Stampin with Joanna

Mini Card Holder

 

Here is the 3rd make and take my guests got to make at my Summer Sale-a-bration Party!

Isn't it cute!  And that is just the outside!  It is a mini card holder that opens to reveal 4 mini cards....

 

And the cards.....

 

The cards are all a simple but effective design - the best kind - in my humble opinion!

The outside of the mini card holder is created using the 'Live your Dreams' stamp set, from the current Stampin' Up! Summer Mini Catalogue, which finishes at the end of March 2009.  I wanted to use my wonderful Stampin' Write markers to 'ink' up the flower image to create a two tone stamped image - but of course I had chosen to use an "in colour", purely pomegranate - for which there is no marker!  What was I to do?

My solution - make my own 'purely pomegranate' "in colour" marker!  I used an old Stampin' Up! blender pen to achieve my goal.  I removed the nib of the blender pen (I just pulled it out with a pair of tweezers) and soaked it in a few drops of purely pomegranate ink, from a reinker bottle, then I replaced the nib in the blender pen barrel.  I wasn't sure it this would be enough - but all of my guests had no problem inking up the flowers using my homemade marker.  If it did 'dry out' at all, I was ready with a few more drops of purely pomegranate ink to replenish the colour.  Fantastic!  My own 'in colour marker'!

The basic design of the mini card holder was shared with all demonstrators who attended Regional Stampin' Up! training in Sydney last year. Stampin' Up! are a great company to work for, the support from the company is unbeatable, let alone that from other demonstrators.  Regional training is held in major centres all over Australia each year and is a wonderful event to learn ideas, techniques and business tips, as well as have fun with other demonstrators.  If you are interested in starting your own business and having wonderful support why not contact me for a free information pack.

I think you can tell from the picture how the mini cards were created.  If you have any questions, feel free to email me at jocam_wassens@hotmail.com

Happy Stamping!

In the Stars Make and Take

 

Does this design look familiar?  Well, it should.  I used the same basic sketch (or design) to create both this card and the first 'make and take' from my Summer Sale-a-bration Party.  Here is a reminder in case you forgot:

   

Now can you see the similarities?  The focal images of either stars or flowers are positioned in the same general area and both cards have a strip of detail in the lower third of the card.  The details are different, but the basic design is the same.  

I wanted to show you, and the guests at my party, how easy it is to use a basic sketch to create completely different cards, by using different colours, design elements and patterns.

My second 'make and take' uses the wonderful stamp set, In the stars, which is perfect for lots of card and scrapbook projects including male ones (thank goodness!) Male cards are notoriously difficult, so anything that makes it easier is a blessing!  The Classic star jumbo wheel is the perfect compliment to this stamp set, it created the patterned strip of brocade blue stars on the card above.  I, of course, used both the large star and star punches to create the stars (no cutting out for me!)

The detail on the lower edge of the chocolate chip card is created with the spiral punch, a fabulous addition to any papercrafters tool kit.  It creates detailed edges, and means you can add pages to spiral bound books easily, plus it creates film strip type edges!  Consider adding one to your next Stampin' Up! order with me, at only $20.95 you will not be disappointed.

Check back tomorrow for the final make and take from my party.  It is a mini card holder......

Happy Stamping!

Polka Dot Punches Make and Take

 

This card is the first of the 3 make and takes my guests got to make at my Summer Sale-a-bration party.

It uses the polka dot punches flower, that is stamped and then punched out with the 5 petal flower punch.  It makes it so easy to make a quick card when you can just punch out the images instead of cutting them out by hand!  I also just punched a soft sky flower (ie didn't stamp it first) to offset behind the wild wasabi flower for greater effect.

Don't forget - you can only get the Polka dot punches stamp set until the end of February with an order of $100 or more.  The 4 Sale-a-bration stamp sets will never be available after that.  They are limited edition for this promotion only.  So contact me via email or phone to place your order and take advantage of this great promotion before it is too late.

The greeting is from the stamp set, Basic phrases, a great one to cover all the major events you need to send a card for, eg birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, etc.

I used the lovely designer series paper, Afternoon tea. Plus another couple of punches, the small oval and the scallop edge to finish off the design.  Oh, and there is a row of paper pierced dots too, done using the template from the mat pack from Stampin' Up!

Check back tomorrow for the 2nd make and take - also a card using the same basic design sketch but to create a completely different card, that could be used for a male birthday (we all know how hard they are to make cards for!)

Happy Stamping!

