little if it is too wide) Then … cut the icing piece using a stamped template. I found creating a template was easier than trying to only stamp part of the image on the extra card / paper. But … you could also use markers to stamp ONLY the parts of the stamp that you want.

Card details: Card & Papers: Chocolate Chip (base of card), Chocolate Chip “Patterns” DSP, Pink Pirouette, certainly Celery. Inks: Regal Rose Stamp Pad, Certainly Celery marker (stalk of cherry), Real Red marker (cherry). Extras: Crystal Effects (cherry), Pink Supernova glitter (added with 2-way glue pen), Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/8″ circle punch, Trio Flower Punch, Silver Brad, Crimper, Silver Cachous (icing balls). Stamp Sets: Simple Birthday Thanks, Crazy for Cupcakes (phrase).

And here is the hostess gift that I made for my workshop this week … I think this would make a great “cake bag” for a party … or a “loot box” for party goodies!!!

Project Details: Card: Baja Breeze, Pink Pirouette, Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze “Patterns” DSP. Ink: Regal Rose, Chocolate Chip Marker. Extras: Crystal Effects, Eyelet Border Punch, Chocolate Chip Ribbon, Silver Brads. Stamp Set: Simple Birthday Thanks.

Here is the link for the inspiration for this project – Carolina’s Creative Pad

All the details for measurements for the box base are available at this site! Thanks Carolina for a FABULOUS project … and just perfect for a hostess gift! You can see this is a really easy project. Nothing too fussy about the decorating … so it doesn’t take long to make. The one thing I changed from Carolina’s design was the handle. I cut a piece of Choc Chip card 29.8 x 4cm and used my eyelet border punch to scallop both sides. This made such a pretty handle for the box. If you wanted … you could add a tag with a phrase on the front?

So … plenty to keep you busy here … a great project for the weekend! Hope you can try it for yourself! Am off now to put that order in … and then do my swaps! Big smiles … happy day!!!

Images copyright © Stampin’ Up! ® 1997—2009. Artwork by Andrea Lowcock

More gorgeous inspiration!

Tags

All Scallops, Best Wishes & More, Flower Fusions, Heartfelt Thanks Stamp Set, Occasional Greetings, Petal Pizzazz, Upsy Daisy

Hi again.

It is sooo much harder to sit at the computer when the school hols are on! I have to make this quick again … as Sandy and I are going to meet his cousins at grandy’s today! Here are a couple more of the mother’s day swaps. Just for inspiration!!!

Jenny

This one is my favourite … am I allowed to have a favourite without offending anyone???

This card was created by Jenny. I hope you visit her blog … she has just started blogging and would really love some visitors! She has used Regal Rose & Rose Red as the main colours … but I just LOVE that little touch of Taken with Teal. It is such a gorgeous highlight! I have just bought this yummy background stamp (Sanded) … and don’t know why I didn’t do it sooner! It is just FAB!!! I thought I might CASE this for one of my Convention swaps … but will need to use a different stamp … as I haven’t yet purchased this set! It is called “Best Wishes & More” … and has a fantastic variety of stamps! Hadn’t actually noticed it … until Jenny let me know that was the one she had used!  Keep watching for my version sometime soon!!!

Ness

This one is Ness’ sample … and as always it is sooo lovely! I don’t have this set … wasn’t too into it … but I just love what Ness has done. It is so soft & feminine! Perfect for Mother’s Day. This set is the new “Upsy Daisy” set and Ness has stamped the image with Versamark … then sponged some Pretty in Pink & Going Grey pastels on top. A little bit of “dry embossing” (the scored frame) is a lovely finish! I hope you can see that in the photo.

Sarah

And here is Sarah’s card … so simple but whenever I see this set (Heartfelt Thanks) I am reminded how much I love it! Must get it out sometime soon! Sarah is so clever in her use of colours!  And … honestly … if you need a quick card … this is a great one to copy!!! Love the little xoxoxo! Am so looking forward to travelling down to convention with Sarah (& Julie & Tracey). We are going to have so much fun!

Andrea

And … here is my mother’s day swap! I got my “Flower Fusions” tin out … with the gorgeous felt flowers … and that was what inspired my colour choices for this card. I have used the brand new fabulicious “Petal Pizzazz” stamp set … the stamp that fits perfectly into the scallop circle punch! I have also used a masking technique to stamp images overlapping without overlapping the colour. This is so easy to do. Simply stamp your original image on the card (mine is the rose red one) … stamp again on a scrap of paper … and cut around your paper image (I actually punched it with the scallop punch). Then use this “mask” to cover your already stamped image & stamp the next image … lift your mask & replace it on this new image … and stamp the next. Simple! The phrase is from “Occasional Greetings” and the colours I have used are Rose Red, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie & the main card is Pretty in Pink. I am not sure if the photo is clear enough … but the Rose Red flower is actually stamped on a scrap of card & mounted with dimensionals (with the flower fusion felt flower & gold brad as an accent.)You can also see that eyelet border … yep … I am addicted to my new punch at the moment!

So … I hope you have enjoyed seeing all the mother’s day swaps and I hope you have itchy fingers … just wanting to try some of these ideas for yourself! Go for it!!! And … send me a pic! I hope you all have a lovely day. I’m sure I will!

Images copyright © Stampin’ Up! ® 1997—2009. Artwork by Jenny Hayward, Vanessa Webb, Sarah Beesley, Andrea Lowcock