New blog address!

OK Folks - Thank you for visiting my website here.

I decided I didn't quite have all the functions I wanted on blogger so have changed over to typepad. Hope to see you there!

My new web address (if I haven't caught up with you to let you know) is here:

http://www.madexcreations.com/

Click on that one and you will find lots of cards, scrapbook layouts and other papercrafting snippets for you to browse through. Grab a cuppa and pop on by.

Cheers, Sue!

A Quick Invitation

This was an invitation I made when I wanted to have a play with my Birthday Whimsy stamp set.

(This is one of the free stamp sets you can get during Sale-A-Bration when you spend $100. There are 4 sets to choose from - a great offer that finishes at the end of Feb.)

I didn't have any bright stamp pads in my collection but was quite happy with this colourful invite that used just Basic Black ink. All the cardstock is from our Bold Brights range. The base card is Glossy White. The greeting is from Sincere Salutations - such a useful stamp set. I also used a circle punch. (And of course a happy snap of my nephew - the birthday boy!)

It looks a little distorted there at the top. I just checked and it does look much straighter in real life!

Cheers.

And some more cards ...

This was a quick card to make. Stamped the flowers (from Springtime Stems) with Versamark and Very Vanilla Craft Ink onto Real Red cardstock. Used the paper piercer and mat pack to put a row of holes down the side of the Naturals Ivory strip. Used an old pair of scissors to scrape both long sides for some texture, and added faint colour with Stampin' Pastels. The 'Happy Birthday' is from Birthday Whimsy - stamped in Very Vanilla Craft Ink onto black card. A pewter piece of Hodgepodge Hardware holds the greeting and completes the card.

Sometimes I feel like making a card but am stuck for ideas or can't seem to make a start. (Otherwise known as fluffing about the place not achieving much! Don't we all have those days.) Our main catalogue is also an ideas book with many cards, scrapbook pages, gift boxes and other items for inspiration. At the back of the Idea Book and Catalogue there is an index which gives you a list of all the supplies used to make each item - very handy. Here is a card I adapted from the sample on page 77 of the current catalogue.

I used:

Stamp Sets: Touch Of Nature (thanks Lisa for lending me this one!)
Ink:Basic Brown, Always ArtichokeCardstock: Always Artichoke, Naturals - Ivory, Designer Series Double Sided - Enchante, Very VanillaAccessories: Hodgepodge Hardware (pewter), Grosgrain ribbon - Chocolate

The Idea Book/Catalogue is usually $12.95. Special offer: With orders over $50 it is just $6 and you can have one free with your first order over $100 (or if you host a workshop.)

Current Promotion: I am offering the 2007/2008 Catalogue for $6 until the end of March. (Or of course free for orders over $100 or for hostesses.) Please contact me (email address is in my profile) if you would like to place an order.

And for one last sample for today - a quick bookmark I quite liked. (Thank you to ColleenTeacher on http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ for the calendar template.)

I used Stem Silhouettes for this one - my favourite stamp set so far. I used my Rich Regals Markers instead of an ink pad so that I could make the buds and stems different colours.

Cardstock: Close to Cocoa and Naturals Ivory. Also: Versamark pad and Chocolate Grosgrain Ribbon.

That might be enough for today I think! Cheers, Sue.

March Classes!

March Technique Class: Friday 14th March, 7.30pm at my place
Techniques: Embossing, Emboss resist, Masking
I am holding technique classes once a month. At each class we will learn 2 - 3 new techniques for stamping and cardmaking. You will receive a laminated instruction card (including photo) for each new technique. They attach to a ring to keep them together -if you come to a few classes you will end up with a nice little 'booklet' of techniques for reference. You will make 3 cards using the techniques learnt. (Or we might substitute another item such as a bookmark or gift box some months.) Come each month or just to one or two to get started or to get some inspiration.
Cost: $12 per class if you bring your own adhesive (photo tabs, double sided tape, snail - whatever you like to use) or $15 if you use mine.
Snail adhesive ($12.95) can be preordered from me for the night and will last for a number of classes or stamp a stacks.

