Sue Madex: Stampin Up Demonstrator Australia

Perfectly Preserved: Card 1

Time to share some samples I think!  I've been having so much fun playing with my box of new catalogue goodies that I've forgotten to blog.  Let's kick off with 3 days of Perfectly Preserved Bundle (Holiday Catalogue page 29.)

Funny story with this bundle of stamps and framelits.  They flashed a pic of them up on the screen at convention and I thought, 'Nah, not for me.'  Then the presenter showed a bunch of gorgeous samples and I went from 'Nah' to 'Gotta have that jar' in a flash.  Quite often the way isn't it - you need to see it in action!

This card is a straight CASE of this one by Mary Fish from Stampin Pretty.  (LOVE her work.)  I quite like starting off with a CASE (or copy) of someone's design to get the brain into gear.  Sometimes I get halfway then start to tweak.   This time I just copied the card and that got me all fired up and ready to come up with my own.  (Come back tomorrow for that one.) 

The stamp set is a set of 14 and there's a coordinating set of framelits to help you cut out the main images easily.  Get the bundle and save 15%.   Page 29 of the Holiday Catalogue.

I'll see you tomorrow for another card featuring Perfectly Preserved plus the Orchard Harvest DSP.

Launch Update

Only 6 spots left Wedneday and 2 spots left Thursday for next week's launch nights.   Get in touch if you'd like to book in.  Details here.

Happy stamping!

Cheers, Sue

Elegant Bird Die Meets Mocha Morning: Christmas Cards

Time to share some of our Christmas In July class cards with you.  Today's card uses the Elegant Bird Die which I had not even noticed until Beth Stewart  showed us some beautiful cards featuring it at Convention in May.  Thanks Beth!

Some retiring products featured here - Many Merry Messages stamp set and the Triple Layer Doily Punch plus the always elegant Mocha Morning Specialty DSP. 

Here's another version - we had lots of choices for this one.

This one features the chunky champagne glass glitter on the wing.  We used the Big Shot Multipurpose Adhesive sheets - stick some to cardstock, run through the die, then peel the backing off and dip in the glitter - too easy!

Other cardstock:  Crumb Cake base for the first one and Soft Suede base for the next two cards.  Also Very Vanilla cardstock embossed with the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder. And some lovely brads - neutrals glimmer brads and antique brads.  Plus some little ones for the eyes.

To make these cards we stuck strips of cardstock and DSP to a rectangle scrap of cardstock - we used gluesticks.  Then we ran this through the Big Shot with the elegant bird die (which will be back next month!)  Strip side down if you want your bird to face right and strip side up if you'd prefer it to face left.

And one more version before we sign off for today.  This one features a lovely fine dark brown glitter from a multipack.  Very sparkly. 

Retirement list orders are still coming in - it is not too late to order if something has caught your eye from the retired list.  (Unless it is one of the out of stock items listed above.)  Get in touch before the end of the month if I can help with an order.  We are experiencing a bit of a longer than usual shipping time. The warehouse crew are working overtime I believe to get them out as fast as they can but we might need to allow a few more days than usual while pacing for the postie!

Happy stamping!

Cheers, Sue

Launch Prize Winners and Big Shot Bag

We had a fun few nights here in Avondale Heights launching the new Autumn Winter Mini Catalogue.  I've got some pics to share over the weekend but wanted to duck in quickly tonight to announce the winners of the Hostess Rewards Prize Draw.  Everyone who entered the draw picked out a couple of choices for if they won.  Here's our lucky winners for Autumn Launch 2012. 

Drumroll ........

* Hanna chose the Flower Garden Embossing Folder

* Claire chose Sweet Cake stamp set

* Gail chose Simply Soft hostess stamp set

* Anne-Marie chose the new hostess stamp set Pedal Presents

* Val chose the 3/4" Circle Punch

* Ann chose Posy Punch hostess stamp set

and Lesley chose Elebration.

Plus we had 6 door prize winners who selected a prize on the night from our basket.

Congratulations to all of our prize winners and thanks to everyone who came along to launch nights this week and helped make it so much fun.  I really enjoyed celebrating all our new goodies with you. 

