Cookies what are they?

Hi Stampers,

Well what a busy week it's been for me with only small moments to myself, you sometimes feel overloaded. 

I think we often find we have many hats, either being a Mum or Dad, being a teacher, a provider or even just a worker - however I think it's always good to find time for yourself whether it be crafting or just sitting down by yourself and watching TV. This week I would like you all to take one hour a day for yourself and do whatever makes you happy, because you never know what tomorrow may bring.

Based on that, I thought I would go over "Cookies" and what they are. Now I'm not referring to the nice ones stored in a jar at home that you were never able to eat, but the ones that relate to the computer. 

What are cookies? A cookie is just one or more pieces of information stored as text strings on your computer. Some webpages will send you a cookie and the web browser  (i.e. Chrome, Internet Explorer etc) will store it . The browser then returns the cookie to the web page the next time the page is visited.

Sometimes the information stored in the cookie is out of date  (i.e. not updating current information) and therefore you may want to clear them now and again. And to do this, use these steps...

If you are using Internet Explorer for example, in the toolbar along the top select "Tools > Internet Options" and follow as per below.

Now with all that cleared up (mind the pun) we can look at the pics of the week...

Top Row L-R: Roz Begbie, Narelle Hoggard, Alison Hydes

Middle Row L-R: Vanita Hurbuns, Helen Williams, Paula Dobson

Bottom Row L-R: Jacquelyn Williams, Delys Cram, Ann Wills

Enjoy your week eveyone

And the Winner is...

Hi Stampers,

Thank you to everyone that entered the Week 8 NZSU colour challenge I can now confirm the winner is, drum roll please....

NZSU Week 8 Challenge winner

Angela Palmer

 

I loved the colours used on the card along with all the tools used to make it, from embossing folders through to embelisments and punches.

Congratulations Angela drop me an e-mail with your courier details and the stamp pad will be in the post. 

 

 

Just on another note as you are all aware this week is the final week for SAB so don't forget to place your orders so you can qualify for some fantastic free product.

 

 Now onto this weeks pics...

 

 

Top Row L-R: Karen Rogers, Tee-Jay Horrell, Julia Leece

Middle Row L-R: Debbie Lamb, Sharlene Meyer, Sally Williams

Bottom Row L-R: Susan Wong, Janet Mills, Lisa Bullock

 

 

Enjoy your week everyone.

 

 

 

 

Rounds the Bays

Hi All Crafters,

Once again this weekend has produced some fantastic weather, who would have thought its Autumn. It was so hot today I felt sorry for all those runners doing round the bays, did anyone enter today? My husband did, I of course stayed inside and enjoyed the air conditioning at home, sounds bad I know but hey we all can't compete!

Today is the last day for the NZSU Week 8 Colour challenge, for those that haven't entered you have until midnight tonight. Thank you for all those that have already entered, I have some fantastic cards to select from!

Now onto the pics of the week...

Top Row L-R: Jacquelyn Williams, Helen Williams, Ann Wills

Middle Row L-R: Angela Palmer, Alison Hydes, Sally Williams

Bottom Row L-R: Kaycee Hobbs, Tee-Jay Horrell, Paula Reid

I wish you all a safe week.

Last week for the Challenge

Hi Everyone,

I hope you've all had a fun and creative week.

I haven't been able to get any crafting done this week, however did spend some time at my 3 year old's kindy making shortbread using the "Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps".  I was presently surprised to see how well the kids were able to swap the silicon shapes and how well the handle fitted snuggle into their hands.

Now just a reminder, this week is the last week for the challenge so please make sure your entries are in. I can't wait to see what you can create with the colour coach.

Well onto the pics...

Top Row L-R : Alison Hydes, Julia Leece, Sharlene Meyer

Middle Row L-R : Janet Mills, Rhonda Fawcett, Debbie Lamb

Bottom Row L-R: Paula Reid, Karen Rogers, Paula Dobson

Happy stampin everyone.

Week 8 Challenge

Hi All,

What a fantastic hot week we have all had, in Auckland we have been blessed with so many hot sunny days.  I must say however, the tomato plants has taken a beating with the heat - even with all the water I give them - but the plus side is more time in the pool . Yeah!!

