"Life's Better Than" worrying about fixing a decent mistake!! :)

On Friday nights, at 8 pm  (AEST), I like to go Live on my Jo Weedon Melbourne Facebook page.

A challenge was placed on a SU! page using various pre-cut pieces & then make a card, of any theme, so I decided to ask my viewers to help with putting my mystery card together!!

My youngest boy's girlfriend's birthday is today, so it was a great reason to work on a card. And she is so perfect for Darcy, they both looooooove chocolate!!

So of course, "Nothing Better Than" had to be front & centre!

You can watch my Live here & see my big mistake, eeer, I mean opportunity for learning!! 😂

I'm so happy with the end result! I'll definitely be making more using this layout & will absolutely take part in more of these mystery challenges too!!

Happy birthday Bec, we all hope you have an amazing day & a great year ahead!

If there are any products that you see here or on my Live that you would like to purchase, here is a quick On-line shop - be sure to choose the option to have me as your Demonstrator. This makes it easier when you need assistance from me, on-line.

This DSP & many other are now on sale at My On-line shop, within Australia, during the month of October. Dont forget to tick the box to have me as your nominated demonstrator so that I can help you with your order, at any time.  (If you dont choose a demo, then when you get stuck, we cant assist you - how annoying right?)

Come back to see the next gorgeous things I have to show you, soon. I have so many other items to show off!!

                                                                        Card 1:

Stamps: Nothing's Better Than

Cardstock: Balmy Blue, Early Expresso, Vary Vanilla

Ink: Early Expresso, Crumb Cake

Stampin' Cut & Embossing Machine items: Old World Paper 3D Embossing Folder,Layering Ovals dies, Love You More Than dies.

Accessories: Foam Adhesive Sheets, Mini Dimensionals, a fantastic group of Facey viewers!!

   My Socials

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

Kelly's Stamping Friends - Birthday Blog Hop.

Welcome to Kelly's Blog Hop - a celebration of her birthday, friendship & creativity!!

You have just come from seeing the wonderful Rachael's creations, weren't they great!! Im always in awe of people's interpretaion of the theme for a Blog Hop & this one doesnt disappoint!!

So onto my projects!! I have always loved creating something different to what I ususally see products being used for... I gain a lot of inspiration from those who make cards & even produce scrap pages to document their life, but I seem to see less of 3D or Off The Page items...

And so this brings me to my project... Ive had this 'Notice-Board/ Stationary Holder' for well over a few years and simply havent wanted to decorate it. Until the Wood Textures Designer Series Paper came along!! My youngest teen son started the job & I helped him to finish it...we make a great pair, dont we!!

 By keeping the sheets in similar tones, as they ran along the length of the project, it allowed the joins of the paper to not be so obvious. And also, when it is full of the odd peice of Lego, pens, school notes & bills, they wont be so easy to see either, hey?

 And the white paint for the edges, matches with the 'white wash' of the internal dividers also..win, win!!

So before the family realise that they can write on the "Over-head Projector' sheet that is on the 'window' part of the board, I will enjoy the clean lines & organised appearance of my, our, little weekend project... *sigh*

When I finished the Notice Board, I realised that I had another item gathering dust - it needed to be used!!

As you may know, I am friend's with many Stampin' UP! demonstrators & am often encouraged & inspired by them. This time is no different - I recently saw an "Off The Page' project using SU! products, so I hunted around & decided that I would use this frame to show off the gorgeous Statement of The Heart from Stampin' Up! 

Our Statement of The Heart is the core belief that we all hold & it encompases everything that all demos hold true. It is now in a stamp that can be shared & loved by everyone who passes by in my stamp room!!

"To love what we do and

Share what we love

As we help others enjoy creativity and

Worthwhile accomplishments.

In this we make a difference"

Firstly, I painted the wood with white paint, as I often do &I sat very impatiently, waiting for it to dry...

 I then paired the now retired Urban Garden Designer Series Paper, (DSP), with Not Quite Navy ink & Whisper White cardstock. These flowers were apart of a 12 x 12 sheet of DSP & they were screaming to be cut out & slightly re-arranged.

