Hi ... I am Leonie and I am an Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator and Manager. I live in Campbelltown, NSW, Australia with my husband and my gorgeous 2 girls.
Archive for May, 2008
The Short & Tall Watercolour Class
Posted by: | CommentsI loved making those little watercolour love notes at convention so I thought I should make a class for you all to enjoy them too!
Here is just a collection to show you what you’ll make in the class … you will make 8 cards - either tall or short or a mixture and and little folder to pop them into. A lovely way to keep them neat & tidy or to give them as a gift.
You will get to use the wonderful Stampin Up products and see just how much difference it makes to use Stampin’ Up!’s water colour paper - it really makes the world of difference with blending and colouring. It may cost a little more but the end result is soooo worth it.
I had so much fun making these up and I’m sure you will have a lot of fun during the class as well.
Check out my Classes & Workshops page for dates & times or email me for more details.
Just Add Chocolate
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A couple of months ago I got a lovely RAK from Maria in Texas, USA and I just loved how she did the card and its ‘insert’ and have kept it on my desk for one of those ’spare minutes’ to make one up myself.
Well I decided on the weekend that I really love the “I like it a Latte” set and rarely use it so I thought what better set to use casing this card of Maria’s. The Like it a Latte set is a great set as you can use it for cocoa/hot chocolate or for coffee.
Here you can see the inside of the card as well as the the ‘Pull Treat’ that I was inspired to make after receiving one as a swap at convention from Carol. It holds one of those cappuchino sachets you can buy in packs at the supermarket and I followed the tutorial at Splitcoast Stampers. The only tip I have about these Pull Treats is to measure what youre inserting and make sure it will fit nicely in there as if its too snug the adhesive will no hold properly.
How cool to send this card to a friend who needs a little pick me up? Or just to someone to let them know youre thinking of them??
You could even adapt it for anything - how about a get well card and include a sachet of chicken cup-of-soup!
I have a friend who does the pull treats and pops them in a mug and some marshmallows as a gift for friends and hostesses.
I do have another friend who has had a very trying week with all sorts of things not going right for her so I might just pop this in the post to her today!
Now if you would like to see how to make this cute card then contact me to book in your workshop today and I’ll show you just how easy it is!
Play Day!
Posted by: | CommentsI was talking to a friend a couple of weeks before the Stampin Up!® convention and mentioned how weird it was that although we only live 40 minutes drive from each other that we only seem to see each other at Convention and considering we’ve known each other for about 7 years we’d never got together before now.
So we remedied that and I took my girls over to visit her and her girls during the school holidays and it was a good day even though it kept raining and the girls ended up inside most of the day - now trust me when I say it can get a tad noisy with 6 girls under 13 in one house!!!
Well we had a play day today - Nikki came over and I showed her how to make those Mini Pocket Books I did the other week and she showed me how to make this gorgeous Brocade Basics card she made last week.
I just love these earthy colour and the colours of Autumn which we are now in. This card is so stunning and elegant.
Thanks Nikki for coming over today and showing me this gorgeous card.
After Nikki left I decided to sit down and work out what to order for my product bonus from Stampin’ Up!® Once to achieve certain levels you are now rewarded with a product bonus and since I became Manager in April I was able to order $300 in product bonus - how cool is that?? All that just for sharing what you love with others! What’s not to love about Stampin’ Up!® and yes Brocade Basics is one of the sets I ordered.
So if you would like to find out more about the awesome benefits of being a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator feel free to email or ring me today.
Happy Mother’s Day
Posted by: | CommentsIts been a quiet relaxing day today and just wanted to pop in and wish you all a Happy Mother’s Day!
Here are the cards I made for my mum & mother in law.
They were inspired by one my good friend Kerri showed me today. This first one is a simple 2 layer card.
The flower accent stamped on whisper white with purely pomegranate and layered onto a scalloped piece of purely pomegranate done using the new Scallop Circle punch. I just love that punch - and I am just so in love with the new in colours so expect to see more using them - especially when I get the other 3 colours!
This next one is for my mum and again the same general design just a little different with different elements.