Gotta share a quick few pics of my new bag  - no not a handbag, no not a suitcase, it is my new Big Shot Bag!

I do really quite like the dotty lining!

I was joking with my stamping friends that actually I don't really take my Big Shot out very often but I thought once the bag arrived I'd take it for a little walk round the block - ha ha - so this pic is especially for my stamping friends who bring such rich friendships to my life.   :-)  Me and my big shot off for a stroll!

Have a lovely weekend.  I'll pop back in once I unload my camera to share a few more pics from launch nights including our two make and take cards. 

Cheers, Sue

Top Note Spice Cake Card

Camera finally unloaded so time for a card.  Here's one we made last month at class using the Spice Cake range of products from the Summer Mini and the Top Note die. 

We used the Spice Cake DSP and coordinating cardstock - More Mustard, Soft Suede and Very Vanilla for this one.   The background stamping is done with the Spiced Paisley stamp set, and the ribbon is the lovely soft Velvet Designer Ribbon.  You can find all of these on pages 10 and 11 of the Summer Mini.   The greeting is from Happy Greetings on page 22.  I've also used the Lace Ribbon Border punch and the Decorative Label punch plus the Finial Press embossing folder and Top Note die.   We glued all the strips down onto a rectangle base using a glue stick, then popped the whole lot onto the Top Note die and ran it through the Big Shot.

All of our cards turned out a little differently at class depending on what colours we featured.  We had Pool Party, Pear Pizzazz and Soft Suede bases, and a range of ribbons to choose from.

Keen to come to a class???  Details here - Class Page

The Summer Mini and SaleABration come to a finish on March 31st.  If you'd like any of the Summer Mini products, or would like to take advantage of SaleABration this year to get a freebie with $100 purchase - get in touch and I'd be happy to help.  

I've had quite a few ladies this month taking advantage of the specials to cross a bunch of things off the wish lists - with a $300 order you get to choose 3 Saleabration items, plus get $50 hostess dollars to spend.  You can use your hostess dollars on the specially priced hostess items at the front of the catalogue, or on anything you like from the current range. 

Back soon with more cards to share.

Have a great week,   Sue

Summer Mini Saturday Blog Hop

Hello, time for another blog hop with some of my stamping buddies.  This weekend the theme is 'Summer Mini.'  Hello if you arrived from Kathryn's beautiful project   and waving a big hi if you're starting the hop from here.  There are 7 stops in the hop today (if I've counted right!)

When my team was over for a bit of a stamping afternoon last weekend, I stamped off a couple of the images from Pretty Postage stamp set on page 20 of the mini.  (Thanks Rachel, much appreciated!)  I had fun putting together a project to make use of my Rich Razzleberry postage image.

Project materials: Pillow Box Die, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, Curly Label and Postage Stamp Punch, Beau Chateau Fabric backed with cardstock using the adhesive sheets, Crumb Cake Seam Binding Ribbon, Antique Brad, White Bakers Twine, Rich Razzleberry Cardstock and a dab of Crystal Effects.

I thought I'd make a card to match.  It needs a greeting I think but I might wait until I know who I want to post it to.

Materials:  As above plus Vellum, Fun Flowers Die, Deck The Halls Fabric, the Summer Mini Velvet Ribbon, Crumb Cake Cardstock and if you look very closely you'll spot another Summer Mini stamp set hiding there.

Did you spot Fabulous Florets there?  It looked a little loud for my fabric flower so I borrowed an idea from two of my class gals (thanks Anne-Marie and Michelle) and added the vellum layer to soften it.  Tried a bit of fabric fringing too by pulling some threads out til I had the amount of 'fringe' I wanted.  Not sure I'm in love with that Razzleberry sponging on the vellum but alas, there's no 'undo' button in cardmaking!  (Now wouldn't that be handy sometimes!) 

OK time to hop to the next stop for some more Summer Mini Ideas.   Hop, hop, hop on over to the lovely Alisha's blog  for a look at her project. 

Happy Hopping.  Hope you get all inspired to get out some inks and cardstock and have a creative play.

