Has anyone else been perusing the different packs of DSP (patterned paper) trying to decide which ones are their favourites? 

Here's some creations featuring a couple of my favourite packs.  As soon as I saw this card by the talented and very lovely Lin Mei Yap, I knew I wanted to get those oval punches out and give it a go.  Here's my CASE.  (Thanks Lin Mei for the idea! Love it.)

Firstly in Haiku:

Like a different look - just choose a different panel for the background and different matching cardstock.  The coordinating colour products just make it TOO easy!

Recipe: Haiku DSP, matching cardstock, felt flowers from Flower Fusion (pg 144) and a half pearl from a Pretties Kit.

And here's my Bella Rose version:

And the supplies I used for that one are pictured below.  This time I used my Build A Brad kit to make a centrepiece for the flower.  They're a bit of fun!

You can find all of our Patterned Paper Packs on pages 132 -135.  The hard part is picking which are your favourites.  I like heaps of them this year.  Have you got a favourite?  Leave a comment and tell me which one ....

Family News

I found my Jack (2) balanced on the edge of his cot side during the week hollering for me to come and rescue him so we had an abrupt shift to his 'big boy's bed!'  Now after I settle him into it for his nap with teddy tucked up beside him I quite often hear a few strange noises on the monitor afterwards.  And go downstairs to discover ...

...there are more options than napping! 

Hope you fit lots of fun and a bit of a rest into your weekend!

Cheers, Sue

Two of my nephews recently celebrated birthdays so it was time to get my card making gear out. 

James turned 4 and his card features 3 of the new In Colour striped ribbons. 

The Recipe:

Stamp Sets: On Your Birthday (pg 113 for the 2 birthday greetings,) Sprinkles (pg 92 -handy for backgrounds,)  Wild About You (pg 60 for the lion) and Schoolbook Serif Alphabet (pg 121 for the J.)

Colours: Riding Hood Red, Tangerine Tango and Pacific Point

Other: Tag punch and a brad, plus the In Colour striped ribbons.

I stamped the lion on scrap paper first so that the orange was a little fainter then stamped the birthday greeting and j over the top.  Flip the punch over to check how it's all lined up and punch last.

Looks quite cute with a matching envelope I think.   You can find envelopes on page 131.  $10.95 for 40 of either whisper white or very vanilla.

If you'd like to get 1m of each of the 6 In Colour striped ribbons(6 metres in total) - I have a ribbon share happening at present.  $10.50 per share plus $2.50 postage.  Email or phone if you'd like a share or two to add to your stash.

Here's the birthday boy with his cake. 

Happy birthday James!

And on the right the other birthday boy, William, celebrating his first birthday.

Happy birthday William!

Didn't that year fly by!

Now I can just give you a sneak peek at William's card as it is featuring in my Marker Tutorial for my Marker Club girls. 

I thought Washington Apple Designer Series Paper was perfect for this card, and used Wild About You, the alphabet and my trusty tag punch again. Plus some more of that spunky ribbon and my Stampin' Write markers.

(If you're in Australia and you'd like to join a marker club you can find all the details here.  My second group is due to start in June and there are spaces left if you'd like to join us.)

We had fun at the boys' party.  Jack (2) enjoyed playing golf with his dad.

And Hannah found somewhere to hang upside down so she was happy too! 

She spends most of her recess and lunch time at school upside down on the monkey bars I gather and from after school chats it seems to be the current highlight of the day!

What did you do at school today?

I played on the bars.

I mean what did you learn at school today?

I learnt to do flip overs on the bars.

Yep - A++ in bars!

Hope you've learnt a few new tricks this week! 

Cheers, Sue

Thought I'd show you a couple of the projects we've been making in this month's technique classes.   During May we've been doing techniques using markers including .....

WATERCOLOURING

We used the hostess set: Organic Grace for this one.  If you've already been to this class during May and have your very observant eyes in you might notice I replaced my watercoloured flower over the weekend.  Wasn't happy with my first go!  Sometimes techniques take a bit of experimenting with to get the look you had in mind hey!

We also did some MARKERS DIRECT TO RUBBER to make a little tag to pop onto a notebook we embellished.

We used another hostess set: Live Like You Mean It for the tag.  Some people used the letters from Lovely Letters stamp set to do an initial instead.  I'm going to use my notebook to jot scrapbooking notes in - mostly funny things the kids have said.  I have a few of these - one in my handbag, one in the study, one in the kitchen. 

We also made another card and learnt to stamp on candles as well, so it is an action packed class!

