Dashing to Stampin' Up! Australia Convention 2009

In an hour, Hubby and I will be heading off to Canberra for my first Stampin' Up! Australia Convention. I've managed to make 60 card fronts for swaps (unlike my paltry single digit attempt for Sydney Regionals last year). I haven't started packing anything yet, I know it is going to be freezing where we are heading and here I am writing a blog post. Where are my priorities?! Actually, I'm here to hang out my special purpose sign so that anyone wanting to contact me will know that I'll respond when we come back on Sunday. Have a great four days!

How predictable am I?

Completely. Utterly. Depressingly so. *sigh*

A year ago, I took part in Jayne's Cyberstamp where one of the challenges was to select two numbers, put them together to make a page number in the Idea Book & Catalogue from which to case a card. IIRC I chose 7 and 8, giving me 78. Since page 78 featured a scrapbook layout, I reversed the numbers to give 87 and ended up with this card.

This year, Dani reissued the same challenge and what random numbers did I choose? Yep! 7 and 8! AGAIN! Didn't realise it until I thought about it days after the Cyberstamp - about the time I started writing up this blog entry for the new card. Just to reinforce the fact that I am a machine, it turns out that I used Orchid Opulence and Tempting Turquoise both times on a squarish card. Oh well! At least the Curly Label Punch is new... *slinks off*

Stampin' Supplies
Ink:
Gable Green
Glorious Green
Orchid Opulence
Tempting Turquoise

Stamp sets:
Petal Pizzaz
Polka Dot background
Say it with Scallops

Cardstock:
Gable Green
Tempting Turquoise
Whisper White

Accessories:
Curly Label Punch
Eyelet Edge Punch
Mat Pack
Stampin' Dimensionals
Stampin' Write Markers in Glorious Green, Lovely Lilac, Orchid Opulence, Tempting Turquoise
Styled Silver Hodgepodge
Whisper White Grosgrain Ribbon
White Gel pen

No inkling

Sometimes it is just unfortunate...you are totally immersed in the process of manifesting that grand vision in your mind and you have no idea about the big picture you are setting in motion - the complete picture. For me, here is how it all started...

We recently had an INKlings Cyberstamp hosted by the very effervescent Dani Fender. I haven't been able to take part in a team cyberstamp for a while so I made a little commitment to do hers. One of the challenges was to make an Easter basket inspired by Makeesha Byl. Because I was too time-poor¹ to follow the tutorial, I decided to use a A5 sheet that was lying around for the base and just make the rest up as I go. The grand vision that I had for this project was to use the eyelet punch to emulate the look of broderie anglaise². I also wanted to add ribbon woven through cardstock as it reminds me of trim on pretty lingerie.

As an aside, how great are the new Stampin' Up! Filigree Designer Brads? There is a little round recess in the centre of the filigree flower for a perfectly sized brad to slot in. You can use the ones included or the smallest sized circle rhinestones brads, for example. This makes the whole thing very stable (no wobbling here) once attached to a project.

The thing that did surprise me about the Filigree Designer Brads was the thickness - check it out in the close up.

Back to the saga. Once the basket was completed, I hunted around fruitlessly for some Easter eggs to fill it. Failing that, I found a box of Ferrero Rocher. As it turned out, the basket fit two chocolates abreast perfectly. Which is exactly the problem...the basket now looks like a brassiere! Waaaaaaaaaah! *sniffle* Just don't imagine tipping the Ferrero Rochers so that the labels face the front! Hey! I warned you...

Stampin' Supplies
Ink:
Certainly Celery
Lavendar Lace

Stamps:
Baroque wheel
Fresh Cuts set
Petal Pizzazz set

Cardstock:
Lavendar Lace
Whisper White

Accessories:
Certainly Celery Grosgrain
Designer Brad Filigree
Double Rectangle Punch
Eyelet Border Punch
Scallop Punch
Small Oval Punch
Stampin' Write Marker in Lavendar Lace
Whisper White Grosgrain

---

1. time-poor: an excuse (aka spin) for being impatient and lazy in this case.
2. Broderie Anglaise: French for "English Embroidery". It is rather ironic that a French term is used in English to describe something as English.

