ESAD Blog Hop For The New Catalogue

Yes ladies it is time for a blog hop - quite a large hop with 25 demonstrators taking part - that's exciting isn't it.  Hello and welcome if you have arrived from Corina Beyer's  site, and if you are starting here ... you are in for a real treat - grab a cuppa and off we go.

So you may be thinking .... what is 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 feel free to click here to join our wonderful group.

So without further ado, here's my sample to share with you.

 This card was made using the new Life Shared stamp set - isn't it cute?  I've used watercolouring crayons and a blender pen to colour in the image - which has been stamped onto watercolouring paper.

The score lines have been added using the Simply Scored tool and the ribbon detail is the new 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain ribbon in Wild Wasabi.  There are two pieces - one is attached to the  watercoloured piece and the other is just wrapped around this piece several times.  I adhered it here and there with a few glue dots.

Its time to move on now to the next ESAD lady Andrea Buckland - Andrea has a beautiful blog creates the most stunning cards.

Thanks for visiting and drop by again sometime.

Nikki

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Just Add Ink Challenge #121 - Just Add Pearls

I have a few thank yous to send this month and as they are for fellow demonstrators I thought the new Reason To Smile set from Stampin' Up! was perfect to use.  Its been a while since I took part in a challenge - my first port of call when looking for inspiration is Just Add Ink - this week we are challenged to Just Add Pearls.

Riding Hood Red with Very Vanilla and a touch of Basic Black  and of course some pearls.  I've used the Designer Frames embossing folders to highlight the single flower.

The Reason to Smile set is a two step stamping process - the usual outline and a much softer solid image - I used the Stampamajig to line it up.

If you are lucky enough to be enjoying the long weekend perhaps you'd like to Just Add Peals too!

Til next time

Nikki

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Want a FREE stamp set?

Not just ONE free set, but TWO free sets and a bottle of champagne glitter glass (retail value $7.95) too.  

All you have to do is sign up as a new recruit before the close of business on 27 November.

So what will you receive?  Well you will receive two new sets from the upcoming Summer Mini .... You Are Loved clear mount set (retail value $47.95) and Fabulous Florets (retail value $44.95) - both these sets are new to Australia and are stunning.

I was lucky enough to receive both the Fabulous Florets set and the Champagne Glitter Glass at our Regional event in Melbourne last weekend - and as this is a special month of prizes and awards for demonstrators across the globe (so far this month I have earned some Antique Brads and another new stamp set from the Summer Mini - Stampin' Up! are so generous), I thought I would offer the first person to join my team before 27 November the freebies that I will receive.

So what are you waiting for?  Pictures of the stamp sets perhaps?  

Well I can't provide photos of the sets because they haven't been released yet, but come back on Monday to see the card I have made for my daughter's birthday - hint hint!

$289 for the Starter Kit (contents shown on the back page of the catalogue) - worth $610 plus you will also receive over $100 worth of extra goodies as well.

Perhaps someone needs an idea for a Christmas present for you?  You don't have to be a business builder - you can just join up for the Starter Kit and leave it at that.

Check out the Join My Team page for some more ideas of how this could work for you.

And remember, only the first person to sign up this month will be able to win all three goodies.  Although don't worry - anyone who signs up before 27th November will also receive the You Are Loved clear mount set too :o)

Call or email and I can send you all the information you need to see if this is the right decision for you.

Please note these freebies are only available from me, this is not a company wide special offer :o)

Happy Stampin

Nikki

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Launch Night Swap - part 2

As promised, here's the second card we made at the launch night.  Same stamp set Creative Elements, same Early Espresso and Night of Navy but this time with a splash of Cherry Cobbler.  Then there is the addition of the Shimmer Mist (can you just about make out from the photo that the lovely flower is everso slightly sparkly?), a piece of the new seam binding pleated on a piece of sticky strip and some little Cherry Cobbler flowers punched using the flower from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack.

Now I have a question for you .... I love the card but .... what do you think No. 3 stands for?  Is it a secret code for something?  If you know I'd love it if you can share the answer with me please.

Both the cards are very different and the ladies loved them.  I think I will be sharing our creations again from the Stampin' Up! events I attend.

Don't forget, if you fancy coming along to Regionals (see Wednesday's post) just give me a shout.

