INKYART

Launch Night Swap - part 2

As promised, here's the second card we made at the launch night.  Same stamp set Creative Elements, same Early Espresso and Night of Navy but this time with a splash of Cherry Cobbler.  Then there is the addition of the Shimmer Mist (can you just about make out from the photo that the lovely flower is everso slightly sparkly?), a piece of the new seam binding pleated on a piece of sticky strip and some little Cherry Cobbler flowers punched using the flower from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack.

Now I have a question for you .... I love the card but .... what do you think No. 3 stands for?  Is it a secret code for something?  If you know I'd love it if you can share the answer with me please.

Both the cards are very different and the ladies loved them.  I think I will be sharing our creations again from the Stampin' Up! events I attend.

Don't forget, if you fancy coming along to Regionals (see Wednesday's post) just give me a shout.

Happy Stampin'

Nikki

x

You Are Invited!

Have you ever wondered what a Regional Seminar  or a Convention Event would be like to attend?

Want to share in the excitement of a Stampin' Up! event (and yes it is exciting)?

Well you can .... the annual Regional seminar is coming to Melbourne in November and you don't need to be a demonstrator to attend.

Saturday 12 November is the date to put in your diary - being held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

What Does Your Registration Include?

Your $95 registration fee covers all seminar activities and includes:

• The Under the Big Top stamp set from the 2011–2012 Idea Book & Catalogue  - wood or clear mount you choose

• Business tips - not too many but there are some (and you get to see some sneek peaks too of what's coming up)

• Paper-crafting and stamping techniques

• Swapping with fellow demonstrators and guests (optional of course)

• Presentations by Stampin’ Up! staff and local demonstrators (such a great part of the day)

• Lunch - special dietary requirements are catered for.

• Make & Take projects

• Display samples for inspiration

Remember, you will also be able to take photos of the beautiful and inspiring stamped displays and have the opportunity to meet and swap with other demonstrators and guests from surrounding areas.

The event kicks off at 8am with registration and finishes by 3.30pm - so if you have a commitment on in the evening you'll be home in plenty of time.

Now there is something that I have tell you, this most definiately isn't a 'come and join us' event - it really is an event whereby fellow crafting ladies (and yes even the odd man or two) come together to share what we love which is Stampin' Up!

Of course if you do decide to become part of the Stampin' Up! community that's great - but there aren't any special offers at these events to twist your arm - its simply a Regional Seminar to share some great ideas.

Of course if you are thinking of joining you simply have to take that step during this month - there isn't long left to take advantage of the great special - hundreds of people have jumped on board during this month - if you want to know more click here.

So if you want to come to the Regional day I'd love to take you - you won't be left alone (unless you want to be of course) - I will be your chaperone, we all sit together with our friends and its great to meet other like minded addicts .... opps I mean friendly stampin' buddies.

Call or email before 3 November to book your seat.

Happy Stampin'

Nikki

x

 

Convention Swaps

At my little Launch night the week before last I was stumped for what to make. At Convention or Regionals we receive Make and Take packs which include everything you need to make cards, scrapbooking pages and usually a 3D item.  All of the items are always lovely so I thought 'why not make the Convention swaps' .... it made for easy preparation.

So here's the first one - we received the Creative Elements stamp set in our Convention bags.

Now I have a funny story for you.  When I saw this card I said 'oh great Stampin' Up! are bringing out some new sized envelopes' .... yes I think I was the only one in the room who hadn't noticed the very cute small open-end envelopes available on page 126 of the catalogue!

The butterfly is stamped using the 'marker to rubber' technique, the colours are Old Olive, Early Espresso and Not Quite Navy; and of course we were introduced to the new must have dotted scallop ribbon border punch (page 151) (a real bonus being a demo is that you get to see and use new products before they come to market)  - it punches double sided so here I have cut it in half.

The little sentiment is from the It's Your Day set.  Its a quick and easy card to make and the launch night girls loved making it too.

Check out the other sample in a day or two.

Happy stampin'

Nikki

x

 

 

Blog Hopping with a new Ideas Book and Catalogue

There's nothing like a deadline to get your mojo happening is there!  Yes a group of lovely ladies are blog hopping again this month - this time showing new items from the 2011-12 Ideas Book and Catalogue.  Now you know the routine, hop on board and just follow the links - and get ready to be inspired.

I fell in love with this set from the minute I saw it, Faith In Nature.  I love pears (did you know they are very good for you if you have sensitive skin .... you should be eating at least one day, but I digress) .... So I have turned to my trusty Colour Coach and came up with this colour combo, Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, More Mustard and Pear Pizzaz.

