A little Black Magic

Here's the new technique that I have been trying to master.  I made this one today and I am really quite happy with how it turned out, considering it is only the second card I have made using this technique.  Out of the cards that I made today, these are both my husband's and Matthew's favourite.

The technique is called "Black Magic" and has probably been around forever but I have only just discovered it.  It is so simple really.  You only need to stamp your chosen stamp in Whisper White Craft Ink and colour with your favourite watercolour pencils (I used the heat gun on mine just to make sure it was dry enough to colour).  Once coloured, I added some white gel pen to give the effect of snow on the trees and ground.  Pretty simple but quite effective.

What do you think??

Lisa Bowcock
Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator
...And lovin' it!
http://lisabowcock.stampinup.net

Too Cute Owls!

Another card that I made at my sister's on the weekend. 

The base card is Early Espresso.  The mount is in So Saffron and embossed using the Lattice Big Shot Embossing folder.  The Top Note is in Early Espresso and I have cut out another Top Note using some old designer series paper.  The two Owls are punched in Early Espresso and So Saffron and stuck with Dimensionals.  I haven't put a sentiment on it yet but I think that I will add that later, maybe a Word Window Punch underneath the owls.

I hope you like it!

Lisa

Lisa Bowcock
Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator
...And lovin' it!!
http://lisabowcock.stampinup.net

Retired Stamp Sets for Sale

I have a couple of Retired Stamp Sets for Sale.  If you would like these sets, give me a call.  Please add $5.00 for postage if required.

Fine Lace $25.00

Live Life Like You Mean It - $20.00 

 Punch Pals - $20.00

Not sure of this one but it is a Two-Step Set - $20.00

Lisa

Lisa Bowcock Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator http://lisabowcock.stampinup.net

Big Shot Blossoms Party

I fell in love with this die when I saw my friend Melissa's scrapbook page and well, I just had to have it.  I can't wait to do some scrapbook pages with it for my little girl, Elie. 

I threw this card together yesterday while playing around at my sister's place.  I started off with something completely different in mind, but it's always the way isn't it?  You like to put your own spin on it.

The card uses Soft Suede as the base, a mount of Rich Razzleberry and Whisper White.  The top note is in Rich Razzleberry, embossed in the Big Shot using the Vintage Wallpaper Embossing folder.  A whisper white piece on top, stamped in Rich Razzleberry (after stamping off twice) with the flourish from the Bliss Sale-A-Bration set.

The flower is using the Big Shot Blossoms Party die in Rich Razzleberry and Soft Suede and topped with a gold brad.  I am hoping today is going to be a productive one for me and that I will be able to share some with you again soon.

In my last post, I was trying out a new technique called Black Magic.  I have finished one card using this technique but would like to do it again before I post my card.  Watch this space.  I have also been researching some other techniques as well that I am hoping to master.  Of course, I will share them all with you.

Thank you to those of you who attended our Stamping Spectacular.  We were run off our feet for most of the day and I hope that you enjoyed it and liked our demonstrations and the projects that were on display.

A reminder that Sale-A-Bration has just over one month to go, finishing on 31 March 2011.  Now is the time to place an orderor host a workshop to be eligible to earn your free stamp set.  The Bliss Stamp set in this card is a Sale-A-Bration set. 

Here are the Sale-A-Bration sets on offer.

Hope you have a creative week!
Lisa

Lisa Bowcock
Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator
...And lovin' it!
http://lisabowcock.stampinup.net

Stamping Spectacular - Tomorrow - Saturday 12 February

If you were talking to me now or saw me, you would probably notice how absolutely nervous and petrified I am about the Stamping Spectacular, which is on tomorrow at the Central Coast Youth Club at 9.00.  I am nervous because it is a bit of the unknown as I don't think that there has been anything like this on the Central Coast before.  We have advertised on Facebook, the Sea FM Website, Express Advocate Website, done letterbox drops, if you have young children attending daycare, you have probably received a flyer in your pockets, school newsletters, banners and flyers have been strategically placed.  It is very exciting and very nervewracking.  Come tomorrow, prior to 9am, I will still be nervous but my excitement will take over when people arrive to see the beautiful projects on display and I hope that you are as impressed as we are proud of our achievements.  There has been a lot of hard work put into this expo so make sure you come along and have a look.  Our lucky door prize of a Big Shot Embossing Machine is worth the trip - imagine the phone call to say that you have won???? 

