Stampaholix

Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper

2012-01-31T12:00:00.000Z

Well I'm only a couple of days late - but here are a couple of layouts done with the Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper which is one of the FREE gifts you can get with the Sale a Bration promotion which runs until the end of March. That's right - a whole pack (12 sheets) of double sided patterned paper can be yours when you spend £45 or more on Stampin' Up! goodies - what's not to like about that?

Anyway - here's my first page featuring Roger's cousin Charlotte and her (then) brand new hubby enjoying a glass of champers after their wedding last July. The flowers are die cut using the new die in the mini catalalogue!

And here is number two featuring a very much smaller Katy enjoying a plouter in the mud at Cape Wrath lighthouse in what passes for summer in the far North of Scotland..... if you aren't being eaten alive by the dreaded midgies - you're being rained on... on balance the rain is preferable as its less uncomfortable!

And just in case you missed it - here's a pic of all 6 patterned papers in the package - you get two of each so you can use all 12 patterns!

As always - if I've tempted you with these pictures - and you would like to get your hands on the papers (or even any of the stamps I've featured in my previous posts), please get in touch

StampaholixUK@aol.com/ 07973 969153

For anyone in the Tunbridge Wells area (or even the rest of Kent and the closer parts of Sussex and Surrey...) I will be running another of my fabulous one day crafting retreats on the weekends of the 18/19th Feb, the 25th/26th Feb and the 3rd/ 4th March. (Reason there are so many dates to choose from is that I limit the places to a maximum of 5 to give everyone enough space and attention!)

We will be using the lovely Spice Cake papers from the Spring Mini Catalogue and your kits will include a WHOLE pack of paper (12 sheets), a whole pack (12 sheets) of Vanilla card, half a pack (6 sheets) of Soft Suede card, lots of A4 card in matching colours, various ribbons and a whole pot of Antique Brads, a pack of Paper Daisies and a pack of Basic Pearls. We will be making 10-12 layouts between 10 am and 5pm and for those you don't finish on the day - complete instructions will be available to you so you can complete them in your own time!

Cost for the day will be £50 to include your kits, all refreshments and a salad or sandwich lunch

If you are interested please let me know as soon as possible as the materials for the kits need to be ordered, and the 18th Feb isn't that far away!.

Thanks

Sale-a-Bration Set 4 - Sprinkled Expressions

2012-01-28T08:50:00.000Z

Hello and welcome to day 4 of the look at lovely cards to make with the FREE stamp sets you can get with orders of £45 during Sale-a-Bration. Todays set is the funky Sprinkled Expressions - a set of 6 stamps in three very useful shapes and with 3 nice sentiments to go with them.

Here is the first of 3 cards from Aly and the 4th one in the group - although designed by natalie is inspired by one on Aly's blog!

This one is probablly my favourite of the four cards featured today - great for every occasion - and showing off how you can use the markers to stamp a multi coloured image. The little flowers on the flower and the word smile have been done with markers

Here's a great one using the heart stamp - wouldn't it make a great valentine - or even a wedding/ engagement card?

And how abou this one for a congratulations card - very handy to have around at the end of August when the dreaded results come out!

And if you didn't like that one - how about this version - have you noticed that the embossing folders used on the mats of some cards really add a bit of texture and dimension?

I know I promised some scrapbook pages using the papers for tomorrow - but life got in the way yesterday - and I'm off to the Strictly Come Dancing Tour this afternoon so won't have time to make them today ... watch late tomorow or on Monday for the next instalment.

As ever if you would like to place an order - please get in touch and these lovely stamps could be on their way to live at your house! this week!

StampaholixUK@aol.com / 07973 969153

Sale-a-Bration Set 3 - Outlined Occasions

2012-01-27T07:57:00.000Z

Well today I'm featuring the versatile Outlined Occasions stamp set which is free with a purchase of £45 during this promotion.

This set features 3 sentiments and 3 "sub- sentiments" to go with them so its a set of 6. As they are outlines - you can use the markers to fill them in, or just colour in the stars, or just leave them blank... so the greetings will go with your cards whatever products you use!

As usual - I'll be showing you the four cards I featured in Tuesday's main post group photo. The papers featured are the super lush Everyday Enchantment ones which are also a choice for a freebie if you aren't that into stamps.....My set arrived yesterday afternoon - so I will be scrapping them shortly - so look out on Sunday for them!

This card is another Aly Schilling one which feature SU's lovely basic pearls and the velvet ribbn. Here the outlines have been left bland but you could reverse the sentiment block so the celebrate was stamped on white and colour in the letters with the matching markers.

I really love this card - its another Aly creation and a great use of card scraps..... a cheap make but VERY effective. Here the outlines have been filled in to match the card blocks and it really makes the whole card pop!

Another one which shows off the coloured in outlines - here the markers pick up the colours in the paper which has been stamped with the I {heart} Hearts set! A very quick, easy and effective card, again designed by Aly!

The final offering today is Natalies design - i love the way that she has used the embossed frame to surround the stamped and punched greeting - I hope you have spotted that the two smaller sentiments fitt beautifully into some of the latgers punches to make your cards look even better!

Check back tomorrow for a set of cards featuring the last of the four stamp sets, and as usual - if I can help you with any orders - please do get in touch!

StampaholixUK@aol.com / 07973 969153

Sale-a-Bration Set 2 - Elementary Elegance

2012-01-26T08:16:00.001Z

Well here is Day two of the features on the gorgeous stamps which are avaialble for free with every £45 you spend with Stampin' Up! between now and the end of March.

I think Elementary Elegance is my second favourite of those on offer this year. It has a gorgeous frame, the centre of which matches the Curly Label punch perfectly so no fiddly cutting by hand required! There are 7 stamps in the set, including two lovely sentiment stamps which would be useful on lots of cards! That little butterfly and bird are so sweet as well........

Here is card no 1 made with this set . It's an Aly Schilling design again and features lots of lovely layering to create this super stylish birthday card. it uses 3 of the 7 stamps - the very versatile frame, the Happy Birthday and the butterfly! I'd love to open a card like this on my special day - and I'm sure lots of other peoplpe would too!

Next up is this lovelyfeminine card made with the Everyday Enchantment paper - its another Aly design and again useful for any occasion - and nowhere near as hard to make as it looks! See how changing from the darker palette of colours on the birthday card above to red and cream for this one makes it look totally different?

This one is yet another Aly creation - again there is lots of layering and the papers and velvet ribbon feature again... but the frame this time has got the sentiment stampd , punched and set up on dimensionals to look totally different!

Here is the last one from the group photo I showed you on Tuesday - its Aly again but here she's used embossed and punched card with the papers and velvet ribbon

And finally for today - is this card made using the frame stamped in white craft ink on a dark background with the wee butterfly stamped in Versamark and finished off with a Rhinestone!

Are you tempted yet?

If you would like to get Elementary Elegance absolutely FREE, just choose products from the Main or Spring mini catalogue to the value of £45 or more and it can be on its way to your house in the next few days!

As a special offer from me - every individual customer order (of £45 or more) placed with me during the promotion will qualify for FREE Postage and Packaging (worth £4.95) - so go on - what are you waiting for???

Sale-a-Bration Stamps 1 - Fresh Vintage!

2012-01-25T09:58:00.000Z

Welcome to my showcase of gorgeous items made with the SAB stamp sets.... I'm starting with the stamps as I'm hoping that the papers I ordered yesterday will be here in time to do up som scrapbook pages in time for Day 5!

Day 1 is featuring my personal favourite set - the gorgeous Fresh Vintage. This was the only one I acquired (and paid for) on the pre-order.... on the basis that I was going to earn all of the others for free during the promotion.

If nothing else this set is worth acquiring for the lovely floral vine - very classy and useful in so many ways. This set also matches the Everyday Enchantment papers perfectly and they have been used in quite a few of the cards I'm going to feature. As mentioned yesterday - These are made from a kit supplied by Natalie O Shea, and the cards are designed by her and Aly Schilling - I gave you the links to their sites yesterday so scroll down if you want a look!

This one was designed by Natalie - and not only does it feature the Fresh vintage postage stamp and the DSP, it also showcases the lovely new velvet ribbon from the Spring mini - I love this ribbon - its really thick and heavy and good quality - watch for it appearing on one of the layouts I'll be doing when I get my paws on the papers!

This second one is one by the very talented Aly Schilling - a US demo who creates the most wonderful projects - here you can really see how the papers pick up the vine design.......

The third one is another Aly Schilling design and shows beautifully how something "vintage" can look very modern indeed - I think this one is really lovely - and can see it being the thank you card for the Stampers 6 parcels in February!

The last one from the group photo I showed yesterday is another of Natalie's..... here she has used the stamps in a variety of colours on the Newsprint paperslike a one sheet wonder. Add ribbon and pearls and you are done!

Now I mentioned in my post about training that we had made a couple of samples with the SAB sets - and here's the one we did using Fresh Vintage. The ivory card was randomly stamped in Pear Pizzazz, Pool Party and Soft Suede and finished off with paper, ribbonm and a stamped and punched sentiment from tomorrow's set - Elementary Elegance!

