Tuesday 31 May 2011

Jewellery

Here's my first attempt at some "real" jewellery.

Basically, Denielle Bernauer inspired me at Regionals last year, and then she upped the ante at Convention!!  

I've used her Stamp N Shrink(TM) for these projects and stamped our beautiful SU stamps before baking them.  If you'd like to have a go yourself, contact Denielle directly to buy the Stamp N Shrink(TM) and get the full instructions.


Ornate Blossom necklace & earrings

Bliss flower necklace & earrings

Share a cup "tiny" earrings - sorry about the yellowy colour, bad lighting I guess!


I hope I've done Denielle proud.  Thanks for looking!

Karen

Friday 27 May 2011

Weekend!

Well, it's Friday night and I'm sitting here in my craft room trying to decide what project I want to do.  I have a special something on the go that I can't talk about, then there's my next class projects to design and there's the unpacking of today's class materials......hmmmmm, oh well I might just play with something new.   I still have to try out one of the sneak peeks I got at convention.....ooops....can't say anymore about that either!!!

What I can tell you about it this years Christmas Cards for our armed forces.  As you know, at DSNS last Saturday the ladies got started on some cards. So we're off!   I popped round to Avril today with an order and she is also champing at the bit to give me her latest stash that she finished this week.  

But I also wanted to show you some pictures that a friend sent me.  Her husband is in the navy and she has moved all over the world with him and their children.  We met up at convention and she told me stories about how our deployed service men and women worry about not being able to have a card to send to a loved one for a birthday or anniversary.  It's hard enough to be away from home, let alone in a war zone and know that you can't send your love via a written word - and a piece of paper that you've actually touched. 

This got me thinking about those that focus on the negative aspects of the armed forces over the last year or two.   Whether or not you support the troops, agree or disagree with war, or that we're in it, we still need compassion.   At the end of the day, these are our people, other human beings, miles away from home and desperately wishing they had a birthday card to send to their 5 year old child, or a Christmas card to their mum and dad. 

Please don't misinterpret my view, I'm not suggesting that people are not entitled to their opinion & I don't wish to change anyone's mind.  I just ask that negative feelings be put aside. And then you can go freely and make some gorgeous cards!

Thank you Nikki for sending me these pictures.  I hope they touch your heart.


A smile is a smile in anyones language

We all need help to carry a heavy weight

Everyone needs love

A good giggle

Heartbreak


Have a lovely weekend in our safe, free country.
Blessings
Karen

Wednesday 25 May 2011

Deals of the Week #4

Deals of the week are out today - Available till next Tuesday.



SAVE 30%!      These products coordinate with other items in the IB&C so it's worth a look if you already have some of those products



Item             Page        Description               RRP        Sale Price
113838        62      Right on Track               $11.95      $8.37
                             Stampin' Around Wheel

115619        68      Retro Remix                  $11.95       $8.37
                            Stampin Around Wheel

119975       134   Vintage Type Rub-Ons     $15.95     $11.17

118760        134     Play Date Rub-Ons        $16.95    $11.87


Great prices, so email or phone me today.

Cheers
Karen

Tuesday 24 May 2011

Swaps from Convention 2011

I was lucky to receive about 40 swaps during Convention this year - I mentioned the variety in my last post, which totally blew me away in terms of the genius ideas I saw - of course that meant I gave away 40 swaps made by me, so it was tres busy in that last week before we flew!

There's too many products to list, however you'll see the demo's name under each pic.  Let me know if you want any other details like instructions or contact info and I'll do my best to help.

Here's some of my fav's:


Barbara Bicknell, NZ

Cheryl O'Bree

Denielle Bernauer

Glyn Savage

Jane McGlade Smith

Mine - designed to coordinate with my outfit on the first day!

My swap in Tracy's colours because she loves orange - coincidently the SU bag was in the Sweet and Sour DSP too!

Kathy Faulkner - the vintage technique here was perfect

Kathy Faulkner's accordian surprise inside the box

Lyn Morrison.  I only take this off to shower!!!

