If I were just starting out, here's what I'd buy!

As a new paper crafter is is really hard to know just WHERE to start!  If your anything like I was, you flip through the Idea Book and Catalogue and wonder just where to start!  Each project looks so gorgeous and you want to make one similar to it with your own flare.

Well I'm here to help!  

Here  is my two bobs worth of advice on what to get your self this Christmas season or better yet what your family and friends can get you this holiday season if you are a beginner scrapbooker or stamper.

Stamping is like using a recipe. There are your basic ingredients and then all the fun "flourishes" you can throw in to add more flavour! All of these items are found in our catalogs:

The Basics:

• a.  Papers: I choose a neutral pack of card stock: either Whisper White or Very Vanilla. Then choose the assorted pack of colored cardstock to match the colors of your markers or ink pads.
• b. Ink: look at the set you chose. If you need to color the images in that set (line images), choose the Basic Black Classic ink pad and a set of Stampin' Write markers. If the set has solid images you can choose 3 to 4 Classic ink pads to match the colour of your coloured cardstock to pull the card together.
• c. Stamps: think about an occasion for cards or scrapbook pages (eg. birthday, travel, growing up) then select a stamp set to match. I advise to get a set that has both images and words.

That Little Bit More:
These items will enhance your Basics:

• a.   Paper Trimmer – great for matting photos or cutting card stock layers and strips
• b.  Adhesive – either Snail or Anywhere Glue Sticks
• c.  Cleaner - Stampin' Scrub & Stampin' Mist
• d.  Envelopes – either Whisper White or Very Vanilla, depending on "a" above

The Spice:

• a.  Accessories – these items add interest to your cards and scrapbook pages, and include brads, ribbon, glitter, and so on
• b.  Punches – makes stamp-and-go a reality!
• c.  Designer Series paper – patterned paper that adds to any project idea
• d.  Our Catalogues – not just a Catalogue but an Idea books that WOWS!
• e.  The Big Shot – the "Creme De La Creme" machine - that makes every project DELICIOUS!

So it's as easy as that!  Start off with the basics and build your master piece from there.


Contact me to get your Beginner's Basics and then check out my Christmas Wish List program to get a few extras under your Christmas tree this year (long distance orders welcome, Australia only).

Happy All Hallows Eve! Or Happy Halloween!

Wishing you and yours a very Happy Halloween!

Children & Youth Workshop (Ages 10 Years +)

Saturday, November 6th
Venue: Moranbah Youth Centre - Bacon Street

Time:  10.00am - 12.30pm

25 Christmas Cards completed in workshop

$50.00 - Includes all materials

If possible please bring along a glue stick

10 Places Available Only

Sign up online to reserve your spot or alternatively you can email or ring me on 0419 410 255 to reserve your spot!

This week in History

Did you know that the Teddy Bear got it's name from the 26th President of the United States, Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt.


Wikipedia says, "Roosevelt's lasting popular legacy, however, is the stuffed toy bears—teddy bears—named after him following an incident on a hunting trip in Mississippi in 1902. Roosevelt famously ordered the mercy killing of a wounded black bear. After a national cartoonist illustrated the President with a bear, a toy maker heard the story and asked Roosevelt if he could use his name on a toy bear. Roosevelt approved and the teddy bear was born. Bears and later bear cubs became closely associated with Roosevelt in political cartoons thereafter"  You can read more about it here


And I'll leave you with this beautiful little card I've found

If you would like to make something similar to this or come along and check out some of our fantastic tools, just email me or give me a ring on 0419 410 255

Inspiration Galore!

I have to say that I am on one of the best weekends ever.  I'm lucky enough to have access to a great beach that my family dearly loves.

It's a place where we can chill out, relax and just take life moment by moment, no rushing to get to the next thing... Just peace.

So, I'll leave you with these photos and wish you and yours a very peaceful Saturday!

Christmas Candles in the Making!

I've been seeing some gorgeous yet simple candles around and I thought, "I CAN DO THAT!"  So I thought I would give it a go!  Using an ordinary candle I picked up from the cheap shop, some stamps and a special technique I found online I was able to create this:

Using the Lovely as a Tree stamp set as well as the Perfect Punches stamp set I was able to create this simple but effective candle.

If you would enjoy learning this technique or you love these stamp sets please give me a ring 

on 0419 410 255 or email me!

Fun with Clouds!

