Introducing....washi tape!

Our new catalogue starts on Tuesday, and here is a sneak peek of one of the new products you will find in there......

How cute is this! I was blog surfing the other day and saw lots of samples just like this - this is a little note card that I covered in the new washi tape being offered in the upcoming catalogue! You might even be able to spot a new In Colour in there too!
You can see this washi tape in action at my launch on Saturday, July 6th. You will get to make this card and play with other product at the Make and Take table, while sipping a hot cuppa or some bubbly.
Would you like to join us? Click here to RSVP by Wednesday July 3rd. All of the information can be found either in the link above (launch), by clicking on the green flyer in the sidebar, or by emailing the RSVP link to speak to me directly.
Can't make the launch but would like a copy of the catalogue for yourself? Click  here to order and pay for your copy to be shipped directly to you - $9.95 incl postage, anywhere in Australia!

Until next time,

Kylie xxx

PS - I will be a part of a Blog Hop for the new catalogue on Tuesday, 2nd July. You can start your hop right here - there are 25 blogs involved and all will be featuring new product from the upcoming 2013/14 Annual Catalogue for Stampin' Up!. You will be sure to find some inspiration along the way! If you see something you like, be sure to leave a comment - I love hearing feedback!

My Catalogue Launch Goodies........

It's nearly that time of year again - New Catalogue Time!!

I am so excited about this new catalogue, and I have spent some time this week making samples and goodies for my upcoming launch. You can read about it here! It's on Saturday the 6th July from 1 - 4pm, and you are sure to have a good time!

I wanted to share with you some of the goodies I have made - sneak peek of course!

If you would like one of these little beauties for yourself, just be one of the first 8 people to rsvp to my launch, and one of these will be yours - you can even choose the colour :)

Let me know how many spots you would like to reserve - I can't wait to share this new catalogue with you!

Until next time,
Kylie xxx

Make a Statement Digital Tour

Stampin' Up! recently launched My Digital Studio (MDS) in Australia and New Zealand and it has been an interesting learning curve for me! I am not a digital crafter and I am not even that computer literate to tell the truth! I can do the usual things on the computer, but have never really mastered the art of photo shop or any other digital program.
When we registered for the Stampin' Up! Convention this year, we received the MDS program for free - a saving of $24.95! I had already downloaded the free trial, found here, had a quick play around with it and then dismissed it - it wasn't really my cup of tea, and I didn't think it would be of any value in my crafting world.
Well - I was so wrong!! I took the MDS class at Convention, even though I don't own a laptop computer. I sat and watched as Shannon went through how to make changes to a card she was creating on the big screen, she was exceptionally patient, and I found that I learnt stuff! Even though I wasn't able to do the steps, somehow my over-inspired brain managed to hang on to the information, and when I got home and wanted to make thankyou cards for my two roomies, I remembered what she had shown me!! I downloaded the full version of MDS and away I went! My attempts are pretty simple, but if you scroll down to my New Catalogue Launch post, you will see my simple little flyer!
So why am I telling you this? Well, Stampin' Up! are having a Digital Tour in August and September and you are invited to come along!
This is on the Digital Tour page:

Perth- Make a Statement Digital Tour 2013

Register Now and Receive My Digital Studio Software—Free!Bring out the digital designer in you and discover My Digital Studio—an intuitive digital design software featuring Stampin’ Up!’s exclusive artwork, colours and templates!

Learn how My Digital Studio can fit in with your life and your style to help you become your own digital designer—creating cards, invitations, photobooks, party decor, recipe books, home décor, calendars and more! Being creative couldn’t be easier!

Experience a range of inspirational projects, ideas and techniques through project displays and engaging presentations. Bring your laptop and digital images and follow along in our classes to create your own designer photobook, capturing your own cherished memories. You’ll go home with several complete pages! Classes are designed for beginners, to provide you with a basic understanding of My Digital Studio software.

Inspirational displays:

At the event we have display boards to showcase attendee's creative ideas and provide inspiration, feel free to bring along a project you created using MSD to add. Make sure you bring you camera so you can take home a sample of everyone's work!

