Stamp with Me: November 2009

Field Training

Last Wednesday I went to my first ever Stampin' Up! Field Training right here in Canberra! Held at the Rydges hotel in town, we had a large room full of stampers and scrappers who LOVE Stampin' Up! products, exchanging swaps and admiring all the displays.

We also received our own goodie bag to make two projects. They are just so cute and feature new stamp sets to be released TOMORROW in the Summer Mini Catalogue.

These two projects were really quick to make (especially when we had step-by-step instructions AND pre-cut and pre-scored papers!). Woohoo!! Here they are:

This first project is a cute little box with a hinged lid. My son wanted me to make him 7 boxes for his Christmas tower and you wouldn't believe how fast it was to make. Of course, he'll be doing the decorating of the boxes himself, but the actual construction was great!

This second project uses the same stamp set and has a matching envelope. It's so easy to make cards extra-special, it's those finishing touches which do the trick!! Also a quick tip to make your handmade cards stand out from the store bought ones!!

Here's what I used:

Stamps: Hello Again & Retro Remix Stampin' Wheel
Inks: Rose Red, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip and More Mustard
Papers: Old Olive Textured CS, More Mustard, Rose Red and Whisper White CS
Other: Sticky Strip, Ribbons (SU assorted) and Stampin' Dimensionals

If you would like the instructions for making the boxes, contact me and I'll type them up for you!

Holiday Line Up

I wasn't going to get this stamp set, but then I saw how cute it looked in all the samples I've seen. And when it comes to Christmas stamps, I buy them when I like them. So I did!!

These were also made at the Scrap Weekend Retreat and super-easy to make a whole lot of them quickly, especially if you don't mind colouring in!!

As you can see, each one is a little bit different from the other. I've either used different ribbons, papers or colours. In some of them, I have stamped the background with silver swirls! (Which was going well, until I started to smudge them!!). Here's what I used:

Stamps: Holiday Line Up & Many Merry Messages
Inks: Ruby Red, Old Olive CS and assorted watercolour pencils or Stampin' Write markers for colouring
Papers: Whisper White CS, assorted holiday pattern printed papers
Other: Scallop Edge Punch, large star punch, small star punch, metallic thread, assorted gingham ribbons and ric-rac and star brads (I purchased these at the Retreat).

Now I wonder what else I can make with my Holiday Line Up stamps!!

No excuse

..... I've been a bad blogger!

The good news is we've just changed Internet Service Providers, so now our connection is super-fast and I can actually access the internet at any time of the day or night! Woohoo.

The bad news is, it's upset my email settings, so I'll be on the phone to tech support tomorrow!

Anyway, just wanted to show you a batch of Christmas cards I made at the Scrap Weekend Retreat (note how I made cards at a Scrap retreat!!). Again I used basic techniques to make a lot of cards. Fast.

So grab your star punch and start punching!! Lots of them!!

I then glue dotted them into a wreath shape, add a little ribbon knot, stamp your greeting and decorate with papers. Voila. I did sponge the edges of the greeting with a bit of silver in the end, as the greeting was quite stark and added two rhinestones in the corner. Perfect!

Here's what I used:

Stamps: Many Merry Messages
Inks: Ruby Red & Silver
Papers: I Wish Scrappin' Kit (Old Olive textured CS & brown striped DSP), and Whisper White CS
Other: Red grosgrain ribbon, glue dots and rhinestones

Happy Birthday Matthew

Just had to share my baby turned 2 yesterday (and of course, he's no longer a baby!)

It was a great day and he was so excited by it all and his new toys, he barely stopped to eat!!

If only we could capture these days and hold them forever. It really was a special day.

So Happy Birthday Matthew, we all love you very much.

Punch Pals

Can you believe how fast time is flying? With Christmas just around the corner, it sure is going to get even busier with the days going faster!! It's now more than a week ago, but we had fun with our November Stamp Club - Christmas Punch Pals.

I just wanted to show you some of the card we made in this class. They sure are cute and I look forward to making some more (it's on my to do list!).

These card also came with the cutest matching house box and coordinating envelopes. It was a fantastic class and one you could easily do at home. Contact me if you would like the kit - it's as fun and cute as it looks!!

