Blog Candy Winner!

And the winner is......


A few of you had correct guesses, so well done, but the first correct answer was Liam on 15/8 at 5:43pm. Congratulations Liam, and thanks everyone for having a go!


Here is what I used to make this card:


Materials (all Stampin' Up!)
stamps: Upsy Daisy, Fresh Cuts
ink: Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze, Old Olive
card: Sahara Sand, Not Quite Navy, Whisper White, Old Olive
other: White Gel Pen, Brayer, Kraft Taffeta Ribbon

This card was born when I was practising my brayering. I started brayering in Baja Breeze and built up the deeper colour with Not Quite Navy. I then stamped Upsy Daisy in Not Quite Navy, and outlined some of the stems with a White Gel pen. I mounted it on Not Quite Navy, which gave me a lovely panel that needed to be turned into a card. None of the colours that I tried it with worked, I think because I had made an in-between shade of "Not Quite Baja Breeze" with my brayering! I settled on Old Olive and a neutral, Sahara Sand, but it was one of those cards that just felt blah to me.
You were all so kind, saying that my card was fine as it was, but I really didn't like it! So rather than just making a few adjustments, I have given the card major surgery. I ripped off my brayered panel, tossed out the rest of the card, and started over.
This is what I came up with this time:

I'm still not 100% happy, but I think it's better...what do you think??

Materials (all Stampin' Up!)
stamps: Upsy Daisy, Oval All
ink: Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze, Basic Grey
card: Basic Grey, Not Quite Navy, Whisper White, Urban Garden DSP
other: White Gel Pen, Brayer, Basic Grey Taffeta Ribbon, Baja Breeze Double-Stitched Ribbon, Wide Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Not Quite Navy Marker, Basic Grey Marker, sponge daubers

P.S Now I'd better go and pack!!! I'll be checking my emails while I'm away, and am still able to place orders, so let me know if you need anything :o)

Rosehill Stitches and Craft Show

The biggest Craft Show in Sydney is on again this year!
It starts on Wednesday, and runs through to Sunday. I won't be there, as I'll be sunning myself in Noosa, but some of my team will be!
So, if you are going along, make sure you visit the Stampin' Up! stand - Stand 64 and say hello.
You can join in a free "Make & Take" and see lots of inspiring samples.
The show starts on Wednesday 19th August and finishes on Sunday 23rd August. It is open from 10.00am - 5.00pm and the entry fee is only $10 this year! Parking is free, and so are kids under 10. You can read more about it HERE

Embossed Kindred Spirits

Last month's Technique Class was Embossing. I thought everyone has 'been there, done that' with embossing, but I had a few requests to run a class, and even most of my seasoned stampers (SS) came along. To make the class a bit more interesting for even the SS, I tried to incorporate a few of the more unusual embossing techniques. Most people tend to think gold or silver for embossing, but for this card, we embossed the main image in white. We also embossed on Designer Series Paper, for something a bit different. Don't you just love how the image and papers co-ordinate?! It pleases my matchy-matchy heart. Gotta love Stampin' Up!
For the greeting, I showed my class attendees how to emboss using Dye Inks...just ink your stamp in Versamark first, and then the dye ink, and emboss with clear powder, so the words are raised and shiny.
How nice are these Filigree Brads?? They have to be my favourite brads in the whole catalogue. I love using a Rhinestone brad in the centre of them, rather than just a silver one, for extra bling.

Only 2 sleeps now until Incentive Trip (yes I'm a wee bit excited!!). I'm planning on updating my blog while I'm in Noosa, so you won't have to miss me too much ;o)

Materials (all Stampin' Up!)
stamps: Kindred Spirits, Upsy Daisy
ink: Versamark, Basic Grey
card: Basic Grey, Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Urban Garden DSP
other: Corner Rounder Punch, Filigree Bards, Rhinestone Brads, Kiwi Kiss satin Ribbon, White Embossing Powder, Clear Embossing Powder, Embossing Buddy

Another Blog Candy Update

One last Update on my Blog Candy to say that no one is completely right yet! There are a couple who are very close, though....
I will say that the colours possibly look a bit brighter on the screen than they are in real life, and that ribbon can sometimes look a little pixellated.....
There are 2 'stamp sets', 3 'inks', 4 'cardstock' and 3 'other' that you need to name. I have used snail and dimensionals, but that's a given, so you don't need to include those!
Good luck!

