Blossom Designs

20% off SU! Starter Kit

Have you been thinking about becoming a demonstrator?  Well now is an even better time to join.  The starter kit is 20% off until the 31st July!!  Woo hoo.  Normally the kit is priced at $324 but you will only pay $259.  That's nearly $500 of SU! product for $259!!!!  You only need the starter kit to kick off your business.  You can go at your own pace and work when you want to work.

If you are blog hopping and reading about this years SU! Convention (my pics will be up soon), you will know what a great time everyone has had.  Meeting other demos that they may only speak to online in forums, receive stamp sets in your convention bag, then more during the course of Convention, attending some really helpful and informative classes and of course meeting and listening to Shelli speak.  Being a demo entitles you to this.

You are also entitled to your 20% demonstrator discount when purchasing SU! products.  Don't forget you will get to see and pre-order 'new' products from up-coming catalogues or specials.  So you get to have a play with the products before they are available for non demonstrators to order.

I became a demonstrator for the discount!  I mean, any discount is always a good thing isn't it!  LOL.  I was living in the UK and found stamping after Oliver was born.  I didn't have any family over there (they were all living here in Australia) and I was the first of my friends to have a baby so they were all at work while I was at home.  I did feel 'on my own'.  Little did I know that there was a 'craft' channel on Sky - thanks to a leaflet from a local stationery shop, I found that channel.  That is what started this journey of mine!  I attended lots of classes and eventually started a blog.  While I was blog surfing I saw everyone (US blogs) talking about SU! - I had no idea who or what SU! was.  LOL.  So, I googled it.  I found that SU! was in Australia and then I found my upline's blog and signed up a bit later.

If you join up with me, you get to attend the INKlings (Jayne's team) training days, award dinner, weekend away and we also have a monthly get-together.  Jayne also has a forum which is a great place to ask questions and get great advice.  We have monthly cyber stamp evenings where you will create 3 projects.  A different person hosts each month.  So, there are lots of benefits to signing up to be a Stampin' Up! demonstrator - what are you waiting for?  Sign up today.

You will need to obtain an ABN first which usually only takes about 10 minutes.  To sign up, you will do that through my website where you need a 'Recruiter Authorisation Password' which is BlossomDesigns and you will get your ID within about 30 minutes!  Once you have your ID and password, you can access the Demonstrator Website.

Please do contact me for more information.

Happy Stamping,

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

Happy Birthday Nicky!

It was Nicky's birthday last week and after texting her a photo of my 3D class projects, she said she LOVED the card box and wanted one!!!  Your wish is my command!!  Poof......(I'm a genie!)....

Obviously I had to make a card as well!!  LOL.  I really love making the easel cards.

This is what the box looks like on the inside.  Once you get the hang of the measurements, it is pretty easy to put together.  You will need 12x12 card stock for the base and believe it or not but I ran out of whisper white so I used the thick card stock you get in the DSP packs.....you know, the backing sheet which tell you what the DSP is!  I just made sure the whiter side was on the outside.  It is super thick and great for this project.

I used a magnetic disc to close the box.

Now for the card!  I chose these colours more for the DSP (Sweet Always) but also because Nicky LOVES chocolate chip and orange.  She said she goes through a tonne of chocolate chip card stock because it is the one she reaches for first!

In case you thought I used a 'special' DSP for the top part of the card, I didn't.  I used the Vintage Vogue (Autumn/Winter Mini) stamp set and there is a flourish stamp which I stamped onto the Pumpkin Pie card stock with Pumpkin Pie ink.

Do you like my bow?!  LOL. 

I must apologise for the quality of these photos.  I had to take these at night (the night before Convention) so I could give it to Nicky when I got to her house.

This post is scheduled to go live in a couple of days but we are supposed to have rainy days for the most part of this week.  I hope the rain goes to where it is really needed and not just in our pool so it over flows!!!

I need to tell you, that you would be laughing right now if you could see me!!!  Truly.  It has been raining here in Sydney for a few days now and after dropping Oliver off at school this morning, I got wet so I put my pj's back on with my warm slippers (boot style) and I have now just put on a thick vest jacket to keep me warm.  Miss M is sound asleep all rugged up in her bed (boy, I wish I could join her in there!!).  I just need to remember to change my clothes again when picking Oliver up from school! Can you imagine......I get there and realise I am in my pj's!!  ROFLOL.

