Convention Swap 1

As promised, I'm sneaking in to show you my swaps I made for the 2012 Stampin' Up! Convention right here in Canberra.  I had to keep them a surprise of course .....  So now I can start the big reveal!  Here is my first swap I created:

I called this swap 'Friendly Birds'.  It was such a cute card that used up scraps of DSP which is perfect when you hate to waste bits!!

I've used different colour combinations for the banner and the chicks, so no swap is the same.

And of course, a variety of punches.  I do like my punches!!

And no, I couldn't pick a favourite.  I like them all, no, I love them all!!

So here's what I used:

Friendly Birds

Stamps: Best of Everything

Papers: Pear Pizzazz or Old Olive, Pink Pirouette or Pretty in Pink

Whisper White & Subtles Patterns DSP

Ink: Early Espresso

Punches: Circles, Word Window, Owl,  Pinking Hearts Corner

Other: Twine, Early Espresso Marker

2012 Stampin' Up! Convention

Well, its the annual Stampin' Up! Convention and this year it just happens to be in Canberra.  So what is a SU girl to do, well go of course!! 

So between Thursday 31st May and Saturday 2 June 2012, I'm going to be **busy** having fun, learning, mingling and making with many other SU demontrators from Australia and New Zealand.

I've scheduled a few posts over the next few days to show you my swaps (which I can now reveal!!).

See you soon with LOTS of ideas, things, sneak peeks and who knows what else!!

My Blossom Punch

Have you seen the Autumn-Winter mini catalogue yet?  If not, what are you waiting for!!  Just click on this link to see the gorgeous mini online.  I just love the Blossom Punch.  Love Love Love and the matching stamp set, more love!!  So when I saw this gorgeous card on Pinterest, I just had to make it/case it/share it.  I love the colours, so fresh and the design is so lovely!!

I love how the colours are so vibrant, just perfect for a cold wintery day here in Canberra.  I made two cards, each just so slightly different.

Definitely the first card is my favourite, it's all about the placement.  Of the leaves that is!!

To make this card I used:

Stamps: Tiny Tags & Mixed Bunch
Papers: Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, Tempting Turquoise CS and Subtles DSP
Inks: Early Espresso & Daffodil Delight
Big Shot: Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder & Little Leaves Sizzlit, Beautiful Wings.


Other: Tag, Bird, Circle & Blossom Punch, Glue dots & thread.

To see the original creation, click here - it's gorgeous!!

Oh Precious Butterflies

Don't you just love butterflies?  They are only with us for such a short time but they share their beauty, colour and lightness.  I love butterflies, on paper, on stamps, in punches. So it was with pleasure that I made this picture frame.

I made this picture frame for my friend's daughter.  My wonderful friend who so recently passed away and left behind her much loved daughter.  I thought by making a gift to go with a card, would be a nice gesture.

On a lighter note, I used a Window Sheet (acetate) behind the frame front for protecting photos but sadly my camera photo is reflected within!!

I love the Mixeed Bunch set and coordinating punch.  How easy does it make decorating cards, frames and scrap layouts.  Perfect!!

Here's what I used:

Stamps: Mixed Bunch & Precious Butterflies
Papers: Everyday Enchantment DSP (Sale-a-Bration 2012 retired), Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso & Old Olive
Inks: Calypso Coral, Pool Party & Early Espresso
Big Shot: Little Leaves, Beautiful Wings & Ornate border (non-SU)
Other: Pearls, ribbon, punches

If you would like to make this project, please contact me.  For only $25 plus postage, I will supply you with the frame, papers and embellishments.  These frames make a gorgeous gift!!

Do you need a reason to smile?

Smiles are for free!!  And with Stampin' Up! there is always a reason to smile.  Such as their special promotion coming up in June.  Free stamps!!  And it's not even Sale-a-Bration time!!

So here's a sneak peek of what might make you smile on 1 June.  Isn't it pretty!!  More details ..... on 1 June!!

