I love to share Stampin' Up! craft ideas here on my blog. Grab a cuppa and stay a while. Thanks for visiting my little space. Sue Madex: Stampin' Up! ® Demonstrator, Australia
The content of this website is the sole responsibility of Sue Madex, Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator. The use of and content of the classes, services, or products offered on this website is not endorsed by Stampin' Up! Some stamped images on this site are copyright Stampin' Up! 1990-2012. Designs on this page are copyright Sue Madex unless otherwise attributed. My intention is always to give credit when inspired by others - apologies for any omissions. All designs and tutorials are for your personal inspiration only. Thank you for respecting these guidelines. Much appreciated!
At my February classes we experimented with the Faux Metal Technique using kitchen foil to make a snazzy, shiny feature for our cards.
This next one is a little the worse for wear - 'scuse the wrinkles!
My newsletter readers - I popped some step by step photos and instructions for this technique in your March newsletter. If you'd like to subscribe to my newsletter for all the latest Stampin' Up news, some technique tips and a good smattering of cards - you can find the subscribe button up the top right there. Just enter your email address and press go.
Special Guest Cardmaker: Julia
Julia is a class regular who always makes gorgeous cards. She's got a real flair for designing and arranging the components in an eye catching way. I love seeing what she comes up with.
She used Rich Razzleberry and the Swallowtail stamp for her Faux Metal class card and I liked it so much I made a bunch of them after class to send out to friends.
Here's Julia's card. Thanks for being a special blog guest Julia.
Saleabration: Last Week
If you've got your eye on any of the Saleabration freebies, you've got one more week left to pop in your order. One free product from the 19 options with every $100 purchase. Details here.
If you're keen to take advantage of the bonus 25% in the starter kit, join as a demonstrator before March 22nd and get $294 of products (choose any current products) for just $169. Bargain.
I'm ridiculously happy about getting reacquainted with my doona now that the long hot spell has come to a finish. What a beautiful day it is here today. Hope the weather in your patch of the world is smiling on you too.
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.
I hope you are having a wonderful weekend. I started the day getting a hair cut. A couple of hours reading magazines and getting degreyed - aahh! Happy school holidays to all the Vic teachers and mums out there. I'm looking forward to some relaxing with the kids over the next couple of weeks.
I've got some lovely cards to share with you today, not from me but from 3 special guests.
These first creations are from Julia who I met at my classes. She has some very creative ways to use the Sweet Treat Cups.
Isn't that just such a great idea! Julia hand drew the frame of the bike.
I love this one too .....
The bubbles are a mix of holes punched in the top layer plus some rhinestones. Love the little snorkler.
And one more for the footy fans ...
Thanks you Julia for sharing 3 fabulous ideas for using Sweet Treat Cups. (Hmm and I have a big craving for jelly beans now!)
This card is from another of my class regulars - Maria. She's used one of my favourite stamp sets - Pocket Silhouettes.
I love the look of the silhouetted images done in white on the coloured squares. This would be one of those clean and simple designs you could try in a whole range of colours. Thanks Maria!
My last guest for today is my daughter Hannah (7). John and Jack headed off to the footy last Sunday and Hannah decided she'd rather stay home with me and make cards. We had such a fun afternoon getting inky. Here are her bright and happy creations.
A big thanks to all my special guest card makers.
Milleara Market Sunday 27th
If you are a local and you have any Stampin' Up questions, want to grab a catalogue, place an order or look at some samples - I'm at my table at Milleara Market tomorrow from 9am until 3pm.
Milleara Shopping Centre, Cnr Milleara Rd and Buckley St, Avondale Heights.
Goodness where does the day go! The hours just flash by some days don't they.
I'm back today to show you some cards from a guest blogger: Leisa. Leisa is in my marker club and recently showed me these gorgeous creations. I knew you'd all love them so thanks Leisa for letting me share them here.
Love these colours together and it makes me want to grab out my eyelet border punch too! The gorgeous flower is from Echoes of Kindness - a hostess set. The background stamp is Weathered.
And check out this terrific box - using Cottage Garden and Cottage Wall DSP.
Thanks again Leisa. I love to see what people have been making with their goodies!
