Stamp Happy NZ

{We've Moved!}

2008-11-03T17:34:00.001-08:00

Please visit me at www.stamphappy.co.nz.

Site isn't perfect yet, but I think we're good enough I can start directing you there!

{Crazy for Christmas}

2008-11-01T13:43:00.000-07:00

This set has been on my wish list for at least four years, and I just got it! Yep, even the demonstrators have wish lists . . .

I love the unusual Christmas colours in this design, which is Cased off of Tracey-Stamper, a demo in the USA. I also thought it was fun to teach the baby-wipe technique, just something fun and different using supplies you probably already have around.

The trees are coloured in using markers, which are on promotion starting November 10th! Previously, we could only buy either the entire set of else packs of twelve. From Nov 10-31, you can buy singles! Yahoo! The demos are thrilled about this option, too! Please check the promotions page for further information.

{Season of Joy}

2008-11-01T13:38:00.000-07:00

This gorgous card is a take off of one of the many beautiful swaps I received at the Incentive Trip. I must apologize that I cannot give credit at this moment because my little box that had the swaps in there has disappeared into the black hole of my house.

I love to do Christmas projects in something other than the expected colours, and this set, Season of Joy, is such a winner! It's only available for a few more weeks, so grab it now!

{A special message}

2008-09-30T02:54:00.000-07:00

Isn't this beautiful? this is one of the many, many cards I received over the last few weeks (I'll dribble those out to you over time!). I have felt really loved and cherished!

This one is made by my friend and fellow demonstrator Diane who lives in Oamaru. She made this up with a new set (one that might be coming in December?) called Live Your Dream. And she made it with the message that "things are not always black and white".

Thanks, Diane, for taking the time to make me a card!! Lots of love and hugs to you!

{Easy mini Album}

2008-09-23T16:45:00.000-07:00

This is a gorgeous little project shown to Stampin' Up! demonstrators by Carey Cudney at our annual training convention this year. What I love about this is not only is it quick and easy, but it also can be made with just one sheet of 12x12 and a few scraps!

I've presented it here as a small album, but it can easily be a very special card as well, with or without photos. Simply put in sentiments, poetry, stamped images, etc in place of the photos.

Here I have made a little momento to Jared and myself. These photos are some of the shots from when my Dad drove down to both meet Jared for the first time and to take photos for our wedding annoucement. The journaling on the various tags are about the day, the proposal, the significant dates of our engagement, and a few memories. We both looked at those pictures and remarked how young we were! Oh, well, twelve years later we are still together, and that deserves a little celebration, too.

I've used the Le Jardin papers for this project along with the coordinating stamp set - Carte Postale. There is just a few days left for the Free Wheelin' promotion - buy the Carte Postale set and get the Leaves a la Carte wheel FREE! Email me to order before September 30!

{What a beautiful spring gift}

2008-09-11T19:26:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share these lovely freesia with all of my blog readers and customers because they were particularly significant to me. And aren't they beautiful? These were an unexpected gift given to me from a dear customer, and the timing was well-placed to receive such a self-less gift from a fellow sister. We just never know how we may touch others, and I thank Cynthia for reaching out and touching me yesterday.

{My Incentive Trip Swap}

2008-09-10T13:18:00.000-07:00

This is project is one I did last month using a peppermint tea bag. This revision was inspired by my friend, Janine. It's not traditional, but I think with a different sentiment inside, this could be done up for Christmas. You may see this if you are coming to any of my/our Christmas events!

I've used the set called One of a Kind from the Spring Mini Catalogue. Not only is it a great set, but it coordinates with the Boho Blossoms punch, making for quick "cutting out" of those tiny flowers. (many of us used this set for our swaps on the trip, and I think that is why!!)

The colours are inspired by our DSP papers called Berry Bliss. Add a dash of glitter, and I think these can be very Christmas-like.

Now the story on these is: I made up another batch for our Regional Training here in Auckland, which was last Monday. Monday night is traditionally our family night, but because I had the training to do and my husband was leaving that morning for Singapore, we moved our family night to Sunday evening. And mummy realized she still had swaps to finish .. . . so family night became a little Pedersen factory. Hey, my girls are happy to help if I let them use either glitter or snail! So I had to apologize in advance if the ribbon was cut shaggy or pieces a little crooked, as they may have been assembled by Sofie, my six year old! My eight and ten year old daughters are quite exact. Jared also struggle d . . . but I'm not complaining. I am blessed to have a partner who will pitch in and sponge Close to Cocoa on the edges when I need him!

To order yours (project supplies, not husband!), email me today!

{Always Class}

2008-09-04T13:04:00.000-07:00

This is a simple design shown to be my the ever-amazing Pauline in Napier. All you need is a couple of square punches!

I love the colours used here - Soft Sky and Old Olive. However, last night I did up a Christmas version of this card which I will post later on. Quick, easy, what else could we want? (if you want to see the christmas verson now, email me.

This is not actually the project we did in class. Our class project was taken straight off of Splitcoast and shamelessly copied, so I thought I'd add something here that was at least somewhat original!

{Palm Cove swaps}

2008-09-04T12:59:00.000-07:00

I loved these two swaps I received from the Palm Cove Incentive Trip. The first one is by Kelly Bowen, and I just love the clean look and the effective design. I also think the way she's mixed the ribbon colours is clever.

However, because the first project I did for the Always class was in these colours, I wanted to do something different.

The second swap here is by Cheryl Andrews, and her colour combination is just yummy!! So I combined the two . . . .

{My hybrid Always}

2008-09-04T12:51:00.000-07:00

And this is what I came up with! Like it? I love it. I mean, embossed chocolate chip - what could be better than that??

To emboss with your dye ink pads:

Stamp you image in Versamark ink and then into your dye ink. Stamp your image onto Whisper White or Very Vanilla. Cover with embossing powder and heat as normal. I have found that it's best to use our Whisper White or Very Vanilla because they have a very smooth finish, which gives you not only a clear image, but also gives you just one or two more seconds to get that embossing powder on.

Colours here are Groovy Guava, Purely Pomegranate, and Chocolate Chip. The stamp set used is Always and it is $65 for a set of 11 stamps - that's just under $6 per stamp!! Available just until November 31st. You can email me to order your set HERE.

{Palm Cove Group Photo}

2008-08-30T22:26:00.000-07:00

I was very privileged and blessed to be able to go on an all-expenses paid trip to Palm Cove, Australia last week with Stampin' Up! Unlike convention, which was packed full of stamping, scrapbooking, and business ideas and helps, this was trip for mostly relaxing and fun. Jared and I really made the most of our time with no children!

Well, this is the only photo I could scab off of the group ones that have been shared on the net. I might have to send some girls in Australia some chocolates to get a copy of their pics as ours are locked on Jared's phone at the moment.

This was a group photo taken after we had our make and take session. What a fun group of ladies this was! One of the wonderful things about this job is all the women I get to meet along the way.

Thank you all so much for helping me get on this trip, all my customers, hostesses, and stamp club members. If you are considering joining my team as a demonstrator yourself, this all-expenses paid trip is just one of the many, many incentives and perks for the job!

{Showered with Gifts}

2008-08-30T22:22:00.000-07:00

Every day brought a new surprise gift in our rooms. (And roomS is right - we had a three bedroom 2 bath suite!!). I saved the little cards and tags, of course, to show you. So very simple, yet so very beautiful. Really, ladies, if you use beautiful images and beautiful colours, it's easy to create works of art!

I also fell in love with the RIBBON! do you see that?! It's ultra-wide Old Olive ribbon! I'll be hording that, for sure. I might wear it . . . So I asked Aaron, the Australia/New Zealand manager if that was coming, and he said no, it was just a nice ribbon they found to use. I might share a bit of this with my stamp club ladies in the future, but you might have to send me bribes for it.

{Palm Cove Make & Takes}

2008-08-30T22:16:00.000-07:00

I KNOW I must be the very last Aus/NZ demonstrator to publish something about the trip on her blog!! I am about 4 hours at the gym these days in the final weeks before Nationals, so time is limited and precious. And on top of that, neither Jared nor myself can figure out how to get the photos off his phone. Yes, he DOES work for Microsoft . . . . . .

So these are the projects I got to make on the trip with Shelli Gardner, co founder of Stampin' Up!. We were so thrilled to know that we were the first demonstrators to see and use this particular set, Ocean Commotion. Not even the USA has had this one yet. It's nice to know we get a few special privileges here and there, isn't it, New Zealand?

You can look forward to this set and those papers in the next mini catalogue, coming in December.

