Sunday, May 31, 2009

Nothing over $20 again at Bendon - ‘til Monday

OK, so that got your attention huh??   The Bendon factory shop has a fabulous sale on at Mega Valley.  There’s NOTHING over $20, and heaps & heaps of stock, including some really gorgeous new stuff!  Check it out.  Although, the thought of trying on lingerie in this FREEZING weather is almost enough to make you cry.    ANYWAY…  I’ve been flat out this week – great, but busy.  We had our last School class yesterday, and we made a simple version of the Scrapbook-in-a-purse (or scrapbook-in-a-wallet for the boys), but I forgot to take photos.  They all did an amazing job.  This is a gorgeous card that the lovely Wendy made (at Cherie's class) and got all the kids to sign for me.  SOOOOO sweet – thank you Wendy!!

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And on Friday night we had our first Scrapbooking Midnight Madness crop.  It was fabulous – with some yummy yummy food brought along by the ladies, so chocolate, fudge, chips & dip added to scrapbooking makes for a wonderful night!  Here is one of the double layouts we did – super simple to start off, and plenty of room to bling it up.

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Now I need to put some photos on the pages.   Sometime.  Soon.   Don’t forget I have some spaces still available for the Technique Class on both Tuesday morning (10am), or Wednesday night (7pm).  Come and learn some new techniques for your cardmaking.  

Enjoy your night, and stay warm!

Michelle

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Fabulous new Box-In-A-Bag for my lovely hostess

Good evening!  I’ve just come home from a wonderful workshop with Debbie and her friends, and had such fun!  “HELLO” to you all – thanks for coming along and making my job such a pleasure!  Debbie asked if I could demonstrate the box-in-a-bag that I made ages ago.  It is the perfect size for filling with homemade fudge or chocolates, or even bought chocolates.  Here are two of the new designs I made for tonight.

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Want to make one???  Go and check out the tutorial done by Diana Gibbs and have a go!

Goodnight!

Michelle

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

A NEW Kit, and a reminder about FRIDAY!

Good evening!   So sorry, I’ve not been blogging, but sometimes.. well, LIFE!!  Ya Know??   Anyway… I’ve been working away to complete some new samples for my kits, and projects, (plus working away on my super exciting project that I’ll be able to reveal soon) so here’s my new Scrapbook In A Purse – aka Carousel Notes Purse!   I haven’t used Carousel Notes though, I’ve created my own.  I LOVE these colours – once again – gray!   I have two of these kits all cut and ready to post to YOU – how’s that for prepared??    Of course, if you live overseas, then you can still have fun with this project, by purchasing the PDF with step-by-step instructions & photos on how to create this very lovely scrapbook-in-a-purse.  Just so you know, the little tabs do actually pull out, and there is your journalling block, or another space for more photos!

The Kit, which includes all pre-cut cardstock, ribbon, the build-a-brad & FULL step-by-step instructions is just $15 including postage, or the PDF instructions is $5.    See my side-bar for BUY NOW buttons.

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I want to remind you all that THIS FRIDAY we have our very first Scrapbooking Midnight Madness Crop!  YAY!!   You have the choice to come along at 6pm and make four 12x12 pages that we have designed for you, then stay as long as you like and play with your own scrapbooking and our punches, stamps & inks.  The cost for the class is just $35, which includes a pack of DSP of your choice (valued at $19.95), plus four sheets of 12x12 cardstock, various embellishments & extra cardstock to create two DOUBLE PAGE layouts.  OR, if you ONLY want to bring along your own scrapbooking project then you’re very welcome to come and pay just $10 & stay until midnight if you wish!  BYO snacks to share & adhesive.  This class will be at my home this month.  Phone me asap if you want to come along.  We’ve limited this class to 10 so we have loads of space to scrap.

Hope you are all staying lovely & warm – we actually saw some sun today, but the Mountain is covered in snow, which looks stunning.

Thanks for checking back!

Michelle

Thursday, May 21, 2009

M&M’s Swaps

Good evening!  I’ve no new stamping of mine to show you today, but I have got some fabulous cards from our Team Meeting yesterday.  As I told you, our challenge was to use a different fold or technique in our cards, and this is what everyone came up with :OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

 

 

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Toni’s

 

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Cherie’s                                    Helen’s

Cool huh??!   I’ve been busy fighting  a toothache.  The toothache won last night, and my DH phoned the dentist (again) and begged them to see me today!   Isn’t he so sweet!!   I wasn’t in much of a fun mood last night – toothaches affect your ears, then your face feels like someone has punched you…  The receptionist said when I walked in today “most people don’t look this happy when they come to the dentist!”.  I was so grateful they fitted me in, and my tooth is certainly feeling better than it was, but there’s a root canal to come in 10 days.  Hmmm.    As you can see, I’m busy working on BUY NOW buttons for my kits – these are particularly useful for overseas buyers – NZ buyers are still welcome to post a cheque, or pay via internet banking.

