A LITTLE PMS – SOMETIMES IT’S A GOOD THING … ESAD blog hop

Did you just pop over from ANN’s blog or have you just turned up on my blog impressed that I’ve actually updated?  Either way, we are glad you are joining us for the ESAD New Catalogue Blog Hop.  Just continue linking from one blog to the next (each should have a link to the next) and you eventually will have done an entire circle and be back at the beginning again full with lots of great ideas for projects using yummy new products from the brand new catalogue! 

WHAT IS ESAD?

All of the participants of the blog hop today are members of ESAD.  ESAD stands for "Extra Special Australasian Demonstrators" and it is an on-line group just for Australian and New Zealand Stampin Up demonstrators.

We so love what we do and not only do we love to share it with our customers, friends, and wonderful blog visitors, but we share our love for what we do with each other as demonstrators.  We run swaps, challenges, tutorials, product know-how, and cyberstamps, and we are always there to help and support each other when it is needed.

So if you are a Stampin' Up! demonstrator located in Australia or New Zealand, then please fee free to click HERE to join our wonderful group

 

PMS – IT’S GOOD THING (SOMETIMES!)

My creative brain hasn’t been working lately and I was trying to figure out how to showcase a couple of my favourite things from the new catalogue and my wonderful friend, Melinda, came to the rescue with this super idea (don’t you love having awesome and creative friends to share ideas with?!).    I’ve named it the “PMS box” – Popcorn, Movie, and Snacks …   Wouldn’t this be a fabulous gift to give a special friend, a complete girl’s night in enclosed in a gift box! 

If you didn’t want to make a decision on a movie, you could even create a coupon or get a rental gift card and it would also fit inside the box.  Of course you will have to give the bottle of wine separately – it just doesn’t want to fit in the box!!  LOL

 
The box looks like a clutch purse when it’s all closed up – how cute is that!  While a guy might not appreciate how “pretty” it is, the girls will!!

 
The box opens up and includes everything you need for a good girl’s night out – chocolate bars, tissues (in case you get a real chick flick!), cards to invite your friends, popcorn, and coffee …

 
left side – chocolate, tissues, and invites

 
right side – popcorn and coffee                   

 
see  … there is the popcorn hiding in the box!

Wouldn’t you just love to have a PMS night like this one - it would be so much fun to get the girls together!!   Now we just need to figure out a way to get rid of the boys …

SUPPLIES USED:

Stamps:  Creative Elements (for invites)
Card/Paper:  Chocolate Chip, Cherry Cobbler, Daffodil Delight, and Whisper White cardstock,
Timeless Portrait Designer Paper (LOVE it!!), and Regals Collection Paper Stack paper
Accessories:  Lace Ribbon Border punch (my newest fav!), White Organza Ribbon, Designer Button and 1/8” Taffeta Ribbon 

HAVEN’T SEEN IT YET?  CHECK OUT THE NEW CATALOGUE BY CLICKING ON THE PHOTO ABOVE

Just in case you have got lost (or there is a link that isn’t working for you), here are the demonstrators participating in today’s blog hop:

Thanks for visiting, enjoy the Blog Hop and have a great weekend!

1. Keryn Campbell

2. Michelle Halling

3. Richelle Fletcher

4. Sharlene Meyer

5. Monique Fielder

6. Juliette Chapman

7. Debbie Lamb

8. Leonie Schroder

9. Tanya Bell

10. Kelly Nelson

11. Kari Hughes

12. Christie Kunkel

13. Ann Gerlach

14. Sharlene Torres (this is where you are right now!)

15. Mel Sharp

16. Nicole VanSteelandt Derendorf

17. Andrea Buckland

18. Michelle Grech

19. Narelle Hodges

20. Sally Williams

 

I know that MEL is super excited to show you her fabulous projects, so jump on over and say “hi”.

We would love to know what you think of the projects in this blog hop, so give us your feedback by leaving comments as you go.  There is blog candy for a two special customers – one from New Zealand and one from Australia, all you have to do is leave a comment on each of the blogs on this blog hop and then drop me an e-mail at stampwithsharlene@hotmail.com and tell that you have left comments on every blog and whether you live in Australia or New Zealand.  Please note, this offer is not open to demonstrators, this is for customers only.

Hope you have had as much fun visiting this blog hop as we had making these projects for you. 

Keep on stampin’!

THE PENNANT DIE JUST LOVES FABRIC!!

You might have popped on over from the talented KELLY, or you might have just stumbled into our blog hop by “accident”, but you can start here and just continue around the circular blog hop until you get back to your original starting point!  Enjoy 25 blogs that all feature projects made with retiring products for your viewing enjoyment … Have fun!!

