August 11th, 2008 by Leonie
I’d like to introduce you to my new name & website …. Stamp-a-Latte
If you know me personally you will know how much I love my stamping … and my coffee!
All my future posts will be made at Stamp-a-Latte and if you are subscribed for updates here you will automatically be subscribed at Stamp-a-Latte. I want to make this as easy for you as I can and of course I dont want to lose any of my valued readers.
See you at Stamp-a-Latte … where you’ll find lots of stamping … and lots of coffee!!

Tags: coffee, latte, Stampin' Up!®, stamping
Posted in Stampin' Up!®, general |
July 31st, 2008 by Leonie
In my Box-a-licious post the other day I showed you the gift bag I’d made from the Easy Box Tutorial.
Well here are the two boxes I’ve made using that tutorial.
These boxes are easy and quick to make and will make lovely gifts for friends and family. You can pop a small present inside or even a selection of small cards.
The one I’m showing today is an adaptation of that bag. I have given it a flap and ribbon closure and inside there are four 4×4 cards inside.
I’ve made this one using the Spring flowers Designer Series Papers and the Simply Said stamp set. This is a great set and you get 11 stamps for under $50 - cant beat that!!
Below is a side on picture of the box with the selection of cards inside. As you can see they fit perfectly inside. I’ve used ribbon to tie mine closed but you could also use small velcro dots or small magnets to hold it all closed.
The box & card set is now available as a class. You get to make 4 cards and the box for just $20 and I supply all the materials you will need to complete this set.
So get a start on your christmas presents and book in for this class today.
Here is a picture of the complete set - it will make a lovely gift dont you think?


Tags: bag, box, cards, cards in a box, classes, friends, gift bag, Gifts, Simply Said, Spring Flowers, spring showers, Stampin' Up!®, stamping
Posted in Stampin' Up!®, cardmaking, christmas, classes, friends, scrapbooking, stamping |
July 29th, 2008 by Leonie
I’ve been busy creating different types of boxes and gift bags - I find they are just a nice way to ‘wrap’ a present or to start a conversation about classes.

These are three I’ve done over the last week. These are so fun to make and you can turn them into a gift bag or pop a few cards in there as the present - anything really.
This bag was done from an online tutorial by Paula Goff and you can find the Easy Box Tutorial here.
The base of this gift bag is Old Olive (dont you just love that colour?) and the paper is from Brocade Backgrounds Designer Series Paper pack (12 yummy double sided papers for just $11.95)
This one can also be converted to a little box to hold a few 4×4 cards - so I might make up one of those when I have finished that.
This one is a gorgeous item called a box in a bagor was it a bag in a box?
See can you tell I’ve lost the plot today?? lol However I DO know where the tutorial for this one is!! Its at Diana Gibbs blog and its a Box in a Bag - odd name I know but it all becomes clear as you make this bag and it is rather easy to make!
For mine I’ve used Purely Pomegranate cardstock and the gorgeous Berry Bliss designer Series Papers.
Do you see the ribbon? thats the very lovely new Chocolate Chip Satin ribbon available in the new Mini Spring Catalogue starting August 1st. I’ve also used the Boho Blossoms Punch (another in the Spring Mini Catalogue you’ll need) with Pretty in Pink and Purely Pomegranate to make the little accents on the front.
Now for my last little piece - I just love this little box and yes its a nice simple one too!

After making that Fold out Brag Book yesterday I decided to explore Dawn’s blog - she’s one of the gals from UStamp and she has some lovely stuff there and there is also a tutorial for this Super Cute Box on her blog.
Here’s my Super Cute Box made in Blue Bayou Cardstock and using papers from the Fall Flowers Designer Series Pack. The Accent is made using the Boho Backgrounds stamp set and various punches and tied around some Double Stitched Blue Bayou ribbon.
I’ve popped in some little treats into a baggie and tied it up with some more Double Stitched Blue Bayou ribbon and made a tag using the Tags for All Set (available in the Spring Mini Catalogue) and coloured them direct onto rubber with my markers and then used the ‘for you’ from Occassional Greetings set.
Something tells me your going to need to cut down that money tree so you can get all the lovely new goodies coming in the new Spring Mini Catalogue.
Maybe you had also better grab your diary and your phone and ring me to book your demo in before I’m all booked out!

