Christmas Wreath

Hello everyone. I promised a project post. This project was inspired by Carolyn King when she did a demo at the Perth Heartfelt Event 2012. I came home and wanted to get into it but we had to go away that night after the event. I managed to have a whole weekend to myself some weeks later and this is what I came up with. I really was going to make one the same as Carolyn's but then thought I wanted to do something a bit different. A wreath came to mind and I was going to use the gorgeous new Tulle but then thought that would be too floppy. I decided to make my own bow. First of all I used some of the card which is at the back of the DSP. I drew a circle and then made the pattern for the wreath. Using a blade I carefully cut the shape out.  I then covered it with Be Of Good Cheer DSP and then used the sanding blocks to neaten it up. I cut out a post it note to make the shape to sponge around the wreath. I then hand drew the bow and placed DSP over it and sanded the edges and again using a post it note to sponge around to finish it off.
You will need the Petal Card Double punch to make your little boxes. You will need two cut outs to make one box leaving the top open. Carolyn used Brads to close her boxes but I have used Bakers Twin (Cherry Cobbler). I wont be putting anything in the boxes as I just want to use the wreath as an ornament. I have used the 25 & Counting Stamp Set for my images on the boxes. I used my 1" square punch to cut out the Silver Glimmer Paper. To get the right shape of my images I just used one of them that has a square shape and cut around it and used it as a template. (hope that makes sense). It was very easy. I have taped them to the wreath with the Sticky Red Tape.

I had a lot of fun making my wreath, especially as I had the weekend to myself and I watched a few movies at the same time.



We had a lovely day at Ngaire's yesterday with a get together of more than 20 fellow SU stampers.  We all made each others swaps and we took home over 20 cards each. I was very impressed with the quality of the cards we made. We have some very clever ladies to share our ideas with. This was my swap which was inspired by Ngaire Anderson at the Heartfelt Event.  I used Be Of Good Cheer DSP. I love this paper and have had to order another pack as it is so bright and colourful. I also used the Two Tags Die and the lovely stamp set we received from the Heartfelt Event, Heart of Christmas. I gave it a little shine with some Dazzling Diamonds and finished it off with a bow made from the Bakers Twine. I do hope you like my projects and I am sorry to say but I am off to bed. Its been a long day as we travelled 3 hours today to visit our Grandson for his 14th birthday and then travelled the 3 hours back home again. So its goodnight from me and I hope to come back soon. Thanks for popping by :)

Spring is in the Air!

What a gorgeous day it was today. I do hope you are all enjoying your long weekend for the Queen's Birthday. We went to visit our daughter and her family in the country for our Grandson's birthday. The kids had a lot of fun and I managed to catch one of the moments today precisely. The kids decided to fill balloons with water and throw them at each other. They then decided to use a cricket bat to try to hit the balloons. Clay didn't manage to hit the balloon but the balloon managed to hit him, right in the head. My camera caught it in action. We laughed so much, including Clay. 

Well one month of Spring is at the end already and we are gradually heading into warmer weather. We have had some cold nights recently but the days are lovely. I am quite happy with this kind of weather. I am not looking forward to summer.

I promised to post some of my cards from previous workshops and now I have managed to find time to do so. It is almost 11pm and we have just arrived home from the country but I really need to do this post so here goes.

The first one was made from the Morning Mocha Specialty DSP which unfortunately is discontinued. I loved this paper and I know many of you did also. I used the Framelit Labels Collection Dies with Brushed Silver and Basic Black and cut them in half and used both ends of the card. The ribbon is also discontinued. All you need to do is cut very close to the edge of both sides of the ribbon and then pull the cotton to fray the ribbon. You can then use the pieces that you have pulled off to wrap around your button. I think I have heard this called Emu Feathers. (or something like that) I used the Fun flowers Die to cut out my flowers and sponged Basic Black ink around the edges after popping them through the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder. Its quite a quick and easy card.



 
I love this next one. We received the Clockworks stamp set at Perth Heartfelt Event. There are many possibilities for this stamp set. I have used Not Quite Navy, Kraft and Very Vanilla cardstock. The inks I used were Basic Grey, Midnight Muse and Kraft. I also used my Scoreboard to score the lines and then go over them lightly with a dauber using Kraft ink. I distressed the edges of the circles and around the edge of the card. I would have used Midnight Muse cardstock but I didnt have enough for the workshop but I think it came together nicely. This card was inspired by Carolyn King. Check out her blog as she is one very talented lady.

