My Christmas Organiser

Are you sick of seeing my Christmas projects yet??
Well I have another one to show you that I made a few weeks ago, but never got around to photographing it.
This is my Christmas Organiser, it is a little too late to start using it this year, but at least I will be ready for next Christmas!
I started out with a SU On Board Art Journal (107065 $16.95) which has been sitting in my cupboard for about a year and I teamed it up with the Holiday Treasures Designer Seriers Papers and used coordinating colours.
I've divided the journal into sections so I can keep track of things to do,gifts to buy, christmas card lists, etc. At the very back of the journal I have also included a pocket, so you can keep receipts incase you need to return gifts after Christmas.





Supplies Used:
Stamp Sets:Snow Swirled, Seasons of Joy, Christmas Classics
Cardstock:Ruby Red, Whisper White,Old Olive
Designer Series Papers:Holiday Treasures
Inks:Ruby Red, Old Olive
Punches:Spiral, Round Tab, 1" Circle Punch
Other: On Board Art Journal,Pearls,Rub ons, Stampin Dimensionals

Thanks..Jules

Brisbane Training Day Swaps

On Saturday I attended the SU Training Day in Brisbane, I had a great day. I walked away with my head spinning, as you normally do when you attend these days. You learn so much from the speakers and other Demonstrators. You try and write everything down, but that's not always possible as your trying to watch, listen and take photo's! When you get home and sit down and go back over your notes you realise that they don't make any sense at all!

As I mentioned in a earlier post I only decided on the Wednesday to make them so I had a busy few days. I ended up making 28 in total, so I was happy with getting them done in two days.
The swaps that I made were very easy but effective (I thought so). I did the same design for them all but I used a few different colour combinations and changed the Designer Series Papers. I used some Designer Series Papers that were from the Current 2009/2010 Catalogue and also the Spring Mini (as it was still cuttent on the 28/11). Below are some of my swaps in the different colours. The time consuming part was distressing all the circles, I tried using my distressing tool but in the end it is was easier and quicker to use my fingernail!






I received some beautiful swaps in return and some of them were using product from the New Summer Mini Catalogue, it's great to see other peoples styles and designs, I got some cute mini boxes and bags as well, some people put sooo much work into their swaps!
Thanks..Jules

Easel Card

Another sneak peak using more product from the New Summer Mini Catalogue. These easel cards have been doing the rounds on various blogs, so I thought I would have a go at making one also.
All of the photos below are of the same card, I just photographed it from a few different angles as I wanted to show you different views so you get why it is called a easel card.
They are very easy to make, it's all in the folding!! My finished card is 4x4 inches when folded flat.
Out of one sheet of 12x12 cardstock you can make 3 cards. To make the card stand like a easel, you need something along the bottom piece which acts like a wedge. On this card I just used another piece of paper in which I stamped my sentiment and then I placed Stampin Dimensionals underneath to raise it and it allows the easel to stay in place. I have seen other cards that have used items like buttons, ribbons and brads which is enough to act as a wedge.





The Summer Mini is jammed packed with heaps of new Stamps and Accessories and covers everything from Valentine’s Day to Easter, 2 NEW Punches, a new Cutting Tool plus heaps more gorgeous Papers and Accessories.

Thanks..Jules

Another Sneak Peak

So here is another card I made using some of the new products from the Summer Mini Catalogue!
I won't list the items I have used, as I don't want to spoil the suprise for others who have to wait until the Summer Mini Catalogue is available on the 1st of December (I know some of you all ready have copies).



I have been busy this afternoon in my craft room making cards! So far I have made 22!
16 of the 22 are actually swaps, as on Saturday I am off to Brisbane for a Stampin' Up! training day. I was undecided up until lunch time today as to do swaps or not but the more I thought about it, the more I thought I should! (nothing like leaving it to the last minute).
I thought I would try and do about 30, so half way there! I am doing all the same base design, but I am changing all the colours and using different Designer Series Papers. I'm happy with what I came up with. I will post photos of my swaps after Saturday.

Thanks..Jules

Bella Bleu

Last week I posted 4 cards that I made using the Bella Bleu Designer Series Papers, well here is a photo of all 4 of them together!



I'll pop back later with another Sneak Peak from the Summer Mini Catalogue.
Thanks..Jules

Shhh...

One advantage of being a Stampin'Up! Demonstrator is that we get to see New Catalogues or Mini Catalogues about a month in advance before our customers do. We are able to pre-order some of the products so we are able to get a head start on making samples that we can show our customers and let them what to expect!

