GOODBYE TREE TRIMMINGS!!

Sadly, it is the last day to order products from the Spring Mini Catalogue - sob!  I love the Tree Trimmings set, and hope it makes it into our main Catalogue when it is launched next year.  But for now, I have made one last card with it.  If you have delayed putting in your order for this or other products from the mini, TODAY is the last day to place an order-so let me know ASAP, so I can place your order for you.

Watch this space for the SUMMER MINI which is being released 1st of December.

XMAS MORNING GLORY

Just a quick note today.  The day I have been looking forward to is finally here - Lower Hutt Santa Parade.  For the last few weeks I have been creating Christmas Cards like a crazy woman!!  This would be my favourite so far and don't really want to part with it.  I have a display today from 10am-4pm at the Central City Plaza in Lower Hutt. I have this and many more Christmas cards for sale, along with some of the fabulous Stampin' Up! product range on display.  Come along and get your Christmas cards from me this year!  SEE YOU THERE.

UPON REFLECTION.....

I just had to share this card with you!  I have been very busy making cards to sell for the Lower Hutt Christamas Fair this coming Saturday and this is another that will be up for Sale.  I have used two different techniques here, sponging (my favourite at the moment, hehe) and reflection stamping.

While I run classes at home to teach these techniques and more, you may prefer to have a class at your own home.  I am happy to come to you, so why not drop me a line if you would like to learn how to do this?  The effect is simply stunning.

Inks: Basic Black, Baja Breeze
Stamps: Winter Post ($56.95), Lovely as a Tree ($57.95)
Card Stock: Basic Black, Whisper White, Baja Breeze
Accessories: Snail adhesive, 2 way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds, Brads.

If you are at the Centre City Plaza this coming Saturday, be sure to drop by and say Hi and stock up on your Christmas cards!  Hope to see you there.

FLYING REINDEER!

Here is another Christmas card I have finished today.  I have found my passion in sponging backgrounds.  I just love this technique!  I have booked my classes in now for the end of 2009, so watch this space for my upcoming classes in 2010.  I intend teaching this amazing, fun and creative technique. 

I have now completed my team challenge for this month of blogging 21 days  in November.  This post is number 22, one for good measure.  I hope you have enjoyed the posts I have been putting up and that you have seen plenty to inspire you.  I would like to thank everyone who has given me lots of encouragement to complete this challenge.

XMAS STAMP-A-STACK CLASS

What a busy weekend!  Diane Taylor and I held a Stamp-a-stack class on Saturday afternoon.  Our lovely ladies each made 6 cards of 3 designs and a co-ordinating card box to store them all in.  Each of our ladies received a wee gift from under the Christmas Tree and we also had a lovely afternoon Tea.  We had a beautiful Gift basket on display full of Stampin' Up! products, and at the end of the day, Bev Phipps was the lucky winner!!

Our Christmas Tree looked so pretty in Pink and Silver.  Notice the handmade SU ornaments hanging on the tree?

Diane in full tutor mode! (above)






Me and the ladies during Card Box construction!

An example of the Card Box and one of the card designs the ladies made!







We had a perfect day for crafting, it was horrible outside!!  I would like to say Hi! to the Ladies who attended our class and thank them for a really fun afternoon.

GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT!!

I thought I would attempt some Punch Art on this card.  Still very basic, but I am slowly adding to my Punches, and as I do, I will be able to create some amazing projects.  I was happy with this first attempt.  As the heading indicates - it looks good enough to eat - YUM!!

OSCARS BIRTHDAY!

Remember Oscar the Grouch?  This card reminds me of him - kinda grungy looking, but sweet in its own way!!
Short and sweet blog today.  Am off to set up A Christmas Stamp-A-Stack class Diane and I are giving today.  Watch this space to see what our ladies got up to!

EASTERN BLOOMS MONDAY CLASS

Thanks to all my lovely Ladies for such a fun class last Monday afternoon!  Here are the projects we made.  I just know I am going to see some gorgeous Xmas gifts done up in these snazzy boxes for your families!