Well thats about it for me for now. I mentioned in an earlier post that I was working on a project. I am about to post that one, possibly tonight. Enjoy the weather!
Thanks for popping by :)

Two Posts In One Day!

I promised myself that I would post on my blog today. Well here I am. I really do mean to get on here more often but time just slips away. I am sure you all can understand that.

We have had some lovely weather for the beginning of Spring. All I want to do is get into my craft room but I am feeling I should be outside enjoying the lovely weather. For the past few days I have been alone as Peter has been on the farm with our daughter, Michelle. This gave me some ME time. I have been card making my little heart out. I have a new project that I am hoping to finish shortly but am waiting for my SU! order to arrive before I can finish it. I will post it ASAP. I hope to have it finished by this weekend. I was inspired by Carolyn King's work at the Heartfelt Event in Perth in August.

The card I have chosen to post today is using the Coloured Soot Stamping technique. This technique is shown on Splitcoast Stampers by Beate. If you wish to see step by step then click on Beate's name above.
For this card I have used the following:-
Cardstock - Basic Black, Soft Suede, Glossy, Brushed Gold
Stamp Set - French Foliage, Loving Thoughts
Inks - More Mustard, Basic Black
Accessories - Basic Black Grosgrain Ribbon, Brayer, Candle, Fixative Workable Mat Spray (permanent protection).
First of all you will need to use the Brayer with More Mustard and go over the glossy cardstock until you get a nice deep colour. I tend to make the card a little longer than you will need to enable you to handle the end without destroying what you are about to do. The next step is to hold the inked side of the glossy card over a candle until it touches and becomes black. Be careful not to stay around the edges too long as they will catch on fire. You dont need to make it too black as it gives a nice look if the gold look (More Mustard) is showing a little. You will then need to get out which ever stamp set you wish to use and without inking up just press on the black soot on the glossy card. You will immediately see your image. Repeat this to finish your piece and then spray the Fixative Spray over it to protect the surface. You may be able to find a glossy spray which will look even nicer. I have used a Mat finish but would probably prefer it to be more glossier. While you are waiting for your glossy piece to dry you will need to put your card together.
Well I am off to do some more of my project while I watch the X-Factor. Terrible isn't it.
Thanks for popping by:)

Spring is here and so are our two new Catalogues

Hello there! Yes I know! It has been over a month since I have been on my blog.  I am going to have to make a time each week to get on here. I am soon to have an extra day off work so hopefully I can make that day MY TIME to update my blog each week. 
Well its so exciting! We have two new catalogues out at once.  First we have the new Annual Catalogue full of exciting new products. This catalogue runs from 1st September until 30th June 2013. The new Holiday Catalogue has lots of Christmas ideas as well as a lovely Calendar, Halloween products and ideas, lots of lovely new stamps, papers etc etc etc. It is quite a big catalogue and this one runs from 1st September right through until 31st January 2013. If you would like to see whats inside these lovely catalogues just click on the icon on the right hand side panel.

I have recently been to the SU! Heartfelt Event (normally called Regionals) in Perth a few weeks back. I took my mum with me and we both had a wonderful time. There were so many ideas floating around and I can see my wishlist getting bigger and bigger.

Charmaine Black demonstrating Dazzling Lights

We were able to try out the new products and ask questions about different techniques. It was great to watch demonstrations by other lovely SU! demonstrators.                              Charmaine Black did a fantastic demo on her Dazzling Lights and lucky there was a mirror above her as the crowd was quite large and we were still able to see what she was doing. To see Charmaines work please check it out here. It was a fantastic day and it just wasn't long enough. We could have stayed longer to enjoy what there was to see and do. Here are just a few of the gorgeous work that we could feast our eyes on.



I know some of these are Susan Joyce's items.

We didn't do swaps this time but this was my
card to pop up on the board.



Sophie's gorgeous demonstration pieces.

One of Charmaine's pieces of work

Carolyn King's demonstration pieces.
Aren't they lovely!
 

CATCH UP!

