Party Hearty - Part 2

I do 2 different kinds of workshops (or home parties): Traditional workshops, where I demonstrate a few different things, and everyone makes a card to take home. It's free, and everyone gets to get their fingers inky, but it's not too overwhelming for beginners. After they've been to a Traditional workshop, most groups like to move on to doing a Class. Usually this takes the form of a Stamp-a-Stack (everyone makes 6 cards), but it can also be a project like this one - 4 cards and a matching Pocket Tote Bag.
These 4 cards have all been made from the same pieces of cardstock. To me, that's the magic of stamping. You can take the same pieces of cardstock, the same colours, and even the same stamp set and end up with an infinite number of completely different cards. At a traditional workshop we would make just one of these, but I still love to show everyone how different you can make them look. The Pocket Tote Bag with envelopes and the other 3 cards are a gift for the hostess for having the party.

I first saw this bag when Liam brought one along to a team meeting. I always feel inspired after team meetings! Liam is our Ideas girl. She ALWAYS has something new to wow us with.
She has even been kind enough to put a tutorial for making this bag on her blog HERE. Make sure you leave a comment to thank her!

Here is what it looks like inside:

I'm currently taking workshop bookings for late June and July, so email me if you'd like me to come and make a project like this with you and your friends!


Materials (all Stampin' Up!)
stamps: Party Hearty
ink: Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Riding hood Red, Chocolate Chip
card: Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Riding hood Red, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White
other: Scallop Circle punch, 1/2" circle punch, 1" circle punch, Word Window punch, tag punch, Kiwi Kiss striped ribbon, Wide Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon, Chocolate Chip Patterns DSP, Riding Hood Red patterns DSP, Linen Thread, Silver brads, Mat pack

Party Hearty - Part 1

The final part of my Convention Presentation was about the all-important make-and-take. I always think very carefully about which stamp set to choose for workshop guests to make their card with. I want it to have widespread appeal (not too cute or too arty, suit both males and females of all ages), be useful for many occasions, and be easy for beginners to stamp. Some sets I have chosen in the past are Priceless, Baroque Motifs, One of a Kind, Wild about You and Lovely as a Tree. Now I've added another one to my favourites: Party Hearty. The fact that this set also co-ordinates with so many of our punches is a real bonus (I still get a thrill of excitement when I punch out that 'Celebrate You' and my Scallop Punch fits perfectly around the words! Yes, it doesn't take much to make me happy LOL). I always like to show lots of examples of some different cards made using the same stamp set.

Here I've used the Scallop Circle, 1" circle, 1/2" circle, Small Tag, Large Tag and Word Window Punches with Bashful Blue, So Saffron, Tangerine Tango and Riding Hood Red.
Here's a simple card in more girly colours:

We did a similar one to this at my Launch party, but in more masculine colours, and a used Patterns DSP instead of stamping the Polka Dots.
I've shown you this one before, but I'll put it here too. Here's a really girly version:

But you can also make it very masculine too:

And if I haven't convinced you how versatile this set is yet, how about a Christmas Card?:

I made this one using the row of party hats (which magically turn into Christmas trees when you put them in the right context), and Good Morning Sunshine DSP, and a stamp from 'Many Merry Messages'.

So there you have it. A few people from Convention have already told me that I 'made' them buy this set. I'd love to hear if you will be joining them!

Tomorrow I'll show you the set of cards and Pocket Tote Bag that I made using this set in Part 2 :o)

fun with techniques

Next we have a couple of technique cards. These are both using 'Upsy Daisy' which is a great set for different techniques. I've seen some gorgeous brayered backgrounds done with this set...

During my Presentation, I showed these 2 cards looking nice but ordinary, and then showed a 'Stepped Up' version, where I've added accessories like brads, buttons and ribbon. Here are my 2 Stepped Up ones (you'll just have to imagine them dressed down!):

To give this 3D effect, I've first stamped in Whisper White Craft ink, and then once it has dried, I've stamped over the top in Not Quite Navy. I used the Stamp-a-ma-jig to position it just slightly to the right. The sentiment is from 'Best Yet' Hostess set, which is my favourite Level 1 Hostess Set. I've added some of the gorgeous Kiwi Kiss satin ribbon to step it up a notch, and then a 'bouquet' button.

