20% OFF THE STARTER KIT

Stampin’ Up have been having some awesome deals during June.  This week’s offer ends tomorrow so please be sure to get in touch if you would like to order some heavily discounted stamp sets.  Some of the sets are 50% off! Can’t beat a deal like that!

Stampin’ Up ALSO have an awesome offer for anyone who may be interested in becoming a demonstrator

Have YOU ever considered becoming a Stampin’ Up! Demonstator?  Perhaps just a fleeting thought? Perhaps you have already given it a fair deal of thought?  Perhaps you are looking at a great way to earn some cash working your own hours???

I must admit that when I signed up as a demonstator I was just hooked on the products and wanted to be able to access them at a discounted price.  I never dreamed I would be able to earn money while doing something I loved.  I never imagined that I would have a growing team of demonstrators or to receive awards from Stampin Up!   I mean come on think about it- I just wanted some goodies for free but wow this is so much fun and I really have to pinch myself that I was named Stampin’ Up!’s top NEW demonstrator in Australia. 

Stampin’ Up are now making it even easier for you to start your own little business

Just imagine receiving your starter kit valued at over $560 for ONLY $259! 
Just imagine being one of the first to know about new product releases!
Just imagine receiving discounted products from Stampin’ Up!
Just imagine receiving extra bonuses through the Stampin’ Start program!
Just imagine being able to set your own hours getting paid to do what you LOVE!

Just imagine the people you will meet and friendships you will form!

Whether you’re looking for some money to supplement the household income OR just wanting to pick up some discounts and freebies for your own personal use then why not ask me for more information.  You can read some more information by clicking on the image of the starter kit.  I would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have- (obligation free of course!)
 

From now until-31 July, get a 20 percent discount on the Starter Kit when you join Stampin’ Up! as a demonstrator!

You can even sign up online at my Demonstrator Business Website.  Click on image below- (You will need a password from me to complete the process of signing up so please be sure to get in touch if you would like to join my team!) 

It is time for the second Stampamemory challenge for June

This month the challenge is………

Challenge 12 -Create a layout about your family pet or your favourite animal. If you don’t have a pet, you may have a photo of an animal you liked at the zoo, or perhaps you’ve even been on safari! This challenge is all about enjoying animals!

I must confess I cheated in a BIG way! I do have photos of our family pets as well as trips to the zoo but none of the photos were accessible.  Instead I opted to scrapbook a layout of my youngest son dressed up as an animal.  My husband took the photo last month on his i-phone.  Some may think that I am stretching the challenge a little but those who know my little Luke well would think it was the perfect choice.  Common ‘petnames’ include “tiger” and “monkey” amongst a few so I think he was the best choice of subject for my layout

Materials:

basic black cardstock

Haiku Designer series paper pack

Bigshot with alphabet die

Chipboard letters

Old Olive Ink

Round tab punch

Journalling reads:

More often than not you refer to your face as “my smiley face”.  If I try to wipe your face with a face washer or put a bit of cream on a dry patch of your skin you might protest “I don’t want a smiley face”.  On this particular day you obviously didn’t protest about having a “smiley face”. 

I had gone away for the weekend and you had all stayed home with Dad.   Erin and Adam had been invited to the birthday party of a little friend from school. Daddy stayed there at Hammond Park with you and Jared. Even though you weren’t officially a guest of the party you were lucky enough to have your ‘smiley face’ painted by “Angie the Fairy” (face painting extraordinaire)  

Daddy knew that I would love to see your face painted like this so snapped a photo of you on his mobile phone.  It was so fitting to have your face painted as a “Tiger” because you are going through a bit of stage where you growl like a tiger at every opportunity.  (We have Uncle Shane to thank for that little trick!)

(Oh and given that I was away- you can also thank Daddy for putting your shirt on back to front!)

Now if you want to play along with this month’s challenge please head on over to

http://www.stampamemory.com

to view the full challenge requirements and to see the other fabulous layouts by the design team

JUNE IN-HOME CLASSES

I am offering three dates for classes at my home between now and the end of June.  All three classes will be completely different so feel free to book into just one or you could opt to come along to all three and complete a variety of different projects.

