Finally! Im a published artist!

And here it is! I am so excited and I just had to tell you all!

I was browsing at the Newsagent yesterday, as you do, and I was flipping through a couple of the Papercraft mags. I noticed a brand new one that I havent seen on the shelves before... it's called Creative Paper, and it's put out by the same people who do "For Keeps". Flip, flip, flip... and then something caught my eye... hang on, go back a second, what was that? Could it be? And it was MINE!

I had submitted the Mini Tag album to Australian Paper Crafts mag (APC) way back towards the end of last year. I had found out that they accepted it for publication, but this month I found out that APC and For Keeps are merging, so the old APC would no longer exist. So I really didnt know what would happen to my little album... whether it would still be published or not. So it was such a lovely surprise yesterday for me! They also included instructions and tips for my project (I noticed they tweaked my instructions a little, but hey, Im a papercrafter, not a writer!)

Im so excited to be able to share this with you.


Here is the whole double page layout:





I have to say that the new mag (Creative Paper) looks great. It's issue number 67 if you are interested (I guess they are continuing the issue numbers on from the old For Keeps mag?), and it's out at newsagents right now.

How exciting. Hmmmm, I'd better get my act together and submit some more stuff!

Have a great day!

Linda H

Sweet and Simple

Copyright 1990-2008 Stampin’ Up!




Just posting a little card I made this week. Sometimes I just get an idea, and I know that I need to sit down and do it straightaway or it will be gone. Not sure where this one came from, but I wanted to do something with the Palette O'Print papers, and I am just loving the trend to scallop nearly everything at the moment. This card is the result.. I hope you like it.

I used Almost Amethyst, Whisper White and Lovely Lilac cardstock, and Almost Amethyst and Lovely Lilac ink. The set of course is Baroque Motifs, and the sentiment is from the Short and Sweet set. I've finished it with White Taffeta ribbon and a Lovely lilac button. (I made a second card and used a rhinestone brad instead of the button and that looked pretty awesome too.) I used the Corner rounder to make the Scalloped edge and the round scallop punch for the circle. And of course the dotty paper is from the Palette O'Prints pad. Dont forget that if you want a 6x6 Palette O'prints pad for yourself you only have until the end of this month. You can purchase one for only $12.95 with any $35 order. Just email me at higgiz@bigpond.com or call me on my mobile 0412 375 552 to place your order.

Enjoy the card!

Thank you for a Fabulous night!

I want to publicly thank all you lovely girls who attended our Idea Book and Catalogue Evening last night. Everyone has reported that they had a lovely time. In the end there were 4 of us demonstrators each with their own table of ladies. We each did our own 4 projects (including making their own name cards for the table so we all knew each other's names). Unfortunately I had a croaky throat and could barely call out instructions, but my table of girls seemed to manage very well regardless. I thought the projects looked fantastic :) I had to get the other girls to call out the names of the prize winners (because no-one could hear me!), but lots of prizes were won, and the grand prize went to Betty (who was on Penny's table). Congratulations Betty! We just caught her out in the driveway as she was on her way home!

I had a great night, and want to thank you all for coming. We'll do another one down the track for sure! And thanks especially to our wonderful team of Demonstrators... Kerry, Alex and Penny who did a fabulous job and helped to make everything go so smoothly. I love working with you guys!

I thought you might like to see one of the projects we made. Here we go....






Copyright 1990-2008 Stampin’ Up!


This card uses the Outlaw Designer Series Paper (double-sided) and I made the PaperClip embellishment with the Round Scallop punch and Circle Punches. The stamps are the Lovely Labels set, plus Sweet Sampler to make the dotty background. You could put almost anything in the pocket as a gift... a ticket, money, voucher, a note, money... It's always nicer to give a gift in a nice package dont you think?

Finally, dont forget that I am still running the sketch challenge until the end of the month. I've received a couple of entries by email and wanted to say how impressed I am... there is so much talent out there! Keep them coming guys... I just love seeing your cards.

And for anyone who is wondering... I actually have no voice whatsoever this morning! I cant even answer the phone!!!! Dont worry, Im sure it will come back!

Sketch Challenge for you

Ever wanted to see your work in print? Well how about having a go at a sketch challenge? I found this wonderful sketch on Mercy Kerin's blog and she has kindly allowed me to use it here.





If you've never done a sketch challenge before, they are a great way to get those creative juices flowing. You are welcome to interpret the sketch in any way you choose. You can either comment on this post and include a link to your card photo on your blog, or you can email me at higgiz@bigpond.com and attach a photo in your email. I will pick my favourite and feature it right here on the blog. I will welcome all submissions... from Demonstrators, customers, lurkers :-) and from our international friends too. You have until the end of May to submit your creation. There will be a little prize for the winner. Have fun!