This is a cute little 3"x3" card made of Vellum

Yes I think I need to catch up as I have not posted for over a month now. I can't believe where the time goes. I keep thinking I must get on and do something but time just slips away. I must admit I have not been on my computer very often of late. With winter here (although hardly any rain), we have had some very cold evenings and my craft room is quite cold. I do have a heater that I sometimes put on. The main heater is in the family room. Our cat Mia has a catdoor which opens out to the side garden into her cat cage and the air from outside continually comes in. We cannot leave the family room door open as the heat escapes out the side door. Oh well! The joys of having pets. Most of the time my cat spends her time in my bed. I have to put a towel over my pillow which then goes under the sheets so that she can lay on it. She always lifts up the doona to lay underneath. Lucky cat! We have a lovely warm waterbed so why wouldn't she?
Anyway I am here now and have quite a few cards to put up so I hope you enjoy browsing.

Cased from Heather Tiley

I dont know where to start so I will start with one of my favourites from the SU! Conventions Swaps. I just love this card which was made by obviously a very talented lady by the name of Heather Tiley who was inspired by Dawn Olchefske. I cased this card and used it for two of my workshops. The ladies loved this one.
This card was made using the following:-
Cardstock - Vellum Card, Whisper White, Crushed Concord (one of my favourites and sadly leaving us at the end of August)
Stamp Sets - Mixed Bunch, Loving Thoughts (both from Autumn Winter Mini)
Ink Pads - Concord Crush
Accessories - Whisper White Ribbon, Scallop Oval Punch, Oval Punch, Brads,  Stylus from the Simply Scored Scoring Tool (to rub on the underside of the stamped vellum to raise up the pattern which makes it go a white colour)
Don't you just love it? You just have to make this card as it looks better in real life.
I have also made a few extra cards using the same technique but using Real Red Cardstock and Inks.
In these cards I have used Snow Swirled and Tree Trimmings Stamp Sets.

Real Red CS, Vellum & Snow Swirled Stamp Set

Using Real Red and Tree Trimmings Stamp Set

I guess its Christmas in July now so not so early for Christmas Cards. At least getting a head start for December!



The next few are using Glossy Cardstock. I was asked by my group of ladies for different ideas on how to use the Glossy CS. Here are just a few ideas.
The first one is one of my favourite techniques. First of all you need to cut out your piece of cardstock (Glossy) and go over it with your Brayer using More Mustard. Using your Sanding Block rub in one direction back and forth over the cardstock. Once you have gone from one end to the other then turn around clockwise once and start sanding the opposite way from one side to the other.
You then stamp with Music Notes Wheel with Basic Black. I have also added some Real Rust Ink (discontinued) using the Extreme Elements Stamp Set. Go over the image once again with the Sanding Block until you have a feint image before you. I have cut out a circle with Basic Black CS for the record using the Circles #2Dies and the image from Grunge Rock as well as the guitar. I have used the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch for around the image and placed it on some DSP and Real Rust CS then Basic Black CS. I quite enjoyed making this card. I hope you like it.

The next one is using up your scrap pieces of Glossy Cardstock embossing with the Petals A Plenty Embossing Folder. I have used Tempting Turquoise and Tangerine Tango Cardstock and Ink. Using a sponge gently go over the embossed area which highlights the pattern. The punch I used is actually discontinued but I had forgotten at the time. Sorry!
A very simple card but quite effective.

The next card I used Lovely As A Tree and I also cased this one.  I am so sorry as once again I cannot find the name of the talented person who I cased it from. First of all cut your piece of Glossy Cardstock to the size you wish. Run over with your Brayer using Daffodil Delight. You will need to tear a piece of paper a lay it about 1/4 of the way up from the bottom and using your brayer this time with Pumpkin Pie Ink go over the cardstock for the remaining 3/4 of the card. Lift up your piece of paper and move it to about halfway and go over again with your brayer but this time using Soft Suede Ink. For the last time lift up your piece of paper and move it again to approx 1/4 of the way from the top and go over with brayer using Bravo Burgandy. You can then use Versamark and Black Embossing Powder to place your Lovely As A Tree image onto your card. I have torn the sides of the card for a bit more texture.

I have made two cards the same here using the same technique but one is with Confetti Cream cardstock and the other with Glossy Cardstock. I have used Versamark on each cardstock and embossing with clear embossing powder using Mixed Bunch Stamp Set (leaving us at the end of August, hopefully to join us in the new Catalogue - only hoping) When using the heat gun on this technique you need to heat it enough to make the raised layer disappear. It takes a lot longer on the Glossy Cardstock but not so long using the Confetti Cream. You need your image to look like it has an oil effect and you could possibly see the image on the other side of the cardstock. Using your daubers choosing your colours go over the images. I have used Concord Crush, Pumpkin Pie and Tempting Turquoise. It gives your card a Batik look.



