Urban Oasis Framed Scrapbooking Page

I cannot express how much I love both the Urban Garden and Urban Oasis Designer Series Papers - I still haven't yet been able to decide which is my favourite. Having created quite a few 'speedy' scrapbook projects lately, I thought it was time I exercised my creativity (not that speedy projects are not creative) and thought about how I could use these gorgeous papers not only as backgrounds, but also as raw materials for accents. For the time being I will simply wet your appetite with the image of the finished page & accent, but I promise I will try to take some step by step photos of how I created the large floral accent. Better still, stay tuned for my class program for June, which will feature a class designed around a half pack of Urban Oasis, including this very page. You might be interested to know that rub ons can be applied to fabic, which is what I have done on this page. I hope you enjoyed this post!

Why I love being a Stampin Up Demonstrator

In celebration of the New Demonstrator Offer in May, I thought that I would make a mini album using half a packet of the Petal Party Simply Scrappin Kit, which is included in the scrapbooking demonstrator Mini Starter Kit. 

Did you know that you can create more than 20 pages by simply adding some Whisper White Cardstock and ribbon? As a time poor individual, I decided on a formula with this album which also helped the album have some continuity. Basically I cut each sheet in the Simply Scrappin Kit into four, therfore creating 6 x 6 inch pages. I then cut 5 x 5 inch Whisper White mats for each page. Leftover strips of patterned DSP were then used to embellish the mats, with one corner rounded off using the corner rounder punch. I used an embossing buddy to remove the stick from the back of some of the self adhesive die cuts to then create dimensional accents with the assistance of foam dimensionals and paper clips. Finally Stampin' Up Ribbons complete the bright happy look. Having recently created albums for both my girls, I thought I would take the opportunity to scrapbook some of my Stampin' Up! photos to express why I love being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator. Enjoy!

Well somehow I accidentally deleted this photo when uploading the photos, so it is out of order. I couldn't go back and upload in sequence because it took me so long the first time - I think I can hear some of you laughing! This photo was taken at Convention this year where I was humbled to receive the 'Heart of Stampin' Up!'. This award is given to one demonstrator and is chosen by Stampin' Up! based on nominations made by other demonstrators.

  

One of the many things that I love about Stampin' Up! are the core principles that are the foundation of it's business. Integrity, Relationships, Balance, Personal Development, Positive Environment, Growth, Efficiency and Change ensure that people come before products. As you look through my little scrapbook, you will see lots of friendly people who love to create, share and help others. In this page I am pictured with Shelli Gardner, the Co Founder and CEO of Stampin' Up! at the 2008 Incentive Trip at Palm Cove.

Our Demonstrator Support team in Sydney is just awesome and are always available to answer my strange questions and give me ideas if I am stuck. Pictured above is Aaron Scott and his lovely wife Karen. Aaron is our Regional Business Development Manager based in the Sydney office.

Another thing that I love about Stampin' Up! is that demonstrators can run their business to suit their lifestyle and family committments. The quarterly minimum sales are achievable without conducting formal workshops. If you are busy, you can choose how much time you have available to run your Stampin' Up! business. Pictured are Bec and Amanda at the 2008 Convention in Brisbane. What you can't see from this photo is that they were both heavily pregnant at the time. When their bubs arrived, they were able to take time out and when they were ready started having some small classes and get togethers at their own homes.

Another great thing about being a demonstrator is that you get to meet fabulous people and introduce them to either a hobby or a job that they will love! Pictured is Gerane who is a demonstrtaor from Russell Island and Leonie, who is a demonstrator on Macleay Island.

I love being able to get together with fellow demonstrators at our monthly meetings and create new projects and catch up on their news.

Demonstrator Group Meetings give us the opportunity to create tools such as colour charts and other samples to share with our friends and customers.

Being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator means access to lots of ideas from other demonstrators in our group, events, regional training seminars and Convention. This is on top of the projects offered to us via the demonstrator web site and Impressions Monthly Demonstrator Magazine.

I just love going to the Stampin' Up! Conventions - I have been to 3 now! which by the way is all of them in Australia. From the very first Convention, I was taken aback at the professionalism and excitement of these events. Fantastic speakers, creative demonstrations, free stamp sets and the Awards Banquet are just some of the highlights.

I love that whilst Stampin' Up! have been in Australia for 3 years, they are securely established as a 20 year old business in the US. The US Home Office are extremely supportive of their Australian Demonstrators. Pictured second from the left is Pam Morgan, who has made many a trip to Australia from Utah. She has so much experience and is a great inspiration for both hobby and career demonstrators alike.

I love that our team of demonstrators, called Paper Angels, have such a team spirit and enjoy working together whether it is catching up with each other outside of formal get togethers or putting together a fund raiser event.

I love being a demonstrator for all the things I have learned and again the wonderful people I have met.

See I did say at the beginning of my journalling that it is the people that make Stampin' Up! wonderful. Mind you, the products are fantastic and we love those too - some things just speak for themselves!

I love the regional training sessions that welcome all types of demonstrators including discount, hobby and career demonstrators.

Ok I will finally mention some product. i just love the Style Watch, which you will find in the catalogue. Stampin' Up! do heaps of research to keep up with current trends in the papercraft industry, so that we have the most beautiful products to work with at the best price.