So the New Summer Mini Catalogue will be available to purchase from on the 1st of December.

From now until the 1st of December, I will be posting Sneak Peaks of samples that I have been making over the past few weeks!

If you would like to receive your own copy of the New Summer Mini, please contact me.

Don't these colours just scream Summer!



You can probably tell from my usual style and colours, that I tend not to use alot of the colours from the Bold Bright Colour Family.
Well with one of the new Designer Series Paper Packs, Kaleidoscope, which is in the New Summer Mini, it certainly has taken me out of my comfort zone and over the past few weeks has pushed me to try new colour combinations. All of the colours above all match perfectly with it! They are so bright and fresh.

Thanks..Jules

Card 4 from Bella Bleu

Well here is the final card in the set I made using Bella Bleu Designer Series Papers.
This card is a little different to my standard cards that I make, and this will fit into a SU C6 Medium envelope.






Supplies Used:
Stamp Sets: Fresh Cuts
Cardstock: Not Quite Navy, Very Vanilla
Designer Series Paper: Bella Bleu
Inks: Note Quite Navy
Punches: Scallop Square, Horizontal Slot
Other: Cuttlebug, Borderbilities, Wide Satin Ivory Ribbon

Thanks..Jules

Card 3 from Bella Bleu

Ok, so for card 3 from this set.This would have to be my least favourite of the 4.
I think it is a little too busy. I don't like the row of Pearls on it, but when I tried to remove them it tore the paper a little, so they had to stay, so if you can picture this card without the row of Pearls!!



Supplies Used:
Stamp Sets: Fresh Cuts
Cardstock: Kraft, Not Quite Navy
Designer Series Paper: Bella Bleu
Inks: Not Quite Navy
Punches: Scallop Oval, Large Oval,1/2 inch Circle
Accessories: Taffeta Ribbon-Kraft,Build A Brad Pewter
Other: Cuttlebug, Borderbilities, Pearls

Thanks..Jules

Card 2 using Bella Bleu

Another card I made using the Designer Series Paper Bella Bleu. There are 4 cards in total that I made in this set, so I might actually make up a nice gift box and give them as a gift!
This is quite a simple card, I just love patterns on the paper they have such a elegant feel to them and the colours all go perfectly together.



Supplies Used:
Stamp Sets: Fresh Cuts
Cardstock: Kraft, Very Vanilla and Not Quite Navy
Designer Series Paper: Bella Bleu
Inks: Not Quite Navy
Punches: Scallop Square, 1 1/4" Square and Eyelet Border
Accessories: Taffeta Ribbon-Kraft

Thanks..Jules

Bella Bleu

Now I must admit when I first saw the Bella Bleu Designer Series Paper in the current Catalogue,it wasn't one that I knew I had to get straight away. I recently purchased a pack and when I laid it out with the co ordinating cardstock and ribbon I was actually suprised at how much I liked it!

So, I've been playing with this DS pack and over the next few days I will post all of them here so you can have a look and let me know what you think! They aren't my usual style but sometimes you need to break away and do something a little different!



Supplies Used:
Stamp Sets:Sense of Time (Spring Mini Catalogue)
Cardstock:Note Quite Navy, Very Vanilla
Designer Series Paper:Bella Bleu
Inks:Not Quite Navy
Other: Cuttlebug, Nestabilities and Wide Satin Ribbon

Thanks..Jules

Christmas Gift Tag Accordian Book

The original idea for this Christmas Gift Tag Accordian Book was from
K.Werner Design
When I saw it I thought it was a great idea. I also made mine in a Christmas theme but you could very well change it and fill it with Gift Tags for all different occasions eg; Birthday Tags.
You can keep it quite simple by reducing the amount of stamp sets that you use also.

Supplies Used:
Stamp Sets: Holiday Line Up Stamp Set,Spotlight on Christmas,Snow Swirled,Christmas Classics
Cardstock: Baja Breeze Textured Cardstock, Whisper White Textured Cardstock
Chocolate Chip Cardstock, Real Red Cardstock, Old Olive Cardstock
Pattern Papers:Ski Slope Designer Series Paper
Inks:Stazon Black and White,Old Olive, Read Red
Punches:3/4" circle punch,
Other Accessories:Real Red 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon,Stampin Write Markers:Basic Black,Real Red, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip and uni-ball Signo White gel pen, Earth Elements Water Colour Crayons, Aqua Painter
Other:Cuttlebug,Assorted Nestibilities and Twine

Thanks..Jules

Inexpensive Gifts

I love giving gifts to friends, work colleuges and neighbours for Christmas. Every year a few weeks prior to Christmas I try and spend a few days in the kitchen making yummy homemade treats like Rum balls, Apricot balls, (my extra special) Rocky Road, Shortbread, etc and then packaging them up in celo bags and giving each person a small basket full of yummy Christmas treats. Hopefully this year I will be able to do the same. I know this is not possible for some of us!
I also like to have some gifts on hand incase I have forgotten someone or we need to give any last minute gifts to friends who call in.