We have some great deals on the day, retired stamp sets for sale, free postage on all orders, Big Shot reduced to $155 (down from $179.95 + postage).  You can earn a free stamp set by placing an order of $100.  There are also additional ways that you can receive another entry in the Lucky Door Prize (bring a friend new to Stampin' Up!, book a Workshop or place an order on the day). 

I have not done much creating recently but here is one of the invitations made for the Spectacular - how cute is the owl?

This card was made using the Big Shot Scallop Circle Die using Bashful Blue card stock, folded and placed on the Big Shot Scallop Circle Die so that the Circle does not completely cut out.  Cut out another Big Shot Scallop Circle completely in Very Vanilla and emboss with the Lattice Big Shot embossing folder.  Stick this to the front of your card. Punch out your owls using your Two Step Owl Punch on your preferred colour, I have used Bashful Blue and Bravo Burgundy and put them together.  Punch out the leaf using the Extra Large 2 Step Bird Punch, punch a scallop square and square and stamp your sentiment on the square card stock (I have used a sentiment from the "On Your Birthday" Set).  Once completed and arranged to your own taste, add some Very Vanilla 5/8" Satin Ribbon and tie in a knot.  How cute are those Owls???

I hope to see you Saturday at the Stamping Spectacular.  Give me a call if you have any queestions.

Don't forget that Sale-A-Bration is until 31 March 2011.  Make sure you place an order or arrange that workshop to earn your free stamp set!!!

Regards
Lisa

Lisa Bowcock
Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator
http://lisabowcock.stampinup.net

Do you want Free Stamp Sets?

I cannot believe how quickly time gets away.  I am trying to update my blog once a week and this week has nearly finished and I am just squeezing it in.

Sale-A-Bration has to be one of the best times to be a Stampin' Up! customer or demonstrator.  I love giving away free things and from now until 31 March 2011, for every $100 spent, you can have a stamp set for free!  Become a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator during the Sale-A-Bration period and you will also receive a free stamp set.  Host your own Workshop and with sales of $600 or more, you receive a free stamp set and your guests can also receive one for their order of $100. 

So if you have an order or have been putting off hosting that workshop, NOW is the time to get it organised.  Give me a call to book in your workshop or place your order.

Here is a card that I have made recently for the Stamping Spectacular - Papercraft Expo, which incidentally is on in less than 2 weeks (12 Feb).  I wasn't so sure about it myself but I think it has grown on me.   What do you think?

I think I am going to try out a technique I haven't used before this week.  I will keep you posted with how I go.

Regards
Lisa

Lisa Bowcock
Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator
And lovin' it
http://lisabowcock.stampinup.net

QLD Flood Victim Relief

We have all seen the devastation of the floods in Queensland, there is tragedy everywhere.  I can't begin to imagine what our fellow Aussies are going through and are still to go through.  Stampin' Up! demonstrators have a long history of making a difference in the lives of others--especially when disaster strikes and the need is greatest. Nearly two years ago, we watched another tragedy unfold in Australia. Our hearts were touched as demonstrators, customers and friends joined together in support of the Bushfire Appeal. We've done it before and we can certainly do it again!


To help the victims of the floods that have devastated over three quarters of Queensland, join with us in supporting the Australia Flood Appeal. Stampin' Up! will donate $2 AUD of the retail value of sales from any stamp set (with a retail value of $30 or more) sold in Australia and New Zealand from 15 January through 15 February to the State Emergency Services in Queensland.

If you would like to place an order and help the flood victims, please give me a call.  Every little bit helps!