Over the next fortnight I have a challenge for all you Stampin Up! NZ Demos. I really liked the way Paula ran these from time to time so I thought let's do it again.

Week 8 Challenge:

Make a card or Scrapbook page using your favourite colour combination from the "Color Coach" using the Creative Combination selection of the color coach. And  place somewhere on your Blog page "NZSU Week 8 Color Challenge" I will select one winner from over the two week challenge dates. 

Dates of Challenge: 

• Monday 25th February 2013 - Sunday 10th March 2013

Prize:

• 1 Brand new, new design Cherry Cobbler Classic Stamp Pad

Conditions: 

• You must use current Stampin Up! color card stock and DSP, this can include the new seasonal catalogue DSP.
• Use ONLY the "Creative Combination" color selection of the Color Coach.
• Open to NZ Demonstrators only.
• Prize is not transferable for cash.
• The Judges decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

Now onto this weeks pics:

Top Row L-R : Delys Cram, Debbie Lamb, Heather Stewart

Middle Row L-R : Deb Rawson, Rhonda Fawcett, Julie Butler

Bottom Row L-R : Louisa TC, Susan Wong, Angela Palmer

Have a fantastic week everyone!

Week 3 Photo Tips - Final

Hi Everyone,

I hope you have enjoyed the photo tips over the last few weeks, I have enjoyed sharing my experience with you all.
I'm going to finish off the tips this week by focusing on final presentation. As you know we have covered:

• Making sure your camera lens is clean.
• Shooting your image on a neutral background, preferably lighter in colour.
• Make sure you allow enough background in the image, but not too much that it looks lost in the picture.
• If taking photos inside using a flash, make sure the flash is strong enough to cover the image.
• When taking a photo in natural light, make sure the sun is sitting behind your back.

The next stage is placing your object face up - lying it down will make the image look lopsided and potentially out of shape. If your photographing a card, slightly tilt the card so you can see it in a three dimensional manner - this creates depth. When shooting a scrapbook page, prop it up; a book stand is a great background support (set it in front of the stand so you don't see the supports), and always make sure you have the camera in focus. 

• Place your image upright.
• Create depth by slightly tilting the card
• Make sure you have the image in focus. 

 Now into the Pics of the week...

Top Row L-R: Narelle Hoggard, Julia Leece, Vanessa Baker

Middle Row L-R: Alison Hydes, Paula Reid, Kaycee Hobbs

Bottom Row L-R: Julie Calkin, Jacinta Argent, Sally Stuart

I wish you all a fantastic week!

Photo Tips week 2

Hi All,

This week I thought I would look at the arrangement of colour, in reference to taking photos and preparing them for display.
You would of heard of two colour make ups - RGB and CMYK. RGB or 'Red, Green, Blue' are called "Additive Primary Colours". These are generally used in representation of display images, which means how we display our images on television, blogs etc. CMYK or Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black refers to the printing process, meaning how the colours come out on printed form.
If you don't take your photo in natural light or with a flash, you might have a hue of colour that is not the same as the original. You need to then look at changing the image to be more like the original. This is where you will need to apply colour using the RGB process.
Now to my tips...

1. Use a flash inside when required, otherwise you will get a different colour hue.
2. If using flash inside make sure it's strong enough to cover the image.
3. When using natural light outside make sure the sun is behind your back not behind the image, as this will also change the colours.

Now onto the pics of the week.

Top Row L-R:  Lisa Bullock, Paula Dobson, Rhonda Fawcett

Middle Row L-R: Janet Mills, Karen Rogers, Tee-Jay Harrell

Bottom Row L-R: Sally Williams, Louise TC, Linda Scott

Have a fantastic week.

Photo tips Week 1

Hi All,

This week has been made up of prepping photos for a job I did during the week, so I'm a little late in posting the pics. But it got me thinking about how we all take pictures so I thought I would give you some helpful tips.

