Christmas Cards in July

This is my card class for this Thursday. We are using the lovely "Old Fashioned Christmas" stamp set which is fantastic for traditional looking cards. We are going to be busy as we are making the box wallet plus the three cards and three tags. I got the box template from Lauren Meader and then adapted it all to fit our standard C6 sized cards.

Some of my regular ladies expressed an interest in making an early start on their Christmas cards after seeing a few bits and bobs I had been making as samples. I have to say I think it is the first time ever that I have been talked into making Christmas cards this early lol

As most of them cannot manage a full day class due to childcare etc we are dividing the Christmas makes into two classes. This week we are making this gorgeous set and in the next Christmas class we are making a bag, a box and a gift card holder as well.

If you are interested in this class, either for this Thursday or at a time to suit you then please do not hesitate to contact me via my email link on the right hand side of my blog. I have no minimum size class so am happy to work on a one to one basis if you prefer it that way. Alternatively if you and a few friends would like to come together then please contact me to see what we can arrange.

My first Christmas card and it's ONLY July

No I have not gone completely nuts......I really have made my first Christmas card for 2009. I have used the gorgeous tree image from the "Old Fashioned Christmas" stamp set and softly coloured it using my wonderful Stampin' Up markers. The base card is Real Red and the ribbon is 5/8" Old Olive.

My Upline Jenny challenged her team to make a Christmas card this week and this is the result. I have to say it did do me a favour as I have the first of my Christmas in July classes on Thursday and Friday this week. We are making a beautiful decorated wallet with three cards and matching tags and this card will now be part of the set.

We are going to be using the beautiful Ski Slope papers, glitter and lots of ribbons and my ladies are loving the idea of starting their Christmas items. I do have a couple of spaces left for Thursday so if you want to join us please email me for details.

Please also email me if you are interested in my up and coming Christmas 3-D class when we will be making gift card holders, boxes and bags. Places will need to be booked and a deposit paid for this one as we will use a large amount of designer papers and other supplies.

Blog award

I am delighted to share with you this award that I have received from Teri You can see her own amazing work over on her blog HERE

I am thrilled to bits Teri that you like my blog enough to pass on the award to me. Thank you very much.

I do believe I can now pass this award on to any others who newly inspire me with their creations.

These 5 ladies are a huge source of ideas and inspiration for me and I visit their blogs virtually every day.

Patty

Angie

Joanne

Carole

Jo

Stampin'Up! Summer Design Challenge

Do you love Stampin'Up rubber stamps as much as I do ? Would you like the chance to own some new stamp sets. Do you appreciate a great opportunity when you see one ?
WELL WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
This summer you have a chance to win fantastic free stamp sets when you participate in the Stampin'Up! Summer Design Challenge.

Simply create a summer-inspired project using Stampin' Up! products and submit it no later than 31 August, 2009 for your chance to win!

Four prizes will be awarded to demonstrators and customers

Demonstrator First Place: £150 worth of stamps sets

Customers
First Place: £150 worth of stamps sets
2 Runner up prizes each for £50 worth of stamps sets


Summer Design Challenge Rules
Projects must be created using only Stampin' Up! products.
Only one project per participant will be accepted.
Projects can be cards, home decor, scrapbook pages, or 3D items.
All projects must be summer-themed.
Projects must be unique, and created for the Summer Design Challenge. Do not just recycle your old projects.
A list of products used must be included with the project submission.
Full contact information, including your full name, demonstrator ID (if you are a demonstrator), address, phone number, and e-mail address must be included with the project submission.
Projects will not be returned as they may be displayed at future Stampin' Up! events or on the Stampin' Up! web site

Ladies I urge you to have a go at this. What have you got to lose ? Just get all your gorgeous SU stash out and create something beautiful. You could soon be the happy winner of one of these 3 amazing customer prizes. I would be so proud if one of my customers were to win If you want any other information please contact me.

Field Training swaps and more

Here is the card I made for my fellow demonstrators for our Stampin' Up! field training day last Saturday. It was the first training event I have managed to attend and the first time I have swapped cards with other demonstrators.

This absolutely stunning card is from my upline Jenny. She made the card as her swap card for everyone and for each of us in her downline team she made the extra gift of a decorated matching notepad and pen set. Thank you Jenny.

These are the lovely swap cards that I received from the other demonstrators who attended. The variety of styles is refreshing and a swap like this is a fantastic way of getting some totally different creative ideas for stamps you possibly already own. Of course it can also make you realise there are other "must have" sets when you realise what can be achieved with an given stamp set. I received two cards using the "Bloomin' with Beauty" set and both of those cards have made me realise I do actually "need" that set as they are stunning.

