Stamp Happy - Top New Zealand Stampin' Up! Demonstrator

Auckland Stamp Day's Christmas Wreath

This weekend was a lot of fun!  I had an all day stamp day at my house with 12 lovely ladies.  We crafted non stop . . so full on they often just went silent!! 

The first project we did was a Christmas wreath, although it certainly does not have to be limited to Christmas. Sophie Zedah from the Sydney office showed us this project at the Heartfelt Training Events earlier this month, and I just had to do it!!  It's not hard, just time intensive assembling all the flowers.

This is my Sofie holding up the wreath and her homemade Tiara. I had to take the pic three times to make sure that tiara was included:

The flowers are made with the Blossom Party die and the Fun Flowers Die.  You can never go wrong with flower dies . . .

I also used the Antique Brads, the Brass Buttons, and the Wood Buttons for centres.

We used a mixture of the Festival of Prints and the Candlight Christmas for the printed papers here.  I quite like both of those packs.

This is the ladies in action:

And the other table hard out:

The whole day was lots of fun with a nice mix of card, 3D, and techniques.  I'll be putting on a two day camp this weekend in Nelson and posting the projects over the next few weeks!

Supplies Used:

Colours: Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Lucky Limeade, Island Indigo, Bashful Blue

Other: Fun Flowers Die, Blossom Party Die, Various buttons and brads, Foam wreath, brown wrapping paper, Cherry Cobbler Tulle

Sept 29-30 Nelson Stamp Camp!  $150 for two full days of stamping!

October 6th Tauranga Scrapbooking Day!  $40 for three layouts

October 13th Tauranga Christmas Extravaganza! $35 for a day of Christmas stamping!

CD Gift Packaging

This is a very cute idea that was taken from a swap from Simone Bartrum.  Long time ago, but it's been sitting on my desk to do up for ages, so long that all her products were retired and i have revamped it with many of our new yummies!

This is a cute and easy way to present a CD of photos or perhaps a DVD, plus providing protective packaging.

I've used the new Floral District DSP on here - loving the fresh colour combos in these prints!

I have used the new Early Espresso Embossing Powder on the Word Play words here; embossing is a technique I often forget to use.  It does make the colour that little bit richer and also adds that bit of texture and dimension.  Very cool they came out this in one of our favorite colours!

 

The flower detail here is done using the Daydream Medallion stamp set and the new Floral Framelits.  I can tell I'll be using those flower dies a LOT!  Also the new Naturals Wood buttons.  Nice!

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Word Play, Daydream Medallion

Colours: Rich Razzleberry, Rose Red, Baja Breeze, Tangerine Tango, EArly Espresso, Lucky Limeade

Other: Little Leaves Die, Early Espresso Embossing Powder, Versamark, Naturals Wood buttons, Floral Framelits, Ribbon, 2 1/2 circle punch, Floral District DSP

Upcoming Events

Saturday Sept 15th - Heartfelt Stampin Up Event!  Auckland. demonstrations, product playground, make and takes, lunch, and a stamp set included!  $120 10-5pm.

Stamp Camp Day!  Sunday Sept 23rd  Birkenhead, Auckland.  930-5pm  We will be crafting ALL day!  Goodie bag and all materials included. Bring your basic kit and adhesives.  $80

Nelson Stamp Camp!  Sept 29-30th  General stamping saturday and sunday morning $120 includes a goodie bag. Scrapbooking sunday afternoon $30.   A full weekend of crafting, focusing on christmas items and new product!

 

Faux Patina Long Envelope Card

You may recognize this one from a few years ago.  It's a remake of a lovely design by Chrissie Patterson.  I've just updated this to use current products and to showcase a version of the Faux Patina Technique.

The inside has a neat idea - Chrissie used the long, open-ended envelopes to create an instant pocket inside.  Easy and super cute!

**These sized envelopes are retired as of September 1st!  Order some today or resize this proejct for a standard sized envelope.

Here is a closer look at the technique done on the front, very similar to the Faux Patina technique, but using white embossing powder instead of Gold.

Three steps to this:

1. Dry Emboss using the Antique Wallpaper Embossing Folder

2. Sponge colour on as you wish - two or three colours works best.  Go relatively heavy

3. Lightly brush the top of the embossing with the Versamark pad (use your Embossing Buddy first!!!), then heat emboss with White Embossing Powder. 