A Happy Easter

I'm contented. I've just eaten my second Baker's Delight Chocolate Chip Hot Cross Bun (albeit cold) but it was very, very fresh. I've got Hubby next to me *looks over at his computer screen* reading up on GUI Architecture (yep! he's such a geek!) and we are about to head off for an bicycle ride to the park to barbecue our lunch. It is wonderful to be able to slow down a little after lots of activity, including a recent Easter class in which we made all of the above. I love the chick from A Good Egg as it reminds me of Hubby's two hairs on the top of his head.

I know that I have to really ramp things up after Easter as there'll be team events, workshops and classes and the 2009 Stampin' Up! Australia convention (swaps! eeek!). But, for the moment, things are still and the peace is luxurious.

Have a marvellous Easter celebrating whatever it means to you.

Three punch for you

Happy New SU! Year!

Bye Summer 2008-2009 Mini! Bye old trusty 2008-2009 Idea Book & Catalogue! I can finally lay your rather tatty form to rest...a much deserved deliverance from a year of constant rifling and the odd tear *winces guiltily*

Welcome Stampin' Up! Australia 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalogue! What a gorgeous new range of stamps, ribbons, accessories and In Colors - all showcased in a beautiful catalogue brimming with wonderful crafty ideas. As for getting your own copy to rifle through - you know the drill! Book a workshop and you'll get one free. Otherwise, you can buy a copy from me for $12.95 when you see me next.

As for the title of this post, it is for the Stampin' Up! wonks who would recognise it as a little rearrangement of the now retired Three For You Punch Box. So, why three punches?

Well, I've been a little punch drunk from demonstrating workshops, teaching classes and tending to orders (and backorders). Not that I'm complaining since it has been terrific fun sharing crafts with lots of lovely ladies and it hasn't been bad for my business either! BUT it is my excuse for being amiss in updating this neglected blog...

Secondly, I decided to celebrate the cheer associated with the new year (oooh! that rhymed!) by making a card with a bunch of punch. The punch bowl isn't visible because the beverage has already been doled out. I thought I should add that in case some of you start making things difficult for me by asserting that the drinks are actually cocktails. *looks cross*

Lastly, the cocktail punch umbrella was made with a couple of Stampin' Up! punches.

Look at the time! It's even past midnight in Perth (if they had stuck with our daylight saving schedule)! *grin* Sleep tight! Although I'm sure for most of you it'll be day when you read this...

Stampin' Supplies
Ink:
Almost Amethyst
Basic Black

Stamp sets:
Cheer & Wishes
Cheers To You
Tart & Tangy

Cardstock:
Almost Amethyst
So Saffron
Whisper White

Accessories:
1 3/8" Square Punch
Dazzling Diamonds
Heat And Stick Powder
Heat Tool
Many Marvellous Markers
Scallop Square Punch
Stampin' Dimensionals

2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalogue Corrections & Write-Ins

The following changes apply to the 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalogue.