We made the lovely gift box with ribbon, matching Note card and Rosette ribbon to top it all off.  Such and easy box to make - you don't need a template!!  The big box is filled with soaps and Body products, so someone special can feel pampered.  If you would like to know how to make this gorgeous set, I would love to show you!  Simply book a class or workshop in your own home and I will come to you!

XMAS COFFEE, CAKE & CRAFT

Well, it's a busy time of year for most, and that includes all types of fundraisers.  My good friend Diane and I attended the William Booth Educare Annual Christmas Coffee, Cake and Craft Evening last Tuesday Night.  It seems most of Upper Hutt were there!!  There were some fabulous stalls on display, not to mention ours!!  I had a big Stampin' Up! sign, so people knew we were there, just hadn't finished setting up our display when this photo was taken!! We had such a fun night, and I would just like to say "thanks" to all of you who popped in and said Hi to both Diane and I.  I just know your families will be thrilled with the Christmas cards and goodies!!!!  look out for me at the Lower Hutt Xmas Market on the 28th of November.  I will help get your Christmas Cards sorted if you haven't already done so!

SUNRISE AT XMAS

A very quick post this morning - off to work, after being off last week, feeling very under the weather!

The directions I gave in my last post, work nicely with this card too, with one less step.  No need to mask Rudolf, as he is a solid image that can be stamp directly over the background!  Enjoy!

CREATING A SCENE!

And no, I am not throwing a paddy!!

Since joining SU in August I have learnt so many wonderful techniques like Masking and Sponging.  Using those techniques I created this card like this:

1. Stamp the skaters on your card stock.
2. Stamp them again on a scrap peice of paper and add repositional adhesive.  Lay this over your original image.
3. Stamp your Trees directly over the cut out.  Leave the cut out in place.
4. Cut a peice of paper to form the edge of the ice.  Sponge you "grass" directly over your layered image up to the tree line.  Sponge your "sky".
5.  Using the opposite piece of your cut piece of paper, lay over your sponged grass, and sponge the "ice".
6.  Remove all of your layered pieces of paper, colour in the original skaters image and you are done.  How easy is that!!

I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW

You know this song, right?  Sing with me.......

I have finally taken the plunge and tried an Acetate card!  I have seen so many beautiful cards made with acetate, but to be honest, they have scared me a little.  Acetate can be fairly unforgiving, not to mention slippery to work with, and that has had me hestitate to try this type of card.  Lately I have been playing with different shaped cards, so I figured, why not have a go?

To be perfectly honest, it wasn't nearly as difficult as I thought it might be!  Why do I always make things seem harder than they actually are? Hehe.

Stamps: Big Bold Birthday ($63.95, excl shipping)

Card Stock: Close to Cocpa, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White

Inks: Close to Cocoa, Pretty in Pink

Accessories: Acetate, snail adhesive, dimensionls, gems

EASEL DOES IT!!

I am always on the look out for "different" cards and card shapes.  My good friend Anne, sent me a pattern for this fantastic stand up card, called an Easel Card.  Not only are they easy to do, but they are super cute too!  I would love to show you how.  Why not make a night of it, get your friends together, and I will show you all how to make it!!  Email me and book your class/workshop before the end of November and you can be sure you snap up the goodies in the Spring Mini before they leave us at the end of the month.  You will also be able to take advantage of our Holiday Extravaganza specials, and get FREE product as well.!  Lets face it - we all LOVE FREE!

I have used the Fun & Fast Notes stamp set here, which also comes in the Starter Kit when you sign up to become a Demonstrator.  That is just one of the fabulous product you get in the kit!  Did you know that you make a saving of around 40% on the starter kit Stamin Up supply?  There's that FREE word again!  Whether you would like to start your own business or just want to be able to earn the Demonstrator discount for yourself, it's a great time to join my Team!

