Stampin' Up! Australia: Claire Daly, Demonstrator and Online Shopping for Stampin' Up! in Melbourne, Australia

Charity Scrapbooking or Cardmaking?

If anyone is working with any disadvantaged groups or volunteering for charity to help with cardmaking or scrapbooking, can you contact me by email (cdaly@bigpond.net.au) asap please? I have a huge box of paper pieces, rub-ons, scrapbooking and stamping magazines, die cuts, stickers, alphabets and anything else you can think of to give away to a good cause. I would either need you to collect it or for me to mail it to you at your expense. Please only charity and disadvantaged groups thanks :)

Thanks - back later with a REAL post. Have lots to tell and am nearly all caught up :)

Claire

Last Marker Club, 4 Places Left!

Hi everyone. The title pretty much says it all. I won't be offering the marker club again this year after the current one is full and I have 4 more places available. If you would like to be one of those lucky four people to get all the markers (including the 4 extra neutral ones), $30 of free merchandise and a free level 1 hostess set, plus 8 exclusive marker tutorials from me for $32 a month over 8 months then email me at cdaly@bigpond.net.au as soon as possible. I expect it to fill this weekend. You can read more here.

Just to also let you know I have been unwell again, and while I attempted to struggle through the early part of the week I am a couple of days behind in some things. I anticipate being all caught up this weekend, so thanks for your patience.

Classes are filling fast, so email me at cdaly@bigpond.net.au if you want a spot. I have also just added some technique classes my downlines are offering in Skye and Avondale Heights, so if you live in that area, give them a call!

Claire

Onwards and Upwards ...

Wow - what can I say, your messages and emails of support for my last post were so lovely. It can sometimes feel vulnerable to say what you really think, but I feel so validated and supported by my wonderful blog friends and colleagues. Thankyou so much. I did sleep well and I do feel so good about my decision.

Just to clarify (waving Trish), I am still doing my in-person classes. I have day evening and weekend classes available and you can read about what's on offer here.

Now for those cards I promised. The girls on the team have been doing some challenges. This week was a colour challenge to use Wild Wasabi, Purely Pomegranate and Groovy Guava. Thiis colour combination was inspired by the lovely and talented (but way too modest) Tracey Eaton. Tracey gave me a card at convention in Brisbane using these 3 colours and it's one of my favourite cards. I

First I came up with this card which was a different version of one I did last week.

 

 

All supplies are by Stampin' Up!. I have used the level 1 hostess set Oh So Lovelywhich is a big favourite of mine. I have also used the Paisley background stamp and the Boho Background seton the the Wild Wasabi layer and the punched scalloped circle. Ink and cardstock colours are Wild Wasabi, Groovy Guava and Purely Pomegranate and I have used Basic Greyto stamp the watercoloured image before it was watercoloured with the ink pads and my Aquapainter. The striped grosgrain ribbon is Wild Wasabi, and I have used the corner rounder, scalloped circle, 1&1/4 circle and 1&3/8 circle punch.

Then I was inspired to make this window card by my lovely downline Cecilia in Yarra Glen (another one who is way too modest). I love how she used the scalloped circle and 1&1/4 inch punch to make the little window (the flowers are watercoloured on a scalloped circle piece of watercolour paper inside the card. Cool hey?

 

All supplies again by Stampin' Up!. The cardstock and ink colours are the same, although this time I snuck in a bit of Blue Bayouwhen I was watercolouring the vase. That cute little greeting is from Occasional Greetings. This is a great set of 12 greetings for nearly any card you could think of! The case of flowers is from Fast and Fun Noteswhich we got as a free set at convention. If you love colouring this is a really versatile set to have. It would also be great for beginners. There are 8 different images and another 8 greetings if you mount the greetings separately like I did. I have also used Boho Backgrounds on the scalloped circle, and the Paisley Background stamp. Punches I have used are the scalloped circle, 1&1/4 circle and corner rounder

OK, have ribbons to cut and parcels to pack so better get to it. Thanks again for your support and friendship,

Claire xx 

Somethings really been bothering me ....

(You might want to grab a cuppa - there's a fair bit of self analysis going on here!)

You know that feeling you get when something just doesn't FEEL right. You know when you can't quite pinpoint it but you just feel uneasy about something? Like when you do something because you think you *should*, or someone tells you it's a good idea so you do it but it just doesn't sit right? Well I've got it.

Or should I say had it, then I was sitting here watercolouring in the quiet of the night and it hit me. I had to come right on here and talk about it, mid watercoloured petal ....

