2011 Autumn/Winter Mini Catalogue Launch

2 Catalogue Launch Dates & Venues to choose from

Wednesday 6^th April 7-9pm

Ursula's Studio

40 Exilis St, Rochedale

Sunday 10^th April 2-5pm

Liz's Home Studio

17 Mossvale Dve, wakerley

Cost $5

includes

your personal copy of the mini catalogue

2 gorgeous make & takes

demonstration & light refreshments

door prize entry

These are all designed as 'drop in drop out' events, which means you can arrive at any time between the times listed. The make & takes will take approximately 15 minutes each to complete, with the demonstration taking a similar time. Other opportunities will be catalogue highlights, displays, refreshments and of course chatting, so who knows maybe you will stay for the entire time & you are most welcome to do so.

RSVP essential

3348 9456 | 0448 896 001 | liz@danichbe.com

$5 may be paid at the launch

Angel Footprints Program Thank You

A very big thank you to all the demonstrators who took the time to reply to a discussion that I placed on Stampin' Connection, which is our Stampin' Up! Demonstrator Online Community, as well as very special thank you's to Sherylee Tutt and Rebecca Ross, who were able to help supply the 2 Whimsical Lower Case Alphabets that were needed to complete 2 more hospital boxes. Sherylee's donation also arrived with a most beautiful card (photo below) which was a lovely surprise!

If you are interested in donating some time to continue to help put these cards together, our craft group meets each Tuesday 10am till 2pm and we work on these cards once a month. Craft Group is held at the Wynnum Manly Workers Club in Tingalpa, Brisbane.

Alternately, keep a watch out for our famous Christmas Card Workshops in October, where we have heaps of Stampin' Up! prizes and card competitions that assist us in raising the funds that go towards the cardstock and other materials needed to make these cards.

For further information, please contact me by phone or email

3348 9456 | 0448 896 001 | liz@danichbe.com

Dasher Christmas Card

My friend Isa and I, got together recently to design a Christmas Card using the 'Dasher' Stamp Set, featuring Night of Navy & Tempting Turquoise. This is what we came up with and we were pretty pleased with our efforts, although we are thinking we might be replacing the light gray scallop square with silver cardstock. We hope Isa's friend, who was looking for a design to make with the set she purchased, liked our efforts.

If you would like to get started on your Christmas cards early, I would be happy to help you with any aspect of the process; such as design, techniques & ordering. Please feel free to contact me.

liz@danichbe.com | 0448 896 001

Stampin' Write Markers & Clear Mount Stamps

When I was sitting down to replicate a cute scrapbook page design from our demonstrator's magazine, Impressions, I realised how cool our NEW clear mount stamps really are! Talk about a marriage made in heaven. Imagine being able to load up an acrylic block with letters to form a word and then inking each letter with the colour of your choice - fabuuuuulous!!!

Email me, book a workshop or come along to a class and I will be happy to demonstrate all the wonderful features these markers have.

An Invitation | Click for larger view

Sunday Scrapbooking Sneak Peek

Join me on Sunday 13th March at 2 pm to make three 8x8 scrapbooking pages featuring bright happy colours to make your heart sing! Learn a few tricks about creating your own patterned papers & creating colour coordinated accents, while you enjoy great company and a cuppa. Cost $10. RSVP essential liz@danichbe.com

This gorgeous page was inspired by the cover of the US 'Sale a Bration' brochure. You will also be able to modify the title and stamped expression to suit your photograph, using my vast library of stamps and die cuts.

Focus on Vintage Class Projects

Here are the projects from this mornings class. I just love the vintage style as well as our beautiful new colours such as 'Marina Mist' and 'Cherry Cobbler'. I really enjoyed making these projects!

Imagine having a lovely afternoon tomorrow, Sunday 13th March 2pm, at my home studio making three 8x8 scrapbook layouts. Cost is $10. Don't be disappointed - email me liz@danichbe.com to reserve your place.

Focus on Vintage

Layering, spritzing & tearing are just some of the techniques that evoke a vintage style. You are invited to come along to a 'Focus on Vintage' Workshop Saturday 12th March 10am at my home studio 17 Mossvale Dve, Wakerley, where you will make this gorgeous card complete with my favourite vintage brads! This is a FREE event. RSVP is essential to liz@danichbe.com

I will also be demonstrating a vintage 8x8 scrapbook page, which is sure to inspire you!

