Just two more sleeps!!

When it comes to the start of a new Stampin’ Up! Idea Book and Catalogue we just turn into little kids do we not? counting down the ‘sleeps’ like little kids do before Christmas or their Birthdays cos its just so exciting for all the new things that will come!

Now with the new Idea Book & Catalogue starting on Thursday this means you only have today and tomorrow to get your orders in for anything on the Retired Items list – you can view the list by clicking on the button in my sidebar over on the right or click here to download the file.

Here are a couple of cards using some retired stamps just to reminisce a little ….

I love these two sets and will be sad especially to see Always retire – be sure to check that list to ensure you dont miss out on anything you need to have.  I will have my used Retired Sets for sale on thursday so be sure to pop back then! I am still offering Free Shipping on orders with retired items till 6pm tomorrow – payment will need to be by credit card so I can get your order in on time.

Now would you like a little sneak peek of whats to come??

Here’s a little card I made last week …

I’ve been finding it hard to back into creating after Mum’s passing but this card has a little bit of sentiment attached to it.  Years ago, when I was much younger I loved to look through Mum’s jewelry box and she had this most gorgeous Cameo necklace and it came to mind as I opened the new Designer Frames Embossing folders. The silhouettes are in a new stamp set called Forever Young which I had won at Convention and this was just a match made in heaven!

I’m thinking it needs a little something but not sure – I dont want to add too much and overdo it – maybe a bow and an antique brad? What do you think?

I’ve also used some new Designer Series Paper and a lovely leafy swirl stamp from Creative Elements (yup another new set!) which was one of the sets we received in our Convention bags.

I cant wait to share the new catalogue with you and if you dont have your copy yet contact me to arrange one today!

 

 

Thanks for stoppin by

Happy Valentines Day

I thought today would be appropriate to share these two cards.  Well when I say two cards its the same card just in two different colours.

Yesterday was the Engagement Party for my nephew James and the lovely Kat. It was a wonderful day and the happy couple were just beaming – they truely are a perfect match.

It was also timely that the Challenge blog – Just Add Ink have this week’s challenge as ‘Just Add Love

Here’s my card …

JAI-55

I love the Always stamp set and havent used it in a while and its the perfect set for ‘love’.  I also adore that heart stamp :) Its great for embossing or the direct to rubber technique.  I also added a couple of rhinestones to the image to make it that little bit special for James & Kat.

Here’s a close up of the heart to show you the rhinestones and the layers …

The heart is in two layers and mounted onto the white piece using Stampin’ Dimensionals to give it more depth.

Now I did say I made this in two colours and here is the other card made in Baja Breeze ..

Now I left the decision with hubby and the girls to choose which one to give and the Perfect Plum card was the winner. So at least with making two I still have the Baja one to show as a sample!

Thanks for stoppin by

Seeing Spots …. or is that Circles?

 

Good morning everyone – I do hope you are well and not getting washed away with all this rain we are having in Sydney. We do need it and it is falling in the catchment areas so that’s a good thing as it means its going into our dams where we need it.

Thursday I shared with you two scrapbook layouts I made using the Circle Scissor Plus and at our SaleABration Spectacular I demonstrated using the Circle Scissor Plus and the different ways you can use it.

SweetCircles Today I want to share with you two cards I used as samples on the day.

This first card was done using the Sweet Always Designer Series Papers, coordinating cardstock and the A Kind Word and Always Stamp sets.

I showed the ladies just how easy it is to do frames with the Circle Scissor Plus without moving it. I’ve also thrown in a couple of our circle punches to show how well Stampin’ Up! products go together.

WindsorBoyBirthdayNot to let the boys out I even made a card for them!

This card uses the Windsor Knot Designer Series Papers, coordinating cardstock, and the All in the Family, On Your Birthday and the Calendar Alphabet & Numbers stamp sets.

I have layered the circles again for the main image and with the All in the Family stamp set its imperative you use the Stamp-a-ma-jig so all your images line up well.