WINDOW DRESSING

I just love stamp sets that lend themselves to colouring!  You don't have to be an artist to turn out beautiful works of art, the hard work is already done for you!  This set is called "Blooming with Beauty" and at just $55.95 (excl shipping) is a real bargain, and comes in a set of 5 stamps.  I chose not to use the entire stamp, but just the foliage.  I wanted to look out at a garden.

Stamps: Blooming with Beauty
Card Stock: Kiwi Kiss, Basic Gray, Whisper White
Papers: Urban Garden
Inks: Basic Black, Baja Breeze, Elegant Eggplant
Accessories: Snail adhesive, Blender Pens, Sponges

I AM SO LUCKY.......

to have a friend in fellow demonstrator, Diane Taylor.  Not only is she soooo talented, but we get together often to have some fun with Stampin Up products!  I love having someone to craft with.  I asked Diane to be a Guest Artist on my blog today.  She makes the most beautiful projects and I was curious to see what she would come up with.  You have outdone yourself again Diane!

 This gorgeous Christmas card is a real mix of traditional and unconventional.  While the images (Snow Swirled, $53.95) are very traditional, the colours Diane has used are not!  But don't they work well together?  Kraft cardstock is not something I would have thought to use for a Christmas Card.  I love that Diane thinks outside the square!  The gorgeous satin ribbon and half pearl finish it beautifully.  Click here to view more of Diane's work.

CYBER CHALLENGE NO:5

This months team cyber challenge was to make a Christmas card using anything you wanted, as long as it had a button on it!  Right.  I've got one Stampin Up button left.  I can do this......I think.  The botton I had left is from the Spring Mini Catalogue range of cordouroy buttons.
A reminder to all - There is only TWO weeks left on the Spring Mini, so be in quick with your order to me.  From the 1st of December these beautiful stamp sets and accessories will not be available, and these is no guarantee we will see them in the new Idea & Catalogue Book next year.  Dont miss out.

The button set the tone of this card.  I have used Baja Breeze as the main colour (thanks to my one and only button!), with highlights of white and black.  I have always loved the idea of a white Christmas, even just to experience it once!!

Stamps: Lovely as a Tree, Winter Post
Card Stock: Baja Breeze, Whisper White
Inks: Baja Breeze, Basic Black
Accessories: Cuttlebug embossing folder, ribbon, button, sponges, snail adhesive, blender pen

CHRISTMAS PEARLS

I made this card out of a mistake!  Yes, I make them!!  I was practising layering and sponging and had actually made a much bigger picture of Rudlof, but completely messed up the sentiment.  How to salvage it?  I decided to make it into a panel with lots of layers and designer paper becoming the focus.  It still would have been a bit stark in my opionion, so I needed some bling.  I love bling!!  Out came some organza and seed pearls.  Meant I had to do a bit of sewing (yuk!) but I really like the results.  Not a traditional card in the normal sense, but then thats is me!

BABY RYAN

I would like to congratulate Sarah, Bruce and Brianna on the safe arrivel of a wee son and brother, Ryan.  It is so nice to have another wee boy join the family.  Instead of sending the usual card and booties, I decided to send something they could keep their memories of his birth in - a Squash Book Mini Album.  These little albums are just so cute, not to mention, fun to make.  I have made this one in the colours Baja Breeze, Sahara Sand and Close to Cocoa.

WINTER CHRISTMAS

With Christmas fast approaching I have become a mean card making machine, lol!!  Up until a week ago I hadn't even started my own personal cards to give.  Now and again I make a card that my husband just doesn't want me to sell!  One lucky family member will be getting this one.  This is another card that was inspired by Michelle Zindorf.  Check out her blog here.  I am nowhere near as talented as Michelle, but just love what she can do with a brayer!  I am really into the scenery cards at the moment.  Check back often to see my other scenery creations over the next few days!!

