Back again as promised with my off the page creation for John's birthday.   You can read some more about it in my article today at Aussie Scrapbooking. 

Here are a few more pics.  My first effort really at an off the page project.  Shall I confess that I haven't even used chipboard yet!  It was lots of fun, not as fiddly as I'd thought and I shall certainly be giving this sort of thing another go. 

The wooden 40 comes from Off The Page Designs, based in Port Macquarie.  Check out their website here.

Back soon with some more cards.  Remember you can check the sidebar for details about current Stampin' Up specials and also for class dates and details if either of those topics interest you. 

Cheers, Sue

My tip of the week is this:  If you are using your trusty Cropadile to pop in an eyelet, don't leave the open container with 199 other eyelets on the edge of your desk.

Can you guess why not??? Yep, too easy.

And do you know what?  I picked them all up, then as I was reaching for the lid I had some sort of super klutz moment and dropped them AGAIN.  Newsletter subscribers will find a related tip about brads when their newsletter arrives in their inbox later this evening!  Think I am still in post Tour De France sleep deprived mode.  Hee hee.

(By the way, the newsletter is all done, just waiting for my PDF converter to get home from work and I'll send them on their way!  NB: Check your junk boxes in case they go in with all the spam out there.) 

Now for those much less klutzy people out there that is not much of a tip so here is another one.  I was making a tag today to go on the bag I made for this month's tutorial.  I coloured my stamp with markers, stamped my image then went to punch it out with the tag punch, only to find that ...

...my image was too big.  Hmmmm.  I could have just cut out a tag shape with my trimmer but invariably then I don't end up with it looking even.  Instead, just thread your piece of card through the punch like so ...

... and you will have a nice tag that is just a bit longer than your punch outline.

Here is a peek at the finished tag. 

Pop your email address in the box at the left there to register for my free monthly newsletter and tutorial.  I send it out at the start of each month.  This month it includes hints for using brads, lots of info on rub ons, updates on specials and classes and some before and after cards - the simple version then the dressed up version. 

I was experimenting with my markers and a butterfly from the Garden Whimsy set today.  Did a bit of scribbling onto the stamp, starting with the lightest colour and working to the darkest.  I quite like how it turned out.  What do you think? 

Punched with the 1 3/8 circle and scallop punches.  This is the tag for my other bag.

Well that's it for today.  But before I go just have to share a quick snap of my little lad in his new dressing gown.  I can't decide if he looks like a boxer or Yoda??

Cheers, Sue

I've been scrolling back and reading over the last few weeks of entries (ok otherwise known as procrastinating!) It seems that I have got a bit of a list of projects that I have promised to post photos of so had best get cracking on getting them done and photographed!

Here is the chocolate bar holder that I've shown you before, this time dressed up in its festive best, courtesy of Dashing Designer Series Paper.

I've used Naturals Ivory cardstock for the holder and decorated with the Dashing patterned paper and matching cardstock scraps.  I popped a jumbo pewter eyelet on too, and finished it with a Very Vanilla wide grosgrain ribbon bow.

Pull on the bow and voila ...

We made these at my Christmas In July class along with some Christmas cards.  This class booked out so I'm repeating it in August if you missed it the first time round.  Sat Aug 16th, 1.30-4.30pm.  $20 covers all materials and afternoon tea nibblies. At my place in Avondale Heights. Phone 0417 377 057 or email me to book and for directions if you are interested in attending.

Just a reminder for any locals reading that I'll have my table set up at Milleara Craft Market this Sunday between 9 and 3.  Milleara Shopping Centre, cnr Buckley St and Milleara Rd, Avondale Heights.  Pop by if you have any Stampin' Up questions I can help with.  While you are there pick up a copy of the new Spring Mini Catalogue if you don't have one yet.

Family Pics

Quick pics for the relatives who read along on my blog, and anyone else interested in bits of family news.  It is the last day of extended school holidays for us so we visited Melissa, James and our newest cousin.

Hannah enjoyed a little nurse ....  (isn't he a cutie.)

... before heading off to join the boys for some playdoh fun.

James has been the youngest when the cousins play for ages it seems, but now that Jack is old enough to join in it was cute to see Jack asking James for some help, 'Open please' and handing him the playdoh containers.  James got to practise his big brother skills and did a mighty fine job!