Remember last week when I said that I’ve got some really exciting plans to tell you about?  Well, I haven’t forgotten them, and in fact they are also why I’ve been a little busy.  The time is getting very close now when I can reveal it all to you – just a little more to do on that particular project.   I can tell you that I’m VERY excited!!

Have a great night, and thanks for looking!

Michelle

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Thoughts & Prayers Swap

Hello! What a week… I’m very much OVER the drama that goes on sometimes, and am ready for a nice quiet end of the week. Yeah Right!! This morning we went out to very chilly Inglewood (mind you, it’s freezing in New Plymouth as well!) and had our M&M’s meeting at Toni's. It was sooo lovely to be inside with the fire going, and a real shock to go back outside! Our swap challenge this month was to use a new technique or fold, or anything new that you’ve just learnt, so I took the opportunity to use this very cool idea that Marelle Taylor showed us at convention

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If you’re going “WHAT…. new technique???”, then look closely at the glitter strip I have done – its done using sticky strip and then sprinkling our Super Nova Glitter over it. VERY easy, and it sure does sparkle! I borrowed this set from Sharlene, as I haven’t yet purchased it, and I must admit that I really like it. Lovely to colour with markers, and such beautiful words. supplies logo for blog

Stamp Sets : Boho Backgrounds, Thoughts & Prayers. Cardstock/Ink : Elegant Eggplant, Rose Red, Whisper White. Accessories : Markers (Old Olive & Elegant Eggplant), 1 3/8” circle punch, Designer Label Punch, Super Nova Glitter, Sticky Strip, Paper Piercer, Mat Pack, Cutter Kit, Sponges.

Last night I travelled to Opunake with a group of ladies to play squash (and it was FREEZING there as well!), and I gave them a little gift to say “sorry” for a little mistake on my part… The week that I was in Australia for Convention, I made a mistake on the squash roster, and sent the ladies to a club that was about 50 minutes travel, instead of telling them that we were playing at our own club that night. Oops! I felt so bad, but the ladies were all so gracious about it – even laughing about it. How kind! So I made them a little bag of rocky road as a little gift. Looking at it now, I’m kinda wishing that I had doubled the recipe and made some more… I’m drooling over this picture!! If you want a real simple & very yummy recipe for rocky road, then here it is, courtesy of Cherie!

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CHERIE’S ROCKY ROAD

400g Chocolate Melts, 50g butter (melted together in microwave). Stir in about a bag of marshmallows (chopped), and 3/4 bag of Homebrand Raspberries (cut in half) and a couple of handfuls of cornflakes. Pour into square tin to set.

You can also add peanuts. YUM!!

Enjoy your night, and I hope you’re warm where you are!

Michelle

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Kits also sold as PDF only, and a lovely make & take

Good afternoon!  What were my famous words yesterday saying “I’ve got a lovely quietish stamping week this week, so I’ll get around to doing my office…”  Ha!!  I simply tempted fate I think…  All good though – last night we had our SOS Team Meeting here, and Megan taught us how to do a lovely make & take that was showcased at convention.  We had lots of fun reminiscing & getting excited all over again, trying to convince those who didn’t come this year that next year is a MUST COME!   Join my team during May for just $175, and come with us all to Sydney next year – 21st & 22nd of May, for a FABULOUS weekend away with the girls!  

Here’s our make & take (thanks Megan)

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Stamp Set : Fifth Avenue Floral, Best Yet.  Cardstock/Ink : Chocolate Chip, Glossy White, Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze.  Accessories : Mat Pack, Paper Piercer,  Twine, Three Flower Punch, White EP, Versamark, Heat Tool, Cutter Kit, Gold Brads, Large Oval Punch.

I spent this morning stamping with my sister & lovely Yvonne (HI!!), which was such fun.  We made three fabulous projects that are really very cool.  One of them we will be having a go at next month for my Stamp Club.  You are welcome to join us if you are tempted, but not quite convinced yet to join…  THIS MONTH, you can come to my Stamp Club for just $10 (or free with a $35 order) and make three fabulous projects yourself.  I can pretty much guarantee that you’ll have a blast, so come & check it out with no obligation to commit to stay!   A new round of Stamp Club will begin in July.   Spaces are available on  Wednesday 10th June  9.30am (four spaces only), or Tuesday 11th June at 7.00pm.

