Helping Hudson- A Wheely Great Cause

It’s true when they say that a little goes a long way, and I’m here to tell you about how a simple purchase of some fun -filled paper craft tutorials can give freedom to a little boy!


Hudson is 2 ½ but unlike most children his age, he has had a tough little life! Doctors realised he had an incomplete brain before he was born and as a newborn he was discovered to be legally blind. Hudson has recently been diagnosed with both Cerebral Palsy and Epilepsy! His mobility has been hindered severely by his disabilities, however his family and friends wish nothing more than to give him the chance to get moving on his own. Hudson needs a special Wheelchair/Walker, called a Kid Walker. This device will help get him mobile, allow him to play with his brother and sister, interact with other children his own age and give him independence in his day to day life!

This is where the stamping world really comes into play! When a group of Stampin’ Up! Demonstrators are asked for help they come to the rescue, ink and paper in hand, to work miracles. This is what has happened around Hudson over the last few months. First with his mum’s direct team, and then spreading out across Australia and New Zealand and over in to the US, the UK and Canada! His story has touched so many people so its time to share it with you all!

There is a HUGE online stamping event taking place, called Helping Hudson -A Wheely Great Cause! The organisers have been working really hard, securing support, tutorials and donations to get this event underway. There are going to be three weeks of stamping fun for you to join in – come back as often as you can, there will always be lots more to see, do and learn. It kicks off on the 1st August and will run right through until the 22nd. You’ll find it at http://helpinghudson.blogspot.com/

When you come on over to the blog you’ll find out all about Hudson, his family and his cause! But, more importantly, you can DO SOMETHING TO HELP HUDSON, at the same time as helping yourself learn how to make some great new paper craft projects. How? By purchasing bundles of tutorials kindly donated by Stampin’ Up! demonstrators the world over. Each bundle has 10 fun-filled tutorials for just AU$10! And there are six themes to choose from: Bags & Boxes, Christmas, Kids’ Birthdays, Projects for Men & Boys, Punch Art & Scrapbooking. There’s even a FREE bonus bundle if you buy four or more. WOW how exciting! All proceeds go directly to help Hudson.

(paragraph just for Aussie Demos....... (The Helping Hudson Crew will also be posting some awesome challenges throughout the three weeks. For a small donation you can join in and be in the running for some FANTASTIC Stampin’Up! Prize packs, kindly donated by Stampin’ Up! Australia (Aussie participants only) Also keep your eyes peeled for challenges over at Just Add Ink and Stamp A Memory too)

And we would love you to help spread the word too. Check out the ‘Spreading The Word’ page at the site for all you need to know to get the word out to as many people as you can.

C’MON LETS GET HUDSON MOVING!!!!!

A Gift For A Friend

I just made this for my friend's birthday tomorrow...full of chocolate of course!

This is the top view...I wantd to make these lillies again, it was much easier this time around.

..and this is her birthday card..I was over making lillies by that stage..that friend stamp is one of my faves.

While I am here I might as well show you some more Christmas cards I have made. This one is a case of Tenealle Williams, using Sahara Sand and Whisper White card and ink.

another one with the Snow Swirled stamp set, embossed in silver with a Bashful Blue base.

That's all for today...back to what you were doing!

Punched Flowers

I had three options today...I could either clean the house, mow the lawn or do craft...doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out which option I went with lol! I had another empty coffee jar lying around so I thought I would make it into another gift to have on hand. I followed a tutorial on Valitas blog which is here to make these fuschias...I have to confess I didn't have all the Stampin' Up! punches I needed so I had to improvise with what I had on hand for some of them...I wrecked these a bit by using some stamens I had in my craft stash so next time I will make them myself. I used some designer paper to wrap around the jar and added an old Olive ribbon...It's filled with chocolates (of course) and is now ready for the next time I need a little something for a little someone.

It's one of those days where I have a million things I would like to try so I think I will pop back into my craft room and decide what to do next!

ESAD Blog Hop!

Ho Ho Ho!! Is everyone ready for the ESAD Christmas in July Blog Hop??

What is ESAD?


ESAD stands for Extra Special Australasian Demonstrators and it is an online group just for Australian and New Zealand demonstrators for Stampin’ Up!
We so love what we do and not only do we love to share it with our customers, friends, and wonderful blog visitors but we share our love for what we do with each other as Demonstrators. We run swaps, challenges, tutorials, product know how and cyberstamps and we are always there to help and support each other when its needed
So if you are a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator located in Australia or New Zealand then please feel free to click  here to join our wonderful group.

I hope you all enjoyed looking at all the wonderful creations over at Narelles blog which is here
Ok I guess it's my turn!
The very first time I looked in a Stampin' Up! catalogue, there was one set that was screaming out "pick me pick me!!" I am talking about the Holilday Lineup set (115820). So much fun don't you think?