Cheers, Sue

Retired Stock Clearance Sale and Quick Hi

Goodness - there's probably a layer of dust here in my patch of blogland.  I'm knee deep in a special project at the moment (for an extra special family event this weekend) so no time to photograph and blog any stamping projects.  Be back next week though with some Christmas card ideas.

Retired Stock Clearance Sale:  Thursday November 24th

At my place (Avondale Heights - email for address.)

Open 10.00 - 2.30pm and also  5.00 - 8.30pm

Next week is my giant Retired Stock Clearance Sale.  My newsletter girls will already know the details, but basically I've had a big clean out of my craft stash and have a bunch of retired stock ready for new homes.  Priced to clear.  I'll have it all set up on Thursday November 24th and the doors will be open from 10.00am til 2.30pm,  then again from 5.30pm til 8.30pm.  Drop by if you're free and in the area and grab yourself a bargain.  Retired stamp sets, retired DSP, retired tools and lots more bits and bobs.  Hope to see you there.

Big Shot November Special

Check here for all the details about the November Big Shot special with selected dies and embosslits at 10% off, plus a great Big Shot bundle at 10% off too.  Order $300 or more and get $50 hostess dollars to spend. 

Better have some pics hey.  Here's a project from the vaults made with the Flower Burst Embosslit that's on special this month.

I used some Patterns Stack DSP then sanded off the top layer with a sanding block.

They look quite nice layered together.

Concord Crush and Old Olive - love those colours.

OK back to my project now - see you next week.  Will share some pics of what I've been working on.

Have a great weekend.  (It's almost here isn't it?!)

Cheers, Sue

Big Shot November Special

This month's special from Stampin' Up features the Big Shot - a fabulous tool for we paper crafters.

You'll get 10% off this big selection of dies and embossing folders ......

Description	Retail Price	10% Off Price
Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslits Die	$21.95	$19.75
Flower Burst Embosslits Die	$21.95	$19.75
Manhattan Flower Textured Impressions Embossing Folder	$14.95	$13.45
Petals-a-Plenty Textured Impressions Embossing Folder	$14.95	$13.45
Elegant Lines Textured Impressions Embossing Folder	$14.95	$13.45
Buttons #5 Sizzlits Die	$9.95	$8.95
Pillow Box Bigz Die	$36.95	$33.25
Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Die	$39.95	$35.95
Scallop Square Duo Bigz Die	$39.95	$35.95
Mover & Shapers Punch Windows	$54.95	$49.45
Tasteful Trim Bigz XL Die	$69.95	$62.95
Petal Cone Bigz L Die	$59.95	$53.95

I use the Petals A Plenty embossing folder a bit at Christmas time.  The flowers remind me of pointsettias. 

If you don't have a Big Shot, then there's a Big Shot bundle to tempt you during November.

You'll receive the Big Shot Die Cutting Machine including cutting plates and multipurpose platform, and the Scalloped Heart Of Hearts Embosslit and very elegant Manhattan Flower Textured Embossing Folder. 

Bundle valued at $186.85.    November Price: $168.16

Let me know by phone or email if you'd like to place an order during November, and if you'd like to take up one of the November Big Shot specials.

Have a great weekend.  I'm on face painting duties all day tomorrow at the school fete - wish me luck!  Isn't the weather all over the place - have the heater on today and going to be melting tomorrow!  Last year's fete was a warm one too and I missed a bit with the sunscreen.  Going to lather it on this time!

Hope you've got some fun planned for the weekend.

Cheers, Sue

Blog Hop: Big Shot Theme

I've been enjoying the blog hops my stamping friends hold each month.  Thought I'd get myself organised and join in this month.  Our theme is the Big Shot - my favourite crafting piece of equipment.  

You may have come from Nikki's gorgeous project over at Inky Art  or perhaps you're kicking off from here.  There are 6 stops on the hop today.

As well as being blog hop day, it is also Hannah's birthday.  She's 9.  Thought I'd use the Big Shot to make her card.  Now Hannah being a very girly girl, I went straight for my drawer of pinks and plums, and grabbed the Beautiful Butterflies die.   I was a little inspired by the kite on page 156 of our catalogue - done with a mixture of embossed textures, so I grabbed 4 embossing folders too. 