And finally - to show I keep my promises - this one was the last card I received from the talented Amanda Bates in the ILWS swap. She has used the Everyday Enchantment paper on the flap on the right - and used that lovely vine on a stamped Everythin Eleanor image - I must admit - i thought she had stamped both - until I realised that she had used the paper!!

So, have I tempted you yet????

If I have, don't forget that this stamp set is abolutely FREE with an order of £45 - so dig out your catalogue and have a look through the lovely products on offer. Let me know what you would like and it can be winging its way to your door in the next few days!

Haven't got a catalogue? Let me know and I will drop one in the post to you for £5 incl postage (fully refundable on an order of £50 or more). It will also include the Spring mini catalogue and the Sale-a-Bration brochure!

StampaholixUK@aol.com/ 07973 969153

#Sale - a - Bration! Come on!#

2012-01-24T11:45:00.001Z

Whoop! Whoop!

The big day is here and why not come and join in the celebration of Sale-a-Bration...... your chance to get your hands on limited edition Stampin' Up! stamp sets and designer papers absolutely FREE!

Yes that's right - they are available to you with every £45 you spend on SU products from now until the end of March! And yes, you read it right - you get a gift for every £45 you spend - not just one with every order over £45! That means if you spend enough in one order you can add the whole lot to your shopping basket absolutely FREE -

spend £45 - get one gift
spend £90 - get two
spend £135 - get three
spend £180 - get four
spend £225 - get all five!! or any combination in between!

So what are the free gifts? Well, they are 4 exclusive stamp sets, and one pack of designer papers (brand new item for this year!) and here they are

Fresh Vintage (this one is my favourite!)

And here is a selection of cards showing off the stamps - and the beautiful Everyday Enchantment papers which are also available to you. I would love to be able to say that these are all my own work - but alas they are the creations of the very talented Natalie O'Shea and Aly Schilling (as indeed are all the cards you will see here today!)

Elementary Elegance

Sprinkled Expressions

Outlined Expressions

And check out this gorgeous patterned paper, Everyday Enchantment.. you get 12 sheets in each pack - 2 of each design and they go beautifully with all the SAB sets!

Check back over the next few days as I will be showing bigger indivdual photos of each card in the various sets.

In the meantime - if I can help you with an order so you can get your FREE gifts please get in touch.... and don't forget that anyone who signs up as a Demonstrator durinng Sale-a-Bration gets to choose an extra stamp set in their starter kit - and its your choice from the whole catalogue - even the most expensive one!!

StampaholixUK@aol.com / 07973 969153

Training pics!

2012-01-23T09:17:00.000Z

I know, I know - I promised you some Sale-a-Bration pics today - but silly me didn't realise that it actually starts tomorrow - so while I have some lovely samples of cards to show you, they will have to wait until tomorrow now.....but to fill in the void for those of who who did come back today looking for something, I will share what we did at training on Saturday!

I go along to the bi-monthly training sessions organised by Natalie for her team, but like all of the other top demos - she opens her sessions like this to "orphans" like me who are too far away from their own "mum" to go to our own team training dos (well Crawley is MUCH nearer to me than Aberdeen and and a LOT cheaper to get to - even allowing for the extortionate car parking charges at the County Mall for an all day session.). These sessions are great fun, concentrating more on making samples and getting ideas for workshops and classes, and sharing our knowledge and experience with each other.

However, what we do for the majority of the time is CRAFT and this time the training was concentrating on the new Spring mini catalogue and the Sale-a Bration (SAB) free stamp sets!

First up - lets show you the lovely swaps I got from the other ladies.... I made yet another variation on my perfect postage card

This time I used the little bunny to make an Easter card - although the actual swaps I gave away were slightly simpler - they just had a simple sentiment stamped on the bottom - however this one I had to keep as I managed to smudge the ink on this card - and of course - it WOULD be the last thing I did on the card wouldn't it? Rather than chuck the whole thing - I restamped the greeting on a punchie and covered up the mess!

And these are the lovely bits and bobs I got in return..... look carefully and you will see something made with a SAB set - but I'm not saying what it is just yet!

One of the things we like showing you at workshops is how to "step up" the items youu make by just adding a little bit more to it - and we made a sample to show how with just a couple of additions - a simple card can become a great one. Let's start off with this card......

Pretty colours, ribbon, layering and a simple stamped greeting..... It's a nice card, quick to make and anyone would be glad to receive it! However add a bit of bling to the cupcake icing, a stamped bow around the case, and stamp the greeting on a punched piece of contrasting card..... and you get this one...

The additions just make it a bit more striking with very little effort!

Still on the cupckae punch.... here's a variation of it - use the cupcake case as a hot air balloon basket, and the topping as a cloud. On this one the punched topping was used as a mask and ink was added with a sponge or dauber before adding the balloon made with a circle and oval trimmed with rhinestones.

Finally for now..... (we did make a couple using SAB sets as well - but you'll have to wait until tomorrow for them - LOL!) we made this beautifully simple card....

Natalie based this one on a card made by the top European demo a lovely German lady named Jenni Pauli. Jenni's beautiful work has meant that she is the first demo in Europe to sell over 100,000 euro worth of SU products - she has been the top German Demo for the last 3 years - but her sales and recruiting actually make her the top demo in the three European markets!! I think this card is gorgeous in its simplicity - and it shows you don't need vast quantities of product to make a fabulous card!

Anyway - that's all for now! Please come back tomorrow for details of the fabulous free stamps and papers you can get during the SAB period!

Swaps and more swaps!

2012-01-22T14:57:00.001Z

As some of you readers may know, one of the fun parts of being a Stampin' Up! Demo is the fact that we get to participate in swaps of various kinds, most organised through our forum, In Love with Stamping, but basically - any time SU demos get together, whatever the occasion, they swap work with each other. For some of us - its a great opportunity to get our hands on some great samples for display boards (especially those you can get from very talented card makers!), and also - to get hold of samples made from sets we don't have ourselves for whatever reason.

Anyway - the lovely Pat on ILWS chivvied us into a swap making some samples featuring stamp sets in the new Spring Mini Catalogue which launched on the 4th Jan, and the Sale-a-Bration promotion which starts tomorrow!!

To cut to the chase - this is the card I made for the swap (spot the similarity to one I made for the blog hop in my preceding post LOL!)

I think this is a great colour combo with the stark black and white being lifted by a splash of bright and beautiful Melon Mambo... its a bit closer to traditional Valentine colours than the blue and mustard one I did earlier but it was quick and easy to make - and definitely not beyond the capabilities of the novice card maker!

And here are the cards I got in return...... I can't show one of them until tomorrow as it was made with one of the Sale-a-Bration sets, but check back in the next couple of days and I will show it to you then, hopefully with a load more samples made using ALL of the gorgeous SAB sets as well as the gorgeous patterned paper that is on offer...

At the same time as this one was running, we also ran another swap, this time making inserts for the lovely Simply Adorned locket charms featured in the Spring mini. I signed up for 2 groups, and here are the two I made - this one was done with the Charming stamp set, also featured in the Spring mini, and the heart from Tiny Tags (incidentally both of these inserts are a massive 1" x 1 1/4" in size - a real miniature work of art!) This pic shows both the front and back of the piece!

The second insert was made with French Foliage from the main catalogue - this has to be one of my fave stamp sets at the moment!

I can hardly wait to see what my fellow demos have come up with for theirs - they should be back with me next week and I promise to share them with you then!

Incidentally - should anyone fancy getting their hands on one of the simply adorned lockets (or the chains, baubles and trinkets) - please don't leave it too long before buying them. We just heard from our SU Sisters in the US last week that the Simply Adorned range is being discontinued there from their main catalogue which launches in July. What happens in the US usually happens here so sadly, I don't think that this range will be in our new catalogue from October, so if you want one - please don't leave it too late! The beauty of these charms is that you can change the inserts to match your outfits - and as well as having a beautiful piece of jewellery to show off, each insert is unique - having made 10 of each of the ones above, I can tell you that no two of them are exactly alike. The images stamp differently and the inked edges are different - so whilst they may be similar - no two are completely identical!

As a special offer - for anyone who orders a locket charm from me during the remainder of the life of the catalogue, I will include a custom made insert for you to start you off!

Anyway please check back with me tomorrow - I will have details of all the lovely Sale-a-Bration offers for you - and hopefully some samples to show you!

Welcome to the ILWS Spring Mini Blog Hop!

2012-01-04T09:39:00.002Z

Good morning everyone - and welcome to the ILWS Spring Mini Catalogue Blog Hop!

As has become the custom, a gang of SU Demos on the Forum get together to showcase all the new product every time we get a new catalogue, and this one is a very special one as it is the very first Spring Mini SU Europe have produced! It contains lots of lovely new product, and there are some very clever ladies taking part in this one so I hope you enjoy all that we have to show you today!

You may have joined me from Sandra's blog (hasn't she got some lovely stuff on there??) and at the end of this post I will hand you on to the lovely Tracey - but in the meantime - here are my offerings!

