Sue Madex: Stampin Up Demonstrator Australia

Ribbon Week: Butterfly Card

Gave my camera a workout today so I've got lots of cards to share this week.  I thought I'd show you a few ways I've used the new In Colour ribbon.  (Get a free roll this month with each $60 of products purchased.) 

Base card is Elegant Eggplant stamped with the beautiful swirl from Everything Eleanor (pg 112)

The feature panel is Naturals White (pg 160) embossed with the Lacy Brocade embossing folder (Holiday pg 6.)

The squares are punched with the Postage Stamp punch (pg 182) and feature the Papillon Potpourri stamps - pg 115 (and coordinating Elegant Butterfly Punch pg 184.)  Colours are Old Olive and Raspberry Ripple.  Some pearls to give our butterfly a nice finishing touch.

If you've been visiting my blog for a while you'll know that I use this card layout heaps.  Quite a handy one - you just need some sort of square punch and can make use of offcuts and small scraps.  I'll be back tomorrow with a snowflake Christmas version. 

If you'd like to gather a group of friends to make this card (or another design), I've got a space on the calendar the last weekend in November for a card party.  Just get in touch to book your date. 

Before I duck off today I thought I'd share this cartoon my son (6) Jack drew last week to go with a birthday letter for his poppy (my dad.) 

That's me on the couch giving directions, "Write a letter to Poppy."  And Jack and his big sister Hannah replying  "OK"    "OK"

I think I'll title it  "Bossy Mummy".   :-) 

Happy stamping (or bossing!)

Cheers, Sue

Playing With Colour

Having a very chilled out long weekend here.  The kids and I decided to do some watercolouring yesterday. 

I gave them aquapainters and a few drips of reinker, they picked their stamps and off we set.  Jack painted dinosaurs, Hannah painted flowers and I chose Four Frames.  (Trivia for the day: Found out at convention that this was the highest selling set in Aus/NZ last year.)   

I used Hannah's colours and she chose Real Red, Melon Mambo and Elegant Eggplant.  I sort of mucked up my original plan with my watercolouring (the colour bled out of the frame) so decided to just add a bit more water and go for a wash of colour.  (Tip: I added more colour on the outside of the frame and dragged it in so I had a bit more control.  Well sort of.) 

Was in experimental mode so opted for layering some torn cardstock for the base.

The scrap left once I punched the frame looked interesting so I decided to keep experimenting.  I tore it out and scrunched and sanded a scrap of Elegant Eggplant card to fit under it.  Hannah was using Creative Elements stamp set so I grabbed the butterfly from that and painted some ink on with an aquapainter.  It stamped a little blotchy but I ran a damp aquapainter over the butterfly and that disguised the blotchiness and any white edges.

For my base I used Melon Mambo cardstock and added score lines with my Simply Scored.  I sanded the front so that the score lines would show more and to take the 'crispness' off the base.

Not sure that I actually like the finished results but it was fun to have a play and try something different.  I'd show you the kids' cards but they ducked off half way to make a batch of biscuits so not finished yet.  (Hannah did a SUPER job of making the biscuits all on her own, including getting everything out except for a few things she couldn't reach at the top of the pantry,  using the mixer, following the recipe, measuring and weighing,  involving Jack and muttering the occasional "Seriously Jack" in an exasperated voice when he'd stir the egg with his finger or some such thing.  Ha ha.  She's getting so grown up.  I was very impressed and the biscuits were yummy.  Hmm in fact - might go have one now!) 

Hope you are having a fabulous fun weekend.   (A few spots left for class this week if you'd like some papercrafting fun in your evenings. Details here.)

Cheers, Sue

Dabbling In Flowers

My lovely team member Lyn showed us how to make these pretty little flowers at our last team gathering.  I'm a bit of a 3D beginner but thought I'd give them a whirl and really liked them.  (Thanks Lyn.)

They're made from Twitterpated DSP (buy 3 DSP, get one pack free this month) and I've punched circles from the coordinating colours - Blushing Bride, Island Indigo, Baja Breeze and Riding Hood Red.  The leaves are a sizzlit die.  Some teeny pearls tucked in to the centre of each flower to finish.