I had a duvet inner and needed a cover for it, and the pennant die makes it so much faster to cut out all those half diamonds than doing it by hand!  I LOVE the pennant die, especially with fabric, it’s so super fast to cut out fabric with.  I am still very much a beginner at this fabric / sewing stuff, but I am quite pleased with the way it turned out!

My Big Shot Club ladies will be getting step by steps instructions and tips on how to make it easier for this project shortly …

Want to See What Else is on the Retiring List?    CLICK HERE FOR THE UP TO THE MINUTE RETIRING LIST

Please be aware that things are already sold out on the retiring list, so make sure you contact your local demonstrator to place your order for items you want off this list asap so you don’t miss out! 

What is ESAD?

All of the participants of the blog hop today are members of ESAD.  ESAD stands for "Extra Special Australasian Demonstrators" and it is an on-line group just for Australian and New Zealand Stampin Up demonstrators.

We so love what we do and not only do we love to share it with our customers, friends, and wonderful blog visitors, but we share our love for what we do with each other as demonstrators.  We run swaps, challenges, tutorials, product know-how, and cyberstamps, and we are always there to help and support each other when it is needed.

So if you are a Stampin' Up! demonstrator located in Australia or New Zealand, then please fee free to click HERE to join our wonderful group

Just in case you have got lost (or there is a link that isn’t working for you), here are the demonstrators participating in today’s blog hop:

Thanks for visiting, enjoy the Blog Hop and have a great weekend!

1.    Keryn Campbell

2.   Richelle Fletcher

3.   Sharlene Meyer

4.   Karen Southwell

5.   Carole Stedman

6.   Monique Fielder

7.   Juliette Chapman

8.   Rebecca Scurr

10.  Yvonne Walker

11.  Dani Fender

12.  Cathy Clark

13.  Tanya Bell

14. Kelly Nelson

15.  Sharlene Torres (you’re already here!)

16.  Kari Hughes

17.  Mel Sharp

18.  Christie Kunkel

19.  Debbie Lamb

20.  Clare Mcilhatton

21.  Michelle Halling

22.  Nicole VanSteelandt Derendorf

23.  Elizabeth Dyson

24.  Joanne Kechagias

We would love to know what you think of the projects in this blog hop, so give us your feedback by leaving comments as you go.

I know that KARI is ready to show you some of her fabulous projects, so pop over and say “hi” …

Keep on stampin’

DON’T YOU LOVE A SALE? and ROSETTE PILLOWS!!

I’m so excited – not only have I been actually creating today for my Big Shot Club ladies (I have shown you a sneak peek below …), but I also get to tell you about the super offers that Stampin’ Up! have for us this month as well!!!

During the month of May Stampin up are having a special deal each week with items from the Idea book and Catalogue at up to 40% off!!!

The first week’s offer starts this Wednesday 4th May and runs until Tuesday 10th May
The second offer starts Wednesday 11th May and finishes Tuesday 17th May
The third offer starts Wednesday 18th May and finishes Tuesday 24th May
And the final offer runs from Wednesday 25th until Tuesday 31st May

You will need to check in here each week for the latest offer.  Just drop me an e-mail or give me a call to let me know if you wish to place an order for any of the the special offers.  Prices are only available during the dates noted above, after that they will return to regular retail price.

WEEK ONE’S OFFERS ARE … drum roll please …

Tag Alongs Wood-Mount Set (page 37, item # 121578)           
regularly $38.95            sale price $23.37

More Monkey Accessories Clear-Mount Set (page 59, item # 120468)
regularly $29.95            sale price $17.97

More Monkey Accessories Wood-Mount Set (page 59, item # 121550)
regularly $36.95            sale price $22.17

Cottage Garden Clear-Mount Set (page 75, item # 120003)
regularly $31.95            sale price $19.17

Cottage Garden Wood-Mount Set (page 75, item # 119163)
regularly $39.95            sale price $23.97

Compliments to the Chef Wood-Mount Set (page 98, item # 121494)
regularly $43.95            sale price $26.37




As to what I have been creating, here is one of the projects that I will be sending out to my Big Shot Club tonight (sorry it’s late ladies, but I’m catching up now!) … the Stamp Club ladies will receive full instructions on how to create these super cute rosettes and there are some other fantastic projects included for them as well!!  If you would like to join my Big Shot Club, you just have to purchase your Big Shot through me and you’ll get free membership to the “Club”, or if you already have a Big Shot and want more ideas on how to use it, then you can join for $25 a year – that’s 12 months of monthly projects!

