Say it With Stamps

CARDS APLENTY!

2010-09-25T11:41:00.000-07:00

Hello all!

Just a quick post today to show you the collection of cards I have made over the last few days. I have made a mixture of masculine( always the hardest for me) and feminine.

Ta T for now.

-X-

IN MY THOUGHTS

2010-09-23T10:29:00.000-07:00

Hello to you all!

What is the weather like where you are? Its bleak and rainy here and word has it, that we are in for lots of thunder and lightening! Hoorah! There is something about a thunder storm that makes you feel all cosy when you are at home. Any excuse to make a yummy hot chocolate with spray cream eh?

A great pal of mine asked me to make a card for a very good friend of hers. Sadly, her father is suffering from Leukaemia and so she thought a special card was in order.

Ta Ta for now.

-X-

HO HO HO

2010-09-19T05:04:00.000-07:00

Hello folks!

I am really looking forward to Christmas you know? More so this year as it marks only two more weeks to wait (give or take) until my new baby is here!

I decided to do a bit of Christmas Crafting this weekend, three cards to be precise, using some of my new Stampin' Up! Stamp sets.

Ta Ta for now

-X-

40 WONDERFUL YEARS

2010-09-10T13:02:00.000-07:00

What an evening!

It began with a few ideas but ended with what could only described as a bombsite! If the card I made hadn't of been so beautiful (if I do say so myself) I would have given up crafting for a bit just to get over the trauma!

Good Grief, paper and card stock flying everywhere, bits of ribbon, jars of buttons falling on the floor and then me deciding that the floor was the best place for them! You guys just don't know the half of it.

Thank God for 7 year old Cameron is all I can say; who came downstairs, shook his head and said, "mummy this place is a mess, let me help you tidy up". I love that kid!

Right, well here it is....

Click on the picture for a closer look.

The background has been embossed with silver embossing powder. Before making this card, I have to say that embossing in this fashion was not a favourite of mine. But the lack of any patterned paper led me to experiment and I really do love the way it has turned out!

This card will be winging it way to sunny Spain courtesy of a loving brother. I do hope they like it. How nerve racking when you make cards for others.

Ohhh, I almost forgot! Here is another card I today, almost seems like a distant memory now.

Click on the picture for a closer look.

Ta Ta for now

-X-

POST ITS!

2010-09-06T13:17:00.000-07:00

Oh dear God!

The pain is unbearable and as I sit here clutching my chest and wincing from the pain of this heart burn, I do hope that at least one of you is feeling sorry for me.

Chuckle, OK so I am exaggerating but I am in a bit of pain, hence the "late night" Blog!

Right! So today I got a chance to make a couple of post it note holders, complete with tiny pens! I am really chuffed with how they turned out and think they are very cute indeed.

The tiny bow was inspired my a pal of mine, Loraine. I loved the idea so much that I stole it!!!

Ta Ta for now

-X-

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NATALIE

2010-09-04T11:45:00.000-07:00

Hey folks!

Just a quickie to show you a card that I was asked to make for my mum's work colleagues sister (I thought long hard about writing all of that, I promise)!

Ta Ta for now

-X-

ITS PARTY TIME!

2010-09-01T10:05:00.000-07:00

There are a few things that I sit and wander about making; party bags and invitations are just a few.

So, here they are matching invitations and party bags....

Click on the photos for a closer look.

Ta Ta for now.

-X-

All Chrismassy!

2010-08-30T09:16:00.000-07:00

Not sure if that is even a word but I like it, tee hee!

Right well I thought I'd dig some very cute snaps of a baby Cameron and do a bit of scrapbooking. He was just so gorgeous as a baby (more handsome now) and looked exactly like Ava Quaver!

This is a 6x6 layout, I find that if I stick to this size I am less put off by the vast amount of space to work with and besides as you well know I am one for instant gratification! Long drawn out projects bore me I'm afraid.

Again, my mate Vicky Hayes inspired this creation.

What do you think?

Ta Ta for now.

-X-

BABY BABY!

2010-08-28T11:44:00.000-07:00

Hey again!

Just a quick post to show you what I made today whilst Ava was napping and Cameron had been kidnapped by yet another neighbour, thank God for cute and well behaved children!

Ta Ta for now

-X-

KEEP IT GIRLY!

2010-08-27T10:38:00.000-07:00

I will do my very best to stay in touch. I find it so hard these days to find the time to Blog and perhaps when baby Maxwell comes along (yes, its a boy), it may become even harder but as I say I will do my very best!

Right, brief was to make this card as girly as I could.

What do you think of this? I love the stamp, its from Forever Friends and as you can see the tiny bear is surrounded by everything a girl could need....Handbags and shoes!!

Ta Ta for now.

-X-

HERE I AM!

2010-08-25T14:47:00.000-07:00

Oh dear Lord!

Its been far too long and for that I apologise. I really have missed chatting with you all and showing you what I have been up to, so here I am with a mammoth Blog entry!

I'll try to keep the chatter to a minimum but there are rather a lot of cards here. For a few of them I was inspired by a crafting pal of mine Vicky. I always have a good read through her entries when I am stumped and always come away learning something new.

As you'll see I am still using Stampin' Up! No longer a demo but what can I say, I just love the stuff!

Many of these cards have been commissioned and personalised. I have numbered them, just incase you'd like to comment on a particular card/scrapbook page.

Here we go....

Phew!!!

Ta Ta for now

-X-

I BELIEVE THIS IS CARD NUMBER THREE

2010-06-26T14:36:00.000-07:00

What a magnificent sicky, summer day, LOL! We are in the midst of a heat wave are we not? Just glorious!

I feel dreadful though but as the sun is shining and my gorgeous kiddies are really cracking me up, I have actually been able to put that all to one side.

Right, so I am here with yet another birthday card for my nephew! The last card I made was hijacked by another family member for the said little boy. No worries, I was thrilled and flattered that they were impressed enough to want to take it. Besides, it gives me the opportunity to try something new, hoorah!

I think this is quite a simple card. It took quite a while to cut the t-shirts ( my hands seemed to shake when ever I begin to cut). I hope he likes it!

Sorry about the snaps, I took them on my mobile phone as I couldn't find my camera.

I am pooped, if their are spelling mistake here I apologise in advance.

Ta Ta for now.

-X-

ANOTHER POP UP SLIDER CARD

2010-06-22T03:18:00.000-07:00

Hey all!

Isn't it a glorious day? Just gorgeous, too hot to take baby Ava out though so we are stuck inside doing a bit of crafting, hoorah!

My nephew has a birthday coming up, you may recall that I made him a card last week or was it the week before? That one was for my mum to give him, this one is from us.

Its another pop up slider card. I made the first a while back and you can find it in one of my earlier Blog entries. I have used a few toppers here, they were my go to pieces when I was a baby crafter. I think they go well with the colours and give it a nice colourful, boy type feel.

Not sure if the ribbon colour matches but it was the only ribbon I had that could be used for a boy's card!

Click on the pictures for a closer look.

Ta Ta for now.

-X-

FOR MY MUM THE BOOK WORM

2010-06-20T14:22:00.000-07:00

I've never been one for long drawn out projects. Instant gratification, that's much more my style and the very reason I much prefer to knit baby pieces!

