Another New Technique!

You all know how much I love reflection stamping & sponging, well I've discovered another cool technique.  This one uses Stampin' Up! Ink Refils and an Aqua Painter.

• You will need plenty of paper towels on hand as it can get a bit messy (that's probably why I like it!)  Place a piece of Watercolour Paper on your paper towels & an assortment of coloured inks on a plastic plate - you only need a drop of each one. 
• Have some spare paper towels that you can use to squeeze your brush on to check the depth of colour.
• Start with your lightest colour - if it is too dark, just squeeze some water from your Aqua Painter into it & mix it first - & "wash" it over the part of the paper you wish to colour.  You can add more colour to make it darker, or more water to make it lighter.
• Keep adding colours until you get your desired result & blend out all the edges.  It is important to use Watercolour Paper as it allows you time to blend the colours.
• Dry with a heat gun then stamp!

I have used the Bird on a Branch Stamp Set in these examples.

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Santa's Come Early!

Wow - I can't believe it, I went away for 2 days and came back to find out that Stampin' Up! is offering an amazing Inventory Clearance Sale!  The sale starts today and runs until 24 January 2010! 
Just when I thought I had finished my SU! shopping for the year, they come out with sale which is just too good to miss ............ what's a girl to do?!!!
Products in the sale are discounted by 25% - 50% and it includes a number of alphabet sets which are just perfect for scrapbooking.  There is no minimum purchase and no limits, so why not go crazy!
The sale is on a "while stocks last" basis, so order now to make sure you don't miss out on these super bargains. 
The reason the stamp sets are on clearance is because they are the older square-cut style.  You may have noticed that most of our stamps are now die-cut.  The only difference is that with the square-cut, you need to trim around the stamps before mounting them - but don't worry, I am happy to mount them for you if you are not sure how.
Click here to find out what is on sale!
If you would like to place an order, please Contact Me

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Fantastic SU! News!

SU!  just announced that they will be continuing a number of your favourite products from the Spring-Mini Catalogue!  The following items are available now and will continue into the next main Idea Book and Catalogue that will be released in September 2010!

• 112534    Jumbo brads 5/16" Neutrals Assortment    $18.50
• 112533    Jumbo brads 5/8" Neutrals Assortment      $16.25  
• 114889    Scallop Oval punch                                   $35.95
• 106960    StazOn ink pad (White pad and refill)        $26.95
• 109196    StazOn Cleaner                                        $11.75

This is great news!  White Staz-On has been super popular close to Christmas as it stamps particularly well on accetate and other non-porous surfaces.
Everyone loves the Scallop Oval Punch - you can never have too many punches!  This one makes a really nice border for a stamped sentiment when used with the Large Oval Punch.

Sweet Tweets!

I just love the Cheep Talk stamp set ($56.95, p 98).  This is a very versatile set that you can use for both males and females depending on your choice of colours.

It was just "tweeting" to me to be used with the Sweet Treat Cups!

 I didn't have any birdseed so I used mustard seeds, lentils and black sesame seeds.

 More Reflections

Another reflection card for my fans!  This one uses the super versatile Lovely as a Tree stamp set ($57.95, p87).  Just so you know how simple this card is, I taught this card to a class a couple of months ago and one of my clients bought her son who was about 9.  He made one of these cards and it was the best one of the group!

Happy Stamping Everyone

Ann

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I'm Back!

I know I've been AWOL for some time now - but I'm back!  How could I possibly remain in bed with all the new toys Stampin' Up! has released in the Summer Mini Catalogue!  That's one thing I love about Stampin' Up!, they are always bringing out new and inovative products (my Husband doesn't love that part so much).

One sure hit in the new mini are the Sweet Treat Cups and at just $7.75 for 12, they are an absolute bargain.  To make life easier, there is also a matching 1-3/4" Punch for $35.95, matching padded envelopes (3 for $7.75) and a fantastic matching stamp set called Something Sweet for $52.95.  All of these can be found on pp 8-9.

