Firstly, thank you to all those who have sent messages regarding the passing of my Father in Law – they are much appreciated and each one of them touches us deeply.

I have a few cards I’ve made lately that I havent shared yet so hopefully I can be more consistent and get back to the blogging and sharing of my work.

Today’s card is one I made a few weeks back and not only is it another Queasy card but its also a very cute little card. Wouldnt this be a great card to invite friends over for coffee or to meet at your favourite coffee shop?

I know youre thinking … not again .. not those cups!!  Sorry but I just love this set so much and I love the Sweet and Sour Specialty Designer Series Paper – they both seem to just go so well together!

This is a simple little card and I’ve used the Scallop Square die to  cut the card base. I pop in a folded card and make sure the fold line is inside the scallops on one side so its not cut through and there you have an instant scallop square card!

I just then added the layers and I find its good practice to add a white layer if you want to ‘lift’ a particular layer and give a card some depth.

I’ve simply stamped the cup stack on a piece of whisper white and coloured the cups in the colours used in the Sweet and Sour Specialty DSP pack.

Now people often ask me why I dont do inserts for cards and my answer to this is that I dont really think they need them. If you use a dark card as your base you can always write inside the card with one of our lovely White Gel pens and when using lighter coloured cardstock you can use a regular pen or even one of our Stampin Write Markers (the fine tip obviously) as you can use a complimentary colour and shows just how colour coordinated you really are!

In saying that I have popped a sweet little insert into this little card …

I have a few different ideas on how to use our scalloped square and circle dies with the Big Shot and if you’d like me to show you how why not contact me today to book your workshop in and dont forget our “Last Chance” list will be available 1st August so you’ll want to have a workshop so you can get all those retiring stamps and accessories before its too late and earn some free products at the same time!

Book your August workshop in by 18th July and receive a bonus Ink Pad when you hold your workshop (conditions apply)

Well today is day two of the 2011 Stampin’ Up! Convention and I thought I’d share my swap cards I made.

This first one was made using a sketch from Cards n Things Sketch #76 and I couldnt go to Convention without making a swap using the gorgeous Morning Cup Stamp Set.

Recipe
Stamps: Morning Cup, Take a Sip Wheel
Ink: Jet Black Stazon, Elegant Eggplant, Pretty in Pink
Paper: Elegant Eggplant, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White, Lap of Luxury DSP
Accessories: Aqua Painter, Rose Red Stampin Write Marker, Circle Punches (1″, 1 1/4″, 1 3/8″), Scallop Trim Border Punch

For my second card I wanted to make a masculine card so immediately went for the French Foliage Stamp Set

Recipe
Stamps: Word Play, French Foliage
Inks: Early Espresso, Old Olive, More Mustard, Cajun Craze
Paper: Cajun Craze, Confetti White, Early Espresso
Accessories: Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Hemp Twine, Stampin Dimensionals

I hope some of the other demonstrators like my cards so I dont come home with too many of these.

I hope you like these too and they will be available as ‘Stamp A Stack’ cards after Convention.

Have you checked out this week’s Deal of the Week?  Check out all the details here

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

If you know anything about me you know that my other love is coffee – well with the other being Stampin’ Up! and stamping. So when I got my new booful Dasher a la carte stamp what other colour was I to use but Early Espresso?

This is a card I made for my Christmas Cards with More class which I held last Saturday.

I love this colour combination of Early Espresso and Baja Breeze!

The colours just scream ‘winter wonderland’ which is what some countries have at Christmas – unlike us who would have Dasher sweltering next to a big pool of water if not totally immersed in it!

I also love making these Easel cards – they are just too easy and they thrill those who receive them.

The day after my Christmas Cards with more class I had a Stamp a Stack at my sister’s house and was short one design so I’ve just converted the design on the Easel Card to that for a regular card and here it is …

This again is so so queasy and all the ladies loved it – they loved it so much I think they all bought the Dasher a la carte stamp. The A la Carte stamps are those stamps that are sold individually and can be found inside the back cover of the 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalogue  (pages 160 & 161). Dasher is just too cute to resist at just $14.95!

My 13yo daughter was with me on the day and this is the card she’s chosen to make for all her friends – so if a teenager likes it then it has to be ok hey??

On Thursday I shared with you the new Builder Wheels and how you can use two with the spacers & spindle. Today I’m going to share a card I made using just one of the Builder Wheels and the cute little Share a Cup stamp.

So this is what you get when you combine the new Builder Wheel, the big Shot and a little coffee ….