I was asked to make a card for my boss as it is their 25th Anniversary of their business. I thought and thought of what to do. I could not make it too fussy as it was for a man and a woman. I finally came up with the balloon idea and the sentiment The Sky's The Limit and this is what I came up with. I saw Tara Bilbao's card using the same stamp set and drew my idea from that. Thanks Tara! The card is actually an A5 size and inside I used whisper white and sponged the clouds all over. I placed an extra piece of cardstock so that there was enough room for all of the staff's good wishes. They loved it!

I was also asked to make a card for one of our staff for his 60th birthday and this was what I came up with. I saw the tag idea in the Summer Mini Catalogue using the gorgeous Open Sea stamp set. I hope this one makes it to the new Catalogue in September too. I also used the DSP Nautical Expedition from the Summer Mini Catalogue. This card is an A4 size as there were to be quite a few people coming along to sign the card.





I have been having a look on Pinterest. Check it out as there are lots of ideas on there and not just cards and crafts. There are all sorts of categories such as Cooking, Renovations, Clothing etc. This is where I found my next card. Yes I have cased this one too but using a different colour and stamp set. The designer of this card is the very talented Paula Dobson. Her card is gorgeous, obviously the reason why I love it so much. We used this card for my last workshop. A very simple but effective card. Check out Paula's blog for her card. I actually used Crumb Cake for my workshop but had mine on show for a different colour.

The last few cards are using the Framelits Labels Collection from the Autumn Winter Mini Catalogue. I found these ideas on you tube. The first one (Flip Flop Card) was found here and the second one (Framelit Funfold Card)  was found on this site.
Its great that we can look up the tutorials on You Tube and watch them step by step and pause when you want to. I tend to watch the video first writing down the measurements then watching again and pausing as I go to make the card. The Pumpkin Pie card below is a very simple one and can be made quickly for that birthday you almost forgot for that someone special.



                                                                                                                                                                      

Well I guess I had better get off to bed. Its almost midnight and I start work at 7.30am tomorrow. It is to be 2 degrees tonight so it will be nice to snuggle up in our lovely warm waterbed.
I hope you have enjoyed this post. I know its a long one but I had to catch up. I will try to promise to post at least once a week from now on. I am going to have to designate a night when I actually post.
Dont forget the Autumn Winter Mini is almost finished. You have until 31st July to put your orders in. Remember we cannot guarantee that any of the products in the mini will appear in the new Catalogue in September. 
So from me its bye for now and thanks for popping by:)

SU! Convention 2012 in Canberra

Well we have been home for a few weeks now and this is the first time I have had a chance to do a post. I have been busy preparing for workshops, minding grandchildren and working etc etc. We had a fabulous time at our annual SU! Convention which was held in Canberra this year. As usual SU! out do themselves and we can never imagine it would get better but it does. I travelled by plane with a lovely bunch of demonstrators some I had met before and some I hadn't. One of the demonstrators brought along one of her customers. Of course how can you not join up after being able to taste what it is like to become one of the SU! family. Yes she has joined.  We arrived late on Tuesday night and booked into our rooms. Most of us stayed in the same apartments and were able to visit each other over the next few days. The view was fantastic. Some mornings it was so foggy and others it was clear.

This was hanging inside the entrance of the restaurant.

On Wednesday some of us (six) were up at the crack of dawn and bussed it to Thredbo to experience the snow. We were so excited. Our driver, John was excellent. John has lived in the area since he was a child and had many stories to tell us. We were even entertained by his singing, which was lovely. We had our lunch at the highest restaurant in Australia way above the valley. What a gorgeous view and it was so warm and cosy while we ate our yummy soup etc. We took the chairlift to the restaurant and were very lucky that the season hadnt begun yet so it was so quiet. Talk about quiet!

Me at the Eagles Nest restaurant. Australias highest restaurant.

