Statement of the Heart

"To love what we do and share what we love,as we help others enjoy creativity and worthwhile accomplishments... in this we make a difference!"

Monday 28 December 2015

NZSU Pics of the Week 27 Dec 2015

I hope you all had a great Christmas day with family and friends, our house was mayhem with 29 for Christmas dinner. Fortunately for me, my husband and daughter in-law love to cook, so there was no room for me in the kitchen until clean up time.
For the next week I am holidaying at Waihi beach with some of our family, which we are all looking forward to, lets hope the weather stays fine.
The 2016 Stampin' Up year is off to a great start with the new occasions catalogue and Sale-a-bration.
My very best wishes for a Happy New Year to you and Yours.

Top Row: Angela Palmer  Jacque Williams  Marilyn Meadows
2nd Row:  Michelle Pepper  Paula Dobson  Paula Reid

Sunday 20 December 2015

NZSU Pics of the Week 20 December 2015

Merry Christmas to Everyone
Only 5 sleeps to go! I hope you all have a wonderful day with family and friends. Don't work too hard in the kitchen and if you're travelling be safe. Only one more post in 2015 and lots to look forward to in 2016, have a fabulous week.




Sunday 13 December 2015

NZSU Pics of the Week 13 Dec 2015

Hi De Ho Stampers, many of you will have been busy this week with end of year school and work functions, with still more to come no doubt. I've been busy creating teachers gifts for my grandsons whom seem to have more than one teacher each these days, however the teachers are always appreciative knowing that time and thought have gone into the gifts they receive.
This week I was thinking it was time I checked out how to make the NZSU Blog mobile friendly, I found it was very easy as "Blogger" had an option within their program to sort it out. I hope that you find it a little easier to access on your phones now.
Have a great week and be careful out there in the busy pre Christmas whirl.

Top Row:  Alison Hyde  Debbie Lamb

2nd Row:  Jacque Williams  Paula Reid 


Sunday 6 December 2015

NZSU Pics of the Week 6 Dec 2015

Oh my goodness 19 days to go!! Every year seems to go faster than the last or is that just me getting older? It's obvious that everyone is getting busy, as this past week saw a lot fewer posts than usual. 
One of our delightful grandsons assembled our Christmas tree and dressed it, insisting he could do it by himself this year, he's eight. It was a big effort for both of us, for him because it's quite a big tree and for me to keep my hands and advice to myself. However we both did remarkably well!
Enjoy your week and stay sane.


Wednesday 2 December 2015

NZSU Pics of the week 29 Nov 2015

Finally back! Apologies for the drawn out delay, technology is wonderful until it falls over. I hope you are all enjoying the lead up to Christmas and not overtaxing yourselves, take a little time out to relax and smell the "Pine Needles"
Have a wonderful week.

Monday 16 November 2015

NZSU Pics of the Week 15 November 2015

What a great day we had at the inaugural Stampin' Up "On Stage" New Zealand event, our day was filled with excitement,(special announcements) fun, prizes, learning, meeting up with old friends and making new ones. A massive thank you must go to Emma and her team for all the hard work that went into making "On Stage" such a successful event. If you couldn't manage to join us this time, make sure you come along to the next "On Stage" to be held in April 2016.
Have a fabulous week.

Sunday 8 November 2015

NZSU Pics of the Week 8 Nov 2015

Only 6 days to go to the inaugural NZ Stampin' Up "On Stage" event!! I'm so excited to be attending, as I know it will be really inspiring and fun. I look forward to meeting many of you there.
Have a fabulous week.
2nd Row    Paula Dobson   Paula Reid   Paula Reid 2nd Card   

Sunday 1 November 2015

NZSU Pics of The Week 1 November 2015

Good Evening fellow stampers, have you had a good week? I received a Stampin' Up order earlier this week with lots of Holiday catalogue products so I was able to create some more lovely Christmas cards and sets of 4 x 4 cards for friends, which I so enjoy. 