Card Recipe
Stamps: Share a Cup, Thoughtful Friend Builder Wheel, Itty Bitty Bits
Paper: Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla
Ink: Blushing Bride, Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso
Accessories: Big Shot, Polka Dot Embossing Folder, Real Red 1/8″ Taffeta Ribbon,
Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack

I just love how this card turned out and the colour combination – I’m loving the new colours especially Early Espresso (everyone needs one of these – in the cup and in the inks/cardstock!), Cherry Cobbler and Blushing Bride.

One thing making this card showed me was the need for the wheel guide. I have one and never really used it before with the standard and jumbo wheels however I’ve found you really need it for the builder wheels – especially when your using just one of them.

I do hope you like this card and you’re having a lazy Sunday afternoon.  Its a very hot day here in Sydney – it was 37.6C (100F) at midday so I’m hoping your keeping cool wherever you are.

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

How many times do you walk to the letter box and your whole being drops when you see all those window faced envelopes (aka Bills)??

Being a demonstrator for Stampin’ Up! I make many sample cards to share at demonstrations or with my loyal blog readers like yourself.  I have quite a few more cards than I need so its nice to throw one in the mail and send to someone ‘just cos I can’ and its always lovely to get one back – how excited do we get when we see an envelope in our letter box that does NOT have a window??

I know I get very excited as do the girls – they want to know who its from and why they sent it to me.

Now being that I’ve been with Stampin’ Up! now for nearly 4 years – ooo its my Stampin Up! Anniversary next month! I’ve met many lovely people and many of them have become friends.  One of these ladies is the lovely Leonie Newman – who also happens to be in my awesome downline – well she’d have to be great with a name like Leonie wouldnt she??

To my surprise Leonie sent me a little gift last week – she had told me during one our online chats that I should keep an eye on my letter box.

This is what I received ….

Leonie did tell me that she saw this Coffee Sleeve and thought of me immediately — not sure where she gets the idea I’m powered by coffee?!?! I do appreciate the thought as how often have you bought a coffee from a take away and its too hot to hold??

Now the card ….

I love the colours and paper Leonie has used.

This type of card is called a ‘swing’ card as the top swings up to reveal the message or greeting as shown below.

If you would like to learn how to make one of these swing cards then contact me today to arrange your demonstration or class

To Leonie – thank you for blessing me with your friendship and your gorgeous gift!

Now if you’d like to become a demonstrator and join my awesome Stamp A Latte team then please contact me as soon as possible if you want to save $65 on the Starter Kit.  This promotion goes until 31st July which is this Saturday and I’d love for you to join my team and reap the rewards (and all the new friends you’ll make) just as I do!

Benefits of joining my team this week are ….

• Save 20% on the starter kit price – you pay only $259 (a saving of $65)
• Earn 30% commission on your first order within 45 days of joining (use this on items in the new catalogue or Big Shot!)
• Join my wonderful team of over 100 demonstrators
• Pre-order from the new catalogue before it goes ‘live’ on 1^st September
• Get a bonus gift from me when you join my team (to the value of $35)
• Gain access to my Stamp A Latte Team forum
• Gain access to the ESAD forum and network with over 500 demonstrators
• Gain access to the Stampin’’ Up Demonstrator website
• attend my team meetings

If you would like more information or have any questions please dont hesitate to contact me.

Thanks for stoppin by

Its Saturday so its time for another Utah Diva’s Sketch Challenge from the lovely Carol.

Today’s is a little different as I’ve combined another challenge in the same card – a colour challenge from Inkspirations4U!

So I thought the title for today’s post is fitting as not only am I sharing two challenges in one card but I’m also using the very cute ‘Share A Cup’ a la carte stamp from the Autumn-Winter Mini Catalogue.

Here’s the colour challenge from Inkspirations4U …

My card was inspired by some gorgeous little cards that the lovely Bonnie Thurber (the Stamp Whisperer herself!) demonstrated.

Here is my card ….

I wasnt sure about the colours at first but then when I put them together I really like them!  I think they’d be great for boy birthdays too

I love this little stamp – it was so nice of Stampin Up! to make a stamp just for me dont you think? and then to make an actual mug with the image on it just so I could get one at the Manager’s Reception before Convention this year. So very thoughtful!

I hope you like this card as I did enjoy making it – well after I got those cups to sit right!

One definitely needs the Stamp-a-majig and a post it note for this card!

Now its time for you to skip along to the next Diva in the Saturday Sketch Design Team being the very lovely Maxine Conrad and see what she’s done with Carol’s sketch.

Have a great ‘rest’ of the Weekend!

As a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator I’ve met the nicest people not only as customers but Demonstrators who have become good friends as well.

I first met Cheryl when I first joined Stampin’ Up! at the first Australian Stampin Up! Convention. A little while later she recruited the very lovely Melissa and she too become a dear friend.

