More to show!

Well I am back with more to show today from my time in Sydney. Today I have a 'Step Card' that I made for the Olympic Rings Challenge at camp. This was my final challenge entry which I was under much pressure to complete in time for the judging. I was determined again this year to complete every challenge and task at camp, as I know Marelle spends so much time organising them and it is such fun when you make an effort to complete everything. I only just scraped in by a whisker to get it in on time, by which time most people had actually voted, but I wasn't worried about that, I just had the goal to complete everything - and I DID! Woo HooT! Here is my entry:

Yes, everyone of those rings was created by me! I had planned to add a pair of tiny goggles and a swimming costume or towel to be draped over the second step, but I ran out of time.
When I arrived home my kids and hubby were intrigued to see what I had created, when I pulled this one out, my husband was very impressed, as were my sons as they are all very sporty. This became my husband's father's day card as he liked so much.
I'll be back with more to show you soon.
Until then,
Ink up those claws and get stamping!
Joelle

Children's Classes & More

Well I am back, after a busy couple of weeks of running around madly helping at a number of community events and looking after sick kids. The good news is I'm back with lots to show & tell!

I have decided to open up my stamping & craft classes to school children in the local area for a few days this holidays. I have four classes running in total with a maximum of 9 in a class. The kids holiday class dates & times can be viewed in the column on the left. I have quite a few bookings already, so if you are local to the Far North Coast or planning to visit and are looking for something for the kids to do, give me a call or email me. Classes are for children aged between 8-12  years and all supplies are included in the $30 price.

Today I have some of my entries in the stamp camp challenges to show you. As I mentioned earlier I entered all of the challenges at Stamp Camp, the entries I am showing you today are those entered in the "Gold Silver & Bronze Challenge" as the theme of the camp was naturally based on the Olympic Games.

 

These medallions were constructed using all the products in the challenge bag and a couple of extras (Bling!). The Stampin' Up! products I have used are: gold, silver, Whisper White and Very Vanilla cardstocks, Crumb Cake & Very Vanilla seam binding ribbon, gold & silver embossing powder, Versamark, Basic Grey & Crumb Cake inks, antique brads, basic jewels - rhinestone,  Daydream Medallions & My Friend stamp sets.
These will certainly be added to my Christmas tree this year along with a number of other creations I have planned. I actually won the GOLD medal for my entry - VERY exciting!

I'll be back soon with even more to show you. Until next time,
Ink up those claws & stamp away!
Joelle

Whoooo Hooooot! It's NEW Catalogue Day!

Well, after much sadness (losing so many sets & accessories in the retirement lists), it is finally time for the new annual catalogue to be released! The most exciting news of all, is that there is not just one catalogue being released today, but actually 2!!! Today, the Annual Stampin' Up! catalogue is released along with the NEW Holiday Catalogue!
WHOO HOOT! There are some GORGEOUS products in both of these new catalogues, you can view them by clicking the catalog picture icons on the right side of my blog.

If you'd like to get your hands on a catalogue of your very own to drool over, contact me or come along to my upcoming Catalogue Launch Party on Friday, 21st September at 7.30pm - Bookings essential.
Cost is $5 per person, this will include a demonstration, make and take and both catalogues for you to take home with you. If you are interested in coming along give me a call or email me to register your interest and reserve your catalogues.

We are now being brought into line with the U.S, which means we are virtually getting everything they get at the same time! - No more waiting years to get the stuff the U.S have had. The current annual catalogue will run from September 2012 until June 31st 2013. We will then get our new 2013-2014 annual catalogue at the same time as the rest of the world - 1st July, 2013! 

Now before I leave you to go off and complete my own wish lists from each of the catalogues, let me leave you with a pickie of a very special birthday card for a very special girl. Hope you like it, she certainly did!

I got the inspiration for this card from a swap card my dear friend Marelle had from the Stampin' Up! Convention this year in Canberra. Unfortunately I did not get the demo's name, but I do know she is an Aussie demo. So if it is you, thank you for the amazing inspiration and let me know who you are so that I may give credit, where credit is due!
Until next time,
Ink up those claws (or have your eyes glued to the new catty, which ever the case may be!)

Joelle

Stamp Camp and Goodbye to some old favourites

I am so excited to be blogging again! I have so much to tell you! I have recently returned from an absolutely amazing Stamp Camp which was organised by my absolutely gorgeous upline Marelle Taylor. I spent 3 whole days stamping, chatting and deliriously giggling with friends into the wee hours of each morning. Marelle had organised THE most unbelievable weekend for 40 lucky ladies in the NSW Hunter Valley. The theme was of course "The Olympics" and there were 5 challenges to enter: Gold, Silver & Bronze Challenge, Green and Gold Challenge, The Olympic Rings Inspiration Challenge, Christmas Challenge and the Name Tag challenge. I was fortunate enough to win A Gold and Silver Medal for two of my challenges, and yes, I was tempted to wear my medals into the airport to get a first class flight home, but resisted the temptation, I hear people have been sent to "special hospitals" for trying such a trick! Hee Hee! I will post some of my entries in the challenges in future posts (some stamp sets I used have not yet been released).