Mini desk calendars

 

The final giveaway from my Summer Sale-a-bration party last week was a mini desk calendar for all of my guests.  I made these with the lovely designer series patterned papers from the Summer Mini Catalogue:  Afternoon tea, Ginger blossom and Bali Breeze.

Each pack of patterned paper is only $11.95 for 12 double sided papers, a bargain, that may increase in price when the new Stampin' Up Idea Book and Catalogue comes out in April this year.  So make sure you order yours before then!

Here are some other views:

 

 

And the side view:

 

Happy Stamping!

Jumbo Paperclip Bookmarks

 

Here is the second of my free giveaways from my Summer Sale-a-bration party last week, a jumbo paperclip bookmark.  

You can see the front and the back of each one on the two I am holding above. I used the flower from Eastern Blooms and the 'smile' stamp from the Be Happy stamp set.  All mounted on punched out circles and the scallop circle.  I stuck them together with a hot glue gun, to be sure they would withstand lots of use!

Colours are ballet blue, certainly celery and rose red.

Why not subscribe to my monthly newsletter, in the box on the top left of my site, so you can receive information about my upcoming events (which usually include free giveaways!).

Happy Stamping!

Chocolate Pouch

 

Here is a close up of the pouches I made for my Summer Sale-a-bration Party last week.  They were all filled with a chocolate for my guests to enjoy.

The pattern for these was from an old Impressions edition.  Impressions is the newsletter that Australian Stampin' Up! demonstrators get each month.  It contains articles about Stampin' Up! products and business tips as well as ideas like these.  A great resource.

I used my Eastern Blooms flower stamps to make the 'button' on the front of each pouch.  Colours are almost amethyst and so saffron.

Hope you are having a Wonderful Australia Day!  Happy Stamping!

Giveaways from my Summer Sale-a-bration Party

 

Here is what the display looked like on my FREE GIVEAWAY table at my Summer Sale-a-bration Party last night (before everyone arrived!).  Everyone got to take a Stampin' Up! bag then fill it with one of each of the goodies on the table:

A chocolate pouch, a jumbo paperclip bookmark and a mini desk calendar. 

And this was just the beginning of the fun!  My guests all got to create 3 make and takes, enjoy nibbles and  wonderful company, participate in a fun Stampin' Up! quiz to win the 3 lucky door prizes I had up for grabs (A stamp-a-ma-jig, an ink pad and a stamp set).  AND I had special offers if you wanted to order any Stampin' Up! goodies!  All for free!

This is typical of one of my "launch parties", so why not sign up for my monthly newsletter (the box on the top left of my site) to find out when my next event will be, so you don't miss out!

Or if you email me before Monday with your order - you too could be taking home these goodies.  I have a few left over for anyone who places an order with me before 12noon Monday 26th January (Australia Day).

I'll be back later to show you all these goodies in close up and the make and takes too.

Here is the basket of boxes from last night.  If you spent $100 you got to choose a box (and keep it).  They were all filled with either FREE Stampin' Up! products or special discount vouchers. 

Felt flower and Theatre ribbon on a card!

 

Here is the card I designed for my team members to create last week.  I wanted to use my felt flowers and some ribbon originals as well as some designer series patterned paper.  The design is fairly simple but I did achieve my aim, so I was happy with it!

The ribbon is from the Theatre ribbon original pack and is actually stretchy!  I cut the pieces smaller than the card (so there would be a piece for everyone) but this did mean we had to adhere it to the card with brads as well as some sticky strip, so it would stretch the distance, remain in place and not bend the card!  I like the variety the ribbon original packs contain, they also all coordinate well.

Here are the details of the card:

Stamps:  Sincere salutations

Ink:  Old olive

card:  Kraft, whisper white

Accessories:  scallop circle punch, 1 3/8 inch circle punch, fusion felt flowers, half pearl from Pretties kit, silver brads, theatre ribbon originals, old olive designer series paper, sticky strip.

Last Chance!:  I am having a party on Friday night 23rd January.  Come along to make some make and takes, recieve special offers and have some fun - all for FREE.  Call me on (02) 45 777 504 to book your spot.

Cards by Kate Olsson and Merryl Blacker

 

This card was created by Kate Olsson, as her contribution to our Creative Stampers Team gathering last week.  Kate has used the new Eastern Blooms set available from the current Stampin' Up! Summer Mini Catalogue.  You can view other creations by Kate by visiting her blog HERE.

Following is another card using a stamp set in the current Summer Mini Catalogue, In the Stars.  This card is by Merryl Blacker.  You can view Merryl's other creations by visiting her blog HERE.

 

That is the end of the cards by my talented team members from our team gathering last week.  I just have my card left to show you tomorrow!