And here is another version using another word set . . . . because I forgot the Petite Pairs and had to do a very quick switcharoo . . .

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Petite Pairs or Creative Elements (words)

Colours: Baja Breeze, Soft Suede

Other: Metallic Brads, Floral Fusion Sizzlits Die, Antique Wallpaper Embossing Folder, White Embossing Powder, Big Shot, Long Open-Ended Envelopes, Suede Taffeta Ribbon, Subtles Brads, Lots of Tags Sizzlits Dies

What's On:

Saturday September 1st

Stampin' Up Heartfelt Event Regional Training in Christchurch!

2012/2013 Catalogue and the Christmas Catalogue are live!  Place your orders today for earliest possible delivery!

Monday September 3rd

New Catalogue Launch Party 7:30pm  $15

Thursday-Sunday September 6-9th

Hamilton Quilt & Craft Show!  Please stop in and say hello! Lots of retired stock for sale, place orders, take a class, and bring your camera!

 

Sweets for the Sweet Altered Tin

My second favorite thing to do with my crafting is altered art!  That used to conjure up images of quite busy art that wasn't my style so much.  But altered art (to me) means repurposing an item. 

In this case, an empty coffee tin!  I should have taken the "before & after" shots. And no, I did not drink 20 tins of coffee.  My good friend and downline Barbara Bicknell of the Chocolate Boutique in Parnell gave these to me.

We did these in the Takanini class on Wednesday, and it was amazing to see how different they all turned out!  Super fun. What a great group they are.

We used the Sweets for the Sweet set, which was perfect for a Lolly Tin.  Some ladies used the Up, Up, & Away, which was equally cute.

And I found my missing lollipops in my desk drawer.  Isn't this soooo cute?!

I love how we can take something that would otherwise be thrown out and make something somebody is going to LOVE!

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Sweets for the Sweet, Up, Up & Away

Colours: Lucky Limeade, Melon Mambo, Basic Black, Pretty in Pink

Other: Sweet Shoppe DSP, Black brads, 1 inch circle punch, dazzling diamonds glitter, Old Olive Grosgrain ribbon

 

Gorgeous Apothecary Art Notebook

This is a beautiful swap made by Barbara Bicknell.  Isn't it lovely?!  She's made up a thin box using Daffodil Delight, the Framelits Dies, and the Apothecary Art stamp set.  Love the splash of Riding Hood Red as well.

There's always room for a butterfly. And Pearls.  And glitter.

She's double layered the butterfly with vellum and everyone's favorite embossing folder, square lattice.

Inside the beautiful box is a decorated notebook and a stamped pencil!  I never could figure out how to make the pencils match, and here it is! Stamp with staz-on! 

The Attic Boutique papers used here are available only through the end of the month, so order yours before then!

Thanks, Barbara, for a beautiful gift!

 

Flower Folds Hair Clip

It was my youngest daughter's (Sofie's) 10th birthday last week. My eldest daughter, Madeleine, decided to make her this lovely skirt:

It's super quick and easy with just two seams and a hem to do.  And my overlocker makes that nice and easy on such slipper fabric.

I used the remaining scraps to make a little scarf/hair tie/belt thing.

And the very last bits were cut up with the lining and made into this lovely hair clip.  I absolutely love these!! 

We made these at my stamp camps last year, and the ladies just loved them, if you recall my post about them in September.  For seamstresses using up bits and matching clothing, these are perfect. For those who hate to sew, these are perfect - no sewing!

To order this die, contact me here!

Supplies Used:

Flower Folds Die, Fabrics, Rhinestone Brad, hair clip or pin backing

 

 

Saturday March 28th  Hamilton Stamp Class 1pm  $15

Thursday May 3rd Howick Scrapbooking Class  7:30 pm  $15

Monday May 7th Mother's Day/Beautiful Cards  birkenhead  7:30 pm  $15

Twitterpated Altered Tin for my Customers

Yesterday was a fun day with many of my team around me for a sunny morning of nibbles, chats, and crafting!  Oh yes, and we did do a bit of training in there - time ran a bit short.  I didn't hear any grumbling, though.

