Its another Blog Hop Inspired by Pillow Gift Hawaii

Here we go again! After last month's blog hop was such a super success, our awesome bunch of Stampin'Up trip achievers have decided to do it again!  You may have arrived here after visiting Kelly Acheson's blog and her lovely projects. I hope you enjoy my creations whilst you are here... take a moment to check out the video I have made too.

This time it was decided that the theme should be inspired by our Pillow Gifts from our recent trip to Waikiki.  You've already seen some of my photos from the trip (and there are more over on my Facebook business page if you are keen to see them), and I do know you've already seen some of the pillow gifts we received from Stampin'Up each day were were there.  Here again is a picture of the one that inspired me for this 1st project:

And at the top of this page you can see the tote bag that I created with the Fry Box die.  I thought you might like to see how I made it, so I created a little video to show how easy it is to do:

And because I had another idea in mind as well I thought I'd show that too. Here is the gorgeous necklace that we received as a gift from Stampin'Up on our last evening of the trip:

I liked the silver Hibiscus and created a similar idea with the soon-to-be-retired Flower Frenzy die.  Its simple, but hopefully you can see where I gained my inspiration:

Enjoy the blog hop... thanks for stopping by!  Click the "Next" button to move on to the next blog... its the clever Karina Chin who has created something wonderful to show you.  Come back and visit again soon!

Blog hop list

1. Louise Sharp

2. Sandi MacIver

3. Kylie Bertucci

4. Selene Kempton

5. Connie Stewart

6. Dena Rekow 

7. Rose Marie Coleman

8. Shannean Moncrief

9. Sharon Armstrong

10. Marelle Taylor

11. Betty Button

12. Connie Babbert

13. Ann Craig

14. Kim Gavarra

15. Renee Kohnke

16. BJ Peters

17. Alisa Tilsner

18. Alison Solven

19. Kelly Acheson

20. Linda Higgins

21. Karina Chin

22. Jacque Williams

23. Lynsay Mahon

24. Georgia Giguere

25. Laura Milligan

26. Vanessa Webb

27. Cynthia Millan

28. Genevieve Ko

29. Janet Wakeland 

3 Things you NEED TO KNOW about the New Catalogue Changeover AND 10 ENVELOPES FOR YOU!

We are now in the last week of the current Stampin'Up Annual Catalogue... and the excitement about the new catalogue is building.  (The card above is made with a new stamp set AND new Incolors)

Which is great... but there are a few things you need to know BEFORE the new catalogue goes live... and here they are:

1. Some core items, such as INK and CARDSTOCK are increasing in price in the new catalogue. What does this mean for you? Take advantage of the new GET THEM NOW!  Here are some of the upcoming prices listed for you:

Classic ink pads will be AUD$11.50 (currently $9.95)
Classic ink refills will be AUD$5.50 (currently $4.95)
A4 Cardstock packs will be AUD$12.25 (currently $11.95)
Incolor cardstock and Pad kits will be AUD$58.00 (currently $47.95)
DSP Packs will be AUD$19.25 (currently $18.95)
12 x 12" page protectors will be AUD$12.25 (currently $11.95)

These are a few that jump out at me. Many items have had their prices "rounded off"... so instead of $8.95 for Mini Glue Dots (for example), they will now be $9 neat.  This will make it easier when calculating your orders.

Some items are actually reducing in price a little... for example Big Shot framelits are for the most part coming down in price slightly.  Check with me if you are unsure about an item.

2. Although the cover of the catalogue states that it will finish on the 30th June THIS IS NO LONGER THE CASE! This catalogue will finish on the 2nd June 2015, and retiring items will no longer be available.  If you would like to view the updated list of retiring products click HERE.  You can order in my ONLINE STORE, or you may contact me directly via email HERE, or via my mobile phone which is 0412 375 552.  Orders placed through the Online Store are mailed directly to your door for a low postage charge. When ordering through the store use the hostess code 7Y7KJGF6 when prompted.

3.  THE FIRST 10 ORDERS I receive over $75 this week will receive an envelope at random which includes product to the value of up to $45.95!  There is a prize in every envelope and it could be anything from our lovely catalogues.  You can order from any of the current catalogues - it doesn't have to be retiring product... and $75 order will do!  If you are ordering online use the hostess code 7Y7KJGF6 . This promotion will finish on the 31st May 2015, and I will announce the winners on my Facebook Business Page.  Don't forget this is only available to Australian customers, and only if you are ordering through my store or with me directly. (It is my own 1-week special, not a promotion offered by Stampin'Up)  Here's what is in some of the envelopes: (Note there is NOTHING worth less than $20 in any envelope!)

                                                      (Hooray its your Day card kit)

(Back to Basics Alphabet)

                                                                 Star Framelits


And there are lots more fun things inside the envelopes!

