North American Convention Swap # 2 - Serene Silhouette

What an amazing experience we had at the North American Convention - Stampin' Up! is the most awesome company in the world to work for!

It was breathtaking sharing this event with so many people - 6,000 in total. It was brilliant to spend the three days with so many new friends. I befriended a heap of girls from the US, Canada, Germany, Holland, United Kingdom, France and of course caught up with my galz from Australia and New Zealand.

Here is the second swap that I shared

I was looking to create something that was simple that could endure being in luggage for 4 weeks before Convention.

I used the Medallion stamp set and stamped in Staz On Jet Black ink on Whisper White base cardstock. The greeting is stamped in the same ink. Using the Windows Frames Framelit Dies I cut a mounting board in Basic Black and then mounted the final stamped image on top.

Finally I stamped the tree image from Serene Silhouettes in Staz On Jet Black. I punched a 1" circle out of a post-it note to make the moon. Sticking the punch out partially over the top of the tree I then used a dauber to swipe ink from right to left starting with So Saffron, changing to Tangerine Tango and finally a small amount of Midnight Muse. I blended the colours using the daubers so that the colours looked more like a sunset sky. Punching the image out with a 2 1/2" circle punch I stuck it straight on the black mount.

I mounted the Basic Black base with dimensionals so that it would sit a little above the card.

I wanted the whole card to have the connotations of a  "sunburnt country". The swaps disappeared like ice in the sunshine so they must have been acceptable.

Check in later
Shanni xx

North American Convention Swap No 1 ~ Gorgeous Grunge

I have been so nervous about the swaps that I would make to share at the North American Convention because it seems to me that there are some very talented and therefore daunting demonstrators in the USA and Canada that I was over whelmed about what I could do.

So here is the first swap that I came up with to share at the BIG EVENT

This is very different from my usual style but I was thinking about suitcase space and weight and thought that I should challenge myself to do something a bit unusual (at least for me). And given that I am loving the Gorgeous Grunge set so much it seemed obvious that I should use it.

So the card is quite simply Whisper White mounted on Basic Black cardstock. I stamped the blotches stamp from Gorgeous Grunge in Tangerine Tango, the stipple splats in Gumball Green and the parallel scratches in Basic Gray.

The bright points of interest have been created with the Epic Day This and That Washi Tape and the Epic Day Daffodil Delight DSP (which I have simply torn).

The butterflies are both punched using the Elegant Butterfly Punch and Bitty Butterfly punches with the Epic Day DSP and the diamantes are of course our rhinestone jewels.

Hope that people like it. . .

Shanni x

Hello Lovely - Absolutely Lovely!

Another new set that has been making its impact on me. . . I am lovin' the Hello Lovely set. It has so many versatile stamps in it that can be used for a variety of projects.  The images are both greetings and geometrical designs.

Here is today's creation:

Base card is Crumb Cake, mounted with a piece of the new Epic Day DSP. The pre-distressed look of the DSP really lends itself to many versatile projects. I also fussy cut another piece of the DSP (with the hexagon pattern) and mounted it on top of the DSP.

To ensure that the greeting popped. I cut a piece of the Calypso Coral with the Apothecary Accent Framelit Dies and then texturised it with the Square Lattice Embossing Folder. This is mounted with dimensionals. The greeting is from the Hello Lovely set and stamped in Staz On Jet Black ink and fussy cut to the exact size.  I added the Hung Up Cute Clip and knotted some Natural Trim to draw attention to the salutation on the busy card front.

Quite dramatic but very simple!

Back later
Shanni x

Gorgeous Grunge - Get it On!

One of my new favourite stamp sets in the new 2013-2014 Annual Catalogue is Gorgeous Grunge and I have been exploring a variety of applications for it. . .

Here is today's creation:

So simple and using some of the new designer series papers and washi tape - Epic Day.

The base card is Sahara Sand, the pre-distressed DSp is Epic Day and the Gorgeous Grunge stipple is stamped in Smokey Slate.  The two strips of washi tape are from the Epic Day collection and the greeting is from the Hello Lovely set embossed in Pewter.

Simple but striking I hope. . .

Shanni x

Smashed! Convention Smashbook 2013

The final day of South Pacific Convention was wonderful and whilst it was exciting it was a bit sad that the celebrations were coming to an end. I am one of the lucky ones who is going to have the opportunity to attend the North American Convention 18-20 July in Salt Lake City, Utah.

So the final pages of my "Be the Difference" Convention Smashbook:

Sophie and Olivia were so inspiring in their wow presentations on Day 3. I love how the colours of the projects all seem to go together tonally.

Julianna's bags were brilliant! And the number of MDS projects and products on display were just breathtaking.

Off the page projects were abound. So much inspiration in one location can be very powerful.