Not sure if you can see it in the post but I’ve stamped the swirly bit (not sure what to call it sorry) twice - first in Sahara Sand and then over the top and offset in old olive to give it a bit of a dropped shadow effect. I’ve also put a dot of Crystal Effects in the centres of the flowers and sprinkled Dazzling Diamonds over the top to make the centres sparkly and who doesn’t like a bit of glitter on a card?? I sure the mums like them! I also love that Mother’s Day stamp - so classy & elegant.
Now I also wanted to share with you what Emily made last night. Emily has always loved play doh and plasticine and loves to create things with them and I was so in awe of what she did and all the detail she put into these.
Here we have the cat and she soooo loves cats.
Notice the whiskers? and check out the food bowl - water and dry food so he dont go hungry or thirsty!
Next we have the older sister Caitlyn doing what she does best and thats watch TV - she’d sit and watch it all day if she was allowed (and she isnt!) Notice the remote control on the table? She’s even put the dvd & video player into the cabinet under the TV - you can just see the orange bits sticking out.
Now of course we couldnt have all this with out mum could we? here I am at the computer (obviously writing a post to this blog!)
Do you see the green brush? its even got bristles!!
Yes I do usually have a brush on my desk as with two girls I tend to brush hair alot!
Last but not least is dear old dad! Now look at Dad’s chair and yes thats how it normally is with the foot rest out!
Then you have his table there complete with Fish tank, mouse for his laptop and drawers for his ‘things’
This child is a little too clever and very creative! Now if only she’d be creative and tidy her room! Then maybe she could teach her sister how to tidy hers as well!!
Have a great day everyone!
Trifold Pocket and a tag … or two
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This was the card that was highlighted in the Splitcoast Stampers Weekly Inkling - the regular newsletter you can get for free and it is full of great information, tutorials and challenges and well worth signing up for!
I just followed the tutorial for the Trifold Pocket card which was written by the very talented Beate Johns.
Beate does such stunning work and writes wonderful tutorials so that anyone can follow them & make lovely cards - if I can do it anyone can!!
Now can you believe there is NO INK and NO STAMPS on this card???? yes its true! A bit unlike me hey? Nearly fell off my chair when I realised but boy how much do I love the new Stampin’ Up!® rub ons?? they are wonderful and work first go unlike some others I know of from a major brand too - but we wont talk about thems.
Recipe:
Paper: Blue Bayou textured CS, Soft Sky textured CS, Fall Flowers DSP
Accessories: Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon, Blue Bayou double stitched ribbon, Cherished Memories Rub Ons, Tool Kit, circle punches, corner rounder, Pretties Kit.
I think it turned out a bit nice - just love the new In Colours and Designer Series Papers. I hope the recipient likes this card.
Now onto the tagging … I was tagged by my good friend and fellow demonstrator Nikki Stalker and the loverly Edie Bunting a fellow Diva from Erie PA in USA.
Rules of Tagging are …
- Link your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
- Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog
- Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs
- Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog
So here are my 7 facts
- I am married with 2 daughters and we have 3 angels in heaven.
- We have a thing about birthdays … I share my birthday with my aunt & brother-in-law, My oldest daughter was born on my grandfathers birthday, my youngest was born on my hubbies grandmothers birthday, My mum’s birthday is 2 days after my father-in-law and my dad’s birthday is 2 days before my Mother-in-law. Weird huh?
- I love watching the crime shows on TV especially, CSI, CSI Miami, CSI NY, NCIS, Without a Trace, Cold Case, Womens Murder Club, Law & Order, Law & Order Criminal Intent, Law & Order SVU, Criminal Minds, Numbers, Bones and I also like to watch Greys Anatomy, Stargate, Stargate Atlantis, Torchwood and ReGenesis.
- I love to watch Aussie Rules Football and love my Sydney Swans
- Looooove my coffee - but I think everyone knows that!
- I have fibromyalgia and was diagnosed in 2004
- I am a night owl and love to sit up in the wee hours of the morning making cards
Now onto tagging 7 more blogs I love to visit …
- Maxine Conrad - Max runs Utah Divas International which is a group just for SU Demonstrators and a great resource so if you want to know more about this then just ask me.
- Sharon Davis - a fellow demonstrator, lovely lady & friend and one very busy gal - I dont know how she does all she does!
