M&M's swaps!

Hi everyone.   This is my second attempt at blogging tonight.  I had just about finished my post when I pushed the wrong button, and somehow managed to lose my whole post.  GRRRRR.   8-(      Anyway, we had a downline meeting this morning which was just great, thanks to the wonderful women who came along, and we swapped our girl cards.  What very talented women they are!   Thanks ladies for your swaps - I'm so impressed with them all, so hope you don't mind if I put them all on my blog to share with everyone. 

Helen made this fantastic card with the Jumbo Spot On Wheel, the new scallop punch, and the two large circle punches.  Such a great layout - thanks so much Helen for the cool ideas!

 

Now, the talented Cherie (who by the way is now top of my good books, for having my Mason (she also has a son called Mason - that must have been confusing today) for the afternoon, and half the night!! Thanks so much) has made this very cool card with a difference.  Cherie altered an idea to work for her, and has decorated this beautifully with the small star punch, and the scallop punch around the neck.  Great idea Cherie!  This next cutie was made by Trudi  (click here for Trudi's blog).  What a fantastic card as well - (sorry about the photography Trudi!)  using Wild About You with a clear embossed elephant, and the narrow grosgrain ribbon, this card would be suitable for a boy or girl, with just a change of ribbon colour!  I'm sure this little elephant had a popped up ear when I got him - that must be somewhere in my handbag...

Last but certainly not least is Kim (click for Kim's blog).   Kim was so organised that she made her swaps last month, then we delayed our meeting, and Kim made a whole new lot.  That's dedication Kim!!  Kim also used our new scallop punch & large circle punches to create this fantastic card.  The oval & word window punches look great together with the words, and that baby face is just the cutest thing!! 

Ladies - I really do just love these cards, and am just blown away by your talents.  Thanks so much for being a part of our team - you are all just lovely!

Better go and get my Mason now before Cherie thinks he is staying for the week!

Goodnight

Michelle

Finally... A photo from convention!

OK - so it's taken me a while to find one, but here it is - proof that we did more than just shop while in Australia!   From left : Trish, Beth (from Tauranga), Marise, Emma (NZ Country Manager), Me, Megan, Sharlene, Sharlene (from Wellington). This was the night of the awards dinner - it really was great to get all dressed up, and go out for an adult dinner, with no children asking "Is there pudding if we eat all our dinner"?, and "Muuuum, what's THIS??"  A great evening.  In fact - a really great couple of days at convention.  I'd really love to take some of my team with me next year.  Have a think about it - it's very, very possible to be up on stage and get an award.  Just start planning now.   And yes, we were all laughing because the woman who was taking our photo said something very funny!

Goodnight!

Michelle

May Classes...

Hi everyone.   I thought I'd better put my class list onto my blog, because lots of people are asking if I have sent the email yet.  Sorry - I did send it a week ago, but I know that a lot of you haven't received it yet!!  Emails still driving me CRAZY! 

$2 Cards - Monday 05 May              Open Home from 6pm-10pm. 

Cost $2 per card (plus adhesive). One small change to this class - you will now need to either bring with you your own adhesive, OR purchase from me a roll of double sided tape to use then take home with you (for $2 per roll).  This way I can keep the cost of these cards to $2 each, including envelopes.   You are welcome to drop in any time from 6pm until 10pm, stay as long or short as you wish, and make as many or few cards as you like.    Once again, we will be using lots of the NEW stamp sets from the catalogue.   There will be five different cards to make this month.  Please phone to let me know if you are intending to drop in.  Nibbles provided.

Scrapbooking Class - Wednesday 21 May 7.30pm 

COST : $65.00 - Includes 6x6 Linen Stampin' Up Brag Book and one pack of double sided Designer Paper for you to use & take home.   This class is suitable for all levels of scrapbookers - we will decorate each page of the 6x6 album, using stamps, wheels, the Designer Paper and neutral cardstock.