Keep on cutting!!

A ROSE IS A ROSE …

This was one of the projects that we made at Stamp Club in April.  Punches are never flat - I love how you can create so many 3D items with our Stampin’ Up! punches!!!

If you would like to get a few friends together, I will come out and do a class with you and a few friends and show you how easy they are to create!!

Keep on stampin’

SCALLOP RAG BAG (and stamping on fabric)

I have been working on this scallop bag for a while now, but my sewing machine decided to have a fit in the middle and had to be sent in for a service, but I’ve finally finished!  I really like the way it turned out and it’s so super easy with the Big Shot cutting 6-8 pieces of fabric at once … it make it a breeze to cut out!!



I will be offering this bag as a class on February 26th and then again on March 25th, but there will only be 6 spots per session, so make sure you sign up fast so you don’t miss out!  CHECK OUT MY CALSS CALENDAR FOR MORE DETAILS.  You will get to make your bag in class and will receive full instructions so you can make them again afterwards as well.

All my Big Shot Club members will receive the instructions free next month as their monthly Big Shot project!  If you would like to know how you can sign up for the Big Shot Club, drop me an e-mail and I’ll tell you all about it!

STAMPIN ON FABRIC WITH GLIMMER PAINT

Melinda and I had a play at stamping on fabric with the Glimmer Paints this week.  I have to say that I was really very impressed at how well they stamped and stayed put!  On the sample above you can see the 3 colours of Glimmer Paint (top row, left to right is Champagne, Platinum, and White) with the Eifel Tower stamped in craft white below.  After we had stamped and ironed our fabric, we washed it to make sure that it wouldn’t come out with washing, then wrung it out and re-ironed it, and this is what it looked like after that.  Pretty cool huh?  My mind is going nuts thinking of all the things I want to stamp now …

LAST WEEK’S HOLIDAY PROGRAMME WAS AWESOME!!

I had lots of great kids over last Friday for the first of the 2 day-long holiday programmes that I am offering these holidays.  Here are the projects that they made during the day.  The kids had a blast and I had sore feet at the end of the day, but it was a fun day and everyone got to make 8 great projects.

NEXT HOLIDAY PROGRAMME COMING UP NEXT WEEK!!

I have another day-long class on January 28th, so if your 9-13 year old would like to come and join me, make sure you ring me asap on (06) 753-5337 to book them in.  We’ll be doing different projects on the 28th!!

It’s $35 for the full day (9-3pm) or $20 for the morning (9-12). 

A LITTLE BOX OF SURPRISE …

I have just sent out instructions to my Big Shot Club ladies for this super cute circular box.   If you purchase your Big Shot through me then you automatically become a Big Shot Club member and receive free monthly projects and special offers.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO USE YOUR BIG SHOT MORE THAN YOU ARE??

If you already have a Big Shot and would like to join my Big Shot Club for 2011 just to get step by step instructions for a project each month, you can now sign up for 12 months and the Big Shot Club only offers that I send to my members as well.  The cost is just $35 for the year (or just $25 if you are one of my downline!!).

If you would like to join up, then drop me an e-mail to stampwithsharlene@hotmail.com or call me on (06) 753-5337 and we can get you signed up for the whole year. 

I’M BACK!

Hi everyone.  I’m sorry for the extended absence, but I got hit with a nasty case of flu that really knocked me on my butt - I literally have been stuck at home and done absolutely NOTHING for over a week!  I’m finally back on my feet again today and while I haven’t got my voice back entirely yet, I’m feeling pretty much more normal (well as “normal” as I get anyway).  I will be stamping again tomorrow and hope to have something to show you then. 

For my wonderfully patient Big Shot Club members, I’m sorry your project is late this month, but it will be coming your way in the next 48 hours.

In the meantime I wanted to share this super rag bag that Melinda made … isn’t it awesome??  I will be offering this as a class in the New Year, so make sure that you check my class listings at next week (I will be working up my classes for 2011 between Christmas and New Year).  I will be doing more 3D and fabric classes with the Big Shot, so make sure you drop back here regularly to see what’s coming up!!

 

Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous Christmas with your family and friends!

Keep on stampin’

STAMPING WITH “TWEENS”

This week I had the privilege of doing a 2 hour craft class with a group of 17 “tweens” (pre-teens that are older than “kids” but younger than teens – or be”tween” the two age groups).  They were a fabulous group and we had a lot of fun together.  I think the hit of the class was the candle they got to make - I’m thinking we’re going to have to do some more candles at the Kids Holiday programme in January …

 

It was great to see how different designs came out of this class as each student changed up things and made them their own!