The final page of the book was the final image presented by the team from Home Office and Demonstrator Support South Pacific. These wonderful people pulled out all the stops to make sure that this year's event was the best yet. They have set the yardstick very high for future years and have helped create many memories and inspired the whole region to share what they love.

Hope you enjoyed the epic journey that was my Convention Smashbook!
Shanni x

Epic Effort with Convention Smashbook

I didn't focus on how long these posts would be so I hope that I haven't turned you off the project.  I feel like a little kid doing morning talk at school and telling everyone about my favourite book and why every page has been marked with a post it note. . .

Here are a few more pages from my Epic Day This and That "Be the Difference" Convention Smashbook:

The After Party was Awesome and the photos tell the story ~ everyone had a brilliant time. The stickers are from the Epic Day This and That Sticker Pack.







These are just some of the desserts on offer at the party. Amazing! Pity that I don't have a sweet tooth! Lots of people enjoyed the sugar overload though. And of course I am caught with my mouth open - singing! It was a song from Pitch Perfect and my daughters are just a little into that movie!!

More of our crazy chicks! a few self portraits but we couldn't all fit in the photo booth ALL the time!

Stampin' Up! handed out Grand Vacation 2014 stress balls although I am sure that some people collected more than one. . . Grand Vacation next year is a West Caribbean cruise. So exciting and such an appealing location.

 

I think that I have one more post to share, so see you again soon.

Shanni

 

 

 

Smashbook of Convention 2013

I enjoyed throwing this smashbook together - it was a labour of love and it all came together effortlessly.

Here are a few more pages which I hope you are enjoying:

Day 1 started with a dramatic performance from a team of four percussionists. It really set the tone ~ powerful, energetic, memorable and entertaining! Shelli also made a major announcement that Stampin' Up! is teaming up with Ronald McDonald House in the South Pacific - it was exciting to know that with every set of the nominated stamp set sold, Stampin' Up! will make a $3 contribution to this worthy cause.



This year we had such a large group in attendance that I didn't get photos of absolutely everyone attending. But when I did capture shots it seemed that everyone was having a wonderful time and was sharing the joy of this amazing event.



Of course it would not officially be Convention without a photo with Shelli! This year was no different. I also took the opportunity to gather as many of the Paper Belles together for a team photo.

Awards Night was held on a different night this year and it was a great success. As I mentioned a few posts ago I was third in Recruiting for  Australia and the really terrific thing about the photo on the bottom right hand corner is that it includes three of the INKcredibles team members - Kim Gavarra (second from left and second in Australia) and Colleen Blakey who is third from the right - in fifth position!

Action shots are good (but I think that they look better when you get some warning that you are about to be photographed lol!). This is another of the titles that I received a third in Australia in - Leadership. Nice thing again was to share it with Kim and the amazing Kylie Bertucci.

I was also one of 41 Australians to earn the Grand Vacation to St Regis Park City in Utah in July. I was excited to share the award with a stamping sister from across the channel - Helen McEwen.

Hope that you are appreciating how easy this product is to use and that you will come back soon to see a few more pages. . .

Shanni x

Convention Smashbook Continued. . .

The bag for Convention was da bomb! I was so delighted with the backpack which is so practical and although it is white and silver it is made of such durable material that I know that it will machine wash well. In fact I hope it does at it is accompanying me on my Tour USA at the moment lol!

So here are a few more pages from the South Pacific "Be the Difference" Convention Smashbook:

Continuing the Silver Anniversary theme I have used Basic Gray and Silver Glimmer cardstock on these pages.

I couldn't resist using one of the envelopes included in the Epic Day This and That journal kit on these pages as I had a number of cards that I wanted to include. Some of my team had gone to so much trouble to give me cards and well wishes. It warms the cockles of my heart and humbles me when I read these. I love the badge that Janine made for me with the initial "S" in it - chuffed!



My roomie Amanda gave me some lovely gifts in the tradition of Stampin' Up! Convention sharing the love practices. . . Is tamped a crumb cake envelope with the Gorgeous Grunge blotches stamp in Crumb Cake and the stipple stamp in Bermuda Bay ink.

The swaps at Convention this year were of such a high standard that I had to feature a few of them in my smashbook.  The one on the bottom right is from Debbie Yeomans who is an amazingly talented and inspiring lady whom I like to call my friend.

These pages are Daffodil Delight which is always a difficult colour to match but I think that the colour complements the two swaps here from the lovely Louise Sharp and Cherita Anderson. Stunning cards girls.

Tune in again soon for more pages.

Shanni x

South Pacific "Be the Difference" Convention Smashbook

I had a brilliant time at South Pacific Convention and wanted to document the good times in a manner which would be easy to share with our Paper Belles team and customers. . . and what better way than by making an Epic Day This and That Smashbook of the event?

