COVID-19 Giveback PDF Download.

Our world has completely changed over the last 6 weeks. COVID19 has spun us all up-side-down and in-side-out. I've gone from working to not working, to working again - even though I am in Child Care, an employment area that was considered essential.

It's during time of crisis that we often see companies, families & workers assist others. It's the human way of life, right?

And Stampin' Up! are no different!! During this difficult time, many of us are at home, isolating for their own health & the health of others, while nurses, doctors, supermarket staff, cleaners, pharmacy staff, emergency workers, school & child care educators & more are working, trying to help others.

In order to help various world wide organisations fight this incredible enemy, SU! have released 15 pages of COVID19 related printable images for you to use on cards. You can send cards to your friends & family or give them to those who are working on the front line, to show your support.

This photo only shows a portion of the sentiments. These are also available in various colours.

Some are 'tongue-in-cheek', some are a great play on words, while others absolutely show our gratitude to those who are working tirelessly, whatever their field of work.

Some of the sentiments also show that while we understand that we need to stay home, (for now), some of us have let ourselves go!! (The owner of this blog is very much included in this!!)

The downloadable PDF is available here, worldwide & is sent to your email directly, once payment has been made.

These are just a couple of examples of what I have made, using the black & white sentiments only, until I have assess to a colour printer... Id love to see what you make, which sentiments make you smile & create. Be sure to use the #sharesunshine so that we can all admire your work too!!

Be sure to come back soon, to see the rest of the cards that I've made using more of these sentiments.

Keep stampin', Jo

Card 1:

Stamps: (Printable) COVID19 Giveback PDF

Cardstock: Balmy Blue & Whisper White

Ink: Printer - Black
Big Shot: Poppy Moments dies, Big Shot & Plates

Accessories: Dimensionsals, Tear 'n Tape

Card 2:

Stamps: (Printable) COVID19 Giveback PDF, Artfully Aware

Cardstock: Petal Pink, Whisper White
DSP: Perennial Essence

Ink:  Printer - Black
Accessories: Dimensionals, Tear 'n Tape, Wink of Stella

Card 3:

Stamps: Hang In There,  (Printable) COVID19 Giveback PDF

Cardstock: Mossy Meadow, Whisper White

Ink: Printer - Black

Big Shot items: Sweet Silhouettes, Hammered Metal Embossing Folder, Big Shot & Plates

Accessories: Early Expresso Water Colour Pencil, Aqua Pen, Dimensionals, Tear 'n Tape.

Socials:   https://linktr.ee/JoWeedonMelbourne

Something A Little Different!!

It probably won't come as a surprise to anyone that follows my blog that I enjoy a challenge.

And that I always seem to need a project to work on, no matter what it is...

So when my children's basketball team began to think about organising a Presentation Day at a local formal setting, I knew that I wanted to help with the decorations. Im on the committee in other roles, but this one really had me excited!

Our club's colours are black, white & teal, otherwise known as Basic Black, Whisper White & Taken With Teal,. For those of us who have been around, Taken With Teal is a retired colour sadly, but gosh I loved it!!

So I started with these base blocks that I found from Lombards, a party supply shop near-by.

I'm glad to have found these small balloons that match our team colours perfectly!! The next challenge was to sit and blow these up - there were over 170 to blow up! 

Thank goodness for the electric blower!!

Seeing the table decorations set up and having everyone file in was terrific.  I love when you prepare so well for an event & it all comes together! It's a  great feeling to be involved with such a committed committee. 

These are the trophies that each Coach presented to their player who they believe has played the hardest, learnt & applied the most or for whatever reason the Coach thinks is applicable.

The other players received one of these trophies each for their part in the team over the season.  There were smiles all round!!

 And here is everyone in our Committee - what a good looking bunch we are, hey?

I'm incredibly grateful to have such knowledgable group supporting our children in our basketball team - it gives us all a great future!!

Thanks for reading about another part of my world, see you next time :)

Stampin' Up! badge of Honour.

I've been harping on about my 10 year birthday as a SU! demo, I know...

But today I received the offical badge of honour to prove it!! :)

It's just so shining & perfect!! It's funny how proud you can be when your time has been acknowledged - even if it is while you're at home, in your dressing gown!! 

I'll be adding this to my apron that I wear proudly at all markets, classes and the like from now on...

Thanks for sharing my excitement, I look forward to the next amount of years, the friendships and fun that it will bring!!

Happy Stampin', Jo

Feeling The Love!!

Last week I mentioned that it was my 10th birthday as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator...

I've had such a great reaching out of friendships from those who have traveled any part of those 10 years with me, it truly was a great week.

I was lucky enough to receive a couple of cards in the mail, along with many messages of support via text or messenger, so I certainly felt the love!!

The first card I received was from Alison, who I spent the day with a few weeks ago... We have been friends for a long time now and are always a great support to each other, about SU! and all things in life, really!

She used the now retired Broadway Bound DSP to make a double opening card - probably the wrong name for it, but I love it either way!!

