Welcome Megan Black

I'm absolutely thrilled to announce that Megan Black has joined my team and is now a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.

I first met Megan about a year ago at a demonstration - she was a scrapbooker and had made a few cards.  I've been doing card demonstrations and workshops for Megan and her circle of friends and family constantly during the year (almost monthly) and, during this time, Megan's card making has been fantastic. 

When Megan announced that she wanted to become a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator I was thrilled.  She is based in Cranbourne so, if you live around the Cranbourne area and you're interested in holding your own workshop, please let me know and I'll point you in Megan's direction.

I know she will be a succesful Demonstrator and I wish her all the very best.  Congratulations Megan!!

Extra Large Two-Step Bird Punch

I have made several cards with this new punch - I really like it.  This is the Mother's Day card and gift we sent to my mother-in-law (Lois) this year.  The ingredients for both are as follows:

Card Stock - Not Quite Nave, Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White
Ink - Kiwi Kiss 
Accessories - Billy Joel (Big Shot), Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder (again, I know), Kiwi Kiss Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Hodgepodge Hardware, Brads

The gift (two Elizabeth Arden lipsticks) are packed in a medium cellophane bag and I topped it off to match the card.

Thankfully, Lois appreciated both (phew! in the good books with my mother-in-law for another year (lol)).

Starter Kit Special Offer

This is a fantastic offer for those of you who have been considering purchasing the starter kit.  From now, until the 31st July 2010, when you purchase the starter kit you'll receive 20% off it.... 20% OFF!!

Regular price - $324.00 (valued at over $560.00)
Discounted price - $259.00
Save $65.00

One of the biggest benefits of becoming a Demonstrator is the opportunity to earn a little extra income (and who couldn't use that?).  You'll also purchase all your Stampin' Up! products at a 20% discount, you'll be able to see and purchase all the new Stampin' Up! products first, have access to a HUGE range of project ideas, and become part of a world-wide stamping family.

With the new 2010-2011 Idea Book and Catalogue being introduced soon, with all the new stamp sets, new colours, embellishments, etc, etc, etc, this is a fantastic time to purchase the starter kit so that you too can receive 20% off the new up-coming products.

It's very simple to join my team.  All you'll need is a current ABN and your credit card.  Click Here To Join My Team.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Embellishments

So, the other thing that I want to speak to you about today is embellishments.  I love them !!  Embellishments come in various shapes and sizes and can be used in all sorts of different ways.  Clips, designer brads, hodgepodge hardware, ribbons, buttons, tags, flowers, letters, etc, etc, etc.  Add an embellishment to your card or scrapbook page to give it that finishing touch.

Stampin' Up! have a fantastic range of embellishments.  Personally, I love ribbon, and the Stampin' Up! ribbon is available in a variety of widths and Stampin' Up! colours. 

This Baptism card uses ribbon (of course), a button and Hodgepodge.

Colour Renovation

Sorry for my sporadic posts lately.  I'm back on track again now and promise to post on a more regular basis.

Firstly today I want to discuss a new colour palette Stampin' Up! are introducing with the new 2010-2011 Idea Book and Catalogue.  The new colours are organised into four collections:  Subtles, Brights, Regals and Neutrals.  25 of our current colours will remain and 10 past In Colours will return as core colours, plus there'll be 5 additional new core colours.  Click here to view the new colour palette.  In addition to the new colour chart, each year Stampin' Up! will introduce 5 new In Colours and they will remain for 2 years.  This means that the 2010-2011 In Colours will be introduced this year, but will not be retired until the 2012-2013 colours are introduced.  This year there will be only 5 In Colours, but after that, there will always be 10 (the previous year's plus the new 5).  Exciting hey!!

In order to make way for the new colours we will have to say farewell to a few of our current colours (thankfully not Chocolate Chip or Old Olive - you know these are two of my faves).  Click here to view the colours we will have to say farewell to.  Let's make the most of these colours til the end of August.

Adding Colour

I  love adding colour to my stamps to give an image a two tone effect (or more, depending on how many colours you use).

On this Upsy Daisy card I stamped the whole image with a Pink Pirouette ink pad and then, using a dauber, I daubered (is that a word) the top of each flower with Rich Razzelberry ink.  You simply take your dauber, dab it onto your stamp pad and add the ink to your stamp.

On this Pocket Silhouettes card I used my dauber to add several different colours - Old Olive for the stems and leaves, Cameo Coral for the petals and Rich Razzelberry for the centre of the flower.

Here's another Upsy Daisy card, but this time I used my markers to add colour to the stamp.  I love my markers!!  For this card I used the Old Olive, Not Quite Navy and Chocolate Chip.  The markers are really easy to use.

Don't you just love the Hodgepodge Hardware?  It sets off this message beautifully.  I'm going to send this card to Mum and Dad in Perth.