At Convention in Paris last November, we were all so excited to hear about the new Mini catalogue - and even more excited to find that we were getting the lovely Simply Adorned range of jewellery. This features a necklace, a bracelet and a selection of scrummy charms which can be changed around whenever you like. Shelli (SU founder) and her daughter had made a dozen necklaces for a draw on the Saturday morning, and although I wasn't one of the lucky winners - I have made myself a similar necklace (#116800 - ££9.95) using the large rectangular charm (1167989 - £14.95), the black bauble (#121011 - £3.50) and some black grosgrain ribbon. Here is the whole necklace showing the mini artwork inside the case.

as you can see - it features the Eiffel Tower from the Artistic Etchings stamp set, and the front face of the charm is bevelled..... Turn over, and you have another space to showcase your work, or a photograph or a tiny memento - mine just has a script stamp from the new Charming stamp set (#116519(w) - £17.95/ 125829(c) - £13.95) as I want people to look at the front - but with these - the world is your oyster - and you can swap the inserts whenever you like!

Now - on to some of the other products new in this catalogue! I just LOVE the new Spice Cake Designer papers (# 124003 - £9.95). These are in gorgeous shades of brown, blue green and cream and are a really lovely addition to the range. They go with absolutely anything and to prove it - here are a couple of scrapbook pages showing their versatility.... first with a modern photograph......

and secondly with a heritage one.... the papers work brilliantly with both photos (well I think they do anyway!)

Now onto a couple of cards featuring some of the new stamps sets and punches!

This card is a valentine for my my hubby (shh! don't tell him you have seen it!) made using the new Perfect Postage stamp set (#126111(w) - £10.95/ 126113(c) - £8.95) and the fabulous new postage stamp punch (#122344 - £14.25). I had the cardstock I used for the pages out and continued the Spice Cake colour scheme with this one and used Pool Party, More Mustard and Very Vanilla cardstockand inks to make both cards! The greeting on this one comes from the Delightful Dozen set!

This second card is made using some of the Spice Cake paper as well as the card and features the new Liebe Love Amour a la carte stamp (#126129 - £7.95) and the fabulous new large scallop circle punch )#118874 - £15.50). I have stamped two images in Pool party and another two un More Mustard and have punched and cout out the various elements to create a card with lots of texture on it! I think this is going to be one of my new favourite colour combos from here on in!

As always, if you would like to buy any of the items I have featured please get in touch - I'd be happy to drop a copy of the new catalogue in the post to you if you either drop me an email at StampaholixUK@aol.com or give me a ring on 07973 969153. I hope to hear from you soon!

Now - please follow the hop round by going to Tracey's blog which is the next stop!

Convention Card Candy swaps

2011-11-23T15:55:00.002Z

Well I got so many swaps at Convention that I decided to split them up into the various types rather than try and fit them all into one post!.

Card Candy was introduced to us UK Demos by the lovely Kirsteen (our US based Tartan Stamper) when she was briefly back in the UK and one of my SU sisters under Dawn. It is basically little card toppers made using SU products and particularly the punches. I originally signed up for one group using the beautiful new Everything Eleanor stamp set (a European exclusive!!) - but later signed up for a second using my favourite Winter Post - then finally ended up doing a smaller group to help that one get some more sets.

Here is a pic of my Everything Eleanor set - I chose to use the gorgeous new 2011-13 In Colours - Pool Party and Island Indigo with Whisper White and Rose Red. You will also spot some pearls and crystals along with the lush organza ribbon.

Recipe:
Stamp sets - Everything Eleanor, Petite Pairs, Tagtastic
Cardstock - Pool party, Island Indigo, Whisper White
Inkpads - Pool Party, Island Indigo, Rose Red
Punches - Scallop Edge Border, Eyelet Border, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border, Large Oval, Scallop Oval, 1 3/8 Scallop Circle, 2 3/8 Scallop Circle (in Spring mini catty), 3/4" circle, 1 1/4" circle.
Other - Pearls and crystals, Whisper White organza ribbon, Rose Red marker, Cello bag

My second and third groups got this set made using the lovely Winter Post stamp set. I will never know why SU felt the need to discontinue the beautiful label punch which matched this set - I had to cut it out by hand!!!! (not - LOL!) I used Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive and Whisper White with Early Espresso ink and ribbon

Recipe
Stamp sets - Winter Post, Petite Pairs
Cardstock - Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Whisper White
Inkpads - Cherrry Cobbler, Old Olive, Early Espresso
Punches - Decorative Label, Large Oval, Large Tag, Extra Large Tag, Scallop Edge Border, Eyelet Border, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border, 1 14" circle, 1 3/8 scallop circle
Other - Early Espresso 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, crystals, cello bag

And here are the sets I got in return ..... aren't they lovely?? I have put their In Love with Stamping forum names on here as well so you can find more of their work!

Letter It by Valerie (val moody)

Everything Eleanor by Lindsey (linzi_m)

Its a Wrap by Alison (Alison P) a French demo who is actually Scottish!

Tags 'til Christmas by Jeannie (Jeannie) one of our US colleagues based in Italy.

Button Buddies by Sarah (IOW Sarah)

Easy Events by Sara (sarastamper) the swap organiser

Beautiful Season by Elaine (Sassy Stamper)

Forever Young by Theresa (TheresaM)

A set using Delightful Dozen by Sandra (sarnie)

A set by Emily (nuttysgirl) using Tagtastic (hostess set)

Vintage Vogue by Nicky (craftynicky)

Another set by Sara (sarastamper) using Polar Party

Clearly for You by Joanne (Frenchiejo)

Un named set using Array of Sunshine ( let me know who you are so I can credit you please!)

Another lovely set by Joanne (Frenchiejo)

Pennant Parade by Sandra (Sarnie)

Under the big top by Emma (daisydaye)

A beatiful punch art set by Monica (passionflower) using the owl punch

Another Everything Eleanor set by Jayne

A stunning set by Hazel using Faith in Nature

A cute set by Abi (stampinabi) using Every Little Bit

I {Heart} Hearts by Hayley (craftydevils)

a second set by Emily (nuttysgirl) using Simply Soft hostess set.

A gorgeous set using Forever Young by Jan ( JJ66)

I'll be back with the 3D swaps shortly - watch this space!!

Convention Woo! Hoo!

2011-11-21T08:05:00.000Z

Well I'm back from one of the most fabulous weekends ever!

This weekend just gone was the 2011 Stampin' Up! Convention at Disneyland Paris, and along with over 300 other Demos from the UK, France and Germany we descended on Disney for 2 days of fun and freebies - and a trip up the Eiffel tower!

Convention is a great time to catch up with far flung friends, make some fabulous swaps and find out what is coming up in terms of new products - and this one didn't disappoint.

Registration opened at 8am on Friday morning - and we were given one of the most gorgeous Convention bags we have ever seen - an embrodered one in navy blue with a million pockets for all the bits and pieces needed for a workshop. Inside we had two stamp sets, Creative Elements and Just Because, and instead of a normal catalogue, we had a version presented to us in a lovely sturdy ring binder. All the way through the event we have "Prize Patrols where we can win free products - and this year the prizes were HUGE! I was lucky enough to win one on the last day - and I am now the proud owner of one of the new punches and a new stamp which will be featured in the new Spring Mini Catalogue!

Yes - you heard that right - the new Spring Mini Catalogue!!!!!!!!

As of next year we will be having not one but TWO mini catalogues to tempt you - the Spring Mini which runs from January 1 2012 to March 31 2012 and the Summer Mini which runs from April to September. From the Advance copy we were given at Convention - there are some lovely new stamp sets, new fabrics and accessories like the postage stamp punch, a big scallop circle punch, the CUPCAKE punch (and its matching stamp set - at last!!!) - and and.... well you will just have to watch this space. Suffice to say - my advice to you when anyone asks you what you want for Christmas - all you need to ask for is lots of money to spend in this little beauty!!!

Watch this space for projects with the new stuff as the pre-order for us Demos starts on the 1st December - Santa is going to have to come early for me this year!!

With the Mini Catalogue coming on 1st Jan - Sale-a-Bration has moved back to the end of January in line with the same promotion running in the other markets. For those who don't know what Sale-a-Bration is - its your chance to pick up free gifts in the two months it runs. For every £45 spent - you can choose one of four free stamp sets - and new this year a pack of designer series paper which is absolutely gorgeous!

That's it - there's no catch - and the more you spend - the more you get!!

Spend £45 - get one free set/ paper pack
Spend £90 - get two free sets
Spend £135 - get three free sets
spend £180 - get four free sets
spend £225 - get all five items.....

AAAAAAANNNDDDD!!! as that Irish comedian says - there's more!!!

If you sign up as demo during the sale-a-bration period - you can choose an extra stamp set (any price - even the most expensive one) from the catalogue - there's another way to spend your Christmas money - well over £300 worth of product for just £119 and that before you add on my incentives!

Anyway - must rush - as reality beckons will be back later with more pics and maybe even some blog candy!

Fabulous Freebies!

2011-11-01T14:06:00.000Z

How do you fancy getting your hands on not only a free set of stamps - but also a whole pack of co-ordinating designer series paper?

Well from today until 15th December - that is exactly what you CAN do with this fabulous offer from Stampin' Up!

Simply hold a workshop for me within the period - and if the orders get to £300 from yourself and your guests - not only do you get £40 Hostess Pounds to spend on anything you like in the catalogue - you also get the Paisley Petals stamp set (worth up to £23.95) absolutely free - you also get the co-ordinating Designer Series Paper worth another £9.95 included in your order absolutely FREE.