NOW… after a few emails & requests from overseas blog visitors, I have decided that I will offer the PDF’s for my kits for sale so that you can receive the instructions with photographs & VERY detailed instructions (yes, Stampin’ For Dummies!) so you can make these at home, or for your classes & clubs.  Each PDF will be NZ$5.00, and I’m was just about to figure out how to get a “buy now” button on my blog through Pay Pal, but have been phoned by school to come and get my son, who has had his head split open by an accident with a ruler… he’s been take to the emergency Dr and had it glued up, as they couldn’t get me by phone..  Oops!  Anyway, the aluminium man is on his way to fix my door, so my darling Dad has run off to get Blake while I wait for the man.  It never just rains, does it???!   So, the Buy Now button will come soon!

Take care
Michelle

Monday, May 18, 2009

Upsy Daisy Thank You

A super quick card, which is what I just LOVE about Upsy Daisy – the cards can be sooo simple yet look really cool.  This is a thank you I made for a lovely lady who gives me a giggle often, and is soooo incredibly patient, even tho’ we’ve never met.   Thank You to you – you’ll know who you are when you get my card!

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Gotta fly – I’m rushing out for a quick game of squash in 30 minutes, and I don’t have more than the idea of dinner in my head, and my DH will be home in 20 minutes, and I’d better be looking like I’m organised… hope I can pull it off!  We have a big team meeting here tonight, so I think I’d better get someone to vacuum as well…  or maybe we can just have dim lighting?? LOl!

Have a great night

Michelle

p.s  wasn’t Gray’s & Private Practice FABULOUS??!!  Can’t wait for next week!

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Convention Highlights – this time!

Good afternoon!   Now I have a few more minutes, I thought you might like to see another of the projects I showed at Convention which is also now available for you to purchase as a kit for just $15 including postage (NZ ONLY).   It is the Guylian Gift Box, which contains a box of Guylian Chocolates (no these are not included in your kit as it increases the postage to much!), and two gift tags and two 3”x3” cards in an adorable divided box with an acetate window.  

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Here’s a shot of the girls before we went on stage for our Workshop WOW presentations - Nicky Tidbold, Ngaire Anderson, Me, The vivacious Shannon West from Stampin’ Up! Utah, and the delightful Shelli Gardener.   

Convention Photos

And me doin’ my thing on stage.  I look pretty calm here – looks can be SOOO deceiving!  I’m sure the cameraman could hear my heart thumping!   After I told everyone that I was imagining them in their underwear I was very aware of the man very close beside me filming… I had to reassure him that I wasn’t meaning him!   In this photo, at least I have my apron the right way on.  I put it on in front of Nicky & Ngaire, and as I was tying the back up Nicky started laughing her head off, and managed to say “you might want to put your apron on the other way!”.  I had it inside out – you can only imagine the giggling that went on – imagine if I had gone on stage with it inside-out and the Stampin’ Up! logo in reverse … how embarrassing!!

Now I have to show you a photo of a fabulous card that my son Blake made for me this afternoon – without any help from me I might add. 

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Isn’t it just gorgeous??  All the boys sat down this afternoon and played with my things that were still scattered right across the table from yesterday’s class with school children.  We made a scrapbook in a box, and the kids all did such an amazing job.  Every one of them were very different, but each one was fabulous.  Such creative kids – it’s amazing what happens when you give children a little bit of card, some cut-out or punched out images and a little guidance.   I do need to tell you that this week we are going to be offering our Creative Kids classes out to the schools, so if you want to book a space for your child, make sure you phone me asap (we have already had a great amount of kids registered). 

That’s all for today I think – I have a wonderfully quietish week for Stampin’,  so I’m really hoping to get on top of my …. office!  Grrrr.  The source of much frustration for me!   Think I might re-arrange everything.  That way it forces me to pull everything apart and really sort out things.  Maybe…!  

Have a wonderful Sunday (YAY – Gray’s & Private Practice!!!) night.

Thanks for stopping by!

Michelle

Saturday, May 16, 2009

KITS, KIDS & MORE Convention Highlights!

Good morning!  I JUST LOVE hockey.  OK, so I love that the boys games are at 11.30am – such a lovely sociable time to play winter sports!!  Before we head off, I thought I’d let you know about a couple of fabulous new classes I have coming up. 

KIM’S SLIDING STATIONERY BOX.  I’ll have some photos to show you next week of the new design, but if you haven’t yet seen it here’s a look at KIM'S box made with last year’s DSP.  It is VERY cool.  It includes three cards, plus the notepad & pen. 

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Saturday 6th June 1.30pm-4pm OR Monday 8th June 7pm-9.30pm.   Cost $25.00, or if you place an order of $50+ on the day, you will get the class for  just $15.00.   Places limited to 8 per class, so you do need to book early.