Three Little Words...No Double Mounted!

We used another bargain stamp set for my other July Stamp-a-Stack design. It's called "Three Little Words", and it's only $24.95 (page 114). Part of the reason why it's such a bargain is that the set is double-mounted. That means that although there are 8 stamps, there are only 4 wood blocks. So each block has 2 stamps on it, on opposite sides. On the plus side, it keeps the cost down, and they also take up less room to store (not much less room for this little set!). On the minus side, double-mounted stamps are harder to position, and it can be hard to read the tiny index stickers on the side of the block, and more difficult to stamp, because you don't have a smooth wood surface to press down on. When I use them in my classes it means people have to wait longer for the stamp to come around, and when it does come around, they get messy fingers from pressing down on the inky rubber! ...Can you tell I'm not a fan?? Personally I would prefer to pay a little more and have individual wood blocks. If you feel the same, Stampin' Up! always welcome any feedback. You may call Stampin' Up!'s Australian offices at 1-800 SUSTMP (787867), or e-mail them at dsau@StampinUp.com (hope the girls don't hate me when they are flooded with feedback LOL)
These are the images you get in this set:

Materials (all Stampin' Up!)
stamps: Three Little Words, Cheer and Wishes
ink: Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, Mellow Moss, Pink Pirouette, Pale Plum, So Saffron, Bordering Blue
card: Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, Pink Pirouette, Pale Plum, Bordering Blue, Very Vanilla, Whisper White
other: Mellow Moss Taffeta Ribbon, Scallop Edge Punch, Eyelet Border Punch, Corner Rounder Punch, Latte Buttons, Linen thread, Baja Breeze Striped Ribbon, Chocolate Chip Marker, Mellow Moss Marker

Flower Power!

If these cards look familiar to you, it's probably because they look remarkably like the ones on page 140 of the Catalogue. I was admiring the colours and designs of the "Flower Power Card Elements" when it struck me that they would make a good Stamp-a-Stack. Now obviously it wasn't going to make for a very economical class to buy a gazillion Flower Power kits, so I came up with my own take on it.

My 'patterned paper' strips are actually 10.5 x 9.9cm pieces of cardstock that we stamped with 'Boho Backgrounds' and 'Wow Flowers' and then cut into 1, 2, 3 and 3.9 cm strips. We made some medallions from the circle designs in the stamp sets, and then assembly was quick and easy.

These 2 stamp sets are such a bargain. Wow Flowers ($24.95) is tucked away at the bottom of page 140.
The 'birthday wishes' stamp fits perfectly in the Word Window punch, and the others work well with the 1" and 1 1/4" circles.
Boho Backgrounds (p 107, $29.95) is also an extremely versatile set. It's great for male and female cards, and the medallion can be punched and layered in so many different ways.

Materials (all Stampin' Up!)
stamps: Wow Flowers, Boho Backgrounds
ink: Perfect Plum, Rose Red, Old Olive, More Mustard
card: Perfect Plum, Rose Red, Old Olive, More Mustard
other: Whisper White Grosgrain ribbon, 1" Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch, Boho Blossoms Punch

Blog Candy Update

Just popping in to say.... Keep Guessing! No one has got the materials list exactly right yet for my Blog Candy. Don't forget sometimes computers can make things look a little 'off'. You are allowed to have more than one guess. I'll give you all until Tuesday 5pm to guess (because after that I head off on Incentive Trip!)
Don't forget, anyone is welcome to enter, demos included!

The Big 200!

I told you a big number was coming up....well, it's 200! 200 subscribers to my blog, that is! I remember when I first started this blog, and I was talking to myself for quite some time. It's hard to believe that 200 people receive an email update when I post to my blog. I still sometimes feel like I am talking to myself, because not too many of you leave comments (thank you so much to those who do. I read every one of them, and I love hearing what you have to say. it always brightens my day).

I know one thing that gets the comments up....Blog Candy! I'm not going to make it too easy on you though! There's 2 parts to this one. Normally at the end of each post I write a full list of materials that I used to make the card. This time YOU have to write the list :o)
Leave a comment telling me everything I used to make this card:


Materials (all Stampin' Up!)
stamps: ??
ink: ??
card: ??
other: ??
You tell me!