I think Rich Razzleberry is my new favourite colour. It goes so well with so many colours. Love it here with Old Olive and it looks great with Kraft and Soft Suede too. I've got a lovely swap from convention where the card creator teamed it with Pale Plum and that looks good as well.
I've got another guest card maker with a card to share but I've run right out of day and haven't taken the photo yet so that will have to be another day!
How's your weekend? I've quite been enjoying mine I must say. Lots of cardmaking, a friend over for dinner, halfway through a novel and a lovely day today with the extended family. That's a nice recipe I think.
Some cards to share with you first up. My nephews turn 5 and 2 this month and had a joint birthday party today. It was nice to catch up with mum, dad and my sisters and brother, and the kids had a ball. I think Jack jumped on their trampoline for 90% of the party time. He'll sleep well tonight.
Here's the birthday cards I made for the boys.
Just one quick snap as I rushed out the door! I've used Washington Apple DSP (pg 135) which I love for boys' cards, and some matching cardstock - Riding Hood Red, Pumpkin Pie and Bashful Blue. Then a number from the Sticky Cuts Letters sheets (pg 145.)
All you do is peel off the backing, stick it to your cardstock or paper, then peel off the top backing (or should that be fronting??) and tip a pot of glitter on. I press the glitter pile a bit with my fingertip to make sure it sticks well then tip the excess back in the pot. I used chunky blue first , then topped it with some fine supernova glitter - again in blue. (Glitters also on pg 145.)
The letters are super sticky - a bit like our sticky strip adhesive - so the glitter sticks firmly.
Hannah and I have been busy cardmaking this weekend. I've been working on my swaps for convention. Hannah took a card she made to school for show and tell and all the girls wanted one - so she's made 10 this weekend for her classmates. Rather a good effort I thought! It was fun to sit on the couch together working on our projects. Will post some pics of the cards later in the week.
One last thing to share with you today and that is our last collection of boxes. My final May class group had their turn at box making on Thursday night. Here's what the ladies came up with.
Thank you to Sharron, Cecile, Linae, Mary, Joanne, and Shelley for letting me take a pic of their boxes to share with you. Something terrific using Sweet Treat Cups to share with you soon too from Julia. That's what I love about classes - the sharing of ideas, tips and tricks that happens while we're making our projects. I learn lots from my class gals, and they learn things from each other too. You can find details about my June classes here: June Class Information
Have a terrific week! Not long until the Stampin' Up Convention: Sydney 2010. My sister and I head off on Thursday and will be back Sunday. I'm hoping to meet lots of people whose blogs I read, and perhaps some who visit mine too. It is always so nice to say hello in person. Make sure you come say hi if you're a visitor to my patch of blogland. OK better go finish off some more swaps. I have a bunch of cut out purple butterflies left that didn't make it onto my first batch of swaps, hoping to come up with a nice home for them tonight!
Hello, hope your week is starting well and a happy Mothers' Day to all the mums out there. Hope you had a lovely day yesterday. I got very spoilt with a sleep in, breakfast in bed and a gorgeous collection of treasures made at kinder and school, mothers' day stall gifts (I love seeing what the kids pick - chocolate featured heavily in Hannah's selections!) and some comfy slippers. Plus a nice relaxing day spent having fun with John and the kids. Aaaahh, bliss.
Stampin Up Scrapbooking
I've got a simple double scrapbook layout to share with you today over at StampAMemory - our scrapbooking website. It features a bunch of photos I took last year of the back of Hannah's head as she headed out the door to school.
Here's a sneak peek:
The Sizzlits Lots of Tags die is so handy for making little matching journalling tags. It is very handy for using up little scraps of cardstock too. Click here to see the full post: StampAMemory: Hairstyles layout
Madex Creations May Newsletter
If you are part of my newsletter crew, your Madex Creations May Newsletter should have arrived in your inbox last week. This edition has some step by step pics and instructions for making this baby card.
Here's 3 entries from my 'What to say while you press your cling stamp onto the clear block for 3 seconds' Competition from my April newsletter. (That's quite a mouthful isn't it!)
Michelle: Inspire, Create, Share!
Fiona: Stampin' Up sticks!
Mary: Oh wow I can't wait to stamp this one up!
And the winner drawn from the hat .......
.... is the other entry from Fiona: "Stick, stick, stuck."