I don't feel *right* about selling my inspiration and ideas.

There I said it.

Anyone who has been to one of my Stampin' Up! workshops knows how passionate I am about the *things* and I believe so much in their quality and value for money that I will always be passionate demonstrating and recommending you purchase them, because I truly believe they are great. It's just the ideas about what I do with those *things* I don't feel comfortable selling. So I'm not going to. It just doesn't feel like a *ME* thing to do, which is why I think I have been feeling a little weird.

Since I started my patterned paper kits 2 months ago I felt a little different about my blog. When I started it (way before I became a Stampin' Up! demonstrator) I wanted a place I could talk about my world and share the things I had made. I didn't intend on it ever being a business related blog, and I don't want it to become that now. I always feel a little differently when I have to create for a purpose ir a deadline. It just doesn't *happen* like it does when I just sit down and decide to make something because I feel like it. That's why I think I never lasted long on design teams before I resigned. I want to create for me, and if sharing it with you inspires you too, then that's great (actually beyond great) but I've realised (for me) that can never be the starting point if I want to love what I have made and feel really great about the journey.

So I now declare this a PayPal button free zone. Or at least for my ideas. Maybe sometime in the future there might be a PayPal button for a class, but those expenses are covering the materials and venue and tucker and insurance, so I think that's different don't you?  Yes I know this means I'll never make Business Woman of the Year, but I'll feel better about me and the way I do things and I that's more important to me.

So I guess it's lucky I didn't go on a huge Ebay shopping spree today and spend the payments people have made over the last couple of days for the latest kit. They'll be coming right back into your PayPal account by the end of the weekend. Over the coming weeks I will feature some of the projects from the latest Boyz Zone kit on my blog and include the full instructions for everyone to enjoy. For free. If you ordered the latest Boyz Zone kit and there's something you DESPERATELY would like to see, email me and I'll see what I can do. I really appreciate your support and you coming along for the ride on my little experiment. Out of fairness to the people who purchased the original Brocade Backgrounds instruction kit, I won't be posting projects for that kit or making that kit available to download.

By this stage you probably think I've gone a little crazy. To me though it feels good. I'll sleep so much better tonight. Here's to creating for creating's sake. What I like to call 'Art with Heart' (good name for a blog and a Stampin' Up! team don't you think?).

Back tomorrow (actually today now!) with those two colour challenge cards,

Claire xx

Who's ready for some in-person classes?

They've been a long time coming, but I am excited to announce I am finally starting to offer some in-person classes. This will give me an opportunity to help my customers and blog followers in-person to get the most out of their Stampin' Up! products, and to learn some new techniques and ideas to incorporate stamping into cardmaking, scrapbooking and off the page projects. Those who have been to my workshops know how passionate I am about spreading the joy of stamping, so I am REALLY looking forward to getting my teeth stuck into these classes.

Stamp a Gift & Stack for Christmas (Weekend or Midweek Classes)

This will be a monthly event occurring in July, August, September, October and November and is designed to have you organised for Christmas. At each event, you will make an exclusive off the page project, and 8 handmade Christmas cards designed by me (4 cards each of 2 designs).

Each class will be available on a Saturday or Wednesday during the day. July class members will be making an exclusive stamped and spiral bound Perpetual Birthday Calendar and 8 Christmas cards with matching envelopes. July class times will be:

 

Saturday 19^th July 1.00 – 5.00 

Vermont South Community House

or

Wednesday 23rd July 10.30-2.30

My house in Lilydale

                     

Class Fee is $35.00 which includes the class fee, over $25 of Stampin' Up! product (used on the day and you keep the rest!) a light afternoon or morning tea (byo lunch for the Wednesday group). Please bring a trimmer, mat and adhesive if you have one (or you can order Snail adhesive when you book). There will also be specials and prizes on the day

Please note: As I need to order supplies for this workshop, bookings will close off for this workshop on Friday 11^th July, and the class must be paid in full when you book. Class size is limited and places will be offered on a first in first served basis.

To book email me at cdaly@bigpond.net.au or phone 97352946. I accept payment by direct deposit, credit card, cash or PayPal (I will email you an invoice to pay via PayPal).

 .

One -off Class for July: Technique Book in a Night

At this workshop, you will decorate and make a stamping technique book. These will be advanced techniques which are not covered in the Stampin’ Techniques booklet given out at workshops. We will do 8 different techniques on the night, and you will make 2 samples of each technique. One copy will get stuck into your decorated technique book along with the step by step instructions I provide on the day. The other you can take home to make a card with (or make on the day if you have spare time). There will also be an opportunity to add further techniques later in the year.