Have to share a story that made me smile this morning.  The tooth fairy was a day late at our place (forgetful thing that she is!)  Seems that she had a flash of inspiration though and sprinkled something extra last night along with leaving a coin. 

Hannah excitedly told me this morning that it was fairy dust - it did bear a striking resemblance to Dazzling Diamonds. 

She also added that when she woke up and saw it she thought maybe the tooth fairy had heard her wish, so she sprinkled a bit on herself and said, "I wish to be a fairy."  Didn't work apparently. 

But what a sweet story for the scrapbook. 

Have a sparkly day won't you.

Cheers, Sue

Hmmm Not Sure About This One

I made this card using a few scraps left from some other projects - not sure it quite comes together but I do like the colours.  

The patterned paper is from the hostess pack - Cheerful Treat - on page 9.  (Pick that pack up for $15 of your hostess dollars if you have a $300+ order and you'll still have $35 hostess dollars to spend.)

I've used the Labels Framelits plus the pleated ribbon. 

The base is that Shimmery White cardstock I keep talking about.  (Pg 125.)  Hard to photograph the sparkle but I gave it a go ......

Speaking of sparkly, Hannah's room is looking rather sparkly at the moment.  We gave it a makeover over the school holidays.  She still had her teddy bear stick ups on the wardrobe from when she was little, and everything was looking a bit cluttered and messy.

Here's the before shots!

Hunted about online and finally found some gorgeous vinyl stick ups on Etsy. 

We put a dandelion type flower (from here) on her wardrobe .....

And I had a workout going up and down the ladder lots of times to put these beautiful butterflies on branches on to her rather dark wall.  We're loving these!  (From here.)

Now I'm a little 'less is more' and Hannah is rather 'more is more' in the 'what to put on the desk, bookcases and dressing table' department.  I did manage to talk her in to getting rid of a box or two of rubbish things and she got to keep quite a few 'treasures' I'd have piffed so probably win win in the end.  Looking much neater in there now.  (For a little while anyway!!)

Hmmmm all those butterflies has gotten me in the butterfly mode - might have to do dig out my Big Shot and butterflies die. 

Happy stamping. 

Cheers, Sue

Back To School

We've been in back to school mode the last week so in keeping with that theme here's another school inspired project.  I've been wanting to make some sort of school years scrapbook album for Hannah and to start one for Jack, but hadn't quite come up with a plan.  I got started this month using a Becky Higgins Project Life Kit and some of my Stampin' Up supplies.   When I dug out the school photos I noticed I'd done Hannah's hair in 2 plaits (a la Heidi!) each year.  Really highlighted how she's grown up.

It is a 12" x 12" album but I've got an 8 1/2" x 11" pocket in to start each section (one for each school year.)  I've used the bigger school photo matted with Night of Navy or Early Espresso (or both) and popped onto a piece of DSP.  I've used the lovely Mocha Morning Specialty paper for most, and the Grade 3 page uses one of the designs from Spice Cake DSP (Summer Mini.)   The titles are cut using the Timeless Type alphabet sizzlits for the Big Shot.   Such a handy addition to the stash for scrapbooking titles and I use it a lot for cards as well.  (Hmmm and you get a free SaleABration item if you purchase this before the end of March.) 

A couple of products I love to use with my alphabet are the Two Way Glue Pen and a pair of tweezers. 

The tweezers make it easier to position the letters for the title I find .....

On the reverse of these pages I've put the class photo.  Then I've got some divided pocket pages to slip in photos of school events.  I saw a lovely idea on a blog (and can't find it now to link - will keep hunting!) where they included their favourite photo relating to their child for each month.  Liked that idea too.  I'm doing a big sort through various mountains of photos around the house now to get them into some sort of order and to find some school pics to add to the album.

While we're talking school, here's a pic of my newest school kid! 

He is LOVING school.  He told me yesterday, "The best thing in my whole entire life is being a school boy." Thought I'd share some snippets of 'school according to Jack'.