YOU MUST PRE-REGISTER AND PRE-PAY FOR THIS CLASS by Wednesday 7th May, with your preference for a navy or natural album, plus your choice for the  designer paper pack.  Please note : I am unable to give refunds for this class after Wednesday 7th May.  If you are unable to attend the class, you will still get the linen album and the designer paper, plus pictures for you to complete your album at home.   Bring : Small sharp scissors if you have some  

OPTION : Everyone who brings a plate for supper will go in the draw to win a classic ink pad of your choice on the night.

Watercolouring Class - Saturday 31st May 1.30pm 

Do you struggle to watercolour well, or do you just want some great ideas for how to make your watercolouring really look GREAT??    Come along and learn some of the tips and tricks I learnt in Brisbane this month.  Everyone can be fantastic at watercolouring, you just need to learn how.  We will be making three cards, including envelopes.  Cost : $15.00 (includes your own roll of adhesive to use and take home).  Register by Wednesday 28th May.  Bring : An aquapainter, and a blender pen, if you have one.

OPTION : Everyone who brings a plate for supper will go in the draw to win a classic ink pad of your choice on the night.

DON'T FORGET MY STAMP CLUB ON THE SECOND MONDAY NIGHT OF EACH MONTH STILL HAS SPACE AVAILABLE.  Simply commit to purchase $35 worth of Stampin' Up! product each month for 10 months (which we all know is incredibly easy to do!) and we will make some fantastic 3D projects and cards each month for FREE!   PLUS you get a brand new catalogue for FREE, and a level 1 hostess set of your choice.   Want to know more???  Phone me.

Give me a call or email (good luck!!) if you want to register for any of these classes.  I will ALWAYS reply to your emails, so please request a "read receipt" when sending me an email, so you can make sure I have received it.  The Watercolouring class is nearly full, so book quickly if you want one of the last spaces for this.

Have a great night

Michelle

SBS Challenge # 3

Good evening!!  I've finished on time (finally)  my first SBS challenge.  It's actually the third challenge, but I'm still catching up!  The challenge was to use hot pink, black & embossing, so I managed to do all this.  Just.   Love these colours together. 

Recipe : Stamp Sets - Scribble This, Baroque Motifs, Polka Dots & Paisley.  Cardstock - River Rock, Basic Black, Pink Passion.  Ink - Whisper White Craft (thanks Kim!), Basic Black, Versamark.  Accessories - 1/2 Pearl (Pretties Kit), Large Oval Punch, Black EP, Non SU Ribbon (gasp), Pastels & Daubers.

To colour the background polka dots, I stamped them first in white craft ink, then used the pastels & daubers and simply coloured them by gently daubing the colour onto the craft ink.  Thanks to Kim (again) for giving me the inspiration to try this technique - I'm LOVING it!    It's called Black Magic.   Very cool!   Goodnight to all my SBS Sistahs - Are you all amazed that I've FINALLY completed a challenge on time??  I sure am.     BTW - You might all want to go and check out Kim Richards blog here - she is so clever, that in the early hours, while most of us were asleep, Kim persevered on her own, and created a blog, and uploaded the cards for her very first workshop that was today.  I've heard from one lady who attended, and she said it was really GREAT.  Well done Kim!   Awesome to see your blog, and to know that you are finally sharing your wonderful talent with the world!  

M&M's - DON'T LOOK YET!!

Good evening Kim!!   This one's for you - just so you don't get bored looking at the same posts each time you check if I've updated my blog yet....  LOL.  Thanks for your enthusiasm - you are so easy to impress, especially when you are just so talented yourself.   Looking forward to helping you fill up your blog soon!