{Wanted Happy Birthday}

2008-08-30T22:09:00.000-07:00

This card is one that Shelli Gardner, the co-founder of Stampin' Up!, presented to SU demonstrators at our annual convention last April. The entire Boho West series in the current catalogue is really fun and rich, and this project is a quick one that features some of that great style. And let's face it - most guys prefer a simple, straightforward look anyway! If you have a husband who notices when you get a haircut, consider yourself lucky!!

This project featured the Wanted set, one that is much more versatile than might initially appear. I just love the large medallion in this set and the way it works perfectly with the scallop punch. I've also used the Outlaw paper series, perfect for those masculine stamping projects.

A neat technique with this card is setting those new jumbo eyelets. If you have not yet tried the crop-o-dile, it's time you did! People are always so surprised at how EASY it is to set an eyelet using this tool. And the feature that sold me is that it will punch through chipboard and thin metal. Altered tins, here we come!

To order your crop-o-dile, please email me at mail@stamphappy.co.nz

{Father's Day Chocolates}

2008-08-30T21:55:00.000-07:00

This is another project inspired by Shelli Gardner herself! I changed it up just a little bit to accomodate the supplies that I own, but still basically her idea presented to us at the annual Stampin' Up! convention in April in Brisbane.

The idea of the pull-up pouch has been around for donkey's years, and it's a good little template to tuck away in your repetoire! Simply resize it easily to fit whatever you are wrapping up - easy peasy. I've used the Jersey Shore designer series papers here, which features a fun colour combination. Using designer papers makes the colour choice for your projects really easy!

I've also used a big favourite set - one of my best sellers - called All in the Family. This is a super set for scrapbook pages! I've also used the two coordinating sets, Family Phrases and the Accessory set for the words and the flowers. It's a cutie!!

I've also used the small star punch for the added dimension. All projects need 3D - that's one of the things that makes a huge difference between ho-hum and wow! Mention this post to me with your order of the small star punch and I will include a sheet of 100 dimensionals with your order! mail@stamphappy.co.nz

{True Friend Gift}

2008-07-29T02:03:00.000-07:00

New from the Spring Mini - this project features the True Friend stamp set. This is a quick little project that is just enough to make a small gift special. Another great thing about this project is that it smells delicious! (Except to my eldest daughter who helped me put the kits together - she hates mint so much I have to search out special toothpaste for her)

I also wanted to point out what an easy colour combination this is: black, white, + one colour is a winner every time. If ever you are stuck, try it out!

The background here is done with the Boho Backgrounds stamp set and the Signo white gel pen. I know there are cheaper gel pens out there, but I guarantee they are just that - cheaper pens that don't work nearly as well. I love the wow effect it gives here.

The Spring Mini is officially out as of Friday. It can be viewed at http://www.stampinup.com/ or get your FREE copy from me with an order. contact me at mail@stamphappy.co.nz.

{Like it a Latte}

2008-07-29T01:49:00.000-07:00

I love this set!! This is a great one for versatility - my "students" had fun coming up with different drink concoctions for their cards. We even had multi-coloured marshmallows on a few!

And I just adore the colour combination in the Berry Bliss designer papers - Close to Cocoa, Regal Rose, and Purely Pomegranite. Do you think I could get away with doing Christmas cards in this? {smile}

This card layout was inspired by a layout challenge on Splitcoast; it's perfect for a hot drink or a soup mix. Second, one of my customers asked me to show eyelets, so we did SIX on here!

I joke with my girls that I gave them all diet hot chocolate sachets not as a hint, but because they were the only pink ones! A little chocolate makes any project a winner . . .

{Petals & Paisleys}

2008-07-25T12:44:00.000-07:00

This bright notebook was a nice change from my usual style! I picked this up from the $2 shop and just had a play altering the front of it. I've used the Scribble This stamp set and the Petals and Paisleys Designer Series papers here. And then a whole load of ribbon!

If you'd like directions for this notebook, please email me at email@stamphappy.co.nz. The Designer papers used are 13.95 for a pack of 12 double sided and the Scribble This stamp set is 70.95.

{Simply Said}

2008-07-25T01:57:00.000-07:00

This project was a quickie I made up as a housewarming card. This is one of my fool-proof favourite combinations - Mellow Moss, Barely Banana, and Real Red. Love it!

I also wanted to point out the cool way to use the white gel pen here. I've added just a bit in the centre of each of the background flowers - just a small touch to bring some visual dimension. Many times a project just needs a little white to "lift it up". The white gel pen, Whisper White Craft Ink, and just a smidge of Whisper White card are great options.

{Baroque Motifs}

2008-07-20T19:27:00.000-07:00

Could you ever ask for a more beautiful stamp set than this one? I think I've made it my mission to ensure each and every customer of mine possesses this set! I reach for it time and time again. And it's a real bargain at 46.95!

This is a simplified version of a layout I designed for a magazine. To see the original, email me at mail@stamphappy.co.nz. I just love the "fat" ribbon (as Tui named it) - it's really a solid embellishment for a big page like this. And when you know a few tricks to use as little as possible, it's really an inexpensive embellishment as well!

Oh, dear, I've just realized that it's been a good three weeks since my last post! I really haven't been sitting on my thumbs, but admittedly it's this time of year that my head goes a little crazy as I prepare for athletic competitions.

Lots more to come; to be revealed soon!

{eScape Night}

2008-06-28T02:15:00.000-07:00

These are the sweet little cards we did last Wednesday for the eScape event. We had a relaxed night, with little pies and hot chocolate. I set out some samples, the supplies, and the ladies just created with all the goodies.

What a great promotion this is! Offer good through Monday, receive 25% off the products in this bundle! You'll receive the Circle of Friendship set of eight, the 1 1/4 inch circle punch, and a set of 20 love notes in both Very Vanilla and Whisper White with matching envelopes for $69.11! Please see the promotions page for more details. To order your set before this offer ends, please email me at stamphappy@xtra.co.nz.

{Priceless Double Pocket Card}

2008-06-23T13:37:00.001-07:00

I LOVE this fun way to make a double pocket card. This project uses a single sheet of 12x12 double sided paper, and then just a few bits for stamping and layering.

We made two tags to fit inside this sample, but gift vouchers & chocolate would also fit nicely! The stamp set used here is Priceless and the paper series is FAll Flowers. Stampin Up's papers this year are 13.95 for a pack of 12 double sided 12x12's! That's a fantastic deal! To order your pack of Fall Flowers, please contact me at stamphappy@xtra.co.nz.

The jumbo eyelet was set using the cropodile, another wonderful tool. This allows you to set eyelets with virtually no effort and no noise at all. To order yours, please contact me today.

{Bodacious Fun Fold}

2008-06-23T13:32:00.000-07:00

Sometimes all it takes to jazz up a relatively simple design is a unique fold. I don't know what the stamping world calls this, but I've named it the Z fold.

This is a simple card that can be done with any stamp set and any colour combination - an easy layout for any ocassion.

This sample uses Bodacious Bouquet, one of my favourite sets!

Please check my July class schedule. Class requests can be submitted at stamphappy@xtra.co.nz

{Took a week off}

2008-06-18T23:50:00.001-07:00

I have been having a lovely week's vacation in Rotorua, so no postings this week! I have fought with the hotel cables and my computer, and they won; I cannot get my own computer to hook up to the internet. So, sadly, the stacks of work I brought to do has to wait another week. I am on a hotel computer and therefore cannot even upload a photo with this posting.

Oh, well, it forced me to put my feet up. I've eaten like a pig and watched many movies this week; it's been great! :) My mother and stepfather have been here with me, and I will miss them very much. My girls love them and they both know how to be so utterly helpful. I told my mother she is my little fairy that follows behind and does all the cooking, dishes and laundry. It'd be so easy to get used to that! I think she might wonder what we eat when she's not here.

Got Kjirsti's baptismal dress done. Whew! Just have to put the flowers on it, but I think I am going to go the lazy way and use fabric glue for that. . .

Thanks, Rotorua, for the great week off. How many more weeks until I get to go to Palm Cove now? Am I spoiled or what?!

{A Priceless Thought}

2008-06-11T23:08:00.001-07:00

This is a sweet surprise I found in my mailbox one day recently from a team member. Just to say thanks.

Which is so very, very thoughtful.

This month's promotion focuses on sending handmade cards to those we love, which I feel is such a nice message to all of us. We all love to be thought of, to be cherished a little, and to be remembered.

{Mother's Day}

2008-06-11T23:00:00.000-07:00

These are the beautiful cards my daughters made for me for Mother's Day. I believe my dear friend Caroline helped with one of these.

These are the things we treasure at the end of our lives. I believe there will always be a place for hand-made cards and hand-written notes of love.

Thanks, girls, for your devotion.

