Sharing creativity with my best friend Kirsten xo

Thursday was an exciting day for us here at home, my best friend Kirsten and her son Angus came to stay the night. Kirsten & I go way back to year 2 in Primary School.

Last year Kirsten moved far far away out west to a huge property and we've been feeling the distance and missing each other.

Since living on a property with many km's between her and anyone else, Kirsten has found a new love of Stampin' a great way to fill in her days and be able to refocus her energies to when feeling isolated and lonely. We've spent may a time over the phone talking about our creations, and there's been the odd Stampin' Up! parcel delivered out west, but we have been busting to get together and create!

The first thing Kirsten really wanted to make on Thursday when she got here was the ever so popular Sticky Note Holder (click here for my previous post of this). Here's what we made...

Card: Rose Red, Regal Rose, Kiwi Kiss, Raspberry Tart DS

Accessories: Kiwi Kiss Stripe Ribbon, Crystal Brad, Mini Gel Pen, Sticky Note Pad

Tools: Paper Trimmer with Scoring Blade, 5 Petal Flower Punch, Piercer for Brad, Adhesives including Sticky Strip to assemble holder and Dimensionals

Kirsten then spotted my Envelope Card (click here for my previous post of this). Here's the creation we came up with of this...

Stamps: Butterfly Prints (Summer Mini), Three Little Words, Curvy Verses

Ink: Pretty in Pink, Almost Amethyst

Card: So Saffron, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White, Tea Party DS

Accessories: Pretty in Pink Stripe Ribbon, Whisper White Envelope

Tools: Paper Trimmer, Paper Crimper, Butterfly Punch (Summer Mini), 1 3/4" Circle Punch, Round Tab Punch

I wanted to share with Kirsten a quick classic card I was inspired by from Paper Angel Anna using the FREE Sale-a-Bration set Happy Moments. It looks so effective and can be created using up your DS scraps in any pattern. Stamp 3 present stamps on 3 different pieces of scrap DS, cut each present out and re-stack them to get this groovy card...

Stamps: Happy Moments (Sale-A-Bration Set)

Ink: Basic Black

Card: Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White, Kaleidoscope DS (Summer Mini)

Tools: Paper Snips, Adhesives including Dimensionals.

We had so much fun creating these little projects (plus a few others), we almost forgot the kids were playing in Elana's room. The cleaning up of her room wasn't so fun, but it was worth it!

Hello Again!

On page 14 of the Summer Mini there is a cute little stamp set called 'Hello Again'.

At our Brisbane Regional Training Seminar late last year we all received this stamp set FREE with our registration including the gorgeous Stampin' Around Wheel 'Retro Remix' that goes with this set.

We made 4 make and takes at the training event and I was the naughty girl that spent all her time talking and not getting my projects done. While my friend Kirsten was here Thursday night I thought I better get my projects made... I can't believe I waited so long to do them, they are SO CUTE!

Stamps: Hello Again (Summer Mini)

Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Rose Red, Choc Chip, Certainly Celery

Card: Certainly Celery, Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Rose Red

Accessories: Clips assortment: Library Clip, Tangerine Tango Striped Ribbon

Tools: 1" Circle Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, Paper Trimmer and Adhesives including Dimensionals

Stamps: Hello Again (Summer Mini)

Ink: More Mustard, Old Olive, Rose Red

Card: More Mustard, Old Olive, Whisper White

Accessories: Valet Ribbon Originals: Choc Chip Polka-dot

Tools: 1" Circle Punch, Stamp-a-majig, Adhesives including Dimensionals

Stamps: Hello Again (Summer Mini), Retro Remix Stampin' Around Wheel (Summer Mini)

Ink: Choc Chip, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Rose Red

Card: Old Olive, Whisper White

Accessories: Pigtails Ribbon Originals: Pumpkin Pie rickrack

Tools: Paper Trimmer with Scoring Blade, Paper Snips, 1" Circle Punch, Stamp-a-majig, Bone Folder, Adhesives including Sticky Strip to assemble the box and Dimensionals

Hello Again is a great value set and so versatile. Only $21.95.

There are only 4 weeks left to order all your favourites from the Summer Mini!

Inspiration Angels Welcome Paula!

I would like to welcome

our newest 'Inspiration Angel' with a big HELLO...

Welcome Paula.

I first met Paula a few years ago on a Scrapping Camp. Since then Paula has been to several Stampin' Up! workshops of mine and has been a hostess herself. Paula had booked herself in with me to be a hostess during our current Sale-A-Bration, after seeing what a fabulous time it was to join and all the great benefits of being a Demonstrator, like pre-ordering from the new mini coming up and getting an extra discount when doing this, Paula took one look at her already huge wish list (and that's the one without even seeing the mini! lol) and decided then and there she'd join our circle of stampin' friends!