Valentines Day
Is just around the corner and my friend Kim, from Kariong Florist (http://www.kariongflorist.com.au/) asked me to make some cards for her customers.  Here is what I came up with.  I think my card style has certainly changed and are a lot more simpler these days, less is more. 

This card uses Cherry Cobbler (have I mentioned that I love this colour) card stock, Very Vanilla embossed using the Big Shot and Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, some Basic Black 5/8" Satin Ribbon and two hearts punched out in Cherry Cobbler.  The sentiment is punched out using the Modern Label Extra Large Punch and the Word Window punch.  "Love you" is from the Short & Sweet stamp set, stamped in basic black onto the word window punch.   Simple but nice. 

This second card uses Cherry Cobbler (love this colour), very vanilla, stamped using the Baroque Motifs stamp set (in Cherry Cobbler), a heart punched in Cherry Cobbler using the Heart Punch and "love you" from the Short & Sweet stamp set, stamped in Cherry Cobbler onto the Modern Label punch in Very Vanilla, finished with some 5/8" Very Vanilla Satin Ribbon.  Which do you like best????

Do you want to make these?  You can pick your choice of one of the above cards for your next workshop.  Better hurry though, February is only just around the corner.  Although, in saying that, you could make this any card you wanted, birthday, anniversary, wedding, engagement.  That's what I love about cardmaking, you can turn anything into exactly what you need!!

Anyway, that's all for this week.  Another goal met (albeit a day late) but I am sticking to my plan.  It's a bit more challenging finding the time now that I am back at work.

Don't forget our Stamping Spectacular - Papercraft Expo coming up on Saturday 12 February.  Everyone that attends on the day receives an entry into the lucky door prize, to win a BIG SHOT!  Surely you can't miss it!!!

Have a good week!

Regards
Lisa

Lisa Bowcock
Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator
...And lovin' it!
http://lisabowcock.stampinup.net

Stamping Spectacular - Papercraft Expo - 12 February 2011

Well, here I am into the second week of my goal to update my blog weekly.  Success again.  We are so busy at home at the moment with painting the house (more like preparation for painting) that I don't know where I found the time really to make anything.  However, due to the ups and downs on ladders and the muscles not normally being used, my legs couldn't bring themselves to get on a ladder today so I created.

I have been preparing for our Stamping Spectacular - Papercraft Expo, which myself and 5 other Stampin' Up! Demonstrators will be hosting on Saturday 12 February 2010.  We will be giving away a Big Shot as the Lucky Door Prize on the day.  Everyone will be given an entry on arrival but there are ways that my existing customers can earn extra tickets in the draw.  You can:-

1.  Bring a friend, new to Stampin' Up!
2.  Place an order on the day (orders on the day include free shipping)
3.  Book a Workshop on the day

In addition, as this is during the Sale-A-Bration period, orders will qualify for a free stamp set for every $100 ordered.

We will be showcasing Card Making, Scrapbooking, Handmade Invitations, Off the Page projects and featuring demonstrations on various techniques.  We will also have a make and take for everyone to do on the day.

I can't wait, I think it is going to be a lot of fun and I hope that you can make it

Saturday 12 February 2011
9am - 3pm
Central Coast Youth Club
18 Washing Avenue, Niagara Park

On a creative note, I am in the process of making some small cards for Kariong Florist, http://kariongflorist.com.au/, here is a couple of them.  I have stamped the image onto watercolour paper, then using my aquapainter and Stampin' Pads, watercoloured the images.  At our recent Regional training, we were given little hints on watercolouring, which have come in really handy.  You can't see it in the photo, but I have punched the word window punch in the front of the elegant eggplant cardstock and the sentiment is in the middle of the card, looks pretty cool!!

I've also included a sneak peek at one of the invitations I have made for showcasing at the Stamping Spectacular Papercraft Expo.

These really do look much better in real life.  Come along and check them out!!!

Regards
Lisa

Lisa Bowcock
Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator
And lovin it!!
http://lisabowcock.stampinup.net