{Ahoy Matey!}

2008-06-04T20:38:00.000-07:00

I love this stamp set! I bought it for my daughter's fifth birthday party, which she insisted on having a pirate party (go figure). Anyway, I adore this set and the matching map wheel. This card is inspired by Debbie Olsen.

This features another colouring technique - this one uses the watercolour crayons. And that mat pack is excellent for the stitched look!

The sentiment, the birthday stamp, is on promotion this month. It comes in a product bundle at 25% off. You get the Circle of Friendship stamp set (set of eight), the 1 1/4 inch punch, and a love notes pack for $69.11! Please see the Specials and Promotions page for further details.

Many thanks to Jenny who showed me an even better way to tie the ribbons! It worked really well for this project and my ladies here in Auckland were sold on it! To find out more, send me an email!

{Summer by the Sea Watercolours}

2008-06-04T20:29:00.000-07:00

This is a beautiful project inspired by Kelly Lunceford, but quite a bit was changed. The papers are from Spring Silhouettes, and aren't they beautiful? The technique we did in this class was the watercolouring I referred to that we learned at convention - watercolouring with markers. This was such a revelation to me! I did not write down the lady's name who showed us this, but I thank her very much!

I believe it's rather important that you use watercolour paper instead of the normal stamping paper for this technique. What a great way to get more mileage out of your markers and to achieve some different effects with the supplies you may already have. And many, including myself, find this way of watercolouring far easier than traditional methods.

To order the markers or any other supply or for any questions on this technique, please email me at stamphappy@xtra.co.nz.

{From a dear lady}

2008-06-02T21:59:00.000-07:00

One of my dear team members, Pauline,

made me this darling little scrapbook. The story behind it is it's a wee photo album of the flowers and roses from the Stampin Up convention, which we sadly had to leave behind in Australia. Isn't she so thoughtful to find such a clever way to preserve those award flowers for me? It's things like this that make me so grateful to have a job that allows me to meet people such as Pauline.

And on top of that, isn't the little album great? It's made from a single sheet of 12x12 (excluding embellishments). I will make a note to have a class or a tutorial on this sometime. If you would like me to show you how and make this with me, please email me at stamphappy@xtra.co.nz to schedule a time.

{Pick a Dragonfly}

2008-05-27T22:57:00.000-07:00

Isn't this a gorgoues project? I can take no credit here; this was done by a lovely demonstrator in Australia and shown during Convention. I just had a fairly blurry photo taken off of the screen to work with, but I think this is a pretty good replication.

But it did take me innumerable amount of tried to get that ribbon wrapped so I was satisfied. Maybe if the original designer reads this, she'll send us some tips.

This dragonfly is made using the Pick a Petal stamp set and the So Swirly Jumbo Wheel. We're doing embossing resist and tone on tone resist in this project.

{A Crayon Resist Project}

2008-05-27T22:53:00.000-07:00

For my May Stamp Clubbers, we're doing reisist techniques. I had a number of requests for Crayon Resist - a very easy and cheap technique using white crayons. Many of you did this technique at Extravaganza, but here's another colour combination and layout using the same idea.

Please email me for directions on this technique if you have not yet tried it!

To join my monthly stamp club or to start one in your area, please email me at stamphappy@xtra.co.nz. If you are not in the Auckland area, I can put you in touch with a demo near you on my team or we can work together through the mail.

{Blossoms Abound}

2008-05-27T22:46:00.000-07:00

I thought this was such an old-fashioned set when I first saw it, but I think I'm in love! this is a relatively simple card, but the effects of the two-step stamping are just stunning. What an easy way to create a beautiful work of art! What clever ladies they are - whomever it is who designs these things.

The first time my busines partner and I used this set, it was on accident (email me if you want the story), and done in green. She still swears these are not flowers, but grapes. But done in purple, I swear they are hydrangeas! But really could be anything with the right colours. Except maybe a bar of chocolate.

Love the photo corner punch! Quick and easy way to add that extra something to an empty corner.

Blossoms Abound is a set of seven for 53.95. The My Friend stamp across the bottom is included in the set. stamphappy@xtra.co.nz to order

{Pretties Page}

2008-05-25T19:49:00.000-07:00

This was tremendously fun; I think those scrapbookers out there have drawn me into their fold. No looking back now!

This page is simple, yet full of fine detail. We played with the Pretties Kit, a fun, fun, fun embellishment kit found on page 144 of your Idea Book & Catalogue. 390 pieces to this kit - that's just 17 cents per piece.

We played with the hat pins and the beads, both pearls and the crystal-looking ones. The tafetta ribbon is also a RICH look, a ribbon that looks very much like silk.

But the really fun part of the class was dying those flowers! Can you see how beautifully those hydrangeas match the Almost Amethyst layout? I had one lady, Judy (see her blog listing ont the left) dye her flowers both yellow and pink, and the result was just stunning.

We also learned how to stamp the Lovely Letters straight! Now that's always a challenge for any stamper, but with a few tips, it's nearly foolproof.

Stamp sets used: Lovely Letters Alphabet set of 30 91.95 and Baroque Motifs set of six 46.95. To order these stamps or any other supplies, please email me at stamphappy@xtra.co.nz. To set up a scrapbooking or stamping class in your area with either me or a local demonstrator, please email at the same address.

PS That fat, adorable girl in the photo is now SIX . . . & still adorable.

{Ladybug}

2008-05-15T00:20:00.000-07:00

This is one of the projects I used during my presentation at the Australia/New Zealand Stampin Up Convention in Brisbane last month.

I've done this with a number of groups, and each one has gotten better and better at the technique. Or someone has gotten better at explaining it . . .anyway, it's a really neat way to use Stampin Up's wonderful range of punches. Learning new techniques with your basic tools gives you better value for money when you do make a purchase. This is one reason why having a Stampin Up demonstrator is beneficial - she should be teaching you new ways to use both new products and the ones you have already purchased from her.

The very adorable ladybug stamp is a tiny one in the Garden Whimsy set. We did a birthday card in Chocolate Chip and Certainly Celery with this set (scroll down to see) earlier, and achieved a very different look!

The scallop at the bottom of the Whisper White piece was done using the corner rounder punch. Karen gave us a very helpful tip when doing this technique at my Wednesday's class. Please email to learn how to make the scallop and to find out Karen's tip at stamphappy@xtra.co.nz.

To schedule a class to learn this card and other techniques, or to order any of the products used, please email me at stamphappy@xtra.co.nz.

{Madeleine's Gifts}

2008-05-14T23:18:00.000-07:00

These are some fun creations made by my eldest daughter for some of her friends. We scrounged up a few bits and pieces for the girls to make them each up a fun pack.

Madeleine had a good time making these up, and the girls receiving them were SO excited!!

Rubber stamping is a hobby not just for mothers and grandmothers - the younger lot enjoy it immensely.

Please contact me for birthday party workshops (ages 8 and up) or for some fun ideas to do on your own. stamphappy@xtra.co.nz

{Stamp Club Mother's Day}

2008-05-05T20:44:00.000-07:00

This was a fun design that gave Mother a bookmark with her card. We also used the new Palette O Prints (see promotions page) with this one. I love Almost Amethyst!

The stamp set is Oh So Lovely, a beautiful one that is available to hostesses. If you'd like to earn this stamp set for free, please contact me about hosting a workshop or class, my home or yours. You may also have a catalogue party if a class or workshop is not suitable.

Now the real question is: will I get this in the mail to my mothers in time? :)

{Mother's Day with Shelli's card}

2008-05-05T20:41:00.000-07:00

This is a card that Shelli Gardner showed us during convention; it's gorgeous. I really loved the cool technique she showed us, but most of my ladies were too chicken to spray their paper with water! It was beautiful no matter which way it as done.

Please contact me for details on my stamp club - I have one starting in May and need a few more people.

{Spring Break Page}

2008-04-24T17:54:00.000-07:00

Due to personal guilt (motivation) and customer demand, I am now hurdling my fear of scrapbooking! My honest reaction is that I find scrapbooking intensely satisfying and thoroughly enjoying it!! Thanks for the kick in the pants, everyone!

I will hold a scrapbooking page class the third Wednesday of each month at 7:30. Cost is $10; prestamped kits are $10 and don't inlcude the 12x12 sheet as it costs $4 to post. I figured it was cheaper for you to buy a mixed pack of 12x12 yourself than to pay for postage one by one.

When I sat down to do this page, I had all the colours, the layout, and the stamps all set out and a plan in my head of exactly what I would do. I set the timer for 1 hour so I could finish it and then go pick feijoa's with my girls. Well, four hours later . . . . this is what I ended up with. Different colours, different stamps, and a modified layout. I'm sure this happens to all scrappers. . . call it creative process.

