What??? Scrapbooking!

Can you believe it? I've been scrapbooking. Don't fall over with the shock! ...and go easy on me, because I am really not a Scrapbooker.
Due to popular demand, I'm even running Crop Nights again. I had the first one a couple of weeks ago, and we had heaps of fun. I have lots of space for everyone to sprawl out now. We made these two 6x6 pages and I also did a "Tool Time" session, and taught everyone how to use the Circle Scissor. They were all experts by the end, and cut perfect circles every time. Then, we all worked on our own projects. There was some furious stamping, punching and Big Shotting going on!

6x6 pages are a great place to start if you aren't used to Scrapbooking. You only need one photo, and they frame up beautifully if you don't want to put them in an album. I'll be putting mine into a desktop Calendar for my Mum's Christmas present. 2 pages per month will see me done by September...that will be a first!
My next Crop Night is on Friday 14th May. I'd love to see you there!

Materials (all Stampin' Up!)
stamps: Vintage Vogue, Cottage Garden
ink: Rich Razzleberry, Soft Suede
card: Rich Razzleberry, Soft Suede, Whisper White
other: Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot Ribbon, Soft Suede Polka Dot Ribbon, Circle Scissor, Photo Corner Punch,

March Elite Challenges

You guys are so sweet! Thank you for all the Anniversary Wishes, and comments on Dave's blog. We're planning a nice dinner somewhere, once he's over the jetlag!
I have the last 2 challenge cards to show you. We're finishing on a high note because, miracle of miracles, I was actually happy with BOTH of these creations!
Here's the Sketch Challenge from March:

I'll be using this Sketch again; it's such a nice simple one. Details HERE

And the Colour Challenge (Details HERE):

Doesn't it just make you go "aaawwww"?! Actually, it made my hubby go "B is for Turtle, O is for Lion???" *sigh*
One thing I've learnt through this whole exercise of 'picking the dud' is that everybody is so different. What appeals to me doesn't always appeal to you guys (and vice versa!). So, because I actually like these ones, that will probably mean that you all hate them LOL
So, dare I ask....What do you think?

Happy Anniversary!

It's our 14th wedding Anniversary today. Dave's not here to share it with me...he's in Dallas, Texas at the World Balloon Convention. Did you know there was such a thing?? He was given the honour of being asked to teach over there, and is the only Australian teacher.
Since I'm not there with him to give him an Anniversary Present, I'm going to ask you all to give him one! Dave has just started a Blog, and I know he would be tickled pink to receive a bunch of comments on there. So, if you'd like to see what happens at a Balloon Convention (and see a hilarious photo of Dave dressed up in retro afro wig and porno mo for the Theme Dinner), head on over HERE, and wish him a Happy Anniversary!
Thanks! :o)

February Elite Challenges

Only 4 more challenge cards to go!
From the January cards, I preferred Card Number 1. Even though it's not my usual style (messy, instead of crisp), I kinda liked it. Card number 2 was a just a bit boring, I thought.

Of today's two cards, one I dislike so much that I'm really tempted not to show you at all. I was going to re-make it, but I haven't had time, so I'm going to show it to you in all it's ugliness. I'm not even going to make you guess. Here it is, a Sketch Challenge:

Yuk. Where do I begin?? The black on there is all wrong, the colours are really really bright, and the background is too plain. Basically, it needs a complete overhaul!
If you want to see what NOT to put on card, click HERE

Card Number 2 is a bit better. I'm not sold on the colours, but it came together OK:

I wanted to try out a "snow dome" Sweet Treat Cup. I've sealed up a cup with water and glitter inside, and popped Mr Whale from "Fox and Friends" behind it. I had heaps of fun making this one! (and it hasn't leaked yet!)
You can see the ingredients for this one HERE

So, are we all in agreement today?? LOL

January Elite Challenges

December's dud was the first card with the bunny...I just don't think I hit the right balance with those colours. I know I'm my own worst critic. I'm really just making fun of myself by calling them "duds". Really, they are just so-so's. You know when you make a card, sit back and look at it and go "hmmmm.......nup". It just doesn't have that somethin'-somethin'.
Here's an easy one...can you pick it?