Get in touch soon as my diary is filling up in the run up to Christmas. All workshops this month feature demonstrations of Christmas cards, decorations, gifts and packaging so why not send out a beatiful hand stamped card this year?

StampaholixUK@aol.com / 07973 969153

Swapping again - scrapbook pages this time!!

2011-10-20T08:58:00.000+01:00

One of the things I love about being a Stampin Up Demo is the way other demos around the country - and even in Europe - are happy to help each other create stunning displays. Every time we meet - whether it be for a training session or even the annual Convention - we swap cards fronts and small 3D items, and when there isn't a meet up on the horizon we organise swaps on the In Love with Stamping forum.

I was in a swap for samples made with goodies from the new catalogue last month - and this month - I signed up to another one for 6x6 scrapbook pages! There are 12 of us in the swap, so I will get 11 pages back from the other girls - all guaranteed to be different. Why 12 in the group? Simple - you get four 6x6 page bases out of one sheet of 12x12 cardstock LOL!!

Anyway - here is the page I made for the swap....... a romantic page of cousin Charlotte's wedding in the summer!

I decided to turn the photo sepia as I wanted to create an "antique" page with the lush new Mocha Morning papers. For the base I used Crumb Cake cardstock, and I teamed this with Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, and Early Espresso cardstock (you could do with just one of the dark browns if you wanted to). As you can see - I made good use of the Scallop Edge Border Punch and the Decorative Label punches before embellishing the page with Crumb Cake seam binding ribbon and a couple of basic pearls!

If you would like to purchase any supplies to recreate this page (in both 6x6 and 12x12 versions - this design scales up and down beautifully as you can see on a non SU 12x12 version on my other blog!) please do get in touch on StampaholixUK@aol.com or 07973 969153.

Don't forget the current signing up offer for potential new demonstrators - check out the Join my Team tab at the top of the page for details!

Until next time

Carolyn
xx

New Year - Lots of New Stuff!

2011-10-12T17:36:00.000+01:00

Well I am just about getting familiar with the new Stampin' Up! 2011-12 Idea Book and Catalogue and today I'm going to share the gorgeous new papers we have for your delectation and delight. Every year,all of the Designer Series Papers retire to be replaced by new ones and this year's selection is one of the best I have seen since I became a demo!

We have no less than fourteen new sets of papers most of which are double sided (the exceptions are the two flocked papers in the Mocha Morning set, and the die cut doilies in the Flirtatious set which are single sided) and a stack of papers in the new 2011-13 In Colours of Wisteria Wonder, Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade, Pool Party and Island Indigo. The designer paper stacks in Regals, Subtles, Brights and Neutrals have stayed the same along with the 5 In Colours from last year.

Here's a sneak peek of all of the new papers in the "sampler" I made this morning. Flip these individual sample booklets and see the papers up close and personal - much better than the tiny pictures in the catalogue!

We also have a fabulous new Hostess only set which can only be bought by hostesses using the "Hostess Pounds" they earn by having a home workshop for their friends where sales reach £150 or more.

Did you notice the "Hostess pounds" phrase in the last paragraph??

That is the name for the new Hostess Rewards scheme which came in with the new catty. In the old days hostesses earned a free stamp set (or 6x6 paper pad) depending on the level of sales at their parties. These were Level 1 gift for parties of £150- £299.99, Level 2 gift for parties of £300 - £499.99 and a Level 3 gift if they got sales of £500 or more. This was a bummer for lots of hostesses who could only dream of having a £500 party - but that has all been changed!!

Now - hostesses (or even single customers) who meet the threshold sales of £150 get £25 in "Hostess Pounds" to spend ANYWHERE in the catalogue. There are still some "hostess only" sets available, and should you choose these items - your hostess pounds will go further than in the rest of the catalogue as they are offered only to hostesses at a significantly reduced price. Better yet, hostesses get enough to buy even the most expensive hostess set and they will STILL have money left to spend in the rest of the catalogue.

Are you feeling tempted yet? Fancy a spending spree on the new goodies you have been eyeing up?

Well why not get in touch with me to see if we can arrange a party/ workshop for YOU and your friends - I still have dates available in November and December - and my demonstrations and make and takes over the next few weeks will be Christmas cards, gifts and decorations!

Go - on - have a crafty Christmas this year and give me a ring or drop me an email to see what we can create together!

StampaholixUK@aol.com

07973 969153

October's Offer - Now's the time to sign up!!

2011-10-03T16:27:00.003+01:00

Well after all the excitement of the launch weekend - today seems a bit of a damp squib in comparison to the fun of the last couple of days. I was running not one but TWO open houses to launch the new Idea Book and Catalogue - as well as dealing with an excited Stampers 6 and my own goodies! Its not until today that I have finally sat down and looked at anything but the ordering pages on the Stampin' Up (UK) website.

With all the new goodies being available - I can't remember the company running any other promotion in October before now so you can imagine how delighted i am to see that this month they are offering all new demo's a free gift on signing up! Yes - you read that right! Not only do you get the fantastic new starter kit when you sign up - and that contains more than £250 worth of goodies for just £119 (post free) - but if you sign on before the 31st October you get an In Colour pack of the five new inkpads (worth £4.95 each) and a pack of A4 cardstock in the new in colours to match (worth £6.26)- altogether that's worth an extra £31!!

Check out the pic below to see the suggested contents of the new Starter kit - click on the "Join my Team" tab up at the top to get further details of what exactly is in it!!!

ILWS New catalogue Blog Hop

2011-10-01T09:21:00.005+01:00

Hello - and a warm welcome to my part of the In Love with Stamping Blog Hop which we are doing to mark the fabulous new 2011-12 Idea Book and Catalogue which launches today.

You may be starting with me - or you may have hopped here from Sally's blog. However you got here - please check out my samples before moving on to Tina for even more ideas.

OK let's cut the cackle and get on with what you have come for

First up is this card made using the new Triple Treat Flower stamp and one of the new Hostess stamp sets called Precious Butterflies (priceless as you can only get this one by having a workshop for me!). I have also used two of the fab new In Colours (Island Indigo and Pool Party) for the card and also check out that brand new spotty ribbon with scalloped edges!

Second up is another card featuring one of the A La Carte stamps - this one is called Elizabeth - and I couldn't wait to get this one - its just beautiful! I added some of the new Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding ribbon to finish off!

This is one of the make and takes for the new catty launch party I am throwing today and tomorrow!

Here is the second and third M&T we will be doing!

This card and mini milk carton are made with the new Halloween Paper - Frightful Sight, and the new Jack of All Trades stamp set - the black spotty ribbon is gorgeous with this type of project!

If you would like to come along - there are still a few slots available - just give me a ring on 01892 724030 to check when to pop in!

Now as most people know - I am a scrapbooker rather than a cardmaker - so here are a couple of pages I made with one of the new Designer Series Papers! This one is called Paisley Petals - and I can't wait to get my paws on the matching stamp set later today!

I am doing a scrapbbok about my late brother in law for my sister and these are two of the pages from it - this first one is of Nigel the day he became a Dad - on the 23rd September 1978 - that tiny scrap in his arms grew up to become one of his best friends as well as his daughter!

This second page is a rush finish just this morning. As I have been sorting through photos of Nigel - the one thing I have noticed in almost all of them is his wonderful smile - RIP Nige - we all miss you very much!

Anyway - I had better go - I have people arriving shortly to start creating! I hope you have enjoyed your visit - and if I can place an order for you for any of the lovely new products - please get in touch.

Tel 07973 969153 or email on StampaholixUK@aol.com

In the meantime I will hand you on to the lovely Tina for her offerings today!

New Catalogue Open House 1st/ 2nd October 2011

2011-09-15T10:30:00.000+01:00

Hello all!!

As mentioned in my last post, the new Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalogue (IB&C) for 2011/12 launches on the 1st October, and to mark this - I am holding not one but TWO open houses that weekend.

The doors will be open from 10am - until 2pm both days, and you and your friends are warmly invited to come along to check out the new goodies - and as I picked up an order whilst in the US on holiday - I have a few more sets to play with than have been made available to the UK demos in the pre order!

Entry will cost you £5, and for that you will get

A copy of the brand new IB&C (worth £5.95)
At least TWO make and takes featuring new products
A chance to try out Stampin' Up goodies like punches/ inkpads/ cardstock etc.
Refreshments
A free raffle ticket with some wonderful product prizes.
The opportunity to sign up for a Stamper's 6 group starting in November (also known as the virtual party - you sign up to spend £25/ months for 6 months and for one of those months you will be the hostess getting a guaranteed £25 worth of freebies from the catalogue).

and for those who come along.....

A 10% discount on any orders you make on the day

I will also be offering my retiring stamp sets - some of them brand new and most only lightly used - at 50% (or less) of their original prices - and this includes Level 3 hostess sets which you would normally have to hold a £500 party to get hold of! If you will be paying for your new catalogue order by credit card, these will need to be paid for separately from any order you make by either cash or cheque.

Book a workshop with me on the day - and choose one of the retiring sets(exclding the hostess sets) for FREE (I will bring it along on the day of your party!)

