First week down

Well the first week of the school holidays has flown by. I have managed to spend some time with the kids. We have been bowling, shopping and today we went into the city to Disney On Ice Princess Wishes. Both of them loved it, although I think Hamish may have enjoyed the train and tram ride just as much as the show.

Earlier this week I sent off my first swap. The picture below is the completed swaps ready to be sent. It has meant that each day I have been receiving a few cards in the letterbox in return and I have really enjoyed seeing what everyone else came up with (there are some very talented and creative demonstrators).
On Sunday it was a friend's birthday so I dropped this card in her letterbox. It is hard to see in the picture, but there is a little bit of dazzling diamonds on the dragonflies, which made them very pretty

StampSets: Organic Grace (level 1 hostess set), Sincere Salutations
Cardstock: Basic Grey, Baja Breeze, Whisper White and Hand Drawn DSP (from level 3 hostess set).
Ink: Basic Grey, Riding Hood Red, Baja Breeze and Old Olive
Accessories: Hodgepodge Hardware, Baja Breeze Ribbon, Designer Label Punch and Dazzling Diamonds.

July Workshops

Again there will be 2 workshops at my house in Lara this month.

Kids Cards (Make 4 kids cards 2 girl and 2 boy)

Date: Tuesday 14^th July

Time: 7:30pm

Cost: $6

Stamping on Candles (Learn how to stamp on a candle and make a matching gift card)

Date: Thursday 30^th July

Time: 7:30pm

Cost: $6

Bookings are essential for both workshops

Also I know some people have tried to leave comments on my blog lately, but have been unable to. I am pleased to say I have found a setting that had mysteriously changed and I have now hopefully corrected it, so please feel free to leave a comment. If you are still experiencing problems please e-mail me so I can fix it.

Another 2 weeks....

Well so much for not leaving it so long between posts. It has been a busy 2 weeks, both at work and at home, but it is now school holidays (hooray!!!) and hopefully the next 2 weeks will involve some down time.

On Monday 22nd June I held a Christmas Stamp-a-stack. These are the 2 card designs and everyone made 5 of each.
The first one we used the glitter background technique. It was lots of fun and we ended up with glitter everywhere.

Stamp Sets: Snow Swirled, So Swirly Jumbo Wheel
Cardstock: Riding Hood Red, Certainly Celery and Whisper White
Ink: Versamark, Old Olive and Riding Hood Red.
Accessories: Heat and Stick Powder, Fine Glitter and Rhinestone Brads
The second one I designed for a demonstrator swap. The rules were non traditional Christmas either non traditional colours or a non Christmas stamp set or a combination of both.

Stamp Sets: Circle Circus, Many Merry Messages
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Pink Pirouette, Baja Breeze and Whisper White
Ink: Pink Pirouette, Baja Breeze, Ruby Red and Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Spritzer, Scallop Edge Punch, Circle Punch, Striped Ribbon (Pink Pirouette, Baja Breeze and Riding Hood Red).

Below is a card I made for a 2 year old boy using the sketch challenge from Splitcoast Stampers
Stamp Sets: Wild About You, Occasional Greetings and Best Friends Numbers (retired)
Cardstock: Sahara Sand, Ruby Red, Baja Breeze, Whisper White and Sweet Slumber Specialty DSP.
Ink: Baja Breeze and Ruby Red
Accessories: Button Bouquet.

I actually made a few more cards over the past 2 weeks, one for Mum's Birthday and two congratulations cards for Mum and Dad. Wednesday 24th June was Mum's Birthday and also a special night for both Mum and Dad at their Rotary Changover. Mum received a Paul Harris Fellow and Dad received a Paul Harris Sapphire Pin. The awards were a suprise to both of them as was my sister, brother-in-law, Aunty and her husband, my husband and myself arriving at the dinner. But in the rush to get to Bendigo (2 hour drive) I forgot to take photos of the cards. I will try to remember to get photos of them next time I am in Bendigo and then I can post them here for you to see.

What's Happening in June

Where does the time go?? I am sorry I haven't been a very good blogger lately I really have no excuse except everyday life is taking priority (and right now I should be folding washing as my husband is cooking tea!!! - don't tell him where I am).

So what is happening in June.
Well I have held one workshop where we made these carousel note photo purses.
Also for June and July any hostess with sales over $600 will receive an extra $40 of free product. This is in addition to the other wonderful hostess benefits.
So if you were thinking of hosting a workshop for a few friends now is a great time so contact me to book a date.

The second workshop I am holding in June is a Christmas Stamp a Stack. Yes I know it is June, but every year I intend to start early with my Christmas cards and next thing I know it is December, so I decided if I am holding Christmas workshops it forces me to start my own Christmas cards. It must be a good idea as the workshop is booking out fast so if you are interested please contact me ASAP.

