Alaska Achievers Blog Hop - NEW PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT!

Welcome to this month's Alaska Achiever's Blog Hop!  Thank you so much for visiting my blog today.  I am excited to be hopping again with some of our other achievers this month.  We are all getting pretty excited as right now its just 3 weeks until we sail from Seattle to Alaska with Stampin'Up on their annual incentive trip.  SOOOO EXCITING!  Im excited about visiting somewhere I've never been, excited about our new Holiday catalogue (which will be revealed to demonstrators on the trip!) and excited to see all the surprises and fun that Stampin'Up have planned for us.  But you know what I'm most excited about?? Seeing so many of my awesome demonstrator friends from all over the world!  There is so much affection between the wider demonstrator group, and I just cant wait to see them!

At the bottom of this post you will find a list of all the Blog Hoppers this month... click the names on the list to visit each blog.

So as we have just released the new Annual Catalogue, we are showcasing new products for our Bloghop this month.  And I wanted to highlight one of my absolute favourite new things... its the Stamparatus! The Stamparatus is our new Stamp Positioning tool and I am so excited about all the new things it can do... and learning more all the time!  Today I've made a little video to show you the "Wreath Technique".... just one more Stamparatus idea.... and its SO COOL!  The card you see above has been made using this technique.... and let me tell you that there is NO WAY I could possibly line up all those stamps so perfectly without it!  Its not the first video I have made with the Stamparatus so if you would like to see more ideas, make sure you subscribe to my YouTube channel so that you can learn even more about it.

Here is the video:

And here is the list of blog hoppers this month.... just click the name below mine to continue the hop.  I hope you find lots of ideas and inspiration.... and I'll see you again next month! (And check back next month when I will be updating my photos from our trip!)

Linda D

Did you miss me? Why I've been so quiet.....

You probably all think I've been having a bit of a holiday since I haven't posted here on my blog for a week or so.  But no, its kinda the opposite!  I've been fabulously busy working on the Sydney Craft and Quilt Fair at Darling Harbour.  Right now we are up to day 3 of 5 (not counting the set up day!) and we are tired but very happy and excited about the energy of the show.

Today was day 3 and we had lots of lovely people coming to our stand.  At the stand people can watch product demonstrations, check out new projects, make a card for free and even place orders and buy new catalogues.  We've been having a ball!  There are still 2 days left of the show so if you have any free time over the weekend come along to the International Convention Centre and see us at the Craft show.  There are loads of other exhibitors with awesome stuff, and there is really lots to see and do!

Here's a few of my crafty friends visiting me at the stand!

We are also offering catalogue show bags during the show, so if you do come past make sure you ask about those! Of course you will find a catalogue inside but some other goodies too... and they are only $5!

So please come and see us, and don't forget to say hello!

(I'll be back to regular programming next week!)

Linda D

PS My card today is the thank you card I sent to all my online orderers last month.... Thank you for supporting my business!!!  Here's a bunch of them before they hit the post!  Thank you for supporting my business!!!

Share what you Love Scrapbook Layout for this week's class in the Hunter!

Every second month I run an all day Scrapbooking class in the Hunter Valley at the Taste of the Country cafe, Pokolbin.  In the morning we make a couple of simple layouts, and then after a yummy lunch we do some Memories and More Pocket scrapbooking to finish off the day.  The classes are small and intimate, and I love running them!  And what better place to do something that you love than a awesome little cafe in a gorgeous part of the world??

That day is tomorrow, Thursday 14th June.  Last week I posted one of the layouts (you can see it HERE) and today I am posting another.  The class is great for beginner scrappers and I work with them to make sure the layouts work with their photos.  So what each person ends up with is sometimes quite different to my original idea. But thats ok!  Its all about each person's individual requirements, so there is a lot of flexibility.

My page above features the "Share what you Love" DSP from our brand new catalogue.  Im not normally a "green" person, but I think the colours in this paper and the Tranquil Tide green go so beautifully together.  I think the girls will enjoy working with the colours in this DSP pack.

If you are ever curious to come along to one of our classes (usually a Thursday) please contact either myself or Louise at the Taste of the Country Cafe in Pokolbin.  It's a great day out!

Linda D

Rooted in Natures and Wood Textures make a perfect pair!

Since its release at the beginning of this month I've been using the "Rooted in Nature" bundle a LOT.  I liked it since I first saw it, but now that Im actually using it I am super happy at how versatile it is.  Some sets lend themselves to lots of different types of projects... and this is one of those.  Masculine cards, birthday cards, just because cards and even Christmas cards... you can do so much with this gorgeous bundle!

And the framelits have an extra bonus because there are 12 dies in the set, but 3 of these are actually embossing dies, rather than cutting dies.  I used them on my card today to do the detail on those gold leaves... I cut the leaf shapes with the dies and then added the detail with the embossing dies. You dont need any special equipment to make that happen.... you just run them through your Big Shot as per usual.  So this makes it even more versatile in what you can do!