Petals A Plenty, Finial Press, Dots and Stripes.   Butterflies cut out with the die and embossed with the folders ......  The Big Shot makes it quick and easy. 

Then it was just a matter of arranging the butterflies onto my card.

Colours:  Pink Pirouette, Pretty In Pink, Rose Red, Perfect Plum and Shimmery White.

One of my most used punches is the Scallop Trim border punch.  Perfect when you just need a little extra something.  And works so well with pearls.

And since Hannah is not so much of a 'less is more' girl, I threw a few more butterflies and pearls on the inside.   (Was rather late at night I must confess so throw is rather accurate!)

Ooh nearly forgot to show you the shimmer.  I love the shimmery white cardstock (page 125) and get it out for special occasions (and special girls.)  Hard to photograph but here's a try.

Now what did I do before I had my Big Shot and Embossing Folders?  Such a nice way to add texture to a card.

Before I sign off and send you on your way, and while we're talking Big Shots, here's some creations Hannah and her two friends Georgia and Olivia made at our place on the school holidays.  They had a ball with my Big Shot, Box #2 Die,  Flirtatious fabric, Top Note Die and lots and lots of bling!   Kids just love to crank that Big Shot handle.  They were very impressed with their cards and boxes.  Bit of a rhinestone party happening there!

Time to head on to the next stop on the hop.  You'll find the talented Kathryn Ruddick over at Katlo Designs with some more Big Shot Inspiration. 

Happy hopping!

Cheers, Sue

Jolly Holiday Boxes

At class this month we've been using my brand new Box #2 die and the lovely Jolly Holiday DSP paper to make some festive boxes. They all looked different as we had a range of designs to choose from. Here's two of mine.

 

We've used the Big Shot Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets to stick the glitter on to the punched out shapes.  They make it quick and easy to add some sparkle. 

 

Some ribbon trim.   We used the Real Red taffeta which works quite well, even though the red in the paper is Cherry Cobbler.  Love the wide striped ribbons.  Next month we get that in Cherry Cobbler - yum!

 

This little star punch has retired but we used it anyway as it was perfect for this project. 

 

The gold embossed greeting is from Short and Sweet stamp set, punched using the Modern Label punch.

 

SEPTEMBER 1st CLASS - A FEW SPOTS LEFT

We've got one more class left this month - well actually we had to reschedule it because of a school concert so it is Thursday September 1st, 7.30pm.  There's a few spots left if you'd like to make this box, plus a couple of Christmas cards.  Techniques: Faux Silk and Reverse Masking.   Last chance for a little while to catch a class.

RETIRED LIST

Lots of my customers have been ordering the Jolly Holiday DSP this month that features in these boxes.  It is reduced to $10.17 so quite a bargain.  I keep expecting to log on to find it sold out, but so far so good.   

Update on the sold out list:  Stamp Sets - Sanded, Afterthoughts, Cheers To You, Christ Is Born, Friends 24-7, Full Calendar, Garden Whimsy, Scribble This, Sense Of Time, Choo Choo, 12" Cardstock - Bashful Blue, Marina Mist, Rich Razzleberry, Baja Breeze, Perfect Plum, Wild Wasabi, Night Of Navy, Not Quite Navy, Basic Black, Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Sahara Sand, Very Vanilla, Brushed Metallic cardstock, all the eyelets and all the retiring punches.

You can find the retired list here:  RETIRED LIST.   Get in touch before 31st August if there's anything you'd like before it disappears for good. 

My lovely stamping friends are having a blog hop today with some retired list products.  I did a lap around this morning with a cuppa in hand.  What gorgeous projects.  If you're looking for some card making inspiration today you can catch the hop here:  Judy's blog    then follow the links to do a lap.  Must get myself organised to join in one of these months!

NEW CATALOGUE LAUNCH

Don't forget to book your spot for my new catalogue launch - 2 dates to  choose from.  Details here. 
Not long to go now - getting exciting! 

Have a super weekend. 

Cheers,  Sue

I'm off to play with Jack's birthday present.  It was his birthday yesterday and we gave him a marble run.  It is keeping the whole family entertained!