Stampin' Up! DSP Flowers

How simple it really is to create the most whimsical flowers using my favourite and extremely versatile 'Newsprint' DSP or Designer Series Paper. The flowers were cut using the Big Shot and the 'Flower Folds' Die, with the darling centers made with Stampin' Up! buttons with a pearl. Florists Wire was used to connect everything together with the assistance of some hot glue under the button to secure to the DSP.

Did you know that Stampin' Up! buttons coordinate with the 40 core colours and that you get more buttons than ever before in beautiful rich & luxurious tones. In fact you get a massive 72 beautiful buttons, 4 each of 3 designs in 6 colours. Choose between Brights, Subtles, Regals & Neutrals. Cost is $16.95AUD.

Explore Your Creativity with Stampin' Up!

Sale-A-Bration: Sweet Summer Project

Sale-A-Bration: Bliss Project

Needle Books Revisited | Big Shot Fabric

If you are lucky enough to own a Big Shot, you will know that you can also cut fabric using the original or 'steel rule' dies. I am just so impressed at how easily you can cut modern shapes to create 'today's crafts'. I wanted to create a project for my 'Big Shot Club' that would convey many of the ways that you can take best advantage of the dies, when working with fabric. So, I took the humble needle book and reinvented it with Big Shot Dies. Specifically, I used the 'Top Note', 'Scallop Square' and 'Pennant' Dies, PLUS an assortment of other dies for embellishments, to create my version of a needle book. The irony of this project, is that this is a 'NO SEW' needle book as we used a hot glue gun to put it all together. How about that - non sewers can make a nice gift for their sewing friends!

Customers, who have purchased a Big Shot machine from me, are eligible for 10 FREE Big Shot Club Classes. If you already have a Big Shot or are working towards one, the cost of the class is $10. I will share some photos from the class tomorrow!

It's not just FELT that the Big Shot cuts, tulle is no problem for this versatile machine! The white pom pom trim is not Stampin' Up! but let's just say, watch out for a super cool new trim in the upcoming Autumn/Winter Mini Catalogue. Be the first to hear about my catalogue launch by checking your emails and this blog!

Friends 24-7 | Broadsheet Alphabet

Don't you just love the NEW elegant 'In Color' BLUSHING BRIDE! This is my new favourite colour and looks stunning when complimented with black & white. Lots of photos on a scrapbooking page, is not my normal style, so I was really pleased when I was able to incorporate seven photos on one page using a 'collage meets colour blocking' template. 'Friends 24-7' stamp set, served as an elegant accent on my 'Blushing Bride' tiles, whilst white embossed 'Broadsheet Alphabet' Stamps, spell out my title 'On Ice'. The little flowers were created with the 'Boho Blossoms' punch with a basic pearl daintily perched on top.

You can easily recreate this page at home or I am happy to demonstrate this page at your workshop. Enjoy the close up photos and make sure you scroll down the page to view the stamps that I used as well as an ordering option.

Broadsheet Alphabet is available as a clear mount stamp set, which is wonderful as it makes it easy to line up individual letters without the need for a stamp positioner. You also save $16 by purchasing clear mount over wood mount.

120585 Clear Mount 'Broadsheet Alphabet' Stamp Set $61.95

You will also need a 'Clear Mount Block' to use this stamp set and the best block for this is block B, which is only $7.95, still making this a cheaper option to a wood mount set. Of course, you can use block B for other Stampin' Up! clear mount stamp sets.

117147 Block B $7.95

Friends 24-7 is one of those versatile stamp sets that you just keep reaching for as it is so versatile. This stamp set is only available as a wood mount set, which gives it the advantage of being ready to use.

115808 Friends 24-7 $45.95

The best news about these products, is that should you wish to purchase them before March 31st, you will qualify for a FREE Sale a Bration Stamp Set, which you can view via the link on the right hand side of this blog.

The total of these products is $115.85 plus $5.80 postage & handling straight to your door (AUSTRALIA ONLY) You may contact me direct on 0448 896 001 or liz@danichbe.com or use the Pay Pal option below. Please remember to tell me which Sale a Bration Stamp Set you would like for FREE and whether you would like WOOD or CLEAR MOUNT for your free set. If you already have a clear mount block, simply tell me and I will substitute this item for a 'Snail Refill' at no extra cost. When paying via Pay Pal, you DO NOT need to have a Pay Pal account - simply choose the option 'Don't have an account' with the Visa and MasterCard icons under it - there is no need to sign in.