I love that Stampin' Up! products can be used for so much more than paper! See, a Stampin Around Wheel makes the most amazing fondant icing embosser. In fact pretty well all the products in the catalogue perform 'double duty' making them especially useful.

Our demonstrator group is able to run events, helping new demonstrators to get on their feet. I love that we can have fun, share our creative ideas with our customers and make a difference by engaging in charitable endeavours.

I love being able to give away prizes at our events with the generous assistance of Stampin' Up! as well as demonstrators from our group.

I love that we can then help others. The Mater Mother's Bereavement Program is one of the charitable endeavours that we are passionate about supporting and are now spreading our wings to create memory boxes at other hospitals. We have also raised funds for Cancer Research. Stampin' Up! Australia also raised over $77,000 for the Victorian Bushfire Appeal recently with the help of Australian demonstrators selling 10 stamp sets, with 50% of the reatil sales being donated - totally amazing!

I love that Stampin Up provides recognition for achieving various targets if that is your goal. There are opportunities to earn free product as well as other rewards. By the same token, Stampin' Up! very much honor, welcome and genuinely value hobby demonstrators.

I loved going on the Incentive Trip to Palm Cove in 2008 which is pictured above. There is no limit to the number of demonstrators that can go and Stampin' Up! have created 5 different pathways by which you can achieve this trip. This year I will be going to Noosa. Incentive Trip for 2010 is Hamilton Island - how exciting!

I love making friends with other demonstrators around Australia and Stampin' Up! Events give us the opportunity to meet demonstrators outside our group. 

I love Stampin' Up!s new tag line 'Inspire | Create | Share'. It sums up what demonstrators do.

The Final 7

No its not Australian Idol or Dancing with the Stars, final 7! It's my final 7 discontinued stamp sets that are for sale. I do in fact keep many stamps, especially words and quotes, however, I cannot demonstrate discontinued sets in workshops so some culling is required. This is great news for my customers, because I have further discounted these last 7 sets. If you would like to purchase any of these sets, please either email me liz@danichbe.com or phone me on 07 3348 9456 | 0448 896 001.

Finest Flourishes $20

Well Word Words $15

Be Happy $30

Bodacious Bouquet $30

Background Sampler $15

Everyday Flexible Phrases $40

Check out the 2008 2009 Catalogue for detail on the words

Expressive Flexible Phrases $40

Check out the 2008 2009 Catalogue for detail on the words

Final Bushfire Donation Amount

Here is an official post by Stampin' Up! on our Demonstrator Website, informing us of the huge donation made to the Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Appeal. All demonstrators accross Australia and New Zealand participated in this appeal. This was made possible by Stampin' Ups generous donation of 50% of the retail sales of 10 stamp sets during February and March. 

In mid-February, we launched the Bushfire Appeal in response to the tragedy that affected so many lives in Victoria and across Australia. We're pleased to announce that with the sales of the Bushfire Appeal sets, our final donation amount to the Australian Red Cross Bushfires 2009 Appeal will be$77,889.63!

Belated Album in a Day Picture

The second Album in a Day went really well but I was so busy, the only photo I managed to take was this one at the end of the raffle prize winners. The raffle prizes alone raised over $1400 accross Pine Rivers and Carindale. The participating demonstrators also donated 10% of sales on the day and I will report back on the exact amount raised for Australian Cancer Research (Garry Palmer Memorial Fund) once the final deposits by demonstrators are made. You can see how beautiful our raffle prizes look. This is entirely because Ursula (one of our Paper Angels), taught me how to do the professional florists bows - thank you Ursula for sharing your many skills.

Easter Report

The last week or so has been quite a blur and so I thought I would give you a snapshot of some of the highlights. Easter started early when my daughter Nicole and I assisted 28 Cub Scouts to make their Easrter cards! This task was made much easier, having been inspired by my friend Julie's blog, where she showcased punch bunnies. Below is the card that we made using the small oval punch and 2 circle punches, to create the cute bunnies. We used chalking pom poms for the tails, colouring the central tail with the Stampin' Pastels. We did provide a blue version, which most of the boys took up.  

The next day our Paper Angels Demonstrator Group held our 2009 2010 Idea Book & Catalogue Launch. It would be an understatement to say that it was a very busy afternoon, with plenty of interest in both the new catalogue, new 'In Colors' and the two make & take projects that everyone completed. The following photos are courtesy of Dianna Jap, who is a new demonstrator to our group. I am so grateful to Dianna, as I often miss taking photos which can be quite dissapointing after the effort that goes into organising these events. The day after the launch we had Dianna's First Workshop Launch which was a great afternoon. The photos also show you our lovely sample boards, make & takes, wonderful demonstrators and the lovely mary who was one of our door prize winners. A big thank you to all the demonstrators who helped, without whom this event would not have been possible.

Lastly, I thought I would share with you one of our Easter Saturday activities. My daughter Nicole and her friend Mimi, decided they would like to make some cards and chose the Wild About You Stamp Set (116438 $45.95) to work with. What I love about letting children loose with stamps is watching how creative they are and you will see what I mean when you look at the photos below. I sometimes spend way too much timke wondering if something looks just right, rather than just giving it a go - I'm sure you know what I mean. It also so happens that if you check out Shelli's blog on my link list, you wiull find that her guest blogger also usee this same stamp set to create some most gorgeous Noah's Ark Invitations.