Sue Madex: Stampin Up Demonstrator Australia

Clear Block Stamping

I was inspired by this card  made by one of my talented team members - Tina Gillespie - to try the clear block stamping technique.  Loved this simple but effective technique so we've been trying it out in my March classes. 

I can see myself using this technique quite a bit to whip up some quick cards.  The new large rhinestones made a nice finishing touch. 

Stamp Set:  Lacy and Lovely (pg 99).  Colours: Bashful Blue, Pink Pirouette and So Saffron. 

Cardstock: Whisper White and Bashful Blue      Other: StazOn Black ink.

I've got another variation to share but I'll wait til after our last class on Wednesday. 

I'll be back tomorrow night though with some exciting news from the land of Stampin' Up.  I'll give you a little hint .....

I should really add a pic of me skipping around the loungeroom saying  'Yippee yippee'  but the loungeroom is rather messy and I'm having rather a bad hair and fashion challenged sorta day so ......

Happy stamping!     Wink.

Cheers, Sue

Easel Card Calendars: Class Ladies Share Time

We had lots of fun making these easel card 2013 calendars at class this month (along with a couple of other projects I'll share another day.)

My class ladies didn't mind sharing their creations so I grabbed out the camera and took some snaps.  (I think I missed a couple - sorry to those ladies.)

First up is Mel's calendar featuring Floral District DSP (patterned paper) and the bird builder punch.

The greeting many of us used is from Word Play (pg 135.)

Next up is Anne-Marie's calendar featuring Comfort Cafe DSP (pg 163) and the elegant butterfly punch (pg 184)

The antique brad finishes the butterfly beautifully doesn't it.

Next up a group shot.  These ones were made by Claire, Denise, Maria, Julia and Michelle.  I love how different they look depending on choice of paper, colour and finishing touches.

I spy Comfort Cafe, International Bazaar and Floral District DSP there.

Isn't that owl a cutie. 

Next up is Ann's featuring World Spectacular DSP (pg 163.)

I love how she cut out some extra balloons from the gorgeous DSP and stuck them on with dimensionals for some added texture.

(Rest of the Wed night ladies -  I missed your creations.  Oops!  Juggling my two jobs last week and my brain didn't quite keep up.  Ha ha.) 

OK, on to our last night for this class. 

These two are from Judy and JoAnne and feature 2 other stamps from the Word Play set.  (I think this is a great set for scrapbookers.)  DSP Left:  Summer Smooches   Right:  Storytime and Polka Dot Parade

This one is from Julie and features the bright and happy Floral District.

And last up we have Gail's with Comfort Cafe.  The rhinestones add that lovely touch of sparkle.

I'll have some step by step pics in my December newsletter.  Pop your email address in to the registration box up the top right there if you'd like to get a copy each month direct to your inbox.  Keep up to date with the latest specials and class dates, and I try to include some projects and tips too.

A big thank you to Nikki Sadler for organising the bulk purchase of the cute little calendar pads for the team, and to all my class ladies for sharing their creativity here in blogland.

We got the little calendars from Edex.  Website here.  Do a search for calendar tabs and you'll find them.  They come in pads of 25 or 50.  Hint:  Use a craft knife and cut them apart so the sticky stuff doesn't come off. 

Want to see more?

My team member and friend Tina Gillespie made a gorgeous easel calendar with a little pull out drawer at her classes recently in Adelaide.  Check out her terrific project (with very handy measurements if you'd like to give it a go) here:  Tina's project   and see some variations from her talented class ladies here:  Tina's class ladies

December Classes:  Avondale Heights in Melbourne's west

I've got just two class dates for December.  We'll be drawing inspiration from the talented Nikki Sadler to make a gorgeous little Christmas house and some Christmas tags.  The lists almost filled up at November classes but there are a couple of seats left on Wed 12th December, or pop your name down on the waiting list for Thurs 13th December.  At this busy time of year we may get some cancellations. (Call early if you can't make it please and we might be able to fill your spot with someone else keen to catch a class.)  $20 and class starts at 7.30pm.

Happy stamping everyone and hope you get some creating and relaxing time amongst all the hustle and bustle of this time of year.