I know I'm so excited to have her join us and can't wait to introduce Paula to all my Inspiration Angel and Paper Angel Friends. I've got this little feeling Paula can't wait either!

Special reminder that being a part of the Inspiration Angels - Paper Angels Group is SOOOOOO fabulous! Having friends who share their ideas with you, and you can enjoy the fun company of, on many occasions, crafting etc is simply the best!

Even better...
if you are an Inspiration Angel
you can come along to
any of my own classes for half price!

Anyone want to join us???? Give me a hoy and I'll fill you in with all you need to know about joining Stampin' Up! and all the fun of being an Inspiration Angel!!!!!!

Happy Birthday Mum! xo

This Friday, the 26th February, is my mum's 60th Birthday!

While in Sydney last week my sister & I surprised mum with a Tall Ship Sunset Cruise on the Harbour. It was such a lovely experience to share with her to say "Happy Birthday Mum, we love you!" 3 girls, an old sailing ship, some spunky sailors, a BBQ dinner with a few glasses of wine, and the sun glistening on the harbour as it set behind the bridge! WOW.

I was going to try to make a card for mum that went with the Tall Ship theme, but each idea I came up with felt too masculine. I wanted to make mum a card that expressed mum in the way I think of her, 'nurturing with love'. So I made this...

Kangaroo Card Punch List:

5 Petal Flower = ears

Large Oval = head & legs

Wide Oval = body & tail

1" Circle = mouth

Heart to Heart = nose, heart in pouch, heart decorations

Trio Flower = hands

Word Window = feet

The background is from Pink Flamingo DS. I've used Real Red Striped Ribbon, added some googly eyes to give my mummy Kangaroo character, used dimensionals behind the pouch and nose to bring her to life, and the '60' on the heart was handwritten in white gel pen.

Inspiration for making the Kangaroo came from Paula Curtis.

Happy Birthday Mum - Love You xo

Have you got that little itch that says you'd love to be a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator?

There really has never been a better time to join Stampin' Up!

than NOW!

During Sale-A-Bration choose any stamp set (up to $79.95) FREE when you join, and be the first to see the NEW fabulous products about to hit our Stampin' Up! Collection being released in April. Don't just see them, as a Demonstrator you don't have to wait until April to have them in your hands, you can pre-order them and have them in March! Even better, New Demonstrators can get a bonus 10% discount over and above the existing Demonstrator discount with your first order if it falls within 45 Days of joining and is over $300 retail!

Join NOW - receive a FREE Stamp Set. Order in March the new goodies from the Mega Mini before anyone else sees them, get an extra one time bonus discount, and.... because this is in March before Sale-A-Bration ends receive FREE Sale-a-Brations sets with every $100 you spend. Not to mention you'll receive the hostess benefits from your order too!

So what's in the starter kit?
4 stamp sets and 1 standard wheel ($211.80)

5 ink pads ($59.75)

Stampin' Around Handle ($7.50)

Handle Cartridge ($9.50)

A4 Assorted cardstock pack 36 sheets ($14.50)

A4 Whisper White cardstock pack 40 sheets ($13.50)

Versamark Pad ($13.95)

Stampin' Pastels ($48.95)

Snail Adhesive ($12.95)

Blender Pens ($18.95)

Craft & Rubber scissors ($37.95)

Stampin' Scrub ($28.95)

Stampin' Mist ($7.95)
Total so far $486.20

Each of the default stamp sets, the wheel, 4 ink pads and the ink cartridge for the handle can all be swapped for your own choice (to the same or lesser value).

On top of this there are business supplies, including order forms, a box of 8 catalogues, a getting started guide, recruiting brochures and forms.

The total value of the starter kit is $564, add on your free choice of stamp set and you're looking at a total of over $643 of products and business supplies.

The actual cost to you is only $324

and this includes GST and shipping -

a saving of nearly 50%

Quotas
The question that I'm asked first by most potential recruits is, "How much do I have to sell?" Stampin' Up! has a quarterly quota system. Each 3 months you have to meet your minimum quota. A new recruit is given the rest of their first quarter after joining quota free.

Join now and you have until the end of June to meet your first quota.

What does meeting the quota actually mean? If you join in January, February or March by the end of June you will need to have placed orders totalling $500 of commissionable sales. This is sales after GST has been removed so is actually $550 at catalogue prices. However as a demonstrator you pay about 82% of this cost.

