My first attempt at the Blendabilities - a new product line coming in the 2014-15 catalogue.  I've dabbled very briefly with alcohol markers before, and have a few copics and kuretake markers, but because I didn't have 'enough' colours to blend with, it seemed more like standard colouring in!  And the colours didn't match the patterned papers, cardstock and embellishments I wanted to use them with.  So, like the forgotten scrapping photos, they have languished...
At the recent Inspire Create Share Convention in Melbourne,  a set of three Blendabilities markers and the Blended Bloom stamp were given away to every attendee.  I added Old Olive and Daffodil Delight marker trios to my Demonstrator Pre-order, and had a play.  I forgot to get the magical 'Color Lifter' though, so made do with another brand.  It gave a more 'rustic' look to the flower than I intended, or maybe it was the rusty applicator??  In any case, I simply built a rustic style card around it.  .  The colours are the new Mossy Meadow and Hello Honey, on a base of Naturals White.  The leaves and butterflies are from a new set called "Kinda Eclectic", which I think will be a new favourite.  As a finishing touch, I highlighted some leaves and stamens with Crystal Effects.

The greeting is from a set called "Gifts of Kindness"  Sorry about the tilta head requirement, I forgot to rotate the pic before uploading.

Kinda Fun, Kinda Versatile, Kinda Eclectic!

I love Convention for the friends, the happy chatter and gathering, the business stuff, and the stampin!  We are treated with lots of goodies from the upcoming catalogue, and while I can't show you that just yet, I can show you this card we made during one of the Make and Take sessions. It's using a new set called "Kinda Eclectic" and I think I'm in love - sort of grungy but elegant at the same time.
It also features some of the new In Colors, Mossy Meadow, Tangelo Twist, and Hello Honey
Let me know what you think :-)

Fun stuff not far away!

2013 was the Best. Convention. Yet!  I think I say that each year but truly, Stampin' Up! spoiled us rotten in celebration of their 25th year as a company with heart.  So many giveaways, so much inspiration, so much excitement over what is ahead!

There's still 2 weeks left to make sure you've ordered all those goodies that are leaving us - the best way to see what is available on the Retirement Lists is via the Shop Now button at the top right of my blog sidebar.  Create an account in a few simple steps and you're off and shopping for bargains!  In case you've left it to the last minute, there's about 1 hour left on the Digital Sale! - ends tonight at 11.50pm.  By signing up for an account and placing an order, either directly with me or via my online store, you'll also be helping us reach our Convention Challenge of introducing as many new people to our great product range as possible!  If we reach it, there's even more free goodies for us!  And I have some free goodies to give away too!

So, grab a pen and jot down this code for your order, and create an account to shop today - 69SHUUN7 - just enter these details when prompted for the Hostess Code - you'll also be entering my draw for a prize bundle to be drawn June 30th.

 Above I have put some pics of a sneak peek, just one of the inspiring cards made on stage at Convention, this one by the uber talented Shannon West.  We all know Washi tape is just awesome stuff to create with, and you can never own too much, but imagine being able to STAMP it!  In whatever colour combo took your fancy!  This card does just that, and I can't wait to get my hands on this set. 
 

Oh, Hello - Hexagons, Chevrons & Lace

 Here are a couple of cards I made recently, using products from the current Anniversary Seasonal Catalogue.  It's full of the latest trends, such as chevrons, vintage trinkets and hexagons.

The two cards started out with the same basic layout, and I tweaked the second to change it up a bit.  In the end, I didn't have a clear favourite.  The base is So Saffron, embossed with the Honeycomb folder, $13.95, p6.  I used Raspberry Ripple for the base oval, and stamped the Oh, Hello Chevron oval in Primrose Petals to make the topper oval, cutting with Ovals Collection Framelits.  Incidentally, this collection of ovals is a little different to others available - the outer-most, largest oval is scalloped, ready to nest with any of the inner plain ovals - what a great idea!

For the top card, I then took some snips of DSP - my current favourite from the Anniversary Catalogue, Tea for Two, and another favourite from the Annual Catalogue, First Edition Specialty.  I used a square punch on one end to create the banner look.  Some delicious lace from the very special "Artisan Embellishments Kit"  ($16.95, p10) was given the same end treatment (with scissors though!).  Some seam binding and coloured lace were tied together in a knot, and topped with a resin rose all from the kit.  The sentiment is from Memorable Moments, and is mounted on a funky square from the Apothecary Accents Framelits set.  Some matching chevrons are overstamped on this piece.  A flower from Oh, Hello was inked with markers, stamped and cut out.

For the bottom card, I substituted a fancy resin button for the rose, moved the sentiment to the opposite side, on a different Apothecary Accents shape, used a slice of Vanilla Paper Doily Sizzlit instead of DSP and added another Chevron stamp from Oh, Hello.