The project I made today took the entire day, perhaps it would have taken less time had I not had my kiddies to tend to but hey, such is life.

I first decided to sketch the idea on some scrap paper. I am not an accomplished crafter yet and thought this would save me a lot of time and waste in the long run. I had a rough idea about what I wanted to create but doodling first really helped me to define my ideas.

It's a birthday card of sorts for my mother. The most wonderful women ever to walk this earth; an exaggeration? I don't think so, she is such a joy and always there to do and say the right things. She is well worth the time it took me to make this.

She is a book worm, as soon as one book is done she has her nose in another. She has even been known to have more than one book on the go! This is where I get it from!

I decided to make her a "card" that incorporated book marks, something functional. Now she will have them with her always and think of us.

Click on the pictures for a closer look.

I am loving the distressed look at the moment and wanted to give it another go here. I really do like to add texture to my cards. Cards that look intricate and detailed always appeal to me, so I have tried to achieve that here. I just hope I haven't made it appear too busy.

I'm not really a sticker person but I have been using stamps for everything lately and as I have quite a nice stash of rub on's and stickers I thought I would give these gold ones a go. What do you think?

This is the sentiment book mark. It slots in to a pocket at the back.

Not the greatest of pictures but I just wanted to show you the stitching.

Ta Ta for now.

-X-

TRYING SOMETHING NEW

2010-06-18T14:52:00.000-07:00

Blog entry number 2.

Lets make the most of this guys because I am nakkered, LOL!

Its my friends birthday on Monday. She would like us all to come over that evening but it is a tad late to have Cameron out as he has school the next day. So, (as if you needed telling) I have made her a card and will post it so it reaches her in time. I made this while watching England sleep walk around the pitch, humph!

Click on the picture for a closer look

I have tried to do something different here. A lot of my cards have hard, straight edges and lines and I wanted to soften the look a little. I have never used linen thread before or attempted any embroidery. I have always loved the effect but either never had the time or felt it would be a bit tricky for me. I was wrong about the latter, although it did take some time, well worth it in the end I think.

I adore the use of tags, I am going to put aside some money to purchase a tag punch and tiny labels. Here I have improvised using my circle and scallop circle punches. It looks OK but nothing like the real thing I say.

I bought a new background stamp last week, I had been itching to try it out. I did, and was thoroughly disappointed. I kept getting "blank" areas with each image I tried. I inked the stamp pretty well and made sure to huff, hmmm? I would have used that today instead of my jumbo wheel, but you gotta love that pattern!

Ta Ta for now.

-X-

FROM ONE PREGNANT LADY TO ANOTHER

2010-06-18T05:31:00.000-07:00

Loud groan!

For those of you ladies who have had "tiny tykes", you will be all too familiar with the dreaded pregnancy brain. With each of my pregnancies (or as I increase in age more likely) it seems to come on earlier and get worse.

Cameron would constantly asked me why I would so many mistakes whilst I carried Ava. He just couldn't understand why I kept putting things in his lunch that he didn't like, kept jumbling my words and stopping mid sentence as I just couldn't recall what it was I wanted to say to him!

Well, today it has hit an all time high. This card has to have been the most calamitous project I have ever undertaken. It should have taken no more than 30 minutes, instead it took a glorious 3 hours. I have never made so many mistakes. Cutting the wrong sized card or paper, even though I had pre-measured, stamping in the wrong place, or having my images come away cock eyed even with the use of my Stamp-a-majig! I even managed to cut my card all uneven with the use of my paper trimmer!!!

Top all that off with fact that my computer technician husband has decided to upgrade my laptop, makes for a very grumpy Alex indeed. The entire computer is different now, I can't find anything, all my passwords have disappeared, blah, blah. I am sure you all get the picture. I know he was actually doing me a favour, it turns out it needed it but sheesh...

Now, I require your total honesty followers. I really am not too sure about this "card". Its not a traditional card but I did want something a bit different as the recipient is just a bit different, LOL! She is crazy in a fantastic way and is about to have her very first baby. A boy!

Do you think it needs to be mounted? Does it need any thing else? I am not sure if I have chosen the right colours for a baby's card, I wan'ts really thinking clearly at all, LOL!

Click on the pictures for a closer look.

The only reason there are two buttons here is because I stuck the the one on the left in the wrong place initially and then ripped it off (stupidly) and damaged the underlying paper. Using another button seemed like the only thing to do. Hoorah!

No moaning next time, I promise!

Ta Ta for now

-X-

A NOMINATION & A BIRTHDAY CARD

2010-06-11T03:16:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful surprise to be nominated for a Beautiful Blogger Award! Thank you Loraine! So, now I am meant to tell you 10 things about me. I will try to make these 10 things as riveting as possible....I said I would try!!

OK...

1. I am a trained Beauty Therapist but gave that up to stay at home with my kiddies

2. I am also a qualified teacher

3. I have a non identical twin sister

4. My absolute favourite movie is Some Like it Hot. Just hilarious!

5.When I am not clutching my tummy through morning sickness, my favourite food is carrot cake

6.I enjoy reading and adore Ed Mcbain, Richard Patterson and JK Rowling's Harry Potter novels

7.I actually make time to watch Phineas and Ferb; one of Cameron's cartoon shows. Its wasted on children I promise you.

8.I often dream about cleaning...Good grief!

9.My favourite colour is purple

10. I past my driving test first time around

Right, I thought I would put this all into one post.

I made card for my cousins birthday, it isn't until December but you can never be too prepared I always say. I hope he like it.

It wasn't really a planned effort. I just sat and played about for a bit, I don't usually do that but hey, it adds to the fun of it all!

I used an old French dictionary for the background. It did feel like sacrilege ripping up a book but consoled myself with the fact that I wasn't going to France anytime soon and I failed my French GCSE with this said dictionary for company, LOL!

Ta Ta for now

-X-

BIRTHDAY BALLOONS, ANOTHER IDEA

2010-06-08T12:52:00.000-07:00

Hello all!

There has been a heck of a lot of excitement here these last few days. I am going to have yet another baby, that makes three folks!

I am excited and nervous all at the same time, coping with three, whohoo!

Anyhoo, I have been given the task of creating a birthday card for my 10 year old nephew. To be honest, I have felt so ill with morning sickness (afternoon and evening sickness) that I didn't have the strength to actually dream up a brand new idea; so I adapted an old idea that I came up with a little while a go.

Now, let me apologise. I took two pictures at different angles and for some reason I cannot upload the second one, it has been trying for almost an hour now!!

You can't see very well here but I have used my Versa mark ink to create a water colour effect on the base of the card.

Here is it at last!!! Good grief! I might be able to pick the watermarks in the first shot. Just click to go a bit closer.

Ta Ta for now.

-X-

A SAD TALE

2010-06-04T09:51:00.000-07:00

Well, I had some rather terrible news last night.

I a very good friends who's aunt has been diagnosed with cancer. She beat it a few years ago but it has come back within the last year and this time there is nothing they can do for her. She is now in a hospice and from what they say she really doesn't have very long and is in a lot of pain.

She was always so full of life, so chatty, just lovely.

I also found out that my friends mother also has cancer (although they managed to catch it very early). She is also a lovely lady.