Now, M&M's - DON'T LOOK.  Our group is (as yet still unofficially, as someone is taking a while to process our group name application) called M&M's - something that a very clever girl came up with on a long ride home from Palmerston North one night.  It stands for Michelle's Mob.  Very clever.  Anyway, we have an M&M's meeting on Wednesday, and we are swapping Baby Girl cards, which was Isabel's choice for this month.  I KNOW - It's not 'til Wednesday, and I've already done it.   Don't quite know how that happened.  Maybe because I'm only about 2 challenges behind for my SBS Group.  They are all up to the end of challenge number 3, and I haven't even done 1, so this card fits for both categories.  That's why I'm early.   I had to use a set that I hadn't used before, which was easy, 'cos I haven't used All in the Family before (which I really am loving!), and also Everyday Flexible Phrases hasn't even been mounted  8-((  and the Headline Alphabet has been used once.   Shocking!   I'm a disgrace to the Stamping Women out there I know.  But I think I've redeemed myself - kinda!    Sorry - when I was half way through the BABY stamping (with the StampAMaJig) I had a terrible thought -  RETIRED??  Yes, the alphabet is retired.  Sorry Ladies (who aren't even supposed to be looking yet), I stopped right there, and did the rest with the new Lovely Letter Alphabet, which I had originally made the first card with, but DH made the comment when I asked him if he liked my card (which I'm really proud of) that "Hmmm, don't you think it would be better with bigger letters, or an outline on the letters, or bolder colours?".   WHY, OH WHY do I bother asking the cardmaking expert that I live with such questions?   I'm happy, so that should be enough.  Right??   Think it's a WOMAN thing - we need confirmation from another person that we've done a good job.  So, IS it alright, before I bare my creative soul to my very creative and talented downline on Wednesday, I NEED TO KNOW!!

Goodnight Kim (you weren't supposed to be still reading!).  All the best for tomorrow.  Thinking of you, and this is just the beginning...!

Take care

Michelle

Mothers Day/Fathers Day Class

Good evening everyone!   Thanks to all those ladies who came and stamped at my place last night.  I can tell you, a LARGE amount of chocolate was eaten by ... some of the ladies!  LOL.   So good to be amongst friends who share the same addictions as yourself huh?   Anyway, here are two of the cards we made last night.  Both are case'd - the first was a swap from convention, and was made by Susanne Collins.  Sorry Susanne, I'm not even sure if you are a NZ or Australian demo, but thanks for your inspiration!   Can you see how I made the yellow brackets??  I used the round tab punch, which we were shown at convention also.   Very simple to do - one day I might even post a small tutorial on how to do it, if you ask nicely that is!

Recipe : Stamp Sets : Summer by the Sea, Natural Beauty, Occasional Greetings, Canvas Background.  Ink : Close to Cocoa, Basic Black, Ruby Red, Summer Sun.   Card : Mellow Moss, Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Summer Sun, Ruby Red.  Accessories : Circle template (homemade), aqua painter, sponges, round tab punch.

 

 

This one is an idea from "tx stamper" on Splitcoast Stampers.   It is using the Retiform Technique, which I think freaked out some of the big chocolate-eating girls in the class - NO, I don't mean the girls are big, just their chocolate-eating habits...  Anyway, I think that at the end everyone was most impressed with what they had done, and the cards looked great!  Well done to you all.

Recipe : Stamp sets : Bareback, Occasional Greetings.  Ink : Basic Black, Close to Cocoa, Old Olive, Not Quite Navy, Creamy Caramel.  Card : Always Artichoke, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Not Quite Navy.   Accessories : Designer Label Punch, 1 1/4" circle punch, small oval punch, Close to Cocoa 1/4" Grosgrain ribbon, sponges, Versamark, White EP. 

Enjoy your night!

Michelle

 

My son makes me proud!

Hello!  My eldest son has just made a card to give to my Mum, because Mum & Dad looked after our boys while we went to Australia for 10 days recently.  He has done such a great job, and had a fantastic time at "Nan & Poppa's" house that I'm sure we could go for a 10 day holiday every month!   (Don't worry Mum, I'm JUST KIDDING).