Lyn Morrison

Marija Paic - never be short of an embellishment again

Nerida Carter - always elegant and stylish

Michelle Martin

Nicola Duffield


I love your feedback, so please leave a comment below if you like what you see. 

Happy Crafting
Karen

Saturday 21 May 2011

Darling Stamp And Scrap Club

Just popped in quickly to tell you that Darling Stamp and Scrap club was lovely today.   We had a couple of new ladies join us - welcome to Catarina and Hester.  I hope you both enjoyed your crafting time and will come back next month for more chit chat, craft and cake!  

Gloria and Susan are both PaperLady class gals but this was their first DSNS too.   Oh the creative juices were flowing!   Avril, Susie & Claudia were crafting up a storm with lots of Christmas cards made for this years armed forces donation.  And Claudia and Lana were such sweeties picking up coffee, setting up afternoon tea and generally helping out - thanks girls.   Towards the end of the afternoon we had a drop in from Karen & Kate.  Kate has a great eye for colour, as does Susie and they both helped collate supplies for our kits. 

What's more, today was our first dry DSNS - it has rained, no poured, every week!   I was thrilled to pack away a dry banner for the first time.

Unfortunately I forgot to take pics.....sorry.....so here's a couple more from Convention.  




Please don't forget the rules - these designs are not mine and as they were on a board I can't tell you whose they are so please credit SU Convention Demonstators 2011 if you copy!  Thanks for your understanding.

Pop back tomorrow to find out how you can win a fantastic prize!

Karen

Convention Swaps

There were some lovely projects this year and a huge variety of things from bottle tags with Freddo frogs in them to elegant jewellery pieces - yes, all made out of paper!

Here's a few to get your creative juices flowing.








As these projects were all attached to the boards I can't credit the designer, so although I love you to use images you see here as inspiration, please be sure to acknowledge that the design was from SU Convention 2011.

All projects are copyright 1990- 2011 Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted.

Have a great weekend.
Thanks!
Karen

Wednesday 18 May 2011

Deals of the Week #3


Promotion Details:
During the month of May, Stampin' Up! will offer several discounted products as 'Deals of the Week.' No limits* and no minimum purchase required.

Below is a schedule of when the weekly deals will be announced on the demonstrator and customer websites:

  • Weekly Deals # 1: Sunday, 1 May 2011; 12:01 AM (AET)
  • Weekly Deals # 2: Wednesday, 11 May 2011; 12:01 AM (AET)
  • Weekly Deals # 3: Wednesday, 18 May 2011; 12:01 AM (AET)
  • Weekly Deals # 4: Wednesday, 25 May 2011; 12:01 AM (AET)

This Week's Deals:

Item Page              Description                 Regular Price           Sale Price

119750/137         Daffodil Delight 5/8''         $16.95                    $11.87
                       (1.6 cm) Satin Ribbon
119963/137      Certainly Celery 3/8''           $12.95                    $9.07
                        Taffeta Ribbon
109112139      Square Fire                           $19.95                   $13.97
                         Rhinestone Brads

109113/139         Square Ice                        $19.95                    $13.97
                          Rhineston Brads

Call or email to place an order - remember, SU will return prices to normal before the end of the week if the allocation of specials is reached.

Cheers
Karen

Convention 2011

I'm back!  And there's so much to tell you I'm buzzing with enthusiasm. 

Melbourne was a fantastic destination.  The convention centre is a superb location as we had tons of room and a variety of "spaces" to be in.   We had some really fun classes - they are designed to be educational for business/demonstrators, but I can tell you that I laughed so hard you'd would've thought I was attending a comedy festival!!!   On the flip side, there was a lot of sharing and some really personal moments that meant even the toughest ladies had to wipe a tear from their eyes.  Those of you who know me well would also know I'm a soft touch so I sniffled a bit more than most! 