We are now in our first week of November and I am almost finished my second year as administrator of this blog, I look forward to completing this very enjoyable task each Sunday night, however there may be someone else who would like to take over this role and bring a fresh perspective to the site. Please send me an e-mail if you would be interested in taking over this role in the New Year.

Have a fantastic week.


Top Row:    Alison Hyde   Delys Cram   Patrice Halliday-Larsen
2nd Row     Paula Dobson   Paula Reid   Sally Robertson

Monday 26 October 2015

NZSU Pics of the Week 25 October 2015

Here in Auckland we have had a beautiful sunny day, hopefully the rest of the country has enjoyed similar weather. We have my lovely sister in-law and 2 nieces visiting for the weekend, making it a great family weekend. 
How are your stack of Christmas cards coming along?  Exactly two months from today to Christmas day, every year I love the Christmas products and this year is no exception, I'm having a lovely time creating cards for myself as well as family and friends.
Enjoy the rest of this long weekend and have a fabulous week.

Monday 19 October 2015

NZSU Pics of the Week 18 Oct 2015

Have you checked out the Stampin' Up Artisan Blog Hop Lately? Why not take a minute or two to browse this week's - Thankful Forest Friends Stampin' Up Artisan Blog Hop Check it out here
There are also many Blog Hop and Challenge sites that deserve a look, great inspiration can be found on a variety of sites, below are a few links.
Enjoy your week.

Top Row:   Angela Palmer   Delys Cram   Paula Dobson

Sunday 11 October 2015

NZSU Pics of the Week 11 October 2015

Goodness how the year is flying by, 75 days until Christmas day and only 4 weeks until the first "On Stage, Auckland NZ" event. This is a wonderful opportunity to attend an exciting "Stampin' Up" event, holding this event in NZ makes it so much more accessible and affordable for many of us. It will be great to put faces to names and creations.
Have a fabulous week.

Monday 5 October 2015

NZSU Pics of the Week 4th October 2015

Well it's great to be home again in our wonderful country, how blessed we are to live here. Our gardens have grown so much in the last month, thanks to the spring weather. What a shame it hasn't been so fine over the weekend, hopefully it will fine up for the 2nd week of the school holidays. For those of you who held special events for World card making day yesterday, I hope they were a resounding success for you and your guests.
Have an awesome week.
Top Row:   Alison Hyde   Angela Palmer   Delys Cram

Sunday 27 September 2015

NZSU Pics of the Week 27 Sept 2015

Well this is the last post I will posting from the USA, we are now in Washington DC, which I love and will be back in NZ early on the 30th September. It means I haven't done any crafting for a month, that must be the longest time I have been away from stamping for about 4 years! I definitely struggled with New York, so many people and it was very hot while we were there which didn't help. I look forward to some peaceful creating when we get settled into our home again.

Big apologies to Kathryn Tyrrell for crediting her creation last week to Sally Robertson and many thanks to Sally for emailing me so I could correct my mistake.
Have an awesome week.
2nd Row:  Paula Dobson   Paula Reid   Susan Wong


Sunday 20 September 2015

NZSU Pics of the week 20 September 2015

What amazing projects have been posted this week, it's really inspiring to see so many fabulous designs. 
We are still in the USA this morning we left the cruise ship and flew from New York City to Charlotte, North Carolina so we could go to the drag racing here tomorrow.
Have a fantastic week everyone.

Sunday 13 September 2015

NZSU Pics of the Week 13 September 2015

Thankfully I am able to write this post in a very moderate temperature, after 4 extremely hot days in New York City, we are aboard the ship "Liberty of the Sea" presently cruising from Portland, Maine towards Bar Harbour, Canada. The ship is beautiful and we are having a wonderful time, we are travelling with 2 other couples enjoying lots of laughs.

I'm sure many of you thoroughly enjoyed your Team Training with Jacque Williams this weekend and came away re-energised and armed with some useful tips.

Have a Great week everyone.

