Stampin' Up! Australia: Claire Daly, Stampin' Up! Demonstrator Melbourne Australia

My new toy ...

Anyone who knows me will know that I am not really into all the machines and gadgets getting released onto the scrapbooking market - it just seems too like everyone is trying to sell us something new every week. But, then along came the Cuttlebug. I tried and I tried to resist, but it was fruitless. This machine is very reasonably priced, and it does so much. It embosses, it cuts (including metal, chipboard, vinyl, felt and on and on and on .....) and it takes most of the other machine dies as well. I tried in with my Quickutz dies and it cuts through them like butter, 12 letters at a time!

Jodie at Scraptacular was one of the first shops in Australia to stock them, and I picked mine up last Friday. I had a play over the weekend and among other things made these cards using the new Scenic route and Basic Grey papers. The embossing is such a breeze and the images are so crisp. I love it.

I also did a layout using the gorgeous Stella Ruby BG papers, but that will have to wait until Thursday to post as it's for my March She competition layout at Scraptacular, so no peeking until March 1st! Don't forget you still have a few days to get your layout in for this month and be in the running for a $20 voucher - nice discount on the Cuttlebug maybe?

Bye for now,

Claire

It's 2am ....

and I can't sleep. So what's a girl to do but post on her blog :)

What's with this weather. It seems hotter, more humid and just plain yucky than I remember Melbourne being for a long time. Roll on autumn so I can feel human again :)

Have you seen the latest FK? Robyn (staff) and Brooke (DT) are on the design team, and Kimmy (DT) has a great layout of the most scrumptious looking food in it. Such great photos. She's quite the little photographer Kimmy. Looks like someone was actually paying attention the photo talk in Tom's class after all!

Speaking of DT's - congrats to my lovely friend Wendy who has been selected for the DT at her LSS. Loving your work Wen! I actually had the pleasure of spending the evening at Wendy's doing a workshop to demonstrate some of the Stampin' Up! goodies. Lovely night with creative friends, and I was very impressed with the table service from Dunk! Thanks guys!

Tonight I demonstrated some ways to use colour on layouts using this layout (sorry about the dodgy scan cutting the top off!). This photo was taken when Sam was 5 months by Rachel Leeke.

I wanted to incorporate different ways of adding colour to layouts. I started by using the Crafters Workshop template from Scraptacular and the Stampin' Up! Stampin Write Marker (Always Artichoke) to draw the stems. I then used the two step stamping technique to do the leaves using stamps from the Mixed Bouquet set. The Stamp-a-ma-jig really helped with the placement there! next I used my Delight in Life (free with qualifying orders up to 26th Feb!) sell-a-bration stamps to do the flowers on a separate piece of cardstock, and watercoloured them using the Stampin' Up! Pastels (Perfect Plum) and blender pens. I then cut them out and added some foam tape for dimension. Then I finished off with the 'Poppin Pastels' technique to add the light pink sections. With this technique you stamp the image in Versamark and then brush the pastels lightly over the top (I used a cotton ball). A few embellies and there you go. I am really getting into this watercolouring and am looking forward to lots more practice and a lesson or two from the masters in my team when we go to Sydney for the convention in May!

Has anyone been watching the new show on 7 'Brothers and Sisters'? I am totally loving it. OK - better try again for sleep - happy day lovelies :)

Claire

I love it when people ...

'get' what scrapbooking is all about. It comes to them like a revelation and I am so moved by their stories.

I had an email from a beautiful soul yesterday that I first met several years ago when I started scrapbooking. Her pages and photos are always so beautiful but in the email she passionately wrote to me about how much she was now pouring more of herself into her scrapbooks. That's such music to my ears. That person has a huge heart and it's wonderful her feelings and stories will be preserved in her scrapbooks for her family.

This brings me nicely to my version of this months 'She' layout in the monthly challenge I am coordinating at Scraptacular. I am loving doing this and listening and seeing what people are coming up with, and the stories they tell along the way. This months quote is 'She was an artist and her life was her canvas (quote by Kobi Yamada). I chose do document what scrapbooking means to me.