Trace and I were fortunate to have booked a great hotel 5 mins walk from the centre - fab to get a bit of exercise and see the city.  We ate some wonderful food, sampled some lovely wine and received amazing service from the locals.   

Anyway, enough chitchat.  Check out some pics........


Catching up with Shelli - always a delight.  May she live forever!

So thrilled to be here.  Trace and I are wearing the swaps I made - giant flower brooches.

OMG look at the line for Memento Mall

Samples on display in Memento Mall - cute frame idea

Centre stage in the theatre.  I'm sharing what I love with you all!

Giant paper flowers - Memento Mall again.

General Session theatre - great set up SU, so comfy!

Wearing our SU scarves....well, if you've got it, you've got to flaunt it right?!

Waiting for our first general session to start.  Sorry, whoever took the pic must've had wine with lunch!!

Anna is one of my friends from QLD - first met last year at Conv in Sydney and this sweet lady makes Cards for the troops.

Ok, so Trace is having a love affair with a stamp - this is the giant stage version.....will it be in the upcoming IB&C she wonders....drooling!

Swaps Galore......these are from Regionals 2010 & Convention 2011.   These crafters are talented.  I take my hat off to every one of you........giggle, my swaps are up there too!!


Next year we are off to Canberra..........why don't you come along?   Ask me how, and no, you don't have to be a demonstrator. It's for friends too you know?!

Got to go prep for a class now, so I'll pop back tomorrow with some close ups of swaps.

Thanks for looking!
Karen

Monday 16 May 2011

Just plain gorgeous

Everything about this card appeals to me.  It's basically a CASE of an SU design - that's what I love about SU, there are so many things to copy!!   Anyway, there's quite a lot of processes in this card but it was a joy to make.




Stamp Set - Notably Ornate
Ink - Versamark, Crumb Cake, Basic Black & Rich Razzleberry marker with the Spritzer tool.
Cardstock - Certainly Celery, Rich Razzleberry
Paper - DSP Newsprint
Vintage Wallpaper Embossing folder & Big Shot
Basic Black embossing powder
Fancy Flower Punch
Antique Brads, Black Brads
Grosgrain Ribbon - Rich Razzleberry
The leaves are from the Bird Punch
The small flowers are from a retired punch with 3 flowers in a row

Have a great week!
Karen

Friday 13 May 2011

Time for Tea

I love Jackie Topa's website and she always has gorgeous ideas, tutorials, online classes and such.

Anyway, here's one of her ideas for making a cute little tea bag holder - would be a nice way to display tea bags at a morning tea or even a little gifty thing to add to a hamper.





Stamp set - Teeny Tiny Sentiments
Ink - Choc chip
Cardstock - Pear Pizzazz
Paper - Sunny Garden
Oval punch
Lace edge border punch

Go ahead, have a cuppa and make something crafty!
Karen

Wednesday 11 May 2011

Deals of the Week 11 - 17 May




This Week's Deals:




Item            Page                 Description              Regular Price    Sale Price
120963       142           Stampin Pastels                  $28.50             $22.80
                                    New Color Kit (19)
115957       151         Thanks Embosslits Die          $21.95             $17.56

114513       151    Sweetest Stem Embosslits Die    $21.95            $17.56

113483       155           Pennant Bigz XL Die           $74.95             $59.96

Call or email your order by 17th if you want any of these products!

Karen

Thanks a Million

Well, it's off to Convention tomorrow - look out Melbourne, here I come!    But before I go........I just got the Word Play stamp set the other day and haven't even had time to mount the stamps yet but thought I'd make a super quick thank you card using one of the greetings.    I also wanted to see how the new Tulips border embossing folder worked - and I love it!





Stamp Set - Word Play
Cardstock -  Rose Red
Paper- Sweeet & Sour Specialty
Extra Large bird punch
Decorative Label punch
Scallop Circle Punch
Choc Chip ink & grosgrain ribbon.
Tulip embossing folder and Big Shot/.

Thanks for looking
KarenBig