This layout uses the Wanted set, one that I love. It's so versatile, with masculine and cute possibilities. I thought it was just the thing for the photo with my three babies in jeans.

Now the next step I need to take is get all of my photos out of boxes and FIND and ORGANIZE! I know I'm not the only one with piles of photos . . .

{Simple Petal Prints}

2008-04-18T03:56:00.000-07:00

Last night I had the opportunity to share my passion for stamping and papercrafts with a lovely group of ladies at church. We had a nice lesson about visiting and caring for those around us, and then ended the evening making a couple of projects that could be used as gifts for those whom we visit.

The birthday bagalope was a quick and easy project made from one simple envelope. And then I did this more mature card. I kept it very simple as most had never stamped before. And everyone was successful, even the lady who forgot the stamp part and tried to make her images by just putting the ink pad on top of her card! And I hope she's not reading this!! :)

Petal Prints is a must-have for those who enjoy making truly sophisticated projects.

{In the Spotlight}

2008-04-17T23:45:00.000-07:00

Well this may turn out to be one of my favorite sets! I had a little play with it when designing this card and was really pleased.

This particular sample is not what I would consider up to scratch, but I had extemely limited time that day and couldn't redo. Lucky for me my ladies are sympathetic and very creative - I just give them a general idea, the tools, and they can run with it.

It may not show in the photo very well, but the images are all sparkled up. If you want to know how I got that "cool" multi-toned look on the red, email me! And I'll pretend it wasn't a mistake.

Love the new sentiments set!

In the Spotlight Free with qualifying workshop

{Froggy Pop-Up}

2008-04-17T23:03:00.000-07:00

I thought this one was different from the first, but when I worked it out, it was just a different version of the same thing! Oh, well, the ladies got to solidify how this template worked then.

This frog set is the perfect one for pop-up cards, so I had to use it somehow. I kept the designs simple so we could focus on the template. And kid cards may as well be quick and easy anyhow.

So I learned some great watercolour techniques this last weekend at convention . . . . this is not an example of that! That's still to come.

I was really sad when the little background sets were discontinued in March, but I think I like this new set even better!!

Unfrogettable stamp set

Sprinkles stamp set for the background

{Convention 2008!}

2008-04-17T22:53:00.000-07:00

We had lots of fun for the 2008 Stampin Up Convention in Brisbane last weekend! Perhaps you have already read highlights from other blogs - I've had a super hectic week and am just now sitting down to the computer. Ah, why do we do these things to ourselves?

My personal highlight of the weekend was the time I got to spend with Shelli Gardner and her sweet mother. I know the reason they have been so successful - they are top-quality women who have integrity through and through. They see the big picture, the grand picture of life, and take their roles in life in divine perspective. What an inspiration of humanity they are. I am proud to be a part of their company.

I had the honour of being asked to represent New Zealand in giving a presentation of Wow techniques to the convention. I found it rather amusing when several Australian girls told me I had a very unusual Kiwi accent!

We learned so much over the weekend, both creatively and business-wise. My team and I earned some awards, flowers, and cash prizes, but really, the most important thing to share with the world is how much I love the creative people in my life - both my team members and my customers. These are the reasons I keep going, keep working, and stay inspired.

Thank you all for being part of my life.

{Happy Birthday}

2008-04-02T05:21:00.000-07:00

Happy first Birthday to Stampin Up! We had our birthday party tonight. We made two birthday cards, had cake, and a silly party game.

Congratulations Karen for winning our scavenger hunt!

So my girls have to go to bed before class starts. And I thought it would have been rather mean of me to ask them to decorate this birthday cake and then not let them have a piece. But I should have taken the picture before they had their share; didn't think of it.

Just for Anne I made a mocha cake using coffee essence. thanks again, Rachael, for that little treasure. Now, can you round me up some pizza essence?

{Garden Whimsy}

2008-04-02T05:15:00.001-07:00

So it might have been a stretch to call this a birthday card, but it was good enough! This card was *strongly* inspired by my all-time favorite artist, kelly Lunceford. She's just incredible. Of course I don't have all the goodies she does in the USA, so I fiddled and came up with this anyway.

Garden Whimsy is a new set this year for us, and I do like it. Everyone just fell in love with it tonight. Except maybe Tui.

I never did sell her the chicken set, either.

Did you see the price of the designer series papers in the catalogue?

{Eat Cake}

2008-04-02T05:09:00.000-07:00

This is one we did about a year ago, but I love it. And most everyone who's made this card loves it. Aren't we lucky to have such a company with such gorgeous colours?!

This stamp set, Eat Cake, is such a great one to use. Many of the images use the two step stamping, making it easy to creat multi-coloured images without colouring!

Now all three of my girls were born about the same time of year, and I would think with three girls I would be making items like this. But no, my little one can't decide if she wants a bug party or a pirate one . . .

{A Fun Box}

2008-03-31T03:41:00.001-07:00

This box was strongly inspired by one that Tracee Jones made. I only saw it briefly, so I'm sure it's not an exact copy. But what I do remember is all the fun flowers all over it. This is my version anyway.

I feel so lucky to have such creative ladies all around me, from team members to my customers and friends across the world via the internet. Ahh, so inspiring, so intimidating, and so uplifting!

This box uses Bodacious Bouquet, my favorite set from the 07/08 catty.

{My new favorite set}

2008-03-31T03:32:00.000-07:00

Wowza!! Hard to go wrong with this stunner!! I think this has got to be the best set in the new catalogue - Baroque Motifs. A must-have, in my opinion.

Groovy Guava is also a must!

Do you have your new Idea Book & Catalogue yet?

{Bud Basics Box}

2008-03-31T03:28:00.000-07:00

Say that three times fast.

It's the colour combo we all hated at first, but fell in love with after the Crab card we did last November - Cool Carribean and Old Olive. It was Anne who added the Blush and Kraft, and what a great combo it is!

Love this box!! Easy template and fast from start to finish. So easy that I think every child at my church made these!

Love the Bud Basics and really pleased it's in the new catty!! And what a great value at 39.95!!

{Rock and Roll Postale}

2008-03-31T03:23:00.000-07:00

One last hurrah with these papers before they retired today . . .

I did hate the birds for a good long time, but I think I like them now. All the ladies up north liked him or her. We couldn't decide if it was a dove or a swallow. And I have absolutely no idea. If it were white, it would be a dove. But since it's a mix of pale and perfect plum, could be a woodpecker for all I know.

I look forward to a full year of playing with this set!

{Simple Postale}

2008-03-31T03:20:00.000-07:00

This is one of the most elegant cards I've ever had the pleasure of copying off of another, more talented artist. Gorgeous.

What a beatiful set.

{Easter Biscuit Jars}

2008-03-31T01:24:00.000-07:00

Well, the promised peeps never arrived . . . still I have not yet received them! So we modified the project and came up with a good alternative. I'm sure you've all done this kind of thing - layering the ingredients and then attaching the finishing recipe.

We had fun crushing and pounding that night! Tui swiped a stamp set from elsewhere and ended up making something totally different, which is her style. My version here is rather ho-hum, but I think everyone else's turned out really great. But this is the general idea anyway.

I took mine to a lady named Margaret. The story is: I was looking all over the place for inexpensive canning jars for this class. My good friend from church suggested I look in the paper, which I did and was so lucky to find Margaret selling the jars for 30 cents. I sent my husband over to get them, and he came back just gushing about how wonderful Margaret and her husband were and that I really needed to go and visit them. I'm not particularly shy, but that did seem a bit overly-overt to pop in and visit someone because they sold you some jars out of trade and exchange.

So on Easter evening, we were driving back from a wonderful musical presentation, and I still had this Easter cookie jar in my hands, so we decided to actually stop in at this couple's house and give them back one of the jars and show them what I did with them. And wow, were they so warm and nice! I felt like my girls just met Grandma! I have never met two people so kind, friendly, and inviting in my life. Goes to show, blessings are all around and come in the most unusual ways.

I have since had a call from Margaret, and I think we shall be friends for a good long time.

{Bunny Hugs}

2008-03-12T19:46:00.001-07:00

Happy Easter!! This season seems more festive to me than Christmas in New Zealand because it's becoming cooler. I guess coming from the Northern Hemisphere, it's the winter season that speaks holidays to me.

I found this adorable card on SCS, and although it's simple and quick, it features some cool techniques.

And I love this little basket template! So easy and cute. I went with the covered little candy bars because I couldn't find pastel eggs anywhere here. The story is, I made some of these up for my Monday class, had them for the display, and by Wednesday's class, the chocolates had mysteriously disappeared. None of my children fessed up so far, but I thought I'd better grab a photo of this before the neighbor kid ate them again.