I used Paper Loft papers. Not a brand I usually buy, but Jodie had them in and I love the rich colours in them - very me. The letters are Fancy Pants chipboard (from the Biggest Board range) and I have sponged them with ink (using a cotton ball) and then covered them with dimensional magic to give an antique feel. The other big letters are Chip Chatter and the tiny ones are Making Memories. I did the swirls using a crafters workshop template (these are awesome and Jodie has heaps of them in stock - swirls and flowers and journaling shapes etc) and then put dimensional magic on top. The stickers are 7 gypsies, brads are Making Memories and I think that's it :) The actual layout is in the shop so you can get a much better idea from that (and stock up on the new Basic Grey and Scenic Route from CHA '07 while you are there). Don't forget you can win a $20 voucher each month with this comp - more details on the forums at Scraptacular.

I'm over this Melbourne hot weather. Bring on winter I say. I am so a winter girl :)

Have a happy week,

Claire

Going, going, .....

gone in 14 days. Over the last six weeks I have grown to love these little suckers - my free sell-a-bration stamps. There's only 2 weeks left now until they are gone, gone, gone forever (these are exclusive never to be repeated sets only available during sell-a-bration) and the promotion is over for another year.  There's still time to get in quick and put through an order to get one, two, three or all four of the sets! You can read all about the promotion and view the free sets in the online Sell-a-bration brochure. I am happy to take email or phone orders - 03 9735 2946. All orders need to be in by late on the 26th.

Six weeks in as a demo and OMG I am so loving it. I have already learnt lots of new things and met so many lovely people in our groups business forum. Here I was thinking I would be struggling to have one workshop a month and I am so much busier. The stuff just sells itself. It really is the perfect flexible job for anyone who loves scrapbooking and papercrafts, and sooo much fun. I would love some more local people to play and share samples with, so if you have been thinking about becoming a demo yourself, just email me here cdaly@bigpond.net.au. Now (before Feb 26th) is a great time to join because of the extra free set you get to add to your starter pack (an extra $79.95 for free!).

One of the main things I have been learning is more about colour - which colour combinations I like, and how to apply colour to stamped images. These are two samples I have whipped up tonight using my sell-a-bration sets. I have used Old Olive, Elegant Eggplant and Very Vanilla cardstock. I have stamped the eggplant cardstock with the floral background stamp using elegant eggplant ink. I then used the Stampin' Write Markers (Rich Regals set - Bordering Blue, Brocade Blue, Elegant Eggplant and Always Artichoke) to colour the stamp (just draw it on and then breathe on it before stamping). Then added the cream and olive organza ribbon and old olive brads to finish it off.

In this one I used the Delight In Life stamp set and practised watercolouring the flower. I used the markers again - just scribbled a bit on the plastic top of my plastic stamp box and used the blender pens to draw the colour in. The cardstock colours are Always Artichoke, Elegant Eggplant and Very Vanilla. I also used the background stamps again - this time the French Script ones and the Floral again. Last I added a bit of hand doodling with the stamping write markers (Always Artichoke), a brad (so saffron) and some foam tape under the stamped image to add some dimension.

That's all for now. Hope you are all happy and well, and welcome to all the new readers!  I hope I can continue to share stuff that inspires you.

Happydays my friends,

Claire

Five ...

layouts in one day. Yeah :)

Yesterday I had my monthly weekend scrap at Scraptacular - I go once a month on a weekend day and once a month on a Friday, both for all day and into the night. It's so not about the scrapping. These girls have become such a wonderful part of my life. Sure we scrap, but we solve everyones life problems (and hang a little sh*t on each other) on the way. Scrapbooking is so good for the soul.

I got 5 layouts completed yesterday as well! I was really organised and had my pages planned out which I think was the key.

This one is a a group shop from the weekend away last year. I got lots of requests for this pic yesterday, so if you would like one, email me asap as I will be ordering them this week. These papers are BG Blush, yumm.

This one is the delightful Shazza in the park with Samuel in Jan this year. I am loving that Stampin' Up! Delight In Life daisy and find myself using it over and over again to make my own matching flowers. These papers are American Craft. I am loving these at the moment - bright and happy.

This picture was taken in December. I have been trying to grow gardenias for years and they always looked spindly and bare and hardly ever flowered. then someone put me onto Harry's Gardenia Fertiliser (I got mine from Acorn nursery in Canterbury Rd Surrey hills)n and OMG the stuff is amazing! I had the most beautiful lush shiny gardenia plants this year and gorgeous blooms. I have started an album about my garden. Gardening is my second love to scrapbooking and stamping (not that you would know it at the moment :( ) and I would like to scrap some of the gardens and plants I have treasured. This background paper is My Minds Eye signature suite range, as is the quote.

