I'd like to give a big huge thanks to everyone who has made a purchase with me over the past year, or attended a class, or been a card party hostess or guest. 

A big thank you also to my fabulous Think Inkers - the members of my rapidly growing team.  (Can you believe there are 70 of us now, spread all over Australia.)

With your help, I'm excited to say I've qualified for the 2013 Stampin' Up Grand Vacation.  Eeek!

This year it is to Utah so John and I will be heading off in July for a week staying at the St Regis Deer Valley Resort.  Yay - very stoked I must say to get an all expenses paid trip for two overseas.

I'm thrilled to be joining my team member Kylie, my upline Claire, my team mate Kathryn (and our husbands) for the trip - so nice to be sharing it with such good friends.  Plus a heap of other lovely stamping friends as well from the Stampin' Up community. 

A massive thank you to Stampin' Up.  I'm rapt to be associated with such a generous company and look forward to another year of inks, stamps and crafty fun. 

Feeling a bit like an Oscars speech here but while we're at it a big thanks to my family who are so supportive of my home based business, who manage to eat their dinner sometimes surrounded by inks and papers and craft tools, and who don't complain about heading down to the dungeons  rumpus room while class is on. Thanks guys.

Here's a couple more pics of the place we're staying at. 

Hmm - without the snow, since it will be summer.  I can't wait to share lots of photos and news about the trip with you.  Along with lots of relaxing, we'll be visiting the Stampin' Up head office, as well as the manufacturing plant at Kanab.  Should be fun. 

To be honest I don't especially care where I'm going - I'm just happy to be going on a holiday with John. 

We both thoroughly enjoyed getting away together for the Stampin' Up Incentive Trip in 2010.  Here's a wrap up of that trip:  Hamilton Island SU Incentive Trip

If we were planning a holiday we'd take the whole family, so it is a lovely treat to be able to go away together without impacting the family budget. 

Oops almost forgot to say a big thanks to my mum, dad and sisters who are tag teaming to mind the kids - couldn't go without your support.  Thanks heaps. Much appreciated   xx

So thank yous all round to all the people that make my craft job such fun.

Have a wonderful week everyone and happy stamping!

Cheers, Sue

I've had such a fun day today pottering about getting some more samples ready for tomorrow's Drop In Day. 

School holidays is when I'm extra glad I mostly work from home.  Very handy - the kids have been doing their woodwork craft projects (a Christmas present), nagging for snacks, playing Chinese Checkers and plugging into various electronic games and I've been playing with cardstock.  Quite a fun, relaxed day. 

If you're local - it is not too late.  Come along if you're in the area and have some free time for my Drop In Day tomorrow. 

Make a groovy little tag, pick up your catalogues and browse some samples and new products.  You might like to try out a few tools too like our new trimmer, the Simply Scored and what not. 

Have a cuppa, sit down and chat stamping, plus I'm making my sister in law's YUMMY Black Forest Cheesecake Slice.  (Or we've got nice cool grapes for anyone who has made New Year's Resolutions, and is still keeping up with them this far into January - wink.)

I'll be back tomorrow with some cards to share. 

Cheers, Sue

September means spring, school holidays, footy finals and of course - our new Stampin' Up catalogues.  And to kick them off in style a lovely group of ladies joined me over the last week for New Catalogue Launches. 

It is always nice to share a bit of the new catalogue excitement with others isn't it. 

My helpers (thanks sis and Miss 9) and I were busy, busy, busy for the last week or so getting everything ready.

Lots of paper chopping, goodie bag packing, project making and lollie bag filling to be done. 

Finally launch night 1 arrived and we were all set .....

Inside the door there were catalogues and goodie bags to collect.

Including a yummy addition this year!

Lots of displays to browse before we gathered in the lounge room for a bit of a demonstration of a few new tools and other products. 

A quick game of 'Heads Or Tails' delivered our first bunch of winners who chose an envelope or ribbon pack from the prize basket.

Then it was off to make a bookmark, complete our two make and take projects (I'll share those another day) and zip along the stations at the bench to try a few more stamps and a builder wheel.

And in between times we could have a cuppa, browse our catalogues, rearrange our wish lists and chat.  We drew names from the cup over the evening for some lucky winners who chose a prize from the basket.

The ladies who placed an order at the launch all went in the draw for my Hostess Rewards Prize Draw.  There were LOTS of winners so let's have a little drum roll and get listing ........

Hmmm no drums, how about some sparkly snowflakes instead!