CREATIVE KIDS CLASSES.   Sharlene and I are offering some fabulous creative time for kids (and “chill” time for Mum’s) during the next school holidays.  Kids can come to either one or all of the sessions and will make three different projects at each session. 

Thursday 9th July & Thursday 16th July.   Morning session runs from 9.30am-12noon.  Afternoon session runs from 1.00pm-3.30pm.   If children are booked into both sessions, we will be happy to look after them during the lunch break.  Cost $20 per child per session.  BYO Drink bottle, snack, scissors and lunch if they are staying all day.   At this stage, we are offering the classes for children aged 9-12 years.

For both of these classes, you will need to pay in advance to confirm your place. 

Off to hockey…  Catch you later!   Whoops, forgot the convention highlights – that’ll have to be later

Michelle

p.s good news… the kits are done, and are in today’s post!

Friday, May 15, 2009

Upsy Daisy – again!

Good morning!   We had a fabulous class last night – a HUGE hello to all you ladies, and thank you for giving me my whole month worth of laughing all in one night!   A special thank you to TERESA, for providing the much need, and very much enjoyed snacks for last night… YUM!!  This is another card we made with the lovely Upsy Daisy set.  This time using some sponging to create a very different look to my last card.  This is a great card for either men or women, and is a “multi-purpose” card – one you could use for almost any occasion, so really handy to have in your card box.

If you’d like to make these cards with a group of your friends, then let me know, and I’m happy to come to you, or have you come to me.  $10 for 5 cards is an absolute STEAL!  Out of town, and can’t come to a class…  NOT a problem!  Just order the Upsy Daisy set from me for just $39.95 plus P&P, and for an additional $5 I’ll post it to you, WITH kits for the five cards included!  

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Enjoy your Friday!!

Michelle

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Don’t you just love it when..

A plan comes together??  Or a card at least!  Today is the first of two Upsy Daisy classes, where we’ll be making 5 cards using this wonderful little set!   As this week has had a definite lack of relaxed cardmaking time, I turned to the catalogue for some inspiration to get me started, and this is what I found.  I thought this card was a stunning example of putting the right colours, a bit of DSP and one of our gorgeous stamp sets together and coming up with a fabulous simple card!

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supplies logo for blogStamp sets : Upsy Daisy, Frames with a Flourish.  Cardstock/Ink : Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy, Whisper White.  DSP Baja Breeze Patterns.  Accessories : Versamark, Clear EP, Paper Snips

I colour embossed the flowers by first stamping my stamp into versamark, then immediately into Not Quite Navy ink and clear embossing the image, which produces a lovely shiny image. 

I still have some spaces left in both tonight’s and tomorrow’s classes, so if you want to come along and have some fun, give me a call today.   A big thank you to JACQUI, who first made me aware of the Frames with a Flourish stamp set, that I had overlooked, then convinced me to purchase it after she had made some gorgeous creations with it!  Thanks!!

Enjoy your day, and thank you so much to all you lovely people who sent lovely wishes for Mason’s quick recovery.  THIS is what I love about Stampin’ Up! (along with many other things of course) – the lovely people who you meet who quickly become good friends, and are just so darn nice.  Thanks!

An apology to those who are waiting for their kits so patiently – I WILL get on top of them this week, and they’ll be in the post to you asap.  Thanks so much for your understanding!

Michelle

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

FREE STAMPS FOR YOU!

Hi there everyone! I’ve had an interesting couple of days since I last posted, saying that Mason was home sick – we ended up at the Doctor’s twice on Monday, and were sent to hospital. Hmmm. Urgent calls to my darling Mum & Dad who took the other two boys bowling with them until my DH came home, then a race to get up to the hospital before it got too dark & cold. Not an experience that I’d like to repeat too often. The nurses and doctors were amazing – really great, but the sleeping arrangements SUCK! 10 people in one room, separated by curtains, and half of those people are sick – doesn’t make for a night of peaceful, uninterrupted sleep! Being woken every hour by the nurse doing checks & giving meds to Mason was like a form of torture, and nearly did my head in – BUT… he’s home now, and hopefully going to sleep well tonight, in spite of the amount of steroids pumped into him over the last 36 hours that have him bouncing off the walls!

Mason in Hospital May 09

Here’s a (very yellow) photo of a very sick (???) little boy last night when he was admitted to the ward, and was full of meds which I’m sure included laughing gas, as he got the giggles!