Anyway, there isn't really much I can do but I thought it would be a nice gesture to send them both a card each. I made these today....

Sorry about the second picture, I was in a rush and the battery for the camera was about to die.

Ta Ta for now.

-X-

WEDDING SEASON

2010-05-30T08:42:00.000-07:00

Hello all!

I hope you have been enjoying the sun although it does seem to be hiding from us a bit lately. I am ill once again; a stomach upset. But I will say no more about that as I am thinking a positive attitude will seen it gone in no time!

Well, as my title suggests this blog entry carries a wedding theme. Its that wonderful time of year again and now that card making has come in to my life and refuses to leave; I have been asked to make a few for some friends who will be guests next month.

These cards were inspired my a crafting pal of mine, Vicky. In fact the first one is almost identical to one that she made. When I saw it, I fell in love immediately and wanted to have a go and put my own spin on it.

Click on the pictures for a closer look.

Each card will be boxed so as not to damage the flowers.

Ta Ta for now.

-X-

KNITTING IN THE SUMMER SUN

2010-05-23T06:12:00.000-07:00

Blogging is becoming a rarity these days. Silly really as I really do like doing it! Oh how I have neglected you all so here I am to make a mends and give a you something I put together in the afternoon sunshine yesterday.

Gosh, its hot, hot, hot! Little Ava is sweating buckets here, I am keeping her topped up with plenty of water and stripped to her cutesy nappy, bless. Cameron was born in the heat so he has taken to all this like a duck to water!

Now, here are a few snaps I took today that are actually not that great. We'll have to blame the sunshine; it was so bright in here I just couldn't get a decent shot. Although, you can pick up the bits on the carpet quite well I thought! I have taken a day off from hoovering.

Click on the pictures for a closer look.

The card kind of reminds me me of a napkin/cloth baby nappy. It all came about by accident really, that's what I love about crafting. You can easily turn a "mistake" into something fantastic! Granted, its a bit skew whiff but I think it'll pass, tee hee!

These booties are made from a glorious mix of wool and bamboo yarn. Beautifully soft next to baby's delicate skin.

Ta Ta for now.

-X-

KNITS FOR BABY

2010-05-17T05:53:00.000-07:00

Well hello folks, its been an absolute age since I last blogged!

I have been so run down and utterly fed up with it all that I decided to take some much needed time off. I haven't done any crafting either as I have decided to step down as a Demo! Shock horror!

Fear not, this gives me a bit more time (only a bit mind) to do a little more crafting of all types. Here are a few baby bits I knitted a while back when I was pregnant with Ava. I never found out what sex she was (silly baby wouldn't show us on the scan) but I just knew it was a girl, so I knitted so many girly bits I could have opened my own boutique!

I only started to knit when I was 7 months pregnant, these are not bad if I do say so myself, LOL!

Ta Ta for now

-X-

A SPECIAL "CASE" INDEED

2010-05-02T05:36:00.000-07:00

Another late night filled with crafting. I woke at 12 am and the coughing did not ease enough for me to sleep until 3am, no exaggeration! I am utterly exhausted and to cap it all off, somewhere between Saturday afternoon and the small hours of Sunday I have managed to pick up a cold.

Well that's quite enough of the self pity and on to today's project, hoorah!

Have you ever made a CD for a friend or loved one? Perhaps you recorded a special message or made a compilation of their favourite songs? I have never done this I must admit, far too complicated. My twin sister on the other hand is forever "burning" a CD or two and has complained before about how dull the case is and how nice it would be if you could get personalised and/or pretty outer covers.

I came up with this...

Click on the photos for a closer look.

I took the case apart and placed designer series paper inside the back cover.

You'll notice that I have used cardstock and ink from the Earth Elements Colour Family, I think these colours are to die for!

Cardstock: More Mustard and Old Olive, a bit of textured More Mustard for the belly band

Ink: Versa Mark, Chocolate Chip and More Mustard

Stamp Sets: Cheer and Wishes, Circle Circus and Vintage Labels (retired)

Accessories: Silver Elastic cord, Scallop Circle Punch, 1 1/4" circle punch and Designer series paper, corner rounder

Non Stampin' Up!: CD case

Ta Ta for now
-X-

JUST A TINY FAVOUR

2010-05-01T13:08:00.000-07:00

Haven't I been making a lot of cards lately; back to my roots!

I don't really do a lot of "box" work, purely because I've had know idea where to begin. Lately though, I have been collecting packaging from here and there to use as templates. For a new crafter like myself, this is a great way to get started.

This project uses a tiny KFC Popcorn chicken box, I thought it was so cute that once Cameron had finished with it (a once and while treat folks) I spirited it away.

Whilst putting the box together I decided to "make it my own" by turning it upside down and snipping off the bottom tabs. Great for party favours I think!

Click on the photos for a closer look.

Cardstock: Pumpkin Pie, Kraft and Chocolate Chip

Ink: Pumpkin Pie and Chocolate Chip

Stamp Sets: Vintage Labels (retired)

Accessories: Scallop Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle punch and 1/4" Whisper White Grosgrain Ribbon

Ta Ta for now

-X-

COUGHS, CHALKS & A CARD

2010-04-30T03:39:00.000-07:00

This idea came to me whilst I was kept awake by my cough, wheeze, cough, routine. I kept thinking of a childhood toy I had, I am sure you can still get them and many of you have had them.

One of those plastic puzzles made up of sliding tile pieces that fit into a kind of tray. Do you remember them?

Well this card is based on that. I used my Stampin' Pastels with this card and adopted the Poppin' Pastel technique. I stamped my image with Versa Mark ink and then used cotton wool balls to "pounce" the various pastel colours (Bold Brights) over my image. There are many, many ways in which to use your Pastels but this is by far my favourite!

Click on the image for a closer look.

Note to self; change your trimmer blade!!

Cardstock: Yoyo Yellow, Basic Black, Whisper White and Only Orange

Ink: Versa Mark and Basic Black

Stamp sets: Sincere Salutations and Its Beautiful Wheel

Accessories: Whisper White 1/4" Grosgain Ribbon

Non Stampin' Up!: Button

Ta Ta for now

-X-

PAPER FLOWERS

2010-04-29T07:17:00.000-07:00

Gosh, this card took a bit longer than usual; working with tissue paper takes a gentle touch and I am known for having the exact opposite!

I took inspiration from two of my fellow Demo's Loraine and Vicky and set about creating a card with flowers as the main theme.

Click in the photo for a loser look.

I had fun with the inked flowers that make up the background of this card. I punched my flower from some scrap card an used the punched area as a kind of stencil. You can see a an other example of this over on Loraine's blog. You can really achieve great results with this technique. As you can see, I have varied the amount of ink applied to different areas to get lighter and darker shades. I also combined two colours on some areas to get a two toned finish.

For the small circles I wanted a faded finish so I stamped my image twice on scrap paper and then stamped on to my card background.

Cardstock: Going Grey and Whisper White

Ink:Green Galore, Basic Grey and Pixie Pink

Stamp Sets: A beautiful Thing (small circles) and Sincere Salutations

Accessories: 5 Petal flower punch

Non Stampin' Up!: Tissue paper, buttons

Ta Ta for now

-X-

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR.