I did try to not use it and my little girl (which is not shown here) ended up with fangs from the top of her dress! Not a good look for a little girls card – unless of course you’re doing a Twilight theme!!!

I am running classes this first term called “Tool Time” where I will highlight a tool and show you different ways of using your Stampin’ Up! tools. So many times we see them demonstrated and just ‘have’ to have it and then it get put on the shelf or in the cupboard to gather dust.

The first class will be on the Circle Scissor Plus and you will get to know this tool and make three projects using the Circle Scissor Plus.

Tool Time – Circle Scissor Plus

Date ~ 26th February, 2010
Time ~ 10.30am
Cost ~ $20.00
bookings essential

Thanks for stopping by

LeonieSig1

Always Gift Card

My apologies for not posting more often this week – this past week was such a busy one with Stamp A Stacks, Year 6 Farewells, special school presentation and then to top it off I ended up coming down with this horrid flu bug which I’m still trying to recover from – I just hope its cleared up before we leave for holidays next weekend.

AlwaysEmbossedCardHolderI did mention in a previous post that I had to make two gift card holders for my niece & nephew recently and here is the second one I made.

I just love how this card turned out!  The gift card holder was for an engagement present so I wanted to make it a little extra special and elegant and think I achieved that.

This card has two types of embossing on it. Firstly on the Baja Breeze background I clear embossed the berry branch stamp from the Always stamp set using versamark and clear embossing powder.

The Baja Breeze panel across the middle of the card and the white layer behind the heart are both embossed using the Big Shot and a dotty embossing folder.

The heart is embossed using Versamark then Stampin’ Up!’s white embossing powder. I’ve stamped and embossed it twice and layered one flat on the white layer then the other I’ve actually cut the dotted edge around the heart off and layered it with Stampin Dimensionals.

AlwaysEmbossedCardHolderInsideHere is the inside of the card …

I’ve just added a couple of  layers to the inside of the card and used my slit punch to make the slits to hold the gift card in place.

You could leave these layers out if you just wanted to make this as a card and I think it would make  lovely Wedding card also.

AlwaysEmbossDiff

Now you might ask why I stamped in Versamark then used the white embossing powder when I could have stamped in the White Craft ink then embossed in white or clear embossing powder. Well I have found you get a much better and clearer image when using the Versamark with the white embossing powder.

This image here shows the results of  three different ways of embossing the heart on the Baja Breeze. The image top left is using White Craft ink with the White embossing powder.

The image bottom left is using the White Craft Ink and clear embossing powder and the image bottom right is the one i prefer using the Versamark ink and the white embossing powder.

I made this sample to show you the different results so sometimes you just have to test different methods to get a clearer image.

Thanks for stoppin by

Sweet Tote

Today I travelled down the big hill to run the Sweet Tote class.  I love meeting with these ladies every couple of weeks as they have not only become lovely customers but they’ve also become great friends – I love that about Stampin’ Up! as running the classes I do I have made so many new wonderful friendships so Stampin Up! is not just stamping but friendships we build along the way.

sweettote2Here’s the gorgeous little Tote we made today – and complete with Chocolate Wafer Fingers! The handles are made from the 5/8″ Grosgrain Ribbon and inserted through Jumbo Eyelets inserted using the Crop-a-Dile.

This is one that I made from a tutorial from the lovely Becky Roberts and you can download the tutorial for this Tote-ally Awesome Tote here.

It was Becky that I got the tutorial for the mini backpacks a little while back so she really does have some great ideas and wonderful creations on her blog.

On the side of the tote you see here there are 3 little pockets which you can put all sorts of treats in or gift cards or vouchers. I have the Chocolate Wafer Fingers in the two outside pockets and a pack of tic-tacs in the middle pocket.

SweetTote1Turn the Tote around and we have one long pocket.

In this pocket we have a covered long post it note pad and a biro/pen which we screwed the end of and inserted some matching Sweet Always Designer Series Paper and tied some co-ordinating ribbon around the barrel of the pen.

Open the Tote up and we have a four cards – two of two different designs.

