Decorated chocolates gift idea using Stampin' Up! Lattice Bigz Die

Here's an "easy as" project which was an idea from Teresa Dabrowski who presented this great project at the Sydney Heartfelt event last month. It's basically a chocolate wrapped in a lattice bigz die square using glue dots to adhere it to the chocolate and a bit of "bling" on the top. Most of the bling is using Stampin' Up! punches, glimmer paper and ribbon but there's some little bits that I used from my stash like the pieces of glittery mesh that suited this project. Only a word of warning to chocolate lovers like myself I think I ate as many as I decorated!! lol but I think these gifts really step up a boring box of chocolates and are probably good for people watching their waistlines because they might not be so tempted to pull apart the pretty wrapping! Only twenty sleeps now till "Ho Ho"..........Sue :)

Stampin' Up! 3D Christmas Projects with Tulle and Glimmer Paper

Well this is my take on the Stampin' Up Christmas ornament featured on the cover of the Holiday Catalogue - very much the same except I opted for Espresso and Crumb Cake colours instead of the traditional red and green. The new silocone mat available is terrific and a must for this type of project.

This banner was inspired by a project from the Sydney Heartfelt event which one of my fellow demonstrators had made, I know it was one of two talented ladies but I can't remember which one actually made it, so thank you to either Nikki Stalker or Tracey Eaton, I'd rather mention both ladies than make the mistake of giving credit to the wrong one! I just liked it sooo much I had to make one for myself which is now hanging in my craft room. I am very happy to say I am finally recovering from my flu/lurgy bug illness and my mojo and energy is finally returning. Geee whiz it has put me about three weeks behind so boy have I got some catching up to do! Crikey it's only 22 sleeps away now!!!!!!!!!!!.............cheers Sue :)

Book style card and envelope holders - with "Come to Bethlehem" and "Bells and Boughs" stamp sets

Here's a couple more of the projects I made for the Stampin' Up! Heartfelt Sydney event. I'm a bit addicted to using the Coredinations cardstock and woodgrain embossing folder to achieve an "aged woody" look. My absolute favourite is the Espresso but the Cherry Cobbler is just as effective. I'm still going at a "snail"s pace" with this rotten flu/lurgy thing I caught over two weeks ago that doesn't seem to want to leave me alone! At this point I will just be happy to be better and feeling normal before Christmas and boy have I got some catching up to do! Enjoy the rest of the weekend....cheers Sue :)

Heartfelt Sydney event - projects using Come to Bethlehem stamp set and brayering

Here are two Christmas cards I made for display for the Stampin' Up Heartfelt Sydney event. I used a brayer for the background and the "Come to Bethlehem" stamp set.  I wasn't keen on the star being dark so I didn't ink it up with the three wise men, and instead i used versamark on the star and white embossed it after stamping the original image. I have to say I am still struggling along with this rotten bug/flu thing I caught so not alot of anything is getting done at the moment except essentials!  But I'm trying to keep positive and hope to be feeling better before December. Only "34 sleeps till Ho Ho" now.........Sue :)

Stampin' Up! Heartfelt Sydney Event - Make n Take samples

Had an awesome day at the Stampin' Up! Heartfelt event at the Sydney Convention Centre on Saturday. I had fun demonstrating the "brayer" in the Product Playground and just loved how some ladies came up to me later and thanked me for showing them ways to use it. The day was over far too quickly "time flies when you're having fun" and there was sooo much to see and do that I didn't get around to it all but still have more than enough inspiration and ideas from all that I did see!! I didn't make my "Make n Takes" at the event, I tend to usually "Take n Make", so I did mine at home and I have made a few alterations but they are still basically the same. My favourite is the notebook cover in the left of the first picture, it looks so appealing in real life. I've been a bit slow to post anything up on my blog because I have caught a horrible cold/flu bug that has knocked me for quite a "six" but have lots coming up to share, both my creations and lots inspired by other talented ladies, as soon as I recover and start to feel normal once again! ......"atishooo" for now...........Sue

My "beginners attempt" at the "Shaving cream technique" - that would be trying to colour paper with ink and shaving cream!

