Hi ya all,

Well it has been one of those days today……you know where there seems to only be 20 minutes to an hour, and that hugemongous list of things to do, just doesn’t get a glance at!

So a little about the Stamp-a-thon for NBCF on Saturday, WOW, what can I say, it was the most amazing day! From all the fabulous feedback I have received, it certainly was well enjoyed by everyone as well.

It was a crisp winter morning, and I was thankful that most of the hall was set up the night before. Last minute preparations, had us gals running around, and especially be sure to have the hot water, hot for coffee. We were so surprised to see that there was 10 cars in the car park at 8:30am, half an hour before the registration opened…..these gals were eager for sure!!!

I was a little concerned how the hall would be with 100 people in it, as I really didn’t want it to be stuffy, but we all fitted in like a treat!

Here you can see by the photo, there was wall to wall people!

We started off the day with a welcome speech, and explanations on how the day is going to go etc…..

Our little welcome speech, with our funky pink feather boas, that Charmaine bought us to wear, and help people spot us in the crowd if they needed to find us!

Everyone saw Char get excited many times in the day….what a fun character she is. After the beginning speech, i gave myself a mighty face plant coming off the stage! It was all a bit of a shock, and well I am sure I didn’t look all that pretty either…..good thing I wasn’t hurt as it was quite the fall………….and a good thing that it wasn’t caught on camera!!!

Then the stamping began….8 fun projects, which I am sure was enjoyed by all. It was fun planning the projects, and I will share them with you asap!

We enjoyed a devonshire tea for morning tea, carefully prepared by Helen (Lou’s mum) Penny, (my mum) and Kate (Bryn’s Fiance) - They were the best on the day and made sure everyone was well fed and watered……we couldn’t have done it without their help.

We had a fabulous Silent Auction, which went off a treat! Thanks also goes to the very lovely Lee-Anne Barry, who is another Demo here in Perth, who kindly donated the most amazing basket of goodies for the Auction! Which raised nearly $300!!! Thank you so very much Lee-Anne, that was very thoughtful of you!

Here are our bundles for auction:

The products were kindly donated by Stampin’Up, as well as Char, Lou and myself….

We also ran two competitions on the day. I wasn’t too sure how they would go, and thought possibly this idea would be a flop, but no way! We were all stunned by the amazing response we got, and wow, check out how many entries we had for the comp….

and they were all FABULOUS!

Everyone stamping up a storm…..

Ngaire was kind enough to come on down and help us out on the day, which was such a wonderful blessing! Here we all are smiling bright.

Now I suppose you are all wondering if we were sucessful in raising funds for the NBCF after all that…….

Well I am absolutely delighted to tell you the total raised was:

$4,322.91

How amazing is that? We truly couldn’t have done it without everyone’s support, and enthusiasm. Thank you so much! Lets hope that this will be a small step into the discovery of a cure for Breast Cancer that effects so many women each year!

I will be back to show you all the projects as soon as it is light and I can photograph them.

Have a good nite!

 Well I am soooooo SUPER excited to share with you that plans are under way for this years Stamp-a-thon to raise fund for the National Breast Cancer Foundation!

We have had the most wonderful time at the past 2 Stamp-a-thons and have raised lots for the NBCF! You can read all about them HERE, HERE, and HERE!

2009 Stamp-a-thon

 

Fundraiser for

National Breast Cancer Foundation

 

 

Yes it is that time of year again, for the annual Stamp-a-thon for the National Breast Cancer Foundation!

 

We have had two very successful Stamp-a-thons in the past, to raise money for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Those that have attended are still talking about it!

 

I am sure that being a woman who could be diagnosed by the life threatening disease at anytime you can understand that it would be a very difficult trial to live through. So we thought we could help to give back to those that have or have had to suffer through the agony of being diagnosed with Breast Cancer by doing what we love best…..STAMPING!

 

So far we have received positive response from the Foundation about the event as well as support from Stampin’Up.

 

So be sure to get your registration form in as places are strictly limited.

 

(places for current demonstrators is limited, depending on the registration amount of guests)

 

The Details

 

Where:            Free Reformed Church  Armadale – Church Hall

             84 Fifth Road, Armadale

 

Time:             9:30am -4:30pm

 

When:            1^st August 2009

 

Cost:              $60 for the day inc materials and supplies for 8 projects, Morning and Afternoon tea & Lunch, and a $10 gift voucher to be redeemed on the day.

