Convention 2010

Well I will very quickly apologise for not blogging ALL week. But...... my husband missed me so much over the weekend, that he has demanded my attention this week. Luckily for you he's back at work today...phew!

Oh, what can I say about convention? You just HAVE to go! It's fantastic, inspirational and so much fun!

The biggest highlight was meeting some online friends. Below we have Andrea from EnchantINK. She's great online, but even more unreal in person!


My sister came down to meet me on the Friday and we were going to go "The Laugh Factory" that evening, but after Bonnie Thurber's afternoon training session, my cheeks couldn't take it! Not only is Bonnie hilarious but she's also very clever too!



Here is my last Secret Sister, Andrea Buckland. It was so nice to catch up with her and give her a real hug, rather than a virtual one!

And of course, I couldn't forget the most important person we all go to see.... It's stamping royalty, Shelli Gardiner. Yep, that's a photo of me with her.... unfortunately there were too many camera's and we didn't look at the same camera at the same time.... and no, this is no photo shopped... I really did meet her and have a chat!

Unfortunately I didn't get photo's of everyone that I met up with... as I was too busy chatting and having a great time to stop and get photo's. Also some photo's taken by others on my camera turned out a bit blurry, so I can't share them either. You'll just have to take my word for all the good times I had.

Now are you inspired? Kicking yourself that you missed out? Well there is a fantastic offer on at the moment that you can join the Stampin' Up!® family for just $259, which is 20% off the normal joining costs. I think this represents sensational savings, as you actually are getting over $560AU worth of product and sales equipment. Basically you are getting it for less than half price!

You can join online now. All you need is your credit card details, an ABN and Recruiter Authorisation code (soniag). It's really simple and the benefits are HUGE!

I promise to blog more and show you some swaps that I received..... but you'll just have to wait for that!

Till next time, happy stamping...

Animals on Film

This is the final card that I made to swap at convention. I decided that it was finally time I got some animal stamps to make baby cards with. I had seen this technique a few times around the traps and just love it.

These were really easy to make! Using the spiral punch on both sides of the card gave the impression of an roll of film from a camera. I was going to say an old fashioned camera, since we use digital technology so much these days, but thought it would make me sound old.... LOL!

Hopefully I will be back from convention tomorrow with lots of wonderful stories and photo's to show you!

Card: Pale Plum, Whisper White, Basic Black
Ink: Pale Plum, Sage Shadow, Apricot Appeal, Perfect Plum
Punches: Spiral, Large Oval, Scallop Oval
Stamp Sets: Fox and Friends, Short and Sweet

Till next time, happy stamping...

Having a rolling good time!

Well today is the last day of Convention! I wish that I had access to a 'puter while I was away to keep you updated...... but you'll just have to wait.... or check out the blogs of other demo's who do have access....LOL! Today we have more classes and another general session and tonight.... well tonight's the night, as Rod Stewart would say! The big annual Rewards and Recognition Banquet! Well won't it be nice to see 500 people all dolled up and having a great time!

Anyway that's about enough of convention. This is the third lots of cards I made to swap. I really don't like the colours but thought I'd use up some Haiku DSP that I had. I used rollers to make these quick cards. I find that rollers are fantastic if you are in a rush, as they make the best background stamps and fill space just nicely. I made two slightly different cards, for a bit of variation.

I'd just like to say a special Thank you to my friends Julie and Kylie for all the help they gave me in making my swaps. You rock!


Card: Tango Tangerine, Old Olive, Very Vanilla
Ink: Tango Tangerine, Old Olive
DSP: Haiku
Punches: Boho Blossoms, Scallop Edge Border
Embellishments: Earth Elements
Stamps: Daisy Dash Wheel, Kindness Wheel

Till next time, happy stamping...

My favourite swap!

Well I think the title says it all! This is the swap I like the most.... out of the ones that I made! That's not to say that the others aren't any good... this is just my favourite. I am truly addicted to the Pocket Silhouettes stamp set. They have worked EVERY time I have used them. I have always been able to make something beautiful!

Today Convention actually starts and we receive our bag of goodies.... get to do some make and takes and also participate in a general session with EVERYONE else that is going to Convention! Bet you wish you were here! Well there, since I have scheduled this post. LOL!


Card: Rich Razzleberry, Pink Pirrouette, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Soft Suede
DSP: Cottage Wall
Punches: Scallop Circle, 1 3/8" Circle
Stamp Sets: Pocket Silhouettes, Cottage Garden

Till next time, happy stamping...

First swap for convention!

Well as I type this I am dreaming of travelling to Sydney for Convention. And although I am dreaming this as I type, I will actually be doing this as you read. So yep, I am on my way! Yippee!!!

This is the first card that I made to swap at convention. I really wanted to try out this half cut technique from Lynn Pratt. It was a wee tad difficult but worked okay!

I have a post set up for each day that I am away, so that you will not be lonely without me!

Card: Bashful Blue, Close to Cocoa, Rich Razzleberry
Ink: Kraft White, Rich Razzleberry, Bashful Blue, Close to Cocoa
Punch: Curly Label Punch
Big Shot: Top Note Die
Stamp Sets: Echoes of Kindess, Pocket Silhouettes, Tiny Tags

Till next time, happy stamping...

Ladies Extravaganza

Well I know that I have said that I was busy organising stuff for last Saturday night. Well our local daycare centre had a Ladies Extravaganza evening. I guess you could say that it was like a craft fair. There was lots of stalls with items to buy, such as shoes, bags, dresses, fascinators, Stampin' Up!® products (that was me), jewellery, albums and much much more.

This is a photo of my stall all set up. Before the riff raff came in! LOL!



