Friday, July 27, 2007

Mini Catalogue is almost here!

The Spring Mini starts on August 1st. Here is a pic of the card front I've made to participate in a Spring Mini swap with other demonstrators. I've used:
Stamps: Polka Dots and Paisleys
Inks: Pretty In Pink, Rose, Red, Tempting Turquoise
Markers: Pretty In Pink, Certainly Celery, Old Olive
Cardstock: Pretty In Pink, Rose Red, Tempting Turquoise, Certainly Celery, Whisper White
Accessories: Round Tab Punch, Signo White Gel Pen, Celery Grosgrain Ribbon, Soft Subtles Brads, Cutter Kit (Distressing Tool), Stamp-a-ma-jig

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Got my Mac back

My Mac (laptop) has been in the shop getting it's fan fixed so I've been on a borrowed computer for the last few days, hence the lack of blog activity. But now I have my Mac back! Yay! ( I love my Mac) Just had to celebrate!

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

More of the first tutorial...

Ok, Toby is asleep, the kitchen is tidy and the floors have been mopped - phew! Now I can upload some more of the tutorial for you.



The next part of our project is to mount the Marigold Morning onto the Old Olive and paper pierce the corners.



To do the paper piercing you will need your mat pack and paper piercer. Simply line the piercing guide up over the cardstock so that you can pierce through the holes. Make sure you put the foam mat underneath so you don't damage your table. I have pierced 7 holes around each corner.


Now mount your piece of faux metal onto your Marigold Morning and Old Olive squares.



Our next step is to make a scalloped edge from Marigold Morning cardstock. For this you will need your slit punch.
*Tip* You can also make scalloped edges using the corner rounder punch by removing the guide from the punch. It will give a slightly different scalloped edge but still very pretty.




To make the scalloped edge you insert the cardstock so that the bottom edge is touching the bottom of the punch and the side edge of the cardstock is level with the bottom corner of the semi-circle of the slit punch. (Gee that is really hard to explain in words - lucky I have pictures for you!)




Once you have punched the first semi_circle, move your punch along so that the edge of the punch lines up with the edge of the semi-circle you've already punched. (Once again, thank goodness for digital camers!)




Keep doing this until you get all the way to the other side. Now pull your cardstock apart and you will have a handy-dandy scalloped edge!


Alright, now all we have to do is stamp our sentiment and assemble our bits and pieces.




Adhere your faux metal piece to the front of the Ruby Red card, slightly towards the top to allow room for you sentiment.



Adhere your scalloped edge to the underside of the Ruby Red cardstock on the right-hand side.




Stamp your sentiment in Ruby Red ink.





The finished product! I cannot claim credit for this design - its was very much CASEd from the Impressions magazine that is sent to Stampin' Up! demonstrators each month. Why reinvent the wheel I say!
I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and I look forward to doing another one soon.

Monday, July 23, 2007

My First Tutorial – Faux Metal (and other things)


I hope you enjoy my first ever tutorial to be posted on my blog. During this tutorial you will learn to make the same card that was made at my Hostess Appreciation Evening. You will see three main techniques here – faux metal, paper piercing and scalloped edge.



Materials:
Stamps: Mostly Flowers, All Year Cheer
Ink: Versamark, Ruby Red
Cardstock: Ruby Red, Old Olive, Marigold Morning, Very Vanilla (I used Vanilla as I had plenty of that but you could use any colour as it will be covered up by the embossing powder anyway)
Other: Heat tool, Silver detail embossing powder, slit punch, large square punch, SNAIL adhesive, Mat Pack, Paper Piercer


Faux Metal Technique





1. Press your Very Vanilla cardstock to the Versamark pad. Cover about half the cardstock with the Versamark.




2. Sprinkle your silver detail powder over the cardstock. Tip off excess and funnel back into the jar. Always move your embossing powder away from your heating area so that you don’t have any accidents! Same goes for your Versamark pad - put the lid back on right away.



3. Heat with your heat tool until the embossing powder turns shiny. Allow to cool for a few seconds.



4. Press into Versamark again repeat step 2.



5. Heat with heat tool until shiny. This time work quickly to sprinkle more powder on while it is still hot and sticky. This way you do not have to keep waiting for it to cool and re-Versamark. Repeat this process until you have 4 or 5 layers of powder.



