I recently came across a cute card that uses the popular butterfly pansies to look like a seedpacket mix. The talented creator is Judy Marshall, from Canada, who kindly sent me the file to make my own. Thanks Judy!

We made this card at Stamp Club on Friday (you can see the matching Technique Journal page by scrolling down this post).

As you read this I'll be heading off to Sydney for the annual Stampin' Up! Convention. Ve-e-e-e-r-y exciting!

I feel even more grateful to be going this year, after finding out this week that I've had atypical pneumonia which at least explains why I've had so much trouble breathing! I started feeling better almost straight away after treatment began on Monday so YAY I've been given the thumbs up from the Dr that I can go to Convention (as if I wouldn't! hehehe).

I'll be updating from Convention so keep checking here for all the news from Sydney.

Happy stamping,

There's still time to register for next Friday's Big Shot Class, but you'll need to be quick as spaces are strictly limited.

• Come and try the Big Shot; see for yourself what all the buzz is about.
  
• Not sure if you really want or need a Big Shot? This is your chance to find out.
  
• New Big Shot owner? (Lucky you!) Leave the class with the knowledge of how to use your Big Shot and get the most out of it,
  
• Leave the class with 4 completed projects – all materials included in the cost.
  
• Check out the Big Shot projects on display.
  

Date: Friday 28th May, 2010

Time: 7.30pm to 9.30pm

Venue: My house in Creswick, 15 mins from Ballarat, 20 mins from Daylesford (details given on registration)

Materials & Tuition fee: $20 (everything included)

Contact me to reserve your spot. Phone (03) 5345 1592 or send me an email.

Hi there As promised I'm back to share some of the Technique Journal pages from Stamp Club.

What is a Technique Journal?

Each month at Stamp Club we create two projects, and one of those demonstrates a technique that we learn on the night.

We decided we need a place to store all our techniques so that even if the cards were given away the technique wouldn't be forgotten. The journal is Stampin' Up's On Board Art Journal (5"x5") which includes 20 sheets of Very Vanilla cardstock… absolutely perfect for stamping on!

We each decorated our own journal covers. This is mine…

And some of our recent pages…

For the "Rock & Roll" sample card click HERE

For the "Masking" sample card click HERE (you'll need to scroll down the post)

For the "Negative Punches" sample card click HERE (you'll need to scroll down the post)

Next month we're making a 3D birdhouse plus a card that demonstrates a different technique (we'll have to keep the theme a surprise for now ), so can't wait for that one. If you have any questions about Stamp Club, how it works or how you can be part of it just ask.

Happy stamping,

Hello! Thanks for stopping by.

On my last post I showed you the lovely flower stamp from Asian Artistry which I'd been watercolouring with Baja Breeze, Close to Cocoa and Kiwi Kiss inks. Well, after playing around with the design for a couple of days I came up with this one…

Just a simple one, but I think it works. I used the Colour Spritzer tool on the card base, with Close to Cocoa and Chocolate Chip markers. The yummy eyelet is from the new Designer Hardware collection that you can find in the Autumn-Winter Mini catalogue – this one is from the Soho range which features exactly the colours of today's card! This eyelet was easily attached with the Cropadile, and instructions are on the pack explaining which settings to use so I didn't have to worry about mucking it up and wasting my precious hardware. LOL. 

To cover the back of the hardware and pretty-up the inside of the card, I lined it with some beautiful Designer Series Paper from the Urban Oasis collection.

Our two stamp clubs met yesterday and both groups were a pleasure to teach, as always. I love it when the girls bring in some of their cards or projects to share, and this week was no exception when Lisa brought in an amazing Kusudama flower ball (origami) that her daughter had made at school. Amazing!

The current rounds of Stamp Club are coming to an end and I'm now taking expressions of interest from new members. We meet on the 2nd Friday of each month, from 1pm to 3pm (just in time for school pickup if you live in Ballarat, Creswick, Daylesford or surrounding areas). The evening group runs from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. Well, actually a little later because we spend a lot of time chatting!

I'll be back soon to share with you some of the projects we make at stamp club, including pages from our Technique Journals. Oh and don't forget the fabulous BIG SHOT NIGHT CLASS will be on in about two weeks, on 28th May from 7.30pm – 9.30pm. Cost is $20, with the cost refunded if you have purchased a Big Shot from me or purchase one on the night. I'll be showing you lots of things to do with the Big Shot, and just how versatile those dies are. Spaces are limited, so contact me for more details or to reserve your spot.