SweetTote3

There are two sections made from acetate which hold the cards in but with the acetate being clear its not so easy to see.

Although there are a few ‘fiddly’ bits all the ladies were very happy with their finished Tote and I know that whoever they decide to give it to will love it immensely!

We had lots of fun today and I’m back there again on Monday for one of their Stamp A Stacks.

Till next time …..

leoniesig1

Sweet Hearts

I have been working on a present for a special friend for her birthday. Once I get all the ‘pieces’ made I will share the gift but for the time being I thought I’d share one of the cards I’ve made to include in the gift.

3heartssweetalways

Well Ok I made two cards the same – well they are the same apart from the brads used and the flourish from Baroque Motifs.  I thought I’d make two so I could pop one into the gift and have one as a sample for my Stamp A Stack folder.3heartsrhinestone

I love using the Always stamp set and I dont think you could go wrong with anything you made using it!

Recipe:

Stamps: Always, Baroque Motifs
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Sweet Always DSP
Inks: Chocolate Chip, Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose
Accessories: 5/8″ Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon, Brads, Sponge Daubers

This is a very simple card to make and would love to show you how to make it. Ring or Email me today to arrange your demonstration or class at your home with your friends. Remember during June and July you have the opportunity to earn bonus free products once your demonstration sales reach $600 or more.

leoniesig1

Sweet and Pretty

Last Saturday I did a demonstration for one of my Stamp A Stack ladies and with this month’s Designer Series Papers promotion I wanted to show how well everything co-ordinates and how easy the colour matching really is.

alwayssweetI had seen this Convention swap card made by Lisa Beck from New Zealand which my up-line Tracey had received and this was just the inspiration I needed for the demonstration.

I don’t do many demonstrations and find it hard to work out what to do at the best of times so I really need to do more so if you want see some gorgeous products and get some for free then contact me today to book your demonstration in – I need all the practice I can get!

So after casing Lisa’s card I thought I’d make a little gift bag to match so made a box in a bag using the same paper from the Sweet Always DSP. I used the coordinating cardstock from the colours made in this pack.

Now if you look in your catalogue on page 132 where it shows the patterns of the papers in the Sweet Always DSP you will also see that there is a colour swatch there too showing you exactly what colours they’ve used in this paper pack. This is awesome as you dont have to try and work out whether its Pretty in Pink or Pink Pirouette or whether its Tangerine Tango or Pumpkin Pie! So now all you have to do is find the paper pack your using and the colour coordination is right there for you! How easy is that??sweetbagalopenbag

Here’s my Box in a Bag I made – very easy indeed – Ive just used Pumpkin Pie cardstock for the box base and Regal Rose for the tabs at the top. I’ve tied it up with some Pumpkin Pie Ribbon and embellished it with a couple of flowers from the Flower Fusion kit and a pretty rhinestone brad in the centre.

With my Box in a Bag here I have made a bag-a-lope from a Stampin Up C6 envelope.  I’ve first run the Always in Bloom standard wheel over the envelope in Pink Pirouette then scored around the edges and folded the corners under. I’ve used the same layered style as on the card above.  I just love using the eyelet border punch – it just gives projects an elegant lift. The heart stamp is from the Always stamp set.

Now as I was making these items I remembered the gorgeous little handbag that Keesh demonstrated at Convention – yes she was on stage presenting and did a fantabulous job too – as did a few of my other friends. Its so nice to know important people and to hang out with them! Seriously, its great to see such lovely ladies being recognised for the awesome talents and being asked to present up on stage.

sweethandbagnboxHow awesome is this little bag?

Its so very easy to make too – I love Keesh’s tutorials as she has lots of pictures and they arent too hard either and as most of you know – I dont do hard!!

Now do you see that little box? This is another one that is super easy and I was given the instructions by my lovely Diva friend Pat Washburn. I commented on one of her boxes she shared on the Diva’s group and she went to the trouble to write out the instructions and send them to me along with a sample all the way from USA – how sweet is she??