Sketch Challenge: (full details HERE)

Colour Challenge: (Full details HERE)

I was happy with one of these, and the other was just mediocre. What do you reckon?

Happy Birthday Teneale!

I'll be back later today with the next lot of Elite Challenges, but I just wanted to pop in and say a BIG BIG Happy Birthday to my dear friend Teneale. I'm sure she'd love it (because she really loves the limelight, and getting a year older...not!) if you popped over to her blog to say Happy Birthday! I'm sure you know where her blog is, but just in case, click HERE
Happy Birthday Ten, hope you have a really fabulous day!
xoxo

December Elite Challenges

OK, so you're all too nice to tell me my card's a dud! I really disliked the Kiwi Kiss/Melon Mambo one from October, and I wasn't partial to the Baroque Motifs one from November. I like crisp and clean, and it turned out all messy. All the spritzing and white flecks of embossing were not my original intention. I wanted to emboss the greeting, but the medallion had been stamped in Versamark, so even though it was ages later, the powder still stuck everywhere, hence the white flecks, that I then had to make look deliberate. It was one of those cards that just gives you so much grief that you eventually just toss away in disgust!
The 'dud' is much easier to pick today!

First a Colour Challenge "Sugar Plum Fairy" (sometimes I wonder if Carol chooses the name first, or the colours!) Perfect Plum, Pale Plum, Pink Pirouette, Kraft:

Very girly colours, these! I used a Mojo Monday sketch and it all came together really quickly.
You can find all the details HERE

And a Sketch Challenge:

I used a stamp from Pocket Silhouettes to make lavender. You can see the details of this one HERE

And the Scallop Oval in my last post? I cut a large oval using the Ovals Big Shot Die and used the Corner Rounder with the guard removed to work my way around the edge, making scallops! Easy Peasy!

So, which one is the dud today??

November Elite Challenges

When I was editing the photos for these challenges, I found that for each month there was one card I did like, and the other I wasn't so keen on...I'm sure you can tell which one I didn't like from yesterdays effort! Mostly it's the colour challenges I struggle with. I do like stepping out of my comfort zone, but I'm not always happy with the result. I'm still going to show you the duds, though, so you can have a laugh at my expense ;o)
See if you can guess which one I didn't like out of these two!

November Colour Challenge (Riding Hood Red, Mellow Moss, Always Artichoke, Chocolate Chip)
Carol chose some lovely Christmas colours for November's Challenge, but since I am 6 month's late, I decided not to go Christmassy for this card...although if you substituted a Christmas sentiment, I guess this could pass as a Christmas card.

I've turned the Bird on a Branch punch into a little robin. I've done lots of sponging on him, and his little eye has Crystal Effects on it. The background stamps and words are from the new Level 2 Hostess set "Asian Artistry". I only just got this set, and I love it already...you'll be seeing a lot more of it from me! Isn't that Ribbon Originals crinkly ribbon just gorgeous? Any guesses as to how I did the Scalloped Oval?
You can find a list of ingredients HERE

November Sketch Challenge:

Baroque Motifs is an all-time favourite set of mine, and another one I haven't used in a while. That's the thing about Mini Catalogues...there's always such great new stuff to use that I tend to neglect my other stamp sets. I did sneak in one new stamp - I stamped the Medallion in the background in Versamark ink. I used some Felt flowers, Rhinestone brads and did some spritzing on this one. More Ribbon Originals - gorgeous Baja Breeze Satin ribbon this time.
See more details HERE

....So, which one's the dud?

October Elite Challenges

Every month the lovely and talented Carol Dunstan prepares some challenges for us over at the Elite Challenges Blog.
I love to join in, and I was shocked (and I think it says a lot about what my life has been like over the past few months) when I realised that the last challenge I did was back in September! *gasp!*
Any stamping that I've done in the last few months has been purely for business not pleasure (and here I count myself so lucky that I have to stamp for my job, and it is always fun, even when it's "work"). I've designed projects for classes and Blog Hops, but haven't sat down and stamped "just because". When I do stamp for fun, I find that I enjoy it more if it has a bit of structure, and that's why I love challenges. I find having a few boundaries makes the creativity flow in the right direction, instead of spilling out everywhere into a confused muddle.

