Challenge... 1, 2 & 3...

I don't often take part in challenges, (although they are a great way to get the creative juices flowing!), but I saw one on the Stampin' Up! demonstrator web-site a couple of weeks ago.
(One of the many perks of sighing up to be a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator)

And I decided to commit to it!!

This challenge is what I would call a "3,2,1" challenge.
I needed to make 3 x cards, 2 x 3D items & a scrap page of any sort - my mind immediately exploded...suffered a little...and then, slowly but surely, I began to have ideas forming in my head!!

And I was off....

3 Cards:

While I was attending OnStage 2017 in November, I was lucky enough to receive this stamp set: Bird Banter. So I teamed up Bella the puppy, (from Bella & Friends), for this fun card. Using the masking technique & a couple of Blends, I was able to give Bella a lift to see her friends!!

I then stamped Bella a couple of times so that I could fussy-cut her little limbs, to add a bit more dimension to her

My second card saw me using the Get Well Soup, but I changed it by using the masking technique again. This time I removed the Get Well Soon sentiments & added the So Very Much, so that it seems to be apart of the warm bowl of soup....

Im loving the Blends, can't you tell already :)

They make colouring in an image so quick and easy, I just love the shadowing effect of them!

To finish this card, I dusted off my container of Silver Embossing Powder, the spoon was screaming to be that colour, right??

Here's an insight into my childhood: I was always around the kitchen, trying Mum's cooking & especially available when the spoon needed to be licked after a batch of biscuits or a cake was happening!!
So making my third card made me think of mum & all the skills she taught us, in life in general, but especially in the kitchen.

I particularly loved how the mixer is relative to the size of the bowl, so of course they had to be together!! This DSP is Domestic Godess & just reminds me of a table cloth!!

I think would make a great card for someone's partner or even a close friend...

2 3D items:

For those of you who have been visiting my blog, you may have noticed that I JUST LOVE 3D ITEMS!!

I had been talking with a close friend about the wooden type kits I have that I just havent had the time to put together somehow...and then this challenge jumped at me!!

So, given that it was only a month or so away from Christmas, (back then...), I decided to find one of wreaths I had been meaning to work on and actually do it!!

Ive used a current & gorgeous DSP called Christmas Around The World (Candy Cane paper in this image) & a retired DSP called Be of Good Cheer. Ive now got this hanging on the front door at the Child Care Centre that I work at...

 Using the Glimmer Paper from a previous kit, I used the mini Dimensionals to give them some height. I strung a peice of Window Sheet across from one side of wreath to the other & hunted out the Alphabet dies for Merry Christmas, also.

 And can you see my holly? These wooden circles, initially, were sponged with Cherry Cobbler and then left to dry overnight with a big blob of wet adhesive from my Fine Tip Glue Pen - dont you love the effect??

 To keep up with the 3D Christmas theme, I was asked to make boxes for 2 of these Glitter Baubles, by a customer. What struck me was how similar the colours of the bauble & our stunning Glimmer Paper is - just beautiful!

 I have made boxes for the customer previously, so I knew that she wanted to fill the bauble with the children's name of the finishing year & present this to each of her children's teacher.

I started with the first box here & was feeling pretty chuffed with myself & then maybe either got a bit tired or a little lazy, causing me to get glue on the front of the box...

As we know, this is simply an opportunity for embellishing, right? So then I made a 'belly' type band to go around the lid of the box, punched a bow & ta-day, I've saved the box!!

2 different boxes for 2 different teachers!!

When each teacher opened their gift, the lid picked up the bauble, presenting her with everyone's name over the year.

During the time that I was making these boxes, I was also going to work during the day. The children in the centre that I work at, thought I was very Chrismassy with the amount of sparkle I had all over me, it just added to the festiveness!!

1 Scrap Page...

Before I was a card or 3D item maker, I was a scrapbooker!! I must admit that I havent spent a lot of time recently 'scrappin' at all, so it was lovely to be 'forced' to create a page!!

My 16 year old daughter, Rachelle recently completed her Year 10 year & they celebrated by having a formal. Rach was originally not going to go, deeming it 'too over the top' &being a basketball couch & player, she didnt think it would be something she would enjoy.

