Sponged Night Sky ...

Hello lovelies.

I had some of the girls in my team over yesterday to show some of the lovely swaps I received at the Incentive Trip and also to do some stamp technique training. We went through 6 techniques and the girls all got to make a sample. We also had a lovely lunch together.

Here's one of the samples I demonstrated, which I made up into a card last night. I have used sponging and post it note masks to make a night sky. Very different for me, but I really like how this turned out.

 

Here's the recipe for you:

• Stampin' Up! Stamps: Winter Post, Le Jardin Botanique, Snow Swirled and Many Merry Messages
• Ink: Bordering Blue, Not Quite Navy, Versamark, Stazon
• Cardstock: Whispering White, Basic Black
• Accessories: White and silver embossing powder, silver brads.

Lovely cold and rainy day in Melbourne today (I'm a little strange, I actually like cold weather) so I am pottering around at home. My favourite kind of weekend. I hope you are having a great weekend doing whatever you want as well!

Claire xx

My Incentive Trip swap using Eastern Influence ...

This is the card I came up with for the Stampin' Up! Incentive Trip swap. Eastern Influence is fast becoming one of my favourite sets. It's very pretty and can be used with or without the other blossom branch. I really like the birds as well. I have also used the Friendly Words wheel and the 'friend' word from Basic Phrases as I wanted my card to have a friendship theme.

 

In this version I have stepped it up just a little by adding half pearls either side of the friends word, and adding some Pretty in Pink Taffeta ribbon.

 

Here's the recipe for the overall stepped up version:

• Stampin' Up! Stamps: Eastern Influence. Basic Phrases and Friendly Words wheel.
• Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Pink Pirouette, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip
• Ink: Sahara Sand, Basic Brown, Chocolate Chip, Always Artichoke, Close to Cocoa, Pink Pirouette, Bravo Burgundy
• Other: Eyelet Border Punch, Crystal Effects, Pretty in Pink ribbon, Pretties Kit, Dimensionals, Jumbo Handle

This same design could be used for many different themed cards, so pull out the cardstock and the Stampin' Up! stamps and have a go! If you would like to buy any of the supplies I have featured in this card, or any other Stampin' Up! supplies, you can place an order just by phoning me on 03 97352946 or emailing me. Orders are delivered Australia wide from the Stampin' Up! warehouse.

Day 4 and 5 on the Noosa Australian Stampin' Up! Incentive Trip ...

Day 4 (Saturday) was a free day, so there were groups of people going all sorts of places - some went to Fraser Island, some to Australia Zoo, some to jet skiing, some dolphin feeding, some just relaxing and walking and shopping like me! Life moves at a fast pace when I'm home, so I relish the opportunity to wake when I wake and wander where I want to.

Sue and I had a lovely relaxing breakfast at a cafe and then I spent some time shopping and walking to have a look around. Here's some shots of the beach.

 

I also spent lots of time in the hospitality room, chatting with Janiel and Ang and whoever else popped in. This room is where Stampin' Up! set up and there are comfy couches with big cushions for us to sit and chat. Janiel and Ang are there with the spinning wheel and each day we get to spin the wheel and win a product prize. Today they had a bumper prize, and I got some Fresh Cut notecards, Build a Brad and Corduroy Buttons. We are sooooooo spoiled! Here's some pics of Janiel and the gorgeous flowers and lolly jars in this room.

 

 

 

 

Saturday night was our farewell dinner which has become the traditional 'surprise night'. All we knew was that we were to meet in the foyer for a time travel adventure. Everyone was trying so hard to guess and Janieltold us later she was in hysterics listening to us all try and guess on the bus. Some had thought silent movies, others had thought a castle. We travelled by Coach to Cooroy and then we saw all these gorgeous vintage cars lined up!

 

We travelled in groups of 4 (I was with Linda and Georgina and Sue) and chatted to the driver. Our car was a vintage Mercedes owned by the driver.

 

We were driven to 'The Plantation' which is a vintage styled homestead specialising in events and weddings. It was beautiful as we drove in, with a convoy of vintage cars and candles in paper bags.

 

We spent some time looking around the homestead which was beautifully lit with lights and candles. We also got to see the bridal suite and Janiel had even organised an astronomy club to be set up to show us images of the moon.

 

 

 

We then sat down in a beautiful courtyard setting to have a three course dinner. The tables looked so pretty with candles and the most amazing floral centerpiece. There was also a Pashima for each of the Incentive Trip achievers.

