Uncategorized « Nicole Stalker

Haiti Disaster Relief

Help make a difference in the lives of those who continue to suffer from the effects of the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti on 12th January. From now until 28th February, 2010, Stampin’ Up!® will set aside $2 from the sale of every I {Heart} Heart stamp set and donate it to the Red Cross’ Haiti Relief and Development Fund. The Red Cross is already well-established in Haiti, and this money will be used to provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need.

In the past with these appeals that Stampin’ Up! have set up in times of need I have offered my demonstrator discount off the stamp set also and this time is no different. So if you wish to purchase this set it will only cost you $41.09 (Postage & Handling included) until the 28th February. Sale-A-Bration is starting on Monday 25th January (more in my next post about this) so why not include this stamp set in with a $100 order to qualify you for a FREE stamp set from the Sale-A-Bration brochure.

To place an order with me you can phone on (02) 9620 9092 or 0418 218 467 or email nicole@nicolestalker.com.au Payment can be made by Credit Card or direct deposit.

The year ahead…..

I’ve never been one to make New Year’s Resolutions as like most I just don’t keep them. Instead I like to give myself a couple of goals to work towards. I try not to select things that are too far out of reach though or even the goals won’t be achieved…..hahaha.

So what are my goals for this year?

My Stampin’ Up business:

I’d love to end the year having at least 4-6 people a month attend each of my 3 classes (Stamp-A-Stack, Technique & Project) which would mean I’ll have some ‘new customers’.
I’d also like to be doing at least 1 Workshop a month.
I’d love to have 3 – 6 downline.
I’d love to achieve all parts of Stampin’ Start this time around. I have till 30th June for this.
I’m aiming for a walk across the stage for Convention 2011. Seeing my sales figures all went back to $0 upon rejoining in December 2009 I think aiming for Convention 2010 will be a bit far out of my reach.
Use what I buy. Don’t horde it.

My personal life:

This year in June is my 40th and I’d love to lose between 5 – 10 kg before then and be on the right track to lose a total of 13 – 18kg in total by the end of the year. I want 2010 to be the year I get myself fit and healthy. I will be aiming to do this by eating healthy and exercising more not by meal replacement. May join Weight Watchers and attend meetings not try and do it online.
I want to spend more time doing fun things with my girls and hubby.
Cut back dramatically on playing computer games. It’s such a time waster.
Be more organised. Don’t leave things till the last minute.

My blogging goals:

To post more regularly.
To post more than I did last year.
To leave more comments on the blogs I visit.

Stamping Group goals:

To participate more often.
Send more RAK/DAK cards out.
Send more Birthday cards.
Be more organised with Christmas Cards this year and have them in the post no later than December 1st like I did in 2008.

That’s what I have for now. I’m hoping listing them here for all to see will help me achieve them. I’m going to print this out and put it on the wall above my work table so it’s a constant reminder.

So do you have goals for 2010 you’d like to share. Maybe we can encourage each other……

Secret Sister – November Part 1

So it’s another month and time for a new stamp set. This month I’ve used the Circle Circus stamp set and Bella Bleu DSP.

First off is the Fantasy/Stepper Box. Inside as you can see I’ve packed some little goodies for Sonia to play with. There’s a sample of Flower Fusion and Flower Fusion II Felt Flowers, some designer brads and some of the Corduroy Buttons that were available in the Spring Mini.

Then there is the card.

I’ve used one of the stamps from the Circle Circus stamp set randomly over the base card, added a Kraft scallop edge to either side of the Bella Bleu DSP and the strips of Kraft are the left over from the scallop edge (why waste them….). The main embellishment is one of the larger Circle Circus images which I’ve added a Build-A-Brad to which was created using one of the smaller images. The sentiment is from Basic Phrases.

The final item was the lolly container packed with yummy caramel lollies.

So there’s the first package sent for November. See you tomorrow for part 2……

Happy Stamping

A Flashback over 2009

Quite a few of the blogs I visit have done a year in review where they show their favourite items they created for each month of 2009. I decided that I’d join in too.

Unfortunately when I went back to each month I really didn’t have a lot to choose from in some months so one of my aims this year it to post more than I did last year. Let’s hope I can keep to that one.

So here we go.

January 2009 – Ocean Commotion set with the Chunky sprinkles. Not sure how much I’ve used either since then but I really did like this set so I might just have to pull it out again and see what I can do this time round.

February 2009 – I actually picked 3 from this month but I decided on this one.

March 2009 – I loved the colours in this one.

April 2009 – I couldn’t wait to get hold of these Fresh Cut Notes and the matching Fresh Cuts stamp set although I’m ashamed to admit I haven’t used it a great deal. Must change that.

May 2009 – These were my swap card for Convention.

June 2009 – The Faux Silk technique is such a quick one. I made lots of these in different colour combinations.

July 2009 – I finally gave in and purchased the Crazy for Cupcakes set.

August 2009 – A simple card but I still like it.

September 2009 – My World Card Making Day projects.

October 2009 – This was a gift I made for my Secret Sister. I love the colours.

November 2009 – Teacher’s Christmas Gifts filled with Chocolates and Coffee and/or Hot Chocolate sachets. They were well received.

December 2009 – This would have to be my favourite. It was made for my neices’ 21st Birthday. I just loved this dsp and coordinating Great Friend stamp set. I wish it didn’t go……but maybe it will be back. I can only hope.

I hope you’ve enjoyed the flashback. It’s been interesting for me too.

Till next time….

Happy Stamping

Can anyone tell me…..

where the last 10 days have gone??

Now I know it’s a busy time of year but I certainly didn’t think it was 10 days since my last post. I would have thought as my girls got older I’d be less busy at this time of year but no such luck. I’ve ended up with more school commitments (partly due to P & C and others are just basic end of school year things), I left Christmas shopping till 2 weeks ago as I had no idea what to get them but am very proud to say I did 90% of it in 3 hours on one day (but am still yet to wrap anything), then of course there are more social functions happening too. Not that I attend a lot but as you know we had our Team Christmas dinner and then that same weekend I had a neices’ 21st Birthday and of course my Summer Mini/SU Business Launch. That was one full weekend but I survived.

The following weekend was my regular fortnightly Friday night stamp night and this year we decided to have our own Christmas Party. We did Kris Kringle gifts but made it non-stamping items for the gift and everyone had to bring a plate of food suitable to the Christmas theme. I decided to make a Truffle Tree so my Friday was full on. It started with me making a start on the truffles (some needed to be mixed and then left for a few hours before rolling into balls), to my pool man turning up to fix a leak with our chlorinator and in the process soaking me, getting redressed as I needed to attend a Gold Plus Award Assembly followed by Sausage sandwich lunch with my 11 year old daughter, to coming home to make more truffles, then school pick up, straight to the swim school to have my girls assessed for classes next year, then back to finish the truffles. Decided amongst all that that dinner would be take out. Something had to give.

Anyway, would you like to see my finished Truffle Tree??

I have made the truffles before but never constructed it into a tree so there are a few spaces I would have filled up a little more. Unfortunately I didn’t have any thin gold ribbon to add as that would have added an extra touch and filled those bare patches up a little. The truffles I made were Coffee Liqueur (Tia Maria), Almond Truffles (Amaretto) and Orange Truffles (Cointreau). I still have enough left for Christmas so I’m really glad they store well….. I’m sure my mum will have a few.

I’ll be back in a little while to finally share some of my Secret Santa Gifts from our Team Christmas Party.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year