Roll on a couple of weeks & her friends talked her into wanting to go - and boy are we all glad she did!! She had a great leadup with shopping for 'the dress', shoes & a little bit of make-up & was blessed with a couple of her friends helping her to prepare on the day...

 Rachelle's dress was a 'nude' colour, so this posed a bit of a colour challenge for me, so I decided to go with 'Blushing Bride' - working the any type of pink is hard for me, but I think it works!!

The latest craze in the Stampin' world is this 'Eclipse' technique, so after stamping Versamark & heating the white Embossing Powder, I used my Big Shot to spell out the heading, (& an additional 3 layers of each letter, *gasp*) & then adhered them together.

 The Bloomin' Love set lent itself nicely to lace on Rachelle's dress, Im so pleased with how it all came together! And combining this with the dies, sponging it slighty & adding a splash of class with our Pearls, it finished off the page!

This had certainly been a long post of many creations & I thank you for sticking with me!!

Im incredibly grateful to be able to be able to make various items that I can share with loved ones & possibly even inspire someone else to get creative too!!

Im super glad that I followed through with achieving this challenge - I may even go looking for another 3, 2, 1 Challenge, perhaps?

I'd love for you to leave a comment on any of the projects that you like...

See you next time :)

No Postage??? How Fantastic!!

At the moment, there is a great mark down on stamp sets and other products, with up to a huge 40 % off!!

 30 - 40 % OFF!!

20 % off!!

10 % OFF!!

AND tomorrow, to celebrate America's 'Cyber Monday' sale, after Thanksgiving, SU!, is waiving all postage cost!!

Yes, you read that right - free postage!!

So place an Stampin' Up! order with me now, you will be sad if you miss out...

Keep Stampin'...

The Melbourne Stitches & Craft Show 2017

This weekend I am lucky enough to be apart of the Stampin' Dream Team at The Stitches & Craft Show.


We are a group of Stampin' Up! demonstrators who have some together for the purpose of the Show where we showcase various  kits. Obviously the kits have been made using various SU! products & include all the pieces to make a complete card or 3D item.

They have all been greatly received & we heard many positive comments about our kits, the display & the way our team worked together! It's always a bonus to know that our customers are happy with us!

During the show, we have a great special available. When you purchase the 27 Blend Markers with the Colour Me Happy card kit from me, (RRP $267.76), you will also receive FREE a packet of Thick Whisper White cardstock & a FREE Momento Inkpad! 

These additional items means you can get colouring quicker, there are so many more opportunities for you to play!!

You will also have $25 to spend on anything in the catalogue - YES anything!!

 I was reminded today, during the show of how lovely the simple act of giving someone something handmade is such a beautiful thing. A gentleman bought a particular kit for his wife, from me, to celebrate their 43rd Wedding Anniversary. He was so happy to have found something to make for her, 'this will finish my gift for her beautifully,' he said proudly.

How wonderful is that act of love? Im all warm 'n fuzzy, I tell ya!

Until next time, keep Stampin'...

OnStage 2017 - Melbourne, Australia

Today I am revelling in the aftermath of what was Stampin' Up! yearly event OnStage for this year...

This is a SU! worldwide event, organised in many countries around the world, using videos & live presentations for current SU! demonstrators. It is a wonderful day where we are spoilt with seeing new product releases, new catalogues & the odd Prize Patrol give away - a definite time to get excited!!

During the leadup to this amazing day, many of us prepare swaps. As the name suggests, we make cards, 3D items or Off The Page (OTP) items using current products. We then swap our items with other, (who have slaved away until stupid o'clock during the week!!). This gives us fantastic inspiration to make more cards, work out how to make 'that' 3D item and even push our boundaries by trying products that we wouldn't usually or are too unsure too.

I always like to make something other than a traditional card, simple so that I am using the products in a different way. I feel this makes the product more versatile, if it can be used on a variety of mediums, therefore being more cost effective, obviously.

So this year I have made earrings, using the Half Full stamp set.

 I used the SU! Window Sheets, Black Archival, Cherry Cobbler & So Saffron Inks, Cherry .Cobbler & Whisper White cardstock.

The 'wine' was made using the glue from the Fine Tip Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds & Cherry Cobbler re-inker, (this is the small bottle of ink, added like food colouring). The hardest part was making sure the 'wine' didn't go past the glass boundaries when I placed the top of another glass on top, making it a double wedged in between the two images...