1. Firstly and most importantly check your camera lens. Sometimes we make the mistake of touching it when picking it up (or in my case kids playing with the camera). Now to the eye it only looks small but to the photo it looks like a fog has come over the image. My advice is to clean it with a fibre cloth, one that is soft and won't scratch the lens.
2. Secondly, when taking an image (especially card or scrapbook craft) make the background a neutral colour, preferable lighter than the card - this will make the card stand out. Also leave a little room around the image so you can see the background, but not too much that it's too small an image.

Well that's a few hints, I will post more next week... on with the pics for the week:

Top Row L-R: Bron Heslop, Julia Leece, Alison Hydes

Middle Row L-R: Roz Begbie, Sharlene Meyer, Delys Cram

Bottom Row L-R: Jenny Humphreys, Ann Wills, Barabra Bicknell

Have a fantastic week everyone!

Sale-a-Bration is here...

Hi All,

Sale-A-Bration is finally here, and what a great range of free product.

While going through the blogs, I noticed this week has some great creations made with the Sale-A-Bration product. With our first MDS pic for the week, see if you can quess which pic it is.

Top Row L-R : Angela Palmer, Sharon de Vos, Kathy McInnes

Middle Row L-R: Linda Scott, Narelle Hoggard, Heather Stewart

Bottom Row L-R: Lisa Bullock, Karen Rogers, Jacqueline Williams

Have a fantastic Sale-A-Bration week, I'm off to play with some of my free product!

 

Click on the link to see the creations

This week has been made up of cleaning out my Mother-in-Laws garage, and as you could imagine with 40 years of stuff it took some time. So because of this I am placing my long overdue Stampin' Up! order today, I am starting to get brown box withdraws so I can't wait to get the order in.

One small change I have made to the blog is to include a link for those who get picked for the weekly pics. Just click on the name of choice and see how these creations have been made.

I hope you all have a fabulous week.

Top Row L-R: Janet Mills, Julia Leece, Paula Reed

Middle Row L-R: Rachael Knight, Sally Williams, Vanessa Baker

Bottom Row L-R: Vanita Hurbuns, Rhonda Fawcett, Lisa Bullock

Week 2 Creations

Well week 2 of looking after the NZSU blog and I have to say NZSU have some very talented ladies.
Looking over all the blogs and seeing all the fantastic creations has made my job very hard this week to select only 9 pics for this week.

Stampin' Up! have some exciting promotions currently available, so it looks like you all have put your thinking caps on and made some fantastic creations.

Hope you all have a great and creative week.

Top Row L-R:  Rhonda Imrie, Paula Reid, Barbara Taylor

Middle Row L-R:  Delys Cram, Sharlene Meyer, Keryn Campbell

Bottom Row L-R:  Allison Hydes, Karen Rogers, Susan Wong

The Best of 2012

With this being my first post and everyone no doubt enjoying their long overdue holidays, I thought I would go back on all the great work Paula has done over the last year and select the best of the best. This is kind of a big THANKS to Paula for looking after the NZSU for the year.

So I went back over all months Jan- Dec 2012 and selected my pics. I have to say it was a tough job to only select one for each month but here they are... 

Once again thanks Paula for all your hard work I hope I can do as well as you for 2013.

Top Row L-R:       Paula Dobson, Debbie Lamb, Jacque Williams

Second Row L-R:   Tracey Old, Sharlene Meyer, Kristine McNickle

Third Row L-R:     Rachael Knight, Delys Cram, Karen Rogers

Bottom Row L-R: Julia Leece, Helen Williams, Susan Wong

Last post for 2012

Hi there

I've finally got this post ready!  For the last post of 2012 I've done a review of the various catalogues we've had starting with Sale-A-Bration, the old catalogue, Autumn/Winter Mini, Holiday mini and finally the current catalogue.  I hope you enjoy the trip down memory lane.

Top Row - L to R:  Alison Hydes, Julia Leece, Sharlene Meyer

Middle Row - L to R:  Lisa Bullock, Paula Dobson, Debbie Lamb

Bottom Row - L to R:  Heather Stewart, Vanita Hurbuns, Karen Rogers

A big thank you to everyone that has contributed to this site during 2012.  I have really enjoyed managing this site this year and look forward to what Callena has in store for us next year.

Have a fabulous New Years Eve and we look forward to seeing you back here soon with your creations.