Tags: bag, box, class, dsp, easy tutorial, gift, papercraft, ribbon, Stampin' Up!®, stamping, UStamp
Posted in Off the Page, Stampin' Up!®, cardmaking, christmas, classes, scrapbooking, stamping |
July 28th, 2008 by Leonie
Well I got an email a few weeks back about this new online university thing for stamping and I thought “looks interesting” and made a mental note to go back and read it. You think I’d have learnt by now about my ‘mental notes’!!
I then received another email and found that they’d asked my good friend Alisa Tilsner to be on their dream team to adjust the classes to meet the Australian market so I thought I’d better join up before the price goes up.
Now UStamp was started and designed by two Stampin’ Up!® demonstrators in Canada and USA (Heather & Dawn) but it is not run by or endorsed by Stampin’ Up!® but being Stampin’ Up!® demonstrators they will be designing the classes with Stampin’ Up!® products.
Well I joined and got bonus projects for signing early - School Years scrapbook layouts and a fold out brag book! How cool!
Here’s the brag book I created tonite … didnt take too long either and would make an awesome gift for the grandparents complete with photo’s & journaling or notes. I’ve used my corner rounder punch to create the scalloped edge and rubons in the bottom right as an accent.
I am rather looking forward to the classes with UStamp and you can find out more about UStamp here. Now if you join by 31st July its just CAD$20 (approx AU$21.00) to register. The registration fee will go up to CAD$25 on 1st August.

Here is my brag book open.I have just realised there are no stamps and no inks in sight - oh dear … think I need a Latte!
Recipe
Papers: Fall Flowers DSP, Groovy Guava textured cardstock, Really Rust cardstock, Soft Sky cardstock
Accessories: Round Tab Punch, Corner Rounder, Eastern Elegance Rub ons(Mini Spring Cat.), Snail Adhesive, Sticky Strip, 3 Envelopes, 1 1/4″ Circle Punch, Paper Trimmer, Double Stitched Wild Wasabi ribbon
If you do decide to join please email them and give them my email address as your referral then I get the next class free - you can too by referring your friends on.
You can also purchase the class kit from me so email me for details on that - I am giving away freebies for anyone who orders their class kit from me and also uses my email as a referral so email me today for all the details!

Tags: album, brag book, dsp, fall flowers, scallop, Stampin' Up!®, tab punch, UStamp
Posted in Gifts, Off the Page, Stampin' Up!®, cardmaking, classes, friends, scrapbooking, stamping |
July 28th, 2008 by Leonie
Firstly let me apologise for not posting more often. I have been busy here and didnt realise how long it was since I last posted.
The new Mini Spring Catalogue starts this friday and I know I have lots of customers eager to order from this awesome little book. One of the sets thats in this Mini is True Friend and one I’ve been waiting for since seeing it in USA.

Here is a 6×6 layout that I made last week for a swap that I’m in for the Elite Stampers - which is run by the lovely Angela Sargeant who is my 2nd level upline (hope that makes sense)
Recipe
Stamp Sets: True Friend
Inks: Close to Cocoa, Versamark
Paper: Bashful Blue, Whisper White, Close to Cocoa
Accessories: Stmapin Pastels, Pretties Kit, Stampin Dimensionals, 1/4″ Bashful Blue Grosgrain, 5/8″ Chocolate Chip Grosgrain
The photo here was taken back in January at my niece’s wedding. I am pictured here with my little sister (and True Friend) Jo who I don’t get to see often enough - I am going to visit in another 10 weeks! Cant Wait!!
Well better be off and do some tidying as I have a very special guest coming next week for a fleeting visit!