 

Friday 25th July 7.00pm until we finish!

My house in Lilydale

 

Class Fee: $33.50 which includes the class fee, a whole pack of Designer Series Paper of your choice, light supper and the art journal we will be using for the techniques. Please bring a trimmer, mat and adhesive if you have one. There will also be specials and prizes on the night!

Please note: As I need to order supplies for this workshop, bookings will close off for this workshop on Wednesday 16th July, and the class must be paid in full when you book. Class size is limited to 8 and places will be offered on a first in first served basis. To book email me at cdaly@bigpond.net.au or phone 97352946. I accept payment by direct deposit, credit card, cash or PayPal (I will email you an invoice to pay via PayPal).

 

For Country and Interstate Customers, Blog Visitors or Demonstrators. If you can’t get to these classes, you will be able to purchase the class ‘to go’ (for Australian residents only). This must be booked and paid for by the closing date and the class will be mailed the day after the actual event has been held. Flat rate postage of $6 will need to be added for each package sent. Demonstrators are welcome to attend or purchase my classes and will be treated as any other paying customer.

 

Cancellation Poilcy on all Classes

Cancellation and full refund will be available up until the advertised closing date for each class. After that date you are welcome to send someone in your place, but I will not be able to provide a refund unless I have someone on the waiting list to fill your spot.

As always, you know where I am if you need to ask any questions.

Hoping to get some inspiration up for you soon. As Christine can vouch for when she saw me in the post office yesterday, the cough/croakiness has taken hold again, so I'm resting up at home to try and send it on it's way. I can't wait until the school holidays so we can all rest and recover a bit!

Claire

Scrapbooking boys ...

Time for a boy page don't you think? I saw a great layout in an international Stampin' Up! publication but it was for a girl and in pink, so I decided to challenge myself to make a boy version. I particulary liked how they had used the semi-circle rub-ons from the Stampin' Up! Anchored rub-ons. I love the feedback we are getting about our rub-ons - such great value (you get two 12x6 inch sheets in each pack, one in black and one in white) and they rub on so so easily.

 

 

 

All supplies are by Stampin' Up!. I haved used Night of Navy, Old Olive and Really Rust cardstock. The paper is from the Fall Flowers Designer Series Paper. I have used the Classic Stars Wheel to stamp the stars and then cut them out. I have also used the Stamp of Authenticity set, round tab punch, circle punch, vintage brads and a chipboard letter from the Lots of Letters Chipboard pack. I have used the Cropadile to emboss the dots in the old olive strip and the letter was coloured with my markers and clear embossed. I should also add that I don't think I took this photo - Sarah if you are reading I think it may have been you?

Have a great Sunday,

Claire

Boho Backgrounds and Merry Merry...

This card is especially for my lovely customers Kim, Judith, Wendy, Christine who have been waiting patiently until this week for their Boho Backgrounds sets to arrive. I love this set, it's one of my favourites from the new catalogue.

 

 

I originally started out trying to case a design I loved from Kelly Lunceford, a US demonstrator. I really love her cards, the layering and the design is always so balanced and just looks great. In the end turned out different as I cut the chocolate piece too short and decided I liked it like that! This is definitely a design I will be using again! I have decided to start writing my card recipe a little differently on my blog to make it easier for you to follow.

• Stampin' Up! Stamps: Boho Backgrounds, Baroque Motifs (greeting)
• Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Purely Pomegranate, More Mustard
• Ink: Chocolate Chip, Purely Pomegranate, More Mustard
• Other: Chocolate Chip wide grosgrain ribbon, More Mustard brad, Dimensionals (foam dots)

I have also completed my first Christmas card for the year! Yeah me! I love this bright new Merry Merry set in this years Stampin' Up! catalogue.

 

 

• Stampin' Up! Stamps: Merry Merry, Priceless, Many Merry Messages, Snow Flurries
• Cardstock: Soft Sky textured, Purely Pomegranate, Certainly Celery
• Ink: Always Artichoke, Sage Shadow, Purely Pomegranate, Certainly Celery
• Accesories: Circle punches (1&1/4, 1&3/8), scalloped circle punch, Anchored rub-ons

I am desperately in need of a quiet nights stamping tonight, so I hope to have some things to post tomorrow too. I am inspired to use our new rub-ons and also want to do another card using this design as I am loving the layout (if I do say so myself, lol).

