THE STORY OF A BLOSSOM

Picture this: a tiny seedling on the verge of breaking through the soil. Can you see it? Now water it with affection and good vibes. What do you have after a little bit of time and a whole lot of love? A blossom—bold and beautiful and blooming!

Now imagine that in a stamp set. With the Bloom & Grow Bundle, you can see the entire story of the blossom: from tiny seedlings to beautiful bouquets. Then sprinkle in some encouraging sentiments, and you’ve got a card for everyone you love!

If you’re just beginning on your stamping journey, you can use these gorgeous stamps to create a patterned look for a simple but beautiful project as we did in our You Are Simply Wonderful sample, or if you want to step it up a notch, try tinkering with the dies and a blender pen, as we did in the Thanks sample. For all of you avid stampers, roll up your sleeves and add this bundle and some ribbon to a treat bag to make the cute bag you can see in the samples. There are so many options!

Welcome back to Wednesday morning classes.  I do hope everyone had a wonderful time over the last few weeks and that you are ready for some fun in 2018. It is time to get creative. The first class is going to be a technique class using water colour paper and ink refills. 

Do you want to join me for this technique class?

When: Wednesday 24th January 10am

Cost: $10

Where: Zena's Craft Studio in Wellington Point (email me for the address)

Please RSVP so that I can prepare all the kits. Please bring your ‘basic kit’ to each class. This includes a paper trimmer, tape runner, double sided foam tape, multipurpose liquid adhesive and scissors.



* If you are a beginner and do not have a kit, there will be kits available for sale.

Scrapbooking a different way

Since I have become a Stampin' Up! demonstrator I have met some wonderful people, the team I belong to is named the Paper Angels and what Angels they are, they are kind, sharing and so talented.

One such Paper Angel is our very talented Kathy Dudley. She would disagree with me, she is so shy about her talent. She has just created a lovely card for her son for his 21st birthday.

It is a double tri shutter card. On the front we have the gold foil paper forming the birthday greetings and the 21 from our Large Number Framelits. Then take a peek inside and see the real beauty of this card. A walk through the life of her son.

Partly open, look at that cute little boy on the left and a handsome young man on the right.

..

Fully open, what a wonderful trip through this young mans life.

I think she is a very talented lady, she has made something that I think her son will cherish. This is scrapbooking in a very different way. So what do you think?

Retiform fun

The Retiform technique is not for everyone, but I actually love it. I suppose because it brings a little bit of creativity into the equation.

We had a great Wednesday morning cad class and made some lovely cards that were all slightly different. We started out a bit differently, instead of creating one card at a time, The Retiform base was created first, a little bit like a one sheet wonder but this time it was a half sheet wonder.

This was the sponging and masking part done. We used Crumb Cake and Soft Sky.

This was the stamping part done, I used the Awesomely Artistic stamp set. This was the base completed for 3 cards. Some of the ladies used 2 different stamp sets and decided to cut their card first and then stamp.

The first card was layered on to a pice of Crumb Cake and then on to Soft Sky base. The happy Birthday came from the Happy Birthday thinlits die, which is part of one of the bundles that I couldn't resist.

The next card was layered on to Soft Sky and then layered on to the Whisper White base. The sentiment Let's Celebrate was stamped onto the banner stamp that is sadly retired. It was the Balloon Adventures stamp set.

Finally the last card, it was mounted on a Crumb Cake base. The little strip of Soft Sky was run through the Woodgrain embossing folder. The sentiment was stamped in Crumb cake and then layered using the Layering Ovals Framelits.

The cards that everyone made were so individual and I loved what they all did with them. Here are some of them. Aren't they just so unique?

Beautiful You goes to the beach

During the Friday night class, one of the girls wanted to make a mothers day card from one of them. She wanted it to have a beachy theme as her mother in law lives on Stradbroke Island. She didn't want to use the middle one or the end one. So after a few  suggestions and a fiddle with the left over half circle I came up with using it as a sarong tying a belt on the hips with Linen Thread. The hat we made from Tip top Taupe and tied Linen thread around the band. She stamped Happy Mother's Day on the layered strips.