(Even though its not part of the suite I used the Wood Textures DSP today on my card because it goes so well with it!)   Here it is if you havent checked it out before:

Wood Textures Designer Series Paper Stack [144177] $19.25

Other products in this lovely suite include a pack of 4 different coloured twines, some gorgeous Leaves Trinkets (in both silver and copper) and the lovely Nature's Poem DSP... and a cardstock pack to match the DSP.  You'll find these gorgeous items on pages 142-144 of your new Annual Catalogue from Stampin'Up!

I've included a product list below should you wish to purchase any of these items for yourself.  I just love them, and Im sure you havent seen the last of them for a long while yet.  :)


Here are the items in the Nature's Poem suite:

Product List

Rooted In Nature Clear-Mount Bundle [148353] $126.75	Rooted In Nature Wood-Mount Bundle [148352] $147.50	Leaves Trinkets [146343] $14.00	Nature's Twine [146342] $15.75
Nature's Poem Designer Series Paper [146338] $19.25	Nature's Poem A4 Cardstock Pack [146340] $14.75

Scrapbooking Layout with the Delightfully Detailed Laser-cut DSP

If you've been following along, you would know that this gorgeous Speciality paper is one of my absolute favourite items out of the brand new catalogue that was released on June 1st.  And is it any wonder when it is sooo beautiful??

Yesterday I sat down to design a scrapbook layout for an upcoming class. I knew I wanted to use this paper (I know the girls will love it!) and I knew I wanted to use this photograph.  Its almost a year since my mother passed away, but the beauty of this gesture still brings me to tears.  This rose was placed on her in the moments after she passed, and was such a simple but beautiful gift from the nurses in the unit where Mum had been.  They cared for her in such an amazing way, and I was so grateful for them.  So it was nice to be able to use this photograph in this way... and this paper is the perfect way to show it.

Its a little hard to see in the picture, but I used the paper itself as a mask over the background. I started with a piece of Very Vanilla 12" x 12" paper, placed my Laser cut DSP over the top and then spritzed the colour over the top, before removing the DSP.  In this way one piece of DSP could be used many times over.  I then cut a section of the paper to adhere over the corner of the photograph itself. The diet pieces are from the Stitched Labels framelit set, and I used my Large Letters framelits to cut the word "Cherish" from Champagne Foil paper.  The final touch was a bow tied with the Dotted Tulle Ribbon in Very Vanilla.

Its actually a very simple layout, but the DSP makes it so special with its intricate design.

I hope you like my layout today, and I really hope the girls at class this week love it too!

Linda D
x

2 spots left at tomorrow's NEW CATALOGUE LAUNCH!

I am running another launch tomorrow afternoon in my home studio, and right now I have 2 spots left! I'd love you to come along and join us!  Cost is $20 and you'll get everything supplied.... your new catalogue (if you dont already have one), your supplies to make some gorgeous projects, afternoon tea and a fabulous afternoon with crafting friends. There are giveaways, specials and prizes.  If you are driving distance of the Central Coast I'd love you to come along!

So thats Saturday, 9th June @ 2pm.

I just need to know you are coming so click HERE to email me and let me know!  If you need the address I can give you that when you book in.

The cards above are a little sneak peek of just one thing you will make!

Dont miss it!

Linda D
0412 375 552

My number 1 top selling NEW CATALOGUE PRODUCT from Stampin'Up Australia

Its been an amazing week with our gorgeous NEW CATALOGUE from Stampin'Up!  It went live last Friday, June 1st, and beautiful new products have been snapped up with glee by my customers!  I know its early days, and over time things can change, but right now there is one clear winner... one item that everyone wants!

Can you guess what it is???

Yep, its the absolutely gorgeous Delightfully Detailed Laser Cut DSP!  If you somehow missed this in the catalogue then I'd be grabbing my catalogue again and checking it out on pages 39 and 189.  The truth is that the catalogue really doesn't do this beautiful paper justice.... but I can promise you that EVERYONE that has seen it in real life has been blown away by how beautiful it is!

In the pack there are 2 different designs of the paper (as shown) and 4 sheets of each (so a total of 8), and it retails for $24.25.  There are so many different ways to use it!  Like on my card today... I've simple chopped up pieces of the all-over design to add to my card front.  It does require you to fiddle around a little with your scissors, but I can promise you that the results are TOTALLY worth it! The other sheet, with the card front panels can be easily cut with your trimmer.

I made a litte video to show it to you a little better, and to give you some tips and ideas for using it:

If you'd like to order some of this gorgeous DSP (or any other Stampin'Up product) for yourself, then head to my ONLINE STORE.  All you need is your credit card... items are shipped to you anywhere in Australia!

Enjoy!