Over the next few posts I am going to share some images of the smashbook pages with you in the hopes of inspiring you to perhaps consider this scrap booking method. I should say in advance that I smashed this book together in a fairly short time span given my desire to share the event with so many in my life. . .

I made a template of the hexagon shape that is already embossed on the front of the This and That journal. I then fussy cut the shape from the Epic Day DSP and daubed the edges with Bermuda Bay ink. Following a technique that both Shelli and Sophie used at Convention I added a few drops of Basic Gray re-inker to some white acrylic paint and roughly brushed it onto the whole cover.

I stamped directly onto the chipboard using the Gorgeous Grunge blotches, scratch marks and stipple in Basic Gray, Crumb Cake and Calypso Coral. I also stamped the diagonal lines stamp in Gumball Green to marry in with the DSP and the Epic Day This and That Washi Tape.

I printed a photo of the logo for the Convention on Whisper White Cardstock then sprayed it with Frost White shimmer paint (thinned with rubbing alcohol aka Stampin' Perfume). I then cut the photo out using the Apothecary Accent Framelit Dies and mounted it on a second piece cut out of Basic Black. The Antique Brads balance the whole grunge feel. I also added Calypso Coral Bakers Twine and added the dates of the Convention using the new This and That Rotary Stamp.

To marry in with the Silver Anniversary celebrations I big shotted the 25 years in Silver Glimmer Cardstock. Mounted the numbers on the base card from the Artisan Embellishment Kit and a Paper Doily .  The pearls and ribbon and twine add a touch of luxe.

The pocket proved a great help. I added a few of the official travel and registration documents. The other embellishments include - Hung Up Cute Clips, Crumb Cake Seam Binding, Take a Ticket Stampin' Wheel (fussy cut) and I cut the top off the official Brisbane Convention Centre notepaper in the shape of a pennants to marry in with the whole theme of Convention. The badge was made for me by one of my friends (Tina Nash).

I got to share some of my excitement with one of my downlines, Michelle who was attending Managers/Leadership for the first time. We were both delighted to get special access to Momento Mall. The Epic Day This and That Washi Tape proved a great tool for this page along with the Epic Day This and That Stickers.

We always get spoiled by home office as leaders and this year was no exception. We received and amazing film reel tin dressed with new ribbon and stamped/embossed images (using stamp sets which are now available with the new cattie have been released). I have continued the theme of the silver anniversary and Epic Day DSP here with the stars and  hexagons.

Here is a page covering the official documentation including the Agenda for the Convention, a recipt from Momento Mall and my name tag for the four days. The card on the right which is sooooo cute contains details of my official awards and benefits - I love the texture and continuity of the silver theme. And how nice is the greeting?



The Managers Reception (another way of saying Divine Dinner) was of the usual high standard. I have used Epic Day DSP in the title (I love that pre-distressed look) and the Pool Party cardstock came up really well with a bit of Crystal Effects. The decorations, flower arrangements, table settings and string quartet were all beautiful.

I am not usually one to photograph food but could not resist these shots as the food was superb.  The menu does not do the cuisine justice.

Tune in soon to see the rest of the smashbook photos.

 

Shanni x

 

 

 

New Cattie is Out!

The biggest announcement of the month is that Stampin' Up! has released its latest Annual Catalogue - it is absolutely overflowing with beautiful stamp sets, new in-colours, designer series papers and accessories. I am so excited about so many of the new items and want to share a heap with you.

First things first though. . . some of you would be aware that I earned the Stampin' Up! Grand Vacation to Park City St Regis Resort in July (and part of the reward is that I get to attend the North American Convention pre-vacation). Well in addition to that, I have travelled to the USA early to enjoy a long awaited holiday with my four gorgeous children and hubby. We have just left New York and are enjoying beautiful weather in Washington DC. Thank you Stampin' Up! for making this adventure a reality! Tomorrow is Independence Day and we are looking forward to a party!

So to check out all the amazing things in the new cattie I would suggest that you download the 2013-2014 Annual Catalogue to your own hard drive. And to make a purchase you are welcome to shop on line via my web site www.stampinshanni.stmpinup.net .

I should also mention that there are some terrific additional promotions this month. The "best of" stamp set for the month of July is the Best of Butterflies which has five lovely stamps including one never seen before for $25.95.

And there is an additional promotion this month with the Grab a Greeting promotion. You can purchase the Sassy Salutations, Petite Pairs and Sweet Essentials for 25% off the retail price. All sets are available in wood and clear mount and are a perfect bargain!

So with so much to absorb I will leave you for today and be back real soon with another post.

Any questions contact me, I will have access to email during the vacation.

Cheers
Shanni xx