Contact me today to book in your workshop so you don't miss out on this lovely set!

And here is some food for thought, if you join as a Demonstrator during May - you can earn it for free now!! Just contact me for the full details!  Got to love that!!

So....

So it's been a tough week.  Last week a very close friend of mine passed away. She was a fighter but the odds of beating cancer a fourth time were just getting harder and harder.  She was a beautiful woman, funny and wise, caring and fun all at the same time.  She hid her so many creative talents and instead would join us in chatting and chatting at our craft nights.  She had so much words of the wise to give too.  We will miss you Colette xx

So the week that has just gone by was one without any crafting.  I didn't have the time or the inspiration.  So on Sunday I joined my friends to a day of crafting at CAPA but my good intentions of creating, kind of got lost in chatting and procrastinating and laughing and procrastinating.  I did start a few projects but didn't really finish anything to share.  Well except for this little paper rose that I made into a brooch:

I used Pretty in Pink & Pear Pizzazz cardstock, my new flower punches and some Kindy Glitz for sparkle.  I also put a few beads in the centre of the rose that fully opened!!

Anyway, I have started a few more projects, so I'll be back over the next few days to share.  Just need to go and finish them!!

Happy Mother's Day!

Well, it was a cold and blustery Mother's Day here in Canberra, but that didn't matter.  I was woken up early (thanks Jess) and had presents and a cuppa in bed. Eventually I dragged myself out of bed and sat with my family, just being not doing!!

Today we spent Mother's Day on the High Tea train ride from Canberra to Bungendore.  The kids had a great time on the train making new friends, we were served delicious food from friendly staff and we had a lovely little explore of Bungendore before the rain came and we headed back home.  The kids were exhausted (me too) but we loved it!!

My project today is a little Mother's Day gift box that I will have to keep until my own mum arrives in Australia. I sent her a card (I hope it made it safely to Holland mum) but kept her presents here as she's due back for a visit soon!!

I dug into my stash of papers and found this gorgeous set of papers from last year's range.  It was perfect for this project.  I decorated the watering can with butterflies and flowers, as well as some flower and butterfly picks.  I wanted to use contransting colours too, just to give some interest and so it wouldn't be too much!!

 This project truly is gorgeous and the tutorial and template can be found at the wonderful resource website of SplitcoastStampers.  Links to follow:

I used my favourite punch - blossom of course and used the stamp from Mixed Bunch as the flower centre.  Paper flower, bling and punched/die cut butterflies and the watering can gift box was done.  It was an incredibly clever but simple idea.  Love it!!

So Happy Mother's Day to all the mums and especially to my mum.  Hope you have a lovely day xx

Click here for the tutorial

Click here for the watering can template, print on normal A4 size.

Mother's Day Gifts

I love making gifts, especially for something special like Mother's Day!!  Although this time around, I had the pleasure of putting together gifts for my son's Mother's Day stall at his school.  My lovely friend Fliss of My Beading Heart made these exquisitely cute earrings for me that I could send to the stall as gifts.

Earrings as you know are delicate, so I have to package them up nicely to withstand the kids at school looking for gifts.  So I punched some butterflies with my butterfly punch and used them to hook the earrings on.  I had bought some small gift boxes, chocolates and clear cellophane to wrap and some cute pink ribbon.

Now the hardest part was (for my son anyway!!) was to not eat the chocolates!!  But I decided these little gifts needed something.  So I grabbed my stash of papers, and used my favourite punches to make gift cards.  The Blossom punch is perfect for making quick cards.  Punch the flower, maybe even punch a coordinating centre and stick.  Easy.  I used the Modern Label punch to cut the sentiments (using the Teeny Tiny Sentiments stamp set).  Voila!  The gifts were done.  Sadly I sent them off to school today.  Maybe Luke might buy one for me for Mother's Day!!