Date: Mon 22nd June
Time: 7:30pm
Location: My house Lara.
Class: 10 Christmas cards for $15

Be warned I have just designed the 2 cards and 1 of them is very non traditional. I joined a demonstrator swap this week for non traditional Christmas cards and as anyone who knows me well will appreciate what a challenge this is for me.

I will try to be a better blogger and not leave so long between posts next time.

Only a few more days

As it is almost the end of May it means you only have a few more days to take advantage of the wonderful May special. Buy 3 Designer Series Papers and receive a 4th one free.

Now I just have a few cards to show today.

The first one I made to play with the circle circus stamp set and then I gave it to my niece for her birthday.
Stamp Set: Circle Circus
Ink: Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirouette, Baja Breeze and Kiwi Kiss
Card stock: Pink Pirouette, Chocolate Chip, Riding Hood Red, Baja Breeze DSP.
Accessories: Baja Breeze striped ribbon

This second one was designed for a workshop and then given to Mum for Mother's Day.
Stamp Set: Pocket Silhouettes
Ink: Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze
Cardstock: Not Quite Navy, Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze and Urban Garden DSP
Accessories: Baja Breeze striped ribbon, scallop edge punch, earth elements brads

The last one I designed for a male birthday card.
Stamp Sets: Trendy Trees, Short and Sweet
Ink: Baja Breeze, Basic Black
Cardstock: Baja Breeze, Urban Oasis DSP

I guess it is clear now that Baja Breeze has become a favourite colour. It wasn't until I was typing this that I realised I had used it in all three of these cards.

Hostess Appreciation Day

Yesterday I held my first hostess appreciation day. During my first 12 months as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator I had 17 hostesses, with some of them having more than 1 workshop, so I wanted to thank them for kick starting my Stampin' Up! adventure.

We made 2 make and takes (I will post photos of them later), I had my retired stock for sale at bargain prices and we had a lovely relaxing afternoon stamping.

As a thank you each person who attended received a goodie bag pictured below. The stamp sets used are circle circus and pocket silhouettes.
I also had some door prizes with first prize including all you see below. It was my first attempt at stamping on a candle and I was thrilled with how easy it was, therefore I will be doing a workshop on it some time soon. The stamp set used on the candle is Embrace Life and on the book I have used A Flower for all Seasons.
This is a photo of the goodie bags grouped together.

The table was set up with all the bargains I had for sale.
After a busy morning cleaning the house this is me setting up.
Thanks again to all my wonderful hostesses. I had a great day and am planning to make it an annual event. So if you would like to be a part of it next time all you need to do is have a workshop with me over the coming 12 months.

Turning 40!!!

No not me!!! My big sister turned 40 last week and this is the card I made for her.
As she is a keen quilter I tried to do a faux quilt card. I was quite pleased with the result and it really wasn't that difficult.

The only stamps used are the numbers from the retired set Best Friends Numbers.
Card stock: Rose Red, Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip and Raspberry Tart DSP
Accessories: Build A Brad, Kiwi Kiss satin ribbon.

Below are examples of the post it note holders we made at the monthly workshop last Monday.


Stamp Set: Trendy Trees
Card stock: Old Olive, Tangerine Tango and Haiku DSP
Ink: Tangerine Tango and Chocolate Chip.
Accessories: 1 3/8 circle punch and striped so saffron ribbon.


Finally I am able to show you the card I made for my friend Lisa's new baby boy, as I delivered the present over the weekend. Unfortunately they weren't home so I am yet to see baby Jack.
Stamp Sets: Wild About You and Short and Sweet
Cardstock: Certainly Celery, Not Quite Navy and Baja Breeze Prints DSP
Ink: Baja Breeze, Certainly Celery and Not Quite Navy.

I have my hostess appreciation day coming up this weekend so I am busy this week preparing and will post some of the projects next week.

Buy 3 get 1 free!

Everyone loves the word free!! This month there are 2 fantastic promotions from Stampin' Up!

We are celebrating scrapbooking month, but the first promotion is not limited to scrapbookers, if you have ever used patterned paper for any project then you will love this special. The Designer Series Papers in the current catalogue are just beautiful and this month when you buy 3 you get 1 free.

Here are the 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

The second promotion is a special Scrapbooking Starter Kit for only $150. Yes that's right you can join Stampin' Up! this month only for the low price of $150. This is ideal for any scrapbooker considering joining the Stampin' Up! team. The Scrapbooking Starter Kit includes the following items
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
It also includes the business kit normally reveived with the standard starter kit.

So if you have ever thought about joining Stampin' Up! as a career or as a hobby, this month is a fantastic time to do so.

Now I thought I would also share a couple of cards I made at a workshop in April.

Stamp Sets: Good Friend, Say it with Scallops
Cardstock: Pacific Point, Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss and Good Morning Sunshine DSP
Ink: Pacific Point, Chocolate Chip, Summer Sun, Kiwi Kiss


Stamp Set: Fresh Cuts
Cardstock: Fresh Cut Notes, Not Quite Navy
Ink: Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy marker
Technique: Thumping