We even commented on how quiet (a deafening quiet) it was travelling on the chairlift.  We had a snowball fight which our driver, John started. It was time to head back down and it was sad to leave as I could have stayed there for days just to experience waking up in the snow. We did however get a surprise as we happened to meet Stuart Diver at the bottom. That was the icing on the cake. Such a nice fellow.  It was a long day as we didnt arrive back until about 6pm (after picking up our gorgeous SU!bags from the convention 

John Williams. Our tour guide

One of my favourite photos from Thredbo

This year I found that time spent at the Convention was very relaxing. No-one was in a hurry to grab their seats etc. We had plenty of time to get from one class to another. Memento Hall was packed but it was nice to meet new people while we waited in the queue. The queue went down pretty quickly anyway but I met a new friend because of that queue. We learnt lots of new ideas, saw some sneak peeks, met some wonderful people, mingled with old friends and some that we had met from previous Conventions. We met in the room here for lunch and also did our Make & Takes here. You can just see the pin up boards where all the lovely projects were displayed for all to see.

This is where we had our lunch, dinner & Make & Takes.

Look how empty the plane was.

We dined at some lovely restaurants, made some lovely projects, lounged around in each others apartments etc etc etc. Next year Convention is in Brisbane.  I have only driven quickly through Brisbane and didnt stop so it will be nice to check it out. Our plane was half empty on the way home so some of us made use of the empty seats by stretching out or having a sleep.

 Going back to work was really difficult this time. We had lots of projects to finish and I had lots of photos to go through (over 1,300). Here are some of the swaps that were going around. I managed to do around 50 swaps this year and was very happy with what I received back.

One of my swaps

Hopefully the girls in our groups have received their USB's with the photos on them. Its hard to remember everything we saw so the photos help to bring it all back again. Thanks Stampin' Up! for a wonderful Convention and thanks to all of my friends who made it special for me.                                                                     I'm off to check out my photos now and to do some cardmaking. Thanks for popping by:)

Is it June already?

Oh Gosh! I haven't been on in ages. I didnt realise how long until I logged on just now. Dosen't the time fly? Well I've had a great few days in Canberra for the 2012 Stampin' Up! Convention. I took lots of photos and will endeavour to have them on here in the next few days. Not all of them as I took over 1,300 photos. I will tell you about it all shortly but first I have some special announcements to make. We have a few great specials for the month of June and I didn't want you to miss out on them. It is almost half way into June already.
First of all we have our Reason To Smile promotion. You can earn this gorgeous stamp set for free just for purchasing products to the value of over $125.  If you have a wish list then now is the perfect time to check it out as this stamp set is simply gorgeous. Alternatively you can purchase the stamp set for $39.95 Wood Mount or $28.95 Clear Mount.

Bask in the extra $90 in FREE products you’ll receive when you host a friend-filled qualifying* party that celebrates your creativity. With hundreds of innovative products to choose from, there’s never been a better time to party!

Your Party Sales*	Regular Hostess Benefits	Additional Hostess Dollars	Total Hostess Benefits
$650	$100 + 1 item at 50% off	$90	$190 + 1 item at 50% off
$800	$130 + 2 items at 50% off	$90	$220 + 2 items at 50% off
$1000	$160 + 3 items at 50% off	$90	$250 + 3 items at 50% off
$1250	$200 + 4 items at 50% off + 15% of amount over $1250	$90	$290 + 4 items at 50% off + 15% of amount over $1250

*Minimum $650 party; party sales do not include shipping

JOIN STAMPIN' UP! AND BECOME PART OF THE FAMILY

Join Stampin' Up! in your way . . . with our completely customizable Starter Kit for just $169!
Build your own personal kit by picking $235 worth of any of our high-quality products. We'll add in a business supplies pack valued at $80 (to help you get your business up and running) and you've got a customisable kit valued at up to $315!

It's that easy.
I have enjoyed my journey so far with Stampin' Up! Its the best ride I have ever been on. I have been to four Conventions now and they seem to get better and better. I've met some fabulous friends through Stampin' Up! whether they be demonstrators or customers. I am able to keep up with promotions, tips, ideas etc through our Stampin' Up! website. We have some very talented demonstrators both men and women who have many skills and new ideas to show. There were between 450 and 500 demonstrators at Convention in Canberra and a lot of us did swaps. I did not see two cards or projects the same. Each card was an individual and it was fun meeting the demonstrators while we swapped. You really need to see it to believe it. Come on! Take the ride with me. You'll be amazed.
Stay tuned for some pics of our amazing trip to Canberra.
Thanks for popping by:)