TIP: I love adding co-ordinating thread to my button, but since I don't own thread in all 48+ Stampin' Up! colours (actually I don't own any!) instead I use a tiny thin strip of cardstock (in this case Not Quite Navy) and thread it through the holes of my button.

To get this effect, I've inked up the whole stamp in So Saffron, then (don't stamp it yet!) I've used a More Mustard inkpad to ink up just the lower 2/3 of my stamp and then (you still can't stamp it!) I've used Tangerine Tango to ink up the lower 1/3 of the stamp. Now (hope you haven't stamped it yet!) use a sponge dauber to blend the areas where the colours meet, to soften them. NOW you can stamp it (make sure you go 'ooooooohhhhhh!' afterwards!).

I blinged this one up, using a line of Sticky Strip with glitter applied to it, and a Rhinestone brad.

Isn't it amazing how different a stamp set can look when you use different techniques and colours on it?

Materials for card 1 (all Stampin' Up!)
stamps: Upsy Daisy, Best Yet
ink: Whisper White, Not Quite Navy
card: Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Not Quite Navy, Whisper White
other: Large Oval Punch, Designer Label Punch, Eyelet Border Punch, Bouquet button, Kiwi Kiss satin Ribbon

Materials for card 2 (all Stampin' Up!)
stamps: Upsy Daisy, Best Yet
ink: So Saffron, More Mustard, Tangerine Tango
card: So Saffron, More Mustard, Tangerine Tango, Very Vanilla
other: Haiku DSP, Large Oval Punch, Designer Label Punch, Curly Label Punch, Eyelet Border Punch, sponge daubers, sticky strip, Fine Supernova glitter, Rhinestone square Fire brad

My Convention swap

I finally had some time this afternoon to take a whole bunch of photos, so I'm all set now to show you lots of samples that I presented at Convention. Firstly though, my swap card. Really simple, since I had to make up 60 of them, but in my favourite stamp set, and in my favourite colours (at the moment!). I cased my own card (thanks Louise Ryan for that idea!)
I received some gorgeous swaps in return. Everyone has been poring over them at my classes this month!

Materials (all Stampin' Up!)
stamps: Fifth Avenue Floral, Best Yet (Hostess)
ink: Baja Breeze, Sahara Sand, Chocolate Chip
card: Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip, Kraft, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip “Patterns“ DSP
other: Kraft Taffeta Ribbon, Eyelet Border Punch, Stampin’ Dimensionals

Convention!

What an amazing few days I have just had!! I have been in Canberra for the Stampin' Up! Annual Convention. It was great to spend 2 full days being inspired and motivated by some amazing Stampin' Up! staff and fellow demonstrators, and catching up with old friends and making new ones.
I had the honour of being asked to present "Demonstrator Theatre" with the lovely and talented Makeesha Byl, and I think the thing I was most proud of was that I didn't let my nerves get the better of me. I was able to put my inner terror aside and actually enjoy it. It ended up being a big highlight of the Convention, rather than the thing I wanted to get over with. Everyone has been so lovely, and many people have taken the time to tell me that they enjoyed my presentation, so I must have done OK!
The Dinner and Awards night is always a big highlight for me. I was lucky enough to have 10 lovely team members there, cheering me on (although the biggest cheers came from my dear friend and roomie Teneale!)
Here are my team "Stampers Anonymous" all looking glamorous at the dinner (thanks Kirrily for the pic!):

L-R Carolyn, Jen, Rosanne, Jane, Sue, me, Kirrily, Lorna, Noreen, Karen, Ruth

At the Awards Presentation, I was stunned to be given awards for being 3rd in Australia for sales, and Number 8 overall. So 8 is my favourite number this year (see this post if you don't know what I'm talking about!). I'll also be going on the Incentive Trip again, this time to Noosa!

I couldn't have done it without the support of all my lovely customers and my lovely team, and of course my gorgeous family! So, thank you all. I was lucky enough to be presented with stamp sets, long-stemmed roses and a gorgeous pair of Tiffany ear-rings! I'm still pinching myself!
I've been busy working on lots of things for my presentation, which I can now finally start to show you. So, over the next few days, I'll be doing just that.