Craft Group Sharing Day

Each week at Craft Group, we have a different theme. This week it was 'sharing day', where craft group members have the opportunity to share a demonstration, a make & take, a show & tell, a plate of food or their company. I would just like to say our first 'sharing day' was really fun and we all took ideas away from our time together. My make & take was this gorgeous card designed by Stampin' Up! and published in our monthly demonstrator magazine - there are so many great ideas to be found in this demonstrator resource and I just knew craft group would love to make this card which showcases a technique where you make your own coloured embossing powder - simply brilliant. Bet you didn't know you can MAKE 'Certainly Celery' embossing powder! I actually have more of these make & takes ready to go, so if you would like me to do this at your workshop, please contact me.

I wont be photographing every craft group share day, as I might get lynched by my fellow papercrafters, but I wanted to celebrate our inaugural share day with some photos!

Marjorie instructed us in making a terrific card which was held closed by an 'origami' style butterfly. She was so patient with me as I struggled with 2 left thumbs! I was really happy with my card as was everyone else, so a big thank you Marjorie.

Kim taught a cool Easter punch art bunny! With Easter not all that far away, this was a great project that we all loved! Thanks Kim! An extra big thank you goes to Kim because she cut out many of the shapes by hand as she didn't have the punches! I could never have done this - one because of my failing eyesight and the other my lack of patience.

Now, who knows who this is? Well if you check out my blog links, you will be able to answer this question! The rather amazing, unique, incredible EYE PATCH sprung up an an idea from last week's craft group, where Kim taught us Sesame Street Punch Art, which led to a conversation about felt punch art and then to of course a COOKIE MONSTER EYE PATCH! The fact that this 'not so mystery person' made the eye patch with one eye, only amazes me more. But I've learned never to be surprised by this person's talents - I learned long ago they are limitless!

OK Kate, don't kill me that I posted your photo, but I simply HAD TO - I mean really how could I leave you out after you shared 2 beautiful 'Emboss Resist' cards with us. They were awesome and I especially loved the 'Sahara Sand' card. Thank you Kate!

Finally, thank you to our participants and providers of morning tea. I hope to see you all again at the next 'share day'. Craft Group is held at the Wynnum Manly Workers Club, Bognor Rd, Tingalpa Tuesdays during school term 10am till 2pm. If you would like to come too, please contact me on 0448 896 001 or liz@danichbe.com

Plain & Simple Scrapbooking

As I am journalling this post, I realise I have cropped the bottom 1 1/2 inch strip of 'Whisper White' at the base of this layout - easy to do when you are photographing white on white. Never-mind, this is about generating ideas and not perfection! My new mantra for completing my scrapbooking UFO's (UnFinished Objects), that gives me permission to 'play' with the products I love & enjoy the process.

What I learned from this simple streamlined layout, is that when you have bold colourful papers, such as Stampin' Up!'s 'Greenhouse Gala' DSP, it is best to use small sections of paper or your layout will look too busy with patterns & colour overwhelming your photo(s).

"Antique Brads' do look absolutely stunning as a border feature, as does the addition of 'Fine Supernova Chocolate' Glitter to the small sizzlit alphabet. The glitter was adhered simply by applying two-way glue pen over the letters and smothering with glitter. As highlighted in a previous post, I used the 'Spritzer' to remove excess glitter.

Spritzer | Tool Tip

Today, I discovered a fabulous 'double duty' use for the 'Spritzer'. Most of us know this tool as the slightly disturbing looking gadget that resembles a 'Snot Sucker' (device that removes boogies from babies noses)

It's primary function, in reality, is a kind of manual air brush whereby you clamp a Stampin Write Marker into the holder so that the brush tip of the marker hangs over the nozzle where air rushes out. When you squeeze the 'Spritzer' chamber, this air sends tiny little particles of ink over your project. Basic translation is that it is kind of like paint flicking using a tooth brush.

So my other use of the 'Spritzer' is to leave the marker out, and simply use the capacity of this tool to blow air. This sure beats blowing excess glitter with your mouth as it probably does not take too much imagination to realize that the potential to add saliva to you project is high - so sorry if the idea of this is gross! The alternative is to brush away the excess glitter with a soft paint brush but this is slow & kind of boring! The 'Spritzer' on the other hand is fast & kind of cool!

