Thursday, 23 April 2015

Stampin'Up Grand Vacation Hawaii Blog Hop!





Today's the day! Welcome to the Grand Vacation Hawaii blog hop! I've only ever done a couple of blog hops prior to this one, and this is the first one using a Scheduled post.... so if you are reading this I did it right! Go me!

As many of you know, in just a few weeks from now we are heading to Waikiki in Hawaii, courtesy of Stampin'Up for this year's incentive trip. In recent years SU have started called this the "Grand Vacation" rather than the "Incentive Trip"... but its just the same thing with a different name. This will be my 7th trip with SU, and I am so so grateful to them for putting on these wonderful holidays for us to take. Of course, its also about my earning it.... but when you love what you do, it doesn't feel like work at all! And really.. I would be nowhere without my wonderful customers and my amazing team of demonstrators!  Its all of YOU that allow me to do the work that allows me to get away from it all.

This year our trip will include the South Pacific market (Australia and New Zealand), and the North American market (US and Canada) ... so we are all staying at the Sheraton on Waikiki beach for the dates of the trip. One of the awesome things about SU trips is that its a trip for 2... all accommodations, meals events, gifts and pretty much everything is paid for!  I only have to put my hand in my pocket if there is something I want to purchase for myself such as souvenirs... how cool is that?

One of the fun things we are doing this year is a blog hop for some of the attendees... and thats why you are here right? We were given a Hawaiian theme.... but apart from that its up to us what we create. So here are my attempts at something "Hawaiian"... I decided to use the Flowers Bigz Die to create a flower that reminded me of a Hibiscus, and created two cards that I felt met the requirements.   Plus I've used the template from the Hooray its your Day kit to create the sunshine backgrounds.  And of course you need Sunshine and sunsets for Hawaii right?  What do you think?

Here's a close up of the first card:



Here is card No. 2...



This one i had rolling around in my head for a few weeks.... I really wanted to create a sunset, and make it a little retro with the colours I chose (think "Hawaii 5-O" and "Hawaiian shirts")... I think it turned out ok.... Here's a close up of the Hibiscus... I used the Build-A-Bouquet stamp set to make my flower a little more "Hibiscus-y" :-)


If you like these cards please feel free to comment below.... OR even better head over to my Facebook business page and "like" it.  You'll get to see these plus lots more pics, specials and ideas. I tend to show there what I am currently working on more often than here.

I'm quite delighted to be part of the hop and especially to be in line after the clever Ms Georgia Giguere... who runs a beautiful blog and her fabulous Stampin'Up business in Minnesota in the US.

Thank you for visiting my blog as part of the Hawaii Blog Hop!  I hope you visit again :-) To visit the next blog in the hop click the "Next Blog" button below.. you will be taken to the very talented Simone Bertram's blog! Or to return to Georgia's blog use the "Previous Blog" button below. Enjoy the hop and happy creating!


             


Blog Hop List

1. Brian King  
13. Dena Rekow 
15. Alisa Tilsner  
16. Tami White 
18. Bec Ross 
19. Ann Craig 
 26. Betty Button 

27 comments:

Selene Kempton said...

oh my gosh... your sunset card made my heart skip a beat! I really love it. I love the way you got the texture on the water. Totally amazing.

stampingshanni said...

Linda I love your projects and am so glad that I wasn't the only one having difficulties deciding on what project to go with. . .Love the backgrounds, texture and combination of techniques on both creations. Love the colours and how you have approached the theme!!
Thanks for being part of the blog hop - sensational!
Cheers
Shanni

janet wakeland said...

You accomplished your goal - I truly think old hawaii! Love the retro feel.

Kylie Bertucci said...

Awesome job Linda - so bright and happy! So glad that you got to take part despite challenges with weather and internet. Looking forward to seeing you at convention next week.

Marlene said...

these are so beautiful!

jacque williams said...

Lovely artwork, Linda. Love all the layers and fine detail. xxx see you soon!

Simone Bartrum said...

Very pretty Linda. I love the sun rays on the background - beautiful.

Sandi MacIver said...

super cute cards Linda, Aloha

Connie Stewart said...

Oooh, I love that starburst background. SO beautiful!

ness said...

Just Perfect Linda! The Starburst one reminds me of our retro/vintage Hawaiian postcards......can't wait to share this trip with you!

Ann Craig said...

Fantastic cards Linda. You've created gorgeous Hawaiian sunsets. I love all the details and so glad the rotten weather did not prevent you from going live.

Brian King said...

Linda, BOTH of these projects are a wonderful showcase of the joy we feel about this trip! Beautiful - the sunset is just stunning. I look forward to seeing you in Hawaii!

Alisa said...

Love the second the most! I am so looking forward to some warmth and sunshine!

Linda Dalke Stampin'Up Demonstrator in Australia said...

Thank you everyone for your kind comments! We are having a crazy week with limited internet but Im on here for a little and wanted to say thank you!!

Alison Solven said...

Love both your cards but especially love card #2 - your hibiscus is amazing! See you soon in paradise.

Unknown said...

Super creative, Linda! Thanks for sharing!

Louise Sharp said...

Two cards. Really? Miss 'going to have to think about an idea for Hawaii' - both equally as stunning too!
"Think Hawaii 5-0" Hahaha - you're funny, but loving your thought process!
The rays of golden sun have me desperately longing for our holiday (especially with all this rain and cold weather.) The little added touches of glimmer paper add to the beauty of both. Awesome work as always Linda!
Louise xo

Barb said...

Linda, these are great and really make me want to be in Hawaii right now. You have serious skills! See you soon!

Barb said...

You rocked it Linda, these are amazing!! You've got skills. :-) See you soon!

Dawn Griffith said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE! Just gorgeous .
Aloha
Dawn Griffith

Marelle Taylor said...

Gorgeous creations Linda! Hope we get LOTS of sunshine!!

Anonymous said...

I love your card. That is just beautiful. See you in Hawaii

Stampin' Dolce said...

I can hear the ocean! You cards are very tropical! <3

Lisa Eaton said...

Adorable flowers!

Unknown said...

Congratulations! Hope you have a nice time in Hawaii!

Water City Stamping said...

Your cards are gorgeous!!

Unknown said...

Linda, your hibiscus is right on! The sun burst in your other card is outstanding as well. Hard to choose which of these projects is my favorite. Thanks for being a part of the hop. See you in Hawaii! Aloha!