It's another mixed bunch

So after a week of working afternoon shift and all weekend, I come home and the first thing I pick up from my craft table is the Blossom Punch.  I'm now starting to think it's the best punch ever and only wish I could have it as a die in lots more sizes!!  So of course, I have to show you my latest bunch of cards that I've made and sent out.  ...  Of course, inspired by Pinterest!

This style of card is perfect for so many occasions, and you can mix and match the colours to suit!!

Use your favourite colours of DSP, I've used subtles to provide the contrast to the  punches.  I love how the colours of DSP coordinate perfectly with cardstock colours. 

It's a perfect card to try lots of colour combinations, as well as using lots of punches!  I've used various flower and circle punches.  Really is easy peasy.

Combination 1 uses Crumb Cake & Melon Mambo CS with Bashful Blue DSP.
Combination 2 uses Crumb Cake & Marina Mist CS with Daffodil Delight DSP. 

So go on, have a go and mix your colours up too!!

Stamp @ Home Kit for May!

May 2012 - Mixed Bunch!

Make mum feel special this Mother's Day, with a handmade Mother's Day card and a very special, exclusively designed Scrappy Brooch.  Make four cards using the new Mixed Bunch stamp set and coordinating Blossom punch using my "stash" of Everyday Enchantment papers and brads.  You'll also design your own Scrappy Brooch that can be presented in a customised and coordinating box.  You will be able to choose from selected fabrics, colours and buttons.

Make each card unique with your own sentiments, selected for any occasion.  To make this beautiful set, contact me now and surprise your mum for Mother's Day or any day!!

Join the Stamp with Me Stamp Club! 

Are you looking for projects using the new stamp sets and accessories from Stampin' Up!? Each month for $25 you too can make cards, scrap pages, off the page items, boxes, bags, tags (you name it). All the supplies you need and colour instructions arrive at your door, ready to go! Don't have the stamp set? Easy. Reward yourself with your exclusive Stamp with Me discount when you purchase the matching stamp set from Stamp with Me.

Your Starter Kit, Your Way!

With a price of just $169, the new, completely customisable Starter Kit can be as unique as your own creativity! It's the perfect way to get your business off to a great start—your way. 

The new Starter Kit comes with:

• Up to $235 worth of exclusive Stampin' Up! products that YOU choose 
• A business supplies pack (valued at $80)

The total kit is valued up to $315, but the Stampin' Up! opportunity can be priceless!

Talk to me today for more information or for help ordering your kit!

BUT THE FUN DOESN'T STOP THERE!!

As part of the Paper Party when you join my team in May you will receive a free pack of Designer Series Paper every month for the rest of 2012!!  That’s a bonus value of over $130!!

Contact me today if you have any questions.

Or simply click here to sign up online now!!  Just click on the JOIN NOW button!

It's a Paper Party

 During May, you can get FREE Designer Series Paper*—an $18.95 value—in two different ways!

1.  Get a FREE package of Stampin’ Up!’s® exclusive Designer Series Paper when you buy three!
2. Join Stampin’ Up! as a demonstrator and get a FREE package of Designer Series Paper every month for the rest of 2012!

 Find a Designer Series Paper for every crafting occasion, project and mood in the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalogue and 2012 Autumn-Winter Mini Catalogue.

PAGE	ITEM NUMBER	DESCRIPTION
129	122354	Pocketful of Posies
129	122357	Beau Château
129	122367	Paisley Petals
129	122355	Domestic Goddess
129	124339	Just Add Cake
129	122351	Frightful Sight
129	122352	Timeless Portrait
129	122350	Berry Blossoms
129	122359	Well-Worn
130	122347	Nursery Nest
130	122349	Letters to Santa
130	122348	Big Top Birthday
13**	125406	Twitterpated
17**	125407	Attic Boutique

*Excludes Specialty Designer Series Papers
**From the 2012 Autumn-Winter Mini Catalogue