Now 17 people have come along to this class at my place in Avondale Heights so far this month over 3 dates.   I have 5 spots still remaining for the last date this month - this Thursday 28th May at 7.30pm.

If you'd like to give these projects a go, give me a call on 0417 377 057 and book your spot.  Beginners most welcome.  All materials are supplied.   Class fee is $20.  More details here.

CONGRATULATIONS PRIZE WINNERS ....

...Congratulations to Jenny who won the prize basket at the recent Autumn Twilight Market

...and to Helen who won the prize draw at Milleara Market yesterday.  (And a big hi to all the ladies I met during the day!) 

Family News ...

Jack did a bit of 'embellishing' of himself over the weekend with a bit of overbalancing at the playground. 

Nice old googy egg on the forehead!

 Hope you had a super weekend and that Mondayitis hasn't struck today!

Cheers, Sue

Back soon with LOTS more cards to show you!  Have been having fun with a few of our patterned paper packs.

Now if you're in the mood for some baking and have found this post by googling raspberry tart recipes, you may be a little disappointed!  Or perhaps we can tempt you into some card making! 

I've been having fun creating with some of my pack of Raspberry Tart patterned papers.

As soon as I saw this stunner of a card by the super talented Carol Dunstan I just had to give it a go.  (Warning: if you go blog hopping over there you better make a cuppa first, there's heaps of inspiring cards!  I could get lost for hours, or til one of my munchkins gets hungry and comes hunting for a mother!) 

Anyway - here's my CASE.

My version simply uses some of the designs from the Raspberry Tart paper pack punched with the 1 1/4 inch punch, with some of the coordinating Cameo Coral and Kiwi Kiss cardstock.  The greeting is from Basic Phrases - my newest handy greeting set (pg 117.)

Can't wait to try it with another paper pack.  Remember patterned papers are on special this month - buy 3 packs from the list and get a 4th free.  The list to select from is here.  Until the end of May only.  Give me a holler if you'd like to place an order.  Hmm, what's the email equivalent of a holler?  If I was a Twitterer I could say give me a tweet.  Shhhh, more cards - lets get back to it.

Now of course, while the gear is all out, may as well try another!   Here's a Kiwi Kiss version with the gorgeous satin ribbon.

And another with a matching Sunny Boy gift bag.  (Thanks to Marelle's tutorial here.)  They're called Sour Cream containers in the US I believe.

This little bundle was for someone from my team who reached a milestone recently.  A big congratulations to Angela Dickins on her promotion.  You can find her gorgeous creations on her blog here.  (I love the title ' What the Dickins!  Very clever!!)  This card by Ange is one of my favourites.  I must get out my Circle Circus set and give it a go. 

The little sunny boy containers are perfect for popping in a few little goodies.  I loved Marelle's tip for folding over the rim and tying the top with ribbon rather than adhering that end too, saves wrecking the bag to get to what's inside!

And that's it for my Raspberry Tart creations.   Hope you liked them.  

I am so over the moon that it is Friday night and I get a lovely, lovely sleep in tomorrow morning.   (That's a tad sad isn't it, but I do love my Saturday mornings!)  Then we're off to help our nephews celebrate their 4th and 1st birthdays so lots of fun in store.  And I'm gas bagging sharing some creativity at the Milleara Market in Avondale Heights on Sunday from 9 til 3.  Pop by if you're in the area and would like to see some cards or ask product or stamping questions, or just for a hi!

And if you were REALLY looking for a raspberry tart recipe, I'm afraid I can't help but you might like my sister in law's Black Forest Cheesecake Slice Recipe - it's easy to make and DELICIOUS!

Have a marvellous weekend.

Cheers, Sue

For my last card I took a design I'd done previously and changed the colour scheme.  For this card I turned to our Idea Book and Catalogue for some inspiration.  I just flicked through the pages until I found something that appealed.

This card is my take on the one on page 100.  I changed the ribbon to one that I had in my stash but otherwise left everything the same.  (Actually 2 ribbons in this case - the striped grograin with the narrow ribbon on top.)

And another one with a couple of slight changes.

Still going with my new mission of 'why make one card, while all the stuff is out may as well make another!'

Stuck for some ideas to get started.  Try having a flick through the catalogue for an idea recharge!

For a PDF with ALL of the cards and items in the current catalogue and the list of supplies used to make each project, check this page.  You'll find two Supplies List PDFs.  There's a version with a photo of each project and another with just the text.  I printed off the one with the pics to refer to over the next year or so.  It is handy for checking what colours were used and other details.