 

What are we doing?

We will be making 8 different projects using a variety of stamp sets, colour, and accessories throughout the day.

There will be demo boards with a variety of projects for your viewing, so make sure you bring a digital camera!

You will need to send in a registration form and upfront payment to attend the Stamp-a-thon. So don’t miss out, send yours in today!

You will need a moderate level of stamping to complete the projects

Ages 15 & up

Have questions?

Please contact the Registrar, Monique Bruning – monzbr@hotmail.com ,

You can upload your Registration Form  by clicking on this link

http://www.makeeshabyl.com.au/pics/stampathon.pdf

We look forward to seeing you there!

 Hey there, - be prepared this is a super dooper long one!

I have been blown away from all the thoughtfulness of all the wonderful demonstrators that were at Convention and have sent me pictures, or have disc’s in the post already! See, you don’t just become a demonstrator - You join the Stampin’Up Family!

So thanks to all those special people I have some photos to share! YAY!

I am still pinching myself that Convention has come and gone…….! You plan, and get all excited, then before you know it, it is all over! It was a whirlwind, and the best 3 days ever, but I am so sad that it is over

We did so much, and I met with so many people, so I will break it down into days for you.

First off before I left my darling hubby presented me with this gorgeous gift bag, and guess what was inside?

Two mags, two choccie bars, a pack of chewys and a gorgeous card telling me to go break a leg on stage! Oh how sweet is that? That was wonderful encouragement

Day 1:

We flew out late Wednesday afternoon from Perth airport. I was getting stressed in the checking-in line because I just knew I has way too much stuff with me! I was eyeing all the desk clerks and trying to pick out one that I thought would go easy on me, and I got the one that I thought would be good……oh but Alas, I still ended up having to pay a whoppin $120 in excess! And that was with 5 kg’s of discount too. Got that sorted and it was time to board almost immediately.

We had a great time on the plane as the whole 19 of us were chatting and catching up. I was on the aisle with Lou and Vicki next to me and then Monnie was on the other side of the aisle with a guy and a baby girl to her left. Oh that poor guy was struggling with that baby. I was thinking he should take her for a walk as she was getting really stroppy, and then before you knew it, she had spewed EVERYWHERE! Monnie was freaking out (by the look of her face ) and before thinking I dived out of my seat and before I knew it, I was thick amongst the vomit. I just couldn’t leave that guy sitting there with the vomit all over his face now could i?

I ended up babysitting a good portion of the flight there, because this wee gorgeous girl kept reaching out for me. At least she settled in the end. Best thing was that the air hostess came and brought me a bottle of wine to take, as a thank you for my help……..ah can’t turn down free wine now can we?

So after arriving quite late we headed straight to the hotel which was really lovely for some rest.

Day 2:

Thursday morning I was up bright and early to get things made a prepped for my presentation. I had things that I needed to put together because they would have been crushed in transit if they were put together, like boxes and such.

We all met together as a group, and found a great Cafe in the sunshine for breakfast. It was fabulous to chat and catch up with everyone. We then ventured into the shopping centre which was rather flash. I ended up buying not one, but two pairs of shoes……..yeah I hear ya “what about that luggage excess!!) well a girls has got to have shoes now doesn’t she? Fabulous shoes at that too!

After our little shopping spree I had to leave the others to head over to the Convention centre for my rehearsal…..YIKES now that was a bit scary, and there wasn’t even people there yet! I managed to fumble my way through that, but I also got to meet with Shelli and have a lovely chat together which was special!

Thursday arvo arrived and I had a coffee date with my good friend Karen, and Jean along with Ngaire and Skip. I have been waiting in anticipation to finally get to hug Karen, oh and she is such a gorgeous darling!!! What a fabulous sense of humour too! We all had a wonderful afternoon together.

Soon after that I had to race back to the hotel to catch up with my gorgeous roomie for the weekend Yvonne Campbell! Yvonne is from Melbourne, and so we don’t get to see each other often, so it made it really special that we managed to share a hotel room together.

Soon after arriving back and enjoying a glass of wine, along came……oh about half of Australia’s demonstrators to OUR ROOM! There were so many people jammed packed from wall to wall just to do swaps it was pure craziness! I could hardly breathe in there, but it was so funny too! I had to jump up on the bed to take pictures of everyone crammed in. At one stage there was 40 people in our wee hotel room!

