I'm Going On an Adventure - Bilbo Baggins Convention Swap 2014

 

I made the decision last time I went to Convention that I'd try and make something "New Zealand Inspired"...last time it had Sheep and Mountains and even some NZ Breakfast Tea and Paua shell accents! This time...I decided to embrace The Hobbit and I came up with a couple ideas...but several I did not want to make 150-200 of! It would be insanity! Lol

Here was my first completed idea...this one is a bit wonky as it's the model one...but from this is how I will create the 150+ beautiful ones to swap with my fellow demonstrators!

Here are some of the step by step photos I've been taking...

Everything is cut... Now to score, emboss, fold, stamp, etc! 

150+ Origami Shirts folded - sore fingers, wrists and hands! Probably about 12 hours of folding - including finger stretching exercises :) the Natural Cardstock made it more difficult than regular DSP would be. 

Then came work on the Cherry Cobbler vest. Embossing... Now just some dauber work, tweaking, and pocket and Collar.

While I finished folding, I had my boyfriend's 14 year old daughter score the ribbon banner and punch the ends with a square punch to make the ribbon-like ends... They need dauber work, embossing, and folding now. 

So.... That is the journey so far!!! Hopefully to be completed by next Monday night?!?! Stay tuned! I will update when I'm done! 

19 May 2014 - the swaps are finished and in my suitcase. I changed them a little as well...kept them a bit cleaner. It was a lot of hard work, and I like them...I hope the people I swap with do as well. 

And here is the finished pic :) 

And here's the recipe for it! 

I am so excited...just 2 more sleeps! More like 1 1/2 as I have to check in at the airport at 4 AM! 

I will report back with pics of swaps, new products, projects and memories when I get back! 

Have a great week! 

Masculine Tag Team Swap!

One of the beautiful things about this amazing company Stampin' Up! is that you get to get together with some really fun, talented, and sometimes silly fellow demonstrators and share and inspire!
The 1st Kiwi Stampers Meeting....we're trying to come up with a new word for it...meeting sounds so formal and un-fun...was held once again and this swap challenge was a masculine tag...here is what I made:

I really wanted to do something younger, more modern and a bit hipper than boats and ties if ya' catch my drift.  I love this stamp set.  It's called "Making A Point" and you can only get it as a Hostess.  It's marketed as a pretty "Girly" set with lipstick and nail polish but I loved using something like ear buds as a male item too. I think we could use some more TEEN or Young Adult stamp sets....sometimes I feel like it's either babies, mothers, or mature selections...but ya' never know what will pop up in that new catalogue later this year!

Here are the products I used to make this cool tag:

Making a Point Stamp Set

Summer Starfruit Cardstock

Island Indigo Cardstock

Early Expresso Core’dinations

Chevron Embossing Folder

Argyle Embossing Folder

Basic Black Inkpad

Soft Suede Inkpad

Stampin’ Sanding System

Gold Bakers Twine

1 ¾ Circle Punch

Scalloped Tag Topper Punch

Island Indigo Stampin’ Write Marker

Freshly Made Sketches #131 Entry

I decided this week to try and inspire my customers more...to share my tips, techniques, and creations. To show them how to use the products they purchase in more ways...and to show them simple ways to look like a Rockstar! 

Inspiration Sundays will be about Challenges I enjoy and sharing them...sometimes you just want to make something, but you're not sure where to start...challenge blogs are my boost to creating when I'm stuck in a brown mindless mud pit! They pull me out every time! 

The first one or two...or three...might be very clean and simple challenges as I don't want to overwhelm people...throw them into the mud pit further lol...so I thought this sketch was a PERFECT first challenge! 