2010-04-28T11:33:00.000-07:00

I almost didn't make it on today folks, I am still quite ill. Break out the violins!

Whilst baby Ava was napping I sat in bed (a total rarity) trawling the many crafty blog's I follow; and was inspired once again by my fellow "Pink Lady" Vicky, I thought I would set to work making a masculine card of my own.

Thank goodness for her hints and tips! I always seem to find cards for men difficult and these seem to have helped me along the way.

Cardstock: Going Gray, More Mustard, Old Olive (textured) and Kraft

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Stamp Sets: Circle Circus and Fun and Fast Notes (sentiment)

Accessories: Dimensionals and a hole punch

Ta Ta for now

-X-

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!

2010-04-27T11:56:00.000-07:00

Another three posts in one day!

I have had my Spiral punch for a few weeks now and I can't say that I have used it much. Punches are my absolute favourite Stampin' Up! toys (I have my eye one to order as we speak) but I was at a loss as to what to do with this one really.

So, I sat for a bit, had a play and came up with this.

Now the card itself is called a Side Step card, isn't it cute? A great way to show off those yummy stamps I think! Its been around for a while now, I wish I knew who thought it up originally. If your reading, many thanks!

The idea was inspired by my kiddies; Cameron and Ava. I am always taking photos or making movies with them as the stars. Something to embarrass them with when they get older!

I have stuck the first "valley" together as you can see above, this made the first film strip pop up a bit more.

Cardstock: Glorious Green, Yoyo Yellow, Basic Black and Whisper White

Ink: Basic Black

Stamp Sets: All in the Family and A Beautiful Thing

Accessories: Silver Brads, Spiral Punch

Ta Ta for now.

-X-

THE "JOY" OF IT ALL

2010-04-27T04:31:00.000-07:00

Here is the original project I set out to create this morning, a Joy fold card. I decided not to use any new bits of cardstock or designer series paper and go for what I have collected in my "scraps" box. The colours work well together don't you think?

I've propped these scalloped bits of cardstock on two dimensionals. This keeps the card closed.

Cardstock: Real Red, Whisper White and Lovely Lilac

Ink: Versa Mark and Brilliant Blue

Stamp Sets: A Beautiful thing and Sincere Salutations.

Accessories: Corner rounder, Scallop Circle Punch

Ta Ta for now

-X-

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2010-04-27T02:19:00.000-07:00

Yes, you read it write...Merry Christmas! Well not really but here it is, my very first Christmas card for the year.

This card came about purely by accident. I was playing about trying to make a Joy fold card (watch this space) and it ended up a bit cock eyed, so with a bit of clever snipping here and there I came up with this instead. Not a traditional card granted but a bit of fun none the less!

There was no green in the original design so I added that also, HO, HO, HO!

A bit if SNAIL adhesive on show here!

I used my Stampin' Up! corner rounder to achieve this scallop edge. I removed the paper guard and I butted the card right in. I then began to punch, overlapping the punched spaces slightly. I hope I've explained that well enough.

Cardstock: Real Red, Basic Black, Whisper White and Glorious Green

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Glorious Green

Stamp Sets: A Beautiful Thing, Fun and Fast Notes and Sincere Salutations

Accessories: Designer Series Paper and Corner Rounder

TA TA for now.

-X-

HOORAH!

2010-04-26T13:59:00.000-07:00

It was touch and go for while there folks; I almost deleted the entire thing and walked away for good. But with a bit of swatting up on all things, well bloggy; my little bit of the web has been re-designed and I am here to blog another day!

What do you think? I am very pleased with it if I do say so myself, it was well worth the stress, time and effort.

All being well, I should be back to crafting tomorrow. Oh how I have missed it, LOL!

Ta Ta for now.

-X-

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

2010-04-25T11:10:00.000-07:00

What a day, is all I can say!

I had quite forgotten how worked up I had become the last time I tried to fiddle with my blog. I am bit of a perfectionist/Drama Queen and if I can't get things just so, I tend to off the deep end!

Needless, to say my blog is undergoing some changes at the minute. Please bare with me, I will try to get a bit of crafting in but if not the "technicolour" treatment I am subjecting my blog to will surely entertain you!

Who knows, I might even end up staying with my old design!

A BIRTHDAY TREAT

2010-04-24T08:10:00.000-07:00

This idea came to me whilst scoffing a rather large ice-cream courtesy of Mr Whippy; I had forgotten just how utterly tasty they were. I haven't had one since I was a wee girl and as the sun is shining and the temperature seems to be creeping into the dizzy heights I thought I would treat myself and Cameron to two of the biggest I have ever seen complete with chocolate sauce!

Anyhoo, here it is, a "birthday treat" or whatever treat you like. There are so may fabulous stamp sets to choose from you can tailor this project to any occasion!

Click on the photos for a closer look.

As you can see there is room for both a card and a gift card (just my Tesco club card here, nothing too exciting). I have been looking at ways in which to combine the two ideas.

For posting, you may want to use ribbon for the handle instead of cardstock.

Cardstock: Real Red, Whisper White and Kraft

Ink: Real Red

Stamp Sets: Fun and Fast Notes, Cheers and Wishes

Accessories: Scallop circle punch, Eyelet border punch, Designer series paper, paper piercing tool and Hodgepodge hardware

Non Stampin' Up: Red Ribbon

WALLPAPER

2010-04-22T08:33:00.000-07:00

That's what this card reminds me of.

Usually , I have some kind of vision when I begin to make something. It wasn't always that way but I find I am less likely to "waste" bits from my stash if I have some kind of idea about what I want to achieve.

I might think of a colour scheme, a vague shape for the card or where I want the sentiment to be. This time there was none of that, I just sat and came up with this.

Very simple elements and very time friendly too! If you are familiar with the Stampin' Up! jumbo wheels then you will know that to create such a background took a minute or two tops! If you are not so familiar I urge you to place your order for one sharpish and see exactly what I am on about, tee hee!

Cardstock: Orchid Opulence

Ink: Pixie Pink

Stamp Sets: Sincere Salutations and Its Beautiful Jumbo Wheel

Accessories: Hodgepodge Hardware (Love it)

GOODBYE CIRCLE PUNCH

2010-04-21T08:40:00.000-07:00

Well, this project proved to be somewhat stressful. Halfway through my beloved 1 1/4" circle punch gave up the ghost and ended up ripping my cardstock chronically. For some reason it jams whenever I put anything it in! I

Fear not, Stampin' Up! came to the rescue. After one email from me and a friendly phone call from Chris, all is well in my crafty world once again.

Click on the photos for a closer look.

Cardstock: Whisper White and Basic Black

Ink: Basic Black,StazOn White ink

Stamp Sets: Sincere Salutations and Circle Circus

Accessories: 1 3/8" circle punch, 1 1/4" circle punch

GET WELL SOON ALEX

2010-04-21T03:12:00.000-07:00

I am trying desperately to stay positive but I am so ill its unreal. I still have this nasty chest infection so I am coughing my little heart out! Its giving me an awesome tummy ache and headache. My throat is so sore and I have even picked up a bout of conjunctivitis!

I wish I knew how to take care of myself. The trouble is I can't bare a messy house, got to make sure these kiddies have something decent to eat and baby Ava still needs her mummy. So, in order to cheer myself up I have made myself this get well soon card, hoorah!

