Tuesday craft class scrap pages

The colours aren't very clear, but these are the two pages we're making at Tuesday craft class this week. They're 8" pages, so bring 6 x 4 photos you can trim to size, or you may leave the matts blank to add to later. I've used products from the Beyond the Garden suite, and had fun doing some heat embossing and ink-resist techniques. See you there!

mini catalogue card swap

This week the Paper Angels team are getting together to swap some cards made using the new products from the Autumn/Winter mini catalouge, and I can't wait to get hold of them! We make 30 of one design (I've used two different colour schemes) and then we get 30 different cards in return. It's a great way to showcase all the products without having the expenditure of buying them all although my wish list for this mini cat. is very long... I get the feeling that the ribbons and Big Shot accessories will be very popular and the Designer Series paper is very beautiful too. I used the 'Creative Elements' stamp set to decorate the front panel, and used Soft Suede and Early Espresso for the card bases.

Coolangatta retreat 2012

I had a lovely time down at Coolangatta last weekend for my annual craft 'retreat' with friends.
We went down on Friday afternoon and came back on Sunday, but next year we hope to make it a three night break it was too short to do everything!
We went to a lovely pizza restaurant on Friday night, and then a healthy burger joint on Saturday, but I did feel better by going for walks on the beach and swimming in the sea too.
I also held an award night on Saturday and made these fun certificates for everyone, and gave them a 'candy wrapper' die cut gift box with a couple of stamps inside.
Our apartment was SeaSound apartment on Griffith Street, just perfect for small groups to get some hobby time in; it sleeps 12 but we found that it worked well with 9 as table space was still a bit cramped with that number of people. It has a small kitchen and a large lounge, and reasonable sized rooms to sleep in. Fortunately it also has a vacant block right behind it so we could see the sea from the kitchen and veranda!
Sharon made us pancakes for breakfast both mornings, that was sooooo yummy and unexpected, thanks Sharon!
We were also treated to a slap up lunch with quiche for starters and then a healthy salad, thanks to Di and Rachelle for that. Di also had her Stampin' Up! workshop there and got herself $160 of free products through sales, so well done Di.
We were very productive in what we made, I was quite pleased that I took down my unfinished cards to get on with, and made about 15. I also began and finished my Paper Angels swaps for the new Autumn Winter mini catalogue, and got 30 of those made.
All in all it was a very nice weekend, and I hope to go again next year.

I was playing with some scrap pieces of the Sale-a-Bration Designer Series Paper (DSP) and came up with these two designs which I'm quite pleased with. I also used Elementary Elegance stamp set from the FREE SAB promotion, it makes a lovely border instead of a frame. You can still earn FREE stamp sets and ribbon/brad packs or DSP packs until the end of March, just contact me for more details

Beyond the Garden product suite

Monday night craft class we made a box and card set, using the Beyond The Garden suite of products from the Summer mini catalogue. The colours are really vibrant in the DSP, with Wild Wasabi, Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight, Pacific Point and Tangerine Tango; it really makes me think of summer. These products are only available until the end of March, so please contact me to place your order.  The box, envelopes and decoration are all cut from the Big Shot using Stampin' Up! dies, it is a really easy tool to use, and with the new way of rewarding hostesses with a half price item when sales reach +$600, you could be the proud owner of a Big Shot for only $75!

Dinosaurs bigger than Trendy Trees

I really enjoyed making this 3D card, and the two stamp sets go so well together! "Trendy Trees" and "Dinoroar" stamp sets team up to give a pre-historic landscape in three layers. the Funky Forest wheel was also used here to give a foreground of thick forest. I was so keen to get this photographed and on the blog that I haven't quite decided what greeting to put on it yet! Perhaps I'll wait to see what occasion arises, maybe my DH's birthday as he'll be quite old...!

Big Top Christening

I based this scrap page on a 6" page that we did at Regional Training last November: Miss O looks just like a monkey up that tree while at my niece's christening, and the bright colours of the Big Top DSP really suited the fun nature of the photos. I quite often scrap a page but leave the photos off until I have found some to go with my design, so luckily this page happened all at once! Hope you like it.

Medallion skirt

Check out what my talented friend Donella made recently! Over at her blog sewinghumblethreads you'll find the Medallion stamp on a skirt she made, stamped with bleach. It's gorgeous Donella, and I think my jeans are in need of a makeover...!

Sneaky peak!

I got my sneak peak copy of the next mini catalogue in the mail recently, and have just got my pre-ordered items in the post today. It's so good being a demonstrator and being able to get products before everyone else, and still at a 20% discount! I can't wait to show you the new items which are available to buy from the 1st April, so why not book your workshop now before dates get taken?

Christmas cards already!

Third Thursday Christmas Card Club was fun last month; sorry I haven't got around to posting this yet. We made five of each design, using a basic outline for the card but using what card stock was available and as you can see each person came up with a different effect because of the DSP or ribbon used.
This is a great way of stocking (excuse the pun) up on cards ready for Christmas 2012, and by the end of October we'll all have at least 80 cards ready to write!

Tart and Tangy Get well card

I know this set has retired, but I just wanted to share with you what my friend Laura created the other week; this is such a perfect card to send get well thoughts, its full of love and vitamin C! Well done Laura xx

diets and workshops

Well, I had a lovely time at my two most recent workshops, thank you Gay and Sharon for being fantastic hostesses. Trouble is I can't seem to get into my pants after the weekend... I think it's something to do with their generous and scrummy spread that was served to us all!
Please know though that to be a hostess you don't have to be a great cook, most people tend to offer a  plate of biccies and a refreshing cup of tea, it is the company and friendship that is the attraction of Stampin' Up! get togethers - and the fantastic products available to try and buy of course!