6. After heating the last layer of powder, work quickly and carefully to press your stamp onto the warm embossing powder. Press firmly and try not to let it slip.



7. Allow to cool and remove stamp.




8. Cut out with the square punch. The stamps from Mostly Flowers fit perfectly into the largest square punch! “Negative” images such as those in the Mostly Flowers set work very well with the Faux Metal technique.




Ok, I think I’ll leave it there for now and present the rest of the tutorial for this card later on. There are babies to feed and housework to be done! See you tomorrow.

Oh, if you have time, could you please leave a comment to let me know what you think of the tutorial so far. Feedback is much appreciated.

Sunday, July 22, 2007

Gee I'm Slack!

Sorry about the lack of updates this week. I've been flat out with all things stamping. For four days this week I have been at my local Curves teaching people how to stamp a bookmark with the ladies contributing $2 each towards breast cancer research. That has been keeping me very busy! A big thanks to Fiona and the girls at Curves for allowing me to do that.
I know I promised some instructions for the faux metal technique and I'll get onto that ASAP. I just have a little bit more work to do first on my swap cards. I've entered a 10 person swap with some other demonstrators from around Australia. The idea is we use products from the new mini catalogue so that we all have a variety to show our customers. Mine are almost done so I'll post a pic soon.
Open stamping night was last night and we had a lovely time working on our projects. Mainly cards but one keen scrapper, my friend Monica, got lots of stamping done for the titles in her album. I'm sure it certainly saved her a lot of money to stamp rather than purchase alphabet stickers and rub ons!

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Hostess Night a Hit!

It seems like everyone enjoyed themselves last night at the hostess appreciation evening. I certainly did anyway!



This photo shows the 2 projects we made. The pink bookmark uses Pretty in Pink and Certainly Celery cardstock and ink and the Artfully Asian stamp set. The other card uses the Faux Metal technique (which I will be posting instructions for later this week). The colours are Ruby Red, Old Olive and Marigold Morning. The slit punch was used to create the scalloped edge.




This photo shows the little goodie bag the hostesses received as a thank you from me. Hmmm...now I have to think up what to give my NEXT lot of hostesses!

Monday, July 16, 2007

Hostess Night tonight!!!

Here is a sneak peek from the Hostess Appreciation workshop happening tonight. I'll post the rest of the pictures tomorrow - I don't want to spoil it for any blog stalkers who might be coming tonight! I'll be showing off my new watercolour crayons tonight as the July special is 25% off watercolour crayons when you spend $50. What a good deal!

Birthday Cards so far...

Here's a pic of some of the handmade birthday cards I've received so far. So gorgeous! Can't wait to see if I get some more in the mail for our little competition. Remember it finishes at the end of the month so you still have 2 weeks to get it to me if you want to enter.



Regional Training Make and Takes

Here are some of the projects we made at the regional training event recently. The scrapbook page is yet to receive a photo and journaling but I will endeavour to do that soon. All of these projects used the gorgeous Simply Said stamp set we received at the event. Gotta love free stamps!



Images © 1990–2007 Stampin’ Up!

Sunday, July 15, 2007

Feeling Crummy...

Hi everyone. Sorry I haven't updated the blog with any pics yet. I've not been feeling well at all today and on top of that have been busy with visitors all day. I've also been busy with preparing for the Hostess Appreciation night which is tomorrow. I still have a few more things to do for that. Then I need to put my head down and get some thank-you cards done for my birthday gifts. So much stamping to do and so little time!

Saturday, July 14, 2007

My Birthday

Well I had a great birhtday! Thanks to all the people who wished me a happy birthday. I've already started recieving cards for the birthday competition too. Remember you have until the end of this month to enter so there's still plenty of time to win that 10% off voucher. Which, by the way, would be perfect for using to purchase some cool new stuff from the mini cat in August!


I'm off shopping with the girls today but will post piccies of my birthday cards as soon as I can.

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Leaving Comments


Well, I just realised that I had not enabled a setting for non-blogspot users to leave comments. Sorry everyone! Now anyone can leave a comment - you don't have to be registered with Blogger or anything. In fact, the first person to leave a comment under this post will receive a little treat in the mail! (If I don't have your address I will email you to ask for it, ok?)

Awesome New Stampin' Goodies!!!