Click on the photos for a closer look.

Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Kraft and Green Galore

Ink: Pumpkin Pie and Chocolate Chip

Stamp Sets: Sincere Salutations and A Good Egg

Accessories: Scallop Circle Punch, Eyelet Border Punch, Designer series Paper

Non Stampin' Up!: Ribbon, brads

AND FINALLY...

2010-04-20T14:38:00.000-07:00

Third blog and final entry for the day, I think it's safe to say that I am thoroughly addicted to all this!

The children are in bed, the house is nice and tidy and instead of watching television I am in the kitchen tinkering away.

Isn't this Easel card the cutest? I love the colours and it was super quick and easy to put together. Unfortunately, the stamp set I got the circles (frames) from is now retired but I adore it, so couldn't resist.

Click on the picture for a closer look.

Cardstock: Pixie Pink and Lovely Lilac

Ink: Basic Grey, Pixie Pink and Brilliant Blue

Stamp Sets: Cheers and Wishes (sentiment) and Vintage Labels (retired)

Accessories: Eyelet Border Punch

Non Stampin' Up!: Button

Night, Night!

SURPRISE!

2010-04-20T09:47:00.000-07:00

This is the second time today I have had the chance to craft and blog. I seem to be doing this a heck of a lot lately. I love it, crafting is so relaxing and thank God my children are both well behaved and one of them is just as interested in "Inkin' it Up!" (as Cameron calls it) as me.

You Tube is fabulous! Am I allowed to mention them? If not, I am sure someone will let me know. I have a lot to thank them for; if it were not for them I would never have found Stampin' Up!

It was Dawn Griffith who I began to follow those 8 months ago and she sparked my interest in paper crafting! I just love her work and enthusiasm and as far as I am concerned she is my Stampin' Up! idol.

So, my next project is her original idea, a Surprise Pop Up card. Pop, (yep, pun intended) on over to You Tube and type that in, you should find the video.

Click on the picture for a close look.

Cardstock: Pixie Pink, Whisper White and Basic Black

Ink: Pixie Pink and Basic Grey

Stamp Sets: Fun and Fast Notes and Sincere Salutations

Accessories: Scallop Edge Circle Punch

Non Stampin' Up!: Colouring pencils, ribbon

PRETTY IN PINK

2010-04-20T05:32:00.000-07:00

Cameron is back at school and the house is finally back to its former glory! Oh how I have missed my finger print free television (during the day anyway) and biscuit-less carpet!

It's lovely outside and with the sun streaming through the kitchen windows and Ava gurgling sweetly but loudly next to me I put this cute little card together.

Click on the picture for a closer look.

A Pop Up card!

Who knew there were so many great card ideas out there? This card folds flat, the recipient will really get quite a treat when they open the envelope!

Cardstock:Ruby Red, Whisper White, and Cameo Coral

Ink: Pumpkin Pie (love it) and Basic Grey

Stamp sets: Fun and Fast notes and All in the Family

Accessories: 1/4" Whisper White Grosgrain Ribbon, Uni Ball Gel Pen

Non Stampin' Up!: Colouring Pencils

DIORAMA DRAMA

2010-04-19T14:17:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd give you the picture first today as I think this card or box as its called is pretty special. Its called a Diorama box and I saw a few of them on a very well known video website and so I thought I'd try to make my own.

I kept my design quite simple as I am cream crackered this evening but you really could go to town with this project by cutting out your stamped images and sticking them to the front using dimensionals, colouring your images; the possibilities really are endless!

As you can see I have used two different circle punches here, my own spin on the project.

Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Whisper White and Green Garden

Ink: Versa Mark, Pumpkin Pie and More Mustard

Stamp Sets: Sincere Salutations and A Beautiful Thing

Accessories: 1 1/4" Circle Punch and 1 3/8 Circle Punch

AN ENVELOPE OR TWO

2010-04-17T17:56:00.000-07:00

1:35 AM, no sleep again tonight and so its another late night crafting session for me. I did say I might be back later. Its just as well really, I think I will be busy this week sleeping my days away! Cameron is back at school which means Ava will get her uninterrupted naps again and I can nap with her and try to get myself well.

I have been wanting to do a bit more scrapbooking for a while but wasn't sure how or what I wanted to achieve. Its funny how ideas will just pop into your head when you least expect them. I have a stack of envelopes that no longer have their cards. I was thinking about how I could use them and then the idea came to me....An envelope scrapbook!

I thought using the envelopes would allow me to create little pockets with a nifty snip or two. I have put inserts in to each one, marked with a page divider-is that what they are called?

Now, I'm not sure how this will all look in the cold light of day but right now, I a pretty pleased with my efforts. If you look closely in one of the following pictures you will see the absolute carnage that will greet me in the morning...I am a heck of a messy crafter!

Should have rotated this...

and this.

This too!

Eurgh, if Cameron were not in cute in this picture I would have accidentally lost it.

I was very overweight back then!

Cardstock: All from the Earth Element Colour Family

Ink: More Mustard, Brilliant Blue.

Stamp Sets: Circle Circus

Accessories: 1 1/4 circle punch, Scallop circle punch, 1/4" Whisper White Grosgain Ribbon, corner rounder

Non Stampin' Up!: Felt tip pens

3X3 CARD HOLDER

2010-04-17T08:22:00.000-07:00

Hello again!

The sun has got me in the mood to get cracking on another project. As a new crafter, there is so much for me to learn and try and as the sun is out I thought taking a few bits into the garden with me would do me the world of good.

Who knows, I may be back on later!

Cardstock: Lovely Lilac, Regal Rose and Whisper White

In: Pixie Pink,

Stamp Sets: Fun and Fast Notes and A Beautiful Thing

Accessories: 1/4" Whisper White Grosgain Ribbon, Eyelet Border Punch, Scallop Circle Punch

Non Stampin' Up!: Buttons

BIRTHDAY BALLOONS

2010-04-17T03:39:00.000-07:00

Cadbury Caramel and a cup of tea for brekky, what a fabulous way to start the day! I feel dreadful and so I thought I would treat myself and while baby Ava is napping and Cameron is watching some noisy kids show in the living room; I thought I'd buckle down to a bit of card making.

Its lovely and sunny outside and so I thought a bright and cheery card would go down quite well.

Click on the pictures for a closer look

Cardstock: Whisper White, Real Red, Yoyo Yellow, Tempting Turquoise, Brilliant Blue and Green Galore

Ink: Green Galore, Basic Grey, Brilliant Blue

Stamp Set: All in the Family and Sincere Salutations

Accessories: Corner rounder, 1 1/4" circle punch

Non Stampin' Up!: Silver gel pen, colouring pencils

FLOWER POWER

2010-04-16T13:39:00.000-07:00

No point going to bed as this hacking cough keeps me wide awake and each one causes my tummy muscles to do things that should only be done in the gym!

So, I am now in the kitchen doing a bit of crafting, hoorah!

Click on the picture for a closer look.