I'm always really excited when I discover my tools have 'double duty' and I highly recommend the 'Spritzer' when glittering.

年賀状 | nengajō

What a great idea! My friend Chie makes nengajō or otherwise known as Japanese New Year Postcards each year. Chie has discovered a way of combining her love of creativity and Stampin' Up! products with the time saving scanning & postcard printing, to create her nengajō. Chie included her punch art white rabbit from the recent class she taught at my studio as it is year of the rabbit. If you would like to know more about nengajō, click here for a Wikipedia Link.

I just love this tradition and would love to make my own this year in December for 2012. Would anyone like to join me? Look out for Chie's punch art classes in my upcoming class schedules as well as a nengajō get together at the end of the year.

Ready for my Workshop tonight!

I am so looking forward to my workshop tonight as I really enjoy sharing what I love with other people. I have pre-cut my make & takes for the workshop participants as well as the demonstration card, gathered the tools & materials we will need, selected some 'show & tell' items, and also popped in a hand held punch as an alternative to the butterfly die we will be using in the Big Shot.


Here is a close up of a really easy but fabulous technique called 'faux silk'. There are several ways to do this and I just love how it has come up on the butterfly accent. This card uses 2 of the 4 FREE Sale a Bration stamp sets, that re currently available with each $100 product ordered. 'Bliss' & 'So Happy for You' are my 2 most favourite Sale a Bration Sets and I know my workshop participants tonight are going to love learning this technique as well as taking home their own personal make & take card.

'Love Defined' is a stamp set in the current mini catalogue and I just love this card design, which was actually designed by Stampin' Up! and displayed at the recent Incentive Trip. I have changed a few things, including the colours and ribbon to accommodate my supplies but I'm sure you'll agree, it's a lovely card! I have chosen this card to demonstrate tonight as I wanted to share with the workshop guests, some tricks and tips when using Stampin' Write Markers. How cool does it look when you stamp an image with more than one colour!

Workshops are tailored to the interests of the hostess and guests, so if you would like to focus on another aspect of papercrafting, such as scrapbooking or invitations or boxes etc, please contact me to book a workshop by email liz@danichbe.com or phone 0448 896 001. Time is running out on Sale a Bration, so please book in asap to avoid disappointment.

Have you ever thought about doing what I do? It's actually quite simple and as you can imagine a lot of fun. You don't need to have heaps of 'stuff' to run a great workshop and there is lots of assistance & inspiration provided by our 'Paper Angels' Group of Stampin' Up! Demonstrators. Check out my Stampin' Up! business site www.lizcollett.stampinup.net and click 'JOIN' to learn more. You are also welcome to contact me to ask any questions you may have. If you sign as a new demonstrator during 'Sale a Bration' you will receive heaps of extra bonuses as detailed in an earlier post Sale a Bration Best Time to Spend | Host | Join

Just Because

My youngest son, Benjamin, was in silly mode around dinner preparation time and needed his energies redirected! Now I have been told many times that this type of personality is in the name? What do you think?

I have been in clean up mode for some weeks and had a bunch of 'Blender Pens' that had seen better days. Basically I had turned them into 'In Color Stampin Write Markers' from previous years as Stampin' Up! used not to make these colours. Of course, I don't need to do this anymore as you can now order every single colour in markers which is wonderful. Back to the story - these old markers were pretty grungy and were destined for disposal after 5 years of service!

So what does an 8 year old boy like to do? Shoot (aka throw) the markers into the rubbish bin from a distance! Problem was it was still in the kitchen, so it didn't quite solve my problem of preparing dinner. Still it all got done, even if that meant a blender pen whizzing past me every now and then! Stampin' Up! products often have a 'double duty' but this is not the sort we usually think of!

FREE Valentines Make & Take Card

This lovely Valentine's Day card showcases the very versatile 'Stampin' Write Markers'. Designed by Stampin' Up! and displayed at the recent Inncentive Trip, I wanted to share this card with you. This Saturday is the final 'Focus on Love Defined Stamp Set' workshop 10am till 11.30am at my home studio 17 Mossvale Dve, Wakerley. This is a FREE workshop and you will get to make this card as well as a mini card bonus. These are your cards to make and take home with you! If you don't particularly want 'Happy Valentine's Day' as the card greeting, I have a selection of greetings for you to choose from.

Make some time for yourself on Saturday morning
and enjoy company & creativity.