HOSTESS REWARDS PRIZE DRAW WINNERS

Lesley Mc chose  Four Seasons and the Diagonal Plate

Michele T chose Mr and Mrs, Designer Frames Folder, Floral Fusion and Little Leaves sizzlits.

Judy P chose the Colour Coach

Kerri Mc chose Two by Two and Always Artichoke Ink Pad

Cecile N chose Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch

Lesley K chose Real Red A4 and Midnight Muse A4

Gail A chose Summer Solstice

Louise chose Summer Solstice as well

Cheryl A chose two of the Festival Of Prints Pads

Ann I chose Take Care 

Anne-Marie S chose Polka Dot Parade DSP

Val B chose Viola's Lace Wheel

Linae B chose In Colour A4 cardstock

Karen M chose Cherry Cobbler tulle

Bianca P chose Silver Glimmer Paper

Ann W chose Silver Glimmer Paper too

Sharron H chose Beautiful Birthday

Marie B chose Raspberry Ripple Ink Pad

Anne B chose the Piercing Pack

Marie Louise F chose Marina Mist Ink Pad

Claire F chose Crumb Cake A4

Carol C chose Festival of Prints Pad

Claire S chose Rhinestones

Annette T chose Crumb Cake A4

Congratulations to all of our winners.  Ladies I'll let you know when the boxes arrive and are all set to pick up.

A big thank you to everyone who came along to one of the launches and helped create a lovely, friendly atmosphere.  Hope you had fun trying out some new bits and pieces and checking out our new range of products.

If you missed it this year, keep an eye out next time we have a new catalogue and book your spot for launch night. 

I'll be back in a few days to share our make and take projects with you.

Cheers and Happy Stamping,

Sue

Wow - just back from a few days away at the Stampin' Up Australia Convention for 2012 and what a fabulous way to recharge the batteries.   Now I know lots of you would love to see some pics and share some of the excitement so I've been busy this morning unloading my camera and phone.   (Much more fun than doing the dishes - ha ha!)

This year the event was held at the Canberra Convention Centre.    

Why do I love going to convention?

So many reasons - here are just a few ......

* Catching up with heaps of  my stamping friends - team mates, Think Ink team members, online friends, demonstrators I've gotten to know over the years and new people I've just met in Canberra.  Talking crafts and stamping and families and inks and life and craft tools and lots more. 

* Getting inspired creatively with all the fabulous presentations, display boards, tool tables - so so so many ideas I've come home busting to try.

* I always come home inspired with ideas for my personal life too - so many of the messages and ideas are relevant to so much more than crafts.  Stampin' Up really do such a wonderful job of encouraging people to reflect and reevaluate and prioritise. 

* The lovely Managers' Reception where we gather and chat with other ladies who are building teams.  Stampin' Up do a great job of spoiling us and making us feel rather special.  This year it was a surprise destination which turned out to be Parliament House - a very picturesque venue for our evening.  Nibblies, chatting, a presentation and we all went home with a beautiful gift - a brand new stamp set and a handcrafted frame.

* Products, products, products.  We always come home with a bunch of goodies.  This year we all got some stamp sets from the upcoming annual catalogue, and some DSP and fabric.  We could shop in Memento Mall for some goodies like bags and tops and umbrellas and what not.  And of course a highlight is always Prize Patrol time.  We all have a little coloured tag and if yours comes up on the screen you win a prize - forthcoming products.  This year the prizes were GORGEOUS.  I was lucky lucky lucky and won a beautiful butterfly stamp set and the brand new diagonal scoring plate.

* Saturday night is always a sparkly affair.  We all dash off after the general session finishes and get dolled up, then head back for a candle lit dinner.   I think SU dinners are about the only place where I don't feel like a complete dill taking a photo of my dinner - ha ha.  With all those scrapbookers and bloggers there was lots of snap snap snapping. 

* I loved sitting with some of my Think Ink team members (and my roomie Miriam.)  We had such a nice evening.  Don't the flowers look nice. 

Think Ink team pic .....

Waving a hi to Judy, Rachel, Toby and Tina - I loved sharing convention with you this year. 

My roomie Miriam - loved our late night chats. 

* Why else is Convention exciting????  The awards night - yay!   Rather sore hands with all the clapping for demonstrators who received sales, team building, leadership and community contribution awards. 