The papers used here are Loves Me, available until the end of March 19.95 for a set of 12 double sided. And the stamp set is Bunny Hugs, also available just until the end of March and is 39.95 for a set of six.

2008-03-05T19:07:00.000-08:00

Don't you love this colour combination?!

March is the time for the retired list to come out (please see my promotions page) in preparation for our NEW catalogue releasing April 1st. It's the last chance to buy many of the wonderful images, colours, papers, and accessories!! And it's only until supplies last, so best to get those orders in early.

The image on this card is from Nice and Narrow. I chose this one because 1) I've always loved this set 2) It's retiring and last chance to use it and 3) I knew some of my ladies didn't want to do baby cards, so I chose a set where it was easy to just swap out for another image. (BTW, they used the flower; the Christmas tree didn't appeal either, for some reason).

This particular set is very easy to work with because the images are so "big" . . . . your card is practically finished! Also about a 30 second colouring - in job as well. The scalloped edge is acheived by using our Corner Rounder, a fabulous little tool . . . that is also on the retired list. We don't know why or what else is coming out, but I suggest you order one before they are gone!

To order this set, please email me at stamphappy@xtra.co.nz. Please also see my promotions page for further offers on your orders. I am in the last few weeks of qualifying for an all-expense paid trip to Australia, and any order helps!

Thanks for all your support and kind enthusiasm; it's the lovely ladies out there in New Zealand that make this job so fun.

2008-03-05T17:58:00.000-08:00

Another little project using one of my favorite sets, A Little Love. And too bad this one is retiring as well! This particular set is really great value - 12 stamps for only 39.95! That's only 3.33 per stamp, which is a value I don't think you'd find even at the Warehouse. And not to mention quality . . .

I love the little images in this one. You can see here that I've omitted the words, giving the set more flexibility. Again, not everyone wanted to do a baby-themed card, but they still had eleven other images from which to choose.

The papers here are our Designer Series Papers called Sarah. They, too, will no longer be available after March 31 (or possibly even before that if supplies run out). I adore these colours and these prints, all easily slotting to either masculine or feminine.

To order any of the above products, please email me at stamphappy@xtra.co.nz.

The stamped stitching was still a little scary for some of my ladies, but I think most gave it a shot! No one cried and nobody was hurt; it's not so hard!

The fun fold is credited to SCS'er Cami, called the Triangle Tri-Fold. I love it - easy and fun.

2008-03-05T17:52:00.000-08:00

Well, if you've wondered why the blog has been quiet, here's my excuse!

I left all the world behind and spent four days in paradise with my husband. No kids! And wow, it was unbelieveable.

You and I are so lucky to live here in New Zealand, just a hop away from such fairylands as this. There is just nothing like this in my homeland; itwas truly a daydream.

We sort of missed our children . . . I was literally feeling quite sad to get on that plane to come home. Just one more day, I said!

By the way, I would normally never wear a bikini in public. (Okay, with one exception for those who know me well). But as the story goes, I forgot to pack both the camera and a swimsuit. So this little Tempting Turquoise number was only $10, so I said for the next for days, I'll wear it.

Oh, we are so lucky to live in such a beautiful world.

{Friendship Blooms Milk Carton}

2008-02-19T15:43:00.000-08:00

This last week we made two milk cartons, a very FUN twist on the standard box. The template is quite easy, just a few extra diagonal creases to make this unique top.

This one uses the Soft Subtles colour range and two of the Saleabration sets, Freindship Blooms and Lots of Thoughts, both of which can be earned for FREE with a qualifying order.

The great thing about this flower is that it's so easy to cut out. I've added some accents with a white gel pen and one of the flowers from the Spring Bouquet punch.

Lots of Thoughts is really versatile because you can use your Stampin Up! markers to use just portions of each stamp, as shown in this sample. Hurry! These are only available until the end of February!

{Sweet Chocolate Chip}

2008-02-19T15:30:00.000-08:00

I love this set!! So cute and versatile, and I love the quick use of the circle punches for fast and easy projects. I created the multi-coloured image with this set by using our Stamin Up! Markers. When used with our Whisper White card, it's easy to achieve a perfect image.

And isn't that white gel pen great?

In my head, the original design was to use just the real red grosgrain, but when I put it on, it was so crooked, I had to add the chocolate chip to even it out!!

The background is done with the Little Pieces set, another little winner for all sorts of accents.

{My Valentine's Day}

2008-02-19T15:19:00.000-08:00

I got such nice feedback from some of my ladies about the reaction of the recipients of their altered heart boxes! It's those kinds of things that make all our time ane efforts worth it.

I made mine to give to Tui, my dear friend and a special member of my Stampin Up! team. She gives of her time and talents to everyone around her so cheerfully. We all love her so much.

I made this box with her in mind, that's why mine was a bit more girly. We filled it with some of her favorite things - pumpkin seeds, butterscotch chips, cranberries, cashew, yogurt covered raisns, and my special Christmas cookies (that are carefully rationed and a top secret recipe. Only clever ones can figure it out with the first bite. If you join my team, I'll make you some. :) I also added two ghiradelli chocolates that were sent over from my friend, Melinda, as a gift to me for Christmas. I decided she woudn't mind if I shared a couple with Tui!

I had my three daughters make Tui some cards, as you can see. Madeleine fussed and fiddled, as is her style and it took her several hours to put her creation together. Kjirsti whipped hers up and stuck a "Tui" bird from the Loves Me papers on the front. Sofie carefully wrote out a special message with a lift-up flap inside her card. Can you read what she wrote?? Under the flap she's written "I love you" in the tiniest of letters.

I got a 90 minute massage as a gift, so I was happy about that!

{Altered Heart Box}

2008-02-11T19:13:00.000-08:00

Oh, I love these papers! With such a good mix, you can get either bold and fun or fun and chocolately . . .

We altered these cool heart boxes without much fiddling - it was easier than it looks - this week. We've used the Loves Me papers from the Summer Mini Catalogue, and even altered them a bit. The stamp set is called Love Matters, which is a gorgous set, particularly this Friends one on the top of my sample. It's designed for lots of embellishment possibilities. This is a huge set of 12 for 63.95 - only 5.33 per stamp!! Loves Me Designer Series paper is a set of 12 double sided scrapbooking papers for only 19.95 - also a very good value.

I must ethically note that the heart brad used here is not Stampin Up!, but a non-brand of eyelet that I have lots of in my stash. I thought they were perfect for this project and now they are nearly used up, so mission accomplished!

Now I was so surprised the ladies didn't make more pink boxes, but then realized quickly that was because they were making them for guys! Here are some photos of what the Monday class came up with. I'm curious to hear about how they were received and what treasures they put inside. . . .

I made mine more girly and put Friends on top because I made this box for someone in particular (not my husband - for some reason he's not particularly thrilled to get class leftovers).

{Sweet on You Double Bag}

2008-02-04T19:13:00.000-08:00

Great pattern for a great stamp set! These double pocket bags are quick to put together and a fun twist on the ordinary. My dear friend Rachael gave some of these to my three daughters for Christmas, and we fell in love with them. A notebook and pen tucked in one side, and a bag of nuts in the other.

I've done this up with our designer series papers, Loves Me, which are only available through March. You can see how the double sided paper makes a richer bag with a printed inside, just like an expensive coat. Or cool jeans.

All images are from Sweet on You, one of the stamp sets in the Summer Mini Catalogue. These set is perfect for Valentine's, but definately not limited to Valentine's! Can you see how I've chopped and changed the images to make the stamps more versatile?

{Olive You}

2008-02-04T19:09:00.000-08:00

This little set is often looked over, but I really like it. I love how the stamp and font are designed to stamp; if you could see this up close you'd see what I mean. It sort of looks printed on and has a cool visual texture to it.

I decided our second Valentine project would be more kid-oriented since we already do so much for our girly-friends and lots of florals year round. However, these images certainly don't need to be limited to children; I think they are adorable myself! And also not limited to Valentine's Day, either! We should say olive you more than we do. In fact, I don't think I've ever said it. . .

I've copied an old, old card pattern and just updated the colors and the images on it. This Valentine folds up and flips open when it's pulled out of the envelope. It's very adorable and with a dash of glitter, perfect for a fun-loving person of any age.

{Munch Love}

2008-02-04T19:00:00.000-08:00

I've been giving myself personal challenges lately, and this one was to do a masculine valentine AND use Bold Brights. Which are great, but just not my usual style. It's good to branch out and try and work with something a little different.

And, my goodness, this one took lots of throwing away and starting over! But the end result is fun and passed my husband's test of "Is this okay to give to a guy?"