This was the first card that I made with Upsy Daisy, and I dislike it so much that it has taken me this long to show it to you! That brings me to the second part of the Blog Candy. It's a Fixer-Upper....any ideas on how I can improve this card? Tell me your improvements and I'll take them on board and make the new improved version.
I will draw a winner from the correct entries, and they will receive the new, improved card, plus the "Fun Flowers" stamp (page 3 of the Spring Mini).
This is open to anyone in Australia, Demos included.
Good luck!

Tutorial - Sevens Box

This is the little treat box that my Launch party guests got to take home. I filled it with some yummy Coconut Ice (colour-co-ordinated, of course!)

It's been ages since I've done a tutorial on here, so thought I would show you how to make the box. They are really easy, and all you need is 1 A4 sheet of cardstock.

I've called this a Sevens Box, because you need to know your seven times table to make one!
First put your A4 cardstock in your trimmer Portrait Orientation, and use a Scoring blade or Bone Folder to score at 7 and 14 cm:

Then turn it to landscape orientation and score at 7cm intervals: 7, 14, 21 and 28cm (that's where your seven times table comes in handy!):

Now you need to cut off 2 squares and 2 small rectangles from one end, leaving just the centre square and small rectangle:
And use a Bone Folder to fold in at all the score lines:

You should have something that looks like this:

Now you need to cut along the score lines on both sides:

Now is a good time to decorate it:
(now, before you email me with stamping advice, I'm not holding my stamp upside down...it's a double-mounted stamp)

If you like, you can punch a peek-a-boo window in the front or the top flap:

This is what it looks like after stamping and punching:
(you only need to stamp in a "T" shape, as they will be the only exposed sides)

Apply adhesive to one of the middle flaps (I used Tombow glue because I had to make 50 of these boxes, and it was quick, cheap and easy! ...but you could use Sticky Strip if you like)

Adhere the front panel to the glue on the middle panel, and then apply more glue to the back panel:

and adhere that to the middle panel, forming one side of the box:

Repeat for the other side and Voila!

It looks cute with a Curly Label window too:

Don't forget to stamp the Cello Bag with White Stazon to match!

I think I'll be doing more of these at Christmas Time!

Materials (all Stampin' Up!)
stamps: Soft Summer, Elegant Thank You (mini catalogue)
ink: Pink Pirouette, White Stazon (mini catalogue)
card: Pink Pirouette
other: So Saffron Striped ribbon, Curly Label punch, Wide Oval Punch, Designer Label Punch, Crop-a-dile, Dimensionals

Blog Candy coming up soon....I've just realised that I'm about to reach a BIG number of Blog subscribers. Woo hoo!

Challenge #4 - Spring Mini Springboard

We're up to Challenge #4 for August, and anyone can enter! August's challenge is called the "Spring Mini Springboard". You just need to use the Mini Catalogue as a Springboard for inspiration. You can take your inspiration from any of the projects featured in the Spring Mini Catalogue. It could be the colours, a layout, or both!
I've taken my inspiration from the picture frame on page 10, and the colours are from page 14:

Here's a close-up of the chipboard circle and layering:
It's really easy to come up with a design when most of the work is done for you :o)

I can't wait to see what you come up with! The winner will receive a lucky dip of assorted Stampin' Up! bits and pieces from my stash!

Materials (all Stampin' Up!)
stamps: Always, Friends 24-7
ink: Chocolate Chip, Tangerine Tango
card: So Saffron, Tangerine Tango (textured) Riding Hood Red (textured), Whisper White, Chocolate Chip
other: Heart to Heart Punch, Designer Clips, Chocolate Chip Double-Stitched Ribbon, Crystal Effects, Dimensionals, Pop-Up Glue Dots, Washington Apple DSP, On Board Lots of Letters

Edited to Add: You have until September 15 to take part. The Challenge is open to anyone in Australia OR New Zealand
Thanks Kerry. I've added Mr Linky now....must have been having a vague moment!!

Challenge #3 Winner!

A BIG thank you to everyone who entered my Christmas in July Challenge. I've really enjoyed seeing all your entries throughout the month. You can view all the entries HERE. Just click on each name to view their inspiring artwork. And here is a slideshow of everyone's work:

I was especially torn this month...there were so many clever ideas (some of which I plan to borrow!). But there can only be one winner......



