Beginner or Casual?

At the Stampin' Up! convention I attended in November, the question was posed - Are you a beginner, casual crafter or avid stamper? Most in the room put their hands up for avid, of course. The avid stamper/crafter has to have it all, and so joins up as a demonstrator. I haven't actually made a version of this card for the avid crafter, but if I had, my Big Shot would have been used to emboss texture using an embossing folder, and I would have definitely used the NEW Rectangle Stitched dies in the Occasions catalogue. An avid crafter definitely owns the Big Shot!!!

If you are starting out, the whole card-making thing can be overwhelming. So overwhelming that you just don't start. It is probably a good idea to find a demonstrator locally who offers classes, so you can get tips and become familiar with the products. I am in South Morang, a northern suburb of Melbourne, but even if you're not local to me, I can find you someone who nearby and is holding classes, through our demonstrator network.

Notecards and envelopes are handy if you want to experiment on your own. This card illustrates #simplestamping - good for those starting their stamping adventure. It doesn't matter too much if things line up or not, there are little flowers and sprinkles to hide any boo boos. Adhesive sequins and other embellishments are handy too, so we don't have to throw our creation in the bin for a smudge or splatter. Hello Cupcake is the stamp set, and it is free with your $90 order through till March 31st, if stocks last.

Your Shopping List

Bermuda Bay Ink pad          #147096 -$13.00

Lemon-Lime Twist Ink pad #147145 - $13.00

Lovely Lipstick Ink pad       #147140 - $13.00

Memento Black Ink Pad      #132708 - $10.00

20 Notecards & envelopes   #131527 - $11.25

Acrylic block A                    #118487 - $7.00

Acrylic block B                    #117147 - $10.00

Acrylic block C                    #118486 - $12.00

Basic Adhesive-backed        #146933 - $12.25

sequins                 TOTAL                     $102.50 + SALE-A-Bration pick Hello Cupcake #149714 free

Of course, if you already own some of these items, you can play around to get your own list equaling $90, maybe even add another birthday set, such as Picture Perfect Birthday and you can make 20 different birthday cards for all those parties children seem to go to.

The mint Macaron card with the pink cupcake is the one I CASE-d, but I removed the banner and stamped directly on the art piece. There are so many ways you can vary this card,  with colour and positioning.

Don't forget to stamp the envelope, just not too much if it's going through the post.

If it happens that you would like to buy a big swag of crafting goodness, now is the perfect time to join, as there are two options. Our usual joining offer is to order $235 from either current catalogue and pay only $169, however during SALE-A-Bration it is increased to $315 retail price from the Annual and Occasions catalogue and still pay $169. You could even buy a Big Shot and some accessories with your joining order, then get 20% demonstrator discount on further supplies. Your orders after the initial joining one will also earn you SAB freebies and Host benefits if you spend more than $250 at one time.

The second option costs you $210 and you still order $315 of stock, but it includes the tote bag above, a very 'hot' item, which many demonstrators in the South Pacific missed out on when it was offered to us. They just didn't have stock to meet the demand. I happily paid $87 for it, and find it fits projects, catalogues, stamp sets, trimmer, so good for weekends away or if you think you'd like to be an active business demonstrator. (Did you know you don't have to hold parties or classes?) I can fill you in on any other details if you get in touch, or ask me to contact you.

Bermuda Bay

Lemon Lime Twist

Lovely Lipstick

YGFFJABA