Well I hope you like these projects and as you can see all the Stampin Up products are so wonderfully coordinated that you no longer have to stress over the right shade of cardstock or search high and low for a stamp or embellishment to match – and you can do all this shopping from the comfort of your own home – I come to you and show you just how much fun it all can be.

Just a reminder too that there is only a little over one week left where you can join Stampin’ Up! for just $150 and you get an awesome box of goodies just for filling out the forms. You dont have to become a business demonstrator – you may just want to sign up and get the great discount I do and all the benefits of being a Stampin Up demonstrator without all the work! There is no pressure to do any more than you want to and no fees if you decide to buy nothing after getting the kit either. There are no annual renewal fees either.

If you would like more information about joining Stampin Up! or booking a demonstration (remember I need lots of practice for these) please feel free to either ring or email me.

latteleoniesigpsp

Always in my heart

Yesterday I shared the Wallet Card we made at Friday night’s demonstration. Today I’d like to share the layout I demonstrated at that same demonstration.

The preparation for this one was a little emotional for me as I knew what stamp I wanted to use and thought that using a photo of Daniel would fit this layout perfectly. I was ok until I came across a photo taken at the funeral of my eldest daughter with tear filled eyes.

This is a very simple layout to do and great for those just starting to scrap or those unsure of using stamps in their layouts- sadly there are some people out there afraid to use stamping in their layouts.

6x6DanielStamping in your layout allow you to make it your own and not one you’d see anywhere else.

The base of this layout is Blue Bayou textured cardstock – I just love the new textured cardstock from Stampin’ Up! its so subtle and lovely to use. I have then taken a piece of Soft Sky (4 7/8″ square) and used the ‘Its Beautiful’ wheel from the Mini Catalogue with soft sky classic ink.

I do my wheelin on an angle and off the edge of the paper to give the continuation you’d get from patterned paper. Many of my customers say they thought its patterned paper I have used and are pleasantly surprised to find that I have made it and how easy it is to make.

I stamped the heart stamp from ‘Always’ (mini spring catalogue) and then embossed it. Although all the classic inks are dye based inks you can still emboss with them just by stamping in versamark first then stamping in the classic pad then onto your paper – you just need to remember to clean your stamp before doing it again or else you end up with lovely stamped images on your versamark stamp pad!

I’ve used my markers to colour each part of the word stamp so I could have half the sentiment on the top of the layout and the other half at the bottom. I’ve then finished off the layout using the photo corner punch and vanilla taffeta ribbon.

Daniel was our baby we lost at 35 weeks gestation. He had Trisomy 18 which wasnt detected until I was 34 weeks along. As you can appreciate it was a very difficult time for all of us and we still have our moments – usually around his birthday – its been a long hard road to travel and without my friends, family and my faith I doubt I would still be here. Joining Stampin’ Up! has also helped me heal and grow not only in my stamping but my life, confidence and friendships.

LeonieSig1

Father’s Day Wallet

A friend of mine held a demonstration last night and what a great time it was – and to think they paid more attention to me than to the Olympic’s Opening Ceremony!

There were lots of ladies there and I do hope that they had as good a time as I did! This is the card we made as the make n take.

dadsdaywallet3

I’ve been seeing this card online for a while now and seemed to be everywhere when it was Father’s Day in USA and have always loved it and thought it a great card for the man in your life.There’s a great video tutorial for it on Dani’s blog

dadsdaywallet2

I’ve made this one for Father’s Day but by just changing the front stamp it could be for birthday or anything!

I also created a ‘faux’ credit card and ‘faux’ coin or token.

Recipe:
Stamps: Rough Texture wheel, Always, Occasional Greetings
Inks: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa
Paper: Close to Cocoa Cardstock, Kraft Cardstock, Basic Black Cardstock
Accessories: Daubers, Mat Pack, Tool kit, corner rounder punch, 1 1/4 circle punch, 1 3/8 circle punch, Sticky Strip, Stampin Write Journaler.
dadsdaywallet

If you would like to hold a demonstration and make this card then ring or email me today to book in a date & time.

Have a great Saturday!

LeonieSig1

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