Stamp Happy - Top New Zealand Stampin' Up! Demonstrator

40 Love Notes in an Afternoon

During the school holidays, the girls and I are inspired to do something extra special for the significant other in our lives.  In July we made the Moroccan Restaurant for him downstairs, and this time we spent a good part of a day making 40 Love Notes.

We just used bits and pieces - stickers and die cuts and stamps to make up some simple ideas.  My younger two daughters LOVED the coloring in bit.

I then wrote in all of them, some sentimental, some silly, some naughty, and some appreciative.  Kjristi and Sofie wrote a couple and also wrote on all the envelopes and sealed them up. 

Our super secret plan was to go over to his house and hide them all over, some in easy places to he'd find them right away and some really really hard so he'd find them continually for a long time.

The four of us were sooo excited.  Melinda, Kjristi, Sofie and myself all jumped into the car with 39 cards (the 40th I saved back and stole his car keys and hid it on his car seat while he was over for dinner thanking him for being cool about melinda going to Fiji with me). 

We decided to call him along the way to make sure he wasn't home or on his way home.  I decided it might be a good idea to have a reason we were in his house .  .just in case .  . . so I offered to move his laundry along. 

Boy did we race around!!  We only had 15 minutes before I had to go pick up daughter #3 AND now I had to do the laundry!!  We hid them in some good spots.  The girls were fantastic.

So, he found the one on his seat right away of course when he left my house late that night.  (this was the night before Melinda and I left for Fiji).  He thought that was nice and drove off.  Then he got home and found one in his washing machine, then another in the bathroom, and then caught onto our game . . . .

He texted me about 40 minutes later and told me he'd found them all - he'd found 11.  He still doesn't know how many there are, but I think to date he's found about 20 or so.

We also disovered that the Stampin Up journaler - the permanent black marker pen - that its ink goes through the dishwasher remarkably well.

It was a small thing really, but it was a fun, bonding activity for my girls and myself.  And I hope Robert feels special and thought of and cherished.  And I also hope that he finds one just right when he needs one.

xxxx  Love you Rob

** Love Notes Envelopes set of 40 $14.50 pg 126 (mini squares)

 

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

You're Invited

This is a very cute little invitation Stampin' Up! sent to me before Convention for the Manager's Reception.  Really, it's basically just one layer of cardstock and some small pieces of Designer Series Papers on top.

I like the mix of the EAstern Blooms stamp set and the Five Petal Flower Punch here.  That's a darn easy flower "center" they've done up - I wouldn't have thought to use the stamp directly on the DSP.

Hmmm, I think I might copy this idea for an upcoming Senz class using different colours and different stamps . .. .

Can you tell what punch is used to make that cute border?

Have a fantastic weekend and don't forget to check out this week's Deals of the Week! (see below)

 

Convention Swap

This really is a Quick and Easy project . . . . however, when you make 60, it starts to seem like a lot of pieces . . . . .

I ended up changing it a little bit for the actual swaps, using Crumb cake borders instead of Bashful blue and the Square Lattice folder instead of the Polka Dots.  But this version is cute too - and preferred by most of the ladies in class last night actually. 

I like the idea of creating this little window to feature a small image. That cupcake just squeezed in there! 

I feel sorry for the people who have to do their swaps all by themselves . . . My three kids, Chrissie Patterson, and Rob and my hairdresser all pitched in on these.  How would it be if I had to actually do all the work myself??

Here's hoping the ladies in Aussie like this one!

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Tiny Tags $37.95, Create a Cupcake $44.95

Colours: Pink Pirouette, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Rose Red, Crumb Cake, Night of Navy

Other: Jewelery Tag Punch, Curly Label Punch, Cupcake Punch, Heart to Heart Punch, Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Certainly Celery Taffeta Ribbon, Linen Thread, Crimper, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter

 

{Chrissie Patterson}

Chrissie has an adorable take on the Nursery Suite Quick Accents and the Flower Brads!  This one has been sitting on my benchtop for a few weeks, and there's been lots of oohs and aahs over it.