Why am I doing the envelopes again?  I've had several customers ask me whether I would do it again. This year, I don't need it for a trip like I did last year, but I would still like to offer a smaller version of the promotion, since I know how much you all enjoyed it last time.  So this is a little thank you to you all for your continued support of my business!

AND ONE LAST THING.... Don't forget its also the last week of the Occasions Catalogue too!  So lots of lovely goodies are coming to an end in that catalogue as well. To see the catalogues, click HERE or visit the Online Store and its all there too.  Enjoy this last week.... and feel free to contact me if you have any questions or want to book in a new catalogue workshop.

Just a reminder..... my Retirement Afternoon Tea is on this weekend!

If you are on the Central Coast and in the market for some bargain craft items then I have something for you that will appeal. I am holding my annual afternoon tea event where I put out ALL my retiring product and MARK IT DOWN to get it moved on!  We have some gorgeous new product coming through on June 2nd, and so until then there are fabulous bargains to be had on our Retiring List. If you would like to visit the Online Store and see what items are still in stock, then this is a great way to get your items at up to 50% off.

The other thing you need to know is that some items will be changing prices with the upcoming catalogue release. Some items, like Big Shot accessories, are reducing in price. Others, like the Big Shot itself, or paper and ink... are increasing in price! My advice... it is well worth checking out the items you want and making the most of the price changes accordingly. If you are a stamp club member you will automatically receive your new catalogue at no charge, and many of you will get them before the end of this month so you can compare prices. But otherwise please contact me to get your catalogue in your hands, and to find out about price changes that will affect you. In particular note that almost all paper is increasing in price, and inks as well. So if you need more of those, it is in your interest to contact me before the prices change.

Here are the details for this Saturday's Retirement Afternoon Tea:

My place @ Narara (contact me if you need the address)
2pm
Saturday 23rd May
No charge... just come and enjoy a cuppa and have a look through the various discounted items. It will be first in best dressed.

Please note that I am not allowed to exchange money for these items until they are officially retired. What this means is that you can put your name on the items and after the 2nd June you can come anytime and collect them and give me the cash at that time. So I will keep them safe for you until then :-) But they will have your name on them!

I hope to see you there.... please RSVP me to let me know you are coming along by clicking HERE.

Aloha from Hawaii!

Aloha!

What an amazing week we are having here in Hawaii, on the island of Oahu!  i am celebrating my 7th wonderful incentive trip with Stampin'Up... and they never fail to disappoint!  Rather than try to tell you everything we've done, its probably best to share with you some great photos from our last few days here.  A picture tells a thousand words, right??

We actually arrived a couple of days early to enjoy some extra time in this amazing paradise... but Im starting from the Stampin'up "offical" part of the trip. :-)

Day 1
 

View from the 29th floor of the Sheraton Waikiki... our room for the next few days

Day 1 pillow gift... what's inside?

 

 2 Pairs of Maui Jims sunglasses!  The cases came empty so we could pick the styles we wanted...

How cool is that?  I dont know if you know Maui Jim's..... but they are my favourite sunnies in the world! And its a VERY generous gift!

Our welcome dinner for everyone to enjoy!  Such a beautiful setting by the pool and looking out on the ocean....

And look who we found after dinner!  So wonderful to see Shelli and catch up even if only briefly.

View from the SU hospitality suite.... the Sheraton's Infinity pool there in the foreground. 

And getting spoiled by SU with Macadamia flavoured chocolate kisses!

Day 2 pillow gift... a  gorgeous beach bag... I love it!

The view from a deck chair by the pool..

I've lots more to show you over the coming days... so stay tuned. Or if you'd like to see more of what we get up to, please feel free to visit my Facebook business page and be sure to like it as I'll be adding more photos over there. 

Facebook business page

Better go... Im meeting some friends for drinks so we'd better get ourselves organized! 

See you soon!

Retirement Afternoon Tea... come and grab a bargain!

Those of you who have been around for a little while would be familiar with my annual "retirement party".  It's a chance for me to go through my supplies and tools and pull out all the retiring products.  As a demonstrator running a business, I don't believe its in my interest to hold on to all my stamps and other supplies after they have been discontinued, and so I offer them to my customers first before offering them elsewhere.  It's also my thank you to my customers for their business. I mark all prices of my retiring product down considerably, and lay it all out on my crafting tables for my customers to go through. It is first in, best dressed.  You can put your name on any discontinuing products that you wish.

If the product is from previous year's catalogues, you are welcome to pay for them and take them on the day. If you have your eye on current products (so to be discontinued when the current catalogue ends on June 2nd) then I am not allowed to sell them until that date, but you can still put your name on them and they will be marked as yours.  Then you are welcome to collect them and pay for them any time after June 2nd. I will keep them safe for you!