Here is a picture of the swapping madness:

swapping, swapping, swapping!

After we managed to shoo everyone away (lol!) Yvonne and I went out to dinner with Ngaire, and a couple of the SU American crew. I had been dying to catch up with Amanda who is a dear friend from Stampin’Up’s head office, so that was great fun.

I have to show you this daggy photo of Amanda and I which has a bit of a story…… A few months back i got a package in the post from Amanda. Inside was this lovely sparkly pink lipgloss. I was like WOW that is nice. The next day I phoned her to say a big thank you, and well she asked me if I pressed the black button. I didn’t realize that there even was a button??!! SO I find the lipgloss and the mysterious black button, and what do you think happened? The whole thing lit up like a disco ball……..I am not joking here! It flashes all different colours, and is a great party trick. (my kids love it too!) Anyway I had promised to bring it along…….

Here is a silly pic of us applying our disco ball lipgloss!

Not the most attractive picture of me, but at least is shows I am having fun hey! You can kinda see the blue glow on Amanda’s face from the lights flashing. That was a fun night.

Day 3

Well this was the first day of Convention and oh so exciting! It was a very cold morning in Canberra, and walking to the Convention centre was a bit of a challenge. We registered straight away.I was so embarrassed when at check-in they all yell out “INCENTIVE TRIP WINNER”! yikes, I didn’t see that one coming. After my mug shot, we headed up to Momento mall to see what this year of goodies would be.

Oh La La, there were so many fabulous things on offer, umbrella, aprons, drink bottles, posters, pens, calculators, shirts, jackets…….lots and lots of goodies.

After a wee bit of shopping it was SWAP TILL YA DROP! I was amazed at how fast my 75 swaps disappeared! I received some fabulous ones back too. I would like to share a couple with you which are my fave, but I have to buy a new camera first, or borrow one!

We then headed into the Main stage to have our opening address from Shelli herself.

We learnt that the current catalog will be sticking around until September 2010, and a new one will be released after that. This way we will be more in-line with the US market, and won’t have to wait so long for new product to be available to us! This is fabulous news. We will however be having 3 mini catalogs between now and then, with some new hostess sets included as well!

The rest of the day was full of different classes and events, and of course they were all fabulous! I managed to catch up with a few people from other parts of Australia, which is always fun of course!

Just to prove I was there, and not on some tropical island……..

Vicki, Lou, Monnie and Me….

With the gorgeous Amanda again…..

Ngaire, my gorgeous Upline, and the infamous Karen Thomas!

At the end of the day, the Managers of above were invited to a Managers reception with Shelli herself, and SU’s General managers from Australia (Aaron Scott) and from New Zealand (Emma Parkin-Wilson). It was a lovely time to mingle, and speak with Shelli herself. We were fed these amazing Mocktails, and had lovely nibblies. Thankfully Yvonne had her camera and took one of me with Shelli on it! as i lost mine!

Shelli is the most gorgeous, gracious and humble person I know, and Oh that hair…..OH la la. It always looks wonderful! ( I wonder if she takes a stylist with her when she travels??? kidding!)

And then I have my wonderful roomie Yvonne……to think we didn’t know each other at last years Convention, to being great friends, and even roomies a year later…..who would have thought. It was special indeed, just as Yvonne is!

That night we went out for a yummy Chinese dinner…..yummo! It was hilarious when every one was showing off their party tricks…..I still can’t get over what Lou can do with her hands!!!! creepy! LOL! I came home to go over my presentation, and try to feel organized so I didn;t have a freak out!

Day 4

Presentation day!

Well it was a good start to the day, getting to the Convention Centre to get set up for our big presentations. I was so blessed to be able to share the stage with the fabulous and very talented Marelle Taylor. And what a fabulous job she did too! We were both a little nervous, but where really happy with how it all worked out in the end. And going by the cheers, we must have done a good job too

Marelle went first, and then Shannon West from the Utah home office went second. I rounded off the presentation at the end.

Here is Marelle doing hers:

Shannon then showed us some fantatstic projects that are designed for the Workshop wizard on the Demonstrator website. Stampin’Up is so good to us demonstrators- they can even plan our workshops for us! I loved Shannon’s projects and can’t wait to try them myself!