 

 

 

It was then back to our hotel by coach, where there was a gorgeous bag waiting for us, along with milk and cookies! We had a few drinks (me water!) in Marelle and Dave's room (entertained by Harry and his card tricks) and then had a much needed sleep before saying our goodbyes and heading to the airport for the flight home. It was lovely to see my husband and boys again and I feel rested, relaxed and very pampered.

My top 10 things I enjoyed from the rip would have to be:

• Hanging out and bonding, talking, laughing. I feel so bonded with this fabulous group of girls now.
• Having the relaxed and informaltime to get to know Shelli, Sterling, Dave Baugh, .Aaron and Emma and their partners a little better. Especially great to see Dave and Jennifer on their first Incentive Trip. Hope to see you back again!
• The hospitality room for the reasons above! Janiel and Ang go to so much trouble for us and it was fab to spend some time in this room with them. The flowers, lollies, gifts were a lovely touch!
• Ricky's and the cooking activity. Fabulous fun, amazing food, amazing view. Loved it.
• The floral arrangements everywhere which took my breath away.
• Hanging out with Sue who was a fabulous guest!
• The lazy breakfast, lunch and dinners. Noosa has some fabulous food venues and I enjoyed sampling them!
• The vintage cars and beautiful setting for our farewell dinner
• The make and takes, stamping next to Shelli and that fab icecream!
• Karaoke. SOOOO much fun.

Thankyou Stampin' Up! for a fabulous trip and some wonderful memories I will cherish forever.

Back to normal programming now and some cards and mailing out / deliveries REAL SOON! Thanks for coming along for the ride the last few days,

Claire xx

Day 3 from Noosa on the Australian Stampin' Up! Incentive Trip ...

Today was all about the stamping, as it was make and take and swapping morning. Now a girl has to build her strength for such an activity, so I started the day with room service breakfast on the balcony (yes  - it's still all about the food for me).

 

The tables for make and take were set up outside on the patio beside the ballroom, which was lovely. Unfortunately I can't show you any of the make and takes, but they were lovely and used some new products coming out later in the year! Last night we received a hat box full of goodies to use on make and takes and today we got to play with them.

One of the highlights for me is the demonstrator card swap. Lots of great inspiration to show you when I get back. It's fun to see the different ways everyone uses the products.

 

During the make and takes I had the pleasure of sitting next to Shelli and it was great to have her sit and stamp with us (pass the snail please Shelli!).

We also all lined up for another big group photo like last year.

 

At the end of the make and takes, the chefs wheeled in this amazing trolley of ice cream with all sorts of amazing bits to add on. It was very yummy, and yes there are more photos of the food.

 

This afternoon was very spent having a lazy lunch (which for a change I didn't photograph!) and then I wandered along Hastings St and had a look at the shops and stopped for a long chat with Linda, and then another long chat back in the hospitality lounge where we get to do our daily wheel spin. This trip has been so much about the catching up for me, and I really feel so bonded with many of these girls. We have spent many hours just talking and sharing and everyone is so friendly and open and appreciative of the opportunity to be here. I am getting to meet some new faces as well, and really have had many opportunities to just sit and talk with Shelli and Aaron and Emma and Dave from the US. I really enjoy that part of it.

Tonight I had a quiet tea in a little Italian restaurant on Hastings St with Sue and Jacinta Ryan and her guest Danielle. I intend to jump into bed now and read my book and am having a big sleep in in the morning. Tomorrow is, a free day and there are people off on all sorts of adventures, but I have decided to just chill out and walk along the beach and Hastings St and maybe laze by the pool or chat some more. I intend to make the most of this opportunity to relax and enjoy the sunshine.

Hope you have a fabulous weekend,

Claire xx

Ricky's Restaurant ...

Just had to post some more about Ricky's restaurant. The cooking activity was a lot of fun and the first time the restaurant have done something like this. Our group teamed up with the chef to make Hervey bay Scallops wrapped in Prosciutto and Lettuce Leaf with a grilled capsicum salsa. I really enjoyed hearing about the way the choose their fresh produce etc.

For me the most amazing dish though would have to be the Gnocchi with Wild Mushroom and Truffle Sauce. It was unbelievable. It was garnished with Beetroot Chips which were surprisingly delicious.

 

The other thing I loved were the amazing floral decorations. Such beautiful creations and you know how I like to take pictures of flowers and greenery!. The tropical punch was really delicious too and we managed to get the recipe scribbled down on a note for us.

 

 

Here's a pic of all the chefs we worked with including the owner Pascale (far right) who was quite popular as a photography subject!

 

If you are in Noosa, you just have to pay a visit to Ricky's for a fabulous meal.

Since I've been talking about my love of photographing flowers, how beautiful are these that we saw as we stepped off the jetty back onto the grounds of the Sheraton.

 

Claire xx