This is my very first attempt using the Sweet Treat Cups.  When I first saw the Something Sweet stamp set, I thought one of the stamps was a magnifying glass - turns out it's meant to be a baby rattle!  Anyway, I decided to go with my original thoughts and used the ant from Bugs and Kisses and the grass from Inspired by Nature.  I have embossed the handle with silver embossing powder and filled the cup with Chunky Sprinkles.

Something to Brighten Your Day.
The flower petals around the edge of the cup are from the Something Sweet set.  The cup is filled with Jaffas (lucky you don't need too many lollies to fill the cups so there are plenty to provide crafting energy!)
I have also used two other new products: Chit Chat Rub-Ons (p.5) $23.50 for 2 sheets and 3/4" Real Red Polka-Dot Ribbon $23.50 for 9.1m (p.15)

This is the card that my Stamp Club made last week - in between mouthfulls of Pebbles and Jaffas!  It features Baroque Motifs and the Curly Label Punch Bundle stamp sets.

Being a Zoologist, I love the new set Natures Nest (p 17, $46.95).  Not only does it have this cool Tortise, but also a Dragon Fly, Scallop Shell, Peacock Feather and a Nest full of Eggs.

This card features one of my favourite techniques - Reflection Stamping and simple Sponging.

If you would like to learn this technique, please Contact Me.

Circle Scissor Plus

I was so excited when SU! released the Circle Scissor Plus.  Circles are really in for Scrapbooking and Card Making at the moment, but all the circles I cut by hand (after drawing around cups & plates) come out all wonky.

Problem solved!  The Circle Scissors has to be one of the easiest tools to use ever invented!  You can cut circles or rings from 2" up to 6".  It also comes with an attachment that allows you to draw circles. (p 22, Circle Scissor Plus $65.50, Glass Mat $44.95)

Below is a Scrapbook page I made featuring circles, the I Wish Simply Scrappin' Kit and the C is for Cat stamp set.  Increadibly all three photos were taken of different kittens in different years - I hate to tell you how many times I have come home to find the tree on the ground!

Happy Stamping

Ann

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BRAYERING

No, it is not the sound a donkey makes, it is my new favourite toy!

This weeks class will be focusing on how to use a brayer.  There are just so many techniques that you can do with this wonderful tool.  It is also fantastic for inking up large stamps.  Stampin' Up! sells Speedball rubber brayers which are of an excellent quality and cost just $28.50, a lot less than in most retail stores.

This first picture is a card I made last night.  It uses the C is for Cat stamp set ($30.95) and Pocket Sihouettes ($39.95).  I had a great time with many different colour inks and used the White Gel Pen ($8.95) to add highlights.

The next photo is an example of what we will be making in class this week.  You will use the brayer to make a background sheet and then a Stampin' Around Wheel.  Then you will make a set of gift cards and

envelopes.

If you would like more inspiration and ideas on using a brayer, have a look at this fantastic site!

http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/

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Punches Part I

Hi Everyone
This week in our technique classes we will be discovering some of the cool things that you can do with punches. We will make samples of a few basic objects such as handbags and cupcakes (got to make sure you girls have your bling fix!) and then we will make the 2 cards show below. The first one is the frog. This is the basic card, but we will jazz it up a bit more.

Then the one I know many of you have been wanting to try, with a dress and a handbag. Just wait until I show you some of the cards I have made for our more advanced punch classes, you will be hooked on punches as well as stamps!

Below is one of the cards from last weeks watercolour class. This card uses 5th Avenue, Oval All and the Inspired by Nature stamp sets. I've also used the crimper to add extra texture to the background. We had a great time with this technique. All you do is emboss your image, spray it with water and then drop ink onto it. The ink will spread out in the water giving you some amazing results.

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An Update on Classes

Below is a photo of my Mother's cat Cleo. She is sleeping in what was my Door Prize Draw bag. I now have to make a new one as it is well beyond repair even with sticky strip!