Paula

Let the holidays begin

Hi there

I can now say 'I'm on holiday' :)  I know it's only been 10 weeks since I had a 5 week holiday in the US but that was 10 weeks ago!  I am really looking forward to this holiday break to relax.  I hope you all manage to have some relaxation time as well.

Here are this week's picks.  Some of the projects reature products that have been/are on the Clearance Rack Blitz that is running at the moment.  Do get in touch with your demonstrator to find out what is for sale.

 Top Row:  Jacque Williams, Shona Edmonds, Kristine McNickle
Middle Row:  Rhonda Imrie, Rhonda Fawcett, Helen Williams
Bottom Row:  Paula Dobson, Delys Cram, Vanessa Baker

Have a wonderful Christmas Day with family and friends - keep safe and I'll see you back here next week for my last post of 2012.

Paula

One week to go

Hi there

I'm not sure where the last few weeks have gone but we are now in the count down to Christmas and most of us only have 5 days of work to get everything done before the holiday break (and I still haven't got my Christmas tree up!!).

Here are this week's picks:

Top Row - L to R:  Alison Hydes, Karen Rogers, Delys Cram

Middle Row - L to R:  Debbie Lamb, Roz Begbie, Sharlene Meyer

Bottom Row - L to R:  Keryn Campbell, Paula Reid, Sally Williams

Have a good week and I'll see you back here next week.

Paula

Running a bit late this week

Hi there

I was away for a long weekend on the sunny Coromandel Penninsula so I'm running a bit behind - never mind better late than never.

Here are this weeks picks:

Top Row - L to R:  Jacque Williams, Alison Hydes, Angela Palmer

Middle Row - L to R:  Kristine McNickle, Julie Calkin, Delys Cram

Bottom Row - L to R:  Lisa Bullock, Tee Jay Horrell, Paula Reid

Well it's only two weeks to go - I hope you're more organised than me - I still haven't got my Christmas tree up :)

Have a great week

Paula

December has arrived

Hi there

It's hard to believe we are now in December - that means it's time to get the Christmas tree and decorations up.  For those of you with children or grandchildren I'm sure the excitement will start to build.

 Here are this weeks picks - a mix of Christmas and general projects:

Top Row - L to R:  Julia Leece, Sally Stuart, Susan Wong
Middle Row - L to R:  Callena Lewis, Ann Wills, Debbie Lamb
Bottom Row - L to R:  Sally Williams, Karen Rogers, Sharlene Meyer

I hope you all have a great week and manage to get some crafting time.

Until next time
Paula

We have a new administrator

Hi there

I'd like to say a big 'thank you' to Callena Lewis who has volunteered to take over the administration of this site next year.  I caught up with Callena yesterday and we have some exciting things planned for this site next year so stay tuned.  Don't forget to tell your customers and friends about this site.  It's a great way to check out blogs from one location.

Without further ado here are this weeks picks:

Top Row - L to R:  Alison Hydes, Jacque Williams, Susan Wong

Middle Row - L to R:  Paula Reid, Rhonda Fawcett, Janet Mills

Bottom Row - L to R:  Keryn Campbell, Delys Cram, Linda Scott

I hope you all have a great week.

Paula

Wanted - new blog administrator

Hi there

I hope your week has gone well.

As mentioned in last weeks blog it's time for me to hand over the admin of this site to somebody else for 2013.  The job entails writing a post once a week, picking 9 project from the previous week and adding any new demo's blogs to the list.  If you are interested in doing this please send me an email - address is over to the right.

And now on with this weeks picks:

Top Row - L to R:  Julia Leece, Shona Edmonds, Kristine McNickle

Middle Row - L to R:  Debbie Lamb, Sharlene Meyer, Paula Dobson

Bottom Row - L to R:  Dee Sturgeon, Sally Stuart, Karen Rogers

Have a great week.

Paula

Hi there

Hope you've all had a great week (and weekend) and have managed some crafting time.  For those of you with high school kids just about to start exams wish them all the best from us.

