April 12
It has been SO long since my last post!
I have been busy with work and mum and preparing for the 2018 On Stage Local event held over the weekend in Sydney. Some of you may remember that last year I went outside my comfort zone and applied to be a display board demonstrator for the November Gold Coast event.
I had such an amazing experience with that, I decided to apply again … and was invited to participate again!
When I opened the box from Stampin’ Up!®, I was very excited – there were three very different stamp sets, a bundle of gorgeous DSP, three framelits dies [one of them coordinating with a stamp set], two rolls of ribbon, a roll of baker’s twine, a container of sprinkles, a packet each of glitter enamel dots and adhesive-backed sequins … and the ideas started flowing.
Here is what I created:

My display board and display tables …

The NATURE’S POEM Designer Series Paper is simply stunning … and it gave me a sneak peek into some of the new and returning colours in the 2018 colour revamp … BLACKBERRY BLISS, GRAPEFRUIT GROVE, MINT MACARON and PETAL PINK!



As you can see, I’ve also been having fun recreating the IMPOSSIBLE BOX in lots of different and larger sizes.
When I was flipping through the DSP bundle, one design jumped out and I knew that I would use it for a scrapbook page … I think you’ll agree that the demonstrators in New Zealand are going to love this one!

I even made a Silver Fern Seed Packet for this project …

You are going to love the versatility of the BOTANICAL TAGS THINLITS DIES … I knew immediately that I wanted to use them to create these covered acetate boxes. The birds and branches die cried out to be made into a bookmark – especially because I had just finished a unit of work with my senior English studying ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’. There are so many ways to use these dies – and I didn’t have the coordinating stamp set [on my wishlist].




The THANK YOU THINLIT also has a coordinating stamp set. The first card was created after making my own ‘DSP’ using Brusho and using the PLAYFUL PENNANTS FRAMELITS … more of that set to come. The final Thank You card used one of the texture stamps from SEA OF TEXTURES stamp set and the STAMPARATUS.



The SEA OF TEXTURES stamp set also has coordinating framelits. I used this stamp set to create a bundle of 3″ by 3″ cards, as well as a porthole shaker card. The TRANQUIL TEXTURES SPRINKLES are perfect for a shaker card and the GRAY GRANITE 1/2″ TEXTURED WEAVE RIBBON is super easy to gather up to create extra dimension.


After I had been playing with Brusho, I decided these four panels looked like the wild waves of a stormy sea. I used them as a contrast against the tranquility of what lies beneath the surface … nature’s beauty.

I had a great time using the PICK A PENNANT STAMP SET and PLAYFUL PENNANTS FRAMELITS to create these projects … and I had Stampin’ Up! in mind – it’s definitely time to make sure we are celebrating throughout this 30th year!
I thought the GLITTER ENAMEL DOTS would be perfect for a domino inspired card.
The next two cards were so easy to align perfect spacing when the Stamparatus is used.
… and the 3D decor projects were just lots of fun to make.




LILYPAD LAKE is the third stamp set I received – it also has coordinating framelits. These stamps invoke a wonderful sense of peace … I think you will that find it secures a special place in your stamp collection.
The background texture stamp will be so versatile, stamped in ink colours or Versamark or heat embossed – it is elegant.


At the end of a very long post, it’s time to share my swaps. I had so much fun, making my own ‘DSP’ using Brusho to create the Thank You card for my display, that I decided to keep making Brusho backgrounds for my swaps. I used 12 Shimmery White cardstock sheets and the Happy Birthday, Celebrate and Amazing You dies and a variety of dies shapes … and a few Pearl Basic Jewels … to make 75 swaps.



DID I HAVE A GREAT TIME IN THE LEAD UP TO ON STAGE AND ON THE DAY – ABSOLUTELY!