This picture is my Grandmother, aged 19, in Scotland. It was taken in 1920 and Mum gave me a copy. I love it. K and Co Hannah papers here.

Last but not least, my gorgeous Sam. He's going to break some hearts I reckon. I took this photo in January and as soon as I saw the quote on these Cosmo Cricket Souvenir papers at Scraptacular, I knew it would be perfect for this page (you should have heard the girls hanging it on me when I used the back of the paper first and accidentally cut the quote in half - luckily there was another on the shelf!)

That's all from me for today. When Sam wakes up we are off to start having a look around at houses to buy - woohoo.

Happy days lovelies :)

Friends and being 40 ....

Good morning lovelies. Now that you have recovered from the shock of me being up so early (went to bed way earlier than normal last night as I had a headache), enjoy my ramblings for today.

First, a layout share. This is my wonderful friend Cathy at her 40th birthday party in November. She is smart, caring and sassy and a whole lot of fun all rolled into one. We met when I worked at the Heart Foundation when I first came to Melbourne in 1996 and have been friends ever since. She's the sort of friend that understands we both lead full busy lives and when we catch up it's just like we'd seen each other yesterday. Very cool chick our Cath. I used the Stampin' Up! background stamps on this - the floral one on the background papers and the weathered one on the chipboard. Love how it turned out.

Then yesterday, my sister in law Maree sent me this great quote from Andi Rooney, 60 Minutes correspondent in the US:

As I grow in age, I value women over 40 most of all. Here are just a few of the reasons why: A woman over 40 will never wake you in the middle of the night and ask "what are you thinking?". She doesn't care what you think. If a woman over 40 doesn't want to watch the game, she doesn't sit around wining about it. She does something she wants to do and it's usually more interesting. Women over 40 are dignified. They seldom have a screaming match with you at the opera or in the middle of an expensive restaurant. Of course, if you deserve it they won't hesitate to shoot you if they think they can get away with it. Older women are generous with praise, often undeserved. They know what it's like to be unappreciated. Women get psychic as they age. You never have to confess your sins to a woman over 40, Once yo get past a wrinkle or two, a women over 40 is far sexier than her younger counterpart. Older woman are forthright and honest. They'll tell you right off if you are a jerk if you are acting like one. You don't ever have to wonder where you stand with her. Yes we praise women over 40 for a multitude of reasons. Unfortunately it's not reciprocal. For every stunning well- coiffed, hot woman over 40, there is a bald, paunchy relic in yellow pants making a fool of himself with some 22 year old waitress. Ladies, I apologize. For all those men who say "Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?", here is an update for you. Nowadays 80% of women are against marriage. Why? Because women realize it's not worth buying an entire pig just to get a little sausage.

It got me thinking about how much I actually like the place I am in at this stage of my life. There's nothing like life experiences to give you perspective and inner strength. I am proud that I:

• don't sweat the small stuff. When you've had enough big stuff happening in your life you realize it's really not that big a deal
• have such strong family values. My own extended family has been like that growing up, and I strive for that with my own family too
• live a balanced life. I want to have time for me, my children and my husband and my friends and extended family. I don't want to work all day and night to get more money. What's the point if you never actually spend time with those you love?
• trust my intuition. I know that I know what's best for me. I can recognize what I need (spiritually and emotionally especially) and am not afraid to seek to have those needs met
• realize I don't need more (possessions, recognition, money, degrees) to be content with who I am
• enjoy my own company - love time to myself
• can express how I feel. Life is too short to not tell others how you appreciate them. Tell someone today, whether it be by voice, by letter or in your scrapbooks
• don't get caught up in the whole body beautiful rip off. I'm so over diets and trying to look like other people (who genetically you are never going to look like)
• have such enduring friendships. My two closest Perth friends I have been friends with for over 20 years, Cath for over 10 years and I can already see it will be the same with many of my scrapbooking and stamping friends. Real friends are such support in your life.
• have an appreciation for the good things in life. Eating is supposed to be an enjoyable sociable experience - fresh produce, great wines, great company I say :)

Hope your Wednesday is happy :)

Claire

   

What a wonderful weekend ...

I had. Had a hard week last week and needed to spend my weekend with the people I love and not having to worry about letting anyone else down or feeling guilty about it. Wonderful.