I have fallen in love with the cloud technique that I have seen several other demonstrators demonstrate and I thought I would give it a go.  I loved the rich vibrant colours of Pumpkin Pie, Rich Razzleberry, and Real Red ink pads that I used here to try out the cloud technique.  It was fun and easy!   I also paired this technique with the Elegant Eggplant and Water Colour paper.  The stamps used were Inspired by Nature and Perfect Punches.


If you would like to try out this technique or if your interested in making this very simple yet gorgeous card please contact me on 0419 410 255 or email me!

Still Thinking???

That's Great!  Did you enjoy the first Starter Kit Techniques videos?


While your still thinking about it here’s another one using another technique.



Did you know that our new starter kit has a new price? It’s now only $289!  With that you get a complete set of In Colors – that’s Classic Stampin’ Pads™, Stampin’ Write™ Markers, and an assortment of card stock – completely FREE along with your demonstrator Starter Kit

But this is only until the 15th October.

So if your still thinking about joining, why not get intouch with me for some more information?

You can email me or give me a call on 0419 410 255

A little more on getting Organized

Since talking about Organization earlier this week I thought that I'd share an article that I found at Bukisa

Is your craft room a disorganized disaster? Here's how to quickly get it organized so you can better express your creativity.

If you're like me, you've had moments where your craft room was a complete disaster! When this occurs, it can really zap your creative energy making it difficult to start or complete a craft project. Plus, right brained, creative crafters aren't exactly known for their organizational skills! If you find it's taking you an eternity to sift through the stacks of craft materials you have piled high in every corner to find what you need, it's may be time to organize your craft room!

But, where do you start? If you craft room has been in chaos for awhile, it may be difficult to know how to start organizing. Here are some ideas:

1. Plan ahead!
A little planning goes a long way towards making organizing a craft room a pleasant task. Go through all of your boxes and sort craft items by category. Plan to buy a storage box for each category so all similar items can be conveniently stored together. I like plastic see-though boxes for craft storage since you can see exactly what you have without opening the box.

2. Separate your craft area from the rest of your home.
If your craft area should become messy, at least you're not exposing other members of your household to the chaos. Plus, psychologically it helps to be able have your craft room exist as a special place where you can retreat at day's end. If you can't move your crafts into a separate room, consider using a room divider to wall off your craft area.

3. Invest in a large, comfortable table to use as a workstation.
A large work space will allow you to spread your projects out so you can see what you have to work with. You'll waste less time fumbling around to find a particular item you need to complete a project. Make sure your table is sturdy and rugged and not so valuable that you're going to mind getting a little glue or paint on it. You may even want to consider getting a table at a secondhand store. Functionality is the key here!

4. Create an easily accessible tool rack.
It's important to have your tools accessible and in easy view. Take a long piece off wood from the craft store, add hooks to it, and mount it on the wall, You can now hang your tools from the hooks and keep them in easy view.

5. Consider installing shelving to organize your crafts.
Shelving that extends up the side of your walls is a great space saver. You can use the shelves to hold your clear, rubber storage containers containing your projects. It also helps to have your shelf space labeled so you can see where everything is.

6. Clear away any items that aren't relevant to your craft projects.
Make your newly designed craft area strictly for craft supplies. Don't confuse the issue by bringing in extraneous items that aren't suitable for your craft projects.

7. Clear off your workstation every night.
Don't allow craft materials to accumulate on your work table. This is almost always the first step towards developing a disorganized craft room. Clean up every evening, no matter how tired you are. If you need to, give yourself a reward for doing it.

8. Donate items you don't use.
We all have craft materials we no longer use. Don't leave them lying around your workstation to cause confusion. Donate unused items to a charity such as your local Salvation Army so another crafter can get the opportunity to use them and you can free up the space!

9. When you use a tool, put it back in its proper place.
There's nothing more frustrating and time consuming than not being able to find a craft tool when you need it! Be diligent about returning items to their proper places right after you use it. Stop telling yourself you'll do it later.

Now that you know how to organize a craft room, you can get back to your creative projects and enjoy them all the more!

At Stampin' Up we have great little caddies to store your stamping wheels as well as your Ink Pads!  If you would like to have a look feel free to email me or contact me on 0419 410 255!

Always Elegant

I found this gorgeous design somewhere online and I thought I would share with you.  Although this looks complicated it's dead easy! 

Stamps: Always Elegant (121476), Cardstock: Old Olive (106576), Early Espresso(121686), Naturals White (106549), Marina Mist(121682)  DSP: Greenhouse Gala (117167)
Ink: Early Espresso (119670)
Accessories: Scallop Edge Border punch (119882), Curly Label punch(119851), Needle , Mat Pack (105826), Antique Brass Metallic Brads, 1/8"(117273) Marina Mist Taffeta ribbon, (119257)Stampin' Dimensionals,(104430) Markers: Marina Mist,(119672) Pear Pizzaz(119801)

Spring has Sprung!

