Blossom Designs

Blog Hop

Good Morning everyone!

I hope you’re ready for the ESAD Mother's Day Blog Hop! Better go grab yourself a cuppa as you’ll be hopping for a while!

What is ESAD you say?

ESAD stands for Extra Special Australian (and New Zealand) Demonstrators and it is an online group just for Australian and New Zealanddemonstrators for Stampin’ Up!

We so love what we do and not only do we love to share it with our customers, friends and wonderful blog visitors but we share our love for what we do with each other as Demonstrators. We run swaps, challenges, tutorials, product know how and cyberstamps and we are always there to help and support each other when its needed.

So if you are a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator located in Australia or New Zealand then please feel free to click here to join our wonderful group.

You would have just come from Kristine Thompson blog.  Have you been enjoying all the great projects you've seen so far!?

So here our my projects for today!  I have been wanting to make this box out of the scallop envelope die.  I am pleased with how it turned out too. 

So, what do you think of my scallop circle card??? I LOVE it!  I was going to use the polka dot embossing folder on the Riding Hood Red cardstock but I (obviously!) went with manhattan flower instead.  As usual, I got out my white gel pen and went around the scallops.

The inside of the card.  I have to tell you that I had a 'happy accident'.  I somehow got ink on my hand and smudged it on the white cardstock right where the flower is.  Luckily, I had a little of the DSP left and the flower was just the right size to cover up the smudge!  PHEW! 

Up close and personal with the box.  Yes more white gel pen!!  LOL

I added the ribbon on the handle with, you guessed it, more white gel pen!!  LOL

Happy Stamping and thanks for visiting my blog!

Now if you do make it around all of the blogs and leave comment on all of them you are then in the running for some Blog Candy! There will be two winners – one from New Zealand and one from Australia. All you have to do is to visit and comment on each of the blogs in todays blog hop and then send an email to Sharlene Torres and advise that you have commented on all the blogs and give her your name, email and location.

You will now hop on over to Rachel Jackson's blog for more fabulous projects.

Incase you have missed any of the blogs, here is a list of them all:

Rachel Jackson
Nicky Adamson
Kari Hughes
Vicky Were
Clare McIllhatton
Lisa Bullock
Wendy Todd
Jenny Humphreys
Sharlene Meyer
Kelly Nelson
Kim Badelt
Jan McAnulty
Megan McDonald
Narelle Hodges
Kristine Thompson

 

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Supplies
Stamps: Occasional Greetings.
Ink: Riding Hood Red.
Paper: Riding Hood Red, Whisper White, Kiwi Kiss, Bella Rose DSP .
Accessories: Scallop Circle Bigz Die, Scallop Envelope Bigz Die Circle Scissor Plus, Manhattan Flower Embossing Folder, Kiwi Kiss Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Corduroy Buttons, White Gel Pen, Large Oval Punch, Corner Rounder Punch, Circle Fire Rhinestone Brad.

Birthday Celebrations

This is the other easel card I made.

I made this one a square card (4" x 4").  You can see the tutorial from HERE.

I did the 3D Stamping technique which you may just be able to see in this photo (sorry if you cannot).  I used white embossing powder for the top layer and I just LOVE how it stands out.

Go ahead a try making the easel card, they are easy to do and look great too.

Happy Stamping, 
 
 

'

So Glad We're Friends

When I made the easle card for my 3D class a couple of weeks ago, I also made another 2.  Want to see??

Here is the first one!  I made this one portrait.  It is a standard A6 size card.

I stamped the Upsy Daisy in chocolate chip and then clear embossed it so it stands out more.

Happy Stamping,

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Lest We Forget

ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The soldiers in those forces quickly became known as ANZACs, and the pride they took in that name endures to this day.

When war broke out in 1914, Australia had been a federal commonwealth for only 13 years. The new national government was eager to establish its reputation among the nations of the world. In 1915 Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of the allied expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula in order to open the Dardanelles to the allied navies. The ultimate objective was to capture Constantinople (now Istanbul in Turkey), the capital of the Ottoman Empire, an ally of Germany.

The Australian and New Zealand forces landed on Gallipoli on 25 April, meeting fierce resistance from the Ottoman Turkish defenders. What had been planned as a bold stroke to knock Turkey out of the war quickly became a stalemate, and the campaign dragged on for eight months. At the end of 1915 the allied forces were evacuated, after both sides had suffered heavy casualties and endured great hardships. Over 8,000 Australian soldiers had been killed. News of the landing on Gallipoli had made a profound impact on Australians at home, and 25 April soon became the day on which Australians remembered the sacrifice of those who had died in the war.