Sunday 6 September 2015

NZSU Pics of the Week 6 September 2015

Happy Fathers Day to all NZ Dads. Here are some lovely Cards the Palmer Children made for their Dad.The Palmers

Pics of the Week
I'm writing this blog post from the Sir Francis Drake Hotel in San Francisco, we arrived here on Thursday afternoon, a little weary after a 12 hour flight. The weather has been magnificent , it is still Saturday here and tomorrow is Sunday and we will leave for New York in the morning. Next Sunday's post may be a problem as we will be part way through a 9 day cruise and previous experience cruising suggests that internet connection is not at all reliable, so please "bear with". 
Have a fabulous week.



Sunday 30 August 2015

NZSU Pics of the Week 30 August 2015

Hi Dee Ho Stampers, well it's started those Christmas cards are beginning to be posted! Where has this year gone? What an exciting Stampin Up year it's been so far and now we're all looking forward to the opportunity of attending the first "On Stage" event. If you haven't registered yet you should do, if the Stampin Up conventions are anything to go by, "On Stage" is going to be amazing, so awesome to be among so many like minded people and such fun.
As per my post last week, we will be away from this Thursday for 4 weeks, I will endeavor to post on time over this period but bear with me if my timing is a little out.
Have a great week.
Top Row:   Alison Hyde   Angela Palmer   Jackie Noble
2nd Row:   Lisa Bullock   Sharlene Meyer   Susan Wong

Sunday 23 August 2015

NZSU Pics of the Week 23 August 2015

Is Spring nearly here? It's going to be a great weekend weather wise for most of New Zealand. I'm heading to Christchurch this weekend to visit our youngest Grandson and his Dad as well as my dear sister in-law. 
Brian and I are travelling overseas on the 3rd September returning to NZ on the 30th September, we are visiting the USA and Canada, so the NZSU Blog posts may be a little late sometimes. Most of the hotels we are staying at have Wifi, however we are on a 9 night cruise into Canada which may prove a little challenging, last year we experienced only limited internet connection while on a cruise. So apologies in advance, I will keep in touch as best I can over this time.
Have a fantastic week.


2nd Row:   Lisa Bullock   Paula Dobson   Paula Reid

Sunday 16 August 2015

NZSU Pics of the Week 16 July 2015

What a beautiful day we've had here in Auckland, the sun has been shining all day, a great relief after a lot of rain this week.
Congratulations go to Mary Reeve and Jacque Williams,  as well I'm sure a lot of help from Robert Williams, for hosting an amazing "Extravaganza" in Napier this weekend.
Have a fantastic week everyone.


Top Row:   Alison Hyde    Delys Cram   Kathryn Tyrell


Sunday 9 August 2015

NZSU Pics of the Week 9th August 2015

Hi, I'm guessing many of you are waiting with baited breath for your SU "brown boxes" to arrive and some may have already received their pre-orders. The Holiday Catalogue is filled with such great products that like many others I found it difficult to choose what to order first. I really enjoy Christmas, so I'm very excited about the Christmas products that I've ordered, which should be arriving in the next couple of days.
Marilyn Meadows one of our fellow demonstrators has been travelling in the USA and has been posting some of her experiences on her Blog, this week she posted a photo of herself at the Stampin' Up Convention in Salt Lake City, how awesome is that?
Have a fantastic week everyone.




Sunday 2 August 2015

NZSU Pics of the Week 2 August 2015


Hi Stampers, I'm in Melbourne again this week my sister is in hospital again and very unwell. So I've scheduled this post to publish on Sunday night, I hope it works as I haven't tried this particular function previously. I love how all the new products keep inspiring everyone, just take a look at whats been posted this week, gorgeous work Ladies.
Absolutely excited with all the upcoming products in the Holiday Catalogue, can't wait to get my hands on some of these new products.
Have a great week everyone.