Back soon with a scrapbook layout, some camera disaster recovery tips and a card CASEd from my blog travels! 

Cheers, Sue

How was your weekend?  Hope you had a good one.  We managed to fit in a trip to Scienceworks, a splash in the pool, and some time at the craft desk so most enjoyable here. 

I quite liked the card design I came up with for my Catalogue Launch and recent swaps and decided to give it another run, but to change the colour scheme. 

This time I went for Riding Hood Red, Chocolate Chip and Pink Pirouette.

Or if you'd like to step it up just a little some felt flowers and a rhinestone brad do the trick nicely ....

The Recipe:

Stamp Set: Pocket Silhouettes (pg72)

Colours: Choc Chip, Pink Pirouette and Riding Hood Red

Other: 1 1/4 inch square punch (pg 152), Riding Hood Red taffeta ribbon (pg 151), Flower Fusion Too (pg144) for the felt flowers and a rhinestone brad from Circle Fire (pg149)

And since thinking up what I'm actually going to make or CASE and getting the bits and pieces assembled is really 3/4 of the effort, why make one card when you can make a bunch.

Actually I made 6 but I posted the others before I got the camera out!  Next time you sit down to do a spot of card making, why not make an extra one or two of whatever you are creating to stash away for the next occasion. 

Family News ...

While we were at Scienceworks we picked this groovy little experiment.  Hannah and I set up the tree yesterday and poured the special liquid in the base, then watched as it changed over the next hours.  We took some pics and Hannah even got out pen and paper to write a page about what she observed.  Not bad entertainment for $4.95!

The kids also invented a fun game to play while I was doing the dishes.

After having loads of fun and giggles blowing washing up bubbles all over the floor they then wiped it all up with an old tea towel, which is about as close as my tiles have gotten to being mopped for quite a wee while!   Far too busy with my inks and papers to pick up a mop. 

Hope you squeezed some craft time in to your week. If not, perhaps this week!  Try taking some time off the housework.     Works for me ..... 

Just give me a bit of notice if you're planning to drop by!  ☺

Back soon with a card CASEd from Page 100 of the catalogue. 

Cheers, Sue

All set for tonight's technique class.  We're doing some different techniques using markers this month and one of them is stamping on candles.

Do you live in Melbourne's west?  Classes are held at my place in Avondale Heights.  There are some spare seats at the table on Wed 20th and Thursday 28th May (7.30pm) if you'd like to join us for some candle stamping.  We're also making 2 cards and embellishing a mini notebook.  Class fee is $20, and all materials are supplied.  Come join us!  More details here.

Cheers, Sue

Our special guest card maker today is Annette, one of the lovely ladies I've met at my technique classes.  I always look forward to catching up each month with Annette and the rest of the crew.  I love this card Annette gave me, such gorgeous colours - 2 of my favourites.

The Recipe:

Stamp Sets: Say It With Scallops (pg 104) and the swirl from a SaleABration set whose name has slipped my mind!  I love those flourish stamps, so handy. 

Colours: Perfect Plum and Certainly Celery - such a nice combo.

Other: Scallop Edge Punch, Paper Piercer to add a nice touch to the scallop border, Certainly Celery Patterned Paper and Scallop Square punch.

Thanks Annette for letting me share your creation.

Cheers,  Sue

... to all the mums out there.  Hope you're having a lovely day.

Here's what my munchkins greeted me with this morning, along with brekky in bed. 

Hannah (6) put so much time into her creations - aren't they lovely, and she was pretty thrilled with what she found at the Mothers' Day Stall - hmmm perhaps hoping I'm a good sharer!  Jack (2)was persuaded to stick a few flowers to the card he made at Kinderplay.  He would really have been happy with just the one - "all finished Mum" but I talked him into 4 more!   Some more treasures to tuck away in the memory box.

Isn't there something special about hand made creations?  I hope so ......  Here's some cards I made this week for our mums.

The Recipe:

Stamp Sets: Sprinkles (pg 92)  Seeing Spots (pg 100) and Wonderful Favourites (pg 115)

Colours: Sage Shadow, Choc Chip

Other: Candy Lane Patterned Paper, Pretties Kit Half Pearls, Versamark & Heat/Stick Powder & Heat Tool & my new Fine Supernova Glitter - the chocolate one, for a sparkly 'Wonderful.' 

The Recipe:

Stamp Sets: Sprinkles, Wonderful Favourites and Priceless

Colours: Pale Plum, Sage Shadow, Choc Chip

Other:  As above

Happy Mothers' Day Mum and Fran, and all the other mums reading this.  Have a lovely day.

