Off To The Open Sea

It's difficult to think about going to the beach when we, in the southern hemisphere are in the depths of winter, but they don't call these challenges for nothing, do they? I can remember the bracing walks I used to go on, along the beach when my boys were youngsters. They loved the stormy weather with high tides and large waves! I just liked taking them out for exercise so they would give me some peace and quiet later.
I've used The Open Sea stamp set here, and Top Note Bigz Die to stamp the image on. The background stamped on Coastal Cabana is a ship's log. Behind the sailing boat, I used an easy watercoloring technique. Scribble with Stampin' Write markers onto an acrylic block, spray with water, then 'stamp' onto card. It is more subtle than I'd hoped for. I had fun with the twine and button, just something a little different.
So, Nance at the Paper Players set the Beach Challenge.
Over at the Friday Mashup the challenge was for a watercolor wash. Maybe I should have used water color paper, I went with Stampin' Up! Naturals White this time.

Hope you're having a good week,

Rachel

Thank You Notes PP189

These challenges at The Paper Players are great with all the different ways you can play. I'm playing along with the middle line across: any shade of yellow, patterned paper, shaped card. I wanted to make a little 'thank you' note to say hello and thanks to some new customers to my online store.

I chose Tea For Two DSP,(129311) such a pretty patterned paper, because it has So Saffron featured. Although some of the chevron shaped-pieces don't have the colour on them, you can be assured that they will complement So Saffron perfectly. Luckily, it is still available in the Clearance Shop, and I have several packets in my stash. Once the colours are sorted out, it was time to cut a shaped card. I decided to use the Top Note Bigz (113463) along with the Big Shot. "Hello" is from Perfect Pennant stamp set and I used the smallest banner to cut it out. I also used the Big Shot to cut the non-Stampin' Up! ampersand from Crumb Cake. The lower case script 'thanks' is from the Hip Hip Hooray Card Kit. (134998)There are three lovely stamps in that pack, along with all the supplies to make 20 cards - great value.

Because the Top Note Die makes a non-standard size card, it was a good reason to use the Envelope Punch Board to make a fully coordinating envelope.




Now, I just need to go and write a personal note into those cards and get them posted! Pop over to Paper Players, they've some lovely cards to check out, by the design team and others.

Cheerio for now
Rachel

More Convention Highlights

Although there are so many exciting things happening at Convention, I think one of the main highlights would have to be the people you meet. There are the ones you already know from team meetings, and the ones you "know" from online forums.Then there are the new friends you meet at the event, and there were plenty of those. I met Margie on the plane coming up from Melbourne and we kept running into each other everywhere and I sat with her and some other friends for the "I Am Creative" class on Friday night. Unfortunately, I was having trouble with my new camera and have been able to take very few photos with people in them, my upline Sue has provided me with some.

Judy, me, Sue, Toby and Tina, posing before the awards dinner.

Margie and me

 Most demonstrators like to swap cards and other items like tags, bookmarks, matchbox folders and more, to share ideas and inspire each other. I received so many beautiful swaps, it is such a thrill to sort through them and they will keep on inspiring me for quite a while.

 These are the swaps I made for Convention, 30 of the top one using French Foliage stamp onto a Top Note Die. Mixed Blossom stamp onto Whisper White punched with the Blossom Punch and  Elegant Bouquet Embossing Folder on Wisteria Wonder put through the Big Shot. There is a layer of Rich Razzleberry behind and it is tied with Rich Razzleberry Ribbon, but some had the Wisteria Wonder Ruffled Ribbon.

 I made 20 of the card on the left, getting carried away with the Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch, Postage Stamp Punch, and the Lace Ribbon Border. Mixing and matching colours and In Colour Printed Brads or In Colour Glimmer Brads, meant there was an interesting variety of colours, so I didn't get bored with my project.

And I only made 10 of the more subtle Thoughts and Prayers card, because I was running out of time. This stamp set is such a pretty one, double-mounted stamps with words suitable for get well cards or sympathy, but the sprig of flowers that I used and the simple tree on its reverse, are great for many types of cards. I used Thanks so Much from Three Little Words this time and knotted a piece of Artichoke Denim Ribbon at the bottom.

And here is a selection of the cards I received in return. Is yours here?

If you aren't a demonstrator, and would love to join me at next year's Convention in Brisbane (23-25 May 2013) contact me. It is only $169 to join and YOU get to choose the $235 worth of Stampin Up products that suit you. Free shipping on your starter kit. You don't have to do workshops or demonstate the product if you would rather just purchase for yourself the quarterly minimum ($400). You always get a 20% discount and you can drop out at any time with no obligation.

I will happily answer any further questions if you call.

Happy stamping, Rachel