Convention - Make & Takes

One of the sessions at the Stampin' Up Convention gave us time to play with some new stamp sets we were given as part of our Convention pack.  The new stamp sets are called "Creative Elements" and "It's Your Day" and will be available in the new catalogue due out later this year.

The first card is a simple elongated card that uses the "Small Open-End Envelopes", an item I have decided I must have.  The butterfly on the card has been stamped using 3 different markers, a technique I hadn't tried before but one I will be using regularly from now on.

The second card uses a combination of cardstock that has been "distressed", a new style of ribbon that will become available with the new catalogue and has a touch of Shimmer Paint brushed over the stamped image.

The third item is a small scrapbooking page using various stamps from the "Creative Elements" set and shows a photo of my sister, Denise and my niece, Olivia all dressed up to go off to a wedding last month.

It was great having some time to play with our new stamps and sit and learn some different techniques at the same time.

My first "Bonnie Box"

You will be pleased to know that I have returned from Melbourne and my first Stampin' Up Convention full of great new ideas to try and share.

The first of these is, what I have christened, the "Bonnie Box".  A Stampin' Up demonstrator from the US, Bonnie Thurber showed us this as a part of one of her demonstrations.  She showed us many other great creations (including a fascinator fit for a royal wedding) and her presentation had us all laughing so much that it was hard to remember everything she showed us.

This box is made using the Big Shot and the scallop envelope die.  You cut 4 little envelopes and then stick them together using Sticky Strip.  I have made this model in Baja Breeze with some Elegant Soiree Designer Series paper for trim.  It is the perfect size to hold a cupcake or could be used to hold any number of other small gifts.

If you are interested in learning how to use the Big Shot to create cards and boxes just contact me and I will put together a workshop for you.

As I create more of the samples and ideas from Convention I will post them here.  I have over 50 swaps from other demonstrators with so many great ideas I am sure it will take me all year to share them with you.

Convention Swaps

In a couple of weeks my sister Denise and I are off to Melbourne to the annual Stampin' Up convention.  We will participate in various workshops and get a sneak preview of new Stampin' Up products due out later this year.

As part of Convention everyone takes along a bundle of cards to swap with other Stampin' Up demonstrators.  I have my 50 "swaps" ready to go and I thought I would share them with those who read my blog first so here they are.

The first uses the Fine Flourish stamp and cardstock in Marina Mist and Chocolate Chip.  The second card uses the Birthday Bakery hostess stamp set, hostess Designer Series paper (Peach Parfait) and is in Cajun Craze and Certainly Celery cardstock.
  
When I return from Melbourne I will have 50 different cards with lots of new ideas to share with you all.