This flower was made by fussy cutting out the image about 6 times, from a sheet of DSP, popped up on Dimensionals & burnished to give the petals shape.

And of course, there needed to be some bling, my Up-line had taught me well!! With just a couple of peals carefully placed, it balances the piece nicely, I believe :)

Thanks for stopping by and seeing my creations for Kelly. I hope she has an amazing year ahead travelling around our incredible earth again - she certainly inspires me to keep doing what we love doing - using Stampin' Up! products, of course!!

And once again: Happy birthday Kelly!!

If you have lost your way, follow these names to find your way again :)

1.   Kelly Kent

2. Angela Meiritz-Reid

3. Sue Vine

4. Sharon Dalton

5. Rebecca Scurr

6. Julia Quinn

7. Danielle Bennenk

8. Cathy Pinchebeck

9. Richelle Fletcher

10.Sara Levin

11. Sandra Roberts

12. Catherin Creer

13. Cheryl Taylor

14. Rochelle Blok

15. Ine van den Eijnden

16. Rachael Lewsley

17. Jo Weedon You are here....

18. Courtney Heuston

19. Mandy Depiazzi

20. Marian Fleming

2018 Retirement List Blog Hop

Here we go with another amazing Blog Hop!! You have possibly come from Nicole's incredible page & designs. How gorgeous is her work? Thanks for playing along also, Nicole :)

When names were requested for this Blog Hop, I jumped at the chance!! I love to see people's ideas & interpretation of the theme of each hop... This theme, of course, is to use items from the Retiring List...

I decided to pull out all the retiring colours, the stamp sets, embossing folders & punches to see what sparked my interest. This is what I came up with...

 A close friend & co-worker had a baby a year ago, so Yusuf is now turning 1!! Our excitement for him almost matches how super cute he is!! So of course, he needs a special 1st birthday card...

Ive used the Myths & Magic Special DSP, Large Numbers Die & already retired Elegant Label Punch, on a base of Dapper Denim & Whisper White cardstock.

And can you see that Ive sponged the Silver Glimmer Paper for the #1? How super cool, errr, magical is that!!

It's another first for me that I use 2 designs of the DSP on one card, the wizards AND the brave knight fighting his dragon!! The Number of Years stamp set is wonderful that it includes the 'ST' so that our cards can be grammatically correct, isn't it?

 I always love to do projects that aren't only a card, so I went hunting in my stash of 'things that I've bought & will get back to one day', dont you have a pile like that too?

I found this card box & also remembered that my work have been asking for a supply of cards of mine. This is so that the staff members can flick through when they need a cards & it is immediately there for them... How perfect will this box be?

Whenever I choose an item like this, I always paint the edges, I just dont like the wooden finish. And I almost always paint them white... Then the many layers of Tear 'n Tape ensures the DSP will last on the project for a long time & shoul withstand a little bit of wear & tear, better than only using the tape around the edges, for example.


















Using the tape makes this projet so quick to complete, as you can use a craft knife to cut around the edges precisely for a smart finish & it is almost done.
(Ps, dont look at how I still need to paint over the exposed wooden edges, ok....)

 Now with the dividers also completed, the various cards can go in & lots of people will be happy to purchase & send or give a card to a loved one.

And now for my final item to show you...

Im a bit sad that the Magical Day stamp set is retiring, so Im not quite sure that I will be willing to part with it...& I've also used the Birthday Wit Set AND Sunshine & Rainbows on the one card!!!!

This card has a base of Whisper White with a mat of Sweet Sugarplum.

My rainbow is Elegant Eggplant, Dapper Denim, Marina Mist, Wild Wasabi, Peekaboo Peach, Tangerine Tango & Rose Red - my (retiring) interpretation of the V.I.B.G.Y.O.R. rainbow acronym :)

Ive made this card for another close friend & co-worker who is celebrating her birthday with 'our' baby that is turning 1, yes, on the same day!!

Melissa is such an incredibly driven woman, always is aware of her food intake, cooks incredible food, achieves greatness in her fitness & just loves unicorns - what a balance, hey?
 You never can tell how a card will come together, do you? 3 sets on the one card - Im still smiling about that one...