Stamps: Punch Pals

Papers: Kiwi Kiss, Bashful Blue, Close to Cocoa, Whisper White CS & Ski Slope Designer Series Paper

Inks: Basic Brown, Kiwi Kiss, Tangerine Tango, Close to Cocoa and Bashful Blue

Other: Dazzling Diamonds, Stampin' Dimensionals and Blender Pens

Santa & Angel Sticks

I haven't quite finished my Angels and Santas, but wanted to show them anyway. With a bit of glue, paint, felt and embellishments, you can make them too!

The funniest thing is, these have been made over two nights at our Monthly Craft Nights. Other than waiting for the paint to dry, there must have been a lot of chatting in-between. Guess that is what makes our nights so much fun!!

mm..... Gingerbread

In Luke's words .... can this day be true?

Luke and I had a very exciting afternoon with friends (waving at you Michelle, Holley & all our new friends). We were making Gingerbread Houses.

Let me word that correctly. We were assembling and decorating Gingerbread Houses. At a local school fundraiser, we purchased the pre-cooked kit with icing, and then off we go! Bring your lollies and your fun decorative flair!!

I was designated assembler and Luke was the willing decorator! And what a fantastic job he did too!!

In Luke's words ... it was a great day, and we can't wait to do this again next year!! Although Luke is waiting patiently until we eat the house!!

Christmas cards the easy way!

I have a lot of Christmas cards to make this year. My list is getting bigger each year and comments are made if I send 'bought' cards. LOL!!!

Although I like to spend time on my cards and make them individual for each recipient, sometimes you have to hurry and make a lot! I have quite a few that I need to send overseas by email, so I need to get a wriggle on anyway.

So you may have noticed, all my Christmas cards are fairly simple without too many layers or embellishments. Well now you know why!! I am making lots and they need to be sent by post. The more 'fragile' cards will be hand delivered.

So to show you what I mean, here are two cards (using the exact same techniques) that I made over the weekend at a local scrapbooking retreat. The kind of retreat where you pack your bags and hope you manage to remember to pack the right things. I forgot brads for example!!

These two cards can be as simple as you want or can be jazzed up with papers, ribbons or embellishments. For my 'gold' card, I used some green ric rac. I love ric rac. Brings back lots of memories, so I really enjoyed putting it on a card!!

My silver card:

My gold card:

Stamps: Tree Trimmings & Many Merry Messages
Inks: Gold & Silver
Papers: Whisper White CS & Christmas tree paper (from my personal stash)
Other: Ric Rac, gold & silver embossing powder and Stampin' Dimensionals

My mental note: The Tree Trimmings stamp set is so perfect for embossing!! Even if you have to use the toaster!!!

A work in Progress

I am going hi-tech. Well trying to anyway!!

I have set up my official Stampin' Up! Demonstrator website and you can check it out by clicking here!

The graphics are gorgeous, the projects will grow and hopefully my own creative inspiration will unfold. Of course, the dilemma remains .... How do I combine all my technology?? I have this blog, my Stamp with Me website and now the new one.

So if you have any feedback, suggestions, hints or ideas, let me know!!

A walk in the park

I'm back, hopefully more than briefly! My computer dramas continue but now there is an end in sight as we change over to a new internet service provider!! Who would have thought that living in suburban Canberra would be akin to living in the sticks!! Apparently having a tin roof and living too far away from the tower is the cause of the very very poor internet service!

Speaking of Canberra, the summer weather has finally arrived. The days are warm and encouraging you to have barbeques for dinner and sit outside. Pity we have no garden to speak of! The mud is now solid dirt and hopefully my WH will begin to make progress with his garden plans. Not that he's started!!!

I had a lovely weekend at a local Canberra Scrapbooking Retreat with CAPA. Staying at Greenhills, about 20 mins away, felt like we were miles away in the bush! But other than the roadworks I got stuck in, the weekend was spent with friends, fun, laughter and lots of crafting. Although I didn't seem to get as much done as I had planeed :0)

Today I wanted to show you a project made by my lovely friend Michelle using the Walk in the Park DSP only available till 30 November. The papers are just beautiful with Bird House design and I was so impressed, that I am tempted to make my own. Michelle is much more productive than me, she made 3 in one weekend! How cool is that!!