Here are this weeks picks:

Top Row - L to R:  Janet Mills, Julia Leece, Jacque Pedersen

Middle Row - L to R:  Alison Hydes, Narelle Hoggard, Paula Reid

Bottom Row - L to R:  Karen Rogers, Lisa Bullock, Vanessa Baker

Well we are almost at the end of 2012 which means it will be time for me to step down as the administrator for this blog and let somebody else have a turn.  If you're a demonstrator and are interested in taking over please email me (just click on the email link on the right hand side of the blog).

I look forward to hearing from you.

Paula

Christmas is coming

Hi there

Yes it's now just over 7 weeks till Christmas so I thought we'd go with a Christmas theme this week.  There are so many great ideas out there it's hard to know where to start when creating Christmas projects.  Hopefully the below will give you some inspiration.

Top Row - L to R:  Keryn Campbell, Angela Palmer, Rhonda Imrie
Middle Row - L to R:  Heather Stewart, Rhonda Fawcett, Delys Cram
Bottom Row - L to R:  Sally Williams, Sharlene Meyer, Vanita Hurbuns

Have a great week
Paula

What a beautiful weekend

Hi there

It's been a beautiful weekend weather wise here in Auckland - let's hope this is the start of the fine weather and summer is just round the corner.  Speaking of just round the corner, it's just over eight weeks till Christmas so you'll start to see more Christmas themed cards and projects popping up.

Here are this week's picks - I hope you enjoy them.

Top Row - L to R:  Keryn Campbell, Angela Palmer, Sally Stuart

Middle Row - L to R:  Dee Sturgeon, Sally Williams, Delys Cram

Bottom Row - L to R:  Susan Wong, Sharon de Vos, Paula Reid

Enjoy your week.

Paula

Long Weekend is over

Hi there

Well I hope you've all had a great Labour Weekend despite the unsettled weather.  I've had a great time in my craft space creating with some of the new products from the catalogues.

Here are this week's picks - thanks ladies:

Top Row - L to R:  Alison Hyde, Jacque Pedersen, Rhonda Fawcett

Middle Row - L to R:  Julia Leece, Sharlene Meyer, Janet Mills

Bottom Row - L to R:  Lisa Bullock, Karen Rogers, Anna Mangnall

It's a short week so make the most of it :)

Paula

I'm back

Hi there

It's nice to be back home again after a fantastic holiday in the US.  Although I'm not sure I like the weather you all put on for us yesterday when we arrived home!

A big THANK YOU to Keryn for posting the 'picks of the week' while I was away.

I thought I'd better do this weeks post early as I think I'll be heading to bed soon as we're still tired and have to go back to work tomorrow :(

Top Row - L to R:  Heather Stewart, Delys Cram, Paula Reid

Middle Row - L to R:  Paula Dobson, Kristine McNickle, Katrina Criglington

Bottom Row - L to R:  Dee Sturgeon, Debbie Lamb, Tracey Old

Well lets hope the weather improves in time for Labour Weekend.

Have a great week

Paula

My Apologies

especially to our fabulous stamp artists for forgetting you all last week.  I really was out of the groove.

But to make up for it here are this week's pics.

Top L-R: - Angela Palmer, Cherie Ward, Julia Leece

Middle L-R - Linda Scott, Keryn Campbell, Debbie Lamb

Bottom: - Jenny Humphreys, Delys Cram, Paula Dobson

Enjoying the Sunshine

I hope you've all been enjoying the sunshine this weekend.  My nine year old commented on a drive at 5:30pm today that it didn't look like night and you'd think it was still day time.  Crossing fingers spring is here to stay.

Here is today's inspiration from a selection of the very talented Kiwi Stampin' Up!® Demonstrators.

Top: - Helen Williams, Karen Rogers, Delys Cram

Middle: - Vanessa Baker, Narelle Hoggard, Rhonda Fawcett

Bottom: - Sally Stuart, Paula Dobson, Sharlene Meyer

It's lucky for you all

that while Paula's away I've managed to remember what I'm supposed to do with the blog. 

I'd also forgotten what a good excuse it was to go blog surfing and looking at the fabulous inspiration on the NZSU blog sites.

Here's my picks for this week: -

Top Row: - Paula Reid, Heather Stewart, Sharon
Middle Row: - Yvonne Walker, Sally Williams, Julia Leece
Bottom Row: - Katrina Criglington, Jacque Pedersen, Keryn Campbell

I hope you enjoy this weeks pics.