Cheers, Sue

Related articles

Ribbon Week: Butterfly Card

Guest Projects: Flower Arrangement and Frames

Two November Stampin' Up Specials

October Classes: Emboss Resist Christmas Card and Gift Box

Snowflake Soiree Emboss Resist Christmas Card

Must be more than about time for a card here I think!  Took this photo on my lovely clean desk - aaah.  (Just can't look at the great big pile on the table still to sort!)

This was one of the cards we did last month at class, along with a coordinating box and purse. 

The feature panel is emboss resist.  Snowflake Soiree is the stamp set and I've sponged Bashful Blue, Marina Mist and a touch of Night Of Navy inks over the embossed images. 

Used my Simply Scored to score at 5.25 and 10.5cm for a z fold card.

The inside panel is shimmery white cardstock and the Northern Flurry folder.  (Just a bit of the embossing folder so that there was still a nice flat space to write on.

I used the Snow Flurry die to cut the silver glimmer paper snowflake for the front and a vintage faceted button to finish.  (Stuck on with a glue dot - they're so handy.)

Want to catch a November class and do some gorgeous festive themed projects.  Find all the details on my class page here, and phone or email to book your seat at the table.  

And I can show you my new improved tidy study (as long as you don't look at the messy mountain that will no doubt still be on our spare table!)  

Happy stamping!

Cheers, Sue 

October Classes: Emboss Resist Christmas Card and Gift Box

I'm looking forward to classes over the next couple of weeks.  We're adding a technique card to our books - emboss resist technique.  And we'll be making a gorgeous snowflake Christmas card and matching gift box.  Here's a peek at the box.  I've got one other little teeny surprise project too for our October classes. 

Check available spaces here  and contact me  to book your spot if you'd like to join us for some October craft time. 

Happy stamping!

Cheers, Sue 

More Christmas In July Class Cards

Goodness, what a busy month of orders as everyone grabs their favourites from the Going Going Gone list.  I think I could wallpaper my house with the brown packing paper just now! 

In between unpacking retiring products for my ladies, I've got a few cards to share from our Christmas In July class.  This design was CASEd from this lovely card created by my talented team member and friend Tina Gillespie.  I love visiting her blog for a dose of card making and scrapbooking inspiration.

We tried it out with Dasher (on our retiring list so only available while stocks last.)

He's embossed with gold embossing powder then we gave the cardstock a spritz of our magic sparkle spray (mix Isocol rubbing alcohol with some Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint, spray and then go aaaahhhh.)

The scallops are done with a 1" circle punch and our fabulous glimmer paper.  (Coming very soon in champagne - can't wait.)

For those who prefer their festive cards in blues we had this option, complete with glitter panel. 

Oops - slightly patchy glitter panel, I must have been in a bit of a rush!  The retiring Baroque Motifs is helping out with the background, and Snow Swirled stamp set is featured too.  Marina Mist and Early Espresso cardstock. 

To make the glitter panel, stamp your cardstock, cut using the labels framelit, tap the whole panel onto a Versamark pad, tip Heat and Stick Powder on and tap off excess, heat until tacky, tip Dazzling Diamonds Fine Glitter on and tap off excess, heat again briefly just to set.  Voila, step back and admire your sparkly feature.  If you find that you have a few bare patches - just colour them with a Versamarker pen and repeat the steps. 

If you're one of my class regulars or local customers, you might just want to give me a buzz and swing by if you're in the area.  The postie has been.  Wink wink! 

Don't forget to book your spot for my New Catalogue Launches - Wed Sept 19th or Thurs Sept 20th, 7.30 - 9.30pm.  Spots are starting to fill up.  Details here. 

Happy Stamping!

Cheers,  Sue

Some More 3D Scallop Circle Flowers

Here's another of the 3D flowers we did last month at our flowers class.  They're quite quick and easy to make - even for 3D challenged people like me!

We made good use of the lace ribbon border punch.  That punch along with the triple layer punches retired recently in the US so I am quietly expecting them to be on our Last Chance List of retiring products.  This list will be released on August 1st and products on the list will be available in August while stocks last. 

Colours: Riding Hood Red, Island Indigo, Baja Breeze and the card base is Confetti White. 

The flower above was my first go - I got a little better with my second try with the addition of some sponging and a little more time arranging the petals. 

Colours: Sahara Sand, Blushing Bride, Rich Razzleberry. Card base is Shimmery White.