Here is the gorgeous girl herself:

And then last of all my presentation. It was a little overwhelmng wearing a headpiece and having telepromt, but there is a first for everything right?

Here is a pic of me doing my thing:

WOW see those big screens in the background…..there was two of those! Don’t they say television makes you gain 4 kg’s? LOL! What a big head!

I wasn’t going to show you this shot that Monnie got of me, then i was, then I wasn’t, then oh stuff it….I might as well show you because I think it is rather funny, and well it is good to laugh at yourself now and then (they say it keeps you young!)

Aint that the funniest look you ever seen! I must have done something terribly wrong during my presentation to pull off a face like that……..I hope you are laughing out loud right about now (at my expense!)  Okay I confess that there is one even WORSE than this, but I am sporting the biggest triple chin you eva seen……no,no that one is definitely staying hidden (unless Monnie uploads it to her blog, as it is her piccies, but she is far too lovely for that aren’t you mon?)

I suppose you want to see what I actually demonstrated then?

I managed to get some pics before I left for Convention, but they aren’t the best as it was the wrong time of day to be taking pictures and I don’t have one of those whiz bang OTT ligths yet (on my wishlist!) And all my projects where taken by SU and taken back to the States, so I didn’t get to photograph everything I made which is a bummer

Anyway at least you will get to see some of them!

First off I demonstrated a Double slider card. It is a cute way to make something a little different. This is the card that I actually demonstrated to make:

The front of the card. I have used the Fifth Avenue stamp set, with the Urban garden papers.

Then when you pull the ribbon you get these two pieces pop up. I made two supporting samples using different stamp sets, DSP, and cardstock.

Good friend stamp set with Good morning Sunshine DSP

Pulled up…

And then my Sock monkey man, whom I have called Stan…..aint he the cutest?

Here I used the Sweet slumber specialty paper, and the On your birthday stamp set….

Next I made a cute handbag out of DSP. All my samples were taken with no photos I made it with the Raspberry tart, Urban garden, and the Sweet always DS papers and I showed how you can put gifts in like a post it note holder, a set of love notes, and some chocolates. I have another sample of one I made a little while ago so you get the idea

Following the handbag, I demonstrated a Scrapbook page of my wee kiddies. I have used a 12 x 12 sheet of Cardstock and some Good morning sunshine DSP. I have used my Big deal alphabet, and the Outline alphabet stamp sets. Also the On board So tweet chipboard, that I dressed up.

what cutie pops!

Last of all I showed a card I would use for a Make and Take at my workshops. I like to use ribbon, brads, glittler……all that bling stuff! Here I used the Crazy for cupcakes stamp set, and the Sweet always DSP with Regal rose ribbon, and Pretty in pink brads.

I also had two display boards to show full of new creations, so I have lots to share with you over the next week or so. I wanted to show what type of samples I would take to a workshop, so was busy getting them made for Convention and not sharing them with you just yet Hopefully you like them and I will make up for my lack of creative posts too!

The rest of the afternoon at Convention was a final presentation from Shelli, where she stamped for us and showed us projects from her private collection. It is always wonderful to see Shelli stamp on stage, and she is such a hoot!

OH and the Workshop WOW’s from Ngaire (my Upline), Nicki Tidbold, and Michelle Habibwere wonderful. I know Ngaire was so nervous, and I was so proud of here getting up there on stage. I think the Perth girls cheered loud enough to give her encouragement!

We had Pam Morgan present as well. Pam is definitely one of my favourite presenters. She is funny, but so genuine too. Each year she tells us to go easy on ourselves, and try to delegate….(something I am not too good at!) It is always so encouraging to hear her speak.

We then had a presentation by Derek Christenson, and boy oh boy what powerful words one little guy can speak. AMAZING. We learnt all about the brain, carrots, eggs and coffee beans……..that is a whole big story, but still very thought provoking all the same!

The end drew to a close all too fast! We were encouraged, showed new techniques, given new goals, swapped, hugged, laughed, which was all too much to take all in two days. Good thing they give you notes hey!

Here are some pics from that day:

Me with Kirsty Brown…

My gorgeous friend Monnie Moo….(monique)

And Louise and I….

We were all sent off to get ready for our Awards night dinner, and what a night it was too!