When?

FRIDAY 25th JUNE

and

MONDAY 28th June

and

WEDNESDAY 30th June
 

Where? My place (Address provided when you book your spot)

Time?  7.15pm

Cost?  $15 (or order at least $90 worth of product on the night and I will waive the class free. 

Bookings are absolutely essential as this allows me to ensure that I have enough seating space and materials for all participants.  Please contact me to secure your spot as soon as possible.

New participants are always welcome.  Please feel free to bring a friend!

For both classes tea/coffee/ water will be supplied and a light snack.  If you would prefer to bring along something else to eat or drink- please feel free to do so!

Some of the stamp sets in the catalogue are great to use directly on your cardstock base.  Other stamp sets lend themselves well to “Paper Piecing”.  This involves stamping your image and then cutting it out and attaching it to your card.  I find I will often stamp onto different coloured papers and when you build up the image to a completed image it will include lots of different colours. The best scissors by far are the PAPER SNIPS in the main catalogue.  If you do not have a pair of these scissors you MUST get yourself a pair!

Here is a simple example of “Paper piecing” using the “Build a roo” stamp set to create a bright, fun card for a child’s birthday.  You can see where I have stamped and cut out the kangaroo, balloon and even the child’s name.  You could even add things like a joey in the pouch.

This card was an irregular shape so I had to make my own envelope using a matching sheet of designer series paper

I find that making envelopes can be easier than people think. You can discard any confusing measurement conversions and you simply use your completed card as a guide of where to fold and cut.  It is just a matter of leaving flaps on all four edges of your card and then folding them over.  Honestly it is that easy!

I started by folding my designer series paper in half and made sure my card would fit inside the fold

I then used my paper trim to cut the paper down to the size of the card (of course leaving room for flaps) I used the paper trimmer and bone folder to add fold lines.  So that your card will fit nicely inside your envelope don’t forget to leave about 5 millimetres (1/2 cm) between the edge of the card and where you make your fold lines.

I find  it can look effective to use a corner rounder punch on some of the corners of the flaps.

Add sticky strip the flaps you have created and secure all but one end (The end I left open for this envelope was one of the shorter ends)

Pop your completed card inside

and seal to close

Too easy!

Wow! This weeks “Deal of the week” is all about stamp sets.  You can receive the following stamp sets at a huge discount.  The offer is valid for one week only so please be sure to contact me with your orders and payment BEFORE Tuesday 22nd June!

Please don’t miss out on your chance to order the discounted Designer Series paper.  The offer ends TODAY.    Please see the previous post for more details and contact me if you’re interested. I’ve made use of one of the paper packs on special-  Here’s a cute little birthday card I have created using the Sweet Slumber Speciality Designer Series paper and the PARTY HEARTY stamp set.

Wow! Stampin’ Up have a great deal for you all this week.  Selected packs of Designer Series paper are HEAVILY Discounted.  Grab yourself a bargain!

There is no minimum purchase and no limit on the number of items you can order.

Stampin Up! Deal of the week ends on Tuesday 15th June.  Please be sure to contact me BEFORE then to place your order  miriamthomas@westnet.com.au  Mobile: 0419 947 047

Well I’m back from Convention…. I haven’t been away all this time of course- Just limited computer time since my return…..but I know you don’t want to hear any excuses about how busy I’ve been- You just want to hear about Convention- don’t you?

For those who are unaware- the Stampin’ Up! Convention is a once a year gathering of Stampin’ Up! demonstrators.  There are social and training opportunities as well as an awards night.  This year I believe there were about 500 demonstrators in attendance for the Convention in Sydney.

Before Convention began I had a full day in Sydney for a bit of much- needed rest and relaxation.  I had a very cruisy day with my upline, Claire Daly and a late lunch with some other members of the team. 

On the Thursday night before Convention officially commenced there was a special Reception for Managers (and above)  It was nice to meet with the US and Australian staff in an intimate setting and mingle with other Stampin’ Up demonstrators.  As a special gift we were greeted with the most enormous mugs.  They were filled with a big scoop of melted chocolate and frothy milk- the most delicious hot chocolate! Just divine!  These mugs were SO huge that rather than being concerned about a ‘milk moustache’ I was concerned about getting milk froth on my forehead.    See what I mean!!!