I have been starting to buy a few inexpensive (pre packaged) food itmes from places like Big W, Woolies and Coles in which I have taken the original boring labels off (or decorated directly over the top) and decorated them with some gorgeous Designer Series Papers and embellishments from Stampin' Up!

Most of these food items were under $10.00, so these could be great gift ideas for neighbours. I love items in tins and bottles as these are easy to decorate.
The items in the photo above are Tinned Biscuits, Jars of Hardboiled Lollies, a bottle of Fruit and Nut Chocolates and a block of Cadbury Chocolate (with the purple packaging removed and then covered the alfoil block). I have also decorated a plain white gift bag with some patterned papar and ribbon to give the gifts in, and again they are more likely to reuse the gift bag, then rip off the wrapping paper!

I have used the Ski Slope Designer Series Papers (112994 416.95) the Tree Trimmings stamp set (116893 $24.95). I love the 1 1/4 inch Candy Cane Striped Grosgrain Ribbon (113099 $19.95)which are all from the Spring Mini (available until 30/11/09).

Next time your shopping, have a look at the supermarket for some ideas, I'm sure there is something that will catch your eye!

Thanks..Jules

Christmas Card Workshop

Here are some cards that I made for a Christmas Card Workshop which was held last weekend.
Everyone got to make a Treat Box, Notebook Holder and 6 Christmas Cards. Everyone used the Ski Slope Designer Series Paper and Tree Trimmings Stamp Set from the current Spring Mini Catalogue.
I love the bright colours in the Ski Slope DS Paper, and that Stampin' Up! have broken away from the "Traditional Red and Green" Christmas colours. (112994 $16.95)
The Tree Trimmings stamp set is so versitile, not only use it for Cards, but it's great to use for making your Christmas Tags, add a few diffent shapes, colours and layers with Stampin' Dimensionals and tadah! "stunning". (116893 $24.95)

** which reminds me, the Mini Spring Catalogue finishes at the end of November, so if you still haven't purchased your favourite Products, then time is running out! Don't forget that some of these sets and items may not be available again, so don't miss out!)

Thanks..Jules

THE PAMPERED STAMPER

It's been ages since I have posted anything on my Blog. I have been flat out doing other things which have been keeping me away from updating and posting! I have done some cardmaking lately, but unfortunately it has been NON Stampin' Up! related things so I haven't posted them as I try and keep my Blog just for my Stampin' Up! Projects and samples. October was a blur for me, with somthing happening every weekend, from Workshops, Cancer Awareness Fundraising Day, Christenings, etc.

The Pampered Stamper is an idea Tina and I have been busy with trying to get up and running, and finally we are able to offer this to our Friends, Customers and Family. This is available to anyone on the Sunshine Coast, (locals or visiting), just contact either Tina or Myself. (There is a link to The Natural Beauty Retreat on my sidebar)

THE PAMPERED STAMPER

Ladies,
You are invited to spend a day of fun, creativity and total selfishness pampering with friends …

Saturday 21st November OR Saturday 5th December 10am – 4 pm

@ The Natural Beauty Retreat:106 Thrushs Road, Dulong

Scrumptious Morning, Afternoon Tea and Lunch is provided

Enjoy and relax whilst sitting on the deck looking out over the beautiful hinterland on the Sunshine Coast, in a Peaceful and Tranquil setting.

Cost for the day is $110.00 per person

The Day Includes:
1 Hour of much needed Pampering:
Your choice of either

• Full Body Massage
• Rose Quartz Facial
• Manicure
• Pedicure
Using Ajala Natural Beauty products, which are manufactured through The Natural Beauty Retreat, using ingredients that are all natural and organic.

AND

Exclusive Card Making Class:
Includes materials to make a beautiful handmade box with 8 matching cards and envelopes whilst using gorgeous products from Stampin’ Up!

Learn some great new techniques. The day is suitable for Beginners right through to the experienced Paper Crafter.