Happy Stampin'

Nikki

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You Are Invited!

Have you ever wondered what a Regional Seminar  or a Convention Event would be like to attend?

Want to share in the excitement of a Stampin' Up! event (and yes it is exciting)?

Well you can .... the annual Regional seminar is coming to Melbourne in November and you don't need to be a demonstrator to attend.

Saturday 12 November is the date to put in your diary - being held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

What Does Your Registration Include?

Your $95 registration fee covers all seminar activities and includes:

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  The Under the Big Top stamp set from the 2011–2012 Idea Book & Catalogue  - wood or clear mount you choose

  
  


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  Business tips - not too many but there are some (and you get to see some sneek peaks too of what's coming up)

  
  


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  Paper-crafting and stamping techniques

  
  


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  Swapping with fellow demonstrators and guests (optional of course)

  
  


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  Presentations by Stampin’ Up! staff and local demonstrators (such a great part of the day)

  
  


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  Lunch - special dietary requirements are catered for.

  
  


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  Make & Take projects

  
  


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  Display samples for inspiration

  
  

Remember, you will also be able to take photos of the beautiful and inspiring stamped displays and have the opportunity to meet and swap with other demonstrators and guests from surrounding areas.

The event kicks off at 8am with registration and finishes by 3.30pm - so if you have a commitment on in the evening you'll be home in plenty of time.

Now there is something that I have tell you, this most definiately isn't a 'come and join us' event - it really is an event whereby fellow crafting ladies (and yes even the odd man or two) come together to share what we love which is Stampin' Up!

Of course if you do decide to become part of the Stampin' Up! community that's great - but there aren't any special offers at these events to twist your arm - its simply a Regional Seminar to share some great ideas.

Of course if you are thinking of joining you simply have to take that step during this month - there isn't long left to take advantage of the great special - hundreds of people have jumped on board during this month - if you want to know more click here.

So if you want to come to the Regional day I'd love to take you - you won't be left alone (unless you want to be of course) - I will be your chaperone, we all sit together with our friends and its great to meet other like minded addicts .... opps I mean friendly stampin' buddies.

Call or email before 3 November to book your seat.

Happy Stampin'

Nikki

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Convention Swaps

At my little Launch night the week before last I was stumped for what to make. At Convention or Regionals we receive Make and Take packs which include everything you need to make cards, scrapbooking pages and usually a 3D item.  All of the items are always lovely so I thought 'why not make the Convention swaps' .... it made for easy preparation.

So here's the first one - we received the Creative Elements stamp set in our Convention bags.

Now I have a funny story for you.  When I saw this card I said 'oh great Stampin' Up! are bringing out some new sized envelopes' .... yes I think I was the only one in the room who hadn't noticed the very cute small open-end envelopes available on page 126 of the catalogue!

The butterfly is stamped using the 'marker to rubber' technique, the colours are Old Olive, Early Espresso and Not Quite Navy; and of course we were introduced to the new must have dotted scallop ribbon border punch (page 151) (a real bonus being a demo is that you get to see and use new products before they come to market)  - it punches double sided so here I have cut it in half.

The little sentiment is from the It's Your Day set.  Its a quick and easy card to make and the launch night girls loved making it too.

Check out the other sample in a day or two.

Happy stampin'

Nikki

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AWOL

I feel like I have been gone forever and ever.  Fallen off the planet, shouting world stop ... let me off .... I haven't crafted for ages and I really do feel that this lovely hobby helps to keep me sane and balanced.  

I also know that sharing creations and being a part of the blogging community is something I love to do .... its been a part of my life for so long now, that when other things like my day to day working life get in the way (gggrrrr grumble grumble groan groan), I begin to feel empty if I don't make the time to 'Love what I do, and Share what I love.'  Have I told you I love being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator? 

So I'm here, back again .... and raring to go ... well almost .. there is a little tasks of finishing some swaps for a lovely group of ladies .... but for now I thought I'd share a Christmas card with you.  Yes girls, with less than 100 sleeps to go ... it is time to get festive.

This is one of those cards you can produce over and over again.  The technique is masking and if you would like to know how to do it, sign up to my newsletter and I'll include the instructions just for you.

I'll be back in a day or two.  I have launch night cards and news to share, a blog hop on Saturday and news of a product share (hands up who loves ribbons and sparkly brads)  .... so I have no excuses and plenty of things to create.