Thanks to Miriam Spiess - one of my fellow demonstrators - who showed us how to make these flowers from scallop circles at last year's Melbourne stamping day at the Convention Centre. 

If you'd like to come along this year to be inspired by some talented papercrafters and get a sneak peek at lots of yummy holiday themed goodies coming soon in our Holiday Catalogue, registration closes tomorrow for the Heartfelt Stampin' Up event on Saturday August 4th.  More details at the end of this post or phone/email if you've got questions or would like to book in.  I've got 5 guests coming along so far - would love to add a few more. 

We're almost at the end of Christmas in July week at my place so I'll have some sparkly Christmas projects to share with you soon, plus for those of you always on the lookout for projects for the guys in your lives - we've got a masculine themed project blog hop coming Saturday morning so be sure to grab a weekend cuppa and have fun browsing through those posts. 

Cheers, Sue

A Touch Of Quilling and A Special Guest

I was tempted to call this post Fiddly Farty Flowers - we did these little rose type flowers at my June classes.  (Thank you to Lyn who showed me how to make them.)   I'll have some step by step pics in my July newsletter.  Sign up box at the top right there if you're not on my newsletter list and would like to join.

We had a couple of choices for our card ...   either a simple base like this one .....

Products: Confetti White cardstock base, Island Indigo, Riding Hood Red, Blushing Bride, Baja Breeze, Leaves Sizzlit, Square Lattice embossing folder, 1" circle punch and one larger circle punch

Or we could add a little stamping, embossing and ribbon to the base like this ......

Products: Naturals Ivory base, Rose Red, Old Olive, Early Espresso, Blushing Bride, leaves are from the bird builder punch, En Francais background stamp, the dotty embossing folder, pleated Blushing Bride ribbon

We had a bit of an 'open pantry' class so the ladies could raid the scraps box and use different colours if they'd like.  I loved this card that Mel put together using colours in the Brights range. The base is Shimmery White and you can just see the sparkle in the picture. 

I'll share our other flowers cards another day.  In July we've got Christmas In July classes happening.  A few spots left on the Tuesday night if you're keen to get an early start on some festive cards.  Details here. 

Today is the last day to get your free Reason To Smile stamp set with an order of $125.  Phone or email your order through before 9pm if you'd like to take up this offer. 

Have a super weekend and happy school holidays to anyone having those.  We're off to a Prep birthday party today so I'd best get gift wrapping! 

Cheers, Sue

Class Update

Hello - a quick note to let you know June class dates have gone up on my class page.  In June we're dabbling in paper flowers.  Should be lots of fun.  9 spots full already so check your diary and get in touch if you'd like to join the fun.

Here's a peek at our May classes .......

We're in full swing for this month's rosette making and fancy fold card class.  Last week's ladies made some gorgeous creations.  You've got a choice of a range of papers and colours.

Wednesday is booked out but I've got space left this Thursday 7.30 - 9.30pm if you'd like to try some rosette making, and find out how to use the labels framelit to make a fancy fold card.  You can also do a little watercolouring if you're in the colouring mood, or my Thursday night ladies created a lovely alternative using embossing folders if you're not!  (Thanks ladies - loved what you came up with.)

Have a great week,  Sue

Crayon Resist Technique

We've been having fun at class this month trying crayon resist technique.  We had a choice of several different colour schemes for our Fabulous Florets card. 

Here it is in lovely soft pastels with the Lace Border Punch for a trim .....

Colours: Wisteria Wonder, Certainly Celery, So Saffron and Blushing Bride

And here in a lovely combination of Old Olive, Melon Mambo and Rich Razzleberry ....

(Inspired by a Claire Daly card)

For the trim this time we've used the Scallop Trim Border Punch and the Top Note die.

I'll be back soon with our other two colour/finishing combinations and our Surf's Up crayon resist card.

LAST CHANCE FOR A MARCH CLASS

I've got space tonight at 7.30pm if you'd like to have a go at this technique.  Drop me a message at 0417 377 057 if you're in the mood for a last minute evening of stamping.  More details here.

SUMMER MINI AND SALEABRATION: LAST DAYS

These finish on the weekend.  Place your orders by phone or email before Saturday evening if you'd like to grab anything from the Summer Mini before it finishes or take advantage of Saleabration.

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