If you would like to come along, please let me know what date you would like to come and what time you would like to come along at (just so I can avoid the log jam we had last year!) so i have enough goody bags made up for everyone!

See you there!

Stampaholix@aol.com
07973 969153

It's that time again - New Catalogue launches 1st October!

2011-09-12T19:02:00.000+01:00

Well, where did this year go - I've just about learnt where each item is featured in the catalogue - and in 2 weeks time I will have to start it all again as the 2011-12 catalogue goes live on October 1st!

I'm not allowed to show you a pic of the new catalogue until then, but if you drop me a line, I will be happy to pop one in the post to you for £5.95, fully refundable with an order of £60 or more. However - i can drop you some hints to tempt you in the meantime....

Its got a completely different look to last years' Idea Book and Catalogue
There are 136 pages of lushness to drool over....
There are 5 new In Colours (Calypso Coral, Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade, Pool Party and Wisteria Wonder) to add to the collection.
There are FOUR brand new punches to be had
There are FOURTEEN new Designer Patterned paper packs - and a stack featuring the new In Colours
There are new ribbons, new brads and lots of new stamp sets

So - lots to look forward to - I have my wish list written and its so long already!

BUT......... All that new stuff means that some of last years favourites have to go so check out the Last Chance List on the SU website to see if one of your faves is going and grab it quick! When SU retire something it really has gone forever - there is no way of buying it after 30th September - and some items have already sold out - say goodbye forever to

Jolly Holiday DSP
Red Riding Hood and Wild Wasabi 12x12 cardstock
Jumbo Eyelets in both colours
Star Punch
Spiral Border Punch
2010-2012 In Color Classic Stampin' Ink Refills (set)
Silver Elastic Cord
Gold Elastic Cord

Stamps no longer available
Sense of Time
Tart and Tangy
Sanded
Choo Choo
Right on Track Wheel
Afterthoughts [w] hostess set
Cute by the Inch [w] hostess set

Let me know if I can place an order for you before the clock stops ticking!

Watch this space for details of the Open House Event I am running on the 1st and 2nd October in Horsmonden! All info should be ready by the weekend!

The versatile tri-shutter album!

2011-07-25T12:16:00.002+01:00

Now that the lovely bride concerned has received her album, I can share another version of the tri- shutter album that we did at Christmas in July!

We received an invitation to the wedding of one of Roger's team way back in May - and the minute I opened the envelope and saw the beautiful dark purple ribbon on the front - I thought "Concord Crush!" (yes I KNOW I'm sad when I am thinking in SU colours when it comes to anything......) I thought then that one of these little albums would be a lovely little personal gift to Liza for asking us to share her big day on the 3rd July.

The next problem was just getting some decent photos of the happy couple on the day - a difficult task for someone not particularly close to either of them, but thanks to the huge photos my camera takes and editing software - I was able to get enough to make it so here it is.....

The front cover features 3 roses made from Concord Crush cardstock, and Elegant Eggplant DSP from the Regals stack. The main album is made with Concord Crush cardstock, the gorgeous shimmery white cardstock, and on the front cover - Concord Crush DSP from the Level 1 hostess gift paper pad. Add some vines cut from Old Olive cardstock, Concord Crush Ribbon and a couple of rhinestones and there we have it......

Open the front covers and you get.......

Photos of the happy couple just after the wedding, with the journalling blocks embellished with layered 5 petal flowers with rhinestone centres, and small photos of the gorgeous flower arrangements which decorated the Chuppah!

Open the centre out fully - and there are more photos - a large one of the couple cutting their cake, and two small ones of the Chuppah where Liza and Gavin were married, and the prayer shawl (belonging to Liza's late grandfather) which was hanging inside! An interesting fact the rabbi shared with us us was that Lisa and Gavin were the seventh couple to be married under it, as Liza's sister and cousins had also had it at their weddings!

It was a lovely day out for both of us - although we were roundly told off for leaving the reception early (at midnight!!!) - but Roger had to be up at 5:50am the next morning to go to work!!

I am in the process of making another one of these albums for the other wedding we went to last week - for Roger's cousin Charlotte - watch this space (Bashful Blue and Crumb Cake if you are interested!)!

The advantage of this little album is that the basic album is VERY quick and easy to run up so if you have a picture mate, and you know the colour scheme you can have one made up and just print off photos on the day and present it there and then!

Christmas in July projects

2011-07-24T15:57:00.001+01:00

Well finally I can share the projects we completed on the Christmas in July crafting days I ran yesterday and a couple of weeks ago. A total of nine ladies signed up to a day of getting a head start on their Christmas cards and decorations on a sunny July day when snow, turkey and mince pies are still a very long way away!

The projects on offer were Andrea Walford's Christmas Jingle tri shutter album, 30 Christmas cards (six each of five different designs with decorated envelopes), six table favours, six place cards and an origami Christmas tree. Here is a pic of all the projects we made!

Here is the origami Christmas tree we made using 5 squares of Christmas paper (the ladies kits contained Jolly Holiday papers - mine was made using Christmas Jingle leftovers!). Much as I would love to say this was my own design - its actually by Jon Akashima and a fab video on how to make one can be found HERE. The great thing about this tree is that it folds flat for posting or storage

This versatile little album was designed by Andrea Walford and if you would like the instructions for it, you can get them at her website http://www.andreawalford.com/ for a reasonable fee (please don't ask me for them as the copyright for this particular album belongs to her, and while I can teach it to a live class, I can't rewrite her instructions and sell them to you). It really is one of those projects with the WOW! factor - and I think the ladies now believe me when I say that it really is a LOT easier than it looks to make.

It uses half of a Christmas Jingle kit with an extra sheet of red card and a piece of A4 chocolate chip. The lush red spotty ribbon was a limited edition available to customers last December and it was just perfect for this project! This is the cover.....

Which opens to give this inner page......

and then pulls out again to give this great accordion effect.....

There are spaces for 3 large photos and several smaller ones - or spaces can be filled with other embellishments instead. I made another version of this album with another kit - and I added stamped baubles to the long inner panels on the first inner page, and had two more dangling fromthe top of the second inner pages. I can guarantee that once you get the measurements and techniques off pat - you can rustle up the basic album in around 20 minutes!!

We also made 5 different cards - each using a different technique. The 3D bauble on the top left is a variation on we made as a make & take at the SU training last September, and the origami tree I found on the internet HERE. Those who were at the SU convention last year may recognise the little dove card - although for this class it had grown from a 4x4 card to a full size A6 card!

Everybody got a set of the Contempo Christmas stamps to take home as well as loads of leftovers in the form of ribbon, brads and gold cord as well as papers and cardstock, so they can make more when they got home!

Our last project was a set of table favour boxes and place cards - again using the Contemp Christmas bauble stamp. Everyone got pre cut boxes to decorate and make up - and getting the twisting technique for the ends of the cracker just right was a great source of laughter for all of us. Its actually made using a contraband SU exclusive die - the candy wrapper, which will hopefully be available in the new 2011/12 catalogue - so watch this space for details of it.

So here is what greeted the ladies as they arrived.... every seat had a big bag full of stash on it. The bags were decorated with a jumbo wheel, and a die cut snowflake as well as a big 3D snowflake and a label.....

And inside the bag were lots of interesting brown paper packages containing all the supplies needed for each project....

And here is what the table looked like before everyone got there....

And here was a seat - with everyone's personal mini milk carton full of sweeties (to keep the energy levels up)

And here are Joan and Sue beqavering away on their albums.....

We enjoyed a lovely salad lunch with ham home baked in our local village shop (yummy !), pork pie and a selection of salds with a roll and butter. Unfortuantely yesterday it was too cold to eat in the garden - but we did manage it two weeks ago!!

Anyway - I am now off for a well deserved holiday and while I'm away I will be collecting some goodies from the new US catalogue which launched on 1st July. I hope I have guessed right as to what may be coming in our new one in October as I am already planning the next class which will be an all day scrapbooking event featuring new patterned papers and embellishments. There will be two prices - one including an album (at a discounted price) and one without. I can't go firm yet until I see exactly what is in our catalogue, and what the prices will be - but if you would be interested - please let me know so i can plan dates accordingly.

Going, Going - not Gone (quite yet)!

2011-06-28T09:00:00.000+01:00

Well - its almost the 1st of July - and that means that the new Stampin' Up! catalogue goes live in the US and Canada.

Here in the UK - me and my fellow demos have been poring over the retiring list from the US catalogue and wondering if these are also going from ours. It doesn't always follow that they do - there are a couple of sets that we have that are retired in the US - and vice versa, and of course - the US catalogue is nearly THREE times the size of the European ones - but here is the list of the sets which are retiring in the US which we have in our catalogue.....