Now that is one nappie I'd be happy to receive!  LOL 

A cute little pattern and some simple embellishments is all you need.  I like how Chrissie popped those circle stickers up on Dimensionals.

Also clever to use that brad as a closure - effective and adds a decorative accent.

Inside the card is the sentiment and a few more bits from the Quick Accents pack.  Makes for a cute and fast project!

Thanks so much Chrissie!  Last night we missed you in class - we made a lovely Easter Basket amongst other items.  I'll post up the Easter Basket Janine taught us on Friday ~

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Well Scripted

Colours: so Saffron, Chocolate Chip,Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Certainly Celery

Other: Flower Brads, Nursery Suite Quick Accents

One Layer Thoughts & Prayers

Easy Peasy One Layer Card for you today!  I used this as my swap last month at Regional Trainings and made quite a few in a couple of hours. 

Only two colours plus black used here to create a striking background and effect.  Use post it notes to make the "ground".  It was bothering Rob, my friend who was watching me, that htey were all turning out differently, but hey, that's part of the charm.  Each one is a bit different.

I used sponges here instead of a brayer because I was using a mask and wanted more of a "cloudy" look instead of a smooth graduated look.

Love that tree from the Thoughts & Prayers set!

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Thoughts and Prayers set of six 54.95, Baroque Motifs set of six $47.95

Colours: Perfect Plum, Marina Mist, Basic Black

Other: sponges, post it notes

 

Just for You in Baja

This one has been displayed on my desk for a while!  True to Bron Heslop's style, this is simple and effective stamped card.  Bron gave this to my daughter Sofie for her baptism .. . wow that was a while back!

Clearly I swiped the card off Sofie.

This is one of my favourite stamp sets in the new Catalogue, Just Believe.  It's a huge set with lots of flexibility. 

Gorgeous Bron - thank you for all you do!

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Just Believe set of nine $57.95

Colours: Baja Breeze

Other: Basic Rhinestones, Label Punch, Word Window Punch, Organdy Ribbon, Elegant Bouquet Embossing Folder

 

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

Just for Fun ~

Did you hear that Stampin' Up! demonstrators can now accept credit cards at the bottom of the order forms?  Yahoo!  We are thrilled - and I'm sure you are too.  No fees or additional expense for this service.

Second - Next week I will offer a 12 Weeks of Christmas bonus!  You'll receive in your inbox each week a wonderful Christmas project complete with supply list and a few little tidbits about how to make the project.  Sign up now for my email list to receive this Christmas bonus!

 

Sign up for our Monthly Events & Tips Newsletter!

And I received this lovely card from the Bron Heslop. True to her signature style of clean and vivid, this is a beauty.  Thanks Bron - love it!  xoxox to you.

 

A Stamp Camp Creative Challenge

What a fun weekend I just had!  Our South Island/Nelson stamp camp has come and gone with much fun and learning.  All the guests had a wonderful time - and that includes myself and my daughter Madeleine.  Thanks Catherine and Charlotte for making her weekend so memorable.

One of the games we played was a Creative Challenge.  I gave them all the bits and pieces to a project along with all the tools to complete it the way it was originally designed.  To make it even more difficult, they had to work in teams.

They were given four bits of cardstock, ribbon, the Every Moment set, a few ink pads, an aqua brush, the snot blaster, and a Soft Suede pen.  I also had some post it notes out, but only one group took note of them.

Here is what the five groups designed:

 
 
The three young girls who were our helpers were the judges.  They chose card #2 based on innovation.  Which one would you pick?

And here is the original:

I was impressed with what they created in 20 minutes!

Check back in tomorrow for a few more tidbits from the weekend!

Supplies Used:'

Stamps: Every Moment set of four  $30.95 

Colours: Old Olive, Daffodil Delight, Soft Suede

Other: Scallop Edge Punch, Old Olive 1/8 inch taffeta, Colour Spritzer

Quick & Easy Thank You and some Updates

 

 
Back home again after a truly enjoyable week in Hamilton.  Thank you to all who stopped in to say hello either for the first time or for a catch up.