I made these gorgeous desktop blotters to sell on the night! They were quite popular. To be honest they are so easy to make.

I have made a tutorial up which I have been trying to put up on my blog but it's giving me the willies, so if you want to know how to make one of these desktop blotters please email me.


I am not going to include the ingredients as it is all in my tutorial.

This will be my last post before going away to convention. I am super excited! And wish that I could take you all with me! Now don't forget to check in as I will have more posts coming up while I am away.

Till next time, happy stamping...

Quick and Easy

I know I've been absent for a little while.... but..... I am so busy at the moment. I have a huge night tomorrow night, which I have been busy making items for! I'll share some of these as soon as I've had time to breathe!

Anyway in amongst all this bedlam, I have to take Miss 2 to a birthday party this afternoon. Now I know that I've had two weeks notice, but it's taken me till an hour before the party to get on with making a card.

I think I managed to put this card together in a total of about 6.5 minutes. Unfortunately I wasn't timing myself, so can't be certain.... but it was so simple and quick and aside from the card base the rest was in the scrap box.

Anyway here are the ingredients;

Card: Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy, Summer Sun
Ink: Not Quite Navy
DSP: Ski Slope (retired)
Punches: Large Star, Small Star, Word Window
Stamp sets: Occasional Greetings and Classic Stars wheel

Till next time, happy stamping...

Another Award!

Oh boy! I didn't realise that there were that many people out there that enjoy my blog! I have just been awarded the Sunshine Award by Claire Harrison.


I need to pay it forward again... though thankfully I don't have to reveal anything about myself this time. LOL!

a. Nikki Stalker
b. Lynda Shrimpton
c. Andrea Lowcock
d. Jodene Tripp
e. Charmaine Black

I was also awarded another Beautiful Blogger Award by Liz Burnell-Latham, but was too scared to updated the previous post as the formatting was going berserk! So thanks Liz.

Till next time, happy stamping...

I am truly humbled...

It has come to my attention that I have been awarded the Beautiful Blogger Award. I was absolutely gobsmacked when I received the first on from Andrea. Then I received another email to let me know that Karen had also given this award to me. Thank you ladies for your encouraging comments.

This award is fantastic as you can pay it forward. Yep! Once you have received it you get to pass it on and let others know what you think of their blog. I am also required to reveal ten things about myself. So here goes;

1. I have four brothers and two sisters! Yep there were seven kids in my family!
2. I don't ever want to have that many children....lol!
3. I have travelled around Australia and visited every state!
4. I love playing tennis and volleyball.
5. I can play the saxophone and the piano...although I am a bit rusty now!
6. I can write with both hands (Not perfectly - lol - but it's legible)
7. I am quite good at remembering numbers - don't tell me your PIN!
8. I hate the cold.... brrrrrrr!
9. I joined Stampin' Up!® for the discount......
10. I love all my blog friends....:-)

Okay so that's a list of things that you'd never guess from this blog! Now onto the most important part. Paying it forward! Now this is not in any particular order....

a. Tanya Kitto
b. Tracey Old
c. Madeline Morcelo
d. Kerri Donsky
e. Andrea Buckland
f. Marelle Taylor
g. Madonna Dunn
h. Gretchen Barron
i. Linda Craven
j. Michelle Zindorf

I could have gone on and on.... but had to stop at ten.

So thank you for everyone who visits my blog. I love you whether you are stalking or commenting (but I'll know who to love if you all comment! LOL).

Till next time, happy stamping...

I finally finished the OSW!!!

If you have been following my blog you'll know that I decided to do Linda Cravens OSW. I got a bit ahead of myself and thought I could do three sheets at the same time, instead of one. Rather than make each card the same, I challenged myself to make 27 different cards.


I have recently finished the final six cards. I think my two favourites out of all the cards I have made are the Riding Hood Red and Pink Pirouette cards in the picture above. I am glad that I finished on a happy note.

Below is a picture of the whole 27 cards together. It became a bit of a jumbly mess, but my lense wasn't wide enough to capture them all if I spaced them out....lol.

Now I am only going to include the ingredients for the cards in the two top pictures. If you are curious about any of the other cards please check here, here, here or here to find out more details.

Card: Whisper White, Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirouette, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip
Ink: Kraft White, Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirouette, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip
DSP: Bella Rose
Punches: Wide Oval, Scallop Oval, Large Oval, 1 3/8" Circle, 1 1/4" Circle, 1" Circle, Scallop Edge Border, Eyelet Border, Photo Corner, Large Star, Curly Label
Embellishments: Filigree Brads, Rhinestone Brads, Fire Circle Rhinestone, Vintage Brad
Stamp Sets: Priceless, Always, Tiny Tags, Short and Sweet, Cute and Curly

Till next time, happy stamping...

My other creative passion!

Well I am feeling a bit slack for not being here much over the last couple of weeks! I seem to have had a revival of my other creative passion. That being patchwork.

The quilt pictured below is a long term project that started when we travelled around Australia in 2007. My daughter (you can see her legs) went into 30 patchwork shops and picked out a fat quarter in each one. I then promised to make her a hand sewn quilt with it.

This quilt is no where near finished. I have made 120 diamonds and added the adjoining pink fabric to each one (all but three {I ran out of templates} - can you see them?). I am now up to the stage of working out how to join them together. As my daughter was only four when she chose the colours, they are quite different and difficult to put together.

I anticipate that this will take me another couple of years to actually get sewn together as shown above. Then I need to add more pink hexagons and a piano key border to it and finally quilt it. I will promise to show you more pictures of this, if I am still blogging in a couple of years.

I have also been doing swaps for convention, but I will not be revealing them until closer to convention.

Till next time, happy stamping...