So Many Thanks 120173 - £12.95 - p112
Autumn Harvest 110372 - £17.95 - p20
Gifted 116982/120480 - £26.95/21.95 - p23
Sparkly and Bright 115346 - £16.95 - p24
Holiday Hoopla 116912/120450 £20.95/16.95 - p25
Love you Much 113756 £24.95 - p19
A Good Egg 114974 £22.95 - p20
On a Pedestal 113814 - £16.95 - p30
Cheers to You 111037 - £14.95 - p32
Kimono Kids 117000/120498 - £21.95/16.95 - p46
Simply Said 106598 - £25.95 - p47
Fun & Fast Notes 113500 - £33.95 - p40
Choo Choo 113982 - £16.95 - p34
Beware Pirates 115187 - £24.95 - p41
Forest Friends 113478 - £14.95 - p35
Animal Stories 116716 - £14.95 - p36
A Flower for all Seasons 111592 - £12.95 - p53
Hello Again 113780 - £10.95 - p44
Razzle Dazzle 116714 - £18.95 - p45
Sense of Time 113804 - £22.95 - p63
Compliments to the Chef 114397 - £18.95 - p74
Fresh Cuts 111634 - £21.95 - p67
Pick a Petal 109445 - £26.95 - p67
Tart and Tangy 111514 - £12.95 - p68
Bella Toile 111598 - £16.95 - p61
Sanded 109294 - £16.95 - p61
Art by Design 109339 - £16.95 - p78
Occasional Greetings 110520 - £30.95 - p21
Schoolboook Serif Alphabet 113510 - £44.95 - p77
Schoolbook Serif Numbers 111680 - £24.95 - p77
Engraved Greetings 117116 - £12.95 - p86
Hello You 117118- £8.95 - p86
Tag Alongs 117018/120513 - £17.95/14.95 - p33

Now as I said - there is no guarantee that these will actually go in October - and we won't know for sure until September 1st - but if there are any of these on your wish list - I would think about ordering them before the last chance list comes out in September.

There is always a mad rush for retiring stamps - as with the SU stamps - once they are gone - that's it - they are gone forever, the only way to get hold of them is via eBay or through a demo sourcing a set from another demo - and believe me we are still getting requests for sets which retired last October - even now!

Why not be ahead of the game and see if any of those are on your wish lists - and if they are - get an order in now.

As an incentive - anyone who places an order over £50 with me will get free shipping and handling (worth £4.95) from today until the 15th July.

Get in touch now StampaholixUK@aol.com / 07973 969153

Christmas in July - Crafting Day

2011-06-14T16:19:00.000+01:00

I have done the costings and here are the details of the Stampin' Up! crafting day(s) I am running at my house in July!

Due to numbers requesting places and also an alternative date - I am running this day twice - first on Saturday 9th July, and again on Saturday 23rd. Kick off will be at 10:00 and we will finish when we finish!

The price will be £50 for the day.

This will include all materials you need for the day, as much tea, coffee and squash/ water as you like and a salad lunch (with local cooked ham, quiche and pork pie), bread roll and fresh fruit. Sorry - but mince pies and mulled wine will not be on offer!!! LOL!

Your kits will include a whole reel of ribbon, gold elastic, brads and die cut snowflakes and swirls - and you will also get the Contempo Christmas Stamp set in clear mount to take home with you (if you have already got this stamp set - you may substitute it for another one of equal or lesser value (£12.95) eg tree trimmings - just let me know when booking - and don't forget to bring it with you on the day!)

Unfortunately - this time you will not get a printed set of instructions as the cost is prohibitive - but I will email you a PDF of the full step by step instructions beforehand so you may print off your own if desired.

To reserve your place, please let me know as soon as possible, stating which day you wish to come. Payment is required in full on booking (either by bank transfer or by paypal gift to StampaholixUK@aol.com) as I need to order (and pay for!) the supplies up front.

If for any reason you are unable to come, you will receive all the class materials through the post with any stamping using other stamp sets already done for you.

Please feel free to pass these details on to your friends if you think they would like to come along too

I hope to see you here!

Christmas in July one day retreat!

2011-05-26T18:11:00.000+01:00

What are you all doing on Saturday 10 July??

Anybody fancy another one day retreat where we will get you started on your preparations for (shhh!) Christmas?

I am proposing to offer a mini album and a "Stamp a Stack" where will we make 36 Christmas cards (6 each of 6 different designs) using a Christmas stamp set which would then yours to take home with you. I will also offer a couple of table decorations such as place cards and sweetie boxes, and if anyone fancies it - maybe the origami tree featured on one of the Christmas postings on this blog last December.

What I can't offer is the traditional goodies like mince pies or crackers as even the shops aren't working quite that far ahead - but why not think about coming along and making a start on all those Christmas essentials and save having to panic when you realise its December and you haven't even started???

I'm still working on the costings - but it looks like another £50 or thereabouts.

Places at the moment limited to a maximum of 6 although if anyone would like a weekday running please let me know and I will see if I can run a second one (subject to demand!)

One Day Retreat Projects!

2011-05-16T14:16:00.000+01:00

I've just remembered that I never did get round to showing you proper pictures of what we actually made on the one day retreat back in April so lets put that one right here and now! All the products used were Stampin' Up! and most of them from the new catalogue

As you may remember - the ladies arrived to find their places set with their kits and goodies which included a whole stamp set to take away with them. The kits contained - 6 sheets of 12x12 cardstock, 11 sheets of A4 cardstock, half a pack(6 sheets) of Springtime Vintage patterned papers, a whole reel of the new silky seam binding ribbon in Pear Pizzazz, a whole pack of Springtime Vintage big buttons, half a pack of pearls and some linen thread - and here are the projects we made with them!

First up was this layout which was based on a Beggahuna sketch. We used strips of the papers in various sizes, the scallop border punch, some of the ribbon and buttons and the biggest pearls as flower centres. We stamped the big outer cicle in Pear Pizzazz, using the vine stamp from the Vintage Vogue stamp set and finished it with the smaller flower from the same set stamped randomly in Night of Navy ink.The actual layout also has small flowers from the Itty Bitty Bits stamp set stamped in Rose Red and with tiny pearl centres raised on Dimensionals around the circle

Secondly was this lovely page based on a BasicGrey sketch I found on Pagemaps

The easy bit over - we then set to on the complex bit this lovely mini album! This album was based on a class from the talented Andrea Walford (hers was a Christmas album using the retired "I Wish" simply Scrapping set!) - but I thought it would suit the gorgeous soft colours of the brand new Springtime Vintage papers. As I told the ladies - they aren't specific to any theme and the album could be used for almost any subject - babies, small children, weddings or even heritage photos. Mine used the photos from an old album of my Mum's. We used to send her pics of Katy when she was little - and when we cleared out the house - I claimed the album back and used the photos here!

The album is a bit of a Tardis as when you open it - it just keeps on opening to the left and right until you get to the central page where there is a hidden pocket for precious bits and pieces! There are in fact no less than 13 inner pages to fill in it and it is quite a fat book when finished despite the page embellies all being flat! Needless to say - this was the one project we didn't finish on the day - we made the abum, but the decoration of it was to be done in slower time once everyone had decided which photos they were going to use in it!

Finally we made a keepsake box, with 6 cards to go inside it. Here it is......

The card set made great use of the Cath Kidston-esque Baby Blossoms stamp set, and while the box and the blue card were designed by me I must thank Stephanie Mayne for the design of the cream card and the mini catalogue for the red one!! I hope you can see that we also decorated the plain white envelopes with the single rose and some leaves from the Baby Blossoms stamp set.

If anyone would like to purchase the instructions for the above projects, please get in touch. For just £10, you will get a full colour 15 page PDF with step by step instructions for both layouts, the mini album and the box of cards, and of course - if I can help you with any of the supplies - please don't hesitate to get in touch!

StampaholixUK@aol.com / 07973 969153

Why not try a Stampin' Up! Test Drive?

2011-05-05T10:55:00.001+01:00

Do you love creating and crafting?

Do you love Stampin' Up!s gorgeous products?

Do you fancy getting your crafty paws on £230 worth of goodies to be delivered to your door for just £119?

You do??

Well read on because you can actually do that - and here's how!!

Simply sign up as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator and purchase the starter kit for just £119 and get almost £250 worth of goodies to play with without any obligation!

Here's picture of the starter kit showing the items SU suggest....

It contains....

3 wood mount stamp sets

Greenhouse Garden - worth £25.95
Fun and Fast Notes - worth £33.95
So Many Thanks - worth £7.95

1 clear mount stamp set - I {Heart) Hearts - worth £20.95

1 acrylic block - worth £6.50

1 complete Stampin ' Around wheel consisting of

standard handle - worth £3.25
ink cartridge - worth £4.50
standard wheel - worth £6.50

1 ink refill - worth £2.60

2 x A4 cardstock packs - worth £12.50

(up to this point on the list - the items would cost you almost £125.00)

1 pad of 12x12 designer series paper worth £15.50

4 classic stampin' pads - worth £19.80

1 Versamark ink pad - worth £5.95

2 Stampin Write markers - worth £5,90

1 reel white ribbon - worth £4.50

1 pack of stampin dimensionals - worth £3.25

1 Stampin Scrub - worth £13.50

1 Stampin' Mist - worth £3.25

1 Snail adhesive worth £5.50

1 blender pen worth £2.65

8 catalogues - worth - £22.95

(up to here the package is worth £227.40)

Then add on packs of business supplies/ forms/ tools (eg invitations. hostess and recruiting leaflets, and hostess envelopes, wish lists etc).... these are worth another £15 minimum.... and there is a little incentive from me personally which makes it even better value!