* I was excited to walk up on stage for a sales award, and for making it to 17th in the Australian Top 25 Demonstrator of the Year awards.  Stoked to see my team member Kylie at 23rd place along with a recruiting award (we gave you a big yay Kylie) and my upline Claire at 19th.  My team mates Genna, Kathryn and Elaine received sales awards too.  Lots of clapping for team members and for all our other demonstrator friends too.  I unloaded my camera and got a nice surprise to find a pic of me flitting across the stage - thanks to my friends who snapped that one!  (Was that you Rachel - thank you.)

* Another reason I LOVE convention is that we hear lots of exciting announcements.  I love hearing where the 2013 Convention and Incentive Trip are going to be held.

Care to join us in Brisbane in 2013?  Start saving, join our team - we'd love to have you along for the fun. 

You might possibly have heard the cheer when they announced that the Incentive Trip for 2013 is to .....

(Or the Stampin' Up mothership as one of my friends called it - ha ha, waving a hi Michelle!)

Lots of people setting goals and making plans to qualify for that one I bet.

Here's a little pic of my awards night loot ......  A big thank you to my lovely lovely customers, class gals and team members who helped me get these. 

Now all that was left was to cram everything back into the bags - yeeks! - and head off to the airport.

I had a fabulous time away but it was very nice to get home again to my gorgeous three.  Recharged, revitalised and ready for a new week.  Funny how a few days away helps us all appreciate each other even more.  A big thanks to John and the kids for jiggling and juggling and making it work for me to be away. 

Now I'd best get to those dishes I think!   Hope you've enjoyed a little snapshot of the Stampin' Up Convention 2012.

Cheers, Sue

It is that time of year again - the annual Think Ink Team Awards where my team celebrates another Stampin' Up year of fun and craft and creating.  Thought I'd share some pics.

I've been enjoying making these cards - saw this idea here  for the lovely background.  I've used Shimmery White cardstock and glued 2 strips punched with the lace ribbon border punch.  Creates a nice embossed look.  Some score lines with the Simply Scored.   Apothecary Art for the floral panel on watercolour paper. Regal Rose, So Saffron and Old Olive for my watercolouring.

Here's some of our 2012 Think Ink Team Awards prizes and certificates. 

(The role of Tina's die box is being played by Sue's die box for the pic - ha ha!)

Congratulations to Kylie, Tina and Rachel for their sales awards, and again to Kylie for her recruiting award, and to Judy - this year's Think Ink rising star award recipient.  Well done ladies!   And congrats to everyone in the crew for another fun year of getting inky.

I CASEd this Constantly Stamping card  to make this one using Bordering On Romance stamp set .....

That test tube used to hold jelly beans.  I washed and kept the tubes after we polished off the jelly beans as they looked so cute.  Actually I bought them especially to repurpose.  Have you ever bought something just for the cute container? 

Have a fabulous weekend. 

Cheers, Sue

Last week 14 lovely ladies joined my sister and I to launch the Autumn Mini Catalogue.  Here's a peek at the make and take projects from the nights.

First up we had a try of the new Labels Framelits plus the coordinating stamp set Apothecary Art.  We had a choice of two patterned papers from the Twitterpated DSP, and a choice of coordinating colours.

All set up ready for some make and take guests .....

Between make and takes, we could make our way along the stations and fill in a little sample sheet - trying out a few other stamp sets that we weren't using in our projects.

Our second make and take featured the Simply Scored to score the folds for our gate fold card, and the lovely combination of Mixed Bunch stamp set and Blossom Punch.

If you were at the launch don't forget to check out this post  for all the lucky winners from the Hostess Rewards Prize Draw. 

If you'd like to share in the Autumn Mini fun - get in touch to book your home workshop.  Taking bookings for May and June.  Or book in for a May class - all the dates and details are here. 

Happy stamping,

Cheers, Sue

We had a fun few nights here in Avondale Heights launching the new Autumn Winter Mini Catalogue.  I've got some pics to share over the weekend but wanted to duck in quickly tonight to announce the winners of the Hostess Rewards Prize Draw.  Everyone who entered the draw picked out a couple of choices for if they won.  Here's our lucky winners for Autumn Launch 2012. 

Drumroll ........

* Hanna chose the Flower Garden Embossing Folder

* Claire chose Sweet Cake stamp set

* Gail chose Simply Soft hostess stamp set

* Anne-Marie chose the new hostess stamp set Pedal Presents

* Val chose the 3/4" Circle Punch

* Ann chose Posy Punch hostess stamp set

and Lesley chose Elebration.

Plus we had 6 door prize winners who selected a prize on the night from our basket.