Laptop and Digital Images To make the most out of the event, please bring your laptop so you can follow along during the class and create your photobook layouts. My Digital Studio must be installed on your laptop before the event. Please also bring a selection of at least 20 digital photographic images that you’d like to use to create your photobook pages. The following image file formats are supported: PNG, JPEG or GIF. The photobook template used during the training session--Downtown Grunge--has a neutral colour scheme.

 Cancellations
If you cancel your registration by the Monday before the event, you will be entitled to a refund of your fee, minus a $24.95 AUD cancelation fee; if you cancel after the Monday before the event, the registration fee is non-refundable.

Fee
$35 AUD includes My Digital Studio software and access to all activities and presentations at the half-day event.

* Once you have registered for Make a Statement Digital Tour, you will receive an email from Stampin' Up! within 1-2 business working days containing the MDS software link and instructions for the downloading.

 

     When

      Saturday, August 24, 2013
            09:00 - 13:00

• Where

• Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre
  21 Mounts Bay Rd
  Perth
  Australia

• Check-in starts at 8:00 AM with doors opening at 8:30 AM

Check out a great short video on how SU! created the invitation in MDS: 



Click here to go to MDS Home and check out all of the wonderful things you can do with MDS - even for a beginner like me there is lots to do, and for a more seasoned digital crafter, you will be amazed!!
Contact me for more information - or to register online for the Perth Tour click here.
Hope to see you there!
Until next time,
Kylie xxx

Join me as I launch the new 2013/2014 Stampin' Up! Annual Catalogue!!

Got a couple of hours free on Saturday, 6th July? I'd love it if you came along to my launch for the new Stampin' Up! Catalogue!

• You will get your very own copy of the new catalogue!
• You will get to play with some new product at the Make and Take table - including the new Simply Pressed Clay!
• There will be new product displays!
• There will be new product samples for your inspiration!
• There will be door and spot prizes throughout the afternoon!
• You will be able to have a hot cuppa and something sweet to eat as you browse through all 208 gorgeous pages of the new catalogue!
• FREE shipping is offered on all orders placed and paid for on the day!
• Bring a friend new-to-me and you will receive extra door prize entries!

Cost - $15 with catalogue, $10 without catalogue, or FREE with an order of $100+.
Date - Saturday 6th July 2013
Time - Doors are open between 1pm and 4pm - drop in anytime!
Venue - My place in Maddington, WA - address will be confirmed with RSVP.
RSVP - By Wednesday, 3rd July.

RSVP is essential for planning of kits and refreshments - please RSVP asap to avoid missing out!
Unfortunately I cannot accommodate small children at my event - if you need to look after children, I would be very happy to come to you at another time - contact me to book your preferred date and time!

Launch Day Special -
If you love what you see and decide to join my team on or before Launch Day, not only will you be able to attend Launch Day for free, you can also choose 2 items from my "retired but never used" basket - which contains brand new, unmounted stamp sets from the 4 years I have been a demonstrator. Joining is $169 and you are able to choose product worth $235 of your choice! Chat with me to discuss your options - joining Stampin' Up! was the best decision I could've made!

If you place and pay for an order on the day, your order will ship straight to you for free! Ask me for more details!

There will also be a small quantity of retired stock and handmade cards for sale on the day - cash and carry only.

Contact me for more information or with any questions, I would love to hear from you!
I really hope you can join me - it is a gorgeous catalogue and I can't wait to share it with you!
See you soon!!
Kylie xxx

Brayer Fun

One of my favourite WOW sessions at Convention was from Paula Dobson - she used the brayer to do the 'bouncing brayer' technique and I loved it! I couldn't wait to try it out for myself, so my stamp club - mainly made up of my team - and I spent the night getting inky!

This first sample is a direct copy of a card she made that didn't make it as a sample for convention (I copied it as I loved it -  why mess with perfection??) Check out her version here.

I used Early Espresso cardstock (121686), Whisper White cardstock (106549), Daffodil Delight inkpad (126944), More Mustard inkpad (126964) -which is a retiring colour - , Pumpkin Pie inkpad (126945), the little owl from the Aviary stampset (122051), Bird Builder punch (117191), 2.5cm circle punch (119868), the brayer (102395),white embossing powder (109132), Petite Pairs stampset (122497), and snail to stick it all down (104332).