2nd Row:     Paula Dobson   Rhonda Fawcett   Sharlene Meyer

Sunday 26 July 2015

NZSU Pics of the Week 26 July 2015

Hi everyone, I know some of you have had a huge weekend at the Auckland Extravaganza and by the looks of the photos on facebook, it was a definite "WOW" day. Congratulations to all who were involved.
A huge Congratulations must go to Kristine McNickle who has been appointed to the first "Stampin' Up" Global Events Council, awesome Kristine.
I have spent a good part of this afternoon making 4 x 4 note cards using the Butterfly Basics stamps and thinlits, I have to admit being smitten with this bundle and can't seem to keep away from it.
Have a great week everyone.
2nd Row:   Paula Dobson   Paula Reid   Sharlene Meyer

Sunday 19 July 2015

NZSU Pics of the Week 19 July 2015

I hope you have all had a great week especially those of you enjoying some fun times with children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews during the school holidays. I visited Christchurch with two of my grandsons for five days this week and we had a lovely time, one of the high-lights was our visit to Orana Park, even though it was extremely cold we loved it.
Have an awesome week everyone.


Sunday 12 July 2015

NZSU Pics of the Week 12 July 2015

Well here I am back in Auckland after spending a week Melbourne and this Wednesday I'm off to Christchurch with two of my Grandsons for the remainder of the school holidays. We went to The Warehouse this afternoon to buy, boots, jackets, scarves, gloves and beannies to keep out the worst of the cold. I am reliably informed that the best place to take kids to play in the snow is "Hilltop", so if anyone has a better alternative please let me know.


There are some splendid cards appearing on blogs and facebook using the new products ; "Butterfly Basics" stamps and thinlits have obviously been a huge success and the new "In Colours" are also very popular, I'm really enjoying using the new Tip Top Taupe, both the ink and cardstock.
I hope everyone has a wonderful week.

Top Row:       Delys Cram   Lisa Bullock   Julia Leece

Sunday 5 July 2015

NZSU Pics of the Week 5 July 2015

Good Afternoon all, I have to post this a little earlier than usual as I have just had an email from my brother-in-law, in Melbourne advising that my sister has been admitted to hospital again, so I'm off over there to help out where I can.

I know a few of you will be holding school holiday classes for children, I hope they go well and you have lots of interest. Lets cross our fingers that the weather isn't too bad. 

I'm coming back from Melbourne on Friday night as I have booked flights to take two of my grandsons down to Christchurch in the 2nd week of the holidays, to visit with Southern branch of the family.

Have a wonderful week.

Top Row: Alison Hyde   Delys Cram   Julia Leece
Bottom Row:   Paula Dobson   Sally Williams   Susan Wong 

Monday 29 June 2015

NZSU Pics of the Week 28 June 2015

How have you all coped with the severe weather this week? Even here in Auckland we had what for us were extremely cold temperatures and "Hard" frosts, However nothing compared to other parts of the country, like for instance, Methven; in case you missed it here is a photo of Alison Hyde's daughter building an igloo!
Enjoy your week everyone.



Top Row:        Alison Hyde   Angela Palmer   Julia Leece

Sunday 21 June 2015

NZSU Pics of the Week 21 June 2015

Hi de ho Stampers, I hope all of you who live in Whanganui are well and safe and if you have been affected by the floods this weekend, that you are getting all the help that you need. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help.
Prayers and Hugs from your NZ "Stampin' Up" team.

Top Row:         Keryn Campbell   Lisa Bullock   Michelle Pepper
Bottom Row:   Paula Dobson   Sally Williams   Sharlene Meyer

Sunday 14 June 2015

NZSU Pics of the Week 14 June 2015

Have you had a busy week with the New Catty? Lots of Launch Parties and hopefully lots of orders.
I've just returned from our trip to Bali and I'm still trying to get my body clock back to normal. We had a lovely relaxing break in the warmth, with the added bonus of spending time with my sister and her family.
Have a great week.

Top Row:         Alison Hyde   Delys Cram   Lisa Bullock


Monday 8 June 2015

NZSU Pics of the Week 7 June 2015

Hello Stampers, have you had a good week?  I'm looking forward to seeing many of your creations posted on our NZSU Blog using the great new products in this years catty.
I note that we will be able to update our MDS program to "My Memories Suite" software, which I will be doing so I am able to continue using similar software to create these posts.
I am posting this from Bali where we are holidaying with my sister and her family. We are staying in a beautiful villa about 45 minutes from the airport, so away from the hustle and bustle and spending a lot of time in the fabulous pool.
Have a great week.