Are you still here? This is quite the post………sorry!

The awards dinner:

Stampin’Up always puts on an amazing dinner at the Convention. The musician, the flowers, the decorations always look amazing as you will see in this picture:

Isn’t this just beautiful….

I met in the foyer with all my Inkpirations team members! It was so wonderful to share the Convention experience with them this year.

Me,Charmaine, Jennifer, Monnie, Chantelle and Marion…

The entre…

the mains….

the dessert…..

The Awards ceremony was on the Main stage. I was so amazed to recieve 6 awards this year…..! I received them for earning the Incentive trip, Leadership, Recruiting, Sales over 50,000, a Milestone award for having sold 100 thousand, and last but not least Demonstrator of the year top 25.

This year I ranked in at number 15 which I am still amazed at. That is such an honour, and I truly wouldn’t be there if is wasn’t for my fabulous team, and my wonderful clients……..so THANK YOU!

Here is a little stage shot:

There I am smack bang in the middle..

Getting a hug from Shelli….

Then of course we had photos with everyone whilst we are all dolled up in our fancies!

 

 

My sweet, precious friend Louise

the FANTABULOUS, Shannon West

Gorgeous Kellie Winnell

 

My dear and very energetic friend Kristy Young (twilight fanatic!!!)

Charmaine, Monnie, and Nicola, having a blast!

Chantelle and Marion

The very lovely Debbie Pamment…

Last but not least a photo with my gorgeous friend and fabulous Upline Ngaire

Ngaire was once again awarded Demonstrator of the Year! Her dedication to her business, and genuiness is above the rest. We love you Ngaire and Congratulations!

Day 5

It was so hard to get out of bed to get packing to come home again I was really looking forward to coming home to see Rod and the kids, but I was so sad it was all over, already!

We did have a relaxing day, wandering around Canberra and having a nice lunch in the sunshine, which is all the energy we could muster up.

I did however shed a few tears (or more) that day over my camera, and having to say goodbye to my eastern states friends. Poor Yvonne! I don’t think she saw that coming, and once I started so did she!

So there you have it……I am sure your head is spinning by now - that is if you made it to the end of the post! As you can see Convention is a very special event, and Stampin’Up really knows how to make it wonderful. I LOVE being a Stampin’Up Demonstrator!!!!

Thanks to everyone who sent photos, as not one of these are mine due to my camera being stolen. You all know who you are and I thank you from the bottom of my heart, because without you, this post wouldn’t have been possible and I wouldn’t have these special memories to share!

I also recieved some amazing gifts, but I will save that for another post…….*sigh of relief* I sense from you..LOL!

Till next time!

Recently I sent out invites to all the wonderful ladies who hosted a workshop throughout the year. Each of them had invited me into their homes, and so it was now time to invite them to mine.

I had been very busy getting things made and prepped for the day, and going by all the lovely comments, I think the ladies all had fun

So for the day I had prepared some fun little gifts for them to take home. First I made these drink bottle toppers, with the Tart and Tangy stamp set, and added a straw and lolly pop. I had these at everyone’s places around the tables.

Yummy!

I then made these cute little goodies for small gifts. I had them in a baskets, I even had some markers but forgot to take a picture of them, and they were whipped up in seconds.

First these little ribbon spools decorated ( these are the left over centres from the Stampin’Up ribbon. I have used the Scallop punch and the Think Happy thoughts stamp set.

Then I made the jumbo paper clips……thanks to Lou who found them for me!

And last of all I made these little….umm don’t know what you call them. Maybe they could be called chocolate cones??!! I have used the new Carousel notes from the New mini, and wrapped them around to make a cone, then loaded them with Chocolates, with a ribbon and tag around the middle.

Cute hey!

Now for the projects they made…….The first one was the Card folder that I wrote the tutorial for yesterday, along with the two cards to go inside with the envelopes. And the other items were a mini pizza box, and 3 love notes to go inside.

Here I have used Pomegranite cardstock, and the new Bali Breeze papers from Stampin’Up.

This first one I have again used the Bali Breeze papers, and the Say it with Scallops stamp set

Another Say it with scallops set, combined with the Jersey shores papers, pumpkin ribbon, and brilliant blue brads

Then the last Love note was this one, again using the Say it with Scallops stamp set, and the Afternoon tea papers, with Guava ribbon, and Antique brass brads.