Treat Yourself is a great stamp set! We've made some really fun stuff with this one - all the elements piece together to make coffee/hot chocolate mugs, jelly bean containers, peanuts, easter egg basket, shopping bag, and so on! I've even seen the popcorn bag turned upside down and made to look like hair! Great value for such a big and versatile set.

We did a fair bit of embossing on this one to get those white accents to really pop out. And what fun the popcorn was! Some of us like lots of butter and some of us made a more healthy version with just a dab. And some of us don't get butter at all . . . . ever . . . . .

I have just one kit leftover from the classes and the email class, so let me know asap if you want it! $6 with postage and includes the popcorn. Or the kit is free when you order the set (which also gets you nearly to a FREE Sale-a-bration set as well!)

{One week of My Life}

2008-01-23T19:36:00.000-08:00

As I mentioned to some of you, I spent the last week or so cleaning (shoveling?) out my craft room. I even moved the furniture to vacuum! I found some treasures doing that.

Anyway, every time I walk in there, I just smile. I'm posting pictures to share my smiles anyway.

I should have taken a before so you could see how mess I get when I work. Suffice it to say that it's a completely different room now.

Do you like how much paper I have? And do you think there's any danger of having to make a card without ribbon?

I LOVE it!

{If He Gives You a Hard Time}

2008-01-23T19:33:00.000-08:00

If and when the day comes your significant other gives you a hard time about how many stamps you own, show him this:

Poor Jared.

And I mean that literally.

{Big Blooms Goes Little}

2008-01-23T19:05:00.001-08:00

Another personal challenge! I picked out a color that I don't normally use (can you guess which one?) and then randomly picked other colors to go with it. I like how it turned out; do you?

Ever since I saw this set, I've wanted to shrink it down!

Big Blooms is in the Summer Mini catalogue, so it's only available until the end of March. The sentiment inside is from Lots of Thoughts, another one of the free Saleabration sets! That one is a set of six and each stamp has four sayings on it, making it a real winner!!

The swirls in the background are from Friendship Flowers, another free Saleabration set! Gotta have them all!

{Shake Your Birthday}

2008-01-23T18:53:00.000-08:00

This card was a personal challenge - not colors I would normally pick out to use together, but decided I was going to use a blue! I like how it turned out. I borrowed the layout from one card, the colors from another, changed the dimensions a bit, and then added the shaker element. So thanks to all those crafty ladies out there who let me borrow bits and pieces off of them!

This card features that very cool and fun shaker pocket with clear microbeads. We popped up the center gift so the beads sort of catch on it, adding a visual interest.

This set is one of the Saleabration sets, one of the free ones during January and February with any qualifying order or workshop! This is truly the best sale Stampin Up! has during the year - take advantage!!

And also a great time to sign up or to buy the starter kit! Not only is it 10% off, but you also get to pick any set out of the catalogue for free up to $95!

Don't you love that new wide ribbon? It's in the Summer Mini Catalogue.

2008-01-16T17:33:00.000-08:00

I have missed writing on here, so this is just a small update.

I've been busy cleaning out my house, room by room. About 1/3 done . . . my craft room alone took four days. and my children's rooms took seven garbage bags. How sad! Ah, well, something always gives in life and for me it's been the housework in the last year.

So last night we had an nontraditional class, more of a party, really. I had my living room covered in my off-casts from my craft room. We played three games and had one card challenge.

For the challenge, I gave each guest a bag of my stamped scraps and let them make something. Oh, the complaining!!I let my two youngest daughters pick the winner, and Nadine who used a butterfly image, won the show. Appropriately, she won Reason To Smile, a hostess set featuring a butterfly! Nobody wanted to take any of the leftovers home, and some even left their works or art behind. Now that's never happened before . . .

We also played a technique matching game, which Rachael won hands down. Those who have attended my classes for a long while were at an advantage on that one. Rachael won a $10 gift voucher.

Next we did a silly party game where we passed around a goody bag with a silly story. Anne-Marie got that little prize.

And last, I stamped out a sheet of paper with various images from various stamp sets. Name the stamp set. It proved to be quite difficult. Many were glad Tui was not there to compete with them. Eventually I gave everyone a catty to look at. Rachael beat the clock on that one and won a treat pouch with Jolly Ranchers. Wasn't she so nice to share with everyone?

{A Gift for my Stamping Team}

2008-01-09T09:47:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it's been a month since I've posted!

Well, we've been busy, busy, busy preparing Extravaganza for you, so there's been no slacking off here.

These are some shots of the little Christmas treats I made for my team this year. I used two of the Sale-A-Bration sets (you know, the ones you can get for FREE during January and February) to make the cards.

The "ice cream bar" is actually white chocolate with a raspberry truffle inside. They looked so adorable and so YUMMY, I picked them up a while ago with this project in mind. (I said they looked yummy. No, I didn't eat one. I have to be very, very good) I took the ugly wrappers off and re-wrapped them in clear cellophane and tied with a ribbon - easy!

If you join my team, you too could get a white chocolate raspberry truffle.

That's my husband and my middle daughter asking me if there were any leftovers . . . .

{A Little Flip Book}

2007-12-11T01:06:00.001-08:00

I do love how these turned out. I wanted to do one in another set of papers, but you know how those other things like children and sleeping get in the way of all the things we want to do.

This book was designed by one of my favorite artists, Taylor Van Breuger. I've switched it around a bit to fit what we were doing. The words are from Carte Postale and the flowers are from Both Way Blossoms. Some of the ladies used Easy Elegance, a new set from the summer mini, and that looked equally as great.

I'm teaching this class again tonight, so I may put some more pics up of this idea, especially if we do end up using other papers. My supply of Recollections Designer Series Paper is dangerously low. You wouldn't know I'd run out of anything from the amount of supplies crammed into my craft room.

{Late, Late Thanksgiving post}

2007-12-11T00:58:00.000-08:00

These are the little notebooks I made up for my girls for Thanksgiving. Scroll down to see the female adult ones I made. I don't know where my husband put his "male" notebook - probably buried in his briefcase or in, on, or under his desk at work. It may be next Thanksgiving before it surfaces again.

These were made using a set from the USA catalog, which may be retired now, called Fall Whimsy. This is the best Autumn set, in my opinion. I just love the feel of it - not too stuffy and also not too juvenile. Love the swirly design. I do have one brand new set of Fall Whimsy that I've put on TradeMe periodically. I still have it if anyone is interested.

{THE Triange Box}

2007-12-11T00:46:00.000-08:00

All credit for this template goes to Anabel, who needs no introduction because I think everyone knows Anabel. At least, everyone I've ever met in New Zealand knows Anabel.

She made us an adorable box like this using Tempting Turquoise for a swap we did a few months back, and I just had to copy the template. SO very, very easy and fast. In fact, so easy that Tui and Lissa taught this box to the children at church last week! Don't you just love the unusual shape? Perfect for a Christmas tree, I thought.

I've use the double sided Stampin Up Christmas Papers, Holiday Thyme here. So the inside is a cool print as well. I put the "louder" print on the inside for a fun WOW when the box is opened. The stamp set is Solemn Stillness. We've used just a portion of the sentiment here, giving more flexibility to the set. Plus, that's what would fit, so there you go.

{Bashful Holiday Box}

2007-12-11T00:33:00.000-08:00

This is my favorite box template. If you took my class at senz south or made the baby shower boxes with me nearly 2 years ago now, you'll recognize this one. It's the same design - just jazzed up differently. This is made out of an A4 sheet of card with no tracing and cutting - just some scores and a few snips and done. I give all credit to my muse, Melinda. She's the one who hooked me on this company and my oldest friend. She's two months older than me, so I can say that. But really, she's known me since we were babies - a real sister. Anyway, one of the many blessings she's brought to my life is THIS box template. (grin)

And it was my other dearest friend, Tui, who wondered what it would look like to use a cuttlebug on acetate. I rolled this over in my mind for a while, and this is what I came up with. Pretty cool, eh? Tui's pretty cool. I'm so lucky to have such a talented team - won't you consider joining us? I'd love to have you stamping and creating and partying with us. Yes, we get wild and crazy with our glitter sometimes . . . .

The background-y stuff is the oft-neglected background stamp called Holiday Print. It's in the Christmas section rather than the background section. It's one of my favorites, but I just don't think to pull it out enough. Very generic - one you could use year after year and no one would notice it's the same image.

Yes, those balls are edible. They are disgusting and cola flavor, no less, but there are a few out there who like them . . . . . Good thing for people like Karen.

