Pocket Silhouettes

Sorry I have not been updating my blog regularly of late as I have not had enough time, I have still been creating and hosting my Stampin' Up! classes.

This card we made at my May class which was inspired by the Stampin' Up! Convention as I had not used the Shimmer Paint until I did the make 'n takes, well sometimes you just need to see it used in real life. This photo does not do the shimmer and sparkle justice as in real life either, but I have added the Shimmer Paint with a sponge bauber to the three images.

I am using one of the inexpensive and very versatile stamp sets, Pocket Silhouettes ($33.95 wood mount) for 4 lovely images and two sentiments "thanks so much" and "friend to friend".

Stamp Set: Pocket Silhouettes
Cardstock: Blushing Bride, Marina Mist, Very Vanilla
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Scallop Square Extra-Large Punch, Corner Small Punch, Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint, Sponge Bauber, Very Vanilla 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon,

UStamp with Dawn and Friends Blog Hop Creative Challenge

I was inspired by Bonnie from the Stampin' Up Home Office at Convention last month, and I finally made the wonderful Cup Cake Holder and Topper which she demonstrated. I chose the colours for this 3D project to participate in the UStamp with Dawn and Friends Blog Hop Creative Challenge. I could not find a lovely cup cake on a Sunday here in the Adelaide Hills so I had to use a blueberry muffin but it would look so much nicer with an iced cup cake.

By the way this round of UStamp is FREE and you get 23 project with pdf instruction plus lots of chances to win prizes and participate in challenges and they also are looking for new talent to be a Guest Designers which is so much fun. I was lucky enough to be one of Dawn Rapsas Guest Designers for 7 rounds but due to work commitments had to give it up so I know the enjoyment that is had as well as all the wonderful friends I have made all around the world.

Stamp Sets: Short and Sweet, Circle Circus
Cardstock: Mellon Moss (retired), Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Designer Series Paper (retired)
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke
Accessories: Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Scallop Envelope Bigz Die, Fancy Flower Extra-Large Punch, Scallop Circle Extra-Large Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Large Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Large Punch, Tooth Pick

Create a Cupcake - "Step it Up"

I have been missing in action for a while, I have been very busy with work as we are having many changes at work and I have been finding it so challenging so I have decided to step down from being Practice Manager. I am currently training the new lady and have another three weeks work before I am having an extended break for six weeks which will include a trip to the Kimberley's in Western Australia ... and yes I am counting down the days. I will then return to work as a receptionist so I will be able to go home without any worries - well that's my plan!

Well back to stamping, I have been holding my classes each month and they have been very well attended so I have been stamping but not as much as I would have liked. Today I am sharing with you a card that I maded in two of my classes in April which features the Build a Cupcake punch from the mini catalogue. As I had punched out too many circles I decided to recreate the card with some added detail, which I have discovered from various blogs that they say it is "stepped up".

Stamp Set: Create a Cupcake

Cardstock: Baja Breeze, More Mustard, Marina Mist
Ink: Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Build a Cupcake Extra-Large Punch

Stampin' Up! Convention Dinner and Awards

At long last I have time to share with you the Stampin' Up! Convention Awards and Dinner photos, and wow it was a fantastic evening. We all got dressed up in our finest clothes and enjoyed a fun filled time with delicious food and wonderful entertainment.

Here are my extended family SU team members, uplines and sidelines and fellow lovers of creating. Here we have standing from the left, Me, Elaine Hannam, Kerry, Kristine Giampietro, Claire Daly, Jodie Dart and seated Marlene Robins and Fiona Ryan.

Standing from the left Kathryn Ruddick, Rachel Woollard, Di Dunk, and seated Ros Davidson, Tanja and Lily Westwood, Genna Gifford, Teena Pillar and Alisha Watson

Standing from the left Nicole Nation, Toby, Sue Madex, Tina Gillespie and Nikki Sadler and seated Christine Blain and Judy May.

One of the Stampin' Up! traditions that I have learnt from the previous Convention is everyone needs to share with their blog readers the food - what a yummy meal we had.

Entree - Tortelloni of wild mushrooms with braised lentils and white truffle oil

Main Course - Pot-roasted Gippsland lamb with sage gnocchi, green peas, pancetta and citrus gremolata

Dessert - White chocolate and raspberry baked cheesecake with a fresh berry compote
(The chocolate 5 was in celebration of Stampin' Up! being in Australia/New Zealand for 5 years.)

Now it was time to move into the awards presentation theatre room where Shelli Gardner, CEO and Co-Founder of Stampin' Up! introduced the fun and exciting Awards.

Shelli Gardner, CEO and Co-Founder of Stampin' Up!

Emma and Aaron announcing the Incentive Trip to...(drum roll)...can you guess from the camels?

Yes you could be off to Broome in the top of Western Australia (just where I am holidaying in five weeks time). The incentive trip is not on my agenda but go girls that have Stampin' Up! as a professional career.

Regionals were also announced for the year with Adelaide being on 17 September.

Here are some of the Top 25 Stampin' Up! Demonstrators in Australia

(not a good photo, so hard to get them all in - I think I am missing the top few).

The last announcement for the evening was we are off to Canberra for Convention 2012, hopefully all going well I will be able to spend three days with all my lovely friends.