Cardstock: Yoyo Yellow, Pink Passion, Whisper White and Only Orange

Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip and Pixie Pink

Stamp Set: Fun and Fast Notes (sentiment)

Accessories: Designer series paper, scallop circle punch and 5-petal flower

Non Stampin Up!: Buttons

PATCHWORK QUILT

2010-04-16T10:35:00.000-07:00

Cough, splutter, cough! Here we go again; I have picked up yet another chest infection. I can just about speak and the children seem to think this is the funniest thing they have ever seen. I have had to cancel my workshop (turns out my lady was going to cancel anyway though) and for a while I was seriously down in the dumps about it.Oh well, such is life and I am sure another one is just around the corner.

Now to today's project, a patchwork quilt card!

Click on the picture for a closer look

I have seen variations of this here and there and so I thought I'd give it a go. I am quite pleased with how it turned out. Just love the Hodgepodge accessory!!!

This would make an adorable new baby card...Think Bashful blue or Pixie Pink designer series paper.

Cardstock: Whisper White, Close to Cocoa

Ink: Pumpkin Pie

Stamp set: ( Retired) Vintage Labels

Accessories: Hodgepodge Hardware, Paper piercing tool and Designer series paper

Non Stampin' Up!: Brown Felt tip pen for faux stitch effect.

THINKING OF YOU

2010-04-15T14:48:00.000-07:00

I am relatively new to crafting and so I tend to keep things quite save. I began with cards but after finding Stampin' Up! I am making an attempt to venture out of my comfort zone and make things that challenge me and if they go wrong, what do we say? "There are no mistakes in crafting"! LOL!

This evening I thought I would have a go at an explosion card. Not a new idea or my own for that matter but its a classic and I think its great! Its a wonderful way to display photo's (a kind of scrapbook in a box) or add a simple sentiment and turn it into a clever card!

Cardstock: Real Red, Whisper White and Basic Black

Ink: Real Red

Stamp Sets: Circle Circus and Sincere Salutations

Accessories: 1/4" Whisper White Grosgrain ribbon, Designer Series Paper

JUST A QUICKIE

2010-04-15T05:16:00.000-07:00

Here I am, all nice and refreshed! My home is an absolute tip though, Cameron and his cousin are running around, it's bedlam! I have got to type this up quickly or I may live to regret it.

Right, so to the point of the blog. I'll tell you what I used for my last project.

Cardstock: Real Red

Ink: Real Red and Brilliant Blue

Stamp Sets: "Sincere Salutations" and "Circle Circus"

Accessories: Hole punch and 1/4" Whisper White Grosgrain Ribbon

Gosh, I think "A beautiful Thing" has lost out to "Circle Circus", I adore it and it is so versatile.

THANKS SO MUCH

2010-04-14T16:31:00.000-07:00

Its sleepover night for Cameron and his cousin and at 12:15 am I have just sent them off to bed. What is childhood without a few fun, late nights? I have been up, keeping an eye on them and at them same time just itching to get my hands on my new Stampin' Up! pieces that Mr. UPS brought me yesterday.

I may wake up tomorrow and realise that I have not thought this idea through that well...Very tired right now. But as you will hear me say time and time again, "there are no mistakes in crafting"! You can get away with a heck of a lot with that adage, LOL!

These are thank you notes, placed into a cute little coupon book. Not sure about anyone else but I am always writing little thank you's on Post-its and sticking them here and there for folks.

This idea is a great one (I think) for when there is no time to make a card and its a great way to jazz up plain Post-its.

Now, I don't actually have any Post-its to hand, so I have perforated each page so they can be torn away easily. I used my paper piercing tool to do this, however perhaps a Stampin' Up! cutting tool would have been better as there is a perforating tool on that.

Right, I am exhausted, so I'll be back on later to tell you what I have used.

Night, night!

MY OH MY

2010-04-14T06:29:00.000-07:00

No crafting today...

What is it they say? "Stampin' Up! is a girl''s best friend" Sorry? They've never said that? Well in that case, I am coining the phrase!

Mr. UPS brought me a package today, filled to the brim with Stampin' Up! treasures for me to salivate over!

I've got some punches (my absolute favourite SU! toys), a pack of Hodgepodge, designer series paper, ink pads, 12 x12 and A4 (textured and plain), two stamp sets (ohhhh, Circle Circus), a Mat pack, a paper piercing tool, Aqua Painters, two way glue pen; loads of bits cluttering up my kitchen floor!

I can't tell you just how exciting it is to get new crafting materials, tools and accessories and being fairly new to Stampin' Up! and crafting, all these bits will allow me to stretch my imagination just that little bit further.

Jump, jump, skip, hop!

YOU'RE INVITED

2010-04-10T07:06:00.000-07:00

Its that time of year again folks. Not sure what was going on this time 6 years ago but it seems that every child that we know was born within a 4 month period of one and another, wink, wink!

Cameron will soon be invited to a multitude of birthday parties and so spending the afternoon creating an invitation or two seemed like an appropriate choice of project.

I had a few bits of cardstock left over from last project so I've stuck with the same colour combo. As you can see, the base of the invitation is stamped with the "A Beautiful Thing" wheel. I had already done this, with another project in mind but you know what they say, "waste not, want not"!

I think Stampin' Up! have really got it spot on here, I would never have put these two colours together. I've teamed them with an easy hole punch design, gives it a retro look I think.

Click on the picture to have a closer look.

Cardstock: Only Orange and Brilliant Blue

Ink: Only Orange and Brilliant Blue

Stamp sets: "Fun and Fast Notes", "Cheer and Wishes" and "A Beautiful Thing"
Accessories: corner rounder and hole punch

The "Birthday" sentiment was part of a larger sentiment stamp. I inked the area I wanted and then carefully removed ink from the other words using an alcohol free baby wipe and then dried it thoroughly. I won't lie to you folks, it took quite a while to make sure there was absolutely no ink left behind; makes me wish a I had a set of Stampin' Write markers! All I would have had to do then, is quickly colour over my chosen word and stamped away. My birthday isn't until September....Weep.

A BIT OF EXCITEMENT!

2010-04-08T13:51:00.000-07:00

As a new Demo, I have to say that what I am about to tell you caused my jaw to hit the ground quite hard. I had only just begun to get used to the Stampin' Up! way. But as a lover of all things crafty, the shock soon left and was replaced by sheer excitement and now impatience!

Within the next 6 months Stampin' Up! will be bidding farewell to their famous Colour Families plus the neutral pack and replacing them with 4 new Colour Collections.

Some of the old colours will be staying put but some will be leaving us I'm afraid. This means that come October when the new Idea book and Catalogue is released you will no longer be able to get hold of some your old favourites. But fear not, dry your tears folks because that still leaves you with 6 months to stock up!

Here is a snap of all the colours that will be leaving us and all the new colours that will be joining the party!

Ohhh, I can't wait!!

I'm off to dream about my new ink pads.

FEELING BLUE

2010-04-03T13:11:00.000-07:00

You wouldn't think it but this crafting lark really does keep me up half the night sometimes. I get an idea and can't sleep or get much else done until I have had a play with my stash and put it all together. Last night I was up for hours visualising layout after layout of cards in blue and orange. I have a rather nice set of luggage under my eyes today I can tell you!

I have finally gotten a moment to do a bit of crafting today and here it is...