What do you think? Isn't it cute?

This next one is a simple little bookmark - I was lucky to keep this one away from my 9 year old daughter - she loves it and wants me to make one for each child in her class - that's 32 bookmarks! - maybe I can do it as the 'end-of-term gift' thingy I do each term? If I stick a little wrapped lolly to the bottom, it should be a hit!!

She hasn't posted her original of this sample, but click here to go to her blog. I adored this one too so once again not messing with perfection, copied it straight out.
I used Perfect Plum cardstock (108615), Whisper White cardstock (106549), the brayer (102395), 2.5cm circle punch (119868), Bird Builder punch (117191), rhinestones (119246), Pool Party Ruffled Ribbon (122975), White Bakers Twine (124262),  Pool Party inkpad (126982), Perfect Plum inkpad (126963), Elegant Eggplant inkpad (126969), Aviary stamp set (122051), corner rounder punch (119871), Petite Pairs stamp set (122497), and snail to stick it all down (104332).

How cute is it? She is just a really clever stamper!
If you would like to see the 'bouncing brayer' in person, let me know, I would love to sit down with you and show you! Feel free to contact me - I would love to hear from you!

Until next time,
Kylie xxx

New classes posted....

It's cold, and windy and maybe even grey outside - although not usually in Perth - we tend to have crisp, cold days that are gorgeously sunny! Anyway, whether it is raining or sunny, Winter is the perfect time to snuggle up with a hot cuppa and craft!

I have just listed my Winter classes on my website - click here - and I invite YOU to come along and join me this Winter! If you don't see something listed that you have wanted to learn about, or product you wanted to play with, let me know, I would be happy to tailor a class to you!

You can also click on the button to the right - see the bright pink button? Click it and go straight to my class list!

All new class attendees will receive a voucher towards their next class, and if you are a regular and bring a freind new to me, you get the voucher too!

All class fees include a hot cuppa and a light morning tea/supper, so your body and your creativity will be fueled up and ready to go!

Contact me today to reserve your spot! Get in quick, each class only has 6 spots available!

Hope to hear from you soon!

Kylie xxx

Double and Triple - Time Stamping

It's a technique that is huge right now, and I love it! Here is my version of triple-time stamping:

I used the Blooming with Kindness set in clear (126422) with Island Indigo ink (126986)  and cardstock (124390) sooo glad this colour is being brought back as a core colour! Definitely one of my favourites.

This next card is an out and out copy of one of my favourite male Stampin' Up! demonstrators - yep, I said male!! Brian King, an amazing talent in the U.S. ,is just one of several male demos I follow online. Check out the original here - and while you're there, have a look around, the inspiration is amazing!!
Here is my version:

And one without brads but I added a little rhinestone in the centre of the bike wheels. - ( to cammoflage the fact the embossing powder is M.I.A. in parts lol!)

If you like the look of either of these techniques, let me know, I would love to sit down with you and show you how!

Don't forget we currently have a Retirement List Sale going on - click here to go to the List or here to go to my store (same place really!) to get your hands on product that will be retiring at the end of the month - don't leave it too long! I picked myself up some retiring pretty in pink cardstock so that I can continue to make little gifts for a friend's Breast Cancer Fundraiser in October - so have a look in case there is something there you just have to have!

Feel free to contact me - I would love to hear from you!

Until next time,
Kylie xxx

Nothin' better than new rubber!!

Stampin' Up! has two new stamp offerings for a limited time.



As part of our 25-year anniversary celebration, we're bringing back some of our favourite stamp images from the last quarter century and combining them into 11 sets, which will release—one set per month—until April 2014. Even better, along with some great classic images, each "Best of" set will also include a never-before-seen image!

Some things to remember:

• All Best of stamp sets will include 3-5 images, including a never-before seen image, and will be priced at $25.95.
• While we are releasing just one Best of stamp set per month (with a new theme each month) until October, all of the Best of sets will be available until April 2014.
• All Best of stamp sets are available in Clear-Mount only.
• The stamp images may be sized differently from the original stamp sets.

Click here for more information.