My friend and downline, Barbara Bicknell of Chocolate Boutique in Parnell, has been slipping me these tins for months now, with the idea that we'd use them to make rubbish containers for our classes with the team. Sadly, Barbara wasn't able to be there yesterday! Always a team player, she is an exemplary woman.

I explained the concept to the ladies and let them go for it.  Here is what I came up with while playing on my own:

I'm enjoying that bird die!  I might use her on my swaps for convention next month.  Any cute or lovely ideas, please send them my way!  :)  (Trolling the web is not one of my favorite activities)

I got out every flower die and every flower punch we have and let the girls just create their own exotic specimens.  Luckily I'm not a florist so they all look perfect to me.

I'll be taking this around to my classes with me so you can have a hands on look (don't all of us creative people look with our fingers??)  I have six tins left and Barbara is willing to be my secret supplier, so if you'd like to do this in a class, please let me know!  Lots of fun and practical for your work area, too!

Schedule a class or order any of the Supplies Used:

Colours: Pink Pirouette, Basic Grey, Riding Hood Red, Baja Breeze, Pear Pizazz

Other: Elegant Bird Die, Blossom Punch, various brads, Boho Blossoms Punch, Five Petal Flower Punch, grosgrain ribbon, Pear Pizzazz Seam Binding Ribbon, Vanilla Satin Ribbon

Monday April 23 Techniques Class Birkenhead  7:30pm  $15

Tuesday April 24th Papakura Stamp Class 7:30  $15

Saturday April 28th Hamilton Stamp Class - Templeview  1pm  $15

Cheating Masculine Extended Candy Wrapper

I stole this embellishment off a fun gift that was given to me at last year's Stamp Camp!

I've had this in my drawer all year long - too pretty to toss away!

I believe this was the topper to a bag of lollies.  Well, whoever was the sweet lady who made this - it's now been recycled and loved again.

I made this quickie up for Rob's boss, who lent us his golf clubs last week.

I put a Moro bar inside, which is the last thing he needs, but it's the thought.  It's nice to say thank you, especially when it's unexpected.

 

Simply Adorned

These Simply Adorned Charms in the Summer Mini are lovely!

I made this lovely piece of jewellery in Fiji - and what a treat to get to make and keep one of these babies!!

Several of my customers made these as Christmas gifts, and they turned out gorgeous.  The pendants are quite heavy; they are a high quality and substantial gift.

This one was made with the Spiced Paisley set and a whole lot of pearls.  I've worn in quite a bit - the colours are nice to wear with lots.

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Spiced Paisley set of seven $37.95, Fabulous Phrases

Colours: Soft Suede, Pool Party, More Mustard

Other: Basic Pearls, Simply Adorned Charms, Simply Adorned Baubles, Simply Adorned Chain

 

Team Christmas Breakfast 2011

Merry Christmas Everyone!

I've been quiet the last week or so because I have been heads down preparing trainings and gifts for my team for yesterday's breakfast.

Being a seamstress for many many years, I wanted to utilize those skills this year now that Stampin' Up! offers fabric AND die cuts!  I had some ideas in my head of what to make for my lovely ladies, and started with making hanging craft bags:

 

AFter making 26 of these . . . .we decided to do the remaining gifts something else!!  So we started making stockings!

We made up a selection and my friend Janine had the great idea of putting them on this trolley:

Excuse the very very messy craft room . . . the entire house looks something like that at the moment.  I'll have to do a serious shovel out again this year.

Many many thanks to Janine Pearce and my daughter, Madeleine, for helping me get this project done in time.

Sofie and cat Custard later played the rest of the day with the trolley - they were playing shopkeeper and bus driver.

Another aspect to our party was my official invitation to Rob on the Incentive Trip next year to Broome!!  We had lots of fun on the team forum coming up with fun ideas for inviting him.  In the end Madeleine set up a treasure hunt around the house, ending with a card inviting him.

He said yes.

 

Stamp Camp 2011 Auckland

What a full and fun weekend!!

Just finished up the Stamp Camp Weekend for Auckland and I slept very well last night!  It was lots of fun and I look forward to the NELSON Stamp Camp this weekend!