Email me if you want more information about the particular instructions to make these...

 Of course, it would never be as incredible as it could be if Mel, my up-line, wasn't there... She has taught me so much about using various products, colour co-ordinating and all things Stampin' Up!

 I had the wonderful opportunity to dance to some groovy music with Bonnie, the American representative from the SU! office! She is such an electrifying woman, we so need more women in our world just like her!!

 This is what greeted us when we sat at our table, I just love the humour of those who prepare everything for an event like this!!
This is all that I can share with you today, after Tuesday I will share more - one of the perks of being a demonstrator is seeing the (almost) released products before everyone else!!

(If this excites you, talk to me about becoming a demonstrator - you wont be disappointed!!)

Come by later in the week - I will share some of the amazing swaps Ive received & maybe even some of the catalogue information!!

Thanks for stopping by!!

"Australians Throw Out 6 Tonnes of Fashion Waste Every 10 minutes..." *GASP*

Ive known about BeeKeeper Parade for about 2 years now & just bought my second bag from them. Have you heard of this company?

These bags have been made from material that would otherwise go into land-fill, (an extremely wasteful & thoughtless situation). Thanks to the vision of Koky & his sister, Sophie, (now an amazing shining star each night),  Koky was able to build a business on these materials that would have been thrown away, never to be enjoyed...

This morning I received my "Weekender" bag, a stunning large rainbow bag, that I can use when Im not needing my smaller Unicorn bag, my first BeeKeeper Parade purchase!!

The green bag that was used for posting this wonderful parcel to me, repurposed 'recycled rice or fish feed bag', therefore continuing to upcycle items that would usually thrown out!! And it has a zip for a closure, so I can continue to use it here at home!!

Not only are these bags saving products from being thrown out, but some of the money is used to help a Cambodian child go to school FOR A WHOLE YEAR!! How is that not a wonderful thing, also? By me buying a bag, I am saving the planet AND helping a child's education!

These bags are so well organised, they have various pockets inside for a phone, a clip for keys, a large external pocket for my diary or laptop and a couple of zip pockets for all things secret!!

But wait - there's more!!!!

Here in Australia, the government is still arguing about the value of those who love a partner of their own sex, ie: (Same Sex Marriage).... *sigh*  So some of the money from this purchase also goes towards the Marriage Equality Campaign. #loveislove, right?

I have always been a supported of the minority, so this is something I believe strongly in, (for so many reasons...) In the very least, I have a stunning bag that will work for my busy liftstyle - the conversations that may arise from it, is an absolute bonus!!

And now Im thinking I just may need to update my purse, its looking a bit ragged next to these stunning items!!

Let me know if you check out Koky's site or even go down and have a look at his shop, Im yet to get there....

Thanks for stopping by :)

Spring Time Clean-Up...

When I was using the beautiful clear blocks of Stampin' Up!, earlier this weekI realised just how 'cloudy' mine had become with overuse...

While the curved edges are very nice for my fingers & thumbs, (meaning they do not leave blisters because of harsh corners), what good is a CLEAR block when you cant see through them?
(This may be slightly exaggerated, but you can see that there is a grimy look to my blocks...)

 So it was time to boil the kettle for a peppermint tea, grab a soft cloth & the Eucalyptus Solution & spend just a few minutes to give the blocks some tender lovin' care!
(Please note: do not use any type of scourer on the blocks, they will scratch the surface, resulting on damage to them...)

Even just wiping one side of this small size D block resulted in this much grim being removed!! It really wasn't a difficult task, but like everything in life - we just have to find the time!!

Have a look at how the small block is wonderful, while there are smudges of colour looking through the blocks that are stacked on each other....? Yuck!

And finally my blocks are shiny, shiny again!! I'm certainly much happier to show off my business tools, when they are clean like this!!

And in that short time, my peppermint tea is ready!!

Have a great day, see you again, where I will show you some Christmas tags that I'm working on...

Jo x

Now Is The Time...

As my title suggests, now is the time...

The time to:

• enjoy the latest Annual Catalogue...
• enjoy the latest Holiday Catalogue...
• update my blog & be more active...
• Activate my Stampin' Up! DBWS, (Demonstrator Business Web Site)...