 Would you like to see more?  There's plenty in the 40 page Anniversary Seasonal Catalogue to suit a multitude of tastes.  Click on the blue cover image in the right sidebar to view online, or txt me with your name & address to get a hard copy sent in the post.

In other important news, Sale-a-bration is coming to an end - March 22nd, just over 2 weeks left! 
I'll be placing orders up to the 19th - but I'll be travelling after that and I can't guarantee I'll be able to submit last minute orders.

Also - Registration for Convention 2013 will be opening in just a few days, for demos from 11th March, and from 19th for guests.  But - really, it's a no-brainer if you'd like to attend but are not yet a demonstrator - sign up today!  You'll benefit from the extra value in the SAB joining kit, you'll be able to register early, AND you'll also save $100 by being a demo attendee.  Spend just $169 to join, save $100 on convention registration, and get $294 worth of products + an $80 business supplies pack.  And that doesn't get even close to the real benefits of joining my team!  Check out the info page here or give me a call to chat about your options.

I have a feeling it's going to be a silvery, sparkly, special kind of Convention, Stampin' Up sure know how to party, and they've a lot to celebrate this year!
Have a lovely Wednesday everyone :-)

Convention, Stampin' Crop and a massive Stampin' Garage Sale!

Oh. My. Goodness!  Wow!  I am back from convention 2011 in Melbourne, and re-immersed in uni, kids and family life.  Sorry for the longer than usual gap between posts, but I have heaps of fun things to show you over the next little while.  If you ever get a chance to go to convention, as a guest or as a demo (in my cute little team of course!), I highly recommend it.  It runs for three days now, and the whole road trip, convention, shopping and more felt like a luxurious break than a conference!  Stampin' Up! events are always great, but this particular convention (my third) was the best yet.  Sneak peeks, prizes, delicious food and great company, what more could you want??  Next year's convention will be held in Canberra from May 31st to June 2nd, so if you're keen to attend, ring me for a chat about becoming a demo yourself.  There is lots more background info in the 'become a demonstrator' page right here on my blog. 

For lots more pics and goss, take a look at Shelli Gardner's blog, So Shelli.  Here's just a couple of my pics, the first of the stupendous Bonnie Thurber cracking us all up with her enthusiasm and great sense of fun.  This is a fascinator, a la Princess Beatrice, made from the scrap strips on Nursery Suite Quick Accents.  There was more, lots more, but I may have been laughing too hard to take a good pic...

Next up is just one of the 10 or so display boards holding the swaps made by the ~500 demos who attended.  I'll be carefully looking at the cards in detail later, but you can also see my own collection if you come along to my Stampin' Crop days, or book a workshop with me!

Onto other stuff!

Firstly, THIS SATURDAY 21st May is my monthly Stampin' Crop Day from 10am -5pm.  The cost for the day is $15 per person, and this includes use of my stamps and tools, casual instruction, bottomless tea and coffee, and a light snack style lunch.  Spaces are limited, and new ladies are always welcome, so give me a call on 9484 9447 to book a place.  Bring along your basic papercraft tools such as trimmer and any projects or ideas you are keen to play with.  It's a great casual crafting day, no pressure, just lots of laughs and great company.

And, starting this Saturday, guests at my Stampin' Crop day will get first dibs on purchasing items from my mega-clear out Stampin' GARAGE SALE!  I have heaps and heaps of stamp sets, and have finally decided to part with my retired inkpads, markers, reinkers and cardstock.  I'm still clearing out my studio, so there will undoubtedly be more to add!  After Saturday, I'll be loading stuff onto Ebay, and will share a link here once there is stuff to browse.

There is a new batch of discounted goodies available for "Deal of the Week", check out the list here for deals on ribbon and rhinestone brads!

Um, what else??  OH!!!  Grab those diaries ladies, because it's time to host a workshop with me!  You'll see some great new products, innovative ways to use them, share a happy few hours with some friends, and, best of all, earn lots and lots of  free stuff!  There's a special new promotion running between Monday May 23rd to Thursday 30th June, called "Extra Extra".  For a workshop reaching $450 or more in sales, (INCLUDING shipping!!) you will receive your usual Hostess Benefits of dollars to spend in the catalogue, and exclusive Hostess stamp sets.  But, then you will receive an ADDITIONAL $70 to spend in the catalogue!

so, say your workshop sales including the postage and handling amount reach $465.  As you can see from the table here you earn a level 1 hostess set and $40 as your usual entitlements, but during this promotion you will have a total of $110 to spend!  How cool is that?  Please give me a call or contact me via email, I am able to offer catalogue parties as well as traditional in-home workshops, so you needn't be nearby.  I do have uni assignment and exam commitments in June, so please be quick for best choice of dates and times.