Black or White?

The black version was a demo swap from DSD AKA Deep South Diane or Diane Bell-Robertson it's a very classy invite - hard to see but the edges have been sponged with silver & the middle panel is clear embossed using the It's Beautiful wheel & then the large 2 step bird punch which is so versatile has certainly been put to good use.

This is the middle of a white version that my upline Jacque Pedersen taught at one of her recent classes - totally inspired by Dianne's card.

And here they are side by side!

Last week to join the family for $299

And trust me we are a family from the hobbyist to the person wanting to start a business & everything in between.

Well it's the last week of July & the last week to get the starter kit at the reduced price. The starter kit which really does have everything you need to get stamping & so much more has been reduced by 20% to only $299 (valued at ~$685). It's never been as cheap as this before & it probably never will be again.

Hopefully any questions you may have you I may have answered on this page HERE but I also love to chat so feel free to e-mail me with any questions you may have.

Anyone signing up under me during this period will be entered to win my recruit basket which I will draw August 1st, which includes the NEW 2-step large bird punch ($36.95), Patterns II designer series paper pack (level 1 hostess set ~$35 value) & Vintage Labels (SAB set 2010 & no longer available ~ $35 value).

I also run a private blog full of ideas & projects for my immediate downline plus as a demonstrator we have access to training in real life, templates & projects & private forums & monthly newsletters from Stampin' Up! and me. You also receive a discount on my home classes. My next team training is scheduled for Sunday August 29th & I'd love to see you there.

If you're ready to take the step you can now sign up online all you need is an IRD number, my recruiter password (PSST it's karenstampz) and your birthdate the American way i.e. MM/DD/YY click HERE to sign up online & then click on join now.

If you do want to do this as a business please do take the time to talk to me so I can guide you on colours & stamp sets as we transition into the new catalogue in just over a month.

Who hates masculine?

I can see all your hands from here - I'd do anything to not make a man's card but I think you'd agree that most men would love this card as it could almost be used in emergencies for fixing things!

I made this card ages ago at one of Debbie's classes & then shared it with my ladies the other night - got to love team work!

Stamp set: Totally Tools
Ink: Basic Brown, Earth Elements & Neutrals watercolour crayons
Paper: Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White
Punches: 1-3/4" circle
Other: Crimper, vintage brads, sweet treat cup, blender pen, dimensionals, nuts and bolts

Craft Show Out West

Is on again this weekend at the Trusts Stadium in Henderson raising funds for the West Auckland Hospice and it's only $5 entry. I worked today with Debbie and tomorrow Judy & Sally are working. So if you popped into the stand today I hope you had as much fun as we did & if you haven't visited yet it's well worth it plus it's for such a great cause!

These are the three FREE notecards that Debbie & myself were helping visitors to our table to KReate today.

What's that I can see in my magnifying glass??

It's a dragonfly! of course.

This was a very cool card that my fabulous downline Debbie taught me & I tweaked a bit for my class last night. The class one turned out even different as I used Lovely Liliac for their card mat & chunky glitter - which was perfect. It's a bit like the Mainland Cheese ad - by version 4 - I was really happy but here's version 2 for you to see :)

Stamp sets: Short and Sweet, Organic Grace (level 1 hostess set), Something Sweet (Summer Mini 2009-2010 maybe returning soon in the new IB+C?)
Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Not Quite Navy, Lovely Lilac, Old Olive
Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Not Quite Navy, Whisper White
Punches: 1-3/4" circle, 1-3/8" circle, 1-1/4" circle, scallop circle
Other: Stamp-a-ma-jig, dimensionals, sweet treat cup, glitter

And the picture doesn't really show it but we made clouds using bashful blue ink as I think after trying a few blues they're the most realistic.

How to KReate clouds easily

All you need is a large scallop circle & a few smaller ones and a quarter of a sponge & hey presto you have a cloud making "gadget"

I used to use individual punched out scallops but adding a few to the outer large scallop circle (Big Shot BigZ die); makes it so much easier, see the pictures to see what I mean.

The "cloud-making gadget":

Ink up your sponge & dab down on the scallop edges - don't swirl or sponge on, dab up & down!

Now move the "gadget" slightly down & twist slightly.

The finished background - now how easy is this!