This picture shows the projects we each made during our training event. The stamp set is called "A Beautiful Thing" and is a gorgeous 6 piece stamp set.

These ladies are of our UK manager Paula and her assistant Kelly and to me this picture totally sums up the fun factor that is Stampin' Up. Thank you both for allowing me to take this picture.

Stampin Up Training Event

Yesterday I attended my first ever event with my upline Jenny and some of the other members of her team. It was a Stampin' Up demonstrator training event in Taunton. I travelled approx 250 miles to be there and I am sooooooooo glad I made the effort to attend as I had a ball.

I met Jenny's downline ladies for the first time which was lovely, hello again to Val, Jane, Judy, Kate and Jo it was so nice to meet you all. In addition there were lots of other demonstrators from the surrounding areas and it was a real pleasure to meet with you all and also to swap cards with each of you.

I have received some beautiful little pieces of art in this card swap and I will share them all with you in another post (once I have photographed them ) I absolutely adore receiving cards from other card makers as I am inspired so much by their creativity.

A huge amount of my inspiration comes from my upline Jenny. She had obviously been really busy before this event yesterday as she had made each of us in her team a beautiful gift set of decorated notepad and pen to go with the swap card she gave to everyone.

Jenny's set is simply stunning and it has definitely inspired me to make these myself as gifts. However I have to say I am dead jealous Jenny as I do not have this gorgeous stamp set which is so obviously perfect for the job hee hee

The stamp set is a level 3 Hostess Set called "Happiness Always" and is a very special one as it can only be earned and not bought. Click on the online catalogue link and go take a look at the whole set, it really is a beautiful set.If you too love the look of this stamp set and have a few like minded crafty friends why not see if you can gather them together and contact me to arrange a workshop. You could perhaps then earn this set for yourself. You can contact me via my email link on my sidebar.

How lovely is this gift set. Thank you so much Jen I love it.

Summer By the Sea Shadow Box card

Hi there

I am back from a mini camping break in the Lake District. We didn't have the best weather but it was still lovely to chill out for a few days and the bad weather enabled me to get my swap cards all finished for my Stampin' Up field training day this coming Saturday. The field training is for demonstrators and they tend to take this opportunity to swap cards with each other. This training day is the first one I have been able to attend so I am looking forward to joining in with the card swap. I will show all the cards I receive next week along with the card I made to give out.

My upline Jenny gave instructions on her BLOG for a shadow box card today and I just had to try my first one. You can make 2 of these cards out of just one A4 sheet of cardstock and they even fold flat into a normal C6 envelope.

I had to make my card quite simple in design as I am really busy today. I was supposed to be typing up instructions this morning for my card classes on Thursday and Friday but got distracted when I popped over to Jenny's blog and saw this little box card..........so all your fault Jen.....but thank you for the card ideas lol.

I used the beautiful little girl stamp from "Summer by the Sea" stamp set from Stampin' Up! I love this set of stamps. The cardstock is Pretty in Pink and Elegant Eggplant and I watercoloured the image using SU markers and aqua painter.

Anyway hope you like this card for today.

Organisation....almost

I am sharing a little Bind it All book I have made this morning. The image is from the gorgeous Stampin' Up set "Summer by the Sea"

I wanted to create a handy little reference guide for all of the copics colours ( ok so I don't have all of them but my collection IS growing lol) I do have a single sheet blank colour chart that I got from the Copic site and I have been filling that in myself in order to get a "true" colour but I wanted something more substantial.

I thought of a little book with pages of charts of all the colours and I am thrilled to have found a website of a wonderful lady called Gale who created mini charts of ALL the Copic colours and made herself a little book. You can find her website HERE I have added about 12 blank pages at the back of my little book and will use those to show blending combinations that I discover and like.

Sugar Bowl challenge

I have been a fan of Sugar Nellie stamps for a while now and this little girl has to be one of my favourite images. She reminded me of my Great Niece, Jessica and I had to buy her immediately. Over on the Sugar Nellie challenge blog HERE they run regular challenges and this week it is a sketch challenge with the added extra requirement that you should use blue and green on your card.

At my local craft shop demo evening last night I met Kirsty Wiseman and bought her printables CD and was therefore able to print off some very bright green patterned papers this morning. I am still a wee bit uncertain about this "busy" style of card with these "loud" papers but even though it feels really weird for me to be trying them out, I have to say I do like the finished results.