Although the Gallipoli campaign failed in its military objectives, the Australian and New Zealand actions during the campaign left us all a powerful legacy. The creation of what became known as the “ANZAC legend” became an important part of the identity of both nations, shaping the ways they viewed both their past and their future.

The 25th of April was officially named ANZAC Day in 1916. It was marked by a wide variety of ceremonies and services in Australia, a march through London, and a sports day in the Australian camp in Egypt. In London over 2,000 Australian and New Zealand troops marched through the streets. A London newspaper headline dubbed them “the knights of Gallipoli”. Marches were held all over Australia; in the Sydney march, convoys of cars carried wounded soldiers from Gallipoli attended by nurses. For the remaining years of the war, ANZAC Day was used as an occasion for patriotic rallies and recruiting campaigns, and parades of serving members of the AIF were held in most cities.

During the 1920s ANZAC Day became established as a national day of commemoration for the 60,000 Australians who had died during the war. In 1927, for the first time every state observed some form of public holiday on ANZAC Day. By the mid-1930s, all the rituals we now associate with the day – dawn vigils, marches, memorial services, reunions, two-up games – were firmly established as part of ANZAC Day culture.

With the coming of the Second World War, ANZAC Day also served to commemorate the lives of Australians who died in that war. In subsequent years the meaning of the day has been further broadened to include Australians killed in all the military operations in which Australia has been involved.

ANZAC Day was first commemorated at the Memorial in 1942. There were government orders prohibiting large public gatherings in case of a Japanese air attack, so it was a small occasion, with neither a march nor a memorial service. Since then, ANZAC Day has been commemorated at the Memorial every year.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

 

© 2010 Australian War Memorial

Let's Celebrate

Yesterday was my birthday - another year older!!  LOL

I spent most of the day out and about......firstly dropping Oliver off at school, then I went to my fitness class (ouch!), came home briefly for a shower, then headed over to my parents who were looking after Emily for me!!!  She was still asleep and I was heading back out to meet some friends for coffee.

Our guests are due to fly out on Monday and they have had the best time.  They felt bad that they were here using Oliver's bedroom and they gave me a great big bunch of flowers and a gift for my birthday and a Thank You to us for letting them stay.

Gorgeous aren't they!

I had a great day and we topped it off with everyone going out for dinner to Pancakes On the Rocks - yummy!!

Hope you are having a great weekend, I know I am!

Happy Stamping,

 

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1st Birthday Invitations

Friends asked me to make invitations for their son's 1st birthday next month.  There will be a 'car' theme so I used a retired set from Stampin' Up! which I borrowed from my friend Nicky {thanks Nicky!}.

I'm please with how they turned out.

I typed the wording out on the computer as it was easier doing it 26 invitations that way.  I just made sure that I left enough space at the bottom of the invite for the car.

Here is the cute little car!

Happy Stamping,

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Airspace Closed

I am still here!!  LOL.  Sorry for not posting over the past week.  I have had a busy week here with Oliver going back to school after the Easter break.  I have had to buy his winter uniform and I still need to take up his trousers!!

We also have some unexpected visitors who were in New Zealand on holiday and couldn't fly home to Germany because of the Iceland Volcano!  Their flight was due to come to Sydney but only to pick up more passengers and continue onwards.  It is great to see them again and they are making the most of their stay here in Sydney!!

Oliver asks where his visitors are every afternoon when he comes home from school. LOL.  I may have to check their suitcases though as they want to take Emily home with them!! LOL.

It is a long weekend here with Anzac Day.  We might take our visitors away somewhere.

Happy Stamping,

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April 3D Class

Tonight is my 3D class.  Seeing as it is Mother's Day here in Australia next month, I thought I would do something for the occasion.

So, here is what we will be making.

It is an easel card and a box that holds tealights.  You can get the tutorial from HERE.  Just look for the Simply Said Stamp Class.

Here is the easel card.  They are so easy to make - I LOVE it!

Oh look, there's some bling!  Gotta love it.  LOL.

I stamped the Upsy Daisy stamp on acetate for the lid of the box.  Now, if you thinking that you cannot see the tealights, well you would be correct!  When I took this photo, I hadn't bought them.  LOL
 
Happy Stamping,

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**To purchase anything from the Stampin' Up! catalogue/s, contact me with your order**

Hello

I am soooooooo in love with the Manhattan Flower Embossing Folder!  How gorgeous does this card look!?