Here's a peek at what we have been doing in our recent classes. Tomorrow we are going to be trying all types of watercolouring techniques. Below is my first atempt at watercolouring on actual watercolour paper rather than cardstock. It is fabulous to use and makes blending so much easier. I am certainly hooked!

Last week we learnt the Spotlighting and Reverse Spotlighting techniques that you can see in the 3 cards below.

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Time to Catch Up Again!

Hi there - I know I said I'd put up more photos from the Spring Mini in a couple of days, but as usual, I got too busy!
I just love the Great Friends set that I have used below. This card was lots of fun to make & pretty heavy by the time I had added all the layers. I've used Kiwi Kiss, Basic Grey, Whisper White & Basic Black. I also used the Fresh Cuts stamp set to make the strip of script under the ribbon.


Guess what? It's the Great Friends set again, along with some of the gorgeous Walk in the Park designer series papers.



This super cute card is made with using the Forest Freinds set. Notice the new flower brad too.

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A Few Samples From Our New Spring Mini Catalogue

I've had a great time playing with all the new stamps and accessories and they were certainly a hit at my launch party yesterday. Here are a few samples that I have made. If you would like to know how to make any of them, please feel free to Contact Me

I have more that I need to photograph, so keep checking over the next few days.







This is the card that we made at my launch party. It uses the new Great Friend set, which is so versatile and very well priced at just $37.95!






Sense of Time ($46.95) is a fantastic set for scrapbooking and for more masculine cards, which can sometimes be challenging.







I love the simplicity of this card using the Tree Trimmings set ($28.95).

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Mini-Catalogue Launch Party

Hi everyone

I will be holding a launch part for the new Spring Mini-Catalogue at my home on Friday the 31st of July.

You will get to see all of the new products and try some of them out with a make and take.
Everyone will recieve a free goodies bag which will include a copy of the new catalogue.

You can choose between two times, 1pm or 7pm, but bookings are essential!

The new mini is really exciting with lots of new stamps and accessories - I just know you will love it as much as I do.

I look forward to seeing you.

Regards

Ann

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Crocodile Handbag

In this weeks class we are making crocodile handbags. There are still a few spaces available if you would like to come, but please let me know.

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Busy, Busy, Busy

Hi Everyone
Wow, what a busy week, what with classes, the SENZ papercraft show and of course lots of stamping, my poor husband has hardly seen me!
I have made lots of new samples to show you though.



These 2 cards have been made using the 5th Avenue stamp set. I have stamped the image on vellum card stock and then embossed it in white. I then coloured the back of the image using Stampin' Markers and finally covered the front of the image in Dazzling Diamonds.

This card, using the Flight of the Butterfly stamp set, I copied from our demonstrator newletter. I love the colour combination of Chococlate Chip, Pumpkin Pie and Pixie Pink.


Yes, another Rustic Rooster! I double embossed this image to get multiple layers of colour on his tail. The background had been sponged with multiple colours.

C is for Cat and P is for Paws, this was one of my "just got to have" stamp sets!

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Bling It Up

Hi Everyone

Sorry I haven't posted in a while, I've had a bad cold. Last weeks handbag class was cancelled, but if you look at the class schedule, you will see that I am now holding it on the 21st of July.

This week, we are doing all things "bling"!

To start with we will look at different techniques to make glitter stick, including Heat and Stick powder. We will then be making spinner cards.

Bookings are essential - just phone or email me.

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Do you Like my Handbag?

Isn't this just so cute?! Next Tuesday we will be making a mini crocodile handbag in class. Don't you think this would make a fantastic gift bag for a pair of diamond earrings - could someone please tell my husband!

Bookings are essential for this class as it is very popular. Classes are at 12.30pm and 7.30pm on Tuesday the 7th of July.

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Heat Embossing

We are having lots of fun in our classes and we now have a great group of regulars – but we can always make room for more if you are interested.