The pear was stamped using Stazon Ink onto watercolouring paper and then coloured using an aqua painter and the ink from the lids of the stamp pads (when the ink pad is still closed, squeeze the lid into the pad and then when you open the ink pad pick the ink up off the inside of the lid with either a blender pen or aqua painter).

Lots of sponging and tearing, with a piece of the First Edition speciality DSP, crumbled and inked too. I love the new scallop punch - perhaps now that I've used all the bits I punched at Convention I should actually buy the punch :o)

And here's the second sample.  Its the same pear coloured in the same way; but this time I have 'roughed up the edges' a little.  The background stamp is from the new Simply Soft set - its a flower based two step stamping set but I thought this particular stamp would make a great random background stamp.

So its time to leave and hop along to visit Judy May and see what she has created this month to inspire us.

Have a lovely weekend and see you next week.

Nikki

x

 

AWOL

I feel like I have been gone forever and ever.  Fallen off the planet, shouting world stop ... let me off .... I haven't crafted for ages and I really do feel that this lovely hobby helps to keep me sane and balanced.  

I also know that sharing creations and being a part of the blogging community is something I love to do .... its been a part of my life for so long now, that when other things like my day to day working life get in the way (gggrrrr grumble grumble groan groan), I begin to feel empty if I don't make the time to 'Love what I do, and Share what I love.'  Have I told you I love being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator? 

So I'm here, back again .... and raring to go ... well almost .. there is a little tasks of finishing some swaps for a lovely group of ladies .... but for now I thought I'd share a Christmas card with you.  Yes girls, with less than 100 sleeps to go ... it is time to get festive.

This is one of those cards you can produce over and over again.  The technique is masking and if you would like to know how to do it, sign up to my newsletter and I'll include the instructions just for you.

I'll be back in a day or two.  I have launch night cards and news to share, a blog hop on Saturday and news of a product share (hands up who loves ribbons and sparkly brads)  .... so I have no excuses and plenty of things to create.

Happy Stampin'

Nikki

x

Join Stampin' Up! NOW

Have you ever thought of becoming a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator?

If you have now is the time to think very seriously about joining - this month's special is great value.

$169 is the Special Price for a Special Mini Starter Kit.  Check out all the details right here.

Alternatively, if you fancy the full Starter Kit that's on special too - 20% off at $231.20.

Lots of savings and with an ABN no longer being needed this could be just what you have been waiting for.  Call or email if you want to look into this great opportunity further - and check out further information here.

Nikki

x

 

 

New Ideas Book and Catalogue

There's a new catalogue, and its out now .... if you want one you can pick one up for $10 or I can post one to you for $12.95 plus p & p straight from Stampin Up!

Full of yummy new products, new incolours and new embellishments and papers.

Stay tuned for samples - and a great new demonstrator promotion - if you are thinking of joining up you won't want to miss this.

Newsletter will be out this week, with samples and news of my retired stamp sets for sale.

Now just to find the time to create.

Nikki

x

One on 1 hop for August

On A Journey

Welcome to another One on 1 blog hop - these come around so quickly.  Thanks to Margie for organising the hop once again and thanks to Ali Edwards for setting an easy task this month.  No sticking, cutting, or creativity required .... and for my part no printing either .... (oops)! This month's task was to include a photo of yourself on your OLW journey, adding a small amount of text. 

 I'm perfectly imperfect!

I don't have Photoshop so I'll be printing my words and pictures and sticking them together before placing them into my OLW album.

My husband took these photos during a recent visit to Sydney - I don't think I am alone when I say I don't like photos of me but I am learning to give the camera to other family members (just LOL) so that I too can be included in the memories.  I had been thinking of taking some more and finding one that I liked more but hey, accepting that perfectly imperfect is enough, is what I am striving for :o)

Time to hop along to see Cassie, enjoy your OLW journey.

Nikki

x

 

Margie               http://xnomads.typepad.com/blog     
Monica B            http://questtoperfectimperfection.blogspot.com
Julie Ann            http://julieannshahin2.blogspot.com

Jill                          http://jillconyers.typepad.com/ <http://jillconyers.typepad.com/>
Cheri                         http://cheriandrews.blogspot.com
Melissa            http://blog.mshanhun.com
Kathryn            http://www.katlodesigns.com
Amanda            http://scrappnbee.blogspot.com
Sam                        http://learncreatedo.wordpress.com/ <http://learncreatedo.wordpress.com/>
Chrissy            http://getcraftywithchrissy.blogspot.com/
Lynn                        www.crafty-creativity.blogspot.com
Lisa                        http://backtoallen.com/writers_blog
Jen                        http://byjen.com <http://byjen.com/>
Nikki                        http://www.inkyart.com.au/>
Cassie            http://craftycassiescorner.blogspot.com/
Jamie                        http://jmpgirl.blogspot.com <http://jmpgirl.blogspot.com/>