29 May, 2010

Another Fifth Avenue Floral...

I'm actually still away at the moment and am staying in Sydney for an extra week after our annual Convention. Before I left home I went through my stash of cards that I hadn't blogged and scheduled a few posts so that you didn't miss out.

This is another Fifth Avenue Floral card using Baja Breeze, Kraft, Urban Oasis designer paper and one of the adorable Corduroy buttons that have retired.


27 May, 2010

June Promotion...!!

Starting 1st June Stampin' Up! is pleased to announce an exciting new promotion.  Every week for the whole of June, there will be a brand new deal on select products from the current Idea Book and Catalogue! 

If you want to know what the deal is, you will have to login to my site to see it. So bookmark the site now, as I love a deal as I'm sure you do too! 


24 May, 2010

Fifth Avenue Floral

Fifth Avenue Floral is one of my favourite stamp sets and I really hope it stays for a while yet.  As most of you know, we will be getting a new Ideas Book and Catalogue (IB &C) on September 1st.  We don't know what is staying or what is retiring until a month prior to the new catalogue being released. And, those that do retire - it's a first in, first served. So, if this stamp set is one of your favourites too, I suggest you order it sooner rather than later, because you wouldn't want to miss out. 


I've used Ridinghood Red and black which I think makes a great combination. I've also seen it stamped in many other colours and in my opinion, they all look fabulous. The message is from the retired set Oval All.



21 May, 2010

Convention Swaps

I am currently in Sydney at the annual Stampin' Up! convention. This is my first convention and it's all very exciting. Here is the swap that I made. I had great intentions on making 100 but life got in the way, and so I was only able to complete 60 in the end.  It was quite time consuming because we don't have a punch for the flower or the 'F' so they were all cut out by hand and adhered with dimensionals...  Vintage Vogue is my favourite stamp set at the moment (yes, even after making all of my swaps).  It's so versatile for many occasions.



19 May, 2010

Masculine Card

Over the last few months I've made this card a few times because it's quick, very easy and I don't have to think about it.  When I have a mental block and a male card to make, I tend to reach for the Seaworthy stamp set. Sometimes when time is of the essence, you gotta do what you gotta do!!  And, besides it's better than a store bought card any day...

I'm flying off to Sydney tomorrow morning for the Stampin' Up! Convention, but do check back later in the week because I'll post my convention swap for you to see.  And, when I return I'll have lots of lovely goodies to share with you over the next few weeks. How exciting is that!!

17 May, 2010

Embossed Upsy Daisy

I made this card a very long time ago at a Creative Inkers Extravaganza and never blogged it..  Then I made it again with some ladies at a home class and it was very popular. Everyone loves embossing and it's such an effective technique. I especially love the embossed look on designer paper. It gives it a whole new dimension.  If you want to learn how to do this, let me know and we'll schedule a time to do so.



14 May, 2010

Mini Album

This was a class I held a while ago - a mini album using a piece of designer paper.  I've used  the Kaleidescope DSP and For Everything stamp set which are both retired. I love how easy this was and have made quite a few over the last couple of months. My daughters love making them too and are a perfect gift for their friends, embellished with some journaling and photo's. 



And here's a look on the inside - little pockets with inserts that are ideal for journaling.  Too easy!!  If you would like to learn how to make this album, email me and we'll arrange a day to get together.  

11 May, 2010

Acetate Gift Box

This is the box that we're going to make at my class this Sunday.  I've got some spaces left so if you're free, why don't you register here and come along?  I got the inspiration a few months back from Sarah Gough and loved the one she made, as soon as I saw it.  She is one very talented lady, so pop along and have a look at her blog.  We'll also be making a co-ordinating card using the Vintage Vogue stamp from the Autumn/Winter mini catalogue.



09 May, 2010

Wow....Beautiful Blog Award!!

I received this a bit earlier in the week, but have been flat out with one thing or another. Thanks so much Helen, Paula and Debbie for awarding me with this - I'm totally blown away and feel very honoured to be the recipient of this award!!






Here are the rules...