I should add that Jack is not always that well mannered!  His latest favourite phrase is 'No I did.' As in:  'Time to get in the stroller now Jack,' 'Time to put your shoes on Jack,' etc

'NO I DID!!!'

Cheers,  Bleary Eyed Tour Watching Sue                                  Go Cadel!

There have been lots of nice added bonuses I've found since becoming a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.  One of them has been getting to know lots of other SU demos, both in person and through the online communities.  It is always nice to make new friends, and especially so when we share a passion for papercrafts!

Taking part in card swaps has been fun.  We all make a set of identical cards then send them to a host who divides them up and posts you a set with one of each person's creations. 

Last month I took part for the first time in an Artist Trading Card swap.  ATCs are 3.5 x 2.5" and I'm keeping mine in a folder with pocket pages (like the ones you use for footy cards.) I really enjoyed making them. 

This month the theme is patterned paper.  Here is my contribution, using the Le Jardin paper that coordinates with Carte Postale stamp set.  (Mum has that set and she didn't want the bird or the Bonjour so I have inherited them. I'm a little surprised at how often I have used them! Great on tags.) 

Stamp Set: Carte Postale              Ink: Bashful Blue            

Patterned Paper: Le Jardin

Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Bashful Blue, Always Artichoke, So Saffron and River Rock

Accessories: Scallop and Circle Punches, Mat Pack and Paper Piercer, Dimensional Tabs

4 done.  I hope to make another 10 or so before it is time to post them off.  Then the fun part - waiting for a package to open to see what everyone else has made.  I'm glad to be part of such a creative team.

Don't forget there is a special on July 1 - Aug 15 if you'd like to get the starter kit for $299 and join all the fun of Stampin' Up! Give me a buzz if you'd like to chat more about this. 

Happy Stamping!

Cheers, Sue

Hello,

I'm not really posting anything new here, just sharing a great tutorial I just found on my blog hopping this morning.  I love Lin Mei Yap's blog - she makes great cards and it always adds a bit of sunshine to the day reading her posts, she has such a great sense of humour.  Anyway recently she posted a great tutorial for how to make your own envelope for small square cards.  You can find it here.  And now she has added a table and formula so that if you want to adapt the instructions for different sizes you can do it in a snap.  How clever.  You can find that here!    I'm making some little square cards later so will have to give it a go.  Will be back with some pics.

Gotta go now - some fish that need a bit of a cleaner house! 

Cheers, Sue

Back again - here are my 2 little envelopes.  Aren't they gorgeous.  Watch out for the matching cards in my email newsletter tomorrow.

And while I'm here - Hannah (5) and I enjoyed some mother and daughter craft time together yesterday and she made her own card and matching envelope.  Here 'tis.

And I'm happy to report that my fish are much happier now that they got a splash of fresh water and a rearranged and cleaned tank.

Speaking of fish - for some strange reason I have a huge collection of photos of dinners or food at family occasions.  Anyone else do that?  Here are those dishes I was telling you about.

Yummy!  Gotta love Vic Market. 

Cheers,  Sue

I was having some fun playing with my new brayer a few days ago.  (A brayer is a rubber roller that you can use to roll some ink onto your card. Pg 150 if you are looking for it.)  I rolled a mixture of blue inks onto my glossy cardstock then decided to stamp something onto it.  (Artfully Asian, pg 48.)  One step led to another, and with a few 'mistakes' to work with along the way (it'd be nice to have an 'undo' button in real life sometimes hey!) this is what I ended up with.

I quite like it and love the statement too so I think I'll just attach it to my display board at the back of my desk to remind me to appreciate the small moments in life that can so easily pass you by.  Thinking of Jane McGrath and having a reflective week.

Cheers,  Sue

Have you ever noticed the cute gift bags on the front cover of the Stampin' Up! Idea Book/Catalogue?   I decided to try one on the weekend using a piece of Spring Flowers patterned paper.  (By the way: This paper is from the previous catalogue.  It and Spring Showers are not shown in the new one but you can still get them.)

I also used some Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon - the narrow and the wide rolls.  Just a simple version really without too much in the way of embellishments, but I really like that paper.