Catalogue Corrections

Page	Item #	Product Name	Description
40	115944	Voilà a la Carte stamp set	The hot dog image and turkey image pictured with this set are incorrect. These two images should be a ham and a sandwich. In addition, the Bon Appétit sample card shows the incorrect turkey image.
48	115888	Thoughts & Prayers stamp set	This stamp set should be listed as double-mounted.
60	115912	Bugs & Kisses stamp set	The small ant image is missing from this stamp set pictured in the catalogue. This stamp set is actually a set of 11 stamps and not 10. The rubber and label for this set are correct.
68	115924	Just Netball stamp set	All the images pictured with this set are incorrect. The rubber and label for this set are correct.
80	115786	Dreams du Jour stamp set	This set was inadvertently labelled as a Two-Step Stampin' set. This set is not designed for use in Two-Step Stampin'.
98	115770	Cheep Talk stamp set	The small heart image pictured with the Good Friend stamp set actually belongs to this set. The number of stamps in this set should be 11. The rubber and label for this set are correct.
99	115816	Good Friend stamp set	The small heart image pictured with this set doesn't belong to the set. The Good Friend set is actually a set of 8 stamps and not 9. The rubber and label for this set are correct.
109	116430	Trés Chic background stamp	The item number listed for this background stamp is incorrect. The correct item number is 112298.
126	Various	In Color 5/8" striped grosgrain ribbon	The price listed for the 5/8" In Color ribbon is incorrect. The price should be $19.50 AUD. (The price listed for the ribbon is correct on page 150.)
130	Various	Linen Post Albums	The photo shown for the Naturals Linen album is incorrect. This photo shows a D-ring album, but it's only available as a post-bound album.
131	111882	Love Notes	The item number and item name listed are incorrect. They were inadvertently copied from the Fresh-Cut Notes above. The correct item number is 111861 and the item name is Love Notes.
142	116808	2U Card Elements & More	The Riding Hood Red Classic Stampin' Spot listed with this item is incorrect. The correct spot is Ruby Red.
145	Various	Sticky Cuts and Glitter assortments	In the description at the top of the page we incorrectly list that beads are included in the products on this page. Beads are not part of the Sticky Cuts and glitter assortments which we offer.
146	112084	On Board Loads of Letters	The item name listed is incorrect. It should be On Board Loads of Letters.
149	109108 and 109128	Build-A-Brad	The description incorrectly says to punch a 1.2 cm circle to build your own brad. The correct punch to use is a 1.3 cm punch.
151	Various	5/8" grosgrain ribbon	The length of the ribbon is listed incorrectly. It should be 13.7 m.
151	Various	Taffeta Ribbon	The width of the taffeta ribbon is listed incorrectly. The correct width is 1 cm.
151	105447	Clear Buttons	The size of the smallest clear button is listed incorrectly. The correct size is 1.9 cm.
152	107590	Designer Label punch	The price listed for this punch is incorrect. The price should be $30.95 AUD.
158	11258	Nursery Letters jumbo wheel	The item number listed is incorrect. The item number should be 111258.

Catalogue Write-ins

Item #	Item	Price
109047	3/16" (4.7 mm) Corner Rounder Punch	$12.95
112534	Jumbo brads 5/16" Neutrals Assortment	$15.50
112533	Jumbo brads 5/8" Neutrals Assortment	$13.50
114889	Scallop Oval punch	$30.95
106960	StazOn ink pad (White pad and refill)	$22.95
109196	StazOn Cleaner	$9.95

On becoming a Stampin' Up!® demonstrator

Why would I want to be a Stampin' Up!® demonstrator?

If you don't know about Stampin' Up!®, perhaps book a workshop with me so that I can show you what it is all about (but feel free to read on!). If you love Stampin' Up!® products, then there are lots of good reasons for becoming a demonstrator including:

• the great value starter kit,


• an 18% discount on all the Stampin' Up!® products that you can see in the current Stampin' Up!® Idea Book & Catalogue and intermittently released mini catalogues,


• being among the first to find out about new Stampin' Up!® products and promotions,


• having access to a sizeable network of crafty people who know how to make beautiful papercraft items and the most of Stampin' Up!® products,


• earning free stamp sets, products and volume rebates (ie. more money) for buying or selling lots of Stampin' Up!® stuff,


• having the option to dedicate as much as time as you want or as little as time permits to your Stampin' Up!® activities,


• the opportunity to build a business doing crafts (who wouldn't want that?! I know, I know ... for those who don't, the opportunity to sell Stampin' Up!® products to subsidise their craft habit is there whilst they are busy with their full-time jobs),


• having me as their upline.