Highlight so far seems to be playing footy at recess.  "The teachers keep taking the ball off us because they say we're playing too rough, but we're not mum, we're not."  Ha ha.

Making friends:  "I've made - counts on fingers - 8 friends and it is only the second day mum!" 

The rules:  "The rule is you sit on the floor with your legs crossed and you put your hands in your lap and if the teacher is talking you don't talk, NOT EVEN whispering or moving your lips." 

If you're in back to school mode - hope the new term is off to a great start.

Cheers, Sue

A Lovely Craft Weekend

I'm having the most lovely craft weekend here.  Yesterday my mum, sisters, Hannah and I all gathered for a craft day.  We did a spot of shopping, had lunch then set to work on our projects.  Here's a peek ...

My sister got some lovely bright card, photos of her boys and her laminator and made them a little book they could read about some of their recent adventures.  My other sister gathered up a bunch of card kits she had in her stash and made a stack of cards, Hannah did some scrapbooking of photos off her Ipod then made us all little cards with lots of embellishments and purple glitter glue, I did my first scrapbooking layout of many this year (details below) and mum worked on her gorgeous altered manuscript project.  She's got an old old book and she opens it to a page and uses all different craft techniques to create.  Combined with some lovely quotes and poems it is such a beautiful project.  What a companionable, fun, creative day. 

I'm doing Stacy Julian's 'Twelve' class this year and am all inspired to rev up my scrapbooking again.  I spotted a fun, colourful layout from a lady called Rhonda in the class gallery and decided to give it a try.  Stacy's passion for colour has gotten me in the mood for using some nice bright happy colours.  Grabbed out my Brights Pattern Stack DSP to make this me page.

It did rather challenge me in the maths and measuring department but I was pretty impressed to get it fairly straight and even! 

I used the matching cardstock and my Big Shot Timeless Type (and much loved) Alphabet die to make the letters of my name.  They were getting a bit lost on the coloured background so I punched white squares with my new Postage Stamp punch and that did the trick. 

Then I just added embellishments from my stash that coordinated with the colours.  (You'll spot some of our lovely glimmer brads, flower brads and a few others there if you look closely.)

I'd been jotting ideas for the letters during the week.  Got stuck on a few and had to get the dictionary out for some inspiration.

Once I was done I had some offcuts of the Brights DSP strips so I grabbed out a sheet of my new favourite Shimmery White cardstock to make this quick and simple card.

My Modern Label punch is getting a great workout lately along with Short and Sweet greeting set.  A glimmer brad and some paper piercing finished it off.

This afternoon some of the girls from my team are coming over and we're all looking forward to chatting and creating with some of the SaleABration items.  Should be a lovely afternoon of card making. 

What a fun way to spend some weekend time.  (And we've still managed to squeeze in some golf and cycling time for John so we're all happy here!)

Happy Stamping!  Back soon with some SaleABration cards to share.

Cheers, Sue

Reverse Masking Snow Swirled

What do you think?  In the festive spirit??  Just a few more days of Christmas cards to share then we'll get onto some non Christmas creating.   I think one of my all time favourite Christmas stamp sets is still Snow Swirled.   I tried some reverse masking with it yesterday.  (I think that's what it is called.)

For the sparkle I've used some glimmer paper with the doily punch for some and the self adhesive rhinestones for the others. 

Colours are: Concord Crush, Wisteria Wonder, Old Olive and some Sahara Sand for the sponging.

I do love that Concord Crush glimmer brad.

Scuse the soft focus there.  I've been fluffing about with a different lens I dug out the back of a cupboard and didn't quite have the settings right for card photography. 

Was very happy with it for kidlet photography though .....

They look rather angelic there don't they.  Of course that's when you don't have any volume on to hear squabbling.  Hee hee.

Wishing you a peaceful day in this busy week.

Cheers, Sue 

Timeless Portrait Fabric and 3D Flowers

 

Yes I'm still playing around with my Big Shot Top Note Die, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder and Stampin' Up fabric.  This time it is one of the designs from the Timeless Portrait pack.  (Pg 140)  Love the black and vanilla.  SOOO nice with Cherry Cobbler. 