Thanks for taking part ladies. I'll be in touch Fiona to see which pack of DSP (Designer Series Patterned Papers) you've selected as your prize.
If you'd like to receive my email newsletter each month, just take a look up in the top right column here on my blog and you'll find the sign up box. Type in your email address, hit go and follow the directions. I'd love to welcome you to the crew and keep you up to date with specials, the latest product news, upcoming classes and lots of stamping and card ideas.
More Scallop Envelope Boxes
Thought I'd share the boxes the girls made at Thursday's class. We've got one more group to go this coming Thursday. There are one or two spots left. Details here.
Here's Tracy and Sue's creations.
And here are the boxes from Selena and Anne-Marie ...
They look great in such a range of colours/DSP designs. I'll be back at the end of the week with our final group of boxes from this last May class. Thanks ladies for letting me share the pics with the blogland crew.
On Thursday we had our last class for Feb and I took a few snaps of the cards the ladies came up with. A tweak here and a tweak there and a dash of creativity and voila ... some gorgeous originals using the materials provided.
Here's two from Julia:
(Isn't the butterfly trail a nice touch.)
And here's one from Carol ...
A Sweet Treat Cup card from Cecile ... (The matching smarties coordinate well don't they.)
And a nice bright one to finish courtesy of Sharron ...
Thanks ladies for letting me take a photo and share with the blogland gang.
(Scuse the photos - not the best lighting of an evening!)
In March we'll be doing some watercolouring at classes using aquapainters with your choice of ink pads, watercolour crayons and markers. Dates and details can be found here. Some dates are booking out quickly these days so it is a good idea to get your spot early.
Swing by tomorrow if you'd like to catch our Art With Heart Easter Blog Hop. (You might need to bring your sunnies for my creation! Hee hee.)
Way back in November (seems like ages ago!) we did Sparkly Christmas Cards at classes. I've been checking my photo folders and have a couple more to show you.
This one is based very closely on one I found in a Christmas Card Gallery on Claire Daly's blog. We used heat and stick powder and some of Stampin' Up's gorgeous fine glitter for the lettering since it was a sparkle class.
I also discovered how much I like Bravo Burgundy as a colour with some matching ink sponged around the edge. Will have to dust off the rest of the pack and use it more often!
Here's another view where you get a touch more of the sparkle. The letters are popped up on dimensionals.
Tip: Now the trick with heat and stick powder is to watch it carefully when you're heating it and stop as soon as it changes. (Thanks Sue Bayliss, glitter queen, for the tip!) You'll see it will look 'wet' then you know its all tacky and you can add your glitter. Another quick burst with the heat tool seems to 'set' the glitter.
Stamp Sets: Lovely Letters and Baroque Motifs
Colours: Bravo Burgundy, Riding Hood Red, Sahara Sand, Very Vanilla
Other: Circle punches and Rhinestone brads, Heat and Stick Powder, Versamark, Fine Glitter and Heat Tool.
One of the other cards we made at Sparkly Christmas Card Class was this one.
I liked the tweak Denise gave the design and she was kind enough to let me take a pic to share with you guys.
Special Guest Card Maker: Denise
Here's a close up of the rhinestone brad in the centre - it really sets off the card.
Thanks Denise for letting me share your card with the ladies in blogland.
Well, can you tell I'm in housework avoidance mode!!
Better get back to my 'to do before Christmas' list.
It has been busy this week with preparations for CraftExpo - a big craft show on at the Exhibition Buildings in Carlton from today through until Sunday. (I'll be there Sunday. Come say hi if you're there exploring all the gorgeous craft stands.)
So today's card is one from Hannah - my 6 year old daughter. She had fun with her Aunty Lisa making one of the cards from the Simply Sent Kit "No One Like You" (pg 143.) Didn't she do a good job!
I love the colours in this kit - Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, Kraft and Bashful Blue - a gorgeous combination.
The kit includes everything you need to make 5 cards like Hannah's and 5 of another design. You get the stamps, little Stampin' Spot inks, cardstock, ribbon, buttons, adhesives and lovely Kraft envelopes. The kit is $83.95 and when you've made your 10 cards, you'll have stamps and inks you can use on other projects. Quite a lovely gift for craft lovers.
Hannah even distressed the edges of the Vanilla piece - she really has been watching carefully!