Top Row:   Alison Hyde   Angela Palmer   Jackie Noble
Bottom Row:   Julia Leece   Marilyn Meadows   Keryn Campbell


Monday 1 June 2015

NZSU Pics of the Week 31 May 2015

I hope everyone has enjoyed Queens Birthday weekend and been able to share some time with family and friends. My awesome husband prepared a beautiful lunch for 11 adults and 4 children today, we had a fabulous afternoon. 
This Wednesday we are travelling to Bali to join my sister, brother in-law and niece for 9 days, we're all looking forward to some warm weather. I am hopeful I will be able to post "Pics of the week" from there next Sunday, but I apologise in advance in case I have any hiccups and am unable to do so.
Have a fantastic "New Catty" week. 

Monday 25 May 2015

NZSU Pics of the week 24 May 2015

Wow what a chilly weekend it's been and it's looking like the South Island is in for even more cold weather, with snow expected. Maybe if you're indoors because of the weather it gives you a perfect excuse for more crafting!
If you are hosting a Catalogue launch party in the next couple of weeks, lots of luck and enjoy yourself.
Have a wonderful week and keep warm.

2nd Row:   Paula Reid   Sally Williams   Susan Wong


Sunday 17 May 2015

NZSU Pics of the Week 17 May 2015

Like many of you I have received my pre-order this week and I'm having fun finding all the new creations that have started to be posted on the internet. Have fun organising your catalogue launches and classes for our fabulous new products, it's going to be an exciting year.

Have a great week.

2nd Row:   Lisa Bullock
3rd Row:    Paula Reid    Alison Hyde

Sunday 10 May 2015

NZSU Pics of the Week 10 May 2015

Happy Mother's Day to everyone. Hopefully you have enjoyed your day with family and friends. I've had a wonderful afternoon with family, my lovely husband made a scrumptious afternoon tea for eight of us, he is an excellent cook; gourmet sausage rolls, club sandwiches, date scones with cream and jam and an apple, cinnamon and raisin cake. No one will need much dinner tonight.
Who else is waiting with baited breath for their pre-order? It's such an exciting time of the year when you are a Stampin' Up demo, I'm looking forward to all the new creations we'll soon be seeing. Have a fabulous week.

Top Row:   Angela Palmer   Jackie Noble   Julia Leece

Sunday 3 May 2015

NZSU Pics of the Week 3 May 2015

 I hope all Convention attendees had a wonderful time. A huge CONGRATULATIONS to the "Creative Inkers" team for their phenomenal success at the Awards night, for those of you who haven't heard yet;

Jacque Williams 1st for all categories plus $700K milestone for career sales!
Paula Dobson 3rd for recruiting in New Zealand. Julia Leece 3rd for leadership in New Zealand. Kristine McNickle 2nd in New Zealand for sales. 

I'm going to try a new format for our weekly blog ie: instead of showcasing 9 projects for the week I'm going to choose 6 to display. Along with a couple of other demo's I think this is a more realistic number to showcase, if you have any other suggestions regarding our blog please email me, I'd welcome hearing from you.

Have a fabulous week.

Top Row:   Alison Hyde   Angela Palmer   Paula Reid


Sunday 26 April 2015

NZSU Pics of the Week 26 April 2015

Along with many other New Zealanders and Australians I had the privilege of attending an Anzac Dawn Parade yesterday, if it wasn't for the many Serviceman and Women who left our shores to fight, many of whom did not return, we wouldn't have the freedom to attend these commemorations. I attended Dawn services with my three sons as they grew up and now I attend with my Grandsons, another privilege I may not have had except for the bravery of these men and women. 
Lest We Forget.

Please send prayers and thoughts to all those poor souls affected by the terrible earthquake in Nepal.

All you wonderful ladies who are flying off to Convention, have a fabulous time and log lots of posts for us.