Love Susan  (better put Susan for a mum's post, as I'm Susan to my family.  Morphed into Sue somewhere along the way for the rest of the world.)

Jack's napping so time for Part 2 of my Convention Wrap Up.  Saturday night was time to get dolled up and head out for dinner and tons of clapping!

I'm a part of Claire Daly's Art With Heart team.  Its a lovely team led by the talented Claire and it was SOOO nice to meet a few more of the girls in real life at Convention.  (We regularly 'catch up' in cyberspace.)  Here's Claire and I ready to head in to dinner.  

Now this is a blurry old shot but I snapped it quickly as we were madly dashing to grab a couple of tables walking with dignity and grace!  Looks quite spiffy with the chair covers.  Now you may just be able to make out a little quartet on the right playing lovely music to accompany dinner.  OK probably not but use your imagination :-)

The tables were all set beautifully with gorgeous floral centre pieces.

It was lovely to chat with other demonstrator friends over our delicious 3 course dinner. 

Now being me, I of course took some snaps of all the food.  :-)

Here's the entree .....

Main course ....

And dessert ....

Oh and coffee too ...

With a little something for we mad Twilight fans if you look closely ...

YUM!

Lots of eating, chatting and laughter followed .....

Once we'd finished all that it was time to head into the stage area for the Awards part of the night.    Here's the table chokkas with bags holding stamp sets for the award recipients.

Now my groovy camera with its big lens still struggled to get good focused shots of the awards fun so we'll have to make do with these blurry ones.  :-) 

Some of my fellow team mates headed up on stage to get awards and a hug from Shelli.  Here's Ros ...

Kathryn ...

.... and I got to do a dash across the stage too for a Sales Award.  (Thank you to all my lovely customers!)

That's Shelli saying 'Ooh I love your dress.'  She's a sweetie.

Ros, Kathryn, Di and I (along with lots of other girls in this category) received a pin, brooch, badge - a metal thingy and a stamp set 'A Flower For All Seasons.'

In a nice bag with a little tag too. 

They put the award and the stamp prizes onto the screen for each category, then called the names.  I recognised HEAPS of girls from the wider team I belong to (Angela Sargeant's Elite Stampers group) and I think my hands are still tingly from all that clapping!  Here's 3 sets people got for one of the higher categories of recruiting award, for working hard to build their teams.

There were group shots too for some categories.  Now I've forgotten which category this one was for (oops - too busy clapping, didn't jot any notes) but there's my upline Claire (congrats Claire) and a fellow demonstrator and friend Yvonne Campbell (congrats Yvonne) and Sarah Klass who I've not met but who did an AWESOME presentation on one of the days. (Congrats Sarah.)

I think this line up of lovely ladies are the girls who will be heading off in August with their partners on the Incentive Trip for a few days of pampering in Qld.  Stampin' Up! are a very generous company to be involved with. 

As demonstrator, we all get great benefits plus some nice surprises from time to time - a bonus extra discount off some products for example on top of the normal discount.  As well, the Stampin' Up! career plan builds in great incentives and rewards for those who want to build a craft business. 

And for those who work hard and consistently over the year to build strong businesses and strong teams, there's the opportunity for such great rewards at Convention too.  Some of the girls received Tiffany jewellry along with their stamp sets, plus there were cash bonuses too for some categories. 

And did I mention TONS OF CLAPPING. 

Sock Monkey did quite a few laps across the stage too, and his twin appeared during the night I think too - unless he brought several outfits and was getting changed.  :-)

Here he is with the lovely Kerri Hunter.

Once the awards were all presented Shelli finished the evening with some closing words then it was time to head back to the rooms for a quick glass of bubbly with the girls.

I'd like to pass on my congrats to all the girls who received Awards over the course of the evening.  Well done ladies!

Sunday was time to cram all our gear back into our bags (ugh - always hard to fit everything back in, or is it just me!) ....

...and do a quick bit of sight seeing in Canberra.  Lisa and I bumped into some other friends from the team and checked out a market ....

... and some glass blowing at a glass factory. 

And then it was time to head to the airport and fly home again.

I had an absolute ball and can't wait til next year's Stampin' Up Convention. 

Its nice to be back though and to tuck the kids in at night (I did miss that bit), and what a great job John did at home.  The kids had lots of fun, the house was tidy, dinner was already cooked and the dishes were even done!  What a legend! 

Cheers, Sue