Friday was the last day of school here in Sydney for 2011 and that means Teacher’s Gifts!

I wanted to do something a little more than just a box of chocolates so I made some post-it note holders and Caitie made some Whoopie Pies to pop in with the chocolates.

Here’s all the Post-It note holders I made using the Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper Pack which will be part of the freebies for next year’s Sale•a•bration!

Actually the one of the bottom right uses paper from the Timeless Portrait Designer Series Paper pack.  I’ve popped in some Stampin’ Up! pens I picked up at Memento Mall at the Stampin’ Up! Convention in Melbourne.

Here’s a pic of a single Post It Note Holder ..

How nice is this paper?? I’m sorry to say that you wont be able to buy it … but I’m very happy to say that you can earn it for FREE during Sale•a•bration! There is also a gorgeous stamp set that matches the design on this paper – now you’re getting excited arent you??

Here’s the inside of the holder …

Comes complete with 2012 calendar!

The teachers were all wrapped with their gifts and here’s to 2012 and also means both girls will be in the same school with Emily starting High School – now just where did my babies go??

If you would like more information about Sale•a•bration! or to book a workshop in during the Sale•a•bration! period which goes from 24th January to 31st March 2012 then please contact me today to arrange your copy of the Sale•a•bration! Catalogue or book your date.

Morning Everyone!!

Well its a tad chilly here this morning and I have so much to do before tonight’s workshop and thought I’d start off with a Coffee and a Blog post!

A couple of weeks ago we treated ourselves to a little weekend getaway. Well Hubby’s nephew was getting married on the South Coast so we took an extra couple of days to relax in and around Ulladulla on NSW South Coast.

Now when it comes to Wedding Cards you want to make them that extra little bit special and here is the card I created for the lovely couple

I used our Shimmer White Cardstock but wanted it more ‘shimmery’ so spritzed it with a mix of our Frost White Shimmer Paint and  Rubbing Alcohol.  It worked a treat so after punching out umpteen little flowers in Whisper White, Very Vanilla and Bashful Blue I spritzed them as well.  Now if you are going to do this technique you need to make sure you allow time for the spritzed pieces to dry before assembling the card other wise you will be assembling the card the morning you leave!

I’d only recently purchased the Elegant Lines embossing folder and now wonder why it took me so long to get it – it was perfect for this card! Dont forget to check out this month’s special for the Big Shot dies that are 10% off – just in time for Christmas too!! Just click on the advert in my sidebar for all the details!

Here we are all dressed up …

Now you couldnt go down to the South Coast without going to the Beach and as hubby and I used to have a caravan down at St George’s Basin (pre kids) we knew where to stop on the way home …

Hyam's Beach

Hyam’s Beach is known for its ‘white’ sand and is reported to be one of the Whitest sand beaches in the world! The water was so clear when we were there and there were some people not too far out  – about 100 metres – snorkelling and looking at the Octopus and Stingrays that were there!

While we were at the reception at Mollymook Beach on the Saturday we actually saw a whale jumping in and out of the water … actually Caitie was the first to see it. Pretty special.

It was a lovely weekend and Kat picked the perfect day as the weather on Sunday was a bit dubious and now I’m looking forward to freeing up a weekend here and there and taking a few more ‘breaks’.

Well yes I know today is Sunday but I really wanted to do this week’s Sketch from Utah Divas International Sketch Challenge.

I have been on the go since Convention finished last weekend and went for a quick trip over to see my family in Cobden, Victoria and pop in to see my mum in the nursing home – a rather emotional time.

Then Tuesday it was driving back to Avalon to catch my flight home but not before having a nice relaxing lunch with the lovely Mel Sharp – thanks Mel for coming and keeping me company at Avalon – just as well it was Tuesday and not Wednesday ey??

Wednesday I just relaxed and tried to catch up on some sleep then it was back into creating cards and making up kits for a Workshop on Friday night and today I’ve been busy creating & cutting up kits for tomorrow’s Workshop – see told you I’ve been busy!

Soooo … without further ado here is this week’s Sketch ….

Here is my card and one of the cards the ladies will be making tomorrow …

Recipe:
Stamps: Elements of Style, Bring on the Cake
Inks: Jet Black Stazon, Elegant Eggplant, Perfect Plum
Paper: Elegant Eggplant, Old Olive, Whisper White
Accessories: Stampin Pastels, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Very Vanilla 1/8″ Taffeta Ribbon

I do hope the ladies enjoy making this card tomorrow and hope you like it too!