Cardstock: Brilliant Blue, Whisper White and Only Orange

Stamp Sets: "Its Beautiful" and Stampin' Around wheel " A Beautiful Thing"

Ink:Versa Mark, Brilliant Blue and Only Orange

Accessories: Silver Brads and 1/4" Whisper White Grosgrain Ribbon and corner rounder

Non Stampin' Up!: Stapler.

GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS

2010-04-02T01:22:00.000-07:00

I think I 'll begin with the bad news so we'll have the good (fantastic) news to cheers us up!

The bad news is that the Perfect Pairs promotion has come to an end. You can no longer purchase the brand new Heart punch, well, until October anyway. Boo hoo....

The fantastic news....Wait for it....

The new mini catalogue has just been released and it is full of gorgeous Stampin' Up! treats for you to add to your projects!

Click here to have a look

GET WELL WISHES

2010-03-30T04:28:00.000-07:00

Sigh...

Cameron seems to have had a relapse and its getting increasingly hard for me to see my little man in such a state. Last night I decided to have him stay up with me as he was far too bunged up to sleep. We sat in the kitchen and crafted together, I did all the cutting while he did the stamping. Hasn't he done well? Here is what we made.

A Get Well Pouch.

I really like this idea, its cute and quirky and is sure to make the recipient feel better.

As you can see, I have filled mine with a Cuppa Soup and Lemsip, just what the doctor ordered!

Cardstock: Green Galore and Regal Rose

Ink: Pixie Pink

Stamp sets: Stampin' Around Handel with "Its Beautiful" Wheel and "Fun and Fast Notes"

Non Stampin' Up! bits: Envelope and of course the soup and Lemsip, LOL!

MINI TREAT BOX

2010-03-29T04:47:00.000-07:00

Well, Cameron is doing better. He is still ill though, so as the Easter holidays begin on Friday I have decided to keep him at home with me for the rest of the week to make sure he is fit and well sooner rather than later.

Yesterday, we all rested! We needed it, after a shaky night with my "baby" (he tells me to pack that in)! This meant no crafting and I can tell you that I rather missed sitting at my kitchen diner thinking up bits to make and stamping cardstock, quite missed chatting with you too actually.

The children are sleeping now and so I have made a quick and easy mini treat box filled with sweeties. Not sure if you can see but I have covered the punched hole with a bit of acetate (window sheet). I'll probably give it to Cameron when he wakes up. Now, granted its not very boyish but I just love this stamp set and these colours...Sorry Cam, LOL!

Cardstock: Whisper White

Stamp Set: "A Beautiful Thing"

Ink: Pixie Pink and Green Galore

Accessories: 1/4" Whisper White Grosgrain Ribbon and 1 3/8 Circle Punch, medium window sheets, corner rounder

PHEW!

2010-03-27T08:55:00.000-07:00

I really should be renamed "Superwomen" women you know, LOL! My little boy Cameron is full of cold, his eyes are all puffy and red (I am sure he has conjunctivitis too) and he still just wants to go outside and play football. Poor kid, I have had to force him to stay in bed with DVD's, home baked banana loaf and unlimited play on his PSP; a rarity I promise you. The PSP bit I mean!

Anyhoo, while running up and down looking after him, jiggling baby Ava on my hip, stuffing copious amounts of laundry into the washing machine and baking the banana loaf, I managed to make these!

More swaps but this time for my mate in all things "crafty", Loraine over there in Shropshire. She doesn't have the "All in the Family or "A Good Egg" stamp sets, I hope she likes them.

The first, you will all have seen in my blog entry for 4 March, but I have used the flower stamp from "A Good Egg" for the background instead of the "Its Beautiful" wheel.

Cardstock: Gable Green and Tempting Turquoise

Ink: Green Galore and Brilliant Blue

Stampin' Pastels: Brocade Blue and Barely Banana

Accessories:1/4! Whisper White Grosgrain Ribbon and 1 3/8 circle punch

Swap Number 2

Cardstock: Whisper White and Tempting Turquoise, Gable Green

Ink: Brilliant Blue, Green Galore, Pixie Pink, Real Red

Stamp set: "All in the Family" and "Fun and Fast Notes" (sentiment)

I just adore these little family stamps, so cute!

They are winging their way over to you Loraine and should be with you early next week!

OH, SWAPS!

2010-03-26T06:46:00.000-07:00

One of the really cool things about being a Demo are the swaps! We share examples of the bits and pieces we have made in a bid to collect ideas to inspire both ourselves and our customers.

I have just been working on two swap pieces for a new Demo pal of mine, Kazz. We are both new actually and only have a small selection of stamp sets and accessories so these swaps will help build our sample's stash!

Kazz doesn't have "Fun and Fast Notes" or " A Good Egg" stamp sets so I have made these...

Simple...But I thought this was a great way to show you folks just how easy it all is!

Cardstock: Tempting Turquoise and Regal Rose

Ink: Brilliant Blue

Stamp Set: "Fun and Fast Notes" and "A Good Egg"

Accessories: 1 3/8 circle Punch

I decided to go with this background as it was way for me to ease myself in to using my Stampin Pastels in a more "elaborate" way. The result, a cheery, customised background!

Cardstock: Whisper White

Ink: Versa Mark

Pastel colours: Pixie Pink, Green Galore and Tempting Turquoise.

Here is the finished swap, simple but very cute even if I do say so myself, LOL!

Cardstock: Whisper White, Green Galore, Glorious Green, Summer Sun

Ink: Basic Black, Versa Mark

Pastel colours of chick: Brocade Blue and Summer Sun

Stamp Set: "A Good Egg"

SOMETHING FOR THE BOYS

2010-03-25T09:08:00.000-07:00

I don't know about anyone else but I seem to find cards for guys notoriously hard to dream up. Stampin' Up! has made it just that little bit easier though. So many of the stamps can be used for male and female cards, all we have to do is find the right colours and with the Colour Families (page 6 and 7 of the Idea book and catalogue), that bits easy too!

I made this today with my little boy Cameron in mind; its not his birthday until August but you can never be too organized I always say.

I had a bit of a "ding" in the left hand corner but I live by that age old adage, "there are no mistakes in crafting", LOL!

Cardstock: Green Galore and Glorious Green

Ink: Real Red, Brilliant Blue and Basic Black

Stamp sets: "Fun and Fast Notes" and "Cheers and Wishes"

Acessories: Silver Brads, corner rounder

SPRING FLOWERS

2010-03-25T05:47:00.000-07:00

So, I sat at my little craft table (aka the kitchen diner), its scattered with yet more "scraps", some lollipop sticks, scented tea candles and various stamp sets. I have set myself the challenge of using these bits. I do like challenges, I think it helps to keep my crafting fresh. However, after almost 30 minutes of staring blankly in to the distance and wishing Ava would wake up so I would have to hurry away; I came up with this! What do you think?

I think these would make cute "Thank you's" for almost any occasion and of course with Stampin' Up's! four colour families (page 6 and 7 of the Idea book and catalogue), the colour combinations are too numerous to mention. And because the candles are scented the recipient will get a little extra surprise!

Cardstock: Whisper White and Glorious Green

Ink: Pixie Pink and Green Galore,Glorious Green

Stamp Set: "A Beautiful Thing"

Accessories: Silver elastic cord and Small flat Cello bag

Non Stampin' Up! bits: Lollipop stick (inked with Glorious Green) and scented tea candle

14 DAYS AND COUNTING

2010-03-24T12:34:00.000-07:00

Just in case you had forgotten there are only 14 days left for you to place orders as part of the "Perfect Pairs"promotion!