If you head over to www.freshlymadesketches.blogspot.com and check out this weeks challenge. Here  is the sketch :)

And Here is my entry :) 

Here are the products I used :) 

Bring On The Cake Stamp Set

Coastal Cabana Cardstock

Baked Brown Sugar Cardstock

Very Vanilla Cardstock

In Color 2013-2015 Designer Series Paper Stack

In Color 2013-2015 Stampin' Write Markers

Basic Black Inkpad

Baked Brown Sugar Inkpad

Silver Glimmer Paper

Gold Bakers Twine

Crystal Effects

Scalloped Tag Punch

In Color Dahlias

More Treat Sleeves

As you saw I made some Bunny Treat Sleeves, but then someone said that her 7 year old nephew wouldn't think they were cool...so could I make a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle? Well...I love a challenge! I barely remember them or their cartoon, so I hopped onto Pinterest and got a couple basics and then started working on my own take. Here's the end result: 

Here are the products I used:

Gumball Green Cardstock (and various other colours for masks)

1 3/4" x 7/8" Oval Punch

1 3/4" Circle Punch

1/2" Circle Punch

Mini Circle Punch

1" x 8" Cellophane Bags

White Uni-ball Pen

Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker

Then I decided I should maybe make an "adult" one ....I, myself, would love the bunnies...but I tend to like what 13 year olds like...so...wouldn't this put a smile on your face if someone gave you one of these or left it on your desk at work?? 

Here are the products I used:

Chalk Talk Stamp Set

Chalk Talk Framelits 

Basic Black Cardstock (plus various colours for ovals)

Various ribbons

Basic Black Inkpad

Designer Brights Buttons (discontinued)

Pearl Basic Jewels

These have been selling at $3 each and they are wonderful to pop into a lunchbox, leave on a pillow, or use them on top of a gift with the bow..etc. plus they are portioned controlled lol 

Where Did March Go?! Holy Cow!

Wow. March came and left and I'm still scratching my noggin :)

I know I had 4 Fantastic Ladies share their home with me and some friends and family members and create some cool things and get started on their own creations. I also welcomed a new Team Member to my team of Wunder Women! Welcome To Aileen who is a very busy and crafty lady who I am hoping to have a stampin' Day with Shortly! 

Welcome to Amazing April! 

Here are a couple things I've made to get into the Easter spirit, spread the word about my business and make some extra money (since I lost my J.O.B - that stands for Just Over Broke when you work for someone else). 

These cute Bunny Treat Sleeves are $3 each. They have Cadbury Drops in them which look a little like mini eggs :)  Here is the list of products I used to make them:

1"x 8" Cellophane Bags 

Whisper White, Basic Grey, Early Expresso, Basic Black, Very Vanilla and Soft Suede Cardstock (also discontinued Pretty in Pink)

Punches:

1" circle punch

1/2 " circle punch

1 3/4" x 7/8 oval punch

Small heart punch

Small circle punch 

Scalloped Oval Punch

Scalloped Circle Punch (1 3/4")

White Uni-ball pen 

Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker

These Bunny Pe-Treat Totes are so dang cute! :) you can put treats or gifts inside and make everyone smile :) I sell them for $6 each with a lil chocolate inside.

Here are the products I used:

Petite Purse Sizzix

Whisper White, Basic Grey, Early Expresso, Basic Black, Very Vanilla and Soft Suede Cardstock (also discontinued Pretty in Pink)

Punches:

1" circle punch

1/2 " circle punch

1 3/4" x 7/8 oval punch

Small heart punch

Cupcake Maker Punch

Large Oval Punch

White Uni-ball pen 

Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker

Cotton Balls (for their butts on the back :) 

I have had a request for a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Treat Sleeve for a boy who wouldn't want a bunny lol so I'll be attempting that today. I also did a Mickey and Minnie Mouse with some scraps I had:

So....that's what I've been up to lately. I'm also getting ready for Stampin' Up!'s Annual Convention at the end of May in Melbourne Australia! I can't wait! But I'm working on my SWAPs Idea ....Hobbit Inspired :) once that's sorted I'll feel all relaxed :) 

Have an amazing April and keep creating....it's such yumminess for your soul.

Xo

Patty