So that was the projects everyone got to make. Here are a couple photos of the lovely ladies that came along on Saturday.

From the left we have, Melanie, Michelle, Julie, Barbara, Una, and Jess….see they look happy don’t they!

Sarah and Tracy…

Sandra…

Wendy and Rachel…

Henny…

Well those were the ones I managed to capture on camera.

Then last of all I had a display board….thanks to the lovely Lou, who loaned me hers!!!!

All in all I think it was a fabulous day, and a big thanks to the ladies that came along! I just have to share with you another thing that happened! As I was madly cleaning up because we had to go out in the evening, my darling Janaya call out to me…..”Mummy I’m stamping!” ….Hmm what do I find ???

This…..

Just when i thought Stampin’Up’s stamp pads are child proof!!! Jaye managed to get it all opened by herself, and work out the roller….!

So there you have my Hostess Appreciation Day in a short nutshell

I hope to be back soon, with some exciting news for you all………So stay tuned! 

Hope you are ready for a long read as I have lots of fun stuff to tell you about the recent Regionals last Saturday, and you know I love to tell a story!

Considering we had guests till 1am that the morning before, and I was back up at 5am to finish off some projects, I did really well. I think it was the adrenaline either from excitement….then again maybe fear for my upcoming presentation!

 Anyway I got all organized and headed up to the Convention Centre in Perth bright and early actually I was the first one there apart from the SU team. So i managed to help them set up and do the registration of the guests. It was great to see lots of familiar faces, and names etc,…. and to meet some of my on-line buddies Sarah-Jane and Kelly Winstanley. Hey gals!

It was so great to see Aaron (SU General Manager for Australia) who we spent lots of time with at the Incentive Trip again, and to also meet Derek and Donna who came down from the US head office. They were really great, and Derek is a crack up!

We got off to a great start with Aaron stamping on stage, and then Donna giving us her stamping tips as well. Then onto making some of the make and takes which were just beautiful! We all recieved the Live Your Dream stamp set that will be released in the Summer mini, December 1st. I think it is a beautiful set and can’t wait to really give it a bashing.

These are the projects that we made on the day:

Cute hey! We made a  6 x 6 scrapbook page, a groovy little Love Notes card holder, a matchbox card, and another long notes card. It was great to use the Afternoon tea papers that match the set, and they are coming our way too! Gotta love getting new products that we haven’t seen before!!! YAY!

We all got to run around and do swaps too with other demonstrators, which is always fun. I, thanks to Monnie moo, because she convinced me and came over one night to work on them together! I managed to get about 25 swaps made the week before, and here is a picture of mine:

Here I have used the stamp set that we recieved at the Incentive Trip that is also going to be released in the Summer mini, called Ocean Commotion. I love it! So I thought it would be fun to use this as no one else has it (apart from the IT gals). I used Pumpkin pie for the base and stamped the swirls up accross the centre. Then using a large silver metal edge tag, I layered a scallop punch in Bayou, then a 1 3/8 punch of Soft sky. I stamped the fish in Pumpkin pie, cut him out and popped him up with dimentionals. Accross the top I used Double stitches Bayou ribbon, that I then hung the metal edge tag off with some twine. Lastly I added the greeting from the One of a kind stamp set with Bayou ink. I hope everyone liked them!

After lunch I had the pleasure of doing a WOW presentation……well I did say pleasure, but at first I had the jitters!!! Once I got going though they couldn’t shut me up and I went over time!! hehehe. I just had so much to share. What fun that was!

I really wasn’t too sure what to present as i totally know there are lots of beautiful stampers out there and they have lots of wonderful tools like other people’s blogs and Splitcoast stampers as well. So thinking of something new was a little bit daunting.

I thought to myself what is it that I use all the time that I can share with others……..well thinking I did, and I have to tell ya how i came about what to do!

The Saturday before I went to my most Favourite Book store….. Koorong! I love that place, because I love books. I never fail to come back with two shopping bags full of goodies. I came home that day and went to load my new books onto the book shelf to get to later……I love knowing I have books to read, and won’t run out!!! Well I did that and then had a little step back to look at my book shelf and what do I see???? THIS!!!