- Stacey - a great friend from Texas and wannabe Aussie
- Creations by Adela - this lady does such lovely work and is a SU demo in USA
- Kerri Hunter - lovely friend and another Aussie demo
- Vanessa Webb - one of my very talented downlines
- Tracey Eaton - my lovely upline & its about time she put up another post
Now its time for me to sign off and leave comments on all those blogs so they know they’ve been tagged.
Hope you are all very nice to your Mums tomorrow for Mother’s Day and for all the mums - Have a great day and dont do anything you dont wanna
Chocolate or Vanilla?
Posted by: | CommentsI’m sure that you too have had all those email survey’s and one question that comes up a lot is the ‘Chocolate or Vanilla?’ So what happens if you’re like me and like both? There are days when one really needs Chocolate (bit like today!) and other days when Vanilla hits the spot.
I recently made this card for a swap for our Stampin’ Up! team. It was a swap where we had to use one of the new sets and I used the Occasional Greetings set.
Recipe:
Stamps: Occassional Greetings, Baroque Motifs
Cardstock: Berry Bliss DSP, Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink , Very Vanilla
Ink: Close to Cocoa, Versamark
Accessories: Chocolate Chip 5/8″ grosgrain, gold brads, stampin dimensionals.
Now when I normally make swaps I figure I may as well make a couple extra cards to use for samples or to send to someone (as one does with a card). So when making up my spares I ran out of the Chocolate Chip ribbon and thought hmm … what to do. I did have some Vanilla wide grosgrain I could use and thought it may be a bit too light for the card.
Well I put it together and thought … mmmm I think I like this better!
So you see although we think that chocolate cures all there are some times that vanilla works just as well!
Time for a coffee - have a great day!
Treats for Hostesses!
Posted by: | CommentsWell I must say when I got my sample Palette OPrints pad I was a little lost what to do with them as you might be too but wow have I had fun creating with them and I just want to share it all with you so I’m adding a little bonus for all my hostesses holding demonstrations during May and June.
How cute are these little boxes? I was sitting wondering what else to do with these gorgeous papers and my eyes wandered to my shelf where I have the three little boxes my upline, Tracey, gave me for Christmas which were filled with lots of goodies like buttons, brads and ribbons. You can find the tutorial for these boxes at Kristina Werner’s blog.
Now I know you wont want empty boxes so I too will be putting little surprises in them - but they wont necessarily be brads and such - I might even put in a voucher or the like so you wont know until you hold your demonstration!
I will even show you how to create these darling boxes so you and your guests will all know how to create them for your own gift giving.
Now because I’m feeling in a generous mood all those who contact me by midnight on Mother’s Day and book their demonstration in before 31st May will not only receive the tower of boxes but will also receive one of these containers also filled with little bits and pieces. The tutorial for these sour cream containers was written by my good friend Beate Johns and can be found at SplitCoast Stampers.
Also, if you attend a demonstration during May and book your own demonstration in June you will also receive one of these containers filled with little morsels to decorate your cards, scrapbook layouts and hand made gifts. There will be different goodies in each one so you wont get the same as someone else!
Now these little treats and bonuses I’m offering are only available from me and are in addition to the regular hostess benefits you would earn holding a demonstration.
Now I know some who read my blog are not close enough for me to come to your house to do a demonstration so if you would like to hold a ‘catalogue party’ then I will still send you these bonuses. Conditions do apply so please email me if youre interested.
So what are you waiting for?? email or phone me now to arrange your demonstration!
Whats on your Palette?
Posted by: | CommentsNow I bet your were thinking food or paint?? Well no - I am talking Palette O’Prints.
The Palette O’Prints is only available during May from Stampin Up!® for just $12.95 when you spend $35.00. Its a 6×6 pad of double sided prints designer series papers. Each pad includes 48 sheets from 12 patterns and 4 colours being …
- Certainly Celery
- Rose Red
- So Saffron*
- Almost Amethyst*
You can see the colours and designs here and I’m sure you can think of many ways to use these papers in your cards, crafts, or scrapbooking!
The So Saffron and Almost Amethyst included in this pad are not available in the 2008 Idea Book and Catalogue so you can ony get those colours through this special offer.