Happy Stamping,
 

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

3D Class

I returned home from Convention 2010 (what a great time I had too!) on Sunday afternoon to a sick baby girl! Poor "M" has been unwell for a week.  She has an awful cold and over the weekend was sick after drinking her bottles.  Thank goodness, she hasn't done that since Sunday.  Oliver behaved himself for the most part of the weekend which is good to hear as we have been having behavioural issues with him at school for the past 3 weeks to the point where I just broke down and cried last week which made him very upset and (touch wood) he has been good since.  I'm not sure why his behaviour has been so bad, but it is NOT what either Rob or I have taught him to do (hitting, pinching etc).  I have been embarrassed to pick him up of an afternoon expecting to be told he hurt someone.....not a nice feeling at all.  Anyway, I am working with his teacher to curb his behaviour and it seems to be working - thank goodness.  Oliver has always been a good natured, very friendly little boy and to see/hear him acting like this, really breaks my heart.  I'm sure some of you know what I am talking about. 

SU! CONVENTION..........What a fabulous time I had.  While I do live in Sydney, I stayed at Nicky's house as it was a bit of a hike to travel every morning and afternoon.  More on Convention later......

Now, onto what you will be making in my 3D class.

WHEN: 1st June
WHERE: My house - Mount Annan area (address upon booking)
TIME: 7pm
COST: $25 (all products are supplied)
RSVP: 30th May (essential, you must book your place).

So, who wants to come along and make this wonderful card box and flower pot card?  You will get to play with the big shot!!

Email me to reserve your place.

Happy Stamping,

.

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

May SAS

Last Tuesday was my SAS (stamp-a-stack) class.  This is what we made.  The colours are Chocolate Chip, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White & Rose Red.

Well, you knew there had to be 'pink' in there, didn't you!!  LOL.  These cards are pretty simple - what! No white gel pen I hear you saying!!  I think they were too simple and quick for my girls as they finished them in just over an hour.

I also LOVE Fifth Avenue Floralstamp set!  Even more so now that we have the Manhattan Flower embossing folder to use with the Big Shot!  The ribbon is Chocolate Chip Taffeta.  It is soooo nice to work with.

I used the smaller flower in Pink Pirouette on this one which you can just make out.

As you may have noticed, there are no sentiments on the cards.  I didn't put any on my samples but if the girls wanted to, they could.  They have stamps at home and decided they would use the appropriate one when they needed to use the card.  While you can use these for birthday's, they could also be used for other occasions.

As you can see there is plenty of room at the bottom for the sentiment.  I know I have run out of spare cards at home to use so I will have to pop these in the basket to use soon.

I have been busy today making my samples for my 3D class on the 1st June @ 7pm!  I need to photograph one project tomorrow and finish off the other one.  Next is to design June's SAS class!!

Convention starts on Friday!!! Yippee.  I was going to take Emily with me as hubby is working but he now has Friday off and whatever work he has to do over the weekend, won't be much so he is fine with looking after both kids.  Can you believe Emily is 7.5 months old!!  WOW.

Time to sign off, night all!

Happy Stamping,

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1 Week To Go

Thank you to everyone who visited my blog during the INKlings first ever blog hop.  I really enjoyed reading all of your lovely comments.  I hope you enjoyed seeing everyone's wonderful masculine projects.  I don't know about you, but I don't think I will be running out of ideas anytime soon!  LOL.

Convention starts on Friday!!  I am counting down the days.  I have started on my swap cards but need to make a few more!!  LOL.  I think I will be able to make about 50 in total so I better get my butt into gear.  :-)

Have a great weekend.

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INKlings Blog Hop

Welcome to The INKlings’ Team’s first ever blog hop.  You may have arrived here from Dani or just be visiting my blog, whichever way once you’ve checked out my creations you can continue the hop through the link at the end of this post to the next team member.  
 
What style of cards do we frequently get asked for inspiration for? More often than not it’s masculine cards, be it little boys or grandfathers everyone seems to struggle with cards for the males in our lives.  So as a team we thought we’d help you out by providing you with 20 team members’ fantastic blogs that you can hop through and get lots of fantastic ideas from.

Want to win some Blog Candy?  Simply leave a comment on each blog and then email Michelle Dyson and let her know you’ve done so and you’ll be in the running for a fantastic prize of 20 handmade cards plus other goodies.
 
Sorry, Blog Candy prize not available to SU! demonstrators. 
 
Now, onto my projects!

Ok, so I haven't made a 'card', but I did make a man's wallet and beer mug!  LOL (at least I hope you think it is a beer mug!).

I used the pillow box die (x3) (see tutorial HERE).  I also used my Circle Scissor Plus to cut out the circles you require.  They go on the inside to make the mug more sturdy.

Hopefully the white tissue paper resembles the 'head' of the beer!  LOL  I kind of came up with this at the last minute and didn't really have time to experiment so you might just have to use your imagination a little.

I have done this wallet before but it was a long time ago now. I added and extra panel this time.  If you look at the very first picture, you might be able to make out that it is darker on the outside.  You would be right......I embossed it after getting my bone folder and making squiggly lines vertical and horizontal.  Almost like a faux leather look.