MY NEW CLASSROOM

I am really fortunate to have a garage as part of the house, and one that has carpet too!!  My wonderful husband surprised me with not one, but TWO trestle tables so I would be able to make use of the huge space in the garage for my classes.  I ran a "Squash Book" mini album class a couple of weeks ago and, as you can see, it was a hive of acitvity, hehe!!  The ladies had plenty of room to spread out and over head flourescent lights meant they could see what they were doing, lol!
The albums they made were all so different.  Is'nt it amazing how you can all start off with the same product and yet turn out such different projects!  Two of my lovely Ladies have since gone on to make more books, as gifts for Christmas.  I think that is such a wonderful idea.
If you would like to play in my classroom too, check out my upcoming class list on the right.  Just email me and register your interest.  I look forward to seeing you!

JOY FOLD BIRTHDAY

Upper Hutt craft market is today, so thought I would quickly post one of the pretty little cards I have for sale.  I have only just discovered the Joy Fold card and I just love the look of them.  Just a bit different to the "usual"!!  I have kept this one nice and simple with only one image and subtle "bling", but am happy with the look - very feminine and (I think) elegant.

Stamps: Organic Grace, Fun & Fast Notes
Card Stock: Close to Cocoa, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White
Paper: Candy lane
Inks:I Close to Cocoa, Pink Pirouette
Accessories: Snail adhesive, Blender Pen, Halfback Pearls

ALL DRESSED UP!!

Cards for Men are just so hard to come up with, don't you think?  I have seen so many Punch Art ideas lately, but just don't have enough punches to do some of the beatuiful ideas I have seen.  Instead I decided to have a go at "paper piecing" a card.  No stamps involved at all!!  A great way to use up those scraps of paper you have lying around, not to mention the bits of ribbon!

I got this pattern off the net and have no idea who the original artist was, but whoever it was - THANK YOU!!  I can see so many uses for this idea - Weddings, School Balls, Birthdays for the Corporate Gentleman, hehe!!

FOR YOU - HEDGEHOG

When you join the wonderful Stampin' Up! family you get a fantastic Starter Kit to kick start your business.  One of the stamp sets in the kit is called "Fun and Fast Notes".  It is a really cute set of 8 stamps, that take care of all occasions.  My favourite of this set is this  really cute little hedgehog.  Another bonus to joining up is the wonderful people you meet.  I belong to a fab team who swap ideas every month.  This was my very first swap I did, and still my favourite by far.

Those of you who know me personally, know everything has to be "just right".  Take a closer look at the photo and you will be able to see that I have distressed the edges of our wee friend.  I hadn't tried that technique before and I think it is really effective.  I am learning so many techniques since becoming a Demo, through the wonderful friends I am making in both in my team and my lovely customers.  If you are a people person, than this job is for you!!  After all, who wouldn't want to get paid for something they LOVE to do?!!

PRETTY IN PINK

Did you know that November is National Blogging Month?  Neither did I!!  The team challenge this month is to blog 21 days out of the 30 in November.  I don't know if I will make it, but I am going to give it a go.  Check back often to make sure I do, and send me a reminder if I haven't!!

I made this card for a friend to show my appreciation for all the little things she does.  I just had to use my favourite hostess stamp set, Organic Grace, for this one.  I made it all in pink hues, as she is such a "Girlie Girl"!!

Stamps: Organic Grace, Best Yet
Card Stock: Red Riding Hood, Real Red, Pixie Pink
Accessories: Snail Adhesive, Scallop Punch, White Grosgrain Ribbon

UPPER HUTT CRAFT MARKET SAT 7TH NOVEMBER

Well we are getting near the end of the year and if you haven't started you Christmas shopping (like me, hehe!) perhaps it is time to make a start.  Come along to the Upper Hutt Craft Market at the Wesley centre on Saturday 7th of November and have a look at the wonderful stalls that will be there!  There are some fab ideas for gift giving.  I will be running my stall as usual, so please come and say hi!  I will have Stampin' Up! catalogues and products for you to have a look at, not to mention, finished cards and other goodies for sale.  You can also have a look at our Holiday Extravaganza specials - great way to stock up on your stash AND earn free product!  Hope to see you all there on Saturday!