So anyway this is my first ever challenge card and I am thrilled that it is for the Sugar Nellie Sugar Bowl blog.

ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh no it's Copics again !!!!!!

As you can see I have still been experimenting with my new Copics pens. I think they should come with a health warning to say they are addictive, once you start playing with them all sense of time is lost hehe.

These couple of cards are my latest batch and they came about when I was trying to design a card for my local craft shop card competition. The top card is the one that I chose to enter.

Copics Creativity

Well I am absolutely shattered from my day out to Leeds for Maddys copics class, but it has given me such a creative buzz today. I had to have another go at this copics business.....and get out my scrapbook papers as well.

I am still blown away by both the copics effect and this busy style of card and find it unbelievable that I am able to do it. I have made this card today and again I find myself liking the finished design.

What do you all think ?

Maddy's Copic Class

Hi there

As you know from my previous posts, I have recently bought some Copic markers and have been experimenting with them over the past 2 weeks. Well today I attended a Copics workshop with Maddy over in Leeds. I went with my friend Vikki and we had a brilliant time. Here is the card I created today along with a close up of my coloured image.

I am blown away by the stunning results which can be achieved from these marker pens and I'm truly inspired by Maddys amazing card creations which she shared with us today. This is one colouring technique that I will be practising an awful lot.........it brings a whole new dimension to a stamped image.

I was thrilled to meet with 3 other ladies namely Gay, Lauren and Eileen and hope they will keep in touch after such a fun day. Whilst there we were also treated to a meet and greet with Calvin Mouse and his Teddy Bear. He watched over us at lunch to ensure we did not polish off all of the cake, and then joined us ( along with his Bigshot machine and teddy) at the craft table for our afternoon session. I took a photo to show you how at home he is with a roomful of other crafters.

Baroque Border Wheel

Hi there

I thought I would share this card with you today. My SU upline Jenny occasionally sets those of us in her team a challenge with a chance to win prizes. This month's challenge was to make a card using one of the Stampin' Up wheels so here is my entry. I wanted something quite plain and simple to show off the wheel design, but wanted the embellishment to also stand out so used Real Red for the stamped flowers. I also added a black button and Linen thread to add a wee bit of texture to my card. Hope you all like it.

There are 10 standard sized wheels available in the current catalogue and 13 Jumbo ones and I love them all. They really are so simple to use and they can give an almost instant card design in minutes. I admit I do have LOTS of these wheels and I am glad that Jenny posted this challenge as she has reminded me how good they are to use.

Thanks for the challenge Jen.

Petal Pizazz

Hi just a quick card to share with you again today as I have a heap of ironing to get through before it gets too hot.

I am attending a Stampin' Up Demonstrator event at the end of this month and have joined in with the card swap which will take place on the day. With this in mind I have started to play around with my stamp sets to try and come up with a card design that I like enough to make the 15 or so cards I need.

This card won't be making it to the final selection but I enjoyed making it all the same. The small flower used on the backing panels is from the gorgeous "Baroque Motifs" set and the main flower image is from the "Petal Pizazz" set. Cardstock is Whisper White and Real Red.

Home Grown by Sugar Nellie

Just the quickest of posts again today as I am off out to go swimming.

This is my newest stamp from Sugar Nelie and is from their "Home Grown" range. I have used my new copic pens again and think that my colouring is definitely improving with these pens. What do you think ?

Anyway hope you enjoy the card

Soft Summer Copics style

Just a quick post today as I have to prepare for my Pocket Silhouette class for tomorrow.

I apologise that I have used my Soft Summer flower again but it is a perfect image for colouring techniques. I have had a play with my new copics again but this time I have been quite brave and used much darker colours. What do you think ?

This card also uses card offcuts from my scraps box and a tiny offcut piece of designer paper that was left after I cut the sheet for next months class. The only thing on this card that isn't a scrap is the piece of ribbon and this is a length of Stampin' Up! whisper white grosgrain which I coloured with my copic pen to get a perfect colour match to my flower. Have you noticed though how perfect the match is also to the Rose Red base card ?

Something completely different

Hi there

I thought I would share something a bit different with you today. I have had this little cutie for over a year and don't think I have ever inked her until this weekend. I am not the most confident at colouring in and I think that's why she has been in the drawer for sooooooo long.

However I have recently decided that I do need to practise as I love the effect. I have seen some gorgeous coloured images out there on the internet recently and the way I figure it is this....those talented girls must have started somewhere. This attempt is using my new copic markers and I love the way they work.

So be prepared to see more of my colouring attempts in the future and please feel free to pass on all your hints and tips to help me along on my journey of discovery.....