Happy stamping,

The Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalogue has been out for a while now, but did you know that there are NEW hostess sets available in the Autumn-Winter Mini catalogue? A sweet Level 1 set called Picture This is now available and, my favourite, the gorgeous Level 2 set Asian Artistry.

There are two great things about these new stamp sets…

1. They are available in your choice of traditional wood mounted OR clear mounted for space saving benefits, and

2. They are FREE for qualifying orders or workshops. Now you can't beat that price!

Today I'm sharing a couple of projects featuring Asian Artistry. I love how this set lends itself to so many different techniques. There are line art images perfect for subtle backgrounds, plus feature images that look so beautiful with a touch of watercolouring. I have already used the sentiment on a couple of special cards that I made for friends over the past few weeks.

Asian Artistry stamp set (Level 2 hostess), Riding Hood Red textured cardstock, RHR ink, Soft Suede ink and cardstock, Very Vanilla cardstock, Lots of Tags die, Scallop Circle die with Big Shot, Crystal Effects

Lately my reinkers have been getting a good workout  (ohhh the things you can do with reinkers!!!) and I just love how this set is perfect for the Polished Stone technique.

Asian Artistry stamp set (Level 2 hostess set), Sweet Little Sentiments stamp set (Level 1 hostess set), Really Rust cardstock, jet black Stazon ink, Versamark, various reinkers, Basic Black cardstock

I whipped up 13 of these cards in one evening using the Polished Stone technique. So fun! A few different reinkers were used but I have no idea which ones – yep, I was just experimenting LOL. I did it all on A4 glossy cardstock then sliced up the panels for these cards. They ended up being cards for our team swap. I hope the girls like them!

I couldn't put the set away without having a play with the gorgeous blossom stamp. I stamped it with Stazon on watercolour paper and had a little go at colouring with ink and blender pen.

This is what I'm up to so far…

A work in progress, but I'll come back tomorrow and show you what I did with it.

Alrighty, that's it for me now. Slightly off-topic, but I just wanted to say thanks for the lovely emails and comments regarding my health lately after that nasty bout of bronchitis/chest infection. I'm slowly improving but still struggling a little with the asthma and shortness of breath, but I have to say I'm enjoying stamping and creating more than ever. If anything, my recent illness has caused me to slow down a bit and I've spent a lot more time in the craft room. Oh my goodness, you should see the mess in there!! (In a good way, of course).  I have seriously made about 50 cards in the past two weeks, and feel so inspired, with lots more ideas just waiting to come out. So much to be grateful for!

Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that your comments and emails (and soup – thanks Kat!) mean the world to me, thank you so much. I still get a big surprise when I meet someone who says they visit my blog, and recently noticed that I'm nearly at 20,000 blog visitors! Not a lot by some standards, but HUGE by mine! Big hugs and special thanks. xx

Happy Mothers Day! 

Hope you had a great day. I was spoilt by my DH and 3 little cherubs today, who spent the day making me feel very special! And I'm so happy that my own Mum is back home in Australia after 5 weeks away. The ironic thing is that we are both too sick with bronchitis and asthma so can't even talk on the phone without coughing, barking and wheezing – but it sure is wonderful to know that she is 'home' again.

I am often asked "where do you get your ideas from?".

The answer is… 'Everywhere!'. Often I'll be inspired by a cute new stamp set, some yummy new papers or a layout that I haven't tried before.

Often I'll get ideas from other papercrafters, which really is half the fun! I might start by CASEing their design (Copy and Share Everything), but inevitably I'll make changes along the way so that sometimes my finished product doesn't look a thing like the original! Ever done that before? lol

Today's post is a great example of how one card can be a springboard to heaps of others. Tracy from Berwick, a super-talented demonstrator in my team (and gorgeous friend!) gave me this Vintage Vogue card with the cute Rich Razzleberry punched bird.

I loved the colours, the layout, the stamps and punches, so decided to make some of my own. Along the way, I made a few changes. Look at all the cards that came from this one source of inspiration!

These were some of our Stamp Club projects last month, with everyone creating something just a little different.

Try this in your own cardmaking. Find a card that you really love and see how many you can make, making little changes along the way. It's a great way to get started and a wonderful way to spend an afternoon!

 Happy stamping,