Now there is a saying that there is a no greater friend than one that comes with chocolate … well at this past convention I was presented with this lovely gift and no there wasnt chocolate inside but ground Toffee Nut Coffee from Gloria Jeans – so now I’ve amended the saying to … there is no greater friend than the one that comes with coffee!!

Mel and Chez gave me this awesome little gift for helping them with some computer/blog bits a few weeks back.  I had a lovely time having them here but who can say no to coffee and especially when its packaged so nicely

Thanks girls for spending the day with me and for the awesome coffee!

While on my way to Memento Mall at Convention I ran into the lovely Jane Norrish who after giving me a hug said “Oh I have something for you!” I prayed it wasnt a bill Lol!!  I recently set up a blog for Jane and she brought me a thank you gift. I was overwhelmed as Jane has paid me to set up her blog but look at this ….

How awesome is this gift??

Jane bought a special insulated mug which she could decorate inside and used my favourite DSP – Cottage Wall. She’s also used the same DSP to create my card. Dont you love the quilted effect used on the Top Note Die?

But wait …. there’s more!

This was inside the mug – mind you I didnt realise this till I’d gotten home after convention!

How cool … and sorry Jane I didnt look inside at convention I was sorta sidetracked by Memento Mall and trying to hand out swaps as we got there later than planned.

So as you can see being with a company like Stampin’ Up! changes everything! They have the best demonstrators and customers.  I’ve been with other craft party plan and the other consultants never treated you like this – they wouldnt share anything in case you took business from them – rather scary really!

If you would like more information about becoming a demonstrator and joining my Stamp A Latte Team please dont hesitate to ring or email me.

You can join at the moment for just $259 and where else can you get your own business for that price?

You dont have to do demonstrations or classes – you can sign just to get your products at a discount if you wish. A couple of other bonuses with joining Stampin’ Up! is there are no annual costs to remain a demonstrator and you can swap between hobby and business demonstrator at any time.

So now I not only have an awesome coffee cup but I have coffee to make and chocolates to eat – gotta luv that!!

One of the joys and highlights of Convention is swapping.  Its amazing to watch – and the chatter … wow! There’s nothing quite like making a swap and then realising that you’ve been talking to this person online for the last 12 months or so!

Here are the cards I made for my Convention Swaps …

This is one of my favourite cards and its been a hit with my customers too!

I actually made this card for my ESAD-SU Secret Sister back in March so havent been able to show it until now and the tulips are made using the very lovely Extra Large 2-step Bird punch available in the Autumn-Winter Mini Catalogue.

Recipe
Stamps: Cottage Garden
Paper: Cottage Wall DSP, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White, Old Olive, Lavender Lace, Pretty in Pink, Apricot Appeal
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Perfect Plum, Lavender Lace, Pretty in Pink, Apricot Appeal
Accessories: Big Shot, Top Note die, Little Leaves sizzlits die, Polka Dot Impressions folder, Scalloped Oval Punch, Extra Large 2-step bird punch

This is my second card and its done using Pocket Silhouettes stamp set. This has to be one of the best value stamp sets and can literally be used for anything!

Recipe
Stamps: Pocket Silhouettes
Paper: Not Quite Navy, More Mustard, Whisper White
Inks: Sahara Sand, Tangerine Tango, Not Quite Navy, Old Olive
Accessories: Stampin Write Markers, Always Artichoke Grosgrain Ribbon

I’ve used the masking & sponging techniques on this card. I cut a rectangle out of a scrap piece of paper to create the ‘window’ then sponged it in Sahara Sand. I then stamped the leafy image in the same Sahara sand ink. It gives a dimensional look dont you think?

Here is my last swap card ….

Dont you just love the Tote-ally Tess set ??  For this card I’ve renamed it Totally Onie as it has all of my favourites on this card – Rich Razzleberry cardstock & ribbon, Cottage Wall DSP, Stamps and of course – coffee!

Recipe
Stamps: Tote-ally Onie Tess , Sip by Sip
Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Cottage Wall DSP, Whisper White
Inks: Rich Razzleberry, Jet Black Stazon, Orchid Opulence, Chocolate chip reinker, Going Gray
Accessories: Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot Grosgrain ribbon, Aqua Painter, Stamp-a-majig, Stampin Dimensionals

I’ve used the Paper Piecing technique for the Tote and used my Ink pads to watercolour with the aqua painter. I must say Tess was rather popular with the swappers.

Now here is a picture of all the swaps I received …

Now I did come home with some swaps of mine so if you would like one of my swaps then send me an email with your address and I’ll pop one in the post to you.