Soft Summer in Pumpkin Pie

Hi there
Just a quickie card to share with you today. This is the beautiful "Soft Summer" stamp set from Stampin' Up!. It is actually a 2-step stamping set but I like to sometimes just use the outline stamp and watercolour it myself rather than using the two stage stamps.

I have been working on my class projects for next months class and I am loving the "Earth Elements colour family we will be using.

I have somewhat overlooked the vibrance of some of the colours in this family but hope to remedy that now I have had a bit of a play with them. As a result this card uses Pumpkin Pie and Old Olive.

Just tooooooo cute

I just had to share this little guy with you. I was off on my travels blog hopping last night ( when I should really have been typing up class notes)

I found him over at Angie's Chic n Scratch blog HERE and she even has an amazing video showing how to punch him out and put him together. As soon as I saw him I just had to make one for myself. I didn't have exactly the same punches that Angie used but I just adapted the ones I do have to make the ears and the legs.

Well now I really do need to get on with my class notes for next week.

Playful Petals in Almost Amethyst

Hi there

I hope you like my offering for today. I have used the "Playful Petals" Stampin' Up! set which comes from the Mini Catalogue. This is a gorgeous set of stamps and it is the first time I have used this tulip styled flower. I have to also say that this is a large A5 size card which is unusual for me as most of my creations are for much smaller C6 or square cards. I think the flowers are big enough to make an impact even on this larger format.

I have also used some more of my designer papers, this time it's the turn of the "Tea Party" pack which is stunning on it's own but also designed to match perfectly with this particular stamp set. I think I am going to need a lie down if I keep on using my papers on such a regular basis............either that or .....

I may just have to order some more supplies before the "Buy 3 and get a 4th pack free" offer finishes at the end of this month.

Holiday Treasures Top Note Purse

Well I have been awake since before 6am this morning so that was excuse enough for me to get in my craft room and create something to share with you today.
I found this adorable little purse over on Becky Roberts Blog here and just had to give it a try. I have to say it was soooooo simple to make with Becky's excellent easy to follow instructions and I think they are going to prove somewhat addictive. I must also add here that once this little purse is put together it really is very, very sturdy.

Please note that in keeping with my new resolution to use my SU papers I have broken into my Holiday Treasures pack of paper and the designs are just soooooooo gorgeous in that set.

I am off to my little Great Niece's School Spring Fete in a short while and then I will be busy preparing my materials packs for next Thursday and Friday's Pocket Silhouettes class ( sorry for the confusion girls, the dates are 28th and 29th for the classes).

I shall hopefully be back tomorrow with something to share with you.

Still raining but it's summer really here in Bacup

Hi there

As you can see from my post title it is still raining here. But as promised I have made another couple of cards on my summery theme.

I have a small confession to make........I now have lots of Stampin'Up! patterned papers as I just could not resist the fantastic "Buy 3 and get a 4th pack free" offer this month.

As a result of my little shopping spree I decided that I really should use some papers on cards today ( I usually only buy papers to look at and stroke....not to use lol) I do admit that I haven't exactly used a vast amount of my paper stash on these 3 cards but it is a start hee hee

Anyway hope you like these extra 3 cards

Soft Summer

Well here in Bacup it is pouring with rain this morning. In light of that I thought I would ignore the weather and have a go at pretending that it is summer.

With that in mind what better stamp set to play with than "Soft Summer". There is something about this stamp set that just MAKES you reach for beautiful summery colours when you are working with the stamped images. This card is using Pretty in Pink and Regal Rose for the flower, with Certainly Celery and Mellow Moss for the branch and leaves ( then lightly over-coloured with Creamy Caramel on the actual branch part) I have also used tiny pieces of Stampin'Up! designer paper as a patchwork background as this effect also reminds me of summer fabrics. The pack I have used is "Sweet Always ". The papers in this particular set also go brilliantly with Chocolate Chip, Regal Rose and Pumpkin Pie.

As a very special offer this month, Stampin'Up! are giving you the chance to get FREE papers.

Buy ANY 3 Packs of their 12x12 Designer and Patterned papers and get a 4th Pack (of your own choice) absolutely FREE

This offer is valid until the end of this month. If you are interested then please email me for details of how to place your order.

I will be back later to show you the other colours and designs that are helping me to pretend that it is a beautiful sunny day today.

Missing in Action again.........

I am so sorry I have not been around again for a while. No matter how much I try to come on here and post regularly life keeps getting in the way.