I had a few halves left over. So while we were chatting I fiddled and came up with another sarong. That fixed one half, what could I do with another? Why not have her hold an umbrella and paper piece it. So I did and this is my version, unfortunately I didn't take a photo of my friends lovely card.

My birthday just keeps on keeping on

This has just been the best birthday I have had. So many well wishes from everyone and gorgeous cards. I just got another one yesterday and had to show it. Leisha Ward is another Stampin' Up! demonstrator and sent me this lovely acetate card.

I have just had a class on using acetate in cards and now here is some more inspiration. Looks like I may have to have another acetate class.

A wonderful birthday

I have just had the most wonderful birthday and it just seems to keep getting better and better. It was a big one so I decided that I wanted to do something special. We decided on a 3 day holiday at Kingfisher Bay Resort on Fraser Island.


As soon as we hopped on the barge to Fraser I got my first "happy moment" in the form of a Dugong. Wow what a way to start a holiday. My actual birthday was perfect, a leisurely breakfast, followed by a guided tour of the sand hills and bush.

The ranger left us to our own devices after an hour and we spent another 2 hours exploring the bush and then down on to the beach for a lovely walk along the beach.

Lunch and then a rest before we headed back down to the beach for a guided kayak tour.
I was very pleased with myself, I didn't capsize once.

 Then a seafood dinner, "pure indulgence", two tiers of seafood. We could not get through it all.

Such a wonderful day and spent with the most wonderful person in my life, Patrick Kennedy.

You would think that would be the end of my celebrations, but, when I got home, in my letter box, I had two lovely cards waiting for me. Kelly Kent a lovely Stampin' Up! demonstrator who lives in Perth sent me this beautiful card. Thank you so much, Kelly.

Then I open the next one and it is from another fellow Paper Angel,
Bec Ross, such a gorgeous girl who is also  #bringingbirthdaysback

I can't say how thrilled I was to get these on my return home. What a great birthday, don't you think?

Bokeh class cards

My Bokeh technique class was so much fun. The colours we used made it all look like mist and soft rain. I love how just changing the colours can change the mood of a card, don't you?


Here is what we made...

Friday evening class

I jumped right in and had my first class using the new products out of the Occasions Catalogue last week. This same class is being repeated on Friday evening for anyone that missed the first class of the year.

The Occasions Catalogue has some lovely stamp sets, hard to resist bundles and oh my goodness, gorgeous papers. I have been stamping up a treat with all my new goodies, I can't wait to show you.

When: Friday 13th January 7pm

Cost: $10

Where: Zena's Craft Studio in Wellington Point (email me for the address)

Please RSVP so that I can prepare all the kits.

Please bring your ‘basic kit’ to each class. This includes a paper trimmer, tape runner, double sided foam tape, multipurpose liquid adhesive and scissors.  * If you area beginner and do not have a kit, there will be kits available for sale.

January Classes

Everything Occasional

This class is showcasing the Occasionals Catalogue. This will give you a taste of what is in the new catalogue.

Come along and have fun and take home 3 lovely cards everyone welcome.

Cost of class: $10
What to bring: Adhesives, glue dots, foam dimensional dots, scissors.
If you have these things, that is great, if not don't worry I have all the supplies that you can purchase.

Date & Time:
Monday 11th Jan 10am
Wednesday 13th Jan 10am
Wednesday 13th Jan 7pm

Wednesday 20th Jan 10am

RSVP: Please RSVP so that I know how many kits to prepare.

Suite Sayings Stamp Set video

Are you enjoying these daily videos? This one will showcase a great little stamp set. If you buy just one greetings stamp set, this is the one you should choose. Baby, birthday, congratulations, you'll find it here. Watch and learn how to create your own greeting cards using the Suite Sayings Stamp Set.

2016 Sale a Bration Online Hostess Club

My next Online Hostess Club will be starting in January 2016.

It is once again a 3 Month club, January through to March. The reason for only 3 months is because I want everyone to be a Hostess over the Sale a Bration period, and this way everyone in the group will benefit. For each $90 spent there is a FREE product to choose. So even though you are not a Hostess for the month you will still receive Free product. How good is that?

Here are the details...

When you join my Online Hostess Club...