Thanks Highlands, it was a pleasure to work with you.  Hope to see you again real soon …

HAVE A GROUP OF KIDS THAT WANT TO DO A CRAFT CLASS?
If you have a group of kids that you think would like to do a craft class, give me a call and we can have a chat.  We can do so many different things, we’ll shape the class around your particular kids and what they would like to do to give them a class that they will love!

A BIG SHOT QUILT? WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT … and Garage Sale this Saturday

I’ve always been scared of quilting – it seems like it takes so much time and is so difficult, but ever since I started seeing them on the US blogs, I have wanted to try a bit of quilting with the Square Scallop die … well it sure was faster than cutting all those bits!!!

I cut out all the squares (plus a few extra) in less than 10 minutes!!!  It was so fast it was scary.  The red fabric was light-weight, so I cut those out 7 or 8 at a time, and the black bug fabric was a bit heavier, so I cut those out 6 at a time.  With a 3/8” seam all around each square, each square ended up 9cm square.  So this is not very big as a quilt (just 30cm wide by 70cm long), but I wanted a sample to be able to take and show people how easy it is to use the Big Shot with your fabrics.  I’m going to try another quilt with the Pennant die next, just got to clean up my craft room first!!

Technorati Tags: Big Shot

I had not touched a sewing machine since High School until last month when I bit the bullet and went and did a bag at a class with Leanne (see photo below), so to say I am not a sewer is not exagerating – I really am not!!!  So if I can do it, ANYBODY can!  I’m hoping that the straight line sewing will come with more practice ;)

Please be gentle – I had never quilted before, and I didn’t have a pattern or a “Quilting for Dummies” so this was totally ad-libed as I went along and even though I know I won’t win any awards, I’m pretty happy with how it turned out.  I will do some quilting classes with the lovely Leanne and Robyn at Still Quilting so they can give me the tips and hints …

 
This is the bag that I made last month.  I managed to get by with a little help from my friends on this one!!

GARAGE SALE THIS SATURDAY MORNING!!!

I’m having a garage sale this Saturday morning at my home (147 Seaview Road, New Plymouth) to try and get some space back in my craft room.  Loads and loads of craft supplies that HAVE to go.  No reasonable offer will be refused, so drop on by between 8am and noon and help me get some order back in my craft room and find yourself a bargain or six at the same time …  If you need more details, give me a call on 753-5337.

A LITTLE BIRDIE TOLD ME THIS WAS YOUR BAG …

I’ve been running Craft Classes for our local intermediate school students, and this is one of the projects that we will be doing on their Big Day Out.  I think the kids will love to have a personalised bag tag with that cute little owl on it!

 

KIDS HOLIDAY CRAFT PROGRAMME COMING UP!!

If you have kids aged 9-13 you will want to sign them up for the Kids Holiday Programme that I am running over the Christmas holidays.  I know you don’t want to hear “I’m bored Mum”, so this is the answer to your problem!!

You have a couple of date choices, and you can sign you kids up for half days or full days on one or both of these days:
January 14 and / or January 28th
Half day is 9:00 – noon ($20)
Full day is 9:00am – 3:00pm ($35)

Each day will have different projects, so sign your kids up for both days and they’ll create a heap of fun projects!  Everything from cards to 3D boxes and bags …

This personalised notebooks is one of the projects that the kids all made at the last kid’s holiday programme:

If you have questions, please drop me a line at stampwithsharlene@hotmail.com or call me on (06) 753-5337.

WHEW – WHAT A WEEK!

I have a few projects to share with you (honest I do), it’s just finding the time to get them photographed and up here!  I’ve had classes and workshops almost every night recently and then I’m also doing a quilted bag class as well (it’s great being on the other side of the work bench!!).

CHRISTMAS CARD STAMP-A-STAMP CLASS DECEMBER 5TH!!

Here’s one of the Christmas cards we did at our Christmas Stamp-a-Stack earlier this month.  I think the Burgundy and Gold is such a fabulously rich and elegant colour – perfect for more “non-traditional” Christmas colours!

I will be be repeating the same Stamp-a-Stack class on Sunday, December 5th at 2:30pm for those who missed it the first time. 

You will get to make 16 cards – 4 each of 4 different designs with matching envelopes for just $35!  Call me to confirm your spot asap.

A YUMMY CARD!!