And now for the single stamps! This from Stampin' Up! about them:

A few months ago we asked our North American Facebook friends what they thought of the idea of being able to buy single stamps instead of a whole set. The response was so positive that we started experimenting with it in the North American Market. The experiment has been successful—so successful that we decided to try it out in your market too!From now until 31 August 2013 (or while supplies last) we're excited to offer you and your customers five single-image stamps for you to choose from!

You can find the stamp item numbers on the flyer.

Single stamps can be ordered in the online store.

These won't be sent in our typical cases or packaging; they'll be packaged in cello bags. If you'd like a case for your stamp, you can buy our Clear-Mount Stamp Cases that come in packs of four.

This offer is available for clear-mount stamps only.

The stamps won't come with a Clear-Mount Block, and you'll need to purchase a block separately if you don't already have one. The recommended block sizes can be found on the flyer.

There's no limit on how many stamps you can purchase.

These stamps are only available through 31 August 2013, so get them while you can!

So there you are - two new offerings from Stampin' Up! These can be ordered from my online store, or you can contact me directly.

Message me for more information on these products, or for anything Stampin' Up! - I would love to hear from you!

Until next time,

Kylie xxx

A Convention Challenge.....

 

At Convention, we always get a challenge to work on when we get home - this year was no different. Aaron Scott, our Australian Head Honcho set us a New Customer Challenge. He challenged us to find new customers and add them to our customer base by the end of June 2013. We have a set amount we need to find, and I am asking YOU to help me out!!

 

Would you like to be a part of this challenge? I need new customers by the end of June - would you like to help? You can help by -

1. either becoming my customer and purchasing fabulous Stampin' Up! product from me - either in my online store or by contacting me directly
2. by hosting a Stampin' Party and inviting your friends
3. by hosting a Catalogue Party - where you pass the catalogue around to friends, family, workmates etc and gather orders.

 All new customers will not only be introduced to a wonderful world of Stampin' Up! craft and fun, but they will also receive a free, handmade gift from me to say thank you! And if you introduced me to her, you will receive a gift too!

 

You don't have to be local to me to take part in the challenge - we can ship your order/s anywhere in Australia for only $5.95 or 5% of your order, whichever is greater.

 

Click here to go to our catalogue page or contact me to have one posted out to you - postage is $10. You are welcome to collect one from me free of charge, or if you are local to me, I will happily drop one off to you!

 

I hope you are able to to join in the fun - I would love to meet you!!

 

Until next time,

Kylie xxx

 



Convention Day # 3........

Sorry it has taken a while to get to another update - I have been fighting a mega cold since last week - I even spent the day in bed yesterday, and that's so not me! So to the lovely person/people who shared their diseases on the plane back from Brissie, I thank you - NOT lol!!  I never get sick, so this has knocked me about a bit, but I am on the mend finally :)

So, Day # 3, the last day of Convention 2013. We'd had a late night the night before, with Awards Night and the After Party, then a very late dinner before heading back to bed, so it was a struggle to get up, but we were really looking forward to Demonstrator Theatre at 9am. We got to the Convention Centre early enough to get a coffee to take in, so while my friends lined up, I went ahead to get seats, and was able to get closer than usual for some really good close-ups!

I was absolutely blown away by the extreme talent displayed by several wonderful demonstrators that shared with us in the theatre. If Convention was only made up of General Sessions and Demonstrator Theatre, I would've been one happy girl!! I was so inspired by the wonderful ideas and samples these lovely ladies shared with us! Here are just a couple of shots of what they showed, without giving too much away!

 

After Demonstrator Theatre, everyone headed for different classes, our first class was ideas on how to meet new people by the wonderful Bonnie Thurber! She is just a treat!!

 

 I heard a few things I can't wait to put into practice!
We had one more class after Bonnie's, not much to tell there, then we quickly ducked up to our last Memento Mall visit before hitting the Gathering Place for lunch.

 

Lunch was de-lish!! I think I am now a risoni convert - if I can find a recipe like that one! mmm!

 

After last photos of samples and last minute chatting, we made our way up to the last General Session of Convention 2013 and managed to get our usual seats. We were treated to a fabulous presentation by Shannon West:

 

This is a cute little album she made using Stampin' Up! envelopes - such a clever lady!! Here's a pic of me with that clever lady!

