Stampin Up Convention 1-2 May 2009 Canberra

Make a note of this date and start thinking of attending Convention 2009. A few people have asked me about accommodation in Canberra and I decided to put the links up on my blog

Convention will be held at the National Convention Centre

31 Constitution Avenue, Canberra

Here's a link to the National Convention Centre

http://www.nccc.com.au/

Firstly here's a google link to accommodation in Canberra

http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&q=Canberra+accommodation&btnG=Search&meta=cr%3DcountryAU

Here's a map of Canberra city

http://www.blackstump.com.au/map-canberra.htm

Here's a link showing you Canberra attractions, restaurants and night life

http://www.nccc.com.au/locationMap/index.html

My friend swears by this website for cheap accommodation so here is the link:

http://www.wotif.com/

Goodluck with everything and see you all at convention 2009

Onesies

Aren't these cards called Onesies so cute!!!As you can see I changed the template around for this one

I have found two links to instructions and a template for you to use to make these gorgeous cards. Here is the actual link to the template I used Onesies Template kindly made by Laura Lynn which I found on Splitcoast Stampers

Here are written instructions as well by Lauren Meader

Added post April 1st 2009

I found the real origin to onesies, that came about a long long time ago by Kimberley Morris

Here's the link direct to her pattern with full instructions as well, she has some gorgeous samples on her blog, check them out.

Thanks so much Kimberley, I've had a lovely time doing these and shared with many of my crafting friends are local craft groups.

Hints and tips

I thought I would start this post probably just so I remember all these tips I have tried and find that it is helpful.

Punches - I put abit of orange oil on a tissue and rub it around the inside of the punch on the underside and it seems to get another lease of life. I have never tried to punch the foil or sandpaper through it so never knew it if worked but have read that eventually it will blunt your punch.

Rotary cutters - I rub the same orange oil over the rotary blade of my cutter being very careful as those suckers are very sharp even though they cut paper bluntly after much use and that seems to revive them as well, also if you have a cutter mat you can turn it around 4 times and get more use out of them.

Cuttlebug embossing dies - I found that if you apply the double sided tape to your cardstock before you put it in for embossing you will find the ds tape adheres better than when it is embossed. (This hint won me some cool papers in the Australian Stamping and Papercraft magazine).

I have also found some cool websites with tutorials and one of my favourite is Kristine Werner, here is a link to a tutorial page she has up my favourite is on how to tie a ribbon which is the best I have seen so far  http://kwernerdesign.com/blog/tutorials/

Sympathy Card

Colours used: Basic Black, Groovy Guava, the letter C is sprinkled with Dazzling Diamonds. Stamp set is Illuminations and Priceless

Colours used: Basic Black, Mellow Moss. Stamp set is True Friends
Colours used: Basic Black, Groovy Guava. Stamp set is Priceless
Yesterday I got an early morning call from the US, one that you don't want to get and was told that a close family member had passed away. My nature is such that I go into shock but into an organisation shock and the first thing that came to my mind was to make a sympathy card.

The last time a very close family member passed away was my precious grandpa on my mother's side and I was 5 years old.

I have not had to make a sympathy card for a close family member so I wanted this one to be special being that it was my husband's family so I sent out an SOS to my online groups and within 12 hours they came up with some gorgeous ideas for me that I will take in and CASE when the need arises.

I came up with a few designs and now I am confused about which one to use. The background idea was shown to me by Pru at MSG which I love. The stand alone card designs were CASED from Rikki Showell and is one of my favourite construction cards. Thats frost on the table that you can see slowly melting, it was still hard to touch so I could not wipe it off, photos were taken at 7.30am today.

Thanks go to the following people who kindly shared their own cards and ideas with me Evelyn Spikes, Hitomi Nakatane, Caroline Cassidy, Tanya Kitto, Kathie Hockley, Barb Dare, Kaz1969, Shell B, Judy Carberry, Natalie Nyistor, Vicki Dean, Natalie Alston, Lana Murray, Trish Wood, Andrea Buckland, Margaret Ashby, Laisie Murphy, Doreen Worth, Carolyn (Pilliga Princess), Darlene Grob, Kate O'Leary and Jan (Inkerzaway).

With all the ideas I have I will go away and make more sympathy cards which really aren't sympathy cards but sympathy appropriate and can be used everyday.

Thank you once again to each and everyone of you for your help.
Love and hugs
Bridget

Leilani's September Workshop

This gorgeous card was made at Leilani's September workshop using Basic Grey, Purely Pomegranate, Pretty in Pink.
Stamp set is One of a Kind from the Spring Mini Catalogue 1 August - 30 November 2008.
You can't see the flowers but they have Dazzling Diamonds sprinkled all over them. This picture was taken at 7.30am, notice the frost on the table just beginning to melt.

ESAD-SU Challenge Make it Monday # 10 September 15th 2008

Makeesha Byl sent this challenge to an online SU group and I took the bait. They are great and easy to make.

Arrrggghhh I need to try and work this new digital camera of mine so it will take good photos, any hints are welcomed LOL.

Third try lucky in trying to write what I used to do these.

On Whisper White Cardstock I used stamps from the Friendship Blooms and One of a Kind stamp sets and stamped using the Pretty in Pink and Purely Pomegranate inkpads, then I cut out the flower using the Boho Blossoms Punch and sprinkled Dazzling Diamonds Glitter over the smallest of the flowers using glue stick to adhere it.

Run on over to Makeesha's website (you can click on her name up above and it will take you to her website) for the full tutorial.

StampinUP

An exciting adventure for me to move into.

I have met some wonderful ladies and enjoy using the products so why not move onto the next phase of helping others enjoy it as well.

The following cards were made at Leilani's Stamp-a-stack this month, 30 cards in all made by the Secret Garden pack and Pretties Kit, I still have 13 to do so far. It's amazing what you can get out of one pack and some accessories.