Well this is a technique I've been wanting to attempt but I need to research it a bit better before I try it again! Basically it's layering some shaving cream (I just got a cheap can from Woollies) in a tray and dropping some drops of inks in it, mixing it up a little and laying some cardstock onto it to try and get some interesting combinations of colour and then wiping off the stuff with paper towel. Messy? Yes just a little... but still fun I have to say. Mine kinda look like a four year old has done them but I have seen more "refined, marbly ones" done that look alot better.
I have also been very busy this week creating other exciting projects, which I can't show anyone till after the Sydney Stampin' Up Heartfelt event coming up this Saturday. I was very happy and flattered to be asked to be part of Stampin' Ups Product Playground which I will be helping to demostrate product and make some display projects for, I am really excited and looking forward to it!! So while my projects are "secret" for now I'm sure I will have heaps to share with you the week after the event!.............cheers till next week.......Sue :)

Stampin' Up! Googly Ghouls Halloween Treat Bags

To start off I have to say I do like Halloween but probably because I am now a "middle aged" Aussie that this occasion was never celebrated in Australia when I was growing up. To me it is a muched loved American tradition and I do very much like it but it definitely is not an Aussie tradition. However our younger generations now do probably due to all the retail marketing more so than any knowledge if its origins and they all like the most important bits which is 'dressing up" to get "treats and lollies" lol. I am not a total party pooper so this is my effort to join in a little and made these treat bags for the day, mainly for my daughter, some of her friends and for some of my customers attending my classes this week. I bought the Stampin' Up Ghoulish Googlies designer kit which made these projects so much easier and I did also buy the Googly Ghouls stamp set which I know I can use for other projects like little boys "Frankenstein" style birthday cards and the "Witchy" one for girls so I will be able to use this set throughout the year and not just for October 31. Wishing all those that celebrate the day a "happy, ghouly type of day with lots of sweets to enjoy and of course a few frights would have to be included" (wouldn't they?), have a good one anyway...........cheers Sue

Stampin' Up! Stippled Blossoms - one of those rare gem stamp sets you can use for nearly any occasion!

Well I think this stamp set can cover any mood, occasion or event simply with just a change of ink colour! I love two-step stamping and this is now my favourite and it has such a "wow" factor when you actually stamp the second image over the first! It's great as a one sheet single layer wonder, it looks great with some embossing and can be layered as well. I think I could also come up with a male card design with it using the leaves but I've run out of time this weekend - I've been crafting most of yesterday and this morning so I best be getting on with other priorities in life.....the fairies haven't shown up to do any of my other work and chores.....guess I'll have to do it myself again! Lol. I fully recommend purchasing this set to add to any collection, its versatility makes it so worth it!
On a more somber note "God bless my Mum" she would have turned 92yrs old today, this is the second birthday she hasn't been here for - perhaps that's why I'm so drawn to the "flowers"! :) She would have adored these cards!

Some of the Stampin' Up! Birthday Cards I received from my Birthday Pen Pal Swappers!

Well I've been far too busy to create for my blog the last two weeks - been to Melbourne for a girly getaway for a few days with family and friends and took my daughter on her first plane ride as well as a shopping spree included for her 15th birthday, had my birthday amongst it all and of course one has to come back and catch up on the "real work" that piles up when you escape for a little while! Am happy to be back at my craft desk though, I miss it if I don't have a "play" at least once a week. In the meantime till I create some new projects of mine to share with you here a some of the lovely handmade Stampin' Up! cards I received from some of my "Birthday Pen Pals Swapper" group for you to see. I love how everyone has their own different ideas and they always inspire me! Well with that I am itching to get some creating happenin here now...........cheers Sue

Punch art Santas on covered notebooks - a simple gift idea!