To keep the day’s as relaxing and enjoyable as possible; there will be no more than 10 guests on each day. Call today to book as seats are limited.

Below are the Projects in which you will be making with Julie.

Each person will make this beautiful Handmade Gift Box which you can reproduce and send to Family and Friends.
Also included are 8 beautiful Handmade Christmas Cards with Envelopes, in coordinating colours.




**as kits need to be made up in advance we ask that you please respond by the due dates listed below**

RSVP: Monday 16th November for the Retreat on Saturday 21st November And
RSVP: Monday 30th November for the Retreat on Saturday 5th December

Each person is required to bring there own basic tool kit which should include:
Ruler (with inches), Pencil, Rubber, Double Sided Tape or Tabs, Foam Dots, Scissors, Paper Trimmer, Cutting Mat, etc.

If you have any questions about anything above, please contact

Tina on 0438 505 544: The Natural Beauty Retreat
or
Julie on 0419 758 217: Independent Demonstrator Stampin’ Up!


Thanks Jules

Father's Day/Male Cards

I have a workshop coming up and the hostess wants to do some Father's Day/Male Cards, I don't know why, but this is somthing that I really struggle with.
Above are a few cards I have made recently.
I love the new Designer Series Paper, Parisian Breeze from the new Spring Mini,it is such a great pack as it is both feminine and masculine designs, so it works well for both. I just love the co-ordinating colours!

Product for the 3 cards:
Stamp Sets: Loads of Love, Just Beachy, Occasional Greetings
Inks: Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, Stazon Black,
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Kraft Cardstock, Watercolour Paper
DS Paper: Parisian Breeze Speciality Designer Series Paper
Other:Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon, Button Latte, Linen Thread, Large and Small Oval Punches, Large Star Punch,Curly LAbel Punch Bundle,Daubers

Product for 1 Card:
Stamp Sets: Just Beachy
Inks: Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, Close to Cocoa
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Kraft Cardstock
DS Paper: Parisian Breeze Speciality Designer Series Paper
Other:Cuttlebug, Daubers, Square Nestabilities, Scallop Square Nestabilities, Brads- Vintage (SU Retired,Double Ended Tags Nestabilities

Thanks.. Jules

Birthday Cards

Here are a few Birthday cards I made last month for my niece and nephew's birthday's.
The train one was for Kirby. I CASED the idea for this card from the new Spring Mini Catalogue.I think this set Choo Choo is so cute!
The other card was for my niece Courtney, this stamp was from Inkadinkado - Bad or Fattening. This set had nothing to do with birthdays, I just loved the look on the little girls face and hands on the hips, says she has real attutide! The inside of the card just said Happy Birthday! On Courtney's card was my very first attempt of using Copic Markers, I have purchased a few different colours, so I thought I would have a go at using them and see what I thought. You can clearly see that I need lots more practice!!

Courtney's Card:
Stamp Sets:Inkadinkado - Bad or Fattening, Pure & Simple Alphabet Set (Retired)
Inks: Stazon Black, Momento Tuxedo Black
Cardstock: Tangerine Tango, Whisper White, Pacific Point
DS Papers: Washington Apple
Other: Tangerine Tango Striped Ribbon
Other Other: Cuttlebug, Circle Nestabilities, Scalloped Circle Nestabilities
Copic Markers: Chrome Orange YR04, Ultramarine B29,Light Blue B14,Pink RV11, Skin White E00, Champagne E71, Cocoa Brown E74 and Colourless Blender 0

Kirby's Card:
Stamp Sets: Choo Choo, Right on Track, Pure & Simple Alphabet Set (Retired), Rough Edges Alphabet(Retired), Party Hearty
Inks: Stazon Black, Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze, Real Red, Kiwi Kiss, Basic Gray
Cardstock: Whisper White, Not Quite Navy
DS Paper: Urban Garden
Other: Baja Breeze Striped Ribbon

Thanks Jules...

Styrofoam Balls + Glitter = Cupcake Day

But, do we really need a special day to eat Cupcakes?? I think not, but it is for a really good cause!! I don't know if many people are aware that Monday the 17th August is Cupcake Day!
Here in Australia, Cupcake Day is run to help raise money for the RSPCA-Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA is a non-government, community-based charity dedicated to protecting the welfare of all animals - great and small).Here is the link with more detials about the day if you want to get involved Cupcake Day

I saw in a scrapbooking magazine an ad from Doodlebug Designs, and they had made some cupcakes with paper product and glitter (not really sure what they used) but I thought maybe if I covered some styrofoam balls in glue and then rolled in glitter, popped them into a patty case, then maybe they might look like cupcakes. Now believe me this was a pretty messy process!! Oh, and I didn't just do Cupcakes, I also did Sundaes and Icecreams. And the cake I made a few posts ago, well that was made because of the Cupcake Day, that also is in the window. The only thing I didn't have was the cherries to go onto top, I couldn't find anything small enough and then I ran out of time, but they still look good enough to eat!!
Anyway the photos above show you the Before and After, so I was pretty happy with the end product!!