Happy Stamping!

Cards by Kylie O'Brien and Michelle Le Breton

 

This is a card created by Kylie O'Brien, one of my fabulous downlines.  This is a lovely card using the Polka dot and punches Sale-a-bration stamp set with some glitter added for that extra sparkle. 

The next card also uses the Polka dot and punches stamp set but with completely different colours. It is by another of my fabulous downlines, Michelle Le Breton.  You can view other creations by Michelle at her website HERE

 

The Polka Dot and Punches stamp set is only available by placing a Stampin' Up! order of $100 before the end of Feburary 2008, so make sure you don't miss out and contact me now to place your order.

If you order before Friday 23rd January you will also get some free giveaways in with your order from me!

Happy Stamping!

Cards by Michele Knight and Christie Wallace

 

This is the card created by Michele Knight at our Creative Stampers team gathering last week.  It uses the lovely Embrace Life set from the current Summer Mini Catalogue.  You can view Michele's other creations on her blog HERE.

And following is a card using the same set (Embrace Life) but in a different way, with a different colour scheme.  It shows just how versatile this stamp set is.  This card is by Christie Wallace.  You can view Christie's other creations at her blog HERE

 

My Summer Sale-a-bration Party is this Friday, 23rd January, so call  or email me to book your place.  We will be having lots of fun and creating too!

Happy Stamping!

Card by Michelle Halling

 

Isn't this a lovely, bright and cheerful card!  It was created by Michelle Halling, a very talented member of the Creative Stampers team!  You can check out Michelle's other creations on her blog HERE.

Michelle has used the new Eastern Blooms stamp set, from the Stampin' Up! Summer Mini Catalogue, plus patterned paper, gingham ribbon and some crimping for extra texture.

Check back tomorrow for more cards by my talented team members!

Happy Stamping!

Cards by Rachel Capps and Donna Ortlepp

 

As promised here are a couple of close ups of the cards my team members created at our recent Creative Stampers gathering.  This card was designed by Rachel Capps.  Her cards are always very elegant.  You can view Rachel's other works at her blog HERE.

Rachel has used the new Sale-a-bration set Congrats as well as the lovely swirl from the Baroque Motifs stamp set.  I chose to make this a card for an anniversary - it says "congratulations on another year of happy togetherness".  You can only get the Congrats and other Sale-a-bration sets by placing an order of $100 during January or February, so contact me today if you would like to take advantage of this great promotion.

The second card I have to share is by our newest team member, Donna Ortlepp.  It was great for the rest of the team to meet her and her children at our gathering.  Welcome to the Creative Stampers team Donna!

 

A lovely bright and cheerful card.  Donna used the Season of Joy and In the spotlight stamp sets.

I'll have more close ups of the cards created at our team gathering tomorrow so remember to stop by!

Happy Stamping!

My Talented Team!

 

These are the cards that we made at my team (The Creative Stampers) school holiday get together on Wednesday,  Everyone who attended brought along a card they had designed and enough materials so that everyone else could also make that card. 

It is a great way to use colours and stamps that you may not use yourself.  It also gives eveyone new ideas and techniques, and some hands on creating!  AND it was lots of fun!

There were 10 members of the Creative Stampers who attended, and just to make it lots more fun we also had 17 children come along too, ranging in age from 5 months to 7 years!  The kids were very good, they played nicely together and the babies got lots of cuddles too!

It was a very successful day, we all got to create 10 different cards each, catch up with one another and meet some new team members all with our children in tow during the school holidays.  We are going to try and make this event one that we hold every school holidays, if possible!

If you would like to join my team (The Creative Stampers) and attend events like this, now is a great time to do it.  If you join Stampin' Up! before the end of February you get a FREE stamp set to the value of $79.95 as well as all the other goodies in the starter kit.  Why not email or call me so I can send you an information kit.  Email:  jocam_wassens@hotmail.com Tel (02) 45 777 504 or 0408 657 258.

I'll be letting you see close of all of these great cards over the next few days so be sure to pop back.

Happy Stamping!

Embrace Life Cards

 

Here are the other cards that my weekend card making ladies created using the Embrace Life stamp set.  The cards are the same, apart from the base card colour, either blush blossom or soft sky. 

I used 2 of the other stamps in the set on these cards, both of the branches, one with pointy leaves and the other with soft blossoms.

I stamped the pointy leaved branches in old olive ink and then coloured them in with certainly celery ink on whisper white card.  The soft blossom branches were used to create a subtle pattern on the certainly celery card below the ribbon (although it does seem hard to see that in this photo, sorry!).  The scalloped edge is created using the scallop edge punch (I love this new toy!)