Tags: 6x6, blue, cocoa, layout, pretties, ribbon, scrapbooking, sister, Stampin' Up!®, stamping, True Friend
Posted in Family, Stampin' Up!®, scrapbooking, stamping |
July 18th, 2008 by Leonie
I first saw this shared on the lovely Patty Bennett’s blog and just had to try one after seeing hers.

How nice is this little book and how easy is it to make?? Well its pretty easy to put together once you decide what papers and stamps to use.
I have used the Berry Bliss Designer Series Papers (gotta love those!), Chocolate Chip cardstock, Purely Pomegranate cardstock, One of a Kind Stamp Set, with some Chocolate Chip wide grosgrain and double stitched Pomegranate.
I’ve also incorporated the Vanilla Double technique on the cover - just love that technique.
The picture above shows the album closed.
The image to the right shows the album cover open with the ‘pull out’ sections tied closed with ribbons and decorated using stamps from ‘One of a Kind’ and using the Boho Blossoms punch which match one of the stamps perfectly - these are both in the upcoming Mini Spring Catalogue.
These pictures below are of the two sides ‘pulled out’.

As you can see you can decorate them any way you want. I’ve added a little pocket to slot the tag in and layered an accent using the circle punches and they actually have a little bit of dazzling diamonds to the centre.

This is a lot of fun to make and would make a great gift for family with photos inside or for friends with sayings and personal notes inside. Would also make a great Father’s Day Present which is coming up soon! Its pretty cool hey? You can view the tutorial at Splitcoast Stampers or have me show you how to make it - and I’ll even make you a coffee with my new machine
Why not ring or email me and book in for a class for this today?
Tags: albums, berry bliss, books, designer series papers, Off the Page, OTP, Stampin' Up!®, stamping
Posted in Off the Page, Stampin' Up!®, classes, friends, scrapbooking, stamping |
July 17th, 2008 by Leonie
I know I promised this card for Monday but am having a few problems with the hosting of this site - so you might find that I’m moving soon so stay tuned for that!
I was introduced to this technique through my good friends Alisa Tilsner and Angela Sargeant with their regular technique tutorials by email.
Its rather similar to the chalkboard technique I tried in my early SU days! I might have to re-do that one to show you the difference.
This is a fairly simple technique using White Craft Ink, Watercolour Pencils and White Gel pen and as you can see the results are stunning!

I have also used rubons for the greeting to show how easy they are to use and just how well they look.
These are both put onto our new Textured Cardstock and as you can see it doesnt break up on the texture or anything like that.
I just love the Stampin’ Up!® rub ons - can you tell? but then there isnt much in the Stampin’ Up!® range that I dont like … if there is anything at all!
Now would you like to learn this technique? Then why not invite me over to your place for a demonstration and I’ll show you how to make it - or why not check out my calendar and see when my next Technique Class is and book in for one of those.
Have a magic day!

Tags: black magic, card making, classes, fabulous flowers, magic, Stampin' Up!®, stamping, stamping techniques
Posted in Stampin' Up!®, cardmaking, classes, stamping |
July 16th, 2008 by Leonie
We all know after the chills of winter spring comes and its coming early! 
Well no not with the weather but the Spring Mini Catalogue starts August 1st and I must say I am VERY excitement about this catalogue as its got such lovely new and fresh stamp sets in it. Some I’ve been admiring from afar for a while too.
This card here was made with some of the yummy new stamps and accessories in the Spring Mini Catalogue.
I have also fallen inlove with the jumbo wheel called ‘It’s Beautiful’ and I must say it really is. Its what I’ve used on the old olive background and I can lots of cards and scrapbooking layouts and boxes being made with this wheel! It sounds a tad corny but it does bring the paper to life!
I have used the Always stamp set which is one I’ve been in love with for some time and seen so many lovely creations made by my friends in USA.
I have stamped & embossed the bird then coloured in the floral pattern with markers.
Notice the ribbon? its the very new and very nice Pomegranate Satin ribbon which will be available from the Spring Mini Catalogue as well.
The blue flower is actually one from the awesome Pretties kit which I’ve coloured with Soft Sky ink and placed a half pearl in the centre.
So there is your first sneek peak from me & hope you like it!
Want to see the catalogue? Then email me and ask for me to send you one - or better still book in a demonstration and I’ll show you how to make this card & colour the flowers in the pretties to whatever colour you want!