Thanks for dropping to see what Ive prepared for you all. Id love to hear what you thought of my projects...

So get up, put the kettle on, on your way to the loo, come back with a fresh cuppa & be prepared for Libby's stunning work.

Her creations will mirror the gorgeous woman she is, bright, colourful with a touch of sparkle!!





And if you get lost in all this craftiness, here is the list of everyone participating:

Blog Hop Participant List

Blog Hop Participant List

1. Lou Kitzelman

2. Kelly Kent

3. Bronwyn Eastley

4. Jackie Aitken

5. Jo Stubbings

6. Peta Stephen

7. Sharon Dalton

8. Lauren Meiklejohn

9. Courtenay Heuston

10. Nicole Wilson

11. Jo Weeden  You are here, Jo Weedon :)

12. Libby Dyson

13. Cheryl Algie

14. Megan Lenske

15. Beryl Crisp

16. Fi Cobbin

17. Rose Packer

18. Cathy Pinchbeck

19. Carolina Evans

20. Renee Lynch  

21. Sandra Mastello

22. Katrina Duffell

23. Rachael Lewsley

24. Leonie Schroder

25. Emily Campbell

26. Monique Fielder

27. Michelle Strazds

28. Jessie Holton

Thanks again x

Happy Birthday Blair!!

It was my nephew's 1st birthday and my sister, has an obsession with all things Disney, especially Mickey Mouse. With this in mind, I knew that Blair's card needed to go with her theme...

I had recently bought the Swirly Bird stamp set & matching dies, (10 % off when you purchase them together) and had seen some cards using the bird nest not as nests...so that got me thinking...

I had a play with the various parts of the dies & finally settled with this:

The Real Red, Basic Black,Whisper White & Pop Of Pink DSP works so well & it didnt take too long to put together!! Gotta love those cards, hey?


I knew that Brooke's party table was going to reflect her love for Mickey and she certainly didnt disappoint!!

Here is her food table...all red, black and white, simply perfect!!

Brooke's talent showed through when she presented the cake, Mickey of course!!

But wait, there's more!! Here is the show stopper!! So clever!!

Needless to say that Blair's birthday was a great day for him and a wonderful opportunity for family to come together!!

Happy birthday Blair, we love you lots!!

Bring On The Sweet Stack!!

I have always wanted a centre-peice for my table, for when it is clean... I'm also hoping it would encourage me to keep it that way...?). So I decided to purchase the Sweet Stack Project Kit, (page 152)  This actually the first kit that I have ever bought, crazy hey?

Well, this kit has changed my mind about kits - I loved knowing what to make, following the directions, but also knowing that I could mix it up a little, to make it mine!

 

So from above, you can see that Ive tried to make the Crushed Curry "icing' the same all the way around the edge of the lower level & I used the Bow Builder punch for a different bow than in the kit. (I can use them for another project!!) The trim on the cake is also different to the kit, it needed a little bit more colour, I thought...

Here is the finished product!! I plan to have each cake peice filled with a small gift for anyone who brings a new guest to my class... Could this be you, perhaps?

Thanks for stopping by to see my latest crafty ideas... I hope to see you again soon, Jo.

Beam Me Up BB8......?

Right up until the night before my neice's birthday, I had NO idea who BB8 was...

I was happy not knowing...
Had no need to know...or so I thought...

Until I asked my 12 year old son what I should make for Rillie's birthday card!

He told me "BB8, she loves him!!" Insert Aunty Jo's blank face...

Thank goodness for the internet, cos he came back with this:

And you would think that would have explained everything, right?

Ummmm, nope!!

Kyle explained that this is the newest droid from the latest Star Wars movie and then I vaguely had an idea of which genre he was referring to.

With all that in mind, I finally came up with this card for Rillie.

The shaped inside the circle was cut by hand and the letters were done using the Big Shot and Little Letters Thinlits. The colours are Basic Black, Basic Grey, Whisper White and Pumpkin Pie.