Stamp a Stacks Cardmaking Fun: Sunday March 16th, 2 - 4pm at my place
I am also holding a 'Stamp a Stack' cardmaking session each month. We will each make 10 cards in a variety of designs. (And of course chat and have fun. Tim tams provided!) All materials supplied.
Cost: $15 per session if you bring your own adhesive (see above), $20 if you use mine.
Matched envelopes available - 10 for $3.

It would be helpful if you could bring along a small pair of scissors. (If you don't have any we can share!)

Contact me (by email or phone) to book a spot for March Technique Class or Stamp a Stack. (Limited places available - limited to who will fit around my dining table!) A great way to do some cardmaking, learn some new ideas and meet other friendly craft lovers or craft beginners.
If you like to make cards or think you'd like to give it a go, but never get time at home - book in now for some time out!


Now I had best go and pick up my daughter from school. School photos today so she is looking particularly cute with ribbons and plaits. (Or at least she was when she left - will see how the hair held up for the day!) Jack and I got nice and soaked in the 10 minute walk from the car to the classroom! Think I'd better put a plastic stroller cover on my shopping list!!

Cheers all,
Sue

Happy anniversary mum and dad ...

Mum and dad celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary this month. Here is the card we kids gave them to mark the occasion.

Now you can't actually tell from this photo but it is a rather large card (no envelopes this big!) The little cards with the letters are about 5cm square and the card is 60cm+ across.

I got the large pieces of card and the flowers from a craft store.

Stampin' Up products:

Stamp Sets: Best Friends Alphabet - upper (in Brocade Blue ink), Carte Postale for the monogram (in Bravo Burgundy ink) Accessories: I used a piece from Hodgepodge Hardware on the monogram (pewter). Love this box of metallic goodies.

Here is a close up of the monogram I came up with for the lower left corner. (That is their initials by the way.)

We had a nice day celebrating with all the family. Wow 40 years. John and I are coming up to 9 years next month and that seems like a long time. Congrats again mum and dad!

I have been making lots of cards lately while I play with all my supplies and thought I'd try making a 3D object for a bit of variety. Made this cute little gift box.

Stamp Sets: Carte Postale. (Really liking this set. I've borrowed it from mum and better give it back soon!)

Cardstock: The base is made using pale plum. The lid uses the double sided Designer Series paper in the Summer Mini Catalogue - Enchante. This is great for lids as there is another pattern on the reverse. The flowers and designs on the paper coordinate with the stamp set for a great look. I can't wait to scrapbook a page with this lot!

Ink: Very Vanilla Craft pad, Versamark. The little tag is stamped using my rich regals markers (Elegant Eggplant) - since I didn't have any purple ink pads. Quite handy!

Other: I used the tag punch for the little tag.

Now while I have been spending time at my desk making lots of these bits and pieces I have often had a little 'helper' beside me. Hannah is a crafter in training I think. She has her own case of scrapbooking supplies (thanks Poppy and Maddy!) and a growing collection of my offcuts (OK and my mistakes - but don't tell her that!) She likes to make cards too while I am busy creating so I thought I'd post one of hers in cyberspace!

That's it for today folks. Back soon! Cheers, Sue

A Couple of Cards ...

Thought I'd pop on a couple of cards I have made recently while playing with my Stampin' Up supplies.

This one is my first attempt at a technique called masking which you can use to make images appear to be in the foreground or background - a layering effect. The lettering is done using embossing to give a silver raised finish. I've added some rhinestones to the flowers for a bit of sparkle!