Anyway, I'll stop rambling and get to the point... I've had a lovely time over the past week catching up on Challenges. Over the next few days I'll show you my creations for the Challenges from October through to March, 12 cards in all. I've done the Sketch Challenge and Colour Challenge for each month (I didn't do the stamp set challenges as they were all from Mini Catalogues that are now retired...thank goodness, or I think I'd still be going!!), and it was so much fun to sit and stamp again. I'm never leaving it this long again!


October Colour Challenge (Pink Passion, Kiwi Kiss and Basic Black)
Carol called this one Passionate Kisses, but I've actually cheated and substituted Melon Mambo for Pink Passion, so maybe this one would be called Mambo Kisses or Kiwi Melons LOL

I just couldn't resist using the new In Colour, especially since Melon Mambo has the gorgeous Polka Dot ribbon to go with it. I pulled out Garden Whimsy, which I love, but has been terribly neglected lately. This one was also a Mojo Monday Sketch from Jan 11. You can find all the details for this card HERE.

October Sketch Challenge:

I love these colours together, so rich and Autumnal. I pulled out Eastern Blooms stamp set, another old fave that I hadn't used in an age. I'd always wished that this set had leaves in it, and now the Big Shot has come to the rescue with the Little Leaves Die. It's so versatile and I've used it heaps already. You can find the details of this card HERE.
I'll be back with November's challenges soon!

Blog Candy Winners!

It's time to announce the STAMPERS ANONYMOUS AUTUMN/WINTER MINI BLOG HOP BLOG CANDY WINNERS!
Many thanks to all of you who took the time to leave comments on our blogs and let us know you liked the projects we created for you using products from the new mini catalogue. We hope we inspired you and showed you that creative opportunities are endless!
Two winners of the blog candy have been drawn and they are:

(drum roll....)

PAULA FULLER and LISA MARTIN

Congratulations Paula and Lisa! You have each won a bundle of Stampin' Up! goodies!

Would you ladies please email Kerry Bunting to notify her of your contact details so she can get your candy in the mail.

Autumn/Winter Mini Product Shares

Joining a share is a great way to sample some new goodies and save some money at the same time.

In Colour Ribbon Share
In Color Ribbon Share (approx 3.4m of each new In Color) $15.40

Designer Series Paper Share
6"x 6" Paper Share (12 6"x6" squares of Autumn Traditions and Cottage Wall papers) $4.40

Pendant Notes Share
3 Pendant Notecards and Envelopes $3.60

You may purchase just one Share, or
Buy all 3 and SAVE:
All 3 shares for $25 including postage and handling mailed to you
or $22 to pick up from me.
(when purchasing individual shares, postage will be charged at cost)

Email me if you'd like to join in the fun!

Autumn/Winter Mini Blog Hop + Blog Candy!!

Welcome to our Stampers Anonymous Autumn/Winter Mini blog tour! There are some fantastic new products released in this catalogue tomorrow (April 1st) and we’re going to share some of them with you.
You may have just come from Liam's blog, but if you are starting here, don’t worry … you can make the complete circuit just by following the links at the end of each post. There are 14 stops along the way, including one Special Guest Stamper (the FABULOUS Teneale Williams!!!!) and we hope you will visit each one to see the wonderful creations we have to show you!
At the end of each post there will be a link to take you to the next stop on the tour.

We are offering 2 lucky visitors the opportunity to win some ‘Blog Candy’ this time around - a mixed bundle of Stampin' Up! goodies! There are a few things you must do to be eligible and they are:
1. You must leave a comment on every blog in the tour. Please also leave your full name with the comment.
2. After leaving your comments, you need to email Kerry and inform her you have done so and would like to be in the running for the blog candy.
**Blog Candy is available to residents in Australia only. SU! Demos are allowed to enter. Entries Close 5th April at midnight.

So grab a cuppa, sit back and enjoy the tour!
First up is a little set of Love Notes in a Scallop Envelope Box. I've used the Big Shot to make a box out of 2 Scallop envelopes. It's the perfect size to fit love notes in:

Here are the seven love notes, using all 7 animals from the new "Fox and Friends" set (sooo cute!):

The colours are Taken with Teal, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive and Rose Red.