Ange Kelly with THIS clever card:

I would never have thought to turn that tree upside down!

I'll be sending Ange some embellishments from the new Spring Mini. Ange, just email me with your address details....

Stay tuned for August's Challenge!

Launch Party - Part 2

This was the other make-and-take at my Launch party. Another quick and simple one, cased from page 6 of the Mini Catalogue.
Here you can see my other 3 favourite products (so far!!) - the Oval All stamp set, Scallop Oval punch (of course!) and Walk in the Park DSP.
These cards are a 9.9cm square (that way you can get 3 from an A4 sheet). You need to trim the cardstock down to 19.8cm to make it square, and I've used the leftover bit that you cut off to make some thin strips to go across the card.

I'll be back soon to announce the winner of my Christmas challenge, and to tell you this month's challenge, and I'm hoping to be back with that tutorial I promised tomorrow! Busy, Busy!

Materials (all Stampin' Up!)
stamps: Oval All
ink: Cameo Coral, Versamark
card: Basic Grey, Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White
other: Scallop Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Dimensionals

Launch Party

I had my Mini Catalogue Launch party on Sunday. I love hosting an event when a new catalogue comes out...we don't need much of an excuse for a party at our place! 40 people came along to have champas and yummy food, look at new samples, take part in some specials, have a chance to win prizes, take home a little treat box and of course what would a party be without stamping? LOL

I had 2 make-and-takes for everyone to take part in. I had to keep them nice and simple so that everyone could get a turn. I made them using my 4 favourite products from the mini. First is the "Great Friend" stamp set. A bargain at only $31.95 for 5 extremely versatile stamps. It's so easy to whip up a quick card like this one:

I've used some of my favourite colours too....In Color Baja Breeze, and Basic Grey which has been getting such a workout lately, and the only shade of yellow I seem to use - So Saffron. The little flower is from the Trio Flower punch, with a silver brad in the centre.

After I made this card, I was itching to step it up. So, here's the same card, with it's glad rags on!

A cute Designer brad, with a half pearl on top, and I've cut out the butterfly and popped the wings up using dimensionals, and I've also popped the So Saffron layer up on Dimensionals too, and sunk the oval greeting inside the oval hole!

Tomorrow I'll tell you my other 3 favourite products, and show you the other make-and-take, and I have a tutorial planned too, for the little treat boxes I gave out!

I sent out a Special Offers newsletter with a couple of Special Bundles that I have done up. Make sure you are signed up to my newsletter -------> to receive your copy!

Materials (all Stampin' Up!)
stamps: Great Friend
ink: So Saffron, Baja Breeze, Basic Grey
card: So Saffron, Baja Breeze, Basic Grey, Whisper White
other: Small Oval Punch, Trio Flower punch, Silver brad, Flower Designer Bards, Pretties Kit (half pearl), Dimensionals

It's HERE!

The Spring Mini has arrived! You can view it online HERE.

If your wishlist is huge (like mine!), why not take part in my Shares.....joining a Share is a great way to try a sample of everything without blowing the budget. Places are limited, so don't miss out!

EMBELLISHMENT SHARES

Corduroy Buttons Share $15.30
18 buttons (3 colours, 6 of each colour)

Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss and Basic Grey

Jumbo Brads Share $7.60

20 small and 8 large brads in 4 colours

Whisper White, Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Silver

Designer (flower) Brads Share $3.50
8 brads (4 colours, 2 of each colour)
Pumpkin Pie, Pretty in Pink, So Saffron, Chocolate Chip

Riding Hood Red Striped Ribbon Share $5.20

¼ roll (approx 2.3m)

OR Buy all 4 shares for $30

(a saving of over 5%!)

PAPER SHARES

6"x 6" Paper Share $7.50

18 sheets (Walk in the Park, Parisian Breeze, Ski Slope)

Spring Mini DSP Paper sampler $5.00

18 4"x4" squares on a ring

PLACES ARE LIMITED, SO BOOK IN NOW!
I will order the Shares as soon as the group is full, and let you know when they are ready.
You can pick up the Shares from me, or I can mail them out to you at actual cost (I will use the most cost-effective method). Australian Residents only, SU! Demonstrators welcome.
Email me with your Share selections, and to sort out payment.
I accept payment by Cash, Direct Deposit, Cheque or Credit Card.