Linda D

Rooted in Nature and the Stamparatus... Perfect Stamping at our Launch yesterday!

Yesterday I held my first launch from the New Catalogue... and I have to say it was a great day! I had a great group of awesome ladies that came along and crafted with me... and we made some very cool stuff. This was also my first event to make a full card using the brand new Stamparatus that is now available from Stampin'Up... (you can get one in my ONLINE STORE if you think you need one too!)

By the way, if you missed my launch yesterday don't worry... I am holding a second launch next Saturday 9th June @ 2pm.  Only 3 spots left at the time of writing this!  Click HERE if you would like to  email me to book your spot! 

I am ABSOLUTELY LOVING this new tool... and yesterday I really understood for the first time how it is going to change the way I prepare for classes!  Usually I get people to stamp their image (in this case the tree), and then they have to go to the Big shot and cut it out.  Not anymore!  I was able to cut a bunch of "blank" shapes with the Big Shot when I was preparing for the class. Then in class they just had to stamp on them.... and normally there is no way I would do this.  Its just too challenging to ask people to stamp precisely onto a die-cut shape... especially one this intricate.  What are the chances that a full class of people would mess up stamping on that die?? Pretty high! And thats not a lack of skill on my attendees' part either... its really hard.

Not anymore!  The stamparatus makes this sooooo easy... and I ended up with a full class of ladies with perfectly stamped AND die-cut trees!  Sooooo cool!  Want to learn how?? Im running a Stamparatus basics class on the following dates... the cost to attend is $25.

Dates:

Tuesday 12th June @ 7.30pm

or

Wednesday 13th June @ 11.15am

Even if you don't own a Stampartus positioning tool, and are just curious as to what its about, come along and see for yourself!  We won't be able to cover every technique in this class, but we will go over all the basic techniques and I think you are going to love it!  Click HERE to email me your RSVP!

The other Stamparatus technique on this card is the "Hinge-step technique"... and i've used it to do the background stamping of the sentiment. I think this is fabulous.. especially for masculine cards!

I've included a Product list below to all the items I've used on this card.  I hope you love it! Dont forget to click the SHOP NOW button to order any of your Stampin'Up products from our BRAND NEW CATALGOUE! Enjoy!

Linda D

Product List

Rooted In Nature Clear-Mount Bundle [148353] $126.75	Rooted In Nature Wood-Mount Bundle [148352] $147.50	Stamparatus [148187] $85.00	Mint Macaron A4 Cardstock [138344] $14.00
Sahara Sand A4 Card Stock [121695] $14.00	Nature's Poem Designer Series Paper [146338] $19.25	Whisper White A4 Thick Cardstock [140490] $12.25	Sparkle Glimmer Paper [146957] $8.75
Champagne Foil Sheets [144748] $7.00	Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies [145372] $50.00	Sahara Sand Classic Stampin' Pad [126976] $11.50	Tranquil Tide Classic Stampin' Pad [144085] $11.50
Neutrals Stampin' Write Markers [131261] $40.75	Whisper White 5/8" (1.6 Cm) Polka Dot Tulle Ribbon [146912] $13.00	Leaves Trinkets [146343] $14.00	Linen Thread [104199] $8.00

Today's the Day! Stampin'Up Australia's new catalogue launches TODAY!

Happy new catalogue day!!!

Today is the day we can finally order from the brand new 2018 Stampin'Up catalogue!  If you are wanting to place an order or even just to visit the Online Store and check out what's on offer, then you won't be able to do that until Midday today June 1st.  The Online ordering system is down this morning whilst they transition to the new catalogue, but it will be back up this afternoon for all your ordering needs!  To visit the Online Store you can click the SHOP NOW button any time.

Today's card makes use of lots of new products!  I've used the gorgeous new Host set "Very Vintage" for both the background AND the sentiment.  If you have your eye on this beautiful set it is available with a $250 order, or when you host a get together with your friends and orders total $250 or more.  If you are placing an order through the Online Store and it is $250 or more, DO NOT use the host code as you will not then get the option to receive hostess benefits (which can include this gorgeous set for free
!)  But for orders UNDER $250 please do use the hostess code as this means that all the smaller orders get bundled together and I can send you all a small gift for ordering through the store. To read more about this, visit the tab above titled "Online Order Thank you Gifts".

The colours I've used today are also new.  The background is a gorgeous new neutral called "Gray Granite", and the pink is called "Petal Pink".  If I had to describe the pink I would say it is more of a salmony pink.  But I do love these two colours together!  With so many new colours in the new catalogue I think we are going to see lots of gorgeous new combinations.

And that dotty ribbon is simply divine!  Did I mention that it comes in both White and Vanilla??

I hope you love my card..... and I hope you LOVE the new catalogue!  Please don't hesitate to CONTACT ME if you have any questions or queries.

Enjoy!

Linda D x