 

We also had a fantastic, if not teary, address from the company President, Rich Jutkins. He spoke about getting back to basics, how some have forgotten why we got into stamping in the first place, and to remember your 'pearls' in life - I have never forgotten mine - the way I feel about my friends and family, why I stamp, why I love to share what I do. It was an enlightening address, and we all felt closer to him because of it! This is why I stamp:

 

I love to see a face light up when they 'get it'! I love to see a face once they have stamped and completed a project - it is amazing!

Our last Prize Patrol for convention was won by a few ladies, plus my friend Tanya! I would love to show you the picture, but it contains NEW product, and we can't show that until the new catalogue is available!! Sorry about that!

 

Then Shelli announced our next Convention dates - in Melbourne!! Should be a great time!

 

 

We were lucky enough to get one more all-attendee giveaway: I had pics up until I realized that we can't share them as they are coming out in the new catalogue - dont' want to spoil the surpise!!

 

And the closing picture of Convention 2013 - all the wonderful people who made it such a fantastic few days:

 

 

So after we had photos with a few people and saw all we needed to see, we decided that we just had to have a cocktail to celebrate! First we went to the Mantra....

 

 

Then headed back to the Rydges for a bite to eat......







 

What a wonderful end to the day! Great food, great drinks, and great company (except for the drunk man that kept asking us for chips.....)!!

 

So that's the end of Convention 2013! Not the end to our time in Brissie tho, so stop back soon for another post about our time away...

 

Until then,

Kylie xxx









Convention Day # 2

Day 2 started early!

We had another General Session at 8.30am, which meant we left for the Convention Centre before 8am to make sure we got a coffee and good seats for close-up photos...my camera got a workout, that's for sure!!

We had some wonderful demonstrator presenters, learnt about some new product available from the upcoming Annual Catalogue, and Prize Patrol made some demos very happy!
After General Session, we had a short break, then we had a couple of classes hosted by several of our top demonstrators - my favourite one was Delys Cram!
Another class was hosted by Carrie Cudney - if you follow the Stampin' Up! youtube videos, you will be very familiar with her, she is just lovely!

 

After that class, we had lunch in the Gathering Place. This is in one of the giant rooms in the Convention Centre, where you can not only sit and relax with your lunch,you can do your make & takes, play with new product in the Product Playground and take photos of all of the samples made for Convention and those shared by all of those talented demos.

 

 

Lunch was yum!! Can you see the silver Glimmer Paper in the background? We won an all-attendee giveaway for Stampin' Up!'s 25th Anniversary!!

 

 

I did have a photo taken with Shelli in this exact spot, but I can't find it now - I can't tell you how upset I am over it :( These are my gorgeous friends that went with me - they are also demonstrators! Can't tell you how much I love them!
Here are a couple of samples that were on display in the Gathering Place - such talented demos!! There were so many I could choose - I will do another post in a week or so with more!

 

 

After lunch we had another class - this one was on how to use MDS - a class I wasn't really interested in, but I am really glad that we went along! We were the only group in there without a laptop (that I saw), but no one minded, and Shannon West (the class host) was very patient and went through everything twice, I must've remembered well because I made a card yesterday for my roomies that I couldn't have done previously! So cheers for that, Shannon!

We took a taxi into Brisbane after the last class as it was starting to rain - we had to go get another suitcase for all of the freebies we were getting! Then a taxi home for a freshen up and a quick snack before we headed back to the Convention Centre for the Awards Evening and After Party.

 

Here we are all ready to go - my poor swollen feet didn't like the shoes!

 



 

How gorgeous does the room look? This was our Gathering Place during the day, they did such a lovely job of swapping it out to this stunning area! We had dessert canapes, tea/coffee and soft drinks, there were a couple of photo booths, the band was really fantastic and it was a great night!! We left around 9.30 as we were starving (for more than sweets) and found a cute little chinese place just across the road, where we gorged ourselves on fried rice and miso soup. We grabbed a taxi home and sat up late chatting about the day.

It was a great day!!

 

I will be back soon with all the goss from Day # 3!!

 

Until then,

Kylie xxx