Well, beam me up, cos I pulled it off! She recognised who I intended the card to be!!
Go me and happy birthday to Rillie!!

3D On-Stage 2015

Now you may think that I am beating a dead-horse by posting more photos of On-Stage 2015, but these 3D items are stunning!! From one 3D maker to all of you out there, I would hope that you get just as excited as me :))

From left of screen to right: Glenys Probst (3D Christmas Card), Unknown (A Merry Little Wish), Renee Kroeger (Christmas Pillow), Michaela Vergano (Garden Seeds), Unknown (Orange Party Box), Unknown (Keyring).
I will update links if I can find out more information...

Have  a great day, see you next time :))

I promised...right...

As promised a looooong time ago, I was going to share some of the swaps I received from On-Stage, 2015. (Clearly I dont get much time at the computer, I am hoping to change that this year!!)

So, finally, here are some examples of the amazing work I swapped my ear-rings with...
Anyone that wants to take the time to make swaps & swap with me, is fantastic!!
It doesnt matter if they have been a demo for 4 weeks, 7 years like me, or longer - all cards and 3D items have something to offer that will inspire you to get in your craft room!!

Please note that I swapped with many demos, I apologise if your swap is not here, I am simply show-casing a few of what I have received...

(From lower left of tree & around: Jenny Adams, Rose Desmond,Heather Tiley, Unknown, Ms Amanda Papercraft, Fluer Ilewelyn, Alison Britt)

(From lower left of tree & around: Suzanne Barnard, Belinda Neil, Unknown, Diana Kelvin, Rosie Spezzano, Theresa Brown)

(From lower left of tree & around: Kath Godkin, Jenny Tomisic, Unknown, Gail Kirby, Bernie Austin, Julie, Julie Leeper)

My next post will have some of the 3D items I collected along the way...so be prepared for more gorgeous work!!
Thanks for stopping by :))

Card In a Box have taken over my life!!

Have you heard of the little boxes that are taking over the world, let alone my stamp table?
They are, simply put, a rectangle box that stands either landscape or portrait and have a great display of flowers, butterflies, cupcakes etc, to represent the theme of the card...

On the front is the decoration and the sentiment, while there is a  blank peice of cardstock on the back, for the message...

And as they say: Here is some I have prepared earlier... :P

Ive made this Daffoldil Delight a couple of times now, as a birthday box, Get Well Soon box & a Sympathy box. The set-up lends itself to so many occasions!!

Lots of people like a bit a of sparkle, right? They were the finishing touch to these butterflies, after they were embossed in various folders and squeezed through the big Shot....

One of the best bits of making these, in abundance, is the fact that these little bits n peices use scraps!! And my scraps were building up.... How does that not put a smile on your dial, hey?

I just love how the Glimmer Paper is so shiny in this photo!! I hope it puts a smile on the person receiving it too!!

Now you can see how these Card In a Box have taken over my stamp table, right?

I have left a very special one for my next post, which certainly wont leave you hanging for too much longer, I promise!! The next one I have to show you, is very much made with love!!

See you then...

Here are some more cards that I have made for various birthdays, in the past few months.
I love using bright colours and fun themes, making the card makes me smile.

And of course, when I give the cards and they make others smile, then that is just the icing on the cake!!

This first card is a great one for using those scraps that you hold onto but never quite get around to using...well, now you can!! Simply stick the punched circles to the black matt, then run that through the Big Shot, using whichever embossing folder you like. Then matt that onto co-ordinating colours, add a sentiment & you have a great bright card!!

With this quick & easy card, I have used Polka Dot Parade Designer Paper with the Bow Tie die, on a base of Whisper White. With 3 children running around and a busy child care centre to run, I am always looking for fast but effective cards to make!

Here is Real Red from the same Polka Dot DSP that I used on the orange card above. I have used the scallop circle punch, satin ribbon and cute buttons, although they dont show up very well.
Perhaps I should have sponged the scallop flower, but apart from that, it makes me smile :)

I wonder how many more photos I will find, as I clean up my laptop? Hubby has threatened to wipe them all, if I dont hurry up, before he fixes all the bugs in it.....eeeekkkk!!