Note: I've stuck my fabric onto cardstock with the Big Shot Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets on page 155 before running it through the Big Shot.

 

I do quite like Cherry Cobbler stamped and sponged with black ink.  I'd really only ever sponged the same colour on to my cardstock and noticed a couple of swaps with the black sponging on red - very nice.  That's the great thing about taking part in swaps - you get lots of new ideas to try. 

Speaking of new things to try - have to say a big thanks to Toby who showed me (and some of the other girls at last Thursday's launch) how to make these groovy flowers from 8 punched scalloped circles.  Works a treat with the nice light weight First Edition Specialty Paper (pg 127.) 

 

Toby showed us how to punch the scallops, dampen them on a wet sponge, scrunch them up then unscrunch them again (but don't smooth the wrinkles out too much) then layer them all on top of each other (without lining up the scallops) - little brad through the middle to hold them then give them a bit of a foof until you're happy with your flower.  Some sponging of ink too of course.  I love them. Thanks Tobes!

Stamp Set: The swirl in the background is from Creative Elements (pg 89)

Other: Cherry Cobbler Striped Grosgrain Ribbon (pg 139)

Finishing off with a couple of cards from Jack and Hannah.  My sister and I had a nice card making afternoon with the kids last Saturday using some leftover launch bits and pieces. Jack was VERY chuffed with his card. (Can you tell!?)

 

Here's Hannah's (left) and Jack's (right)

 

I loved the insides too.  Jack wrote his for Lisa ....

 
For Aunty Lisa.  Dear Lisa, I love you forever. From Jack

Hannah wrote hers for John and I ....

 
Dear Mum and Dad, Thanks for my lovely life and school and thanks for taking care of me when I'm sick, hurt and sad.  Love from your daughter Hannah

OK that probably helps the brownie point quota.  :-)

While I'm showing some of their cards, Hannah wanted to have a try with the fabric and with the 3D flowers.  She LOVES all things pink so of course chose the Flirtatious fabric and some retired DSP for the flower.  Purple comes a close second so she picked Wisteria Wonder for the base card. She fossicked about and found an offcut of Pool Party done with the lace border punch so added that on for good measure.  Here's her card.

 

We had quite a fun afternoon.  Must do it again sometime soon.

Not long til the weekend now!   Have a lovely day.

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!

 

Dasher Christmas Card

Back again with the last of the cards we did at Christmas In July classes. 

 

This one features the stamp Dasher and the Petals A Plenty embossing folder, along with one of the striped grosgrain ribbons.  They look so lovely cinched in with an antique brad don't they.  Dasher is stamped using Platinum Shimmer Paint (just daubed straight onto the rubber.)  A pearl for an eye, and some vellum for the matting.  The embossed panel is Very Vanilla.  Some ladies used black ribbon, some used olive and some went for the red - they all looked very striking I thought. 

Here's another shot with a bit more of that texture showing. 

 

We're making a nifty box, and two more Christmas cards at my August classes - the last chance to catch a class for a little bit.   There's space left next Wednesday 17th and also on Thursday 18th, at 7.30pm if you're keen to get some ideas for Christmas cards.   Phone or email to book a spot.

RETIRED LIST

Here's the link to the page where you'll find the retired list if you wanted to check the latest updated list.  Retired List Info

A few things have sold out including quite a few of the retiring punches, eyelets, some stamp sets - Sanded, Full Calendar, Garden Whimsy, Choo Choo, and some of the packs of 12" cardstock.  (The packs of 12" cardstock are being reconfigured, not disappearing altogether. Get in touch if you need more details.) 

Customers/Class Girls:  Are you after a copy of the new catalogue?  $10 if you pick it up, $15 if you'd like me to post one to you.   All set to go. 

Yay Cadel

Jack and I enjoyed adding our claps and cheers to the big crowd in the city today for Cadel Evans.

Here's our view of one of the big screens ....

 

And my view of Jack saying, 'Can you pick me up please mum?'

 

Have a great weekend!

Cheers, Sue