I have since realized that I was giving out the wrong bank account number by one digit!  Blast!  The correct number is asb 12 3260 0014154 50.

I also had the door prize draw last night and congratulations to Ann McDowell of the Bay of Plenty!  I'll post you your prize today!

My September has been sent out as well. If you did not receive it, please email me for your copy.  You can also subscribe here:

 

Sign up for our Monthly Events & Tips Newsletter!

Have a wonderful day!

Make a Shaped Card with the Big Shot!

 

Yesterday just really got away from me!  I had four huge boxes arrive with orders, so many of you can expect your Last Chance List items to arrive shortly.

This is a very very cute project taken from a swap from convention.  The swap is not mine, so I don't have a name to give credit (If someone does, please add a comment), but it's darn cute.  Thanks so much for creating this!

See how to use your Big Shot to create many, many various shapes cards here:

 

 

Supplies Used:

Colours: Pink Pirouette, Whisper White

Other: Whisper White ribbon, Eyelet Border Punch, Small Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, 1 inch circle punch, 3/4 inch circle punch, Metallic Brads, Large Scallop Circle Die, Big Shot

Elegant Wedding Project

 

This is a stunning swap made by the lovely Diane Bell-Robertson for one of our Stampin' Up! Creative Inkers Team trainings.  It's a beautiful design, whether used for weddings, funerals, birthday, or thinking of you's.

I just love this project and have shared it with my customers a few times now.  Last Monday I taught a wedding card class and wanted to do this one because it's simple, economical and very effective - all great criterium for wedding projects.

On top of that, when I did a wedding show a few months back, this was by far the most popular option I had on display.

However, at my class, I had some demos coming who had seen this swap.  So I re did it in white.

I love how this looks, too.  Now, I've kept the bird in the greys and silvers, but how easy would it be to whip a little colour in there to match the wedding theme?

Now, three gueses on where the eye came from . . . .

Thanks Diane for the lovely inspiration!

Supplies Used:

Stamps: It's Beautiful wheel  $18.95

Colours: Basic Black, Basic Grey, Whisper White, Silver

Other: Basic Grey Taffeta Ribbon, XL Bird Punch, Eyelet Border Punch, Clear Embossing Powder

Cute Refrigerator Magnets

This is a Quick and Easy stamping project you can make using your Stampin' Up supplies and the widely available plant rocks.

I've used a variety of images here, but any small image will do.  Simply trace around the rock onto your card, cut out and adhere using Crystal Effects.  Add a magnet on the back.  so easy!

These make great little projects for kids' parties, wedding favours, and more.

Supplies Used:

Stamps: various - any small stamp will be great, especially line art ones (those that can be coloured in)

Other: Clear plant rocks, crystal effects, glitter, magnet

{Fresh Cuts does it Again}

How I love my Fresh Cuts notes!  So clean and simple and quick to jazz up - and at only $20.95 for 15 die cut cards AND envelopes . . . you can't go wrong!

The original concept for this design was shared with me by my lovely team member, Heather Stewart.  I shared this project as one of my presentations at convention because it meets my four criterium for a good class/workshop project:

1. shows new products and/or techniques

2. Relatively fool-proof and reasonably quick to do

3. Doesn't use a truckload of tools nor supplies

4. Great design and colour

I loved this one the moment I set eyes on it.  With or without the bird, it's a real winner.

If you haven't tried the Fresh Cuts or the Pendant Notes, you need to give them a go.  Let me know if you'd like me to bring either of these two products to the next class, demonstration or gathering!

Order yours here

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Heard from the Heart $36.95 Clear mount

Colours: Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Orchid Opulance, Soft Suede

Other: Cottage Wall DSP, Build a Brad, Five Petal Flower Punch, Large Bird Punch, Soft Suede Ribbon, 1/2 inch hole punch

{Window Dressing + Promotion}

Good morning!