Yep that is my bookshelf that has been totally grown out of!! See all the piles of books climbing the wall! LOL! I have been promised a new bookshelf for a couple of years, but we just haven’t made it a priority, and I just keep buying books! Books are such a fantastic hobby don’t you think? You learn things, get entertained, and don’t talk and drive everyone crazy whilst you are reading…….see I can justify anything. Oh and besides Tiarne loves to read, so i can pass these onto her too!

Later that day I just happened to be sitting on the edge of my bed (not too sure why??!!) and I glance over to see this on my bedside cabinet:

Hmmm more books and quite the stack!

BUT WAIT THERE IS MORE!!!

This is my little stash beside my bed on the floor between my bed and the cabinet!!!

Can you believe it. I have some serious reading to do!!! Well actually I think I am like three chapters in on 75% of these books so they are a working progress.

Seeing all these books got me a thinking (yes dangerous at times!) and i thought to myself if someone asked me to list my top 10 books,  I would pick…..hmm well first would be my Bible for sure, cause if I didn’t have that to keep me going, and on the straight and narrow, I would be doomed, not only here but eternally. THEN I thought hey I think it would have to be the Stampin’Up Idea book and Catalog, cuz I view it each and every day, and it is such a wonderful TOOL….Hmm maybe, just maybe I could show how fabulous this book really is…..!!!

So I didn’t quite get to listing the other 8 top books of mine, I was away with an idea and that is just what I needed……Good thing I did go to Koorong and busy another….(I am not going to tell you) amount of books….see justification is a fine art!

So my presentation was all about using the Catty to your advantage. I am a person that is stretched for time, as I am sure you can imagine with 4 young kids, and a hubby too I might add. I don’t have a lot of time to be sitting in front of the computer scanning all the wonderful projects on Splitcoast or other peoples’ blog (although I do keep up with my fav’s) so when I sit down to make a project I will work out what type of card, which stamp set, and colours……THEN I will pick up my catty and plan a Sketch. Yep using what I see I can gather great ideas to run with.

So I showed everyone what I was waffling on about, and I think you will be amazed too, just how easy this is!!!

I have taken some pictures of the catty so the photos aren’t brilliant but you get the idea.

First I showed everyone this page and asked if they could tell where the layout was from in the catalog….??? Can you tell?

 

From this sample used to show the Boatloads of love Stamp set on page 45of the catty!

Then I went on to explain that when you see a feature you like from something in the catty, use it!!!

This card on the right has that gorgeous little button cut into the side of the card, and I think that is a great feature. By the way this is the samples used in the catty on page 31 to show the Peaceful Wishes stamp set. I have taken this sketch to produce a Love note, Card, and Scrapbooking page.

Here is the love note. I have used Pomegranite, Pretty in pink, and Close to Cocoa cardstock and stamp pads. The colouring isn’t perfect and it drives me nuts but I didn’t have time to re-do it before hand. But you get the idea anyway with the button, brads and ribbon etc. I have used the Fun & Fast notes stamp set also.

Then this is the card, again with the same layout. I used Bayou for the base and added some DS paper from the Spring Break paper pack. I coloured the octopus from the Fishy friends stamp set with my aquapainter and stamp pads. This time I used a jumbo eyelet instead of a button, and some double stitched bayou ribbon, and antique brass brads.

And here is my Scrapbook page using the same layout. I have used Chocolate chip for the base which is rolled with the rough edges jumbo roller with Chocolate ink, then adding some Bashful blue paper from the Summer picnic paper pack. I added a large clear button that I packed with the same paper, and then two jumbo eyelets on the left. Lastly I added some wide grosgrain ribbon knotted off with some twine.

 

Now here is a little Love Note Sample that is on page 43 of the catty. I am not super keen on this sample, but is probably because it has yellow on it, and you all know I hate yellow! So once again I have made a Love note, Card and a scrapbook page following the sketch above.

Here is the little love note…..colours are better hey! I used Bayou for the base then textured Guava for the large circle. I have then scallop punched Bayou and then added the circles on top. The stamped image is from teh Wishing you the best stamp set. I also added some copper brads, and some detail around the edges with my white gel pen, and ah yeah some paper piercing too.

This is the card which is 12 cm x 12cm square. I used Pomegranite for the base, adding some Berry bliss paper for the circle. I cut a larger circle of pomegranite cardstock and then layed a whole stack of little circles around the underside to create the scalloped edge. The centre stamped image is from  One of a kind stamp set and I have punched out little holes, and then thread pretty in pink satin ribbon through it  lastly adding a pink rhinestone brad in the centre.