Yes Spring has definitely sprung here in the Central Highlands and to honour that I've been in the midst of enjoying my fantastic new stamps from the new catalogue launch!

Here's some cards I recently made

The stamps I showcased in this card was the  Friends Never Fade Set of Clear Mount Stamps (120618) the patterned paper Green House Gala (117167) was a new release as well I think it's great for all occasions!  Also used were Baja Breeze from the Subtels Collection (121997), Pumpkin Pie & Real Red from the Bright Collection (121698) and Whisper White (119952)

If you would like to make cards like this give me a ring on 0419 410 255 or email me!

Long Live the Peanuts Gang!

Peanuts was always a good time for me as a kid.  I really loved watching them when they would come on around the holidays.  My favourites would have to be, "Play it again, Charlie Brown", "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown", and "You're in Love, Charlie Brown"  What's your Favourite? 

The last few days have been exciting and full of inspiration, animation and entrepreneurial great stuff!  Are you tapping into your inspirations?

If you'd like to give me a ring on 0419 410 255 or Email me and we can tap into your creative self!

Did you know???

What a great week for animation!  Two great things happened this week!  The first one was that this fantastic entrepreneur

laid out the plans for this Fantastic place!

It's hard to believe that there place "Where dreams come true" is already 40!

Our family went there a few years ago and we had the greatest time ever.  However by day 4 we were so full of dreams coming true and aching feet we opted to stay home that day!

What would be your dream come true?

Stay tuned for the other fantastic thing that happened this week!

Are YOU a Muppet Lover too!

This is one of the first places that I tapped into my creative side!  I remember watching Jim Henson's fabulous creations every day after school and I LOVED them.  On the anniversary of his birthday I thought I would share.  The 1st Muppet Show which came to be a much loved program to a lot of school kids after school.

Enjoy!

Jim Henson was also the creative genius behind this well loved show as well!

Enjoy!  And don't be afraid to revisit those well love childhood memories to remember how it felt when you got involved with your creative side!

Would you like to join me and have a go of getting in touch?  Just Email Me or ring me on 0419 410 255!

Happy Vernal/Autumnal Equinox Day!

Did you know?  The September equinox (my Vernal here in Australia , but Autumnal for my friends in the Northern Hemisphere, is on September 23 at 03:09 GMT!


What's an Equinox you say?


Well Wikipedia describes it saying, "At an equinox, the Sun is at one of two opposite points on the celestial sphere where the celestial equator (i.e. declination 0) and ecliptic intersect. These points of intersection are called equinoctial points: classically, the vernal point and the autumnal point.


I also thought this was interesting:

• In 1931 the September equinox fell on September 24th, and the next time this will occur will be in 2303.
• A modern urban legend claims that on the March equinox day (some may also include the September equinox day rather than leaving it out), one can balance an egg on its point.^[9][10][11] However, one can balance an egg on its point any day of the year... if one has enough patience.^[12]

What are you going to do to celebrate? Me?  I'm heading off on a road trip!  I'm off to see the Great Outdoors and to shoot some amazing pictures!


I'll try to post from the road!


If you have any photos or Equinox info you'd like to share I'd love to see or hear about it!

Individually Made Christmas Cards!

Are you worried that you are going to run out of time to get Christmas Cards out to your family and friends?

Well Not to worry any more!  I have a great collection if Christmas stamps and supplies that will make beautiful cards in no time!  Let's get together and make some  fantastic cards together or I can assemble a kit for you that you can do it at home!  Just Email Me or ring me on 0419 410 255 and let me know what you are needing!

Happy Grandparents Day!

Everyone loves a cuddle!  I wish my Grandparents were here so that I could give them a cuddle, so instead I'm giving someone else a cuddle near me, their Great Grandkids!

If your Grandparents are far or near why not send them a card to say "I Love You, Dear!"


It's never too late to send them a card,  Contact me on 0419 410 255 or email me

The Anniversary of Star Trek

Did you know on this day in 1966 Star Trek made its debut?
Going we no man had gone before...if we had only known then what we know now! 

Have you been wanting to go where you had never gone before in your creative aspects?  Well I have a beautiful range of colours, card stock and stamps that are just wating on adventrue!

Why not contact me and we can get together and explore unknown territories and have fun while making something you can take home with you!

Just ring for an appointment on 0419 410 255