 The SU side of the card than also opens to her gorgeous message to me. Just beautiful!

The other card that I received is from Ellen, who has a stunning smile and wicked sense of humour to match!! She has used the new stamp set, Crafting Forever with the Lovely Lipstick cardstock.

How fun and bright is her card - these women know how much I love the Bright family

I just love the friendships that I have made throught SU!, they are life long!!

I thought I would also show you the second of the 2 cards that I made to say thankyou to my fellow friends & demos of SU! This was to thank them for their support during the last 10 years of my time with them.

Here I have used the Love What You Do stamp set, the Brayering technique, with the Stitched Nested Label Dies, (what a mouthful, lol). I made 20 of these to send out & I am still amazed that I didnt get bored with making so many of the same things - maybe because I knew how important they were to me?

Well, I'm off now, to catch some sleep before I travel to the other side of town tomorrow with my youngest, Darcy. He will be refereeing all day for a  basketball tournament while I catch up with a special friend - I may even have something to share with you, if we get to create, fingers crossed!!

Happy stamping x

Remembering OnStage 2018

Wow!! Looking back at these photos already have me smiling & wanting another occasion to get us altoghter!!

From the initial all getting to airport & travelling as a group, to wandering the supermarkets & streets of Sydney, while wearing my ridiculous hat!! (Of course, it is made of Stampin' Up ! items, so it HAD to be worn proudly!!)

Im so lucky to have Mel & Raelz as the adults in our relationships, they tolerate my silliness so well!!

 When we finally arrived at OnStage 2018, I discovered that I wasnt the only one dressed for the occasion!! Yes, there are some other mad women out there, too!!
Linda's mop of rainbow hair made me smile, so we just had to have a photo together!!

 And when I crossed paths with Sara, Stampin' Up!'s CEO, I jumped at the chance to have my photo taken with her - Id love to know what she thinks of us crazy Aussies!!
She is as gratious as she is beautiful & allowed this photo - I am so grateful for all that she gives to SU!

One of the wonderful & unexpected things that I quickly learned about the family that is SU!, is the friendships that blossom through a common interest, such as stamping. Over my (almost) 9 years, I have gained so many beautiful friendships & people that I admire & aspire to be. Monique is one of these women, who I chat to while on-line, but rarely get to hug, squeal & giggle with...

At OnStage, it was a true highlight to squeeze her, maybe even tear up a little & then celebrate with as I watched her present on THE ACTUAL stage, as she was one of the 'chosen' ones to do so!!

 Did you know how important it is to keep your sugars up while droopling over that latest catalogue launch? Im not lying.... How cute is this cupcake?

 Did I mention that this wonderful event took place in Sydney? Here's proof!! The weather was stunning, wasnt it?

 Many of the gifts we received was a Light Box, complete with the SU! logo & a heart to boot!! Of course, I couldnt just write anything... I had to write how I felt, right at that time!!

 Going for a walk the next morning saw Susan & I under the big bridge... It truly is incredible, especially when you think of how long ago it was built, not many safety regulations etc... Oh my gosh, how it would have changed the skyline & growth of the 'town' that was Sydney, back then...

Sitting in front of The Opera House, Susan & I took this photo - the sun was glorious, the weekend was spectacular & the friendships are everlasting!!

Come back next time to see some of the swaps that I received - they are beautiful!!

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!!

Harmony Day 2016

I work in a wonderful place called Glenroy Neighbourhood Learning Centre, (GNLC). It is here that I am the Child Care Co-Ordinator for the child care centre, while many other talented people teach English, Computer & VCAL students, amongs other subjects also.

Many of my children come to our centre because their parents are attending the English classes, through the A.M.E.P. program, (Adult Migrant English Program), where-by newly arrived asylum seekers or refugees learn English, so that they can assimilate into the community.

Every year, we collectively celebrate Harmony Day, so I decided to make something that represents the children from our centre & the countries that their families are from. Most of the children I know enjoy cup-cakes & I am always happy to make these, so then I printed that flags from the countries of the families in our centre.

AND of course, Stampin' Up! has a fantastic colour in Pumpkin Pie, just the perfect orange to represent the universal colour for Harmony Day, so I matted all the flags and wrote the name of each country on the back. I am still learning about other countries, so this was a great opportunity to teach others!!

The list was quite reasonable!!

There is a flag from Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Burma, Sri Lanka, America, The Netherlands, Malta, Australia, Japan, China, India, Lebanon, Italy, Pakistan, Syria, Afghanistan, Russia, Thailand & Napal, if I have them all listed correctly....

We have such a beautiful mix of people that are all working towards a common goal of learning in our centre, so it was a great way to celebrate all that we have to offer!

And what we all have to offer, is fooooooood!! How is this for an amazing selection of food from many cultures!!

In our current world, we need more acceptance and love. Our little neighbourhood house community displayed this love by gathering around food and celebrating all that we are.

I'm hoping that next Harmony Day sees us with less pain & suffering and more acceptance, love and smiles. 

Happy Harmony Day, 2016.