Here is my card...........








Images Copyright 1990-2008 Stampin’ Up!



Enjoy!

Tulip Whimsy

Images Copyright 1990-2008 Stampin’ Up!

Hello everyone,

Just a quick and simple card for you today. This one uses the new "Garden Whimsy" set which I have been getting quite a bit of use out of. I also used the dotty background from the "Sweet Sampler" set and the Happy Birthday stamp comes from the "Occasional Greetings"set. The colours are Mellow Moss, Always Artichoke, Rose Red and Regal Rose, and I used white Grosgrain ribbon. I markered the tulip in Regal Rose, Rose Red and Always Artichoke. It comes up lovely dont you think?

Keep watching (or subscribe if you havent already) here on the blog... I am issuing a Sketch challenge in the next few days for you all, and there will be a chance for you to see your work up here in print, as well as a cool little prize. So sharpen up your creativity and stay tuned. ;-)

By the way, my table at the Idea Book and Catalogue night next week is full! But some of the other demonstrators still have a few places left, so let me know if you would like to come for a fun night out, and Im sure we can find a place for you. But it's filling quickly, so dont procrastinate too long! If you want more details of the night click here

Happy stamping!

Linda H

0412 375 552

higgiz@bigpond.com

Scrapbook Workshop

I did a scrapbook workshop for a hostess last Friday night, and here's the layout that we did. Of course everybody's layout turned out to be completely different, which is one of the wonderful things about workshops. Each person started out with the same basic paper pieces and the same colours but the results were so completely different to each other. I used Baroque Motifs (yes, again) because I think that it's a great background for a scrapbook page, and also chose the colours based on the "Secret Garden" Simply Scrappin' Kit. I know that it's a simple page, but I usually try to keep it simple for workshops. Which was a good thing last week, because one of the girls had never scrapbooked before, so it was a good starting point. And I think she really liked what we did. Which makes me feel good.

The photo is taken of my kids over a year ago now, I probably need to take some new ones!

Hope you enjoy it!

Linda H

0412 375 552

2008-2009 Idea Book and Catalogue Evening on the 19th May

Im really excited today to let you all know about the upcoming evening we are having here on the Central Coast to "launch" our brand new catalogue. Yes, I know the catalogue has now been out for over a month.... but things have been so hectic that this has been the first time most of us have been able to get to it! Not only that, but now that we've all had a bit of time to play with some of the new sets, we've got more lovely things to show you. I know that many of you have been along to these nights before and everyone always reports how much they enjoy them.

So here we go....

You’re invited to our
2008 – 2009 Idea Book and Catalogue Evening

Come and join us for a fun Evening showcasing many of the new Stamp Sets and products from Stampin’Up’s latest catalogue.
Bring a friend…. It’s going to be lots of fun!

When: 7:30pm – Monday 19th May 2008
Where: Narara Valley Baptist Church Hall
127 Narara Valley Drive, Narara
Behind what’s left of the main church building - just drive on in - plenty of off street parking.

Cost: $10 - refundable with your order on the night over $60 (not including postage and handling)

*3 Make and Take projects
*Light Refreshments
*Prizes and giveaways


Call Linda Higgins on 0412 375 552 or email higgiz@bigpond.com to RSVP and reserve your place ASAP as numbers are limited.
*Prepayment is required to secure your seat.

So simple and so elegant

Images Copyright 1990-2007 Stampin’ Up!


A dear friend of mine asked me today if I would help her to come up with an idea for a simple wedding card in black and white for an upcoming wedding she is to go to. I havent been able to get in touch with her tonight, so Im putting it on here so that a) she'll be able to look at it tomorrow and b) everyone else can have a look at it too.

Sorry Sophie that it's not made with the set you had in mind, but I dont have that particular set (no, I dont own everything in the catalogue... you have no idea how often people are surprised by that!) and as I know you already own the Baroque Motifs set, I thought you might be able to recreate it for yourself. :) How easy is Baroque Motifs to use? So far I've been stamping that big swirly stamp all over the place and I havent seen a bad result yet!

To finish the card off I punched some black cardstock with the Round Scallop Punch (I am in LOVE with this punch!) and popped the flower motif up on some dimensionals. I used a little 2-way glue on the flower and sprinking Dazzling Diamonds Glitter over the top for a bit of bling. And finished it off with a silver brad. I think it works for a wedding, dont you? It's ultra simple, but simple and elegant go together... especially for a special occasion.





Images Copyright 1990-2007 Stampin’ Up!



If you would like to ask me about anything I've used to make this card please dont hestitate to call or email me... I'd love to hear from you! And keep those comments coming... I love hearing what you think, and it makes my blog look busy! :-)


Linda Higgins
0412 375 552
higgiz@bigpond.com