I will also supply afternoon tea, and if anyone wants to make a card you are welcome to do that too.  There is no cost to attend. Just come along ready to go through the goodies and put aside the ones you want. :-)  And enjoy some social time over a cuppa.

When: Saturday 23rd May 2pm
Where: My place @ Narara (Central Coast)
Cost: Nil

Due to space restrictions, numbers are limited for this event.  So please let me know you are coming by emailing me (Click HERE to RSVP) or call my mobile on 0412 375 552.

Vintage Metal Backgrounds with Stampin'Up product

I am loving these faux-metal techniques!

But by now you might know that I am a big fan of arty backgrounds.  I can never get enough of them!

If you'd like to come along to class and learn how to make your own gorgeous faux metal techniques, I have chosen these as my technique of the month for June.  You'll make 3 projects for a cost of $25 and all materials and refreshments are provided. Seats are limited, so book yours by clicking HERE... or to see what other classes are on offer you can visit the Class Schedule tab above.

Here are the dates for you:

Faux Metal techniques

Tuesday 16th June @ 7.30pm
Wednesday 17th June @ 11am

Cost $25, all materials and refreshments provided.

Here it is close up!

Stamp-a-Stacks this week.... here's what we are making

I know its very short notice but....
Right now I still have a couple of spots left in both my evening and day classes this week... so I thought you might like to see what we are making. Although I've showed both of these products on my Facebook Business page, I haven't shown them together on my blog.  So here they are, in close up :-)

Both cards use quite a bit of retiring products... I figure I might as well use some of my favourite products while I still can!  All retiring products are only available until the 2nd June unless they sell out first.  To see them you can click over onto the Online Store or use the list below. You can also see products NO LONGER AVAILABLE marked with an "X".  Here's the updated list:

http://su-media.s3.amazonaws.com/media/lastChance/2015_SP_RetiredList/SP_retiredList.pdf

If you'd like to come along to the class... we'll be making these cards.. but 3 of each... so you'll go home with 6 cards and envelopes altogether. The cost is $20 and includes all materials and refreshments. Here are the dates and times:

Tuesday 5th May @ 7.30pm

and

Wednesday 6th May @ 11am

Click HERE to book your spot and come along for some creative therapy :-)

Here's a close up of the second card :-)

Stampin'Up Australia Convention and Catalogue Launch 2015

Here I am on the Gold Coast on the last evening before we fly home tomorrow.  We've just had an amazing Convention with Stampin'Up Australia... and as always they put on a fantastic event. I was lucky enough to be here with lots of other amazing women... and lots of them are in my team too, so it was a great bonding experience!  We are heading home with our head full of new information, inspiration and new product ideas.  But rather than try to tell you about it, I thought it best to share some of my favourite photos from the past few days.  So here we go....

Day 1 Leadership Session - this year's Convention bag! Very classy.

Shannon West on stage

 Vanessa Webb on the bus on the way to our Managers Reception.....

.... on the way to the Australian Outback Spectacular show!

And it was a great night! Thank you Stampin'Up!

 Day 2 - General session and CATALOGUE LAUNCH!!!

Look what I got! (Who wants one??!!)

One of my favourite kits from the new catalogue... how cute is this??

New Incolors for 2015-17!

Lounging around with the girls in the Recognition lounge! Vanessa Webb, Denielle Bernauer and myself :-) (Can you believe we all chose to wear the same colour?)

Overnight we had furious winds raging outside our apartments..... this is where are chairs and tables were found the next morning....

My roomies for this trip... Wanda, Nerida and Courtenay :-)  Thanks for being awesome to stay with.

Day 3 - Awards night, and after party

Bonnie Farley (Nee Thurber) and myself before the night began...

 Achievers Award winners for 2015 (L-R Kylie Bertucci, Claire Daly, Marelle Taylor, myself, Jacque Williams, Tracey Penn, Vanessa Webb.  Alisa Tilsner was unable to attend. Sara Douglass was there to give us a hug too)

Our beautiful flowers we were given with our awards

This year's 22 Grand Vacation winners for 2015 for Australia and New Zealand.  This year we are off to Hawaii!

Australian Top 5 for Leadership 2015.  (L-R Kim Gavarra, Marelle Taylor, myself and Kylie Bertucci.  Missing was Alisa Tilsner.  We are pictured with Sara Douglass from SU)

The 80's After Party!

Day 4 - last day

 And the sun finally decided to come out!

Delectable snacks in the Recognition Lounge

Chat and relaxing in the lounge with the girls

I don't want to completely overwhelm you so thats probably enough for you at the moment. But we had so much fun!  If you want to see more of what we got up to then click over to my Facebook Business page for more.  Make sure you hit "like" so that you can come back and visit again.