{I'm so Blessed}

2007-12-10T12:30:00.000-08:00

As a general rule, us women and mothers don't get a lot of special attention during the holidays. The holiday work generally gets piled onto our shoulders . . . I was feeling particularly burned out yesterday and having an "I want to quit" day. But my dear, dear ladies totally changed my attitude around when they all arrived with gifts and goodies for ME! Just look at my loot! I didn't get it in the pic, but I also received a beautiful crystal necklace from sweet Judy. And Mirriel made a delicious butterscotch slice for everyone to share.

I had a giggle when Tracy put shampoo and conditioner in that treat pouch for me! She's a gym fanatic, too. Those three cute boxes are full of goodies for my three angel daughters; I think maybe they have a few 'grandmas' in New Zealand after all.

Not only was I spoiled and appreciated, but didn't everyone do such nice work? I felt/feel very special and loved today. What a true blessing these sweet women are to me.

{Easy Easy Elegance Tile Coaster}

2007-12-10T12:17:00.000-08:00

This was by far the most popular design I came up with, and probably the easiest as well! This uses an old favorite, French Script, and a new set from the Summer Mini Catalogue, Easy Elegance. Both are beautiful and the combination is great!

Easy Elegance features three beautiful flower images and a nice, scripted sentiment. Available only through March.

{Summer by the Sea Coaster}

2007-12-10T12:05:00.000-08:00

I loved how these turned out! We stamped a set of four using Summer by the Sea and Seaside Sketches sets. (I just made up a tongue twister). These are so easy, my daughter made some by herself. The aged effect of the tiles just looks so cool with these images.

{My Offering}

2007-12-10T11:54:00.000-08:00

My team had a Christmas gift exchange this month in lieu of a swap. Many of the gifts were hand-made with extra special effort put in. Sara from Titirangi received my gift - a set of four tile coasters made with a gorgeous, gorgeous set, Carte Postale. I do love how these turned out; I hope she loves them, too, because it was a teensy hard for me to give them away!

This set, Carte Postale, is available for a limited time. It's a set of eleven beautiful images for 58.95, a tremendous value to boot. It also has a matching wheel, paper, and background stamp. Please email or call me to order!

I was the lucky recipient of a Kiwi Christmas cookbook - quite an appropriate gift for me, I thought, considering I am not a native here and because I have no family here, the cooking is on my shoulders. Better mine than Jared's in any case.

{Gratitude Notes}

2007-12-02T00:43:00.000-08:00

As many of you know, I am not a kiwi. And my family and myself do LOVE New Zealand. However, there are some traditions and memories that I want my children to have from my homeland, and one of those is Thanksgiving.

Each year we take a day to celebrate the harvest and to take pause to express gratitude for the blessings we enjoy. I made little notebooks for my guests - the one in the picture for the ladies and another design for the men. I didn't snag a photo of any of those before they left the house. I made some bright little pumpkin ones for the children; I'll add a photo of those shortly.

I just want to say thank you to all my wonderful friends, customers, team members, and supporters. I am a very lucky girl.

{A Paisley Notebook}

2007-12-02T00:39:00.000-08:00

A $2 shop treasure. Add a little decorative paper, some beautiful images, ribbon, and a dash of glitter, and this $2 notebook becomes gorgeous! Now, how can I apply this principle to myself in each morning?

I think most of us already wear the glitter most days, though.

{Happy Bagalope}

2007-12-02T00:34:00.000-08:00

We did this project last week in my classes here at home, and I also presented this a few weeks ago to the ladies in Tauranga. This is a COOL little project - a quick one making an adorable bag out of an envelope! My friend Joan commented that it went together so quickly and easily that she was sure she had done it wrong! Okay, Joan, sometimes I do make you do gymnastics with the ribbon . . . . but you keep coming back for more!

We've used the ever popular Polka Dots and Paisley set here, one of my favorites. I think many of my ladies are going to use these for their Christmas tables.

{All in the Family Keychain}

2007-11-22T23:58:00.000-08:00

In case you were ever curious what my family looked like, here we are! It's my husband, me in the orange dress, and my three daughters in dresses of their favourite colours. The words read "Happiness is knowing you".

We made keychains this week using this very, very cute and fun set and Polyshrink. It was great to break away from cardstock for an hour and put these gifts together. This stamp set is just available through the end of November and all sales go towards a fund set up for a recent widow and her three young children.

I thought about making these keychains for my siblings for Christmas because they are easy to mail overseas, but then I remembered that my brother has seven daughters. Maybe I could make him a belt?

{Christmas Seeds}

2007-11-22T23:54:00.000-08:00

This is a simple card that has a packet of seeds inside for a small, but useful gift. Of course you can put other things in there, but since Christmas is in the summer for some odd reason in New Zealand, I thought we'd do daisy seeds instead of the traditional hot chocolate.

This set, Both Way Blossoms, is a level three hostess set. From now until the end of the year, if you qualify for a level one set (either through a workshop or a personal or group order), you can choose a stamp set from any level! So you get a level one, level two, or a level three set when you qualify for a level one. That's a great deal, especially if you have had your eye on one of the bigger sets like this one.

{Tins for Tauranga}

2007-11-22T23:50:00.000-08:00

The pop cans were such a BIG hit amongst my team and my customers back in Auckland that I decided the ladies in Tauranga needed a little taste of them as well. (Okay, I took chocolates instead of the roasted nuts, but you know what I mean).

I simplified down the first Christmas tin we did a few weeks back for a quick and easy project. We've used the Holiday Thyme papers here and the Snow Flurries stamp set, both big winners this season. I think everyone loved this little project and I suspect there will be a big run on the little tins of nuts all over New Zealand!

{Tauranga Oopsy}

2007-11-22T23:44:00.000-08:00

Well, what do you do when you travel three hours to do a workshop and you've forgotten the stamp set?

These are the things that happen when you pack and prepare at one in the morning.

Lucky for me, my partner in crime that weekend, Pauline, had a stamp set with her that made a nice substitute. And Tui was so cool to gloss over my mistake by telling everyone that it was an example of how you can use the same template to make a variety of cards. Which IS true and IS a great point, but I was still rather mad at myself for forgetting such a great set for those fun ladies there.

Anyway, it was a great day overall; I know I enjoyed myself even with just a few hours of sleep . . .

{Anabel's Peace}

2007-11-20T11:15:00.001-08:00

This is last month's swap from Anabel, using another beautiful set only available until the end of the month. It's a very clean, simple design using minimal supplies.

This set can be used year round - the images are not necessarily Christmas, but could also be party, sympathy, and Easter. Great value for the price as well!

http://catalogs.shoplocal.com/stampinup/index.aspx?pagename=shopmain&fsid=792a30a8-6188-47af-8ce9-fa7175bc011f&storeid=1039381&circularid=11083

{Merry}

2007-11-20T11:11:00.000-08:00

This is Tui's swap from last month. I wanted to show it here, not only because I love it, but because it features a wonderful little word set from the Spring mini catalogue. These are only available until the end of December . . .

She's done multiple layers on here using background stamps and the Cuttlebug folders. Also a great use of those oval punches.

Beautiful work, Tui!!

{My Little Slaves}

2007-11-20T11:06:00.000-08:00

What a good support system I have! Here is my husband doing faux stitching and my eldest daughter doing the final assembly on this month's swap cards. Why do I always put it off until the last minute? It's not actually that I put it off, I just have other, more pressing things . . . one emergency to the other sometimes!

Isn't he a good husband? :) And little Madeleine will be taking over the business any day now . . .

{Card Tote - Teacher Appreciation Gift}

2007-11-20T10:58:00.000-08:00

What a great project this was! This little tote goes together without a template and lickity-split. I stepped it up a bit, but of course you can make it a more simple and quick design if you have a number to make.

I slotted this as a teacher appreciation gift because it's that time of year and I bet many teachers don't want another box of chocolates. How cool to give them something like this? Especially if your child helps put it together? (if you have the patience of a saint).

I am just showing one card here, but we made four to go inside, all a little different, but coordinating. It's easy to make up a little template for a matching envelope to fit any size card when you use the Stampin Up 5-in-1 envelope template. I love seeing my students' finished projects - all adding their own touches.

{A Gift for Me}

2007-11-20T10:52:00.000-08:00

This was really a special gift from my dear friend, Janine. I don't get a lot of hand-crafted gifts, and it means a lot when someone does make me one. I love how she's used our newest products (a sneak peak of what's coming in the new catalogue in December) and how she's coordinated two class projects. This hand-stamped candle fits inside the tin! I believe the candle is one from the Warehouse and the tin is a pineapple one, in case you want to replicate this cool idea. How fun for a recipient to find a matching, hand-made candle and a personalized card inside a sealed tin!! Thanks, Janine, you're a gem.