And here is my scrapbook page. I used textured Certainly celery cardstock for the base, adding some detail around the edges with a rose red marker. The DS paper is from the Petals and Prints DS paper pack. I again punched lots of little circle and underlayed them under the Pretty in pink circle. Finally adding the paper piercing, rhinestone brads and journaling to finish it off. This photo is of my oldest daughter Tiarne, and it is almost a year ago already!!! YIKES!

 Next I want to show you how a very very simple sketch can work for you. This image in the catalog is from page 60 and would have to be one of the simplest in the whole catalog!!! Well that’s my opinion. Here is the catty picture

I worked with the card on the right….

Here are three different samples I made following that sketch, all different but the same layout.

Once again working with the colours from last weeks colour challenge, Regal rose, Certainly celery, and Apricot appeal. I stamped some of the swirls along the bottom with regal rose ink. I stamped the Apricot cardstock with the Canvas background stamp. The butterfly is from the Priceless stamp set which I stamped and cut out, popping it up with some dimensionals. I added some wide grosgrain celery ribbon, celery brads, and paper piercing for features.

This one I turned into a Christmas card. I used the Season’s of Joy stamp set with Pomegranite, Artichock and River rock colours. The River rock strip is actually paper from the Holiday Harmony paper pack. I used the flower stamp, and have stamped it with Pomegranite ink, and added lots of glitter for bling. The ribbon is the wide Satin Pomegranite ribbon, and I used antique brass brads at the top.

For this card I have again used the Ocean Commotion stamp set. I used Bayou cardstock for the base which I also stamped the swirls along the bottom. I stamped the Celery cardstock with the stamp from Polka dots and Paisley stamp set. I have stamped the seahore, cut it out and again mounted it with dimensionals, adding a little bit of glitter for bling. I then added some double stitches ribbon in Bayou, and celery brads at the top.

Next I showed how you can again copy a sketch, but it can go different ways. For this one I showed the long card sample from page 21 of the catty. Here is the image…..sorry it is a bit blurry!

And here is my first sample

See how it is the exact same layout I have just used totally different colours and products. What did I use? Well the base is Soft sky stamped with the Tres’Chic background stamp.I have added white cardstock at the top which had been torn, then a big piece of Pumpkin pie prints DS paper with some soft sky double stitched ribbon. I then added the other two strips, being Bayou, and Celery with the greeting stamped and embossed on the celery cardstock. The large flower is from the Fabulous flowers stamp set, stamped in the 3 different colours and cut out, mounted and blinged up with lots of sparkly glitter, and a half pearl in the centre. I added two more half pearls at the bottom to finish it off.

Now I have turned the sketch around and made the long card horizontal. I used Pretty in pink cardstock for the base stamped with the Fine Lace background stamp. Then I added the white strip with Berry bliss DS paper in Close to cocoa. Next a small strip of Pomegranite, and a another strip of Chocolate chip cardstock which I have stamped the word “forever” in white ink, which is from the Wonderful words stamp set. I stamped the one heart with Chocolate chip ink onto white cardstock, and the other I stamped with Versamark and then embossed it with white embossing powder. I added the wide Satin ribbon and the half pearl to finish it off.

Pheew are you still with me…….this is a mammoth post, but I hope you are getting a little glimce of what I was trying to get at. It really is to show you that you can use what is right beside you for inpsiration rather than spend copious amount surfing splitcoast or the net!!! I always like to tell myself to…”Create don’t Procrastinate”! That way i use time wisely and get something done

Last of all here is a couple of pictures of me in action on Saturday…..just for fun. Thanks to Monnie Moo and her fandangled camera again!

 Blabbering away

 A shot from a distance….

 

 And here is a shot of Aaron Scott (general manager) and Donna Grifith from the Home office whilst they were viewing my presentation……..hmm maybe by the looks on their faces, I wasn’t too boring after all! Thanks for the picture Mon…!

Well that is all folks! I hope I have shown you a little of what a FAB-O day we had on Saturday. Thanks to Stampin’Up for coming to Perth and for picking me to do a workshop WOW, that was great fun!

I will be back later for the new Challenge!