Here is my craft space before the camp, all set up and ready for some eager ladies:

And here we are busy busy busy:

I don't want to put up all the projects just yet as we will be doing many of them this coming weekend in Nelson and want a few surprises for the ladies there.

We did do a creative challenge where they were all given a few supplies and 20 minutes to come up with something lovely:

pretty good I thought!

And the last project we did on Saturday was Shelli's lovely fabric brooch, which a few of the ladies really really loved this one and stayed later (babysitting my kiddies I might add) to make more:

And this very special yellow Big Bird one Tracey made me for my birthday.  Ummmmm Gorgeous Tracey!

And thank you everyone for making my birthday morning fun and special!  You were all here for camp so it felt like a party!!

 

 

Beautiful Butterfly Notebook

I know this stamp set is now retired, but fingers crossed it's in the next catalogue. If not, then I have my own set that will be for sale . . .

This is another little project I taught at Senz, and it's an easy one for a little gift.  Yes yes, time to start thinking Christmas, even just a little bit!  My three daughters loved this idea.

One of my favourite features on this one is the ribbon technique.  I LOVE this crochet ribbon (fingers crossed we get to keep it):

The butterfly in this set is just gorgeous - one of my all time favourites.  We cut off the antennae here and used Linen Thread to create a 3D look. 

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Strength and Hope $37.95

Colours: Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Pretty in Pink

Other: Chipboard coasters, Scallop Square Duo Die, printer paper, various ribbons, jumbo eyelets, mat pack, basic pearls

Beautiful Vintage Journal

 

This Journal Book is a project that was shown to us at convention last year or possibly even the year before.  I made a 6x6 version of this last year, too. 

I'm going to a birthday party today for a friend who is also recently engaged, so I thought this would make the perfect gift for her.

I failed to take a photo of it, but I stamped each page with a little flourish as well.  Just that little extra two minutes of time put in will make each page special to write on.

The paper flowers are excellent for stamping on - easy to customize for any project!

My favourite technique on this project is the En Francais background and how it's partially stamped and faded a bit in areas. 

1. Ink up the stamp

2. Place the cardstock onto the stamp, face down, gently.

3.  Walk your fingers around on the cardstock, just pressing in this and that area.  voila!

I will be teaching this project along with another vintage project in the Vintage Techniques class next Monday July 18th.  cost will be $25 due to the cost of the Chipboard Book.  Book in here; we'd love to have you along for class!

Supplies Used:

Stamps: En Francais, Vintage Vogue

Colours: Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Sahara Sand, Crumb Cake, Bashful Blue

Other: Paper Flowers, On Board Chipboard book, Subtles Buttons, Basic Pearls, Rhinestone Brads, Linen Thread

Sunny Cottage Garden Gift Set

This is one of the projects I presented at one of the senz classes this past weekend, and a class I thoroughly enjoyed.  The ladies (actually in ALL the classes) were so friendly, so relaxed, so receptive, and so willing to share and learn.

The neat thing about a set of cards is that each individual card doesn't have to be complex - it's the nature of having a coordinating set that makes it a wow all by itself!

The card boxes are clear acrylic boxes that one of my downline sourced for us.  They are fantastic - clear so they coordinate with anything and just the right size to fit a standard sized card!!

The feature on this card was done using the Circles Die.  I do use this one quite a fair bit - sure beats cutting circles out by hand!!  And I have lost my Circle Scissors Plus somewhere in the depths of my craft room, so cutting by hand really was my only other option!

I do like the Sunny Garden papers - so happy and fun!

And the Butterfly Embosslits - wow, can't get much more verstile that these.  I just kept them on my table through all the classes at SENZ because we used them so much.

Cottage Garden Stamp set + the Sunny Garden papers + Butterfly Embosslets = Winning Combination!!

Order yours here

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Cottage Garden stamp set $43.95 wood mount

Colours: Poppy Parade, Daffodil Delight, Pear Pizzazz

Other: Scallop Eyelet Border Punch, Five Petal Flower Punch, various brads, Pearls, Butterfly Embosslets, Daffodil Delight 1/8 taffeta ribbon

Isn't this just FANTASTIC!  The photo does not do it justice honestly, but these are stunning.