So that's it for now. I've got lots to show you, so I had better start down loading my camera and persist with the slow internet. Lots of Christmas stuff happening too!!

More Christmas Extravaganza News

Stampin' Up! have just announced that when you spend $85 or more on products from their Gift Giving Guide, you now can be rewarded with a free Square Scallop Punch or the Boho Blossoms Punch! How cool is that! Valued at $30.95 each, you'll love this gift for yourself!

For more information about this Christmas Extravaganza Promotion from Stampin' Up! click here!

Winter Post

I love Christmas, and I really hope I get to experience a wintery, white Christmas one day! With my mum living in Holland, I might wait to the boys are a few years older and take them for a European Christmas experience. Hmmm..... Christmas markets!

So when I see winter themed stamps from Stampin' Up! for Christmas. I just have to get them! I don't think I'll see snow this year at Christmas, but I can sure imagine!! So here are a few more cards I've made, some from instructions, some not. I can't remember which now, as I just got into the swing and kept on stamping!!

Of course, Christmas card making can become quite the production line when you have many to make, so by keeping to the same colours, papers, embellishments and even styles, you will be pleasantly surprised by how many cards you can make when you're on a roll!!

Here's what I used:

Stamps: Winter Post & Many Merry Messages
Papers: Kraft, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Ruby Red & Very Vanilla CS, and Holiday Treasures DSP
Inks: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Sahara Sand, Old Olive & Ruby Red
Other: Circle Punches, rhinestones, vintage brads, scallop border punch, sponge daubers & Stampin' Dimensionals

I hope you enjoy!

Christmas Extravaganza

Christmas Gift Giving Time!

It's Christmas extravaganza time. Just in time for Christmas!

You'll love the convenience of our Christmas Gift-Giving Guide! With gift ideas for kids, teens, neighbours, and more, it's your one-stop shop for all your Christmas needs. And don't forget yourself too!!

Plus, when you spend $85 on products in the guide, you'll get a FREE Scallop Square punch--a $30.95 value!

Click here to see the Christmas Giving Guide now available!

This offer is available between 1 November and 14 December 2009

Contact me now to make your order

Catching Up!

It was Melbourne Cup Day public holiday and very anti-climatic when you have to work. There were four of us in the office, not even enough to run the sweeps! Oh well, to all the winners out there.... well done!!

I spent the morning trying to fix my computer (sob, no such luck) and started making a little album for my son Luke who fell in love with this Mini Scrap Album I made on Sunday for Stamp Club. He wants to make his own with his own pictures. I'll make the album and he can decorate to his heart's content, bless him! He's such a creative little soul, and is always asking 'can we do art today?'.

I will try to post some photos of the inside pages (when it's daylight), so you can get an idea of how great it looks. I haven't put any photos in yet.... I must remember to get some printed!

The materials used for the I Wish Mini Scrap Album were mostly found in the 'I Wish' Scrappin' Pack from Stampin' Up!. And with a bit of Chocolate Chip 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, gold elastic cord and sticky strip, it was a fun project to make. Although I do plan on blinging it - I see the need for glitter, rhinestones or pearls, somewhere. Surely!!

I'm also quite chuffed with the news that my Winter Post Tree card was selected as a daily blog selection for the Yahoo Group - Late Night Stampers, one of the most positive groups that I've had the pleasure of joining. I did mention that I had purchased the instructions, so if you're looking for them, send yourselves to a fellow Australian Demonstrator - Clare Daly.

Christmas Trees

Despite massive problems with our computers, I have still managed to complete a few Christmas projects. Scarily Christmas is only 8 weeks away. Where did that time go???

So just a quick message as we're about to take the computer BACK to the shop. It's running slower than ever, and considering what we paid to get it fixed, not happy Jan!!

So here's a little Christmas Tree card made with instructions I purchased a while back. Super easy with a bit of Holiday Treasures Designer Series Papers!! Gotta love papers. Have a look at my Winter Post tree!

Stamps: Winter Post
Inks: Chocolate Brown
Papers: Holiday Treasures DSP, Old Olive, Ruby Red & Kraft CS
Other: Star punch, vintage brad, Eyelet Border Punch and Gold Thread