I have been really busy with my craftroom clear out and getting things ready for my next classes and that just has not left much time for "actual" crafting.

I have managed to make one card this week with my new "Mr and Mrs" stamp set. I love the sheer elegance on this set and can't wait to find some more time to play with it.

Hope you like this little card. The cardstock is Real Red and Mellow Moss with Basic Black. I love how the black makes the flowers look so striking.

Birthday Rose is a Rose

Hi there

Just thought I would share another Rose is a Rose card with you.

I was asked yesterday to make this for my Mum for her best friend whose birthday it is today...... Happy Birthday Belle

I didn't go to bed until the early hours this morning so it's a miracle that I have managed to get up this morning and make it for her in time for collection within the next half an hour.

I think my Mum will like it and hope you all do too

Forest Friends

Firstly I need to give an apology to my loyal ladies who check out my blog regularly. I have been rushed off my feet in the past week and not been able to craft.

This morning however, for the first time in a week I have managed to create a card. This was for a card ordered by a friend for a 1st Birthday card for her little niece. I am sure she will love the Forest Friend images I have used....who can fail to love them ? they are so cute !

I am making a heap of Baby themed cards this week with crafting partner Vikki so will post pictures as we get them finished.

More Rose is a Rose

Wow, wow, wow .............I am totally loving my new A Rose is a Rose stamp set, what was I thinking of when I delayed buying it until now ???????????????? What a waste of 8 months since it's release in our catalogue which came out last September.

I truly cannot believe how stunning the roses look within seconds of adding the 2nd stamped image. I must also add that the Stamp-a-ma-jig positioning tool gives perfect results every single time and I wouldn't be without mine for the world.

I had planned on starting a new more organised regime for my blog of making sure I add one new photo every day...... that idea has now gone out of the window as I have 3 cards I want to share with you today. I hope you enjoy them.

A Rose is a Rose

I have wanted this stamp set ever since our new Stampin'Up! catalogue came out in September. I knew I would simply HAVE to have it but it has taken until now for me to give in and get it for myself.

I am blown away by how easy this set is to use and after playing around with it for just one day I already "know" it will be one of the sets I keep forever, regardless of if it ever gets retired by Stampin'Up! This card is just the very first card I have made so be prepared to see many more in time.


I just thought I would add that the watermark you can see on my photo is new to me. I followed a link to this lady's blog and purchased some different ones from her. (Karen is very helpful especially to those of us who are somewhat technically challenged)
So if you need a watermark for you website or blog bob on over and take a look HERE

Easter Gifts

Hi all
I am away in Wales for a short Easter break with some of my family. My nephew Matthew is also joining us tomorrow so I have made little Easter gifts for everyone for Sunday morning.

I thought I would share pictures of the gifts I have made for everyone.

Easter Baskets

I saw these adorable little baskets over on Monica's blog and have made lots of them for Easter gifts. These two are for my friends Vikki and Jenny and I made cards to match. I have given them out today and both ladies liked them ( bet they will like the eggs even more lol)

They are so simple to make, in fact one of the easiest 3-D items I have ever made, but I think they look lovely.

Launch party success

Hi there

First and foremost a big thank you to all of you ladies who attended my Mini catalogue launch party and made it a huge success. Thank you also for your valued orders which I hope to be delivering very shortly along with your individual raffle prizes. It was a wonderful day and it was lovely to meet some of you for the first time.

I was so pleased to have heard back from you all that you enjoyed yourselves and look forward to seeing some of you again at my Photo wallet class later this month.

If you want to attend this class on Thursday 23rd April 10 am - 1 pm please let me know as soon as possible as places are limited. In addition I do have a couple of spaces left for the Thursday 23rd April evening class 6.30pm - 9pm.

Unfortunately the Friday class 10 am- 1pm is now full .

Here are a few more pictures showing my launch party samples. The little Ferrero Rocher chocolate handbags were the thank you token gifts I made for every guest, just to say thanks for coming.

Launch Party Sneak Peak

Just thought I would share a couple of my launch party samples with you.

They are all made using the ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh soooooo cute stamp set "Forest Friends" and will be on display at my launch party tomorrow 10am to 4pm along with lots more samples made with some of the other stamp sets from the wonderful new Mini Catalogue.

TO CELEBRATE THE LAUNCH OF THE MINI CATALOGUE

I am offering free postage for ANY order placed with me tomorrow and then on all orders over £45 until 30th April( this is my own offer to you not a Stampin'Up! offer) .

This guarantees you a minimum saving of at least £3.95 so why not make the most of this very special offer from me.

Email me for more information.