This card was made using the Palette O’Prints Almost Amethyst for the shirt and So Saffron Prints for the background.
I have also used the Occassional Greetings Set for this quick and easy Father’s Day Card.
This one is so fun and fast to make and I’d love to show you how to do the shirt so when you place an order of $50 or more with me during May I will include the shirt instructions - or why not book a demonstration with me in May and not only will I show you how to make the shirt but you will also get to keep all I make at your demonstration and a free Catalogue!
Its my neices’ birthday on Tuesday so I was trying to think of a way to make a nice card for her and she’s not a baby anymore - she’ll be 20 so its not like I can give her the cute fairy cards anymore! They just grow up way too quick!
I went looking for ideas and found these great little bag cards using Designer Series Prints Papers and a couple of Punches. I used one of Certainly Celery Patterned sheets from the Palette O’Prints for the background and used my Round Tab & Oval punches to create these gorgeous bags and added Rhinestone Brads for a little bling!
I thought a plain ‘happy birthday’ sentiment didnt fit right so used the sentiment from the Fabulous Flowers set which just seemed to ‘fit’. I do hope Janine has a fabulous birthday and she also likes the card!
So as you can see you can do many things with the papers from the Palette O’Prints and I will be showing you more things during May using this great little Palette.
Leonie
Mini Pocket Books
Posted by: | CommentsI know its been a few days since I posted and I do apologise for that but I have been working on these gorgeous little pocket books!
A friend (thanks Vicki) shared what she had made with her Scor-pal and being that I got one recently I thought I just had to try her tutorial - and all it takes is one sheet of 12×12 and a dash of inspiration.
So I grabbed an old sheet of 12×12 and realised how easy these little books are I had to make some with our lovely new Designer Series papers!
This one uses the lovely Fall Flowers Papers and I’ve made it into a Mother’s Day Card which I will add some tags for myself and my girls to write on for mum and also pop in a few recent photo’s of us all.
Recipe:
Stamps: Wonderful Favourites, Baroque Motifs
Papers: Fall Flowers, Old Olive Cardstock, Soft Sky Cardstock
Inks: Old Olive, Versamark
Accessories: Stampamajig, Pretties Kit, Stitched In Colour Ribbons, Very Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon, Ribbon Originals - Theatre, Bind it All & wires.
This one is done with the Spring Flowers Papers and would make a great gift for a friend. You could use it as an encouragement booklet with uplifting sayings or quotes and a little note to tell them why you appreciate them and their friendship - or just as an encouragement if they are going through a rough time or for no reason at all!
Recipe:
Stamps: Simply Said
Papers: Spring Showers Designer Series Paper, Bashful Blue Cardstock, Whisper White Cardstock
Inks: Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Stampin Write Markers, Grosgrain Ribbons, Stitched In Colour Ribbons, Gingham Ribbon, Bind it All & wires.
Now this one just has to be my favourite - its using the Berry Bliss papers and how could you go wrong with Pink & Brown??
Recipe:
Papers: Berry Bliss Designer Series Papers, Pretty In Pink Cardstock, Very Vanilla Cardstock, Chocolate Chip Cardstock
Stamps: Baroque Motifs, Priceless, Simply Said, Beautiful Life, God’s Blessings, Be Happy, Garden Whimsy, Polka Dot & Paisley and Simply Said - it sound like alot of sets but most were for different sayings.
Inks: Versamark, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink, Apricot Appeal, Creamy Caramel
Accessories: Very Vanilla & Pretty in Pink Taffeta Ribbon, Stampin Pastels, Stampin Write Markers, Brads, Grosgrain Ribbon, Ribbon Originals - Theatre, Stampin Dimensionals, Sponge Daubers, Circle Punches
I just love this one - I’ve used the Berry Bliss with a combination of stamp sets and techniques. These books have 8 pockets so I’ve made 4 tags to pop inside so you will have one tag and one photo per double page opening.
I would just love to show you how to make these in a class and I know your mums or friends would just love them too!
So ring me today to arrange a date - quick Mother’s Day is only 8 days away!!
Dont have time for a class before Mother’s day? then contact me for details for a kit or a pre-made one.