Sooo… I’ve had no time for stamping, but plenty of time for planning, and I’ve come up with a great offer to help me, help you! My big box of retired stamp sets cause me grief – where can I store them until I sell them, and it’s going to take me ages to put them onto trade me, sooo here’s the deal – ANYONE who places an order with me from the current catalogue (including the current Scrapbooking Specials) OVER $100 can choose one of my retired stamp sets for FREE – up to $40.00, as listed on my retired list HERE. If you place an order OVER $200, or sign up to get the amazing Scrapbooking Starter Kit deal for just $175.00 this month, then you can choose either any TWO stamp sets, up to the value of $40.00 each, or any one stamp set of any value plus any wheel.

I hope you can help me out by giving a good home to some of my sets. I’ll keep the list updated as they sell, so it’s a first-come basis only. This offer is valid until 15th June, or until my sets run out!

Well, lots still to do before tomorrow’s stamp club so I’d better get moving.

Have a great night – hope you’re staying warm where you are!

Michelle

Monday, May 11, 2009

Stamp Club this month

Good morning – I hope you are warm & cosy where you are – it’s absolutely freezing & miserable here, which means a wonderful day to stamp & stay inside – YAY!   I have Mason home sick with asthma, which always seems to be worst in the middle of the night, so we’ve been to the Dr to get that sorted, and now he’s happy playing with a new toy, so I’m getting myself organised for Stamp Club tomorrow & Wednesday.   One of my favourite (in fact, possibly my very favourite) card from convention swaps was done by the delightful Rebecca Trip.  Rebecca is incredibly talented, and so lovely, and her swap was just stunning – so much so that I’m going to use it for one of the projects this week at Stamp Club.

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Thanks so much Rebecca – this card is just adorable!   Back to the planning now.  Have a great day!

Michelle

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Raspberry Suite Colour Challenge

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So… a first for me – completing a challenge with Raspberry Suite.  I simply couldn’t resist these gorgeous colours, as I’m particularly into GRAY at the moment – as the girls who I shopped with in Canberra & Melbourne will tell you.  Half of the clothes (in fact, OVER half) I bought were gray.  Hmmm – only ever had two gray things before in my wardrobe, so this is interesting!  ANYWAY  (and BTW, I STILL have to get some gray shoes – I did buy a couple (OK, FIVE!) pairs of shoes, but no gray ones.)  In fact, I have never been into more than 40 shoe shops and only bought 5 pairs of shoes – all the heels were incredibly high, and I could just see me breaking more than a nail when I tripped over, as I would, wearing these sensational creations…. ANYWAY….!   Here’s my entry for the Raspberry Suite Colour Challenge this week.  DON’T ask what I’m hiding under the ribbon at the bottom, because even I nearly squealed when I had added the embellishment that is safely tucked under layers of sticky strip – sometimes even I wonder what I’m thinking!

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Stamp Sets : Priceless, Occasional Greetings, Bloomin’ With Beauty.  Cardstock/Ink : Basic Gray, Whisper White, Pixie Pink, Pretty in Pink.  Accessories : Dimensionals, Pink Taffeta Ribbon, 3/4” circle punch for notched corners, markers, aqua painter, versamark, clear EP.

This is a card that my lovely friend & downline Cherie very kindly taught me how to make, and even dropped over a template, just to make sure I “got it” – Thank you!!!  It’s called a Mountain Fold card, and we’ll be making one of these (obviously not a Mother’s Day one") at my Stamp Clubs this week.

Hopefully my Mum won’t be checking out my blog tonight – we’re getting together for lunch tomorrow, which will be really nice.

Just wanted to update you about my association with UStamp, as I’ve had a lot of questions asked.  I have chosen not to continue being on the UStamp Dream Team.  It was an honour to be asked, and a huge learning curve for me doing the last round of UStamp.  I’m sure there will be another NZ Dream Team Member joining the UStamp Team soon, and in the mean time, Makeesha is sure to keep you all on the edge of your seats with her projects for the current round.  Thanks for your concern!

Have a wonderful, wonderful night – I’m now off to read my book.  YAY!    To all the Mother’s reading – take a moment to congratulate yourselves on the amazing job you do.  The most under-valued, underpaid & overworked job I know – but also the most rewarding, without a doubt.   Our children are such a blessing, and some days it’s easy to overlook that, as we pick up the scooters left on the driveway, the half-eaten apples left by the television, and ask for the 101st time today “who’s cup is this left on the bench”, but really, we are so fortunate to have them, and I wish to acknowledge my own Mum, who has been such a huge part of making me into the person that I am today.  Thanks Mum – you’re such an amazing woman & Mother, and I thank you for what you have instilled in me, and for the values that I am now attempting to pass onto my own children. 

I love you Mum!

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Goodnight!