What happens if you don't meet quotas - nothing - OK technically you're classed as 'pending' for the month after you haven't met the quota and have a chance to make up the shortfall if you wish to remain as a demonstrator. If you no longer want to be a demonstrator you simply stop ordering. There is no penalty for dropping, you are not required to give back the starter kit or make up any shortfalls - you simply become a customer again. The only limit placed upon you is that if you want to sign up again later down the track you have to wait 6 months before applying.

"How hard is it to meet the quota?" - for me the quota is an average workshop. So one workshop every 3 months would cover my quota. As I'm running this as a business I do more workshops than this but it's up to you how active you want to be.

Want to find out a little bit more?

If you've already thought about it before or reading through the information you're interested in finding out more contact me and I'll send you an obligation free information pack.

You can also check out this video link which is presented by the CEO of Stampin' Up!, Shelli Gardner.

Ready to sign up now! You can do so instantly online. Head to my Stampin' Up! business website here. Click on the Start Your Own Business tab on the top right and follow the prompts. You'll need to enter my password which I will give to you.

Just think that in a few minutes you too could be getting demonstrator discounts on all your Stampin' Up! purchases!

I love my work, I love the opportunity to be creative, and to earn money from doing so. I love being able to stay home whilst my children are young, and most importantly the friendships I've made over the last 2 years.

I'd also love you to join our Paper Angels Group and share with you the fun of being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator!

Fresh Cut Valentines xo

Nearly finished the 19 Valentines cards on order at Mark's work... but I must say, I'm glad Valentines only comes once a year! I actually got a Creativity Block last night when I sat down at my craft desk. Now this doesn't happen too often, but I think I've had so much Valentines on my mind, my head went all mushy! lol

It took a while to think what to do, until I opened up my draw and there looking up at me was a pack of Fresh Cut Notes! I wish I had of thought of these days ago...

So quick to make, believe it or not, I had these 3 cards together in under an hour, glitter and all!

I even decorated the envelopes with DSP...

After completing my order I thought to myself... oh why not make a 20th card and make sure that Sharlini who has organise all this gets one too. What's one more Valentines Card? lol.

I've had this card with me since we made it at our Fresh Inspiration Day back in June last year, I've hung onto it for that perfect occasion. All I've added are some Rub-Ons in the bottom left corner and converted this shabby card (Created by Liz) into a special Valentines card for Sharlini's husband to give to her. Well that was just too easy! hee hee hee

Happy Valentines to all... let the love be everywhere!

Did someone say Valentines Card?

As you may have read in my last posting... I have an order for 19 Valentines Cards for Mark's work. Seems there were many of the boys/men there who liked the idea of not going to the shops in the search of the perfect Valentines gift, when they could order it from work, and even get a lovely handmade card with it!

So today I've been back to the drawing board for more Valentines ideas. I liked the last one I made from the Catalogue using "Three Little Words" so I made it this time in a different colour scheme... Ruby Red & Chocolate Chip!

While the Catalogue seemed to be doing me good, I thought I would try my luck on another idea from there. I made this one, again, straight from the catalogue. Page 94, using Baroque Motifs.

Stay tuned... there will be more!

A Valentine Card or 2 or 3 or even 19!

Yes that's right... 19!

Guess what I'm busy making for the next few days...

Valentines Cards!

My darling man Mark took a couple of cards into work on Friday for what I thought was a donation for a valentines raffle for the social club... but instead these were passed around and orders were collected for me to make 19 cards in total for the blokes to give their loved ones on Valentines Day!

Each order placed is for a Handmade Card and a Chocolate Rose, even a Bottle of Wine can be included, and the best part for the boys is... they didn't have to go to the shops to get this!

$5 from each Valentines pack will go towards the social club... what a great idea! Well done to Shalini for thinking up this little treat for valentines, but now...

I've got 19 cards to make, & each unique!

Here's a start...

This was a card adapted from one we had made

at a Paper Angels Meeting last year

featuring the 'Together Forever' set.

I changed my 'Pocket Silhouettes' Card from last week slightly

and created this one suitable for the one you love!

This is a card inspired by a swap

from our Brisbane Regionals featuring the 'Always' set.

No credits for this one, I adapted this straight from the

Idea Book and Catalogue pg114 using the 'Three little words' set.

It's back to the craft room for me now to make some more!

Paper Angels at the Paper Craft Festival!

Sunday the 7th is the last day to get along

to the Brisbane Paper Craft Festival and

visit the Paper Angels Stampin' Up! Stand!

You are guaranteed to be welcomed with a friendly smile!

We'd love to help you make a

cute little make and take card

featuring products from the

Summer Mini and Sale-A-Bration...

You're sure to be inspired by the gorgeous displays

created with colour co-ordinated themes...