Best of all though - you can customise the kit to get the stamp sets YOU want (of equal or lesser value!) and choose the wheel, inkpad, cardstock and paper colours - so it can be exactly what YOU want it to be!

AND - that means you get all the goodies for half price - and they are yours to keep whatever you decide - take the kit - sit back and enjoy playing with the products and you don't need to do another thing if you don't want to.... or carry on to become Super Demo!

Go on - what do you have to lose - give us a test and if nothing else you get a lot of great products at a great price.

Why not get in touch and let's chat about this great opportunity?

StampaholixUK@aol.com/ 07973 969153

Fancy a FREE Stampin' Up! stamp set???

2011-05-02T12:08:00.000+01:00

Well if you head over to the SU Website and answer a simple question, you could win a gorgeous stamp set!

Just answer the question, leave your details and keep your fingers crossed!

And if you don't win this time - come back next monday when there will be a different question and another stamp set to win! In fact - come back every Monday in May for another chance to win.

But if you aren't lucky enough to win one of the prizes - don't hesitate to get in touch to place an order with me..... for May I am offering free P&P on any order over £50 (worth £4.95).

Hope to hear from you soon

StampaholixUK@aol.com
07973 969153

Wow - what a day!

2011-04-17T21:41:00.000+01:00

Well Saturday the 16th dawned at stupid o' clock for me due to the adrenalin flowing - it was the day of my first ever Stampin' Up! one day retreat and boy was I nervous!!! Despite the full run through with my willing volunteer, Wendy, last week, it was still uncharted territory for me - and I still had to get rid of Roger and Katy before I could finish clearing up!!

The sound of the Dyson blaring and slightly later but still stupid o' clock for a Saturday got them up and out leaving me about half an hour to nip to the shops for some cooked ham (our little village shop does it own home cooked ham and it is to die for...) and get showered and dressed before my guests arrived!

This is what they were coming for - a whole day of creating and crafting with products from the new Stampin' Up! mini catalogue which launched on the 1st April. We were going to be making a mini album, two 12x12 scrapbook pages and a box with 6 cards - all using items from the gorgeous Springtime Vintage range of papers and accessories! (I will admit to having a little help with the cards from the lovely Stephanie Mayne (the cream one) and the mini catalogue (the red one) and the basic album was designed by Andrea Walford!

I had spent a while creating a fab display of cards, pages and card candy (mostly from swaps I have been in) and actually had enough to set up two separate displays - this was the main one.....

and this was the second and smaller one....

I had made all the attendees one of these lovely little brooches made out of the striped grosgrain ribbon - and with Easter only a week away - a chocolate Easter bunny hopped into the little gift bags....

This was the table set up before everybody arrived.....

and a closer look at the place setting - everyone got a lush kit of papers and cardstock with a whole roll of the new seam binding ribbon, a bag of buttons with half a pack of the basic pearls, linen thread and vellum cardstock...... as well as a folder containg full colour step by step instructions for the projects we were going to be making so they could recreate them later!

We stopped at 12:30 for a salad lunch - the menu was cooked ham, pork pie and quiche with a green salad, coleslaw and potato salad and a bread roll, followed by a piece of fresh fruit. Although everyone had several cups of tea and coffee through the day - Katy was delighted to get home and find that we had barely touched the biscuits and cake I had bought! Everyone was far more interested in getting on with the crafting!

Here they all are (from L-R) Beryl, Joanna, Julie, Lynn and Linda , beavering away on a scrapbook page.

From the feedback received - they all enjoyed their day so it was all worthwhile!

If anyone is interested in doing the same projects - I am happy to run another day along the same lines - do get in touch if you are interested!

StampaholixUK@aol.com

(01892) 724030

Sneak Peeks inside!

2011-04-04T13:47:00.000+01:00

Well I have finally finished off all of the projects for the one day retreat - and now have only got my least favourite part of the process to go - writing the instructions....

To put off the fateful moment when I have to sit down with the ruler and actually work out proper measurements and describe what I did in words that any reader will understand - I thought I'd come and show my blog readers sneak peeks of the projects we will be doing on the day!

All of the projects use the gorgeous Cath Kidston-esque (or if you are an old bag like me - vintage (c1970s) Laura Ashley!) "Springtime Vintage" papers and accessories and we will be making a mini album, a box of 6 cards and two scrapbook pages - and I think that all of them are totally lush - I wouldn't mind a dress made out of some of the papers - or even a room wallpapered in others.... The ladies will be walking away at the end of the day with all their makes - and should have lots of stuff left for more creating when they get home as their kits include a whole bag of buttons and a whole reel of the gorgeous new seam binding ribbon!!

Here is the cover of the mini album.....

And the box of cards.......

And the first scrapbook page.......

and the second scrapbook page

This running of the retreat is completely sold out - but if anyone is interested in doing the day on another weekend or in purchasing a kit pack (with full colour step by step instructions when I finish writing them) please get in touch. I can take a maximum of 6 people at a time for the face to face classes - and obviously as many kit packs as you want!

StampaholixUK@aol.com/ 01892 724030

Welcome to another Blog Hop!

2011-04-02T10:02:00.001+01:00

Well, it seems like only yesterday I was saying welcome to a blog hop featuring products from the new mini catalogue - wait - it WAS only yesterday LOL!!

Anyway - there is enough lushness in that catty to allow lots of creativity so here we go with today's offering - all different to yesterdays!

You may have joined me from Vicky's blog and or you may be one of my regular visitors - either way when you are done here I will be passing you on to to Jeanette to see what she has done with the new goodies - but please carry on round this cycle and take a look at what the other demos across the UK have done!

First up is this little card.

We have been asking for more "masculine" stamps in the catalogue for a while now - and this mini has certainly given us quite a few of those!! With a sailor in the house, buying this Sail Away stamp (#123013 - £8.95) was an absolute must....its is stamped in Basic Grey ink onto white card before being mounted onto a Basic Grey background trimmed with a scap of white puched with the scallop trim punch and a piece of Marina Mist ribbon before being plonked onto a Baja Breeze base. The sentiment is from the Curly Cute stamp set.

Next is a fabulous little stepper box using Springtime Vintage papers with Rose Red and Always Artichoke cardstock for the trimming.

I often demo these at my workshops and give the finished item to my hostess as a gift at the end of the evening. I got the instructions courtesy of my SU sister Maggie (who can't find the original source to credit) and up until now - I never got round to making one for my self - so this is now going to contain my trollbead collection on my dressing table!

Its worthy of a few close ups - here's the lid. The rose is made using the fancy flower punch and the leaves are the new Little Leaves sizzlit die (#114511 £4.95) - I think I'll add a few rhinestones to finish it off when i've finished here

This is the front panel - these roses are made using scallop circle and circle punches.

and the inside - with the 4 hanging drawers made using an origami technique!

Next prohject features another one of the new dies.

This little treat bag was my swap at the recent Stampin' Stars training day I went to, It is made using no cutting at all (apart from chopping a sheet of A4 in half!) just scoring, folding and a bit of glue. The flower is made using one of the shapes on the Fun Flowers die (#121812 - £28.95). I used 3 layers - and cut them all at once using Pretty in Pink cardstock. These were layered up and pinched to give them a bit of texture then the centre was made with a circle punched out of So Saffron mounted on a dimensional and the leaves from Old Olive and ithe whole thing was finished with a scrap of striped ribbon tied through handles punched with the XL oval punch!

My last offering is this scrapbook page.

Yesterday's pages featured new papers but this one has NO DSP on it at all - just cardstock! I die cut the butterflies using Shimmery White cardstock and the new Beautiful Butterflies die (# 114507 - £18.95). Some of them were embossed using the Vintage Wallpaper folder (#120175 - £6.95) before being inked with Pink Pirouette in and a dauber. I added some rhinestones for the bodies and drew the antennae on using my black marker pen.

Tempted? Well if you like the sound of these products - I am offering 10% off any product from the new mini catalogue until the 15th April - Let me know if I can help!

StampaholixUK@aol.com/ 01892 724030

Now I pass you on to the talented Jeanette to see what she has for you.

There are 13 of us in this group - but there are several other loops running today - you can find the starting points of them all below

Group 1

Group 2

Group 3 (that's this one!)

Group 4

Welcome to the Tartan Stampers Mini Catalogue Blog Hop!

2011-04-01T00:12:00.001+01:00

Good morning campers!

Welcome to a day which is going to be a lot brighter once you have cast your peepers over this little beauty!

Yes, after all the hints and mystery over the last few weeks we are finally able to bring you details and pics of products in the brand new mini catalogue which goes live today! There are 32 pages of goodies - including the brand new (to Europe) Stampin' Up! Big Shot die cutting machine along with 13 exclusive dies/ sizzlits/ embosslits and 5 exclusive embossing folders as well as stamps. papers and lush new PUNCHES!!!

Click on the picture on the right to be taken to the online catalogue - or ask me to pop a real one into the post for you!

My team mates and I in the Tartan Stampers decided that rather than all of us rushing to produce loads of different things, that we would share the creativity with our blog readers and each other and so we are taking you on a tour of Bonnie Scotland (with a detour to Kent!) to see what we have all come up with for you!

You may have joined me from Lorraine's blog, and when you have finished here - I will be handing you on to the very talented Diane. If you are starting here please keep going round the rest of the ring until you get back to me!