{Peaceful Wishes in Creamy Caramel}

2007-11-14T19:37:00.000-08:00

This card was Case'd off of Michelle Fischer, one of my most favorite artists. It's very simple, subtle, yet still effective. And I wanted to make use of all the stamps in the beautiful Peaceful Wishes set in class this week.

This one has a few steps to it, but goes together very quickly. And, of course, it can be done in other colors, but I liked the effect of the gold and the Creamy Caramel - very sophisticated.

Peaceful Wishes set of five for 54.95.

{Christmas Thyme}

2007-11-14T19:28:00.000-08:00

I Love this card! This was inspired by another card made with the same layout, but slightly different stamps and different colors and papers. I've used the Peaceful Wishes set here and then the Warm Words for the sentiment. We don't often think of stamping on patterned paper, but it's quite a cool effect, especially when done with an opaque ink like Stampin Up's Whisper White and then embossed. I've embossed with white detail and glitter here, so the pine boughs are subtly shimmering.

The papers are from Stampin Up's Holiday Thyme collection, available only until Dec 15th and at 15% off retail at that. They are double sided and so gorgeous! What do you think?

It's always fun for me to get out the patterned papers and see all the different creations my students come up with, using this card as a base inspiration. Tui always distresses and changes up the colors, others tend to go more monochromatic, Anabel always adds a truckload of glitter, and Janine always leans towards a more masculine feel. I am so blessed to have such inspiring ladies around me. And blessed to have ladies who put up with me and my crazy ideas!!

{The Magic of Stamping on Candles}

2007-11-14T19:24:00.000-08:00

A very, very simple and quick project. I've used Solemn Stillness here. The tag is actually quite nice, but I see the flash removed my efforts from the picture. This is a fabulous way to really jazz up and personalize a few items from the $2 shop - candles and cello wrap. Last year I had my four, six, and eight year old daughters make candles with no problem.

{Cosmo Cricket Pop Can}

2007-11-14T19:20:00.000-08:00

I just love this finished product. . . . love the colors, love the stamps, and LOVE the fun idea of "secretly" filling a can. I have one pack of these gorgeous papers left. I think I want to do these for Christmas, but might need to hire someone to clean my house in the meantime with all the projects I want to do . . .

{Tauranga Stamping Classes}

2007-11-11T09:35:00.000-08:00

I am going to be in Tauranga this weekend - the 18th of November. While there, I'll be offering two classes with Pauline, a lovely lady on my team and with Tui, my right hand. We will do FIVE fantastic projects with you for only $30.

And that's not all! With that $30, you will also get a FREE 2007 Stampin Up! Idea Book and Catalogue (RRP 14.95). For those who already have the Idea Book and Catalogue (good job!), you will receive a $10 gift voucher for any order placed on the day.

We will be doing two Christmas cards, a gift box, a small gift item, and a scrapbooking layout. And most of all, we will have FUN! Door prizes, fun ladies, and exciting products ~ what more does a girl need? Okay, we'll throw in some chocolate . . . .

{Quick and Easy Christmas Cards Class}

2007-11-11T01:39:00.000-08:00

Please email me and subscribe to my email class list for a photo and description of these projects. I have a few kits still available, but they go quickly . . .

{Merry Chistmas}

2007-11-11T01:32:00.000-08:00

I demo'ed this card last class, thinking it was too simple for a class project. Well, everyone loved this one! Funny thing is, I did exactly the same thing last year - demoed a really quick project and everyone wanted to do that one instead of the projects I had planned! Oh, well, at least I'm keeping them enthused one way or another . . . .

So this one I saw somewhere, or at least similar, because the idea's been in my mind for a while. But I don't know where so I can't give proper credit. And maybe I did make it up? Not sure. But the idea is super simple - just one color, a wheel, and a sentiment. Oh, and the ribbon, or course. Must have ribbon.

The wheel is called Bold Snowflakes. Wheels are fabulous when you have lots of stamping to do - fast and painless. I then stamped the sentiment from the Glad Tidings set, tossed on some of the grosgrain ribbon and silver cord, added some organdy and a dash of glitter. Done!

Please contact me asap if you'd like to get the supplies for this project so I can be sure they get to you in plenty of time for the holidays.

The other thought is that you don't have to do snowflakes or even Christmas. This is a simple design that could be used with any wheel, any color, and any occasion.

{Taranki}

2007-11-11T01:19:00.000-08:00

So many of you know I've been working my bum off (literally) for a competition in New Plymouth. It has finally come and gone and I took FIRST PLACE!

All the watered down soup, tiny quantities of oats, herbal tea, and weighing every meal paid off.

Now I am eating again and thoroughly enjoying it! But still eating well and clean because my next step is the National Competition.

Thanks to everyone for cheering me on. It's you who motivate me to challenge myself and to keep going.

{Small Gift Swaps}

2007-11-11T01:11:00.000-08:00

I'm the very lucky lady who gets to work with a FANTASTIC group of Stampin Up demonstrators. One of the perks of my job is getting to do monthly swaps with such talented women. The month of October we swapped small gift ideas, and the results were just over the top! We had everything from scrapbooking kits, needle cases, pin cushions, treat bags, bookmarks, soap, various boxes, albums, and notebooks. Enjoy these photos of some of the goodies.

I included a close up of Anne's swap because she made me laugh. She made these cute lolly pouches, but no, no, I didn't get lollies. She gave me a muesli bar in mine! Gee, you'd think I was on some crazy diet or something!! :) Just to demonstrate how versatile one project can be in any case . . . .

I have the best ladies!

{Explosion Box Album}

2007-11-11T01:02:00.000-08:00

This turned out to be a really great project - a really fun and colorful result with lots and lots of spaces for photos or other embellishments.

We used the VERY cool set Polka Dots and Paisleys and the coordinating Polka Dots and Petals along with the matching 12x12 papers, Petals and Paisleys. Wow, what a tongue-twister. All of these really great items are only available until the end of November so act now!!

We had a few new ladies in class, both of whom had a very distinct sense of style, which we all loved. I realize I can be a bit full-on in class, and I hope I didn't scare these two lovelies away. (But then again, I could just blame the rowdiness of the group) I didn't get a shot of their finished albums, but did get a pic of Tui's. I loved how the Old Olive ink showed up on her lid. I just loved all the color in this project.

{Spring Pop Top Can}

2007-10-25T13:53:00.000-07:00

This is a very cool, easy, and fun project that leaves the recipient wondering how you got those personal gifts inside a sealed can!

We started out the class with a door prize, which was a finished pop can. My lovely lady Chantell won and she got to open the can (served as a demo for how the finished project worked) and received all those great little treats in the photo!

So I planned two projects for this class, but we had such fun and the ladies got so really into designing their own . . . we only had time to do this one. (The second one we'll do in the next few weeks in another class) Everyone was very pleased with the results, and they all turned out differently. We used the Looks Like Spring stamp set, the Spring Bouquet flower punch, and the Spring Showers or Spring Flowers designer series papers. For the month of October, when you purchase the stamp set and punch, the papers are FREE! (see promotions page) Just look at what beautiful things you can make with these accessories!

I took a few pics of some of the other finished cans that were done in different colours than my sample. These have endless possibilities. I want to make one using the Unfrogettable set and the santa hat from Crab & Co. and then filling the tin with red and green mints.

We filled our tins with some candied peanuts I had roasted up in cello bags. Some other ideas:

tea

hot chocolate

flower seeds
jewelry

baking mixes

bath powders

small soaps

a candle

candies, treats, fudge, homemade goodies

and any other small item . . .

{Festive Mood}

2007-10-25T02:12:00.000-07:00

This is my friend Chantell opening her can. Those little fingers are my youngest, Sofie, who was sure Chantell needed some help! And was avoiding going to bed and missing the party. See the above picture for what the can contained - treats, confetti, stamps, ink pad, and a small note. Congratulations! We should have more door prizes . . . .that was fun.

And thanks, ladies, for eating all those nuts! I made up some candied nuts because I had to open . . . . ready for it . . . . 48 cans of nuts to prep for this class!

Here is the exact recipe:

Glazed Nuts

3-4 c nuts

2 tbs butter

1/2 c (more or less as you wish) sugar

vanilla, cinnamon, or whatever you want for flavor

Put all of that into a skillet (frying pan, Nadine) over medium heat, shaking the pan every so often, but not stirring, until the butter and sugar start to melt. Then reduce the heat a bit and stir and shake a little here and there until the sugar is golden brown and the nuts seem pretty well coated with the glaze. Pour out onto a piece of foil or a buttered plate or something where it can cool and not stick totally. These store best in the frig, I think, but they won't last long! I think they might also be really good with some butter extract and a bit of salt added with the sugar. Or maybe a caramel extract? Coffee? Cream? Where's Rachael? We need some more flavors . . .