Happy Stampin'

Nikki

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Happy Birthday Sharon

My lovely friend Sharon celebrates her birthday today.  She's a fellow English girl who makes me smile. Sharon doesn't 'do' messy and don't ask her to write something in her own hand on a scrapbooking page - a definite no no.  When I am making cards or scrapbooking pages I often smile when I think about Sharon making the same page - I know before I even show her what she is going to say.

So her birthday card had to be pretty, feminine and not messy.  I've used the retiring Eastern Blooms and lots of pearls - and daubing - all the girls love the daubing.  The sentiment is from the Big Birthday set (in the new Ideas Book and Catalogue).

Sharon I hope you have a lovely day.  Happy birthday dear friend.

Nikki

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Happy Birthday Christine

It's the lovely Christine Blain's birthday today - she makes the most lovely cards and has a lovely blog - you should really check it out.  

Here's a close up of the middle panel.  There are a few stamp sets that lend themselves to this technique of just randomly stamping in a couple of coordinating colours - French Foliage (that yes did make it into the new catalogue) is just one of them.  The colours are Night of Navy, Cajun Craze and More Mustard.

I hope my lovely friend has a lovely day today, spending some quality time with her boys.

Happy Birthday Christine

Nikki

x

Christmas Traditions

I've always been a crafty chick ... and over the years I've progressed from one craft to the other.  My mum and I started cross stitching around the time I got married (over 17 years ago)  - actually I started first and then having made my wedding dress and sewing on hundreds of beads and sequins Mum thought she might find it fun after all.  I soon progressed to other crafts but Mum stayed cross stitching for years - she made loads of beautiful pieces - including a few of our Christmas decorations.

I moved onto patchwork and applique ... I made this advent calendar when Olivia was one and the kids still love using it every year.

I even made this odd looking fairy that every year Paul threatens to replace with a shop bought one ... but I quickly put her up on the tree and he quickly forgets ... my dad once told me she looked disheveled like me!  I think it was a compliment!

I have another far more sophisticated angel that sits on the mantle piece that Mum made ... it has beautiful stitching and beading ...
 We also have a collection of Santa's - here's another cross-stitched example my clever mum made for me.

And another cross stitch - I've still got all my cards my mum made me over the years ... one day I will have to make them into a collage so that they too can go on display.Then we have the Sadler traditions ... our newsletter and collage of photos that goes out to all our friends and family; two Christmas trees now that we have two lounges ... one is silver and purple ... and the other is a menagerie of all our decorations loving cherished over the years.  We add new ones every year. 

One of our favourite traditions is the children's annual tree decoration purchase.  The plan is that by the time they leave home they will have a collection to start their own trees with ... although I think they may have to prise them out of my fingers when the time comes.  I am trying to catch up with my scrapbooking record of these purchases - it's great to see what they choose each year.

Olivia's 2009 decoration is a ball made from cloves (or peppercorns as she calls them - don't ask I'm working on a scrapbooking page to explain!) - she says it smells of Christmas Ham and that's why she just had to have it!

And Kieran's is a flashing number this year ... a fluffy santa who's rather large tummy lights up and changes colour ... wonder what he will think of it when he leaves home and will it still flash?

And another favourite Christmas decoration is the Nativity set from Willow Tree.  My girlfriend in Perth started me off with the Three Kings (thank you Suzy). It's taken me a few years to get all the pieces with baby Jesus arriving only this year (thank you Paul, years of nagging and he finally remembered to buy it earlier this month).

  

As for our other traditions, well we always see a Christmas movie on Christmas Eve, this year we are off to see the Carols by Candlelight in Melbourne so it will have to be in the afternoon.  And, the children always receive a box of Walkers shortbread in their stockings from Santa.

Okay so they aren't your normal traditions are they, but they are what makes our family Christmas.  I love that even though the kids are getting older they still treasure family traditions - from helping to write the newsletter, to putting the photos together for the collage, to reminding me that Santa needs to check his list twice for Walkers shortbread!

Just asked Olivia what she thought our family traditions were and she said 'don't forget to mention the Christmas ham!" .... she's obsessed!

Thanks for letting me share a little of our Sadler Christmas. Hope that your preparations are going well and you aren't stressing out too much.

Back soon with more creations.