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#simplestamping WE WERE ALL BEGINNERS ONCE

20TH JANUARY, 2019

I can remember going to my first cardmaking class … it was a class held by a local Stampin’ Up! ® demonstrator. Although I had experience with scrapbooking and a variety of textile crafts, this was something all together new.

Can you remember your first experiences?

I had no idea what a bone folder was … or a Big Shot … or Tombow … or dimensionals … and DSP was totally foreign to me.

That all seems so long ago and now that I’ve fully embraced everything Stampin’ Up!, it is important for me to remember that there are lots of you who have yet to get your fingers inky …

… and there are those of who have dabbled in stamping, cardmaking, memory keeping and paper crafts from time to time – and you might even have some of your own tools and products …

… and then, there are those of you who craft regularly, have lots of tools and products [and probably a wish list] and look forward to getting back into your crafting space to make something again.

This year, I plan to incorporate projects in my classes [face to face, in the post and online] to meet each of your stages of creativity.

Here are some samples to help you see what I mean:

I have chosen to use some of the new products available in the 2019 Occasions Catalogue and Sale-a-bration Brochure – Beauty Abounds Stamp Set and Butterfly Beauty Thinlits Dies.

CARD ONE … paper, ink and stamps are the key elements for a beginner stamper. If you join a class, you will also have opportunities to use some of other tools that more experienced crafters use. In this case. I used the Thinlits Dies and the Big Shot to cut out some layered butterflies.

A Whisper White card, stamped with a textured stamp and the sentiment from the chosen set using Soft Sea Foam to create a subtle background. A beginner stamper will be shown how to stamp and stamp off. The butterflies are adhered using Tombow multipurpose glue. #simplestamping

CARD TWO – adding some more elements, using the same layout concept. This time, I’ve added some of the Gingham Gala 6″x6″ DSP [designer series paper] and some Gingham Gala adhesive-backed sequins to lift the card and give a crafter with some experience in techniques something to work with. the sentiment is stamped onto a separate piece of card stock and run through the Big Shot using the new Rectangle Stitched Framelits Dies.

CARD THREE – for an avid crafter, something that a beginner might not be comfortable trying on their first few encounters. This card still uses the products already mentioned, although the DSP colours are different [Daffodil Delight in Card 2 and Highland Heather for this card].

As you can see, the same textured stamp from card one has been used to stamp onto the DSP. A bow has been added, using the coordinating organdy Ribbon Combo Pack that is free from the Sale-a-bration Brochure with any $90 order [see Brochure or ask me for details]. The base butterfly piece was cut out in Highland Heather and the top Whisper White layer was daubed around the edges. A Pearlised Doily was coloured using a Stampin’ Blend and the sentiment stamped and cut using a banner die from the Lakeside Framelits. Add a few sequins and some Wink of Stella for a glittery finish.

Three cards using the same basic layout concept but with three very different results.

I hope you can join me and make projects that suit your level of experience while giving you opportunities to try techniques and tools and ideas you haven’t tried before.


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2019 … AN EXCITING NEW YEAR

Well, after 35 years, I have finished teaching and we have just put our home on the market. Rob and I will be moving from Bargara to Kangaroo Point in Brisbane.

After a challenging 2018, exciting trip to On Stage in Orlando and getting the house ready to sell, I now have time to get back into my wonderful world of creating with Stampin’ Up! ® .

Now I can focus fully on mmm…Stampin’ Time – classes, workshops, videos, projects by post and lots of other adventures that I have planning to do.

I hope to stay connected with all the lovely ladies in Bundaberg who have come along to classes over the past five years, as well as meet new stampers when I move to Brisbane.

FIRST CARD FOR 2019

I saw a video by Jennifer McGuire where she used stamped and die cut images to creat a floating frame card. I used the new Forever Lovely stamp set and fussy cut it for this card.


The trick is to use Glas Press’n Seal wrap, which you can’t find on any supermarket shelves in Australia [that I know of] but you can order it here from USAFoods – this is where I also source my rolls of waxed paper.

I hope that everyone has an amazing and creative 2019,

Michele

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COUNCIL MEMBER

We all go through times in our lives when things don’t quite go as planned. I had plans for my business this year that could not come to fruition but am proud that I was able to ensure these last four months of my mother’s life were comfortable and dignified. She passed away last Wednesday and my family will come together this Friday to celebrate her remarkable life.

I know that the plans I have for my business will come into effect over the next 12 months.

When the opportunity arose to apply to be a founding Council member, I applied – as Sarah challenged us to do – move beyond your comfort zone. Because I am soon to retire from a 35 year teaching career, and have plans to build my business, I felt this was an amazing opportunity for me to contribute to the Stampin’ Up! community.

I completed my application and learned how to use Zoom to be interviewed by Em Jane Wilson for the QLD/NZ Demonstrator Council.

I am incredibly proud and excited to have been selected to join the QLD/NZ Council and look forward to achieving the goals outlined below.

FROM THE WEEKLY UPDATES 2018 OCTOBER 30

These 2018–2019 Demonstrator Council members will partner with the Demonstrator Development Managers (DDMs) as ambassadors for and champions of Stampin’ Up! to motivate and inspire demonstrators. They will serve in this role for at least a year.

The councils will work with their DDM to focus on issues such as:

  • Finding ways to keep demonstrators connected and engaged with Stampin’ Up!
  • Helping demonstrators get new customers.
  • Helping demonstrators increase their sales.
  • Finding ways to make recruiting easier.

You may see them leading projects or giving challenges which could mean you see them posting related information on social media, for example. Since this is a new programme, the roles of Demonstrator Council members may change over time. Congratulations to our first-ever Demonstrator Council members!

I hope to connect with as many Demonstrators as I can during my time on this Council.

Michele