In case you all thought I'd died....................

Thought I'd better post some pictures of the cards I made at Stamp Camp (a few weeks ago now). For once I spent a lot less time chatting and actually got heaps done. Thanks Venessa, Liz and Lisa for sharing your room, your chocolate and lots of laughs with me. There was a picture of us at the pyjama party but I don't think that needs to be posted here - bit frightening!



So here are the cards I made.......

We were given a bag of papers, ribbons and other embellishments which we could make cards with. I ended up making two.....

This one which uses some of the DS paper we were given which I made a little pin wheel flower out of.








And this one where I used the Fishy Friends stamps. It was a challenge to me to use these bright colours as I usually use more muted colours.











Then I had some cards to make for an online swap and got 10 of these made up. Using the River Rock Cardstock, Le Jardin double sided papers, a piece of the River Rock ribbon and my paper piercer to make the holes for some faux stitching. Then I used the Carte Postale stamp set to stamp on the patterned papers and the sentiment which I mounted up using the oval punch.








Then we made some bags from the brown paper packing which is used for the Stampin' Up! orders. I think this was demoed at the Stampin' Up! convention but being as I didn't go, some of the girls that did go were kind enough to show us how to make them up - very easy. I decorated mine using the En Francais background stamp with the flower from Heartfelt Thanks.








And finally, for this post anyway, I made a set of cards using the wax crayon technique with the Palette of Prints papers and Life Definitions stamp set. One of the girls at camp had written up the measurements for the card folder so I had to try it out - didn't I? Used the Petal Prints stamps for this set.

Pennant of Friends

I spent a lovely day a couple of weeks ago with Bethel, Jean and Louise catching up, drinking tea, eating fabulous food and making this beautiful pennant. I am not great at needlecrafts by any stretch of the imagination and I thought this was going to be a bit of a challenge when I first saw it, but Bethel had everything so organised and I had such fun making this little memento of our day, with the photo of the four of us on it. We each made one and I know Bethel's is up on her blog and I'm sure Jean will have hers up very soon. Is there no end to our talents?

I am a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator!

That's my excuse for not posting sooner!

I have been so excited about joining Stampin' Up! and playing with their fantastic products that my blog has been sadly neglected. I joined up in January and have been so busy ever since, making sample cards and organising demos and workshops it has been great. I have met some lovely new people, (Hi to the Venessa and the Brissy Demos) both online and in person which has also been fun. Stampin' Up! are having their annual convention here in Brisbane next month which I sadly won't be going to as I think I am maybe too new at this at this stage to get enough out of it, but I plan to be there next year - wherever it is.

It has been a great time to join Stampin' Up! The old catalogue is finishing at the end of this month, as is the Summer Mini Catalogue and the new catalogue which I already have in my grubby little hands is just fabulous. There are so many great new stamp sets, punches, rub-ons, loads of bling...... I could go on for hours. My initial wish list is so long I would have to add it on to the mortgage if I bought all those goodies, so I will have to cull it to a more reasonable quantity and be patient. Everything comes to those who wait (what nutbag said that).

The picture above is of a card I demoed at a recent stamp camp, it is my version of a beautiful card originally made by Trish Myers, thanks Trish. Sadly the stamps used in this card are retiring at the end of March which is devastating for me as they were my favourites. Never mind I'll have to buy some new favourites.....lol

Christmas Charms

I also experimented with some leadlight bevels and Crafty Individuals transparencies and came up with these little ornaments that can be hung on your tree. I stuck the transparencies onto the back of the bevels with Glossy Accents and then wrapped the bevels with copper tape and soldered rings to the top and bottom to attach the chains and beads.

Louise's Birthday Canvas

My friend Louise is one of the most talented stampers I know, so coming up with something different for her birthday was a bit of a challenge. I decided not to make a card but a canvas using the Basic Grey Periphery paper, Collections chipboard bird and letters and also my new grungeboard and crackle paints. The colours were very different for me but hey - we all have to venture out of our safety zone sometimes.

Arty-Oz Christmas Swap Sent

This is the front cover of the 2008 diary I made for Donna Taylor in our Christmas Swap. I printed the diary pages, decorated the covers and then bound it in my "Bind-it-All" which I love. My two best purchases last year were that and my Cuttlebug, which I also wouldn't want to live without.

Arty-Oz Christmas Swap Received

How lucky am I, this is the present I received from Vanessa Henry in our Christmas Swap and I just love it. It is so beautiful and everyone I have shown it to wants it - well too bad it's mine.

This is the tin the treasure came in.

And this is the beautiful fob necklace that was inside the tin.

Thank you so much Ness it is absolutely beautiful and I appreciate all the work you put in to it.