Dont forget if you hold a workshop between now and 30th June and your Total Sales come to $450 or more you will receive a bonus $70 to spend – so instead of receiving a Level 1 Hostess set and $40 to spend you will get a free Level 1 Hostess set and $110 to spend in any of the current Stampin’ Up! Catalogues.

Contact me today to book in your workshop or to arrange your own Catalogue Party.

Welcome to another Saturday and a Utah Divas Sketch Challenge.  Today I had my first ‘home’ Stamp A Stack for 2011 and we had a ball! The ladies loved the cards I made for them and they even paid me for all the fun! Gotta love that   If you are local to me (Campbelltown, New South Wales) and would like to come to my monthly Stamp A Stack or join my Stamp Club then drop me a line for more details.

Now onto this week’s sketch …

Now I did take a peek at the sketch earlier in the week and was trying to work out what to do – then I unpacked an order where I received my free Sale•A•Bration stamp sets and I knew what I wanted to do! I’d also ordered the Subtles Collection Designer Series Paper Stack and then realised this morning what a perfect pair they make!

This is what I made …

As soon as I finished this card I was in love! Not only with the new Designer Series Paper Stacks but also with the Punch Bunch Sale•A•Bration stamp set.  So so easy to use and just perfect every time and all the stamps are designed to go with one of the Stampin’ Up!® Punches – you gotta love that!

Now I loved the Perfect Plum card and thought a Rose Red one would be nice …

Oh boy was I right or what??  but wait … there’s more!!

I just couldnt stop so I made these ….

How sweet is this little set?  Such a quick and easy and cute card   Now how do you get to make these cards?? Well you can either book a workshop with me or you can place an order for all you’ll need for this set and get the Punch Bunch Sale•A•Bration stamp set for free!

You will need ….

• Subtles Collection Cardstock
• Subtles Collection Designer Series Paper Stack
• Whisper White Cardstock
• Scallop Circle Punch
• 1 3/8″ Circle Punch
• 1/4″ White Grosgrain Ribbon
• Stampin Write Markers – Rose Red, Old Olive, More Mustard, Perfect Plum, Baja Breeze, Pretty in Pink and So Saffron

If you’d like to order all you need and get the Punch Bunch Sale•A•Bration stamp set for free then ring or email me today.

Now its time to skip along to the next designing Diva being the lovely RuthieB!

Here’s the complete list of all the Sketchy Utah Divas in case someone doesnt have their link up or it doesnt work – now dont forget to leave some comment love for us all!

Adriana
Alisa
Barbara
Becky
Elizabeth
Jeannette
Leonie •you are here•
Ruthie
Tammy
Carol

Have a wonderful Saturday!

How special is this!

Last week I received this award from the loverly Tammy Fite – a fellow Utah Diva and Stampin Up Demonstrator from USA and then a few days ago I got the same award from the loverly Nikki Stalker – a long time stamping friend and fellow Aussie Stampin Up Demonstrator.

I am always humbled when I get these awards and especially when they come from fellow Stampin’ Up! Demonstrators.

Now as part of this award I need to share 8 things about me and to pass this award onto 8 bloggers and let them know they too have been awarded with this very prestigious award.

So ……..

8 Things about me ….

1. I am a Christian and think I’d be in a very dark place if I didnt have my faith.
2. I love coffee (you didnt know that did you??)
3. I love to Stamp (didnt know this either did you?)
4. I have a Cichlid Fishtank – and my fav fish is ‘Jack’ my Frontosa who is 15cm long & 7cm high (6″ x 2 3/4″)
5. I was born on my Aunt’s birthday and share my birthday also with my Brother in Law (the one who makes my storage units)
6. I cant wait till Stampin’ Up! Convention in May
7. I cant wait till school goes back next week!
8. I think I need another coffee!

Now to pass this award onto 8 Bloggers I love to visit …

1. Lisa Ryder
2. Libby Dyson
3. Patty Bennett
4. Melissa Garland
5. Kerri Hunter
6. Maxine Conrad
7. Jo Dumbleton
8. Gretchen Barron

Make sure you go check these ladies’ blogs out cos they are all uber talented and such lovely ladies as well

How often has it been your fault that your daughter cant find her ipod headphones or anything else that has been imperative for her survival? Every other day it seems to be my fault that Miss Caitie can not find this or that and especially the headphones for her ipod. Well it will be my fault no more!