The greetings are stamped onto matching card and then punched out with either the word window punch or large oval punch to complete the card.

Here are the exact details:

Stamps:  Embrace life, short and sweet

Ink:  Old olive, certainly celery

Card:  Whisper white, certainly celery, either soft sky or blush blossom.

Accessories:  Certainly celery wide grosgrain ribbon, word window punch or large oval punch, scallop edge punch.

Remember:  If you would like to create this card, I can bring a card making class to your home.  All you need is 4 people.  I charge $20 per person and bring everything that is required (all the cardstock, stamps, inks, embellishments and adhesive).  All you have to do is stamp and assemble the cards using the techniques I will show you.  Give me a call to find out more.  Tel  (02) 45 777 504.  Or email me at jocam_wassens@hotmail.com

Happy Stamping!

Tall flower card design for Card Making Class

 

As the title suggests, this card is based around the tall flower stamp from the Embrace Life stamp set available in the Stampin' Up! Summer Mini Catalogue.

This was a card I created for a special group of ladies who requested a card making class using this stamp set.  They all enjoyed the effectiveness and simplicity of watercolouring the flower using the aquapainter and the Stampin' Up! ink pads.  Some commented that this was their favourite card of the two designs.  I will post the other card they got to create tomorrow, so check back for more Embrace Life samples!

I used the Leaves a la Carte jumbo wheel to create the background detail on the pale plum piece of card.  I like the detail this wheel creates combined with the simplicity of the single flower.

To finish off I created a simple embellishment using circle punches and the wonderful scallop circle punch to hold the greeting.

If you would like to hold your own personalised card making class.  All you need is 4 people (up to a maximum of 8) and to live in within about an hours drive of Windsor in Sydney.  I will come to your home and bring everything that is required.  I pre-cut all the cardstock and then demonstrate how to make the 2 card designs.  All you and your friends have to do is stamp and assemble the 10 cards (5 of each of the 2 designs). Don't worry if you are complete beginners, I will help you out along the way.  It is a nice relaxing way to spend a morning, afternoon or evening and all this costs only $20 per person.  Why not give me a call  on (02) 45 777 504 if you have any questions or to book a time and date.

Here are the exact details of the card above:

Stamps:  Embrace life, Occasional greetings, Leaves a la carte (jumbo wheel)

Ink:  Pale plum, perfect plum, staz on black.

Card:  Mellow moss, pale plum, perfect plum, whisper white

Accessories:  scallop circle punch, 1 1/4 inch circle punch, 1 3/8 inch circle punch, mellow moss 1/4 inch grosgrain ribbon, mini glue dots.

Happy Stamping!

Botanical Bloom and Congrats Card

 

This is a direct copy of a card by Jayne Mercer, just using a different coloured ink and ribbon!

It uses the 2 step stamping flower from Botanical blooms and the greeting from the Congrats set.  Both of which are Sale-a-bration stamp sets - available FREE during January and February when you place a Stampin' Up! order of $100 or more.

The colour I used is regal rose, with an old olive stem!

Happy Stamping!

Polka dot punches cards

I have had a chance to play with the new Sale-a-bration stamp set Polka Dot Punches  and these cards are the result.  The one on the right is a direct copy of the card on the front of the Sale-a-bration brochure, although I used barely banana card rather than so saffron and changed the greeting.  The very vanilla wide grosgrain ribbon coordinates perfectly with the barely banana card too.

The card on the left was inspired by my good friend Jayne (thanks Jayne!).  I used certainly celery designer series paper instead of just plain certainly celery card and I really like the difference.

This is a great set because, as the title infers, most of the stamps coordinate with a punch (scallop circle, circle and 5 petal flower punch).  It is easy to stamp them, punch them out and add them to a card or project as an effective embellishment.

In case you are not aware:  The stamp set Polka Dot Punches is one of 4 that you can get FREE in January and February by placing a Stampin' Up! order of $100 or more.  Just call or email me to place an order and I can have it sent directly to your door anywhere in Australia.  I also promise a little extra surprise with all orders placed during Sale-a-bration with me!

Email:  jocam_wassens@hotmail.com

Phone:  (02) 45 777 504    or    0408 657 258

Happy Stamping!

Carousel Notes and Chocolate Rub-ons

 

More of my playing with products from the Summer Mini Catalogue!

This time the new Carousel notes (page 5), Chocolate Hidden Garden rub-ons (page 11) and Afternoon tea designer series paper (page 6).