Michelle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My three little blessings – this is my all-time favourite photo of them!

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Kids Class – FUN!

Hi there !   Today was my first class for kids, and I must admit that I was a little concerned about how it would go – would the kids enjoy it… would they cope with the projects I had selected… would I cope with 8 children in a class without their parents (apart from my lovely assistant/parent Wendy – THANK YOU!), but I needn’t have worried – the kids were fabulous.  It amazes me how children have no fear about doing things differently, and their creations were all just wonderful.  I’m looking forward to next week now.  Here is one of our projects from today – a genie bag just in time to fill with chocolates for Mothers Day.

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Stamp Sets : Wonderful Favourites, Enjoy Every Moment.  Cardstock/Ink : Basic Gray, Tangerine Tango, Basic Black, Whisper White.  Accessories : Wide Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Eyelets, Ribbon (non SU), Dazzling Diamonds, 3/4” circle punch, dimensionals.

 

My DH came home this afternoon with a lovely box of my favourite chocolates – Lindt Lindor – YUMMMMM!   They were are delicious!  So I think that may just be my dinner sorted…  the boys are out with their Dad, and I have a lovely peaceful evening at home tonight that I’m really looking forward to!  Time to get a little organised with my projects, and some time to hopefully finish a book that I started in Canberra.  Too many good movies I watched on the flights to read my book – Note to self : LISTEN when people tell you NOT to watch Marley & Me in public, as sobbing over a dog on a flight is NOT cool!

I hope you enjoy your evening!

Michelle

Friday, May 8, 2009

KITS AVAILABLE NOW

Hello!  I’m sitting here like a little fat pudding – we took our son & 8 other kids out to dinner tonight for his birthday (which is on Sunday, but we're celebrating tonight), and I ate WAY to much.   What a surprise, right??  What is it about an “all you can eat buffet” that makes you want to eat all you possibly can fit in without actually bursting??  Hmm – some kind of inbuilt thing – I think I’m just like a Labrador Dog, who apparently is the only dog that does not have a “full – stop eating” mechanism, and will just eat until they are sick.  I don’t quite go that far, but I sure do test that theory sometimes – shocking!  It was yum though – especially all that seafood.  Mmmmmmm.   ANYWAY… back to why I’m here – I’m delighted to let you all know that I am able to offer you kits for some of the fabulous projects we have done recently, including the  purse that I presented at convention.   I’ll be adding new kits along the way, but for now, you can purchase any one kit for $15.00, or two kits for $25.00, including P&P anywhere in NZ.   All kits will be pre-cut, and instructions will be provided by email with a PDF including pictures to help you create a masterpiece at home!     Photos for my other kits will have to wait until I can remake the projects in current DSP, but they include a Carousel Notes scrapbook (picture shown in old DSP colours – will be different), and a Valentines Box (as shown at convention – excluding the chocolates!) which I will also upload after the weekend.  For now, here’s the first one!

Urban Garden Purse (as shown)

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Carousel Notes Mini Scrapbook (will be re-created using current DSP & stamps – check next week for a new pic!)

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   Have a wonderful weekend!

Michelle

Thursday, May 7, 2009

A yummy healthy treat – sort of!

Good evening everyone!   I finally got around to making something tonight – seems I’ve spent about two days shuffling papers, mail & washing, so tonight it was          COLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA         REATE time, and it was fun!

 

This little cutie cylinder was demonstrated by the very talented Shelli Gardener, co-founder of Stampin’ Up!, and a beautiful lady who inspired and excited all of us at convention.   Shelli is not only a very talented business-woman, but a gifted stamper and communicator, and one of the loveliest people you are ever likely to meet.  She was incredibly down-to-earth with her stamping, and had us hanging on her every word so we didn’t miss a thing.    One of Shelli’s projects was a cute treat cylinder which I had attempted in the past, and ended up after many hours frustration throwing away as “impossible” to make the ends fit, no matter how I tried.  Well – along comes Shelli, and shows us how to create this using our scallop punch as the base, folding up the little scallops so they can attach to the outside edge of the cylinder, then covering that with DSP, just as I’ve done in this sample.  How simple!!  I filled my cylinder with (what’s left of) the chocolate coated sunflower seeds, which are incredibly good for you – that is if you don’t think about the chocolate coating, which is really all you can taste, as the sunflower seeds are about 10% of the make-up of the candy.  LOL – but I’m going to stick with “healthy”, because it makes me feel better!

A big “HELLO” to  Louise, Claire, Jacqui, Jo, Keryn, Linz, Joanne, Rel, Sujata and many more  - Thank you for congratulations and hugs.  Stampin’ Up! certainly seems to attract the nicest people!   Another HUGE HELLO to Joviann, who is meeting me for coffee sometime SOON.   