RSVP 3348 9456 | 0448 896 001 or by email liz@danichbe.com

Words to Live by

I am a big fan of quote stamps and I do have rather a large collection. 'Occasional Quotes' is a level 3 Hostess Stamp Set, which means that you can earn your choice of clear or wood mount when you host a qualifying workshop. Imagine having 12 quotation stamps at your fingertips!

Please contact me on 0448 896 001 or email liz@danichbe.com to book your workshop.

Here is my finished page, which will be placed in the 'People we Love' album. All products are Stampin' Up! products and if you would like any further information, please do contact me and I will be happy to help you. Happy Scrapbooking!

Texture and Shimmer with Smooch Spritz

I just love my 'Silver Foil' Smooch Spritz, which is a pearlised accent spray, to create stunning backgrounds using a stencilling technique that not only adds depth & texture, but also a blanket of bling! I used my 'Beautiful Butterflies' Die to create the mask when stenciling and then offset the butterfly accent which I made using a new technique I will share with you soon. Smooch Spritz is also perfect for covering chipboard sooo easily - just a couple of spritzes completely covers the chipboard! It dries almost instantly although maybe that's the Queensland weather? Occasionally the nozzle will clog with paint particles but fixing that is simple - just pull off the nozzle and soak in detergent, rinse, dry and pop back on. Of course, the only time this happened was when I was demonstrating - Murphy's Law? Anyway, I'm a little addicted - can you tell? Expect to see more smooching from me!

Please enjoy the extra samples below and if you are intrigued, I would love to demonstrate this technique for you. During Febuary & March I am opening my studio up as a venue for YOUR workshop. All workshops can be at YOUR PLACE or MINE. If you choose MY PLACE, you provide the guests (minimum 3 ) and a packet of biscuits and I'll provide the make & take, demos, tea & coffee AND you will receive the HOSTESS BENEFITS associated with any order over $300. Sale a Bration is running out quickly and you don't want to miss the FREE stamp set you and your guests will receive with every $100 order.

Contact me now on 0448 896 001 or by email liz@danichbe.com

Sharing my Studio!

One of the many great things about being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator is that I am able to self fund all my craft purchases as well as contribute extra money into the household budget. With the new school year approaching, I used some of my January payment to purchase a double desk for my children to work on their computers.

The computers were previously in the girls' rooms, however, we never considered this ideal. Now that the girls have school provided laptops, my husband and I made the decision to move all the electronic activity into my studio. This will mean that my studio has 'double duty', which makes me feel better about the amount of space I occupy. But more importantly, I will be able to prepare for workshops but be easily available to help my children with their homework.

Imagine the difference extra money in your household budget would make! This is a business that is family friendly and you can choose your level of activity according to the time you have available.

If you would like to learn more, please contact me via my Demonstrator Web Site where you can also join immediately or email me liz@danichbe.com

Sale a Bration BEST TIME to spend | host | join

Click on images for larger view

When you join with me as a new demonstrator, you join an amazing community of friendly , creative and sharing stampers who will instantly make you feel welcome if you choose to come to one of our three Brisbane meeting sites or at the Stampin' Up! Annual Convention if you are a 'long distance demonstrator'. There are heaps of (optional) opportunities to assist in our charity endeavors, participate in challenges, attend discounted events & classes, plus there is even more in the pipeline this year.

As if this isn't enough, you get your discount from Stampin' Up! once you are a demonstrator and you may choose to then sell to others so that you can self fund your hobby or make some extra income. Stamping and papercraft is honestly so very infectious and when people see how much fun you are having, they will want you to include them and teach them.

I don't want to miss sharing the opportunities, experiences and people that have made an enormous difference in my life the last 5 years, with you. So, as well as the extra stamp (your choice) valued up to $79.95 that you will receive from Stampin' Up! (pictured below), I am also going to match that value by giving my new Sale a Bration recruits from February the following bundle.

Color Catcher & Silver Foil Smooch Spitz (currently one of papercraft's hottest trends)
Stacey Julian's fab book titled, 'The Big Picture'
Full Set of Colour Charts

This is another $80 value, bringing your added bonuses to $160

Also, I have a goody basket which is filled with over 20 items. Hostesses and New Demonstrators will have the opportunity to choose one item from this basket, either on the day of their workshop or on the day they join as a demonstrator. Learn more and sign up to be a demonstrator by going to

http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/lizcollett/startyourownbusiness

You can sign up on line and start ordering straight away.