Stamp set: Bodacious Bouquet, Stem Silhouettes
Ink: Brocade Blue, Bravo Burgundy, Regal Rose
Cardstock: Brocade Blue, Bravo Burgundy, Whisper White
Accessories: Rhinestones (from my craft supplies), embossing kit and heat tool

I will be running classes in mid March (Fri 14th March - 7.30pm and Sun 16th March - 2pm) at my place where you can learn the techniques of embossing and masking and make some cards during the session using these techniques. I will be posting further details and costs for the class soon when these are finalised. If this sounds interesting pop the dates in your diary and phone or email me to book a spot.

This next card is another one that uses the technique of embossing. (It is based on a card design by Claire Daly. (http://www.clairedaly.typepad.com/)

Stamp Sets: Birthday Whimsy, Sincere Salutations
Ink: Embossing Pad
Cardstock: Naturals Ivory, More Mustard, Not Quite Navy
Accessories: Embossing Kit and Heat Tool , Mat Pack and Paper Piercer

Will be back later in the week with some more cards!

Cheers, Sue

Stampin' Up! and Me ...

My first flick through the Stampin' Up! Catalogue and Ideas Book that my friend Leanne brought over one day got the cogs in my brain spinning. Before I knew it my wish list had exceeded my Christmas stocking space!

It was another month or so before I made it to a workshop at Leanne's place with the inspirational Claire Daly. http://www.clairedaly.typepad.com/

Another quick peruse through the catalogue and I was hooked. So much so that I could not get my brain to focus on actually making a card that day and had to pull it to bits and reassemble it later when I regained a bit of concentration!
Here 'tis!



Poor John - who was out shopping with two rather cranky children - got a rather garbled phone call to say 'I'm considering becoming a Stampin' Up demonstrator. The kit is on special for just under $300. What do you think?'
To his credit, instead of saying 'What on earth are you talking about - translate that for me??' he said something to the effect of 'If you think its a good idea, its fine by me too.'

Anyway to cut the story I got the forms, spent the next few days engrossed in the catalogue, selected and reselected the stamp sets for my starter kit a dozen times before finally posting off my forms, and restrained myself from hugging the postman when he delivered my big box of supplies.

Held my first workshop (with mum, sisters and 5 year old daughter!) three days later ....

Looking forward to learning more about stamping, scrapbooking and card making, meeting lots of other crafty people, and perhaps introducing people to a new hobby.

Crafty Moments and Clean Houses ...

Being creative, using different craft materials and experimenting with new techniqes gives me a buzz. The sight of racks of coloured cardstock gets the heart racing ...shelves of coordinating scrapbook accessories ... a new edition of my favourite scrapbooking magazine .... the house to myself for an hour to create!

Yep - I love crafts. I think one of the reasons I love creating cards or scrapbook pages is that you work on a project for a time then its finished. And tomorrow and next week it will still be there finished. (Unlike the dishes or dinner or laundry or ....... you get the idea!)

Actually I have to confess that if I have half an hour spare with kids asleep or amusing themselves (or watching Playschool!) and face a choice between mopping or doing 'just one more page in this scrapbook' or 'just a quick card' or even 'just a quick lap around my favourite online craft sites - then mopping generally loses.
Which is why I usually need a bit of notice before visitors call in. OK sometimes about a week's notice!

But in the last few years I've amassed a good collection of scrapbooks which celebrate many of the special, ordinary, day to day moments which are otherwise relegated to my unreliable memory, a growing stack of personal, made with love cards to send to near and dear, and a comfortable lived in sort of house (that has the added bonus of helping the kids develop good immune systems! - I hope that theory turns out to be based in science.) Plus I am a much happier wife and mum when I spend some time in my space to create on hobbies I love.

Madex Creations .... the beginnings

I've enjoyed making cards for as long as I can remember. Dad found this tidbit in the 'sentimental box' from 1983 ...

In more recent years I've made cards featuring photos of my two gorgeous kids.

Far flung friends and relatives that we don't get to see often in person love to get a Christmas card and see the children growing up.

I started writing 'Madex Creations' on the back of cards I'd made ages ago and it became my unofficial brand.

When I was choosing a name for this blog it seemed a good time to take 'Madex Creations' online .....