It's a well know fact that you can always count on a punch to match a stamp set with Stampin' Up! and now they have made it even easier (and cheaper) for you to get your hands on both!

Click here to find out how.

A STROKE OF GENIOUS

2010-03-23T08:24:00.000-07:00

My fellow Demo, Loraine has shamed me I'm afraid. She is a true busy bee, posting to her blog daily and crafting just as often it would seem. So here I am, not once but twice in one day! Beat that Loraine, LOL!

Gosh....I wish I had thought of this idea myself. In fact I am a tad annoyed that I didn't, especially as I have just been reading up on a little (but wonderful) thing they call progressive scrapbooking. This is where you take a 6x6 scrapbook layout and turn it into a 12x12 page. Give me time folks, I will get busy with that sometime very soon!

So, the idea here is progressive card making! You start with a 3x3 card and turn it into something larger. The 3x3's are lovely but they can be a bit impractical at times so if you have a fair few lying around, then this idea is a fantastic one. Here is one I came up with. Good on you for thinking up such a gem, Heather!

3x3 card.

Using the stamp sets, "Cheers and Wishes" and "A Good Egg"

Cardstock: Regal Rose and a Love Note

Ink: Versa Mark and Pixie Pink

Ribbon: 1/4" Whisper White Grosgrain Ribbon

Love those dots!

Finished, progressed card!
A5 sized, using the super cute Hedgehog from the "Fun and Fast Notes" stamp set
Cardstock: Tempting Turquoise, Regal Rose
Additional ink: Brilliant Blue
1 3/8 circle punch

Still using up my "scraps" by the way!!

MINI CHALLENGE

2010-03-23T04:54:00.000-07:00

Well today I set myself a challenge. I have so many bits of "scrap" card and ribbon lying about that I thought I would (and should) get to work using them all up. Besides, I need some mini samples to take with me to workshops. Here is what I came up with...

Mini Thank you note. I send one of these to all my hostesses.

Using the "A Beautiful Thing" stamp set

A happy birthday card.

Using the "Good Egg" stamp set and "Fun and Fast Notes" stamp set

Mini party favour or known to us Demo's as the "2,4,6,8" box.
The cardstock is scored at 2,4,6 & 8 inches.
Using the "A Beautiful Thing" stamp set

"Sour Cream" container, as named by the American Demo's!

The fast food restaurant "Wendy's" stores sour cream in them.

You might like to put mini party treats in yours though, tee hee!

Using the "A Beautiful Thing" stamp set

I lurve this stamp set....Can you tell?

SCRAPPY HAPPY

2010-03-22T12:16:00.000-07:00

As some of you may know, I am mummy to two of the cutest kiddies around! Sorry guys but its a fact, LOL! I am forever taking snaps of them and now there are camera phones....Well, I never miss a precious moment.

After spending time with my Upline recently, I seemed to have caught the scrapbook bug. She has warned me though, "scrapping" is extremely addictive and too much of it may lead to a serious lack of interest in...Well, anything else!

So here it is, a simple layout to show all you newbies that you don't need much to get a great result!

Ingredients

A beautiful Thing stamp set
Stampin' Pastels
Tempting Turquoise cardstock
Regal Rose cardstock-stamped with the solid flower from set in Pixie Pink ink
Whisper White cardstock-stamped with the larger flower from set in Versa Mark ink. The stamped image was then dusted with a Stampin' Pastel.
1 3/4 circle punch (although any will do)

ONE DOWN...

2010-03-20T13:50:00.000-07:00

Many more to go! Today I held my very first workshop! It was so much fun and boy, have I learnt a lot! The best laid plans always go to waste, isn't that what they say?

The ladies were so bubbly and always cracking jokes that the workshop outline that I had planned to work with quickly went flying out of the window! Never fear though, I still managed to talk about all the important bits and Stampin' Up! just sold itself!

"My ladies" were so impressed with the exceptional quality that Stampin' Up! offer and had a great time stamping, sticking and filling their mini Easter baskets (Make and Take) with choccy eggs!

I have another workshop booking too, yipee!

If your reading, thank you ladies, it was an absolute blast! I hope to share Stampin' Up! with you again soon.

DECISIONS, DECISIONS

2010-03-11T09:12:00.000-08:00

Hello folks! Well I have been busy trying to plan my workshop as well as get myself some much need custom. I have designed and printed some flyers and sent letters and emails to as many people and social organisations as I could think of. I have had one response so far but it's still early days so I am staying upbeat!

I have made yet another Easter " Make 'n' Take", I hope I can stick with this one! I keep finding cool things to have a go at and while the card below was great, perhaps it was not simple enough. I am trying to show my guest's how fun and easy paper craft can be, I don't want them taking notes and worrying about making mistakes! What do you think of this?

Ingredients:

A Good Egg Stamp Set
Stampin' Around handle with "It's a Beautiful Thing" wheel
Regal Rose cardstock
Certainly Celery cardstock
Whisper White 1/4" Grosgain ribbon
Pixie Pink Ink

It was very simple and quick to assemble! Not sure if this is the greatest snap though but it's the best I could do with a crying 4 month old in the background, tee hee!

A GOOD EGG

2010-03-04T09:14:00.000-08:00

Hey all!

Its been a while but I didn't want to bore you with tales of planning and what not, so here I am with the fun stuff!

Here it is, my very first "Make and Take"! What do you think? Its an Easter note card made with Stampin' Up's! " A Good Egg" stamp set and some other goodies from my starter kit. I just love this stamp set, its so cute and I am not the only one that thinks so as the set is now sold out!

Ingredients:

A Good Egg stamp set
A 1-3/8 circle punch
A Stampin’ Around® handle with "It's Beautiful" wheel
1/4" (6.4mm) Grosgain ribbon in Whisper White
Gable Green cardstock
Tempting Turquoise
Brilliant Blue ink pad
Green Galore ink pad
Barely Bannana Stampin' Pastel
Old Olive Stampin' Pastel

I have my first workshop planned for the 20th March and I am really looking forward to it. Most of the guests are work colleagues of my sister's who have seen my many, many craft exploits (my sister loves to take snaps or bring my bits in to work and pass them around) and so are very eager to get stuck in! She even had people asking to be invited once they knew what was going on, so I will writing up some more invitations tonight. The Stampin' Up! invitations are lovely!

I'll keep you all posted, wish me luck!

WHOO HOO!

2010-02-19T13:18:00.000-08:00

How do I feel? Nervous but very, very excited! I am a now a Stampin' Up demonstrator and just can't wait to get stuck in.

I received a call from Eileen over at Stampin' Up! today, only to double check my order form as she could not make head nor tail of my writing. That's what I get for not using a decent pen eh (slap on the wrist)? I'll get my official welcome call on Monday!

In the meantime I have plenty to be getting on with; possible workshop ideas, flyers to create and finishing off this blog which has taken me the best part of week so far, who knew it could be so tricky? There isn't much content at the mo but please keep stopping by to see what other tit bits I have added.

I look forward to the wonderful challenge ahead and hope you stay around to take the journey with me.