This is a stand that truly WOW's.

You can't miss us.

We're the biggest brightest stand at the show.

Come and say Hello!

Top Tip ~ Bows on 3D projects!

When tying bows on bags like these cute little gift bags made from DS paper, it can be tricky getting them to sit the right way up, or even sit right at all!

Try creating a flat cardboard template the same size as your project and tie your bows on this, then simply slip off the template and onto your project. Wha Lah!

Thanks Liz for this fabulous tip, it has saved me lots of time when demonstrating these cute bags getting the bows on quickly. It also makes my bow tying much easier having a flat surface to work on as well as being able to turn the card template anyway I need it, to get my bows right!

This is certainly the way to go when mass producing bags with bows like these.

Make a Difference! To the people of Haiti xo

We have all been riveted by the happenings in Haiti, where on 12 January an earthquake literally destroyed much of this poverty-stricken nation. The death toll has reached hundreds of thousands, and millions have been left homeless, without food and water. Like people all over the world, Stampin' Up! employees, demonstrators, and customers have yearned to help.

Stampin' Up! Home Office have been busy packing thousands of hygiene kits, read about this here on Shelli's Blog, and have announced the following Haitian Relief Campaign...

From now until 28 February 2010,

Stampin' Up! will donate $2 from the sale of every

I {Heart} Hearts stamp set.

These proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross Haiti Relief and Development Fund, and the money will be used to provide immediate relief, as well as long-term support.

Click here to find out more.

As I did with our Bush Fire Relief Campaign,

I would like to see as many of these sets sold to help support this very worthy cause.

I am therefor offering the I Heart Hearts Set

at my cost price $34.50 (plus 5% P&H).

In the past, when terrorists attacked the Twin Towers, when a tsunami struck Indonesia, when a hurricane destroyed New Orleans, and when wildfires ravaged Australia, Stampin' Up! demonstrators and customers have stepped forward and showed their commitment to making a difference in the lives of others. This time is no different.

Brisbane Paper Crafts Festival

Our Paper Angels Group of Demonstrators

will have a stand at the

Brisbane Paper Crafts Festival

this Friday, Saturday and Sunday

the 5th, 6th & 7th of February.

Where? RNA Showgrounds!

Come along and say Hello!

Find us on stand 10.

We would love to see you there, and invite you to

make our FREE make & take -

a gorgeous card featuring the new Butterfly Prints Stamp Set from the Summer Mini Catalogue.

We also have a $300 basket of Stampin' Up! Goodies to give away for our door prize and entry into that is FREE to people who come to the Paper Crafts Festival.

We have put lots of effort into our display and look forward also to sharing our SHOW SPECIALS, which are bundles of product designed to work together to complete a project.

Find out how you can WIN a years supply of Cards!

We look forward to seeing you there.

Visit http://www.papercraftsfestival.com.au/ for more info.

FREE Paper Craft Magazine with entry.

Paper Angels Demonstrator Meetings are so much fun!

One of my favourite times of the month is when we have our Paper Angels Demonstrator Meetings. I look forward to getting out of the house and catching up with my Paper Angels Friends to see what they've been up to, share ideas, relax and have a giggle, as well as get to make a couple of projects where I'm the student and not the teacher! lol

We had our first meeting for 2010 last week, this time at Liz's house, and being that it was the first day back at school for many, this was a small cosy group. It was lovely to catch up and see what the others had been doing over the Christmas Break.

We made 2 really cute little 3D projects, in which 1 became a hostess Thank You that I demonstrated the very next morning at Mandy's place. (I made her a Treat Tent in Kaleidoscope colours). I knew she would love it as she'd mentioned to me she was looking for ideas for little treats for parties etc.

Bella Rose Treat Tent

(Should have a little bag of chocs inside but I ate them, shhh)
& Baja Butterfly Box...

Check out the corners of the Treat Tent... these are made with the Eyelet Border Punch - Thanks Paper Angel Bec for sharing this little trick with us.

You may also notice the butterfly on the box is made from velum. Liz showed us how we can use our Classic Stampin' Pads to emboss on velum. Thanks Liz. I love learning new little WOW's!

We'd love to welcome new members to our group, please do have a look at the SPECIAL Sale-A-Bration promotion offer for NEW demonstrators.

You don't need to be a "Demonstrating Demonstrator" (a term coined by Paper Angel Carmel!), you can be a hobby/discount demonstrator and be just as important member of the group as those doing workshops. We are a fun, caring and welcoming group with a diverse group of members.

If you are thinking about finding out more about joining our group, let me know.
Maybe you might like to come along to our next Paper Angels meeting
and see how much fun we really do have!