I'm so excited

I only have two more sleeps till I go on my big holiday to the States :)  While I'm away Keryn Campbell will be doing the weekly picks - thanks so much for stepping in Keryn.

So without further ado here are this weeks picks:

Top Row - L to R:  Shona Edmonds, Rhonda Fawcett, Roz Begbie

Middle Row - L to R:  Narelle Hoggard, Sharlene Meyer, Dee Sturgeon

Bottom Row - L to R:  Delys Cram, Rachael Knight, Karen Rogers

Well have fun crafting and I'll see you back here on 14th October.

Paula

It's finally here ...

Hi there

Well the waiting is now over - the main catalogue and the holiday catalogue have finally arrived in our craft rooms!  This weeks pick showcase some creations using product from the new catalogues.  I hope you enjoy them.

Top Row - L to R:  Vanita Hurbuns, Lisa Bullock, Sharlene Meyer

Middle Row - L to R:  Keryn Campbell, Debbie Lamb, Linda Scott

Bottom Row - L to R:  Karen Rogers, Paula Reid, Sally Williams

Welcome to Shona Edmonds who has a new blog linked to NZSU.

Have fun making your wishlists this week :)

Paula

Showcasing Retiring Products

Hi there

Thought I'd get this done early as I'm fighting a head cold at the moment and will head to bed early.  I don't want to take it with me to the States!

Here are the picks showcasing retiring products.  Some stamps I'm sure your glad to see go and others not so happy they are leaving our shores.  Just remember there are LOTS of lovely new things only 6 sleeps away.

Top Row - L to R:  Alison Hydes, Delys Cram, Keryn Campbell

Middle Row - L to R:  Lisa Bullock, Sharlene Meyer, Debbie Lamb

Bottom Row - L to R:  Katrina Criglington, Sharon de Vos, Ann Wills

Have a great week and we'll see you back next Sunday with some new stuff :)

Paula

August Challenge

Hi there

I think we're all hanging out for the 1st September when we can order new products from the catalogue.  So I thought I'd set this months challenge to be - showcase something that is retiring.  This could be a stamp set, 2010-2012 In Colours or accessories.  I look forward to seeing the creations.

Here are this weeks picks:

Top Row - L to R:  Julia Leece, Barbara Taylor, Rhonda Fawcett

Middle Row - L to R:  Keryn Campbell, Helen Williams, Janet Mills

Bottom Row - L to R:  Sally Williams, Paula Dobson, Karen Rogers

Have a great week.

Paula

Great to be a Kiwi

Hi there

Haven't we done well at the Olympics - 13 medals.  Congratulations to all the teams and individuals - you have done us proud!

This weeks picks have a mixture of retired products and products that will be transferring over to the new catalogue.  I can tell you there are some fabulous new stamps and accessories coming so make sure you get in touch with your demonstrator  for a copy of the new catalogue.  If you don't know who your nearest demonstrator is check out the NZ Stampin Up website or drop me a line and I can put you in touch with them.

Top Row - L to R:  Julia Leece, Jacque Pedersen, Karen Rogers

Middle Row - L to R:  Megan McDonald, Vanita Hurbuns, Delys Cram

Bottom Row - L to R:  Kristine McNickle, Rhonda Fawcett, Paula Reid

Check back next week for our monthly challenge.

Have a great week

Paula

Going, Going, Gone ...

Hi there

You will have seen a number of blog posts this week with this title.  That's because Stampin' Up! have released the lists of stamps and accessories that will be retiring as of 31 August to make way for all the new products come 1 September.  I can tell you there are some fabulous stamp sets & accessories just around the corner :)

So on with this weeks picks:

Top Row - L to R:  Julia Leece, Delys Cram, Paula Dobson

Middle Row - L to R:  Sharlene Meyer, Sharon de Vos, Angela Palmer

Bottom Row - L to R:  Narelle Hoggard, Alison Hydes, Rhonda Fawcett

Welcome to our newest blogger - Angela Palmer.

I hope you all have a great week.

Paula