If you'd like to make one too, pop onto Splitcoast Stampers (www.splitcoaststampers.com) and check out the instructions for 2-5-7-10 boxes in the resources section.  That's what I followed to make mine. 

Cheers,  Sue

Recently I got the instructions for these gorgeous chocolate holders from Kathryn - another demonstrator I know.  They are so easy to make and really dress up a bar of chocolate into a delicious gift!

To open you just pull the bow at the top like so ....

I'll pop it on my list of things to include in future tutorials, so newsletter subscribers keep your eyes out for this one.  If you'd like to receive my email newsletter and tutorial each month there is a spot to register near the top of the left hand column on this website.  Pop your email address in and follow the prompts. 

Congratulations to Wendy from Avondale Heights who won this chocolate holder along with a basket of stamping goodies at my stall at Milleara Craft Market today.  Hello to those visiting my website after popping by today.  I'll be back in the same spot next month - June 22nd, cnr Milleara Rd and Buckley St at Milleara Shopping Centre.  Hope to see you there.

Cheers,  Sue

PS For those blog visitors who know my sister Melissa and her husband Luke - they became the proud parents of baby William on Friday morning.  All are well, baby is just SOOO cute and James seems to be settling into his role as big brother.  Will post a pic if I get the all clear from the proud parents!  Better check first!

How was your weekend?  Mine was busy and lots of fun with a mix of family time, craft and a bit of computer thrown in.  (OK I'm a bit crossed eyed here so it might have been quite a lot of keyboard tapping!)

Newsletter

I have been putting the finishing touches on my May newsletter.  It includes some tips (and photos) on what to do with your stamp sets once they've arrived (including one step I've only recently learnt that is especially useful for getting great prints from solid image stamps.)  Pop your email address in the box at the left there if you'd like to join my newsletter subscribers list then keep an eye on your inbox at the start of each month.   

Bonus Tutorial

Each month you will also receive a free tutorial with your newsletter.  This month I'll show you how to make a lovely card holder.  It holds 5 cards and envelopes and makes a great gift.   (This card holder and design is from Marelle Taylor.  I love her style and would recommend her site for a browse.) I've used the In Colours - Groovy Guava, Wild Wasabi and Purely Pomegranate - for this one.

I stamped the flowers in Basic Black then coloured them in with a blender pen dipped in Wild Wasabi and Purely Pomegranate ink.  The flowers are from one of the Greetings Galore stamps.  I just inked up the flowers, not the greeting below.  The card holder is tied with some Groovy Guava double stitched ribbon.  I think the double stitched ribbons are about my favourite this year.

Hint: For those people out there who have the Greetings Galore stamp set or Fun and Fast Notes, I saw a great idea for mounting the stamps in a different way.  Claire cut the greeting off and stuck it to the side of the stamp block with the picture section on the usual part of the block.  This makes it even easier to use just the greeting or just the picture.  If you think you'd often use the text and image separately, this might be something you'd like to try. 

Tomorrow I'll make the 5 matching cards to go inside.  (Oops - will have to undo that nice bow!)  I'm making another card holder and cards for a prize at next weekend's Picture to Page Craft Show in Burwood.  I'm using Seeing Spots and Whisper White craft ink so it is sitting there waiting to dry before I assemble it.  Do you like craft shows??  I'll be there on Sunday 4th May at the Stampin' Up! stand so pop by if you are in the neighbourhood.  (For more details click on the Picture to Page link down the left column.)

Candles

I've always loved candles.  Hannah seems to have inherited this as she often gets a candle out to decorate the dinner table.

I stamped this one using the leaf from the Touch Of Nature stamp set. (Thanks Lisa for bringing it by for a visit!)  Some matching ribbon to finish it off. 

We'll be learning how to stamp on candles at my May technique class on Tuesday 13th May at 7.30pm.  We'll also be making some cards using the masking technique.  Phone/email to book a spot.   Class fee: $15.  For more on this plus May Stamp A Stack Card Making Session details, see the May Classes link there at the left.

The Young Ones

That is it for today on the craft side but for those family, friends and others interested in munchkin snaps - here are a few more.

And the last word for tonight can go to Goggles Boy here!     Boo ....

Cheers,  Sue