Woo Hoo! Yesterday I received my pre-order of products from the new Spring Mini Catalogue! The Mini will be available from August to November and I have ordered copies for you all. As soon as they arrive I will start giving them out to you so you too can see all the great new stuff! In the photo you can see what I have bought in my pre-order. There is a stamp set called Polka Dots and Paisleys, matching designer paper for that stamp set, Cranberry stitched grosgrain ribbon (I luuuurve ribbon!), a gorgeous Christmas set (for my mum) called Wishing You and the cool new Round Tab punch. I can't wait to get some free time to sit down and play with it all!

Thursday, July 5, 2007

Paper Angels at Regional Training

Here are some photos of our Paper Angels group at our recent training event. We had a great time doing our Make'n'Take projects and watching all the fantastic demonstrations.

Tuesday, July 3, 2007

Upcoming Classes

Open Stamping Nights

A chance to use my stamps, inks and tools such as punches.
*Bring your own adhesives, scissors and cardstock.

Date: Friday 20th July
Time: 7:30pm
Place: 15 Coral Pea Close, Warner
RSVP: 17th July
Cost: $5

Date: Monday 13th August
Time: 7:30pm
Place: 15 Coral Pea Close, Warner
RSVP: Thursday 9th August
Cost: $5


Cards That Move

Learn to make 4 different cards that move.

One example can be seen on my blog.

*Please bring your own adhesive
Date: Saturday 25th August
Time: 10am
Place: 15 Coral Pea Close, Warner
RSVP & Payment:
Cost: $15 (includes $5 credit on any order over $25 placed on the day)


Christmas in July

I will be holding a “Stamp-A-Stack” style class for my Christmas in July event. In this class you come along and make multiple cards of some set designs. This allows you to build up your stash of Christmas cards early so you are not rushing towards the end of the year.
You will make 4 each of 3 designs giving you a total of 12 cards.
*Please bring your own adhesive.

Date: Wednesday 25th July
Time: 7:30pm
Place: 15 Coral Pea Close, Warner
RSVP & Payment: Wednesday 18th July
Cost: $15 (includes $5 credit on any order over $25 placed on the day)


Christmas Card Stamp-a-Stack

This will be the same as the Christmas in July class (above). I have decided to hold a second one as many people expressed disappointment that they would be unable to attend the July event. Feel free to attend both if you want to double your supply of Christmas cards!
*Please bring your own adhesive.
Date: Monday 20th August
Time: 7:30pm
Place: 15 Coral Pea Close, Warner
RSVP & Payment: Monday 13th August
Cost: $15 (includes $5 credit on any order over $25 placed on the day)

Monday, July 2, 2007

It's my Birthday!!!!!

Birthday Card Competition

It’s my birthday month!!!

I love to receive birthday cards, so send me a birthday card made with Stampin’ Up! product and you could win a voucher for 10% off your next purchase!
The winner will be announced in my next newsletter and displayed on my blog.
Runners up will go into the draw to win some cute card candy.
Entries must be received by the 30th of July (my birthday is the 13th but I want to give you plenty of time to create!)

Sunday, July 1, 2007

July Special


JUST ADD WATER

Creativity is only a few drops away. Stampin' Up!'s watercolouring products make it easy for you to be an artist. Watercoloring is a great, cost-effective technique that anyone (yes, even you) can do!
And during July, our Just Add Water promotion is the perfect way to get started! Qualify to purchase the Watercolor Wonder Crayons or Watercolor Pencils at 25 percent off by making any $50 purchase.
Be ready to watercolour the moment you receive your order by including other watercolouring products as your $50 purchase! Choose a watercolour-friendly stamp set and Aqua Painters, watercolour paper, a StazOn pad, or pencil sharpener to round out your watercolouring preparations. Whatever you choose, let your inner artist come out to play!

Regional Training



Yesterday I attended a regional traning seminar for Stampin' Up Demonstrators. I learned some great new stamping techniques and received some fantastic swap cards from other demonstrators. Unfortunately my camera battery died after taking about 3 photos! As soon as I have copies of Liz's (my upline) photos I will post some on here for you to see. The picture here is of the cards I made to take and swap with the other demonstrators. Swapping is an opportunity to meet new people and also get some great ideas for colour combinations, layouts and techniques. I can't wait to show you all some of the things I learned. Who's having the next workshop????