A close up view of the inside of the wallet. The 'Love You' bit is just smaller than a credit card.  I did trace around my credit card but I wouldn't fit so I had to trim it just slightly and used my corner rounder punch to round off each corner.
 
Well, I hope you like my projects today.  Next stop on the INKlings’ Team Blog Hop is Amy.  Have fun and don't forget to leave a comment on each blog to win some great Blog Candy.

Happy Stamping,

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In case you missed any blog, here is the full list of participants:

Clare McIllhatton http://craftycowcreations.blogspot.com/
Janice Spencer  www.janicespencer.blogspot.com
Dani Holland http://www.daniholland.wordpress.com/
Kylie Swain http://kraftykylie.typepad.com/blossom_designs/
Amy Anderson http://amyandersonsblog.blogspot.com    
Kari Hughes  www.karigail.wordpress.com
Jayne Mercer http://www.jaynemercer.com/blogs
Joanna Wassens http://www.joannawassens.com   
Michelle Dyson  http://stampinkpaper.blogspot.com  
Christie Wallace http://christiescreativecorner.blogspot.com
Ryn Gibbs http://rynscraps.blogspot.com  
Fiona Brown http://www.fionajanestamping.blogspot.com
Beth Stewart www.elisabethstewart.com  
Nicky Adamson http://nickyadamson.blogspot.com  
Dani Fender http://danifender.blogspot.com    
Michelle Frost-Stevenson http://stampinground.wordpress.com   
Rachel Jackson http://havefunstamping.blogspot.com/ 
Rachel Capps http://rachelcapps.wordpress.com/
Carolyn Campbell-McLean http://carolyncampbell-mclean.blogspot.com  
Michelle Le Breton http://michellescraftclasses.blogspot.com

Happy 1st Birthday

Sorry I have been quiet of late.  I haven't had a great deal of time for stamping so there hasn't been anything to show you.

But for today's project.........

Remember the invitations I made HERE, well this is the card I made for Lachlan.  Mind you, I did make it on the day of his party because I just didn't get to do it before then.

The longest part of making the card was cutting out the letters!  LOL  Even then, it took no time at all.  I ran my alphabet dies through the bigshot so that means no scissors were involved at all.

And to finish it off, I also did the inside of the card.  I don't normally do this but I am liking the end result of other's who do this, so I think this will be my 'new' thing.

I've used the Baja Breeze DSP with Sahara Sand card stock.  As usual, my white gel pen and the scallop circle punch as well as the 1" circle punch.  The ribbon is Kraft Taffeta.

Happy Stamping,
 

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

P.S. - I am involved in another blog hop tomorrow so I will be back then to show you my projects.

Blog Award

The lovely Teneale has given me an award!!  LOL  Thanks so much Teneale!  Mwah.

I must pass this award on to another 10 beautiful blogs and tell you 10 things about myself.

Okay, so here are 10 beautiful blogs (some of these ladies have already received this award but I wanted to give them the award from me!).

Nicky Adamson
Kari Hughes
Tracy Schultz
Dawn Griffith
Leonie Schroder
Angie Kennedy Juda
Teneale Williams
Beate Johns
Dawn McVey

10 things about me!

1. "Blossom" is my nickname from my dad which he also calls my daughter!!  So, I thought it an appropriate name for my blog.
2. I hate washing up!  Our dishwasher died so guess who is washing all the dishes! :-O
3. My favourite colour is PINK (if you didn't already realise this!!).  LOL
4. I LOVE my sleep and so it seems to both my kiddies (most of the time).  Oliver is usually the early riser but school seems to be wearing him out so he is sleeping in a bit longer.  Phew!
5. Really enjoys 'movie night' on Friday's with the whole family!  Oliver gets to pick the movie but it cannot be one of his cartoon ones.
6. I haven't started on my convention swaps yet and there is only 2 weeks to go! Better get my butt into gear!!  LOL
7. I have started my fitness kick to lose the baby weight I gained.
8. I lived in the UK for 10 years where I met and married my husband and it is also where Oliver was born.  I really enjoyed my time in England but I am glad to be 'home'.
9. Last year at the Sydney Royal Easter Show, I lost Oliver!!  I was absolutely beside myself but Oliver just blended in the crowd and wasn't phased at all.  He ended up at the haunted house and wanted to go in but as he didn't have any money, he couldn't.  Luckily the lady in the ticket booth realised he was on his own and called security.  Meanwhile, I am running around looking for him and he is having the time of his life!!
10. My husband is the 'cook' in our house.  I'm a boring cook and play it safe but he experiments with food.  He really does cook up a storm some nights and it always tastes great too.

Wow, who knew it would be so hard to think of 10 things about myself to tell you that weren't boring!!  LOL.  Mind you, this is the third time I have typed this and had to think of everything again - the memory is not what it used to be you know!  ;-)

So there you go, a few things about me you may not have known!

Happy Stamping,

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