You know you are a dedicated crafter when you switch brands of coffee to one you hate because it comes in a nicer jar!! This is a really simple project to do and would make great Teacher gifts. Simply glue strips of designer paper around the jar and embellish with a tag...fill with yummy chocolates and you are done! I have used Bella Rose paper for this one and watercoloured the elves from Holiday line up.

I stamped a sentiment on a circle punch to add to the lid...easy as!

...and now you are going to think I am strange because my next project is a little weird

I am always on the lookout for inexpensive packaging...in this case a kitchen whisk...two bucks at the cheap shop.

The chocolates easily fit between the bars of the whisk.

I used the computer to print the words "we whisk you a" and then stamped Merry Christmas. Wrap the whisk in cellophane and tie with a pretty ribbon and Bon Apppetit!

*Handy tip

If you buy a small whisk you can't fit many chocolates inside so you HAVE to eat the left overs!

Thanks for stopping by, the next blog on your hop is over at Carol-Ann Torrie's which is here

See ya!

A bit more punch art

Thought I would share some more of my punch art creations. If you would like to make some of these yourself you can purchase the Zoo Animal tutorial from Paper Punch Addiction

I have had so much fun doing these punch art cards...in my previous obsession (as a scrapbooker) I would spend hours making paper piecings, so this really satisfies my " fiddling about" cravings.

I need a small circle punch so I can give my penguin cheeks next time...he is still cute though

And now for something non punch related..I have always wanted to have a go at a secret panel card but thought it would be too tricky for little old me so I have never attempted it...but I got brave this afternoon and had a go at one...and guess what...they are SO easy!!!!. I have used the Priceless stamp set which was a gift from my upline Angie Brown...HOW NICE IS THAT! It has been on my wish list for a long time so I was thrilled to get it (thankyou Angie!!) I am thinking those swirls will make a pretty Christmas card too...anway this is the outside of the secret panel card...just noticed how badly I muffed that punched edge...I could be arrested by the card making police for that poor effort!

This is the card opened up....

...and this is the secret panel opened up....and another blunder....should have used a different stamp instead of happy birthday again...that's another warrant out for my arrest. I had so much fun making this card I think I will do it as a project at my kids class next week...with some icky bugs perhaps!

If you would like to try one of these just google secret panel card...I did that and found some great you tube videos

I think that's enough creating for one day, I have a kitchen full of dirty dishes and a mountain of washing to fold..yay for me!! Don't forget to check back on teh 24th for the ESAD blog hop!

A Bit of Punch Art

I purchased a punch art tutorial from Kim Score at Paper Punch Addiction because I fell in love with this really cute hippo...awww I have made a few others but I haven't taken pictures yet...will be nice if we get some of the punches I need when the new catalogue comes out in September!

I have seen this feller all over the net so I don't know the original creator but he is very simple to make..I can see a few of these being made at Christmas time.

 I saw a great tip on Valita's blog about using a segment from the spiral punch to make a top for a bauble...would be simpler if we had the ornament punch here in Australia ...fingers crossed for that one!

Getting organised for Christmas here, I wanted a folder big enough to hold ten dollar scratchy tickets...the ones they have at the newsagency are really naff!! . I used the So Swirly wheel with Versamark and embossed it in gold. 

And in case you are wondering...no ! none of them are winners...so don't bother hitting me up for a quid!

And lastly a very quick and simple card using my newest set, Cheep Talk... It's a no brainer for when you are pressed for time..

That's all folks, don't forget to check back on July 24th for the ESAD blog hop....lot's of Christmas ideas on the way!

Loads of Love

It's lucky you can't be arrested for being a slack Blogger!!! What can I say, life has been busy...but I am baaaackk!
This stamp set has been on my wish list since day one and thanks to a special Stampin' Up! has this month, I finally buckled and got it. This is really simple to make and best of all it's interactive...pull on the slider and the car drives...I need one like that!! I used a brayer and sponging for the background...(not my strong point I should add) and used Pocket silhouettes for the foreground. The tree in the background comes with the Loads of Love set...
*I was hoping no one would notice but I have been caught!! The slider should have started on the left hand side so the car could drive rather than reverse lol...so if you make one of these don't make that mistake!

This is a simple gift bag we did in last weeks stamp club. I bought some cheap bags from the markets and we just made an embellished panel for the front using Petal Pizzazz.....the ladies complined about all the cutting they had to do...but I told them to pipe down and keep on cutting lol

Lastly a card I cased from the internet but unfortunately I commited it to memory rather than my computer so I have no idea of the original creator..sorry...That's it for me for now I shall return when I have made something else..but before I go.....

Stay tuned for the ESAD blog hop starting July 24th!! Some fabulous ideas coming soon!