I think these covered notebooks make a great inexpensive christmas gift for that someone you just want to give a little something to - like your neighbour or a school teacher etc. and I think the ribbon knots are a great way to disguise the spiral binding. There a heaps of different Santa punch art ideas you can "CASE" on the net but I picked these ones because they were a big larger to put on a notebook which are larger than the average card size. "Easy as" and fun to make! Also it's only "73 sleeps till Ho Ho"....best to get those Christmas projects happening now........cheers Sue

Baby Girl & Baby Boy Diaper-fold Gift Card Holders

These cute "diaper-fold" gift card holders were super easy to make basically just one sheet of 12x12 designer patterned paper, a little punch art (these baby ideas are from a punch art tutorial I bought from US demonstrator - Jackie Topa) and a little ribbon and button embellishing. As I said the diaper-fold is super easy, I'm pretty certain I saw this fold on Splitcoaststampers. My "creative mojo" seems to disappear ocassionally like it decides to go on holiday now and then which is great for a break sometimes but I am always glad when I feel it coming back and I can get back to some happy, inspired creating! :).....hope you like these.....that's it for me for today.......cheers Sue

Birthday cards with just a little matching "something"

Can't believe that it's been two weeks since I posted anything! It's that time of year when everything starts to gain momentum before the extra busy Christmas season. School holidays are nearly over and there are always alot of "Birthdays" this time of year as well! I made these two birthday cards for friends and just wanted to make a little something extra to go with their cards so one has a matching bookmark and the other a post-it note holder. The one with the embossed Manhattan Rose in Cherry Cobbler was inspired by Mary Fish ( a talented US demo) who had used the new Coredinations card stock and embossed and sanded the image - very effective! Take notice of the lovely 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon on this one too because Stampin' Up have a great special this month - for every $60 spent in product orders you can get a free roll of this great ribbon and it is available in the five different new In-colors - Gumball Green, Midnight Muse, Primrose Petals, Rasberry Ripple and Summer Starfruit. I have three of them but am stoked that I will be able to get the rest for free when I place my next order! Cheers for now and try and keep cool today it is supposed to be very hot and windy.................Sue :)

Stampin' Up! Snow Flurry Bigz Die - Christmas Cards

Well the footy is finished for me now (boohooo) now the Bunnies have lost their chance in the Grandfinal so it's back to concentrating on creating! I've been having a play with the new Stampin' Up! Snow Flurry bigz die which is in the Holiday mini catalogue and came up with these three christmas cards I am hoping to stay on track getting my chrissy projects done early this year for a change especially seeing it is now only "91 sleeps till Ho Ho!" I know a few of the ladies in my classes will love this die too!.............cheers for now Sue

Punch Art Bunny Card - Go Souths!

Well honestly I have been making Christmas cards today but I got a bit distracted thinking about the footy game on tonight - obviously!  But hey what can I say? I was working with red, green and gold anyhow! So I felt inspired to make this one....will go back to the Christmas theme now and post up my ideas over the weekend............cheers for now.........GO Bunnies!!

"Serene Silhouettes" cards - An Aussie Outback Christmas scene, a Birthday and a Get Well

I've been happily playing with the new Stampin' Up! Serene Silhouettes stamp set today, this is another one of those great ones that can be used in lots of ways for heaps of different ocassions. I needed to make two of them for now and the Christmas one is a good aussie theme to send overseas which have to be in the mail alot sooner than the ones we send to our local family and friends. I've gone a bit nuts with Stampin' Up! Champagne Glimmer paint this week too, have been misting all my projects this week with it!!  Ohh and on that subject it is only "101 sleeps till Ho Ho" ! lol or panic?.........cheers for now....Sue

Petite Purses made with fabric

Another new "goodie" I now have to play with is the Stampin' Up! Petite Purse Die, sooo easy to make these really cute little purses! I have seen these made in so many different ways but I had it in my mind to try them in some of Stampin' Up's fabrics. I experimented with some different types of adhesives like the Stampin' Up "Anywhere glue stick" and also their "Adhesive Sticky Sheets" as well as Tombow glue. I was happiest with the "sticky sheets"! The glues tend to make the cardstock and fabric go quite "stiff" and not as pliable to work with as the sticky sheets which you also don't have to wait any "drying time" with. I also decided that whilst the front flap has a little tab and there is a small slit in the front of the purse to pop it into to hold it closed that if I were to give one to any "little Misses" who would probably tend to open and close it alot it would "weaken" so I am going to see how cutting the little tab off and using a small velcor closure would go - was going to try it tonight but can't find my velcro stash anywhere!! I have to say I am very happy with this die and there are so many ways you could decorate one - I even thought they would make cute little "Tooth Fairy" purses for little girls!! Well it's nearly Monday so I'm going to get some "shut eye"......Sue