OK ... the last benefit was just shameless self-promotion but who else is going to do it for me? And it wouldn't be self promotion if it was done by someone else, right?


Sound appealing? To become an independent Stampin' Up!® demonstrator, you need to buy a starter kit.

Tell me about the starter kit

The starter kit normally costs $324 but has a retail value of $565.70. This retail value includes business supplies so for those of you considering joining as hobby demonstrators, the maximum value of the included craft products is as follows:

4 Rubber Stamp Sets

Basic Phrases (or a set of your choice up to the value of $58.95)

Fun & Fast Notes (or a set of your choice up to the value of $58.95)

Big Bold Birthday (or a set of your choice up to the value of $53.95)

Eastern Blooms (or a set of your choice up to the value of $39.95)

1 Standard Stampin’ Around® Wheel

Fast Flowers Wheel(or wheel of your choice worth $11.95)

1 Standard Stampin’ Around® Handle

$7.50

1 Standard Ink Cartridge

Real Red (or colour of your choice worth $9.50)

1 Stampin’ Pastels®

$48.95

1 Assorted Colour A4 Card Stock pack

Bold Brights™ (or colour family of your choice worth $14.50)

1 A4 Card Stock pack

Whisper White (or colour of your choice worth $13.50)

1 Blender Pens pack

$18.95

1 SNAIL Adhesive®

$12.95

1 Craft & Rubber Scissors

$37.95

1 Stampin’ Scrub®

$28.95

1 Stampin’ Mist®

$7.95

1 VersaMark® Pad

$13.95

5 Classic Stampin’ Pads®

Basic Black

Green Galore (or colour of your choice worth $11.95)

Real Red (or colour of your choice worth $11.95)

Pixie Pink (or colour of your choice worth $11.95)

Brilliant Blue (or colour of your choice worth $11.95)

That is a total of $498.15 worth of Stampin' Up!® products plus a continued minimum 18% discount off future purchases for $324. And for a limited time (1 October-31 December 2009), Stampin' Up! is including an additional $28.90 worth of product in the form of a pack of Raspberry Tart Designer Series Paper and a Pretty in Pink Classic Stampin’ Pad® for free to help promote Breast Cancer Awareness.


Stampin' Memories Add-On
If you are really into scrapbooking and you'd like to showcase Stampin' Memories products, you can purchase the Stampin' Memories add-on for $75 (valued at $151.85).

1 Assorted Colour Card Stock (12X12)

Bold Brights™ (or colour family of your choice worth $17.25)

1 Alphabet Set

Schoolbook Serif Alphabet (or alphabet set up to the value of $77.95)

1 Simply Scrappin’™ Kit

Petal Party (or scrapbooking kit of your choice worth $36.95)

1 Stampin’ Write™ Journaler

$5.75

1 Craft Stampin’ Pad

Whisper White ($13.95 or Classic Pad of your choice worth $11.95)

What's the catch?

You need an ABN and, to stay active as a demonstrator, you have to sell and/or buy $500 (pre-GST) worth of Stampin' Up!® products every three months.

I can't sell, I'm not interested in selling and yet I am still reading this

I'd say that it is due to my compelling writing but I know that's not true. The starter kit is excellent value and the 18% discount is rather seductive, isn't it? I know ... I've been there and I've succumbed. I can honestly say that I've not regretted getting the starter kit. The opportunity to create a business is a bonus - one that I value highly but others may not...as yet.


If you love Stampin' Up! products, you can just sign up for the starter kit and the discount. You always have the opportunity to do more as a demonstrator when it suits you but, in the mean time, you can save on all your Stampin' Up!® purchases. If you do want to do more, I'll help in any way that I can and you'll also have access to lots of Stampin' Up!® resources.

Send me more info

If you are interested, please feel free to contact me on (02) 9533 3939 or LMYapStamps@gmail.com. I can answer any questions that you may have and send you an information pack along with all the forms that you need to get a starter kit.