After the last episode when she couldnt find her headphones I decided it was time to act and today I did!

I recycled some empty brad containers and turned them into personalised little hand baggies for the girls and here they are …

How cute did these turn out and yes there is one for each of the girls!

I’ve simply used the Circle dies for the Big shot to cut out the Designer Series Paper & circles used for the layers. I stamped my images and then cut that piece using the 1 3/4″ circle punch. I used the marvellous Crop-a-dile to punch holes in the side to thread the ribbon through.

These little bags were inspired by a little bag that the lovely Tanya Kitto made while she was visiting back in August.  What a great week that was

Now not to be left out I made myself one as well!

I couldnt go past the Lap of Luxury DSP and the Morning Cup stamp set.

Even hubby commented on how cute the bags are and noted he didnt get one. Now I did offer to make him a little bag too but he said he’d survive without one!  There’s no pleasing some people!

So next time Caitie yells “Mum have you seen my ipod earplugs?”  I can then say …..

It’s in the bag!

well it should be!!

Just think of all the Christmas presents you could give in one of these!!

Today is cold and raining and I thought I’d share a couple of awards I received from the very lovely Andrea Buckland.

Andrea and I met through being Stampin’ Up! Demonstrators and we met (in real life) for the first time last May at Convention. Andrea and her hubby stayed a little longer to visit family and they stopped in on me while they were here and driving back from Canberra.

I have been so very blessed with the friends I’ve made since joining Stampin’ Up! and Andrea is such a blessing to me and I’m honoured to accept these two awards from her.

Firstly ….

Best Blog Friends Forever Award

I think the name says it all dont you??  Thanks Andrea for giving me this award and now I’ll pass it onto 5 more blog friends being …..

1. Lisa Ryder
2. Libby Dyson
3. Melissa Garland
4. Kerri Hunter
5. Tanya Kitto

The next award Andrea gave me was the ‘One Lovely Blog’ award ….

So sweet of her dont you think??

Now to pass this one on – I’ve selected blogs that I get inspiration and motivation from ….

1. Inking Idaho
2. Creations by AR
3. Claire Daly
4. Jayne Mercer
5. Sharlene Torres

Thanks again to Andrea for the honour.  Enjoy your awards girls

Well can you believe its just 9 weeks till Christmas – yes thats just 63 days! Oh dear – I think I better do me some organising and lists!!

Now to help you with some gift ideas and gift wrapping and such a few of the girls from ESAD (Extra Special Australasian Demonstrators) have got together to showcase some ideas for you – how nice are we??

What is ESAD?

ESAD stands for Extra Special Australasian Demonstrators and it is an online group just for Australian and New Zealand demonstrators for Stampin’ Up!®

We so love what we do and not only do we love to share it with our customers, friends, and wonderful blog visitors but we share our love for what we do with each other as Demonstrators. We run swaps, challenges, tutorials, product know how and cyberstamps and we are always there to help and support each other when its needed.

So if you are a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator located in Australia or New Zealand then please feel free to click here to join our wonderful group.

Now it doesnt matter where you start the blog hop – you just keep going until you’ve visited all 15 blogs – if you’ve started here with me then just keep going until you get back to me!  I can assure you that you wont be disappointed as the girls are so talented and come up with the bestest ideas!

The first project I wanted to share with you today is this awesome organiser – now didnt I say earlier I needed to get some organising done? Its just as well I now have one of these!

How neat is this??

How cute is that Santa jacket??

As soon as I saw this on Becky Roberts blog I had to make me one!  There’s a note pad there to make those lists we all need to make and the ribbon is latticed on the left side so you can slide in notes, photo”s,  gift cards and reminders. I’ve blinged the ribbon lattice with our new self adhesive diamontes.

The three images across the top are actually attached to magnets and I’ve covered a metal ruler with the red and white polka dot dsp so the magnets will stay on. I couldnt help myself – I had to add the Penguin!  They are my favouritest animal and I do have a small collection of them and yes one of my favourite places to visit is Phillip Island in Australia.

Here is a close up of the magnets …

they are just too cute – and how wonderful is that new Extra Large Ornament Punch??  The one here has one of our new self adhesive diamontes in the centre.