Ann Wills taught us how to make these beautiful framed art at our team training on Saturday.  The supplies were minimal, which is amazing.

Each of these insects is made with cardstock vellum, embossed, coloured, and painted.

And as I was taking these photos, one of the cats was busy trying to eat the back of the frame. Yes, the crazy cat who eats and chews on everything she can get her paws on.

I'm happy to make this frame in a class setting.  To book in or to schedule your own, please email me!

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Nature's Nest, Clearly for You, All a Flutter

Colours: Soft Suede, various markers

Other: Cardstock Vellum, Champagne Shimmer Mist, Black Embossing powder

 

Sweet Summer Box of Goodies

This is a lovely Sale A Bration project designed by Rachael Knight and using the SaleABration set Sweet Summer.

Rachael love the boxes and bits and pieces, so this was just her style.  We loved it! The demonstrators got to do this one at the Stamp Camp we held in Rotorua about a month ago:

Inside the box we had a notebook, pen, bookmarks, eraser, and clips:

And everyone's favourite, the thumb tacks:

Rachael and I have been storing these for YEARS just for this stamp camp, haven't we Rach?

She did a good job using those up!  You won the challenge hands down!

The stamp set is one of the FREE SAB sets, available only until March 31st. Free with any qualifying order or workshop!  Email me for your free brochure!

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Sweet Summer FREE with qualifying order and/or workshop

Colours: Poppy Parade, Pear Pizzazz, Daffodil Delight, Peach Parfait

Friends are Flowers Notebook

One of the great things about having inks and cardstock and printed papers that all match AND stamp images that coordinate with the printed paper is that it doesn't take much to create a beautiful project that looks "just right".

This is a simple design - one stamp in one colour on a single sheet of Designer Series Paper:

I put the so yummy Chocolate Chip Supernova Glitter on the flowers to make them pop a bit more.  There is also just a dash of Dazzling Diamonds on the stamped image.

This was then put on an inexpensive notebook - easily found at a $2 shop or similar.  I have three daughters, as many of you know, and a notebook is always a hit. And I am a listmaker, so I use lots of these myself.  And somehow, it's just so much more fun to write in something beautiful!

To order supplies or ask a question, contact me here.

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Friends Never Fade set of four $30.95

Colours: Pear Pizazz, Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze

Other: Greenhouse Gala DSP, Fine Supernova Glitter, Pear Pizazz Twill Ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter

Share A Cup

This is a little project my friend Melinda made up to give to some of her friends.  She's in Idaho, where it's the dead of winter right now, hence the Apple Cider packets.

Such a cute use of the Share A Cup stamp!

 

Here in New Zealand, we could use cold drink packets or individually wrapped tea bags.  Wrap up with a ribbon and add the bits and done! 

Cute and easy!

Thanks Melinda!

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Share a Cup $14.50

Colours: Regal Rose, Chocolate Chip

Other: Ribbon, Scallop Circle punch, Word Window Punch 

Gingerbread Sand Art - Recipe in a Jar

 
Last Wednesday we had our annual Christmas gifts class, and one of the projects was this very cute Gingerbread Cookie Recipe in a Jar:

Gee, it looks like I cut that ribbon with a butter knife.  (I'm pretty sure I didn't; my guess is the girls were playing with it and frayed it up a bit).

The idea here is that this is the dry ingredients to a cookie recipe layered up like sand art.  The instructions include adding the wet items.  Makes for a really quick treat for the recipient and an adorable presentation.

Love that little gingerbread man.

The ribbon is part of the Dressing Up Christmas Promotion - you can get this goodie for FREE!  Nothing's better than that!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone.  I will see many of you tomorrow at the Auckland Christmas Extravaganza!  Looking forward to it!

 

 
 

{Sally Robertson}

 

Sally has wowed us this month using the Vintage Wallpaper and the Crocheted Flowers with a beautiful canvas:

Sally gives credit to Rachel Tucker here for inspiring her with this creative wall hanging.  She said she loves Rachel's use of layer, stitching and embellishments to creative a harmonious end product.

 

The lace and the crocheted flowers are perfect for this.  I love how Sally has mixed the white and the vanilla tones here - kind of a "pure" vintage look.

Thanks Sally for another wonderful creation!!  Love it!