With all of that in mind, I clearly need to begin to be more organised, something Ive always struggled with. BUT...now is the time :)

So I'm thinking I may invest in these great Planners, (seen on page 12 of the Annual Catalogue), why not have everything in one place - I can note down the dates for classes, my 'other work' dates, OnStage dates, (where demonstrators from all over the world get together to see newly released products & share ideas + so much more!!) and of course, birthdays etc, so I can send out cards!!

This is possibly what I've been missing all my life, hey?  Lets see if this helps to get me to get organised!!

Or I could simply use the diary that I already have, but it certainly isn't as pliable as this one....

Ill let you know how I go over the next few months, ok? Thanks for stopping by...

It's here - the new catty is here!!

We can finally order anything from the newest Stampin' Up! catalogue, released today!!

Can you sense my excitement, much? How pretty is the front cover?
Can you imagine the rest of the publication, then?

You can have look online here and you can order through me or you own SU! demonstrator - either way, get onto it :)

Happy 5th Birthday Kelly!!

Like any work-place, an acknowledgment of another year of work is always great to have recognised... This is no different for us, friends of Kelly, who is celebrating her 5th year of being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator.

Kelly's commitment to the company, her friendship and of course, the work she creates, is always amazing!!

With that in mind, I have pulled out my laptop, dusted off my sleepy blog & have finally given it some love & care.. there are soooo many reasons to be happy right now, hey?

Some of you may know that there is a new annual catalogue that is being released to the public on June 1 this year & I have chosen to show off one of the stamp sets from this catalogue. (One of the perks to being a SU! demonstrator is that you are lucky enough to have access to pre-released items!!)

So here we go, time to show you my 'Happy' creations...

This photo shows a couple of the images from Crafting Forever, a brand new stamp set!! I think it has soooo many opportunities to be played with, so I seriously stamped over 40 images & lost myself to colouring them in, using the Watercolor Pencils with an Aquapen. How could you get any colours wrong, really???

While I was cutting out the paint pots, I realised that I could 'build' a container of brushes by individually cutting them out and layering them, (lucky my children are 12+ and they can cook their own tea, right??)

I decided my paint pots would work really well to hold up the 'easel' part of the an Easel Card. I used acetate, (over-head projector sheets, for us smarter people) behind the paint pots and placed them between the layers of the sentiment band.

The sentiment says: Do something creative every day... Isn't that just a great message to send someone?

I then cut a frame to place over the butterfly, from Butterfly Wings & hung it like a piece of artwork!!

These cards are now travelling all over Australia, as a part of a Demonstrator Swap - I make 10 cards of the same design, they go to a designated person who sorts through all of the swaps & she will send me 10 new swaps, of all different designs - what a great way to be inspired, hey?

How bright and cheerful are they? Perfect timing for Kelly's celebratory party, I think!!

Congratulations Kelly on making a great choice 5 years ago, (I'm celebrating 8 years Sunday, just gone!!) Hip hip hooray to us both!!

I'd love to hear what you think about my creations, I'd love for you to leave me a message that you've visited, if you can...

From this blog, you will click onto Danielle's blog, her creations will astound you!!

Take it away Daniella... Thanks for stopping by :)

Hip hip hooray!!

It's been 8 amazing years (Saturday 27th May), since I signed a special piece of paper, to begin being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator!!

I knew that I would have access to product releases early, a wealth of information of all things crafty & business pointers to help me build my personal business. What I didn't imagine was the friendship, the sisterhood & support that I have gained from being apart of the greater SU! family.

We all have families, partners, children, pets, homes to run, lots of us work other jobs & we juggle so much... Of course, we chat about our life while we craft together online or together, 'for real' and we are an wonderful therapy opportunity to each other. The friends that I have gained will last for life, even when any one of us deci!!de to drop being a demonstrator, for what ever reason...

With these friendships in mind, I have sent off quite a few RAK cards, (Random Acts of Kindness) to other demonstrators all over the world - These ones are going around Australia, Germany, The Netherlands and America! The thought that my cards are travelling so far, is soooo exciting to me!!


What a way to celebrate, hey???
Happy birthday to me!!