Claire Daly - Stampin Up Demonstrator in Melbourne, Australia

There's still time for the Valentines Mini Book ....

Call it a mini book, or maybe a mega card? Whatever it is, there's room for up to 5 photos and journalling and stamping in this lovely gift for your loved one, or maybe you will turn it into a completely different theme altogether?

The class is just $15, or $20 if you are a demonstrator and would like to run the class yourself and receive a graphic to place on your own website or in your newsletter to promote your class). You can purchase either option HERE. Instructions will be available from 2pm tomorrow and you will receive an email with further details once you have registered. I'll be available in the chat room for help in putting the book together. Here's some more sneak peeks:

 

 

Hope to see you in the chat room tomorrow!

Claire xx

Three ways with Big on Spring ...

Ros cam over to play today and we had a nice day stamping and chatting (Josh included). I had a chance to play with Big on Spring from the Stampin' Up! Summer Mini catalogue. It's a really versatile set and I managed to make these three cards using a few simple techniques.

This first one has just been watercoloured with my Watercolour Wonder Crayons (Pretty in Pink, Rose Red and Old Olive). The Designer Series Paper is Spring Fling  and the Rose Red Prints range. I've also used Pretty in Pink brads and my much missed Purely Pomegranate satin ribbon which has now retired (sadly).

This second one uses the new Chunky Sprinkles Stampin' Glittercourtesy of Ros letting Josh and I have a little play with hers. I have to say how EASY this was to use and clean up and the colours are just delicious! This Celery colour is a great match for our Wild Wasabi  which is the green in these lovely Spring Silhouettes Designer Series Papers (matching colours are Wild Wasabi, Soft Sky and Very Vanilla) and the Wild Wasabi striped grosgrain ribbon. The word was watercoloured using the Soft Sky Classic Inkpad.

Finally I have this baby card using Paper Piecing. I have used the Spring Fling Designer Series Paper again (just love those colours of Pretty in Pink, Sage Shadow and So Saffron together). The word has been watercoloured with the Sage Shadow Watercolour Wonder Crayon and the ribbon is Very Vamilla (although a very good match for Barely Banana as well. I have also popped a couple of Pretty in Pink buttons on there too.

Anita gave me a little blog challenge yesterday, and I thought it would be fun. Here's probably a good place to apologize to all the wonderful people who give me blog awards. I am sorry I am so bad at acknowledging and passing them on. The truth is it's difficult to find the time to write on my blog, and I often don't have time to post about the awards in the minutes I grab to update my blog. I am grateful though, so thankyou for thinking of me. 

Now back to the challenge. I had to find the 6th picture folder on my computer and then choose the 6th photo and tell the story behind it. Here's my picture which is of my husband Paul and our dog Monty. I have just got a new computer, so this was a very recent photo from our holiday at the beach.

Paul has always loved German Shepherds and this is the third white one he has owned (two in the time we have been married). I also had a German Shepherd as a pet when I was growing up. Monty is a very loyal pet and looks after us all very much, while being very gentle with the boys. I always feel incredibly safe when he is around. He usually gets left behind on holidays, but this time we took him with us and he had an absolute ball. The boys particularly loved playing with him running through the water at the beach. I took lots of photos of him at the beach as well. The sad part is Monty is over 12 years old now, and late last year (a week after the cat died - go figure :( ) we found a lump on his leg that they have diagnosed as cancerous. We are watching and waiting at the moment. He seems well and energetic still, but we all know one day we will have to say goodbye to this beautiful dog which will break all of our hearts.

Wow 3 posts in one day - is that a record? Have a great long weekend,

Claire xx

Cupcakes from Cami ...

Cambria Turnbow gave me the opportunity to have a play with some of her stamps, and this set Life is Sweet took my fancy. The colour scheme was inspired by a lovely email I had from a fellow demonstrator Janein Canada this week. Among other things she told me how she was about to paint her craft room Pale Plum and Close to Cocoa and I haven't been able to get the colour scheme out of my mind since.

Love how quite a few of the greetings fit on the Stampin' Up! Round Tab Punch. I've also added some Dazzling Diamonds to the icing at the top.

Aren't cupcakes so big in craft at the moment!

Claire xx

Kristina's Colour Challenge #39

Managed to fit what I think is my second (or maybe 3rd?) Kristina Werner colour challenge in this week. Trust me to pick a week that was wayyyyy out of my comfort zone, but that's the fun of the challenge isn't it? Here's what we had to work with:

 

I decided on a Valentines card. I couldn't locate any Green Galore, so I used Wild Wasabi instead.

 

Claire xx

Introducing Scrapbooking One Sheet Wonders ...

You know how I love my patterned papers right? Well how about if you could complete a simple 12x12 layout using just one sheet of double sided 12x12 paper and some matching cardstock? That would be 12 coordinated layouts from a pack ofStampin' Up! Designer Series Paper and some matching cardstock and embellishments.