I was surprised at the size of the carousel notes when I received them.  They are larger than I thought they would be (almost 15 cm across).  But the larger size means they make more of a statement as a special card, especially teamed with the gorgeous chocolate envelopes they come with.

The Hidden Garden Rub-ons match the Eastern Blooms stamp set and have both a sheet of white and a sheet of chocolate rub-ons in the pack.  These are the only chocolate rub-ons Stampin' Up! have, all of the others have a sheet of white and a sheet of black (to my knowledge!).  The image in the center of the white circle on my card is from the sheet of chocolate rub-ons.  I think it looks very effective.

The Afternoon tea designer serier papers just matched perfectly with my chosen colour scheme of soft sky and chocolate chip.  I finished the card off with a large silver brad from the silver hodgepodge (page 5 of the Summer Mini), a square metal edged tag and a stamp from the 'say it with scallops' stamp set (page 16).

What do you think?  I am quite happy for my first attempt at a round card.  It was trickier than I thought!

Contact me via email on jocam_wassens@hotmail.com or on (02) 45 777 504 if you would like to place a Stampin' Up! order, attend one of my card making classes or my Summer Sale-a-bration launch in January.

Happy Stamping!

Easy Felt Flower Cards and a Party!

 

I have been having a play with some new products from the Summer Mini Catalogue.  I made all of these cards with the new Flower Fusion felt flowers (shown on page 10 of the catalogue).

They were so quick to make and I am happy with how they turned out. 

Here is a close up of the felt flowers.  They come in a nifty little tin (who doesn't love great packaging!) and you get over 130 individual pieces in the tin, in 3 different colours: old olive, pumpkin pie and rose red.

Why not add them to your next Stampin' Up! order with me.  Remember Sale-a-bration is on so if you spend $100 you get to choose a free stamp set from the 4 lovely  Sale-a-bration limited edition stamp sets.

OR if you would like to see them in person why not attend my Summer Sale-a-bration Party on Friday 23rd January, 7.30pm at my home in McGraths Hill, in the Hawkesbury Region of Sydney.  It will be a fun event with make and takes, special offers, free giveaways and lots of fun.  It is free to attend but  Bookings are essential so email or call me if you would like to come along.

 

Contact me via email on jocam_wassens@hotmail.com or call me on (02) 45 777 504.

Happy Stamping!

Details:

Stamps:  Eastern blooms

Ink:  old olive and sahara sand

Card:  old olive, night of navy, very vanilla, sahara sand, rose red, whisper white

Accessories:  flower fusion, earth elements brads, ice round rhinestone brads, pretties kit, hidden garden rub ons.

Pop up Card Making Class - Jan 13th, 7.30pm

 

Would you like to learn how to make 2 different pop up cards? 

If you do then why not come along to my pop-up card making class next Tuesday night (January 13th 2009) at my home in McGraths Hill (Hawkesbury Region of Sydney) at 7.30pm.

These are the 2 cards you will be making.  The second card has a surprise pop-up on the inside!

You get to make 10 cards (5 each of the 2 designs).  Cost of this class is only $20 per person (optional $3 extra for envelopes you can stamp to match your cards).  I provide all the materials and instructions so there are no hidden costs.  Beginners are welcome.

Bookings are essential so if you would like to attend why not email or call me today on (02) 45 777 504.

Happy Stamping!

Sale-a-bration is Here!

 

The fantastic promotion run by Stampin' Up! during January and February is here again!

Here are the details:

It's Sale-A-Bration time again at Stampin' Up! and free product is what it's all about!

Every year Stampin' Up! gives customers, hostesses, and new recruits the opportunity to earn fantastic, FREE, limited-edition stamp sets they'll enjoy for years to come.

Here's how Sale-A-Bration works:

Customers
When you spend $100 on Stampin' Up! merchandise, you'll receive a free Sale-A-Bration reward. There's no limit--for every $100 you spend, you can select another free Sale-A-Bration reward!

Hostesses
When you host a workshop of at least $600 (before tax and shipping), you'll receive a free Sale-A-Bration reward--in addition to all of the regular hostess benefits!

Recruits
During Sale-A-Bration, anyone who joins as a demonstrator can choose any stamp set--a value of up to $79.95--from our current Idea Book and Catalogue!

The Sale-A-Bration promotion starts on 1 January and runs through 28 February, so don't miss your chance to earn free products!  Contact me today on jocam_wassens@hotmail.com or on (02) 45 777 504 to place your order.

You can view the Sale-a-bration brochure online HERE

Or download a PDF of the brochure HERE (6.12MB)

Happy New Year!