Friday I caught up with Kerry (the very bruised and battered Kerry - who said exercise was good for you), always a great one to put life in perspective. So we caught up while her son Nick (also bruised and battered as he was at the other end of Kerry's bike - ouch) babysat my children on the swings! Cool. Worked Friday afternoon which I really enjoyed.  Mostly because I knew my children were having an absolute ball with their Nan who they adore. One of my dilemmas which caused me much grief last week was a change in decision about my childcare choices (and others just not getting it). I had a last minute change of heart about leaving them with someone who I am sure would have been wonderful, but I just didn't know well enough (actually at all .....). The anxiety before I made the decision was huge. In the end I trusted myself and  went with my gut feeling that I just wasn't able to do it and I didn't have to explain that to anyone. That takes guts. The fallout wasn't pretty, but you since I am the only one who is the mother of these gorgeous boys of mine, that's something I will just have to live with.

Saturday I worked again, and had the most wonderful compliments from two long term clients which really made my day. I know I really helped these people and that's a great feeling. Then off to Scraptacular to pick up a layout (for a CK acceptance - woohoo). Had a chance to sit down with Kim and Jodie over a coffee in the shop while Jodie was checking some incoming stock (definite bonus of being on the DT!!). We had lots of giggles while we worked out excuses Jodie could give Tamay about coming away with us girls instead of him on their 10th wedding anniversary weekend :).

Saturday afternoon I just hung out with the boys and Paul. Sat on the bench and had a drink together, jumped on the trampoline with the boys, haven't done that in ages. It was fun. This morning I got up early (well 8 is early for me on a Sunday) so I could go and watch the boys do their swimming lessons. I am so glad I did. It means so much to Josh especially. He is doing so much better at the new place. Samuel has also started lessons and is a real crack up especially when he jumps off the edge into the pool towards Paul. Poor Paul has a very bad abscess on his tooth (Dr described it as massive and told dentist to fit him in tomorrow). I can see lots of pain for both him and the savings account at the dentist tomorrow morning.

Joined a gym last week. First session tomorrow night. Really looking forward to it. OMG - was that me that said that? I'm no gym junkie, but will enjoy the time to myself I think.

Been working on some great layouts to demo at Wendy's Stampin' Up workshop. Love how they turned out, but no peeking til the workshop :) Time for a new 'She' challenge at Scraptacular though. so will have that up early this week. This months quote is:

She was an artist and her life was her canvas (Kobi Yamada)

Finally I will leave you with something funny that happened last week. I took the boys with me when I joined the gym and the lady was showing us around. There was an ironing board and iron in the change rooms and the lady said to Josh "now what's this - Mummy has one of these at home doesn't she" to which Josh very seriously replied "oh no no, Mummy doesn't, but my Daddy does" - ROLF - no prizes for guessing who irons their own clothes :)

Here's to a happy week and forgiving and forgetting and moving forward.

Claire xx

How I remember ....

these cute little chubby cheeks. Samuel was a big baby, 9lb 5.5oz at 38 weeks and when he entered the world my cheeky obstetrician commented how I wouldn't need to feed him for a week. I remembered taking this picture in the hospital room while I just stood by his little bassinet thingy in awe and thinking how blessed we were that we had another baby. IVF is such a miracle. This is definitely one of my favourite photos of him. I love how he has his arms placed, and those cute little hands as well. I love how this turned out, capturing the softness of the moment. I can see I will be using this technique a lot, stamping on cardstock scraps and using them as embellishments. Some I have added foam to add dimension to the page. The background paper is the Stampin' Up! 'I'm here Boy' simply scrapping set. Cool kit, all coordinated. I have also used the soft subtle buttons, olive and cream organdy ribbons, and various stamp sets - three of the free Sell-a-bration sets (So Very, Happy Harmony and Delight in Life) as well as  Mixed Bouquet and Mon-Ami.

This week on our demonstrators group there was a challenge to make a 'funky' card. Anyone who knows my style will know I am more into shabby and antique than funky, but I gave it a try. I guess you could call the colour combinations funky, but maybe not the overall look! These is fast becoming one of my favourite Stampin' Up! colour combinations - chocolate chip, rose red, more mustard and old olive.

Josh started Kinder today and is there now. Sam is asleep. Yeah scrapping and stamping time! Josh was so excited to see some of his Kinder friends. Nice to catch up with the Mums as well. Having children is such a cool way to meet like minded people.

Have a happy day lovelies.

Claire