Over the next 3 or 4 months, I'll be bringing you more of these simple and quick layouts so you'll soon build up a collection of easy designs to use for scrapbooking. My layouts will all just use one sheet of Stampin' Up! Designer Series Paper and some matching cardstock and other stuff, whether that be stamps, buttons, ribbon or something else. I won't make promises of a certain day every week (takes the fun out of it for me :) ) but I promise to try and post them pretty regularly.

The first layout features a sheet of the Spring Break Designer Series Paper and I've just used white cardstock for this one (although the matching colours are Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Not Quite Navy and Whisper White).

         

I've used the patterned paper 4 ways in this layout: as a background piece, to mat the photo (the photo is 5x7 and printed at home on Semi Gloss Canon Photo Paper on the MP980), as an embellishment (the cut out layered flower) and the title (Jumbo Outline Alphabet stamped into the patterned paper, cut out and stuck on the photo). Other than that it's just white cardstock and a tiny piece of Pumpkin Pie striped grosgrain ribbon. Pretty easy hey? I know we are all going to look back at this page and smile at that boogie board ankle strap :)

Until next time, stay happy!

Claire xx

Polka Dot Punches and Congrats ...

Here's the last two Saleabration sets. I cheated a little and combined them to fit in with one of the challenges on my team forum.  It's funny, as Polka Dot Punches was the last Saleabration set I chose, but after seeing all the lovely cards on blogs I love it. I'm really liking the Congrats set too - it's so versatile.

I went for something a little different for me for this card, using a tag instead. I have based the colours for the card on the Spring Fling Designer Series Paper - Pretty in Pink, So Saffron, Certainly Celery and Whisper White.

 

I usually do faux stitching on my cards, but this one had the real sewing machine unleashed on it. Here's a view with the tag pulled out.

 

I hope you enjoy what I have come up with for the Saleabration sets. I might have some more to post tomorrow as I would like to try and stay awake to watch some of the Inauguration Ceremony. I'll see how I go!

Happy stamping,

Claire xx

Botanical Blooms and Yummy Saleabration Sets ...

I'm back from the beach now and pleased to be able to play with my stamps again. I didn't take any stamping stuff with me these holidays. I thought it was time I pulled out the Saleabration sets though and had a little play.

First up is Botanical Blooms. This was the one that caught my eye as soon as I saw the Saleabration catalogue. I saw many different  uses for it and if you have been following any of the blogs you will see what I mean. There have been some gorgeous cards posted. Here's my creation:

 

I have used the Ginger Blossom Designer Series Papers and the matching River Rock, Ruby Red and Very Vanilla cardstock. The centre panel was cut using my Nestabilities. I have used both two step stamping and paper piecing to stamp the Botanical Blooms (the outline is stamped in Always Artichoke, the shadow stamping in River Rock). The greeting is from Occasional Greetings and I have stamped it directly onto patterned paper using Always Artichoke ink. The Groovy Guava and River Rock double stitched ribbon finish it off.

This second card uses the sentiment from the Yummy Saleabration set. This card started out to be a case of card by Summer Fullerton that I saw last year. Then I decided to add the flower and stem/leaf as well. I'm really pleased with the end result and just love those Felt Fusion Flowers! Don't they coordinate beautifully with the Bali Breeze Designer Series Papers?

 

Tomorrow I will be playing with the Polka Dot Punches and Congrats Saleabration sets, so stay tuned! I hope you have a nice Tuesday,

Claire xx

Would you like to jounal more on your scrapbook pages?

I'm excited to have been asked for the second time to be on one of Erika Martin design teams for her online scrapbooking courses. This time it's Journaling 101 which anyone who knows me and why I scrapbook will know is a passion of mine.

In short, this is a 12 week online course which will coach, encourage and inspire you to REALLY tell the story behind your photos, in many different ways. You'll get to see layouts each week by myself and the other 5 DT members and see how we interpret and present the weekly challenges (none of these layouts will be posted here). Erika's courses are really well put together and awesome value for money. I learnt so much in the last one myself.

Here's a sample layout I completed in the last course:

 

I'd love for you to come along with me on this very personal journey which will record some of your own very personal story for yourself and your family. When you register, make sure you tell Erika you were referred by me and then email me too so I can email you some journaling box template shapes you can use on your layouts.

To find out all about the course and to register, just click on the picture below which will take you to Erika's blog. It starts soon so get in quick!

 

Let the fun begin,

Claire xx

A Happy Heart ....

I had a chance to have a play with this set A Happy Heart in the Stampin' Up! Summer Mini Catalogue last week. It's very cute and I have to say I am loving that criss cross stamp!

I  wanted to give the card a bit of a masculine feel, so my colour combination is Kraft, Chocolate Chip, Ruby Red and Taken with Teal. The patterned paper is from the Ginger Blossom Designer Series Paper. I have embossed the heart (ink up with Versamark and then Taken with Teal, stamp onto cardstock and clear emboss). To colour the criss cross stamp I have used the Stampin' Write Markers direct to rubber. I have finished it off with some 1" double stitched Chocolate Chip ribbon from the Summer Mini Catalogue, and some Hodgepodge Hardware.