All Managers in attendance received a mug to take home.  It was gift wrapped with the Matching ”Share a cup” Stamp set from the Autumn- Winter Mini.  Stampin’ Up! are such a generous company!

The gifts didn’t stop there.  All demonstrators who attended the Convention received a bag containing yet to be released stamp sets. We received three stamp sets in total as well as some yummy rub-ons.    Now I wish I could share those stamp sets with you- however I can’t show them until the release of the new catalogue on the 1st of September!  One of the things I really love about being a demonstrator is being able to see the new products that are available before they are released to everyone else!  :-)  (If this is something that sounds appealing please be sure to ask me for more information about becoming a demonstrator too!)

One of the great things about getting together with other Demonstrators is the opportunity to share ideas with each other.  One of the ways this happens at Convention is through “swaps”.  We all make some samples using Stampin’ Up products and “swap” these with other demonstrators.  Most people make a card but I tend to make ‘mini scrapbook layouts’.  Originally I didn’t think I would have the time to make any swaps before I left but at the last minute I chopped up some designer series paper and ran some dies through my bigshot and decided I would make some swaps after all!   In the end I sat in the hotel foyer assembling my swaps and enlisted the help of my roomie Sue Madex to secure the ‘project recipes’ on the back.  It was all a bit of a rush and to be honest with you- I was not competely happy with how they turned out.  I wish I had the time to add a bit more detail- at the very least sponge around the edges of the cardstock but alas things didn’t work out that way…but at least I was able to share in the buzz of swapping at Convention.  Here are the 6 x 6 layouts I created….

DESIGNER SERIES PAPER: Cottage Wall

STAMP SET: Cottage Garden

CARDSTOCK: Kraft, Rich, Razzleberry, Old Olive, Orchid Opulence, Whisper white

BIGSHOT and DIES: Stampin’ Up! Top note die, Sizzlets Lots of tags, Stampin’ Up Little leaves

Over the next couple of days we watched talks and demonstrations and participated in ‘make and takes’ Here is Shelli Gardner (CEO) during one of her presentions on stage.  

There was also lots of eating and drinking and chatting.  One night at dinner we were even treated to fireworks.

Now although the fireworks were a ‘blast’- the biggest ‘bang’ for me was the Dinner and Awards Banquet on the final night.  When the doors opened we were greeted by the paparazzi as we walked the red carpet. (Thanks for the pic Sue- I wasn’t prepared for this kind of welcome and didn’t have my own camera handy!)

The table centre pieces were to die for.  Beautiful glass bowls filled with tulips and a candle.  The photo really doesn’t do them justice.

I was so thrilled to be able to share in the night and witness my upline, Claire Daly and also my sideline/ fellow team member Sue Madex walk the stage to receive their awards.  I was so proud to be sitting next to Claire when it was announced that she was Australia’s Top Demonstrator of the Year.    How amazing is that!? It was so lovely to see all of their hard work recognised like that!

I got to ‘walk the stage’ to receive a sales award and also a ‘recruiting’ award.  I was absolutely blown away when it was announced that I was Australia’s first “RISING STAR”  (Top NEW Demonstrator of the year)

It was so nervewracking having to stand on stage for a photo- I was so blown away I didn’t even think to turn sideways for a more flattering photo LOL!   I will share the pic if you promise not to laugh.    This is me on stage with Shelli Gardner (Stampin’ Up Co-founder and CEO), Emma Parker Wilson (NZ Manager) and Aaron Scott ( Regional business development manager, Australia)

Here is the gorgeous Sue and I after the Awards night with our roses, certificates, pins and goodies (Yes more yet to be released STAMP SETS)

As I’m sure you can imagine I had such a wonderful time away and I have so many great ideas to share with you.  If you are keen to book a workshop and see some of the products in action then please be sure to get in touch!

Cheers!

Miriam

miriamthomas@westnet.com.au

(08) 90917655

0419 947 047