This is another make 'n take card made from the INKlings training day.

Glossy card stock was used.

An up close view of the flowers.

Thanks

Gosh, I am sooo loving the Rich Razzleberry colour - how about you?

Here are a couple of new dies from the Autumn/Winter Mini.  The leaves are sizzlits dies (small dies 6 x 6.5cm).  There are 2 sizzlits dies {Little Leaves, Buttons #5}, 2 medium sizzlits dies {Timeless Type Junior Alphabet} and 1 pack of dies which contains 4 sizzlits dies {Lots of Tags}.
 

The 'thanks' die is an embosslits die.  There are 2 embosslits in the Autumn/Winter mini, "thanks' & 'Sweet Stems'.  These are also 6 x 6.5cm.

So, who is glad Stampin' Up! now sell the Big Shot Die Cutting Machine?!  I know I am!!  LOL

Happy Stamping,

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**To purchase anything from the Stampin' Up! catalogue/s, contact me with your order**

Friends

This card/envelope is so cute.  The envelope is one of the new dies.

This envelope is only small once made up but you can make a box out of it!  Yes, you can!  I haven't as yet made one but I will and you know I will show you!  LOL

Happy Stamping,
 

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**To purchase anything from the Stampin' Up! catalogue/s, contact me with your order**

Wishing You Happiness Today and Always

This is another make 'n take.

WOW, look at the size of this stamp.  It is called Medallion from the Autumn/Winter mini catalogue.  Now, this was not on my wish list but I have to say, I am liking it more and more after using it.

Can you see the shimmer from the Dazzling Diamonds!  Love some 'bling'!

Happy Stamping,

.

**To purchase anything from the Stampin' Up! catalogue/s, contact me with your order** 

Thanks For Everything You Do

Happy Easter everyone.  I hope you are/will be having a great day with family and/or friends.  We are headed over to my parents house for a roast - yummy!

I was blog surfing the other week and came across the most beautiful card made by one very talented lady - Teneale Williams (a fellow INKlings demonstrator!!)  Hi Teneale!! I didn't get to meet Teneale at convention last year but I am pleased to say, I met and chatted with her at the INKlings training day a few weeks ago.

So, I just had to CASE Teneale's card - now my card is nowhere near as good as Teneale's but I gave it a go!!  I think I need some colouring lessons from her!  LOL.  I did change a couple of things - added the real red card stock and stripped ribbon, added the button and I didn't use the sweet treat cup (from the summer mini).

I stamped the butterfly on the white card stock and then again on white and coloured it in.  Then used dimensionals to 'lift' it off the card.  I also added some dazzling diamonds - can you see the bling!? 

The inside of the card will have 'Thank you for everything you do' stamped on it.  I need to make a few 'thank you' cards for some very special friends of mine.....I cannot name them because I know they read my blog!!  LOL.

Happy Stamping,

.

**To purchase anything from the Stampin' Up! catalogue/s, contact me with your order**

Big Shot

Stampin' Up! has partnered with Sizzix to provide Big Shot as well as exclusive dies. 
 
The following materials work well when creating die cuts with the Big Shot machine and Bigz and Originals dies. {Please note the maximum thickness of several materials}. As a rule of thumb, you can cut a material with your Big Shot machine and Bigz or Originals dies if you can cut it using your Craft & Paper Scissors.
 
Thick corkboard  
Thick chipboard (59 mil)  
Colored magnet  
Ruffle board  
Paper wood  
Balsa wood (3/32")  
Bass wood (1/16")  
Metal mesh  
Aluminum (.016)  
Tin (.008)  
Adhesive and non-adhesive mat board  
Drawer liner  
Shelf liner  
Vinyl  
Static cling vinyl  
Shrink film  
Fine sandpaper  
Clear acetate (20 mil)  
Vellum  
Card stock  
Patterned paper  
Flocked paper  
Contact paper  
Textured paper  
Metallic paper  
Linen paper  
Suede paper  
Embossed metallic paper  
Basketball embossed paper
 Faux alligator textured paper  
Self-adhesive glitter paper  
Fabric  
Canvas  
Iron-on fabric  
Soft plush fabric  
Burlap  
Velvet  
Corduroy  
Lace  
Heavyweight denim  
Terry cloth  
Funky fur  
Thin leather  
Quilt batting  
Warm & natural batting  
Fusible fleece  
Self-adhesive craft metal  
Self-adhesive cork  
Self-adhesive foam  
Self-adhesive magnet  
Self-adhesive felt  
Adhesive and non-adhesive rubber  
Pop-up sponge  
Poly foam  
100% pure beeswax (cut with parchment paper on top & bottom of beeswax.)