Congratulations to all of our prize winners and thanks to everyone who came along to launch nights this week and helped make it so much fun.  I really enjoyed celebrating all our new goodies with you. 

Gotta share a quick few pics of my new bag  - no not a handbag, no not a suitcase, it is my new Big Shot Bag!

I do really quite like the dotty lining!

I was joking with my stamping friends that actually I don't really take my Big Shot out very often but I thought once the bag arrived I'd take it for a little walk round the block - ha ha - so this pic is especially for my stamping friends who bring such rich friendships to my life.   :-)  Me and my big shot off for a stroll!

Have a lovely weekend.  I'll pop back in once I unload my camera to share a few more pics from launch nights including our two make and take cards. 

Cheers, Sue

I've got a few spots left for launch nights this Wednesday 18th April and Thursday 19th April, 7.30pm in Avondale Heights if you'd like to check out the fabulous new goodies in the Autumn Winter Mini Catalogue. 

I've been busy putting some little sample packs together for all the launch guests ......

They've got some samples of the beautiful new Designer Series Patterned Paper .....

And some lengths of the lovely new pleated ribbon and bakers' twine, plus a Jelly Bean brad.

Product demonstrations, lots of samples and products to look at, a make and take project and of course some lucky prize draws. 

Phone 0417 377 057 or email [email protected] if you'd like to come along and join the fun.

Cheers,  Sue

I've had a terrific couple of nights celebrating the launch of the Stampin' Up new Idea Book and Catalogue with a bunch of lovely ladies.  Here's some pics from the nights along with something my launch ladies have been waiting to hear - the prize draw winners!

A new catalogue, wish list and goody bag for everyone as they entered.  Congratulations to all our door prize winners.

Everyone was able to check out the new In Colours ....

... and make a little colour chart to take home.

Here's our make and takes ...  (Oops the one on the left had a run in with an ink pad I think - don't mind the little 'extra' black ink there.)

... and people made their way along the kitchen bench stations to try out a few more sets on their sampler card.

 

And we shared some nibblies while voting for our favourite stamp sets, hostess sets and other products.   The voting slips all went into a container.  My Thursday night ladies drew out one winner from Wed night and one from Thurs night.

VOTING SLIP FREE INK PAD PRIZE

Congratulations to .....

Jeanette who has won a Crumb Cake ink pad

and to Tobi who has won a Pool Party ink pad. 

I hope you have lots of fun with your new ink pads ladies.

Now onto the next prizes.

HOSTESS REWARDS PRIZE DRAW

Everyone who ordered got a ticket (or a few) into the prize draw and told me their top 3 hostess set picks.  We have LOTS of winners.  Jack's been very busy drawing out names this afternoon!  

Here goes ....

Julie has won Happy Birthday Wishes

Cecile has won the very popular Faith In Nature

Robyn has won the gorgeous Cheerful Treat Designer Series Paper

Kerri has won Faith In Nature

Crysal has won Happy Birthday Wishes

Val has won Faith In Nature

Gail has won Faith In Nature

Terri has won Simply Soft

Anne-Marie has won Faith In Nature

and Sharron has won the Cheerful Treat Designer Series Patterned Paper

Once we'd drawn the hostess set names there were 2 more names to draw.    These two ladies have the opportunity to order one item at 50% off.  I'll be in touch to check what you'd like.

Congratulations to .....

Michele T and Mel on their 50% off chance. 

Our other ladies in the draw will get a little bag of DSP squares so that we all share in the fun. 

Thanks to everyone who came along and helped join in the fun of launch night, and congratulations to all our prize winners. 

Better finish off with a card.  This is a simple one featuring a stamp set that didn't really appeal to me at first (I won it) until I stamped with it.  Once it hit ink it shot straight to the top of my favourites list.   

 
Stamp Set: Summer Solstice. The greeting is from My Friend.  

Colours:  Night Of Navy, Cajun Craze, More Mustard

Cheers, Sue

Seventeen lovely ladies joined me last night to launch the 2011 2012 Idea Book and Catalogue.  We had a terrific night making a couple of projects, a colour chart, a sampler sheet, and collecting a goody bag.  And having a nibble on some Mars Bar Slice - mmm!  Some lucky ladies won door prizes - congrats.   This evening we're doing it all again.  There's a few spare spots if you'd like to be a last minute addition to the list - we'd love to have you join us.  Email or phone to grab a spot.  We kick off at 7.30pm.

I've got lots of photos to share once launch week comes to a close.  Stay tuned!

Cheers, Sue