The stamp set he used was Fast & Fun notes, which we were given at convention.  Not a set I would have ever brought myself, but once we started to use it, man, it's FANTASTIC!!  Covers so many occasions in one set.  Definitely great value for money, and one I'd recommend.  We will be using this set a little bit in the Watercolouring Class coming up on 31st May.  Be warned - this class is nearly full already, so be quick if you are thinking of coming along.    Have a great Saturday - I'm all sorted (apart from the food...) for tonight's class, which is a Mother's Day/Father's Day/Man's Card combination!   Nothing like being prepared early huh?  I will post a couple of those cards for you tomorrow.     Off to drop my son off to a disco now - sounds like so much fun!   Think I'll be coming home to do some baking for tonight.  Blake made some Russian Fudge this morning, and kinda burnt it a little, but you know, I can't stop going and having one little piece, then one more.  Must stop it, or I'll never get through tonight when the sugar high wears off!   Take care

Michelle

Home again!

Good morning to you all - hope you are having a fantastic weekend.  We arrived home late Thursday night, and spent Friday trying desperately to sort out the piles of 'stuff' everywhere (with not much luck), and also wading through the 20 phone messages, and 194, yes, one hundred and ninety four, emails!   If you haven't yet had a reply from me, then I will get to you - hopefully before the end of today.   We had a fantastic holiday - my husband would have happily stayed there, but I love NZ too much.  I think it's the BEST place anywhere to live.  We have so much here, and take it for granted so often.  Look around, and enjoy what we have.  Sorry - sounds pretty heavy for this time of the morning, but I really really believe NZ is a great place!   Where would you live if you could live ANYWHERE??    Now, back to the important stuff..  I have 16 NEW stamp sets that I am just so excited about, and desperate to use, so be sure to come along to a class, or book a workshop so that you can get to use them too.  If you haven't yet seen the new 'in colours', then I have them also, and they are GORGEOUS!  ALSO... the crop-o-dile (or alligator, as someone calls it), which is just really amazing.  And, if you love the pretty stuff, I have the PRETTIES KIT as well.  This is really beautiful, and I'm looking forward to making some cards using it.   I will be emailing out my MAY CLASS LIST by midnight tonight, so keep an eye on your inbox.   I just HAVE to post a card, so as I haven't really been making any myself for the past 2 weeks, I'm  going to post one that I received at convention as a swap card.  It is made by the fabulous Claire Daly, from Melbourne.  Claire's Blog is one I check out at least once a week - she's just got such beautiful style, and I love her cards!   HI CLAIRE!!  I had the privelege of meeting Claire in Brisbane, and she is just as beautiful as her cards.  Such a sweetie!   If you would like to check out her blog as well, just click on her name in green above.   The stamp sets used in this card are Artifully Asian and Symbols of Solicitude.  I've NEVER like the Symbols of Solicitude before, but now... well, lets just say it's high on my wish list!

Well, better get myself organised now.  Don't forget to check out my classes coming up next month, and yes, for those of you who very patiently wait, I WILL be taking a SCRAPBOOKING CLASS in May.   As usual, it will be limited to a maximum of 10 participants, so make sure you get in early.   The date will be Wednesday 21st of May, at 7.30pm.  Cost and further details to be advised very soon.

Take care, and enjoy your Sunday!    Michelle

HELLO FROM SUNNY MAROOCHYDORE

Hey there everyone - have got a spare 3 minutes so thought I'd tell you all that we are having a fantastic time in Australia - hot, sunny & great shopping! All makes for my perfect holiday! Looking forward to getting home to see the boys I must admit, but great while it lasts. Well, in case you were wondering - I did get the top sales for NZ demonstrators, which I'm so pleased with. A great achievement, which is totally thanks to my fantastic customers (and some wonderful downline who also spent lots with me prior to signing up...)
Thanks so much to you all - look forward to catching up with you at the mothers/fathers day class!

Wooo Hooo!! April 1st.

Good morning everyone!   I simply had to stay up just to see in the new Stampin' Up! 2008/2009 Catalogue.  We can now officially take your orders for items in this AMAZING catalogue.  You can have a peep at it today at my $2 cards, from 6pm-10pm.   I'll warn you though - it's really very cool, and your wish lists may just develop again!

This is one of the cards I'm doing at $2 cards today (the class is being repeated on Thursday morning from 10am-12noon). Make sure you phone to let me know if you are coming.

Happy April Fools Day!  Don't get caught out.