Happy Stamping,

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New Punch Design!

Starting with the new Autumn-Winter Mini Catalogue and continuing with all new punch designs going forward, Stampin' Up! has adopted a new body style for our punches!

A few features of the new punch style:

• Low-profile, rectangular punch body allows for easier stacking and storing
• Punches lock shut for easier storage and transport
• Dual labels on top and end allow for easy identification and selection when stored
• Available in three sizes: small, medium, and extra-large
• New punches allow for larger punched images and more intricate designs while providing greater ease of use
  • Extra -large punch images also allow for two-step designs like the Extra-Large Two-Step Bird punch in the Autumn-Winter Mini Catalogue
• Corner punches allow you to punch a corner design along the inside edges of a page, not just corners
• larger, whole-hand handle design provides better leverage for easier use
• Available in an exclusive Stampin' Up! color

Happy Stamping,

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**To purchase anything from the Stampin' Up! catalogue/s, contact me with your order**

Clear Mount Stamps Now Available

Starting with the 2010 Autumn-Winter Mini Catalogue, Stampin' Up! now offers repositionable, clear-mount rubber stamps-in addition to the wood-mount rubber stamps! These new clear-mount stamps are designed to maintain the unbeatable image quality you love about traditional Stampin' Up! stamps, while at the same time offering the flexibility, ease of use, and storability inherent in repositionable rubber stamps.

Clear-Mount Rubber Stamp Features

• Nine different sizes of clear blocks available individually or as a discounted bundle.
• Blocks have ergonomic grooves on all four sides for easy grip and traditional wood-mount feel.
• Stamps and blocks are durable and easy to clean with your Stampin' Scrub and Stampin' Mist.
• Optional image labels on stamp backs let you decide if you want to see the image through the block or not.
• Tight die-cutting for easy image positioning.
• Large clear blocks can be used to create collages or spell words with alphabet sets.
• Stamps store easily in standard, DVD-type cases with artwork on front and spine, making organization easy.

 Happy Stamping,

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**To purchase anything from the Stampin' Up! catalogue/s, contact me with your order**

Autumn/Winter Mini Is Here!

Hurray!  I have had the Autumn/Winter mini in my hot little hands for a month now and I almost couldn't contain myself.  This is THE BEST mini Stampin' Up! have produced.  I'm sure you will agree too!

There are 35 pages (the largest mini we have ever had!) full of BRAND NEW products for you to have so much fun with.

My very favourite is the Textured Impressions Embossing Folders (that was a mouthful!) in the Manhattan Flower which coordinates with the Fifth Ave Floral stamp set from the Idea Book & Catalogue.  It is just stunning.

The BIG news is, Stampin' Up! have teamed up with Sizzix and are now selling The Big Shot die cutting machine!  Wooooooo hooooooo!!!  They also have exclusive Stampin' Up! dies......no one else will sell these dies except for us - your demonstrator!

Something else BRAND NEW are the clear stamps and blocks.  The great thing about the clear stamps, is how they are packaged.  The storage case is the size of a DVD case.  There are images of the stamps on the front, spine and also the back of the case so you can easily see each image in each case.  So no matter if you have your case standing up or lying flat, you will be able to see the images.  That is just a fantastic idea.  If you have a DVD rack, you can store them there or even on a bookshelf.  Just think how many you can store in one place!!  Now, don't panic if you prefer the wood mount style......you can choose between the wood mount or the clear.  Totally up to you!

Another great new product are the punches.  "They are not new" I hear you say........you are right, punches are not new but they are in a new style.  With a larger cutting surface and sleeker body, the new punches give you greater cutting precision, better punching leverage, and space-saving storage.

There are also 3 new 'in-colours' to boot!  Melon Mambo, Soft Suede and Rich Razzleberry.  You will be able to have coordinating card stock, ink pads, polka dot ribbon and ink refills in all 3 colours.  You have already seen these colour in my sneak peaks!

Well, I better not keep you any longer because if you haven't already left my blog and gone to have a look at the Autumn/Winter mini, you better hurry up and do so!!  LOL

Enjoy your browsing!

Happy Stamping,

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**To purchase anything from the Stampin' Up! catalogue/s, contact me with your order**