I've been wanting to put this up for a while - this cutie card the famous Bron Heslop sent me a few weeks ago.  Well today's the day! 

Bron made me this sweet card as a little boost when she knew I was a wee bit down.  I have such wonderful, supportive women around me, both on my team and amongst my customers.  This "job" of mine has truly been such an enormous blessing in my life.  I am not even hardly the same woman I was four years ago.

 

Anyway, on to the project!

Bron has used the oh-so-cute Window Dressing stamp set - a level three hostess set here and coloured it in using blender pens.  The layout is simple and effective.  I like how she's matted the image with two non-symmetrical mats - very cool. 

Bron is thinking outside the square (ha ha) and coming up with something that costs no more nor takes any more time, but adds that little bit more.

And now my special offer for the day:  I know many of you love the Window Dressing set, but bemoan the fact that it takes such high sales to get a free one.  The good news is I have a spare set here!

It's up for grabs!  Simply place an order via phone or email between now and midnight Friday May 14th.  Every $20 spent gets you in the draw to win the Window Dressing set FREE! 

 And as an extra - I will donate 20% of the total sales to the girls' cheerleading fund.  (We have $1200 due in on Friday, so every little bit helps!)

Thanks for all your support!

{Asian Artistry and a Scavenger Hunt Challenge}

This is a super Quick & Easy template that is easily adapted to fit virtually any stamp and colour combination.

Here, I've used the gorgeous new Level 2 Hostess set, Asian Artistry. We just have this one for a few months, so consider hostessing a workshop OR gathering up orders to collect this set for FREE!!

In the meantime, I have one extra Asian Artistry set sitting here on my desk.  Here's how you can get your hands on it:  Email me with the page number in the Winter Mini of the inspiration card for the above project (you'll know it when you see it) and enter the draw to win the Asian Artistry set FREE! 

Send an order with the page number and get additional entries into the draw - your name goes in once for the correct page number and once for every $10 of your order!  Email or phone orders only between now and 7pm Wednesday night!!

In addition, I'll donate 20% of the order amounts to our jar of monies for my daughters' Cheerleading Trip to Australia!  Thanks for your support! Good luck!!

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Asian Artistry Level 2 Hostess Set

Colours: Old Olive, Real Red, Soft Suede, Confetti Cream

Other: Real Red 5/8 Grosgrain ribbon, Haiku Designer Papers

{A Wedding Favour}

Thank you to all who came by my stand at the Grand Wedding Show yesterday!  It was lovely to meet you and share in your enthusiasm for celebrating a big event in your lives.

I was thrilled to give a demonstration of three quick and affordable cards and projects for your consideration.  In case you missed it, here is the Easy No Template Triangle Box:

All you need here is a rectangle of cardstock or printed paper and a few embellishments for the front (use the same stamps for your invitations and guest book to stretch those dollars further and to give your wedding stationery continuity).  Add a bit of ribbon to tie and you're done!

This project works well with cardstock for extra sturdiness, but the printed paper has the double benefit of a splash of colour inside the box.  Love that!

 
For more tips and techniques, project ideas, classes, and promotions, please sign up for my monthly newsletter here:

Sign up for our Monthly Events & Tips Newsletter!

{Baja Medallion}

I posted our usual guest artist spot on Sunday, so today I'll throw in a beautiful card I received last week from my team member in Nelson, Dee Sturgeon.

I LOVE this - beautiful colours, beautiful image, and striking layout.  I really love that Baja Breeze/Kraft colour combo (the same that was in those lovely textured papers last year).

 
I liked the idea here of the white card and the coloured insert for writing.  It gives support to the card as the Whisper White is not so sturdy for a card base.

Thanks, Dee, for your love and the beautiful creation!

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Medallion $39.95

Colours: Baja Breeze, Kraft

Other: Rhinestone Brads, Kraft Taffeta Ribbon, Silver Brads

{Quick Colouring Technique}

On a Tuesday!  :)