• You will receive Instructions for 3 projects based around a Stamp Set or Product. 
• You will receive any new Stampin’ Up! catalogues as they become available during the 3 Months
• You will become the Hostess 1 Month out of the 3, and earn at least $30 FREE PRODUCT plus your Free Sale a bration product. 
• You can order from any of the product lines including the new Project Life range. 
• You will earn Sale a Bration items for FREE. 

 Would you spend $270 in 3 months (approx $3 a day) on your hobby? If the answer is yes then why not join the club and get some Free product and instructions on some beautiful projects.

Your Commitment Includes

• $90 Minimum Order each month for 3 Months only (January through to March) 
• You MUST order online using the Hostess Code that I’ll provide you with each month 
• You MUST commit to 3 Months Club Time 
• Your order MUST be placed before the 26th of each Month (to be fair to each Hostess for their Month)

There are limited spaces available, so please be quick to sign up. Email me if you would like to join.

Arrows Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

It's easy to make a great impression! Just place flat cardstock in this embossing folder, run it through the Big Shot, and out comes cardstock with a bold textured design.

I hope you have all recovered from Christmas day and all the celebrations. I am looking forward to New Year and wondering what 2016 will bring.

Spiral Flower Originals Die

As a crafter I love making flowers and now there is an easy and quick way of making some beauties. Learn the easiest way to make a perfect paper flower by watching the video below.

 Paper flowers are beautiful but cutting them by hand is tedious, especially if you're making more than one or two. Now you can cut a flower in seconds with the Spiral Flower Originals Die and Big Shot. And you can cut multiple sheets at one time or use different materials. After the flowers are cut, just roll and adhere. Make one, make a ton—either way, you'll have them done in no time!



If you want to take it one step further take a look at Anne Matasci's directions on making one out of denim.

Cutie Pie Thinlits Dies

Make die-cut boxes for individual treats, or create a whole cake! Cut out these boxes in record time with Thinlits dies and the Big Shot.

Wouldn't this be great for a Birthday party. Angela Lorenz a fellow Australian demonstrator has made this as a Birthday celebration cake.

Each slice could contain goodies that the guests are given to take home.

I know it is too late for this Christmas but look what Amy Storrie another Stampin' Up! demonstrator has done with them for Christmas.

This video will show you how. 

MAKE JUST ONE MORE

Everyone gives cards. Families who are staying at Ronald McDonald Houses® have occasions for card-giving too. But since their focus is on their children who are receiving medical care, they just might not have the time (or money) to go to the shop and buy a birthday card for nana or a thank-you card for the neighbour who’s collecting their mail and doing the lawns.

This is where you come in: RMHC House families need cards.

You make cards at my classes. So let's make just one extra card to donate to our local House. Maybe a Birthday, thank-you or a thinking of you card as these are always needed, so as well as making your cards in class, I will give you the materials to "make just one more". So come along and help Make a difference in someones life. If you do not attend any of my classes but would still like the opportunity to makes some cards for charity. please contact me and I can arrange a day.

Someone is turning ONE

Tomorrow is a special day for a sweet little girl. She is turning One, so I had to make a special card for this special girl.

I used the Hip Hooray It's Your Day kit from last seasons catalogue. I did lots of Spritzing on the outside and then on the inside I used the kissing technique on the number one.

Can you see the little hearts across the number one, where I used the kissing technique.

Awesomely Artistic is awesome

This stamp set is just as it's name implies, Awesomely Artistic.

The first two cards are only slightly different. I added the Happy Birthday sentiment to the first one. Both were stamped first with Blackberry Bliss and Mint Macaron and then run through the embossing folder using the Brick Wall Embossing Folder. To make the wall POP I sponged it with Crumb Cake.

 

 This one I added the Happy Birthday sentiment from the Teeny Tiny Sentiments stamp set to the banner.  These banners were made using the Banner Triple Punch. Each one of these cards I stamped in Mint Macaron and Blackberry Bliss ink.

Not really a little lady

Well I made another little lady, but she is not the same type as I usually make. My Grand daughter turned 9 and she is crazy on Lala Loopsey. So of course I just had to make her a card with this Little Lady on it. I got the image from a colouring book and then did my magic. Piecing it all together.

She loved it and her eyes just lit up when she saw it. That just made my day. I've made a few more since then as she is pretty cute.