I’m looking forward to seeing a whole lot of you at some of my classes & events that are coming up – it’s been a while since I had classes, so I’m really looking forward to starting them off again this Saturday with a group of 9 & 10yr olds from Frankley School – this should be a fun class.  I’ll be sure to show you some of our projects. 

Don’t forget Mother’s Day on Sunday – I won’t be posting my card until Sunday – because my Darling Mother will be peeping – HI MUM!  

Thought I’d share a couple of photos from convention with you.  PLEASE IGNORE the big stain on the front of my dress…  I thought I’d cleaned the butter off that fell all over me during dinner, but from the photos, obviously NOT!  Shame…  Never mind!

  NZ Group

 

 

 

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We have some of the NZ girls in the top picture with Shelli (third from left);  P5020067 Sharlene & I; Karen & I (my blogging friend – HI KAREN); Cherie, myself & Angela;  Angela, myself & Helen (post-dinner – STAINED dress!), and finally a group photo of our table, which includes Megan & Beth, and the offending butter shown ON my dress.  Hmmm….

P5020043 Did I mention that I will have some very very exciting news to share with you all next week???   I can hardly wait – it’s going to be amazing!!

Have a fabulous night!

Michelle

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Classes & Much More!

I told you I’d be back!  I have some wonderful classes & events to share with you – something for everyone coming up in the next 6 weeks.

Tuesday 12th May 7.30pm  Stamp Club (New members welcome)

Wednesday 13th May 9.30am Stamp Club (Fully booked)

Thursday 14th May 7.00pm-9.00pm OR Friday 15th May 10am-12noon UPSY DAISY $10 CLASS – Make 5 cards for $10, using the wonderful new Upsy Daisy Stamp Set.  Purchase Upsy Daisy on/before this class and come along for free!   Register by Monday 11th May.

Friday 22nd May 7.00pm-9.00pm GIFT CLASS $15 – Make one gorgeous handbag and a fabulous gift box both with co-ordinating gift cards.   Register by Friday 15th May

INAUGURAL SCRAPBOOKING MIDNIGHT MADNESS EVENT – Friday 29th May 6pm-MIDNIGHT.    After hearing so many people saying “I’m sooo behind on my scrapbooking, I just don’t know where to start…”, Sharlene & I have decided to offer you a fabulous place to start – with other scrapbookers in the same position!      For just $35 you will receive a pack of Designer Paper of your choice, plus four sheets of 12x12 cardstock, various embellishments & extra cardstock to complete two DOUBLE PAGE layouts that we will have on display for you to create – that’s FOUR pages completed!   We anticipate the class will run from about 6pm – 8pm, then it’s an open crop, where you can bring out your own scrapbooking projects, use all of our punches, ink pads & stamp sets for FREE, and finish some more pages of your own!  YAY!!   This class will run every month, on the last Friday from 6pm-midnight, so you can be sure that you will be inspired all over again.    REGISTRATION is essential (along with your choice of Designer Paper) and will only be confirmed when payment is received.  Bring a friend, and enjoy a fun, relaxed, very social occasion.    Let us know if you can’t make it ‘til a bit later, and we can accommodate you as well!   Leave whenever you’ve had enough, or stay until we turn off the lights at midnight.  

This month we will hold the event at my house – BYO adhesive & snacks to share – Tea & Coffee will be provided.

 

Tuesday 2nd June 10.00am-12.30pm OR Wednesday 3rd June 7.00pm-9.30pm TECHNIQUE CLASS $15       Join me to learn four new techniques for those who want to go beyond the basics.   We will create four cards using these new techniques that are sure to WOW your friends – IF you can bear to give them away that is!

Tuesday 9th June 7.30pm Stamp Club (New Members Welcome)

Wednesday 10th June 9.30am Stamp Club (Fully booked)

 

YOU ASKED FOR IT…. A “NO FRILLS” STAMP CAMP!    SATURDAY 20TH JUNE 1PM-4.30PM

That’s right – you said that PRICE was a factor in not coming along to our last Stamp Camp, so we listened, and here we have our first NO FRILLS HALF DAY STAMP CAMP.   We are SURE that you are still going to love our projects, (as they’re going to be of the same fabulous standard we have previously WOWed you with), but we won’t be giving out spot prizes or gift packs this time, and no fancy afternoon tea, but some good old fashioned FUN while we stamp.  This means that we have drastically cut our expenses, and our price to you is just….   $25 PER PERSON!  WOW – for TWO wonderful projects.   AND… if you bring along a friend who hasn’t been to a STAMP CAMP with us before, you will each receive a $5 discount. 