Most people who know me, know that I am a huge fan of anything to do with cupcakes! I have books, aprons, cake stands, etc. This all started last year when I decided to make cupcakes for my Mum's 60th, so I was trying out recipes to come up with the perfect one and then I was making frostings, in all different colours, flavours, etc.
I work partime in a scrapbooking shop, so we are doing our bit to help out on Cupcake Day. We are running classes during the month of August which include Cupcakes and Animals and at every class we are selling Cupcakes for morning tea and supper and all money raised over the period will be going to the RSPCA.
So to get totally involved and let everyone know what we are doing, we decided we needed to go the whole hog and fully deck out the front window with a really cool display! I'm really happy with the end product. Everyone who comes into the store stops and looks at the window display and we have had heaps of comments about it!

Sorry the photo isn't all that great, but I kept getting too much reflection!

(if you click on the photo you will be able to see it in more detail)

Thanks Jules

Christmas in July

Today, Gaye, Chrissy and myself (fellow Stampin' Up! Demonstrators) held our Christmas in July Card Making Extravaganza.
Everyone got to make 8 Beautiful Christmas Cards and 2 Gift Boxes using the "I Wish" Simply Scrappin Kit and the Snow Swirled Stamp Set.
I did manage to take a few photos at the beginning, but as usual I forgot and got too busy to take photos during the day!!
It was a great day with lots of fun and new techniques learnt by many!
Thanks Jules

Cake anyone??

A slice of cake anyone??
I know the cake slice box has been doing the rounds on different Blogs now for a while, but I have been wanting to have a go a making this and since I was a Chef and I do still enjoy making cakes, I thought this would be a fun way to include cooking and paper crafting together!! Better late than Never!!
Anyway last week I was using my Cricut machine, and while I was looking for a shape on one of the cartridges which I have owned for about 4 years (Tags, Bags, Boxes and More) I came across the template for a Cake Box (gee, maybe in future I should actually look at things I already have!)
Now, I have one of the original Cricut machines, which cuts 6x12 inches, so this will only cut the cake box at a fairly small size (I think it is up to 5 1/2 inches) but at work we have the Cricut Expressions machine which will cut to 12 x 12 inches. I placed a sheet of 12x12 Textured White onto the mat and keyed in the Cake Box shape and asked it to Fit to Page, it ended up cutting it out at 9 inches. Although it was quite large, I thought it was a good size.
In no time at all, I had 12 Cake Box templates all cut and ready to be scored. WOW. This is so much faster and easier than having to cut them all out by hand!! I used 12 sheets of white cardstock to get a Full Cake, and I think it took me about 30 minutes to put all 12 boxes together. In the end my cake stand only held 10 slices, as they were quite big slices. How easy would that be if you were wanting to use them as wedding boxes. The Cricut also cuts little slits in it, so if you were to add ribbon, it is easy to thread through.

I cannot for the life of me remember who’s blog or where I saw the Tutorial on how to make these cute flowers which I have placed on each slice. (so if anyone knows, please email me, so I can give them the credit they deserve).They are made using the scalloped circle punch, tweezers and glue.
I started making the flowers out of some old patterned paper (non Stampin' Up!)I had at home, but unfortunately it wasn’t double sided, next time I think I would use double sided paper as it would look better (if you look closely, you can see the yucky writing from the back of the patterned paper on the bottom and sides of some of the flowers). Hopfully the photos are OK and that you can see the detail.
I’m happy with the end product.. it looks yummy enough to eat!

Thanks Jules

No excuses...

I have been so busy lately, that my blog was just one thing that has been neglected!!

I have been designing cards for my weekly card classes at work, that my Stampin' Up! projects have just not been happening! Mind you I have just received my pre order of beautiful products from the new Stampin' Up! Mini Spring Catalogue (available from the 1st of August)but that is still sitting on the floor in the box, I did manage to mount my new Stamp Sets.




The photos above are of a few cards that I made recently.
The Flower Pot Card was a huge hit! Who ever came up with the concept is one very clever person. A very simple design.