Speaking of new releases, there are some gorgeous Christmas sets coming in the new catalogue, yes, I've seen it! These are the benefits of being a stamping up demonstrator.
Though I must say I'm really sad that so many Christmas stamp sets are retiring. I so love Christmas, it's probably the thing I tend to collect the most of Christmas stamp sets and embellishments (o.k, I know that can't be true, yes I probably have just as many owl, girl, boy and flower things too!). But lets face it, Christmas is such a special time of year for everyone who celebrates it and yes that is TOTALLY me! Today I am going to show you some lovely cards I designed for a recent Christmas Stamp-a-Stack class.

Stamping Up! products used in this class: Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla cardstocks, Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler, Chocolate Chip and Baja Breeze Stampin' Pads, Baroque Motifs, Tree Trimmings, Welcome Christmas and  Dasher stamp sets, 5/8 Chocolate Chip Satin Ribbon (ALL RETIRING on 31.8.12 so if you still want to order, get in quick! There's only 2 days to go), Clear Rhinestones & pearls, Petals-a-plenty Textured Impressions embossing folder & Big Shot machine, snail, sticky strip and Stamp-a-magig.
I'll be back soon.
Until then, ink those claws up!
Joelle

So Sad!

I am sick! -YUCK! I wonder if it's due to my sad state saying farewell so many well loved Stampin' Up! Products????? You know, my body has become so run down just knowing that I will be saying "goodbye" to some of my favourites, that I have become physically ill? Or it could just be that time of year with so many bugs floating around the many places that I visit each day, each week with small and large children!

Sadly, products are continuing to disappear. The stampin' frenzy is well under way!
Here is the updated list of SOLD OUT stock:

Peach Parfait Classic Stampin' Ink Refill
Concord Crush Classic Stampin' Ink Refill
Concord Crush A4 Cardstock
Pear Pizzazz Classic Stampin' Ink Refill
Poppy Parade Classic Stampin' Ink refill
Blushing Bride Classic Stampin' Ink refill
Blushing Bride A4 cardstock
More Mustard Stampin' Write Marker
3/16" Gold Brads
Dotto Refill
Stack n Store Containers
Stampin' Scrub Replacement Pads
Card Stock A4 Confetti White
Circle Scissor Plus Replacement Blades
Stamp Set Wood Christmas Greetings
Stampin' Scrub Replacement Pads
5-petal flower punch
Color Caddy Extender Kit
Stampin' Around Wheel Storage - Standard size
Short and Sweet wooden stamp set.

It is so sad to see them going so quickly, there are so many of my favourites retiring this year. My "In" cupboard will be looking rather bare, if I must say so myself (not for too long - I HOPE!)
Yours in teary, germy  ink,
Joelle

Products disappearing at a rapid rate!

Well, like I said you have to get in quick when Stampin' Up! are retiring products. The list has only been up for a week and already, many products have disappeared, never to be seen again. It's just like the add says, "Going, Going, GONE", that's exactly what has happened!
Here is the list of SOLD OUT products:
* Christmas Greetings wooden stamp set
* Blushing Bride Ink Refill
* Concord Crush Ink Refill
* Pear Pizzazz Ink Refill
* Poppy Parade Ink Refill
* Blushing Bride A4 cardstock
* More Mustard Stampin' Write Marker
* Confetti White A4 cardstock
* 3/16" Gold Brads
* Dotto Refill
* Crimper
* Stampin' Scrub Replacement Pads
* Circle Scissor Plus Replacement Pads
* Stack and Store Containers

Below is a recent class I had for my Christmas Stamp-A-Stack in July, using the lovely Season of Joy stamp set (it too is being retired).  

Stampin' Up! Products Used: Season of Joy stamp set (pg 25 of current catalogue - retiring) Real Red, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip and Whisper White cardstock, Snail, Stampin' Dimensionals, Real Red satin Ribbon, Scalloped Oval, large oval, 1/2" circle punches.

If there is anything on the retirement list that you would like to order, please call or email me ASAP as products are selling out on a daily basis. Here's the retirement list links:
Retiring Stamp Sets
Retiring Accessories
Yours in Ink,
Joelle

Well, it's that sad time of year again, where we say goodbye to many well-loved products from the Stampin' Up! Catalogue. It is also the time to check the list and see if there is anything you "cannot do without". Don't forget to thoroughly check both the stamp set list and the massive accessories list carefully, because once they are sold out they are gone forever.
Here's the links:
Retiring Stamp Sets
Retiring Accessories
Call or email me ASAP if there is something you are after, as stock tends to sell VERY fast, I don't know all these craft addicted people (I tell my husband that there are definately worse addictions, but I think he is beginning to wonder!).
The good news is that come September 1st, we will have a brand new catalogue AND a mini, yes at the same time! We are now coming into line with the U.S and will have the opportunity to buy anything that they have within the same year! This is very exciting for demonstrators because it means no more pining over what the Sates have that we don't Whoo HooT! 
As promised, although quite late, here is my card that goes with the Tea Bag Dispenser:

The Stampin' Up! products I have used are the Morning Cup stamp set, Chocolate Chip, Lucky Limeade, Baja Breeze cardstocks, water colour paper, Twitterpated DSP, Word window and decorative label punches, Stampin' Dimensionals, Snail & my trusty paper trimmer.
Until next time,
Ink up those claws!
Joelle