Now not only do you need to get yourself organised for Christmas but you also need somehting to put all your lovely little gifts in so here is a selection of bags and boxes to give you a few ideas.  I will be scheduling a Boxes, Bags n Tags class next month so stay tuned for details on that.

Here we have …..

• A Large Gift Bag which could be used for books, dvd’s, clear mount stamp sets,wood mount stamp sets, video games and lots of chocolates
• Box in a Bag which could be used for ribbons, brads, embellishments, watch, jewellry, cup, candles and lots of chocolates
• tall gift box (centre) could be used for pens, markers, smooch spritz, small punches, ribbons, brads, jewellry, pandora beads, pandora bracelet and lots of chocolates
• Triangle Boxes (shown here in 3 sizes) can be used for jewellry, watches, gift cards, gift voucher, a la carte stamp, beads, pandora, locket, diamond ring and lots of chocolates

I hope that I have given you a few ideas for getting organised for Christmas and something to pop your pressies in. I’ve had a wonderful time creating these lovelies  to inspire and motivate you!

Now if you’d like to see one or two of these items demonstrated please dont hesitate to email or ring me to book your demonstration in.

Now its time to hop along to the next blog in the ESAD Christmas Blog Hop which is by the lovely and super talented Pauline Bennetts.

Now if you happen to get lost along the way here is a list of all the ESAD Christmas Blog Hoppers today ….

1. Sharlene Torres
2. Kim Conway
3. Andrea Lowcock
4. Jo Weedon
5. Narelle Hodges
6. Leonie Schroder (that’s me!)
7. Pauline Bennetts
8. Aly Adcock (its also Aly’s Birthday so wish her a happy birthday while youre there!)
9. Tanya Bell
10. Monique Fielder
11. Julie Fettes
12. Jane Norrish
13. Keryn Campbell
14. Bev Watt
15. Jan McAnulty

Now dont forget to leave comments at each blog cos we all just love comments

Happy Sunday to you all!

I had my monthly Stamp A Stack here yesterday and I was very happy that the house was back in some form of order after last weekend’s reshuffle!  The ladies even noticed my loverly new cupboards!

Last month the girls asked for a card using the lovely new Owl Punch from Stampin’ Up!® so what’s a girl to do??

I love this punch and it is just so much fun to play with so therefore it shall now be known as “the Owl of Happiness”!!

Here’s the Owl card we made yesterday ….

Recipe:

Stamps: Woodgrain Background, Just Believe, Heard from the Heart
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Cajun Craze, River Rock, Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Old Olive, Greenhouse Gala DSP
Inks: Cajun Craze, River Rock, Early Espresso
Accessories: Two Step Owl Extra large punch, Little Leave Sizzlets, Big Shot, Crystal Effects

How cute is this card??

It’s also suitable to give to anyone for just about any occasion – just by changing the sentiment!

I’ve also found that when assembling your owly it is best to use the Tombox glue with the fine nozzle and a pair of tweezers.  I find that if you add Crystal Effects to Owly’s eyes and the heart and it just makes such a difference.

I just love this little punch and its rather versatile as you can create other items with it – not just owls!

This was the first time I’d actually inked up my Woodgrain Background Stamp – its one I received as part of an award from Stampin’ Up! at convention in May. It makes a great background and I can see it being used quite a bit in the future!

If you would like to make this card then contact me today to book in your free demonstration!

I know I could use one right now however its 6.37am and everyone is in bed and the coffee machine makes such a noise I’d wake them all up and I dont want to do that!  I’ve been up since 4am and awake since 2.40am – I think hubby really needs to see someone about his snoring!

As you know I run a Demonstrator only group for Stampin’ Up! Demonstrators in Australia and New Zealand and we run a quarterly secret sister program through the group. Its a great way to get new ideas and be a little spoilt along the way – and who doesnt like handmade cards and little gifts in the mail? I know I love them and this is the gift I got yesterday for September ….

How divine is this?? You’d think my Secret Sister knows me quite well … she did put a note in saying that the pot is for coffee only!

I am going to have to go searching for the template for these – they are just so darned cute!

Now the tea cup has a slit in the top and thats so you can slot the ‘tea bag’ message/sentiment in like here ….

Its just too cute for words!

So if you are my secret sister and happen to be visiting my blog I say thank you for this gorgeous little gift