Loving the rainy Melbourne day

Claire xx

Fabulous Flowers Emboss Resist

Today's card features another version of the emboss resist technique using Stampin' Up!'s Fabulous Flowers and the very pretty Le Jardin  Designer Series Paper.

 

 

The cardstock colours which this paper was designed to coordinate with are Bashful Blue, Very Vanilla, So Saffron and Always Artichoke. To create this card, I stamped the large flower twice in Versamarkonto the patterned paper and clear embossed it. I then used my brayer to brayer Always Artichoke ink over the top. After leaving it about a minute to dry, I rubbed the ink off the embossed sections using a paper towel. I then cut out the flowers and layered them with dimensionals. The top layer has three Always Artichoke Brads in the centre.

I cut the circle using a bowl (yes very technical!) and layered the patterned papers onto my card as shown. The background card is Bashful Blue and the ribbon is the 5/8" wide grosgrain in Very Vanilla. This particular ribbon is also a great tone match for Barely Banana and So Saffron cardstock. The greeting is from Short and Sweet and I have used the Word Window punch to cut it out. Finally I have added three brads in the bottom right corner to balance the card (two in So Saffron and one in Bashful Blue).

The design for this card was inspired by the lovely Makeesha who has a card featured on Beates blog today. If you love the Pick a Petal set, you must check out Makeesha's card HERE.

Hope you are all having a fabulous day. Be back soon,

Claire xx

A Little Bit of Happiness and CC170

Another challenge, this time the weekly colour challenge from Splitcoaststampers (inspired by Kylie from Australia this week - woohoo). The challenge CC170 was to use Regal Rose, Real Red and So Saffronon a card. My first thought was OMG OMG OMG. Then when I broke it down using the tried and tested 60:30:10 ratio, it seemed much more manageable.

The base card is So Saffron with Baroque Motifs stamped in So Saffron ink. The image is from A little Bit of Happiness(fast becoming my new fave Level 1 hostess set) and is stamped in Basic Grey(loving this new waterproof colour as the outline colour with watercolouring) and then watercoloured with the Watercolour Wonder Crayons (Rich Regals set). I then covered the coloured hearts with Dimensional Magic. The image is matted with a tiny bit of Real Red and then a wider mat of Regal Rose. Lastly I have used the 'Love You' greeting from Short and Sweet and stamped them in Real Red.

Had a lovely day today with a group of fun ladies (waving Deb and Co). We made the little chocolate treat holders which they seemed to love. I then got spoilt with a bowl of homemade soup, so that was lovely. 

Be back soon, until then have a great week,

Claire 

Beate's Weekend Sketch

Have had a lovely relaxing last couple of days.Yesterday we went for a lovely drive in the country through Marysville and up to Lake Eildon. It was a glorious day and we all had quality time together and the boys got to run and play and kick as boys do.

 

 

 

 

One of the highlights for the boys was seeing this hot air balloon which had just landed in a paddock by the side of the road.

 

 

 

Then today I went to the movies with my lovely friend Michelle and saw Sex and the City the Movie. It was pretty predictable but a fun chick flick all the same, especially for someone that loved the TV show like I did! We then went and shared some yummy pancakes and hot chocolate and chatted some more. It was a lovey day. We were also witness to something really lovely happening. While we were waiting to pay our bill, there was a couple ahead of us paying theirs. The gentleman paying also said he would like to pay for the table next to his (which appeared to be a carer and 2 girls in a wheelchair) as their life was tougher than his. How nice was that? It really touched me.

Somewhere in the middle of all of this, I managed to make a couple of very different cards for Beate's weekend sketch. I was cleaning out my patterned paper stash and found some bits and pieces I thought would make lovely cards, so I did :)

This first one uses the greeting from Stampin' Up! Fabulous Flowers, which has been embossed in black. I also used the Anchored Rub-ons as the star outline and rubbed them onto the patterned paper. I have also used a couple of the bling brads from the Pretties Kit.

 

 

This second card has gone for a softer look using the same sketch.

 

 

The cupcake is from the level 2 hostess set Cause for Celebration. I have used Dazzling Diamonds on the icing (which is hard to see) and paper piecing for the base of the cupcake. To paper-piece, just stamp the image, and then ink and stamp again onto patterned paper. Cut the section out of the patterned paper and attach with a glue stick.

Hope you have all been having a fun weekend too,

Claire xx