This week we learnt basic heat embossing and emboss resist. In each class we make a technique card to keep in a journal so you are able to look back in case you forget how to do a certain technique.

After we learn a technique, we make a project using it. This week we made a bagalope – a little gift bag made out of an envelope! The photo below is a bagalope that Julia Leece (my upline) made in my class. She has used the Upsy Daisy and Autumn Flair stamp sets. Julia is so creative, I am very lucky to have her as my upline and it is fantastic that she attends my classes and occasionally learns something off me too!

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Techniques Class

This is what we will be doing at our techniques class on Tuesday the 23rd of June.

You will learn all about repetitive stamping (stamping-off), 2-step-stamping and how to use the Stamp-a-ma-jig.

You will make 3 reference technique cards to keep in your optional journal and then one gift card.

Bookings are essential for these classes. Please see the class timetable on the left of this page for further details.

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Rustic Rooster

Rustic Rooster is my favourite Level 2 Hostess set at the moment.

I have scored at 1cm intervals along the bottom of the card to give it some depth.

Products used include:
Card Stock - Kiwi Kiss, Very Vanilla
Stampin' Pads - Kiwi Kiss, Riding Hood Red, Chocolate Chip
Embellishments: Riding Hood Red Striped Grosgrain ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals, Snail adhesive.

Would you like to get this stamp set for FREE?
Click on Contact Me at the top of this page to find out how.

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Super Stamper Club

Would You Like Some FREE Stamps?

Then Join my Super Stamper Club!


Finding it hard to budget for all of the stamps and accessories on your Dream List?

Super Stamper Club is a great way to budget for your purchases over an 8 month period and receive lots of free goodies.

When you join the club, you will commit to a minimum purchase of $45* per month, for 8 months. You can choose to spend your $45* on any products in the current catalogue.


How Does This Benefit Me?

As well as the product you choose to purchase you will receive:

e A Free 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalogue (or a Classic Stampin’ Pad of your choice if you already have a catalogue)

e A Free class each month with your Super Stamper Club members


e You will receive the Hostess Benefits for 1 of the 8 months without having to host a workshop. This will include:

e A Free Hostess stamp set of your choice

e A minimum of $35 Free product of your choice

The monthly class will be held at my home and all of your project supplies will be included.

If you can’t make the class, I will send you a kit so that you will not miss out.

The order of the Hostesses will be determined by the order of membership.


When Do I Order?

You will need to place your order at the end of our monthly group gathering. I will let you know the date of our first meeting once your group has 8 members.

If you can’t make it to the meeting, I will need your order on or before the meeting each month. You may call or email me with your order.

You can pay by cash, direct deposit, cheque or credit card.

How Do I Get My Order?

Your order will arrive approximately 2 weeks later. You may pick your order up from my home, or I will deliver it if arranged.

What If I Want To Spend More?

You can of course spend more than the $45* minimum purchase if you choose. Or you may choose to become a “double member” and purchase a minimum of $90* per month and receive the Hostess Benefits twice in the 8 months.


If you would like to join, or would like further information, please Contact Me

* + 5% Shipping & Handling

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June & July Classes

My classes will be beginning this month. They will be a combination of stamping, scrapbooking and 3D paper-crafting. In each class, you will make a "technique information card" that will give you details of the technique for future reference. You will then make a minimum of one card, scrapbook page or 3D project. Some classes may cover more than one technique, depending on how complex they are.

After you have completed each class, you will be able to store your technique reference card on a metal ring (provided) or in a chip-board art journal that you can cover in a special class using Designer Series Paper and chipboard embellishments.

All classes will be held at my home on Herald Island and will be 2 – 2 ½ hours long. Classes will cost $15 each, with all materials supplied unless otherwise stated (Although if you have your own paper trimmer, scissors, bone folder and adhesives, please bring them).

I have posted all of my current classes on the left side-bar.

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