I haven’t made nearly enough cards with the Sweet Treat cups yet – they are so yummy to work with (and so yummy to get on the other end as well!).  This is a card that I made at a workshop last weekend (Hi Jenny!).  Such a simple card, but the Sweet Treat cups really give it a “Wow” so easily!! 

These would make amazing birthday invites … which reminds me I have to find some time to make invites for my son’s birthday in a few weeks!  That’s scary, Chase is going to be 13!  I’m not nearly old enough to have a teenager already, surely?  No comments on that please …

 

WANT TO BOOK A WORKSHOP TO SEE MORE?
We have a brand new mini catalogue starting on December 1st, so if you would like to book a workshop and see all sorts of great card or scrapbooking ideas, then give me a call on (06) 753-5337 or e-mail me and let’s book a date.  All the guests will get to make a card to take home with them, and as hostess you will also get to keep all the samples!  You’ll also get free stamps and products as well – what’s not to like?

ALBUM IN A BOX FOR STAMP CLUB THIS MONTH …

You might be forgiven for thinking I have fallen off the face of the earth, but I have actually been creating for all the clubs and classes I’ve had recently!  Between $2 cards, Christmas card Stamp-a-Stack, Stamp Club, Intermediate School Craft Club, and workshops, I’ve been a busy little bee …

This is one of the projects that we made at Stamp Club this month.  The box contains a scrapbook album inside – this would be a fabulous gift to give for Christmas!! 

If you are interested in joining a Stamp Club next year, the next round of clubs are starting in January.  It’s a load of fun and a great group of ladies to make friendships with as well!  Call me on (06) 753-5337 or e-mail me to find out more details.

 

These are a few samples from some of the talented ladies from Stamp Club.  They had to pick their own colours and designer paper this month, so each one looked different and fabulous!!  Congratulations ladies, it is a pleasure to teach your talented selves!!

  

Have a great day and I’ll be back with some more of the projects that I’ve been creating recently.

Don’t forget that we have the HUGE CRAFT GARAGE SALE this Saturday, so drop by between 8:30 and 11:30am to find a ton of great deals …

Keep on stampin’!

OUTSIDE THE BOX …

This is one of the projects that I will be demonstrating at the Puketapu Kindy fundraiser tomorrow night.  Last year was a really fabulous night for everyone who came, so drop on by Northpoint Baptist Church out in Bell Block at 7pm to check out everything that is going on – you will love it with lots of demonstrations, food, prizes, and more!!

The great thing about this little box is how super simple it is.  With the Big Shot cutting and scoring it for you, the box itself takes all of about 5 seconds to make!  I’m always telling my customers to use the fabulous ideas in our Idea Book and Catalogue, and I’m putting my own advice into practice here as the box and cards is a case from one in our catalogue on page 105.



Hope to see you tomorrow night …

A LITTLE ALLIGATOR ANYONE?

This cute little notebook is one of the projects that we made at Stamp Club last night.  I just love how the Faux Alligator technique makes basic cardstock look leather (or crocodile skin) like …

 

If you want to know more about Stamp Club, I have a brand new 10-month club starting up in January, so drop me a line or give me a call on (06) 753-5337 and let me answer you questions about joining one of my favourite group of stamping ladies each month!!

RETIRING ITEMS ARE RUNNING OUT FAST (ESPECIALLY CARDSTOCK)!!

Just to let you know, that a number of colours and sizes of cardstock have already disappeared, and that others are running very low.  If you have colours that you want to order, make sure you get me your order asap so that we can get it ordered for you before the colours you want are gone!  A number of the colours below will be back again September 1st, but they will be in smaller packs with a bigger price tag, so give your budget a break and order before the price increase hits!

The following cardstock items have already been sold out and are no longer available:

* Basic Black A4 cardstock
* Basic Black 12” x 12” cardstock
* Sahara Sand A4 cardstock
* Close to Cocoa A4 cardstock
* Kraft A4 cardstock
* Sweet Slumber specialty paper

These items are showing as only having low stock remaining:

Cardstock:
* Old Olive 12” x 12” cardstock
* Real Red Stampin’ Around ink cartridge
* Whisper White 12” x 12” cardstock
* Basic Gray A4 cardstock

Stamps:
* A Rose is a Rose stamp set
* Nursery Necessities
* Playful Petals stamp set
* Totally Tabs stamp set
* Short Order Alphabet

Misc:
* I Wish Simply Scrappin’ Kit
* Rock-a-bye Boy Simply Scrappin’ Kit
* Elegant Eggplant 1/4” grosgrain ribbon
* Stampin’ Pastels
* Pop-Up Glue Dots