All the ladies attending my Sweet Treats Class 2 will take home their own "cloud making gadget" & I hope they enjoy using it over & over again.

June's Top 10

• 113009: Enjoy Every Moment (wood-mount)
• 115792: Greetings Eight (wood-mount)
• 114283: All Scallops (wood-mount)
• 114263: A Happy Heart (wood-mount)
• 117693: Very Vintage Stampin’ Around Jumbo Wheel
• 120003: Cottage Garden (clear-mount)
• 118598: Vintage Vogue (clear-mount)
• 116330: Bella's Bloom(wood-mount)
• 118565: Fox & Friends (clear-mount)
• 119194: All A Flutter (wood-mount)

Not surprisingly a few of those sets were on special last month - now if you'd like your stamps & supplies to be on special every month don't forget that you only have until July 31st to join the family at the discounted price of $299 (receiving $685 of products to boot) & no you don't have to be a demonstrator to buy the starter kit.

Click on the top tab JOIN MY TEAM and you'll see I've probably answered most of your questions otherwise e-mail me to find out more.

Happy stampin'

Embossing with Judy

Judy Beetson is one of my fabulous downlines as well as being my friend & neighbour. Judy, Joan & myself were all scrapbookers until I discovered Stampin' Up! & started dragging them along to classes at my upline's place in 2007.

Judy & myself stared blogging together as well so it was with great delight when she decided this year that "stuff her health problems" she was going to do what she wanted to really do & become a demonstrator. As Judy is retired she holds classes at different times than myself, so it was lovely to chill out her place yesterday afternoon & be taught for a change - heaven! The saying she's chosen for our card is kinda appropriate "follow your heart - it knows the way".

 
Yesterdays class was embossing & I love both the projects we all created.

Stamp sets: Always, Whimsical Words (SAB 2010)
Ink: Versamark, Whisper White Craft
Paper: Riding Hood Red, Pretty in Pink
Other: White & black embossing powder, Top Note die, Riding Hood Red taffeta ribbon, Perfect Polka dots embossing folder

Stamp set: Upsy Daisy
Ink: Versamark, Chocolate Chip
Paper: Soft Suede, So Saffron, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla
Other: Clear embossing powder mixed with Dazzling Diamonds glitter (see below for how sparkly it is), Soft Suede polka-dot grosgrain ribbon, large oval punch, flower brad, brown paper bag (non-SU).

Thanks Judy for a lovely afternoon - do check out her blog if you're a local (westie) as she maybe offering classes at a time that is just right for you - it certainly was for me yesterday. I'm off to one of my other downline's classes on this coming Friday night - I can tell already this is going to be a GREAT week for me :)

 

Very classy Baroque

Isn't this an elegant card & really easy to turn out quickly - it's been created with 2 large background stamps Baroque & En Francais, which are phenomenal value at $39.95 each.

I made this card a few months ago at my fabulous upline Jacque's class. I must admit it's dark when I go to work & dark when I get home so very hard to take pictures for my blog & this is much more sensational in real life than the photo is showing.

Stamp sets: Baroque Motifs, Baroque, En Francais
Ink: Sahara Sand, Encore Gold
Paper: Sahara Sand, Baja Breeze, Very Vanilla
Punch: Scallop Circle
Other: Pretties kit (large half pearl), cutter tool, sponge

HUGE gift bag in a box

This must be the coolest project I've found in awhile on  Laura Glin's blog - I was shocked when it was made to see how it big it was, it is really BIG!

Paper: Chocolate Chip, Holiday Teasures DSP
Punches: 1/2" circle, eyelet border
Other: Build a Brad, Top Note Die, Baja Breeze Striped ribbon, crop-a-dile & pewter jumbo grommets

Here it is side by side with the old style Gift Box in a Box

Thanks Laura what a cool project

I haven't disappeared but sure feels like it

Just been overseas to Darling Harbour again for another conference - this time all things microbiological - very intellectual but it's great to be home to the cats & my bed. Have a class tomorrow night & then training from SU! on Saturday so will report back real soon with some stampin' stuff from me.

Here's another one of my favourite demo swaps - this is from one of my Aussie blogging friend Diane Barnes who's work I admire greatly. She's made this fabulous voucher/gift card holder using the top note die - just love it & gone to CASE this one for real - thanks Di.

Keep warm all - winter has arrived with a vengeance here!