If you like this set, you may be interested in my first class I have developed for Scrapbooking Top 50. I have made what I call a mini book, but could also be described as a big card with lots of layers and twists and turns. The theme is '10 Reasons Why I Love You' and it contains photos and journalling and lots of stamping. It's a perfect gift for your loved one or you could change the theme alltogether.

The theme could easily be adapted to any occasion and you can use the products you already have at home to complete the project. It's the perfect gift and something I find myself making time and time again. You can get all the instructions and help from me as required to make it, for just $15 (international stampers and Demonstrators are welcome to take the class). Although I have some set times I will be online to discuss the class projects, you can also just get the instructions and complete the project in your own time. To read more about it and to book and pay for the class, click here. I'd love to help you create your own unique gifts for your loved ones!

I've also added a detailed tutorial about some of the stamping tips and tricks I used on the heritage layout I recently posted. Like this one where I changed the word on the tab stamp from Party Punch (which originally said Thankyou) to fit in with the theme of the layout. I was really pleased with the result and will be using that lots more! You can find the monthly tutorial instructions here.

 

If you love this Party Punch set, have you thought about gathering a few orders from family and friends and submitting them together to earn the hostess benefits? This is called a Virtual Party. As the hostess you will get a free catalogue, and earn the hostess benefits which for a $300 order are:

• A level 1 hostess set (there are 6 to choose from including the Party Punch set I have used here)
• $30 in free merchandise (your choice)
• A free Saleabration set for any orders of $100 or more included in the total (so you could earn three)
• A free catalogue

If you'd like to take advantage of this great offer, just email me or call me on 03 9735 2946 and we can get the ball rolling!

That's all from me, see you back here soon,

Claire

Afternoon Tea and Ginger Blossom Designer Series Papers ...

I've been playing with some of the Stampin' Up! Designer Series Papers from the Summer Mini Catalogue. I'm sure if you follow my blog you will know I am a HUGE patterned paper fan. Even after over 2 years as a demonstrator, I still get excited at how perfectly the Stampin' Up! cardstock, inks and accessories coordinate with their Designer Series papers. This has made my scrapbooking and cardmaking so much easier!

This card uses the shabby chic themed Afternoon Tea Designer Series Paper. The matching cardstock colours for this one are Soft Sky, Groovy Guava, Chocolate Chip and Wild Wasabi.

 

This paper also coordinates with the Stampin' Up! Live Your Dreams stamp set. I had my heart set on a bird image for this card though, so I used Touch of Nature instead. I used the paper piecing technique for the bird. To do this you stamp onto the cardstock, and then the same image onto patterned paper. You then cut out the patterned paper and stick it over the image on the cardstock. I have also watercoloured the branch and leaves using the ink pads. I used these Stampin' Up! supplies:

• Stamps: Live Your Dreams, Priceless (for the swirl), A Little Birthday Cheer (greeting)
• Cardstock: Soft Sky, Groovy Guava (textured)
• Paper: Watercolour, Afternoon Tea Designer Series Paper
• Ink: Basic Brown, Wild Wasabi
• Accessories: Stampin' Up! Scalloped Border Punch, Groovy Guava and Soft Sky Double Stitched Ribbon

This second card uses the Ginger Blossom Designer Series Papers. The colour matches for these papers are Groovy Guava, Ruby Red, River Rock and Cameo Coral. The papers also coordinate with the Stampin' Up! Embrace Lifestamp set which I have used here. This set has an Asian feel to it (if you loved Artfullly Asian you will love this set).

 

My card is just a combination of the coordinating papers, cardstock and ink colours. I have stamped directly onto the patterned paper in ruby red on the top layer. I have also added a bit if visual interest using the Scallop Border Punch and a trio of nested punched shapes for the greeting (Designer Label, 1" circle and then Small Oval. The stamp set I used in the greeting is Basic Phrases. This was a gift from Stampin' Up! for presenting at the recent Melbourne Regionals and I am already loving it! So the Stampin' Up! products I have used are:

• Stamps: Embrace Life, Basic Phrases
• Cardstock: River Rock, Groovy Guava, Ruby Red
• Paper: Ginger Blossom Designer Series Paper
• Ink: Ruby Red and Chocolate Chip (for the greeting)
• Accessories: Ribbon from Stampin' Up! Fairy Tale Ribbon Originals, Scallop Border Punch, Designer Label Punch, 1" Circle Punch, Small Oval Punch.

While I'm showing you these papers, I wanted to show you a couple of lovely stamped gifts I received at Christmas from fellow demonstrators (in addition to many many beautiful hand stamped cards from demonstrators and customers. I was excited to receive every one of these, so thankyou!).

This gorgeous mini pizza gift box was made by my verycool upline Jenni Oliver. I received it filled with stamping goodies and a lovely card. She's pretty clever hey?

I also received these lovely stamped boxes full of Stampin' Up! yumminess as a Kris Kringle gift from my secret Santa Maggie Mathern. I wish I hadn't been so eager to open the gifts and had photographed them before they were opened. Maggie had packages everything in beautiful little boxes of all shaped and sizes, all in my fave Stampin' Up! colours. Thankyou Maggie!

 

That's enough for me for now - I'll be back later with another creation for you!