Places are limited to 10 participants, so be in quickly with registration and payment to confirm your place by Saturday 13th June. 

BYO adhesive – tea & coffee will be provided

 

WOW – Hope you’ve made it through all that information, and are still with me!   Here’s one of the gorgeous purses that I presented to the demonstrators at Convention in Canberra, and that we will be making at our gift class on the 22nd of May.   It is simply GORGEOUS (I hope you agree!) and is one that is sure to impress whoever you give it to. 

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I have so many more classes that I’m simply busting to share with you, including Kim’s Stationery Box (that is just simply AMAZING), and plenty of other 3D, technique and card classes to keep you all fully stocked with cards & gifts for every occasion, and a very exciting new venture that I’ll be able to share with you next week.  YIPPEE!!

Goodnight!

Michelle

WOOOHOOO!!!!

Hello to you all – I’m back from convention in Canberra, and full of the joys of an amazing time away with other stampers, friends, and even a sister!   We had a blast, and were very spoilt once again this year.    Here is just SOME of the amazing things that I walked away with.  Some of the stamp sets were earnt, some won, and some were just gifts from Stampin’ Up!, because they really value & appreciate everything we do.  How cool!!!  

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Some of the observant amongst you may notice the small expensive looking box at the bottom of this picture.   Well – that was a HUGE surprise for me.  You see, Stampin’ Up! decided to reward even further the top three demonstrators in three categories with a gorgeous…..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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TIFFANY Pendant (or earrings, or bracelet).   WOWZA!!   I was stunned – totally shocked, when my name was called out for one of the recipients of this gorgeous gift in the Leadership category.  How very generous!   Of course, without a team to lead, I would not be able to earn such a reward, so to my wonderful team of women who work hard, play hard & shop even harder… THANK YOU.    I can’t express the feelings I have after our trip away, and certainly wish that my entire team could have come to experience this fabulous convention – maybe next year!  

If you would like to join my team, then I’ve got such a wonderful opportunity for you.   How does joining Stampin’ Up! for just $175.00 sound?   This will get you a scrapbooking starter kit, and the opportunity to excel in a business that works around YOU.  Or if you prefer, you may wish to purchase the starter kit for the minimum 20% discount and just order for yourself and a couple of friends.  Whichever way you want to join – I would be delighted to welcome you to our team.  We need all kinds of demonstrators, and you can be sure that I will give you the support to achieve your goals, whatever they may be.

Picture the Possibilities!

Picture the PossiblitiesThere has never been a better time to join Stampin' Up!  In celebration of National Scrapbooking Month, join Stampin' Up! as a demonstrator for only $175 with our limited-time Scrapbooking Starter Kit. The Scrapbooking Starter Kit contains the following:

 

 


Schoolbook Serif Alphabet stamp set*         RRP $91.95
Simply Scrappin' Petal Party                           RRP $43.95
Earth Elements 12x12 textured card stock   RRP $25.95
Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin' Pad                 RRP $13.95 
Craft & Rubber Scissors                                   RRP $44.95
*Substitute for any stamp set up to $91.95 value.

The Scrapbooking Starter Kit also contains all the business supplies contained in the standard

Starter Kit:
Getting Started DVD
Getting Started Guide
Guest Invitation Postcard (100)
Idea Book & Catalogue (8)
To My Hostess Envelope (10)
Project Sample Sheet
Recruit Brochures (20)
Hostess Brochure (20)
Hostess Benefits Form (10)
Customer Order Form (50)

 

FREE DESIGNER PAPER

BUT… if you are not convinced to purchase the Scrapbooking Starter Kit, maybe you wish to take advantage of the other special Stampin’ Up! has for May – Purchase three packs of DSP and get one for FREE!   WOW – That’s a $19.95 discount. 

You can choose from the following designs:
Item #           Description
112042          Urban Garden
112470          Haiku
113976          Pink Flamingo
112468          Sweet Always
113992          Tea Party
113975          Raspberry Tart
113966          Good Morning Sunshine
112469          Holiday Treasures
112041          Bella Rose
113974          Bella Bleu
113978          Urban Oasis
112461          Washington Apple
112039          Windsor Knot
113980          Candy Lane


There are no limits to how many packs you can earn, for every 3 packs you purchase, you will get 1 FREE!
Order your Designer Series Paper NOW by phone or email!
Offer valid 1-31 May 2009

 

I’ve got such a lot more to share with you, including my classes for this month and next, and my projects that I presented at convention (shaking in my chair, in front of 400ish women!) but I’d better fly and get some dinner happening before I get too carried away though!

Thanks for looking!

Michelle