Christmas Rosette Wreath made with Stampin' Up! Be of Good Cheer DSP

I've been plodding around with this Christmas Rosette Wreath project for a couple of weeks on and off but finally finished it this afternoon! I made all the rosettes with my Simply Scored tool but if  I were planning on making any number of these I would put Stampin' Ups new Designer Rosette Bigz XL die on my "Dear Santa" list, I think it would be alot quicker and easier to make it that way!  Actually I'd been waiting for my order from the new cattys  because I wanted to embellish the rosettes with some of the new buttons and ribbon! I can at least "cross this project" off my huge "Christmas projects to do" list. Hooray! Enjoy what's left of your weekend!..........cheers Sue

Christmas Cards - with new Stampin' Up! products

My first "proper" not "pre"order from the new catalogues now they are available to all arrived yesterday morning! I was sooo restrained! I had the unopened box at my feet at my office desk all day! Only because I knew if I opened it that anything like real work to be done would blow out the window if I did! Just kept telling myself I could play all weekend and so I was happy with myself for exercising such self control! But have had a play tonight and made these two Christmas cards!! The top one is actually for a "team challenge" that I made a suggestion of making a card with "no traditional" colours of red and green......thought I had best come up with some idea seeing as it was my suggestion!! There are seven new products in that card alone!! Well it is only 106 sleeps till "Ho Ho"! Really not that far away!! So on that "scary" note................cheers for now...Sue

Belated Birthday Cards with some new Stampin' Up! products

Well I have no original excuse for being late with Birthday cards except being busy with other things and as much as "crafting and creating" is tops on my list it cannot be "priority one" unfortunately, but I think ( I mean I know) I would rather receive a handmade one late than a bought one early! Anyhow two of these are for "Birthday Pen Pal Swaps" which were due late in August but at least I have made them with some of the new products available now in Stampin' Up!s new catalogues! I will keep one of them for a class for a customer of mine who is keen to make some belated birthday cards and I think the "Snails" say it all!! Now I am off to the Post Office so they won't be any later!!

Christmas 3D notecard/tag holder made with new Stampin' Up! products!

'WOW" it's finally the 1st of September and not only is new the Stampin' Up! 2012-2013 catty "live" so is the new "Holiday Season" catty which is no longer a "mini" but A4 in size and 40 pages packed with lots of new goodies and ideas! There is so much new, exciting products I don't know where to start! The new "Scentsational Season" stamp set and matching framelits that I have used in these piccies are a great new addition because whilst you can still just stamp the images you can also cut them out with the framelits if you like so no "fussy" cutting is needed! I still can't put down the new Core'dinations cardstock and Woodgrain embossing folder either as you can see from my previous post I have used them for Father's Day and Christmas projects! Now I'm going to get on with some more creating tonight because tomorrow is Father's Day and family commitments don't actually involve "crafting".............more like "cooking".........I know what I'd prefer to be doing! Lol !

Two More "Father's Day" Card Ideas with little sneak peeks

Well these two cards will be the last of my efforts for "Father's Day" cards for this year anyway because I'm itching to get started on "Chrissy" ones especially since product from Stampin' Up! two new catalogues will be available for all in one week's time! They both have lots of new Holiday Season products and ideas galore! As you will be able to see in this post and the one previous I am sooo taken with the new "Core'dinations" cardstock and the new "Woodgrain" embossing folder I can't seem to put them down, they are brilliant for male cards and I am using them both in some Chrissy projects I am working on too which I will be posting up this week. Can't wait to put in my order next week from the new cattys but I know this week will just fly by before I know it and Christmas is only 120 sleeps away!!!.....I'll sign off on that scary note!!!...........Sue