I must pass the award on to another 10 Beautiful Blogs AND tell you 10 things about myself.  Many people already have received this and it was a very difficult decision.  So without further ado and in no particular order, here are the 10 Beautiful Blogs of 10 beautiful people!

1.
Karen Rogers
2. Sally Williams
3. Judy Beetson
4. Jacque Pederson
5. Julia Leece
6. Bron Heslop
7. Kristine McNickle
8. Delys Cram
9. Denise Ibbett
10.Anna Sutherland

This is the hard part, the 10 things about me...

1.   I completed 20 years in the Royal New Zealand Airforce and thoroughly enjoyed it.
2.   I was a Flight Steward (in the RNZAF) and the Queen was my most famous passenger.
3.   I'm scared of heights.
4.   I love Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice but hardly ever watch much TV nowadays because I'm too busy blog surfing. I have recorded them and will watch them one day..
5.   I had fake acrylic nails for 3 years and miss them dearly. I loved the way the polish stayed on forever and always looked fresh. Now I don't have the time (see above) or the money because of my stamping addiction...lol.
6.   I have two beautiful daughters - Nicole (16) and Bridgette (14).
7.   In the year BC (before children), I ran a marathon.
8.   I was an army brat and born in Christchurch.
9.   I'm a chocoholic.
10. I love being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator!


There you have it, a bit more info on me.

I hope all you Mothers, Daughters, Sisters, Grandmothers, Auntys, Wives and Girlfriends, (and anyone else I may have missed) have had a fabulous Mother's day.

07 May, 2010

Happy Mother's Day

This is the card I made Mum for Mother's Day. I think I'm pretty safe in sharing it with you before she receives it because I don't think she understands my addiction to Stampin' Up! and doesn't check my blog. Having said that though, my cards are always well received by my family, which makes it all worth while. 

I borrowed this stamp set from
Karen my wonderful upline and have finally used it (about a  month later). She's probably wondering whether she's going to get it back (you will Karen, I promise). It's not through not wanting to use it, it's just that life gets in the way sometimes when I would much rather be playing... 

 



06 May, 2010

A very sad loss..

This is the card I made for a friend who lost her son tragically last week. Her son was the soldier who was killed at Linton Camp. It's just not right, when you have to bury your own child.  It's so hard to find the words to express my heartfelt sympathy to the family at this very sad time. 


04 May, 2010

I'm tickled!!



Today I found out that I received two blog awards yesterday - the first was the Sunshine Award by my lovely and very talented upline Karen!  What a huge thrill!!  Thank you so much Karen I'm tickled!

Here are the 'rules' for the award.
1. Put the Sunshine Award on your blog and/or within your post.
2. Pass the award to other bloggers.
3. Link the nominees within your post.
4. Let them know they received this award by leaving a comment on their blog.
5. Share the love and link to the person from whom you received the award.

The hardest part, of course, is narrowing it down because there is an amazing amount of very talented ladies out there. I've just kept it to blogs down under, but even then there are so many more of you that inspire me and I thoroughly enjoy seeing what you've all created...I would like to nominate the following people who always inspire me, motivate me and make me smile:

1.  Sarah Gough
2.  Paula Dobson
3.  Anne Brignall 
4.  Tracey Old
5.  Ann Wills  

It's getting late and I need all the beauty sleep I can get, so I'll post details about the second award tomorrow. 



02 May, 2010

Oh Baby!

There must have been something in the water last year, because three work collegues and a wife of another, were pregnant at the same time. April and May are their due dates, so it was an excuse for me to make another baby card. The latest little addition is an adorable wee fellow called Jonathon, who was in a big hurry to enter the world and was three weeks early.

The stamp sets I used are In the Stars (retired and I'm embarrassed to admit that this is the first time I've inked it up) and the baby is from All in the Family. The designer paper and textured cardstock are both from the 2008-09 catalogue with the main colour being Blue Bayou. I didn't have the coordinating ink, but found the Sage Shadow was a perfect match.  I was actually inspired by a similar card that I saw when I was blog hopping.  I'm sorry I don't recall who it was. I'm really pleased with the way this turned out and might make another one using girly colours in anticipation for the next wee bundle to arrive...