Next up, I wanted to use some of the new In Colours. Yes, we have 3 new colours to play with now! Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo and Soft Suede. I've also used Old Olive here for my Christmas version. I've stamped the new Medallion stamp in Versamark and added a different centrepiece on each one:
Did you spot the new sentiment stamp too? LOVE it!

My final project is a bit Easter-y. I've made a box using the Top Note Die. I made a quilted pattern on mine using strips of DSP (Tea Party) before running it through the Big Shot. This box can be made using just 1 A4 sheet of cardstock:
Here it is open, with some Easter Treats inside:
Well, that’s all from me. I hope you left your comment to be in with a chance at the Blog Candy. Now you’re off to enjoy the wonderful creations of Juliette
Thanks for stopping by!

If you happen to lose your way here’s a list of all participants:
1. Juliette Chapman
2. Sue Dean
3. Meighan Wheller
4. Chary Belfield
5. Nikki Stalker
6. Sharon Wilson
7. Kirrily Matthews
8. Rob Irving
9. Sally Williams
10. Kerry Bunting
11. Fiona Harvey
12. Teneale Williams - Our Special Guest Stamper
13. Liam Pucher
14. Marelle Taylor

Just a quick one...

I thought I'd pop in quickly to remind you that today is the last day to order from the Summer Mini, and also your last chance to get your hands on a Sale-a-Bration set!

Here are a couple of last-minute projects from the Summer Mini. These were the make-and-takes at my open House on the weekend.

A cute little photo wallet, using "Hello Again":

This is the inside view:

And a simple card using "For Everything":

It's such a pretty set. We also used it to make a Slider Card, in this month's Technique class:

Here is the Slider pulled up, so there's room to write a secret message:

I'm busy getting ready for our Autumn/Winter Mini Blog Hop tonight. Make sure you come back at 9pm, to join in the fun!

Incentive Trip Countdown

0 Lucky Envelopes to go!

On the 28th March, thanks to the support and encouragement of so many lovely people, I achieved the Incentive Trip!! THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!

The Inkpad Caddy has been won on the 24th March by Samantha! The Lucky Number was 86. Congratulations Sami! I hope you enjoy your Caddy.

When I reach 0 envelopes (by March 31), I will have qualified for Stampin' Up!'s Incentive Trip to Hamilton Island. Wish me Luck!

Read HERE about how you can help!

I'll be keeping this at the top, so Scroll Down for more recent posts. Thanks!

I've Done it!

I still can't quite believe it! What seemed an impossible task at the beginning of this month -a mountain too high to climb- I have actually achieved. I use the word "I" very loosely...I feel like I have hand hands helping me up the whole way, and I most certainly couldn't have done it without you all. It's funny, that the reward I thought I was aiming for has become secondary to what I learnt along the way...and I know I'm getting all philosophical now, but isn't that just life in a nutshell? Earning the trip is fabulous, but discovering that I had so much support out there means so much to me and that has been the best thing that has happened this month. So you all have my heartfelt thanks for that.
It is such a relief to be at the top of this mountain!

I have a couple of last Summer Mini projects to show you. Here's a card I made for an embossing workshop a little while ago (Hi Marilyn!)

We embossed Razzle Dazzle in silver. I made the large circle with my Circle Scissor and framed it with a scallop edge. To make the Scallop frame, just punch a scalloped strip using the Scallop Edge punch, make some cuts along the way (every second scallop) and work it around the circle. I also crimped mine too, to give it a ruffled texture. The rest of the card is nice and simple....En Francais background, and some Taffeta Ribbon

TIP: Do you sometimes struggle to find a place for your greeting? Try punching a hole from the front of your card, and popping the greeting inside. For this card, I have a Wide Oval on the inside (with that gorgeous Swirly Oval from Vintage Labels Sale-a-Bration set) and I punched a Large Oval from the front of my card.

ONLY 3 MORE DAYS TO SALE-A-BRATE!

Materials (all Stampin' Up!)
stamps: Razzle Dazzle, Vintage Labels
ink: Night of Navy
card: Bordering Blue, Night of Navy, Whisper white
other: White Taffeta Ribbon, Scallop Ede Punch, Circle Scissor, large Oval Punch, Small Oval Punch, sponge daubers, Crimper