Tags: always, bird, card making, embossing, mini catalogue, pretties, spring, Stampin' Up!®, stamping, wheels
Posted in Stampin' Up!®, cardmaking, classes, stamping |
July 13th, 2008 by Leonie
Well I finally did one but think I’m a little late to enter but hey I still made the card and love how it came out.
The Insipiration comes from Kristina Werner’s blog and is Colour Inspiration #15
I just love this set as its just so versatile as it can be used for male or feminie cards. I’ve also done the Vanilla Double technique which I learnt through Technique Junkies.
I do hope you like it as much as I do and if you’d like to learn the Vanilla Double technique why not invite me over to do a demonstration and I’ll show you just how easy it is!
Now I was going to send this to someone spesh but I might just need to keep this one myself and make another!
Stay tuned for a little Monday Magic tomorrow!

Tags: card making, Colour Challenge, Stampin' Up!®, stamping, Touch of Nature, Vanilla Double
Posted in Stampin' Up!®, cardmaking, classes, stamping |
July 11th, 2008 by Leonie
I’ve been tagged by two lovely ladies!
Firstly, by my dear ‘always’ friend Kerri Hunter who awarded me with this award …

Kerri and I met through Stampin’ Up!® and I treasure our friendship so much - she is an awesome stamper and totally amazes me with all she does every day without a second thought! Check out her blog - she does such lovely work. Thanks Kerri so much!
Now to pass this award onto five bloggin buddies ….
- Makeesha Byl - this lady is just awesome. She was the recipient of the first Australian “heart of Stampin Up!® award and is so deserving of it. Through Stampin’ Up!® we have become good friends - oh and she does really lovely work too!!
- Vanessa Webb - one of my downline and a great friend. Its hard to believe that prior to joining Stampin’ Up!® Ness had never stamped! Yes its true!!
- Nicole Stalker - I’ve known Nikki for quite a few years but only recently managed to get together after we realised the only time we saw each other was at Stampin’ Up!® conventions! Sad but true but we have remedied that now - see you next week Nikki! Oh she does awesome work too!
- Sharon Davis - this is another lady who amazes me with all she gets done - working full time, running a large household, wife/nurse to a Vet and also manages time for Stampin’ UP!® - it makes me tired just to think about all she does!
- Michelle’s Stamping Ground - this lady has become a special friend since convention and she always has time to message me on msn and see how I am. Her blog is looking great now she’s posting more so go check it out and encourage her!
I am sure they’d all love to hear from you! Now when I started blogging I never thought anyone would read my posts let alone give me awards! So each and every award I get really means alot.
Now for the machine. I have a thing for coffee - yes I know … you never knew! lol Well a few weeks back I was very sternly told not to buy any more espresso machines and not to even look at them.
Well my DH rings me today and suggests I go to The Good Guys and check out the latte machine they have there on sale - so whats a Latte Lover supposed to do??
Needless to say I didnt need much convincing and its now adorning my kitchen bench.
Doesnt it look great?? and it even comes with a DVD so its gotta be good right??
Now next time your over remember to ask me for a Latte!
Now I’m off to read the instructions and make a cuppa!
Tags: award, blogging, coffee, friends, Stampin' Up!®
Posted in Family, Stampin' Up!®, friends, this n that! |