So down to business!

Regular readers of my blog may be aware that I am running a one day retreat here in Horsmonden on Saturday 16th April - and as I am adding the finishing touches to the various items we'll be making on the day - my desk is covered in the leftovers from the day's kit! As most of you know - I'm a scrapbooker rather than a cardmaker so I've used those scraps to create two lovely 12 x 12 pages (Those of you who are coming to the day - you can get these out of your leftoverstoo if you add just 2 sheets of cardstock!)

So first up is this page

It uses the gorgeous Springtime Vintage Designer Series Paper (#121782 - £8.75) on a background of Textured Very Vanilla cardstock. The edges of the papers are inked with crumb cake inkpad and a dauber before being stuck to the base. The photo is mounted on Not Quite Navy cardstock and its position lightly marked on the base. Then I lightly drew a pencil circle on the page and used the gorgeous new Pear Pizzazz Seam Binding (#122330- £6.25) to twist a circle of ribbon over the pencil line. Its secured at intervals by glue dots, and then some Big Designer Buttons (#122301 - £7.75) were sewn on with linen thread. These buttons are seriously big - the smallest one is 1" in diameter the others are even bigger! I finished off with a title cut from Rose Red cardstock and added a journalling block made with the beautiful new Decorative Label Punch (#120907 £15.50)

Here is the second page using the same papers on a base of Crumb Cake cardstock

This time I used the 1 3/8 square punch to chop up the remaining scraps of papers and cardstock and I created a mosaic in the centre of the page. I mounted the photo on Whisper White cardstock to pop it off the fussy background, and used the remainder of the sheet to cut a title and punch a journalling spot. I stitched a butterfly trail with linen thread, and used the lovely new Beautiful Wings embosslit (#118138 - £10.50) to punch and emboss two butterflies from vellum cardstock. I popped some pearls from the basic jewels down the centre of their bodies , and finished off with silver brads and two of our filigree brads on the junctions of the punched squares!

The Springtime Vintage papers and accessories in the mini are very versatile as they go with so many different themes - the soft blues pinks and greens aren't too "girly" as they will be perfect for projects for male and female relatives as well as weddings and heritage photos if you are a scrapper.

If you are tempted by any of the goodies you see being featured on the blog hops today or tomorrow, please come back and place an order.

As a launch offer - I am personally offering any new items you order at a 10% discount until the 16th April - so you can get even more bang for your buck!

Now before I hand you on to Diane - don't forget to come back and see even more goodies tomorrow morning at 10am - bring your cuppa and a snack and settle in for a morning's browsing!

ScrapaholixUK @aol.com/ 01892 724030

# Tomorrow, tomorrow - it's only a day awaaaay!#

2011-03-31T15:56:00.001+01:00

Yes that's right!

Tomorrow is the day when you can order goodies from the brand new Stampin' Up! mini catalogue.

It's bigger than last year's was - there's an extra 10 pages this time - and that's not the only BIG thing about it (nudge, nudge, wink, wink!). There is something really BIG coming your way in it but you will have to wait just a few more hours before we can go live with it - so watch this space!

Just in case you are so befuddled with all the goodies coming your way I have been beavering away with my preorder goodies - and am taking part in no less than TWO blog hops this weekend.

Check in tomorrow to see what ten of the Tartan Stampers Team (my SU mum, sisters and me), have created using the new products - we go live at 10am tomorrow morning.

And then on Saturday come back for even more! There are no less than FIFTY SU demos from all over the country (and I think there are a couple of the French Demos playing too) taking part in a blog hop organised by In Love with Stamping. Don't worry - we have split it into bite size chunks for you there are 5 groups of 10 to go round, and given what we have seen before - i'm sure there will be some stunning work to inspire you all!

See you at 10am tomorrow morning!

One day retreat SOLD OUT! and new mini!

2011-03-28T16:25:00.000+01:00

Thanks to the 6 lovely ladies who are joining me for my first one day retreat on Saturday April 16th - I'm really looking forward to the day and am really pleased with the projects we will be doing - watch your inboxes for photos and admin details which will be coming your way soon!

Sorry still can't show any pics of new stuff anywhere online!

Anyway - while everyone is all on tenterhooks waiting for the new Mini catalogue to go live on Friday - there are still a few more days to go of the March Frenzy which you can read more about on the "Current Promotion" tab! Check out the list of discounted products and get your orders in quick the clock is ticking - and I must go and change the rest of the clocks in the house.

Two places left for the One Day Retreat on 16th April!

2011-03-14T14:44:00.002Z

Are you going to be fed up with the kids after a week of Easter holidays - and have the prospect of another week ahead??

Why not leave the family to their own devices and come and join me for a day's papercrafting with fabulous new goodies from the new Stampin' Up! Mini Catalogue which goes live on the 1st April. I have two places left on this first run!

I have now designed and costed out the day and the price will be £45.00. This is payable as soon as possible to enable me to order supplies for the classes.

Included in that fee you will get supplies to make the following projects

* A multi page mini album

* Two 12x12 scrapbook pages

* a set of 4-6 cards in a handmade box

I am sorry - but I am not allowed to show any sneak peeks of items from the new mini online until the 1st April - but we will be using the beautiful Springtime Vintage items on all the projects (and I believe these can be seen in the current US Occasions Mini Catalogue (hint!!)).

You will also get a salad lunch (with a glass of wine if you want one), and as much tea/ coffee/ squash etc as you can drink with biscuits and/ or cake, included in the fee

There will be a raffle (you get 1 ticket in your packs and can buy more if you wish), and hopefully - a couple of small make and take projects to allow you to try out even more new product!.

Once I have the samples complete - I will send you pictures so you can bring photos if you want - but don't feel pressured to do so - you can always substitute a photo sized piece of copy paper where the photo will go thus allowing you to take the "perfect shot(s)" for the album and scrapbook pages in slower time.

I am also happy to offer you 10% discount on any orders you make from the SU catalogues on the day

Payment can be made in one of the following ways

* through PayPal

* through a bank transfer on internet banking - email me for my details

* by cash if you should happen to see me personally in the next week or so
* by cheque - but please - only as a last resort - it takes time for me to go to the bank to pay it in and then to clear

Your kit packs will include cardstock, patterned paper, a whole reel of ribbon, a whole pot of buttons and a stamp set (which one depends on how fast I get the order for the one I want in on the night of the 31st March) - and you should have loads of buttons, ribbon and paper and of course the stamp set to take home with you!!

I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Can't make the date but would like to make the projects?

Why not buy the kit pack? It too costs £45 (but instead of lunch you get the P&P for free!). Each project comes with full step by step instructions and a large colour phot of the finished piece.

These will be sent out on the 18th April (after the event) and will be with you by the Easter weekend!

New Stampers 6 Group starting in May!

2011-03-10T14:59:00.000Z

Do you love card, pretty papers, stamps, ink, punches and all sorts of other lush crafty things?

Do you ever wish you could have a Stampin' Up! workshop but can't think of enough crafty friends to invite?

Well why not come and join my "virtual party" where you can have all the hostess benefits with none of the hassle of actually throwing a party in your house?

A Stampers 6 is a group of customers who each agree to spend AT LEAST £25 each month (excluding P&P) for 6 months on products from the SU catalogues. With this guaranteed minimum spend of £150 from the group, it means that the order qualifies for Hostess Benefits in the form of a free limited edition hostess only stamp set/ designer paper pad, and a minimum of £15 to spend on goodies (and believe me - it can be MUCH more than that!!). Each member gets to be the hostess for one month out of the 6 the club runs.

In your goody parcels each month will also be a little thank you gift from me and a hand made thank you card (with my message on a post it note so you can use the card yourself!

Join now - and not only will you get a free 2010-11 Idea Book and Catalogue - you will also get a copy of the new mini catalogue which goes live on the 1st April with even more goodies to tempt you - and there are some BIG surprises to be had in this one! If you are feeling flush - you can have more than one place - and therefore get the hostess benefits more than once!

If you are interested in joining in the fun - please drop me a line on ExStitch@aol.com or call me on 07973 969153

March Frenzy is here!

2011-03-03T08:54:00.001Z

What could be nicer than Stampin' Up! goodies?

Stampin' Up! Goodies at a bargain price - that's what!!

Yes - for the month of March - you can get selected SU products at up to 30% off click on the pic above for details - or just look at the SU website for full details of what is available. But don't delay - there are limited supplies of these available and its a case of first come first served - and once they are gone the price goes back up to the usual levels!

Don't hesitate to get in touch if I can help

ExStitch@aol.com

07973 969153

Scrapping with SU products

2011-02-18T12:11:00.000Z

I am off gallivanting again on Sunday - this time for a week in the sun of the Dominican Republic, and our flight touches down for an hour or so in one of my favourite places - Antigua. Just thinking about that reminded me of our wonderful holiday last year when Roger & I renewed our wedding vows on a gorgeous white sandy beach at sunset....

After the ceremony - we treated ourselves to a lovely meal at the restaurant on the cliffs at the far end of the beach. It is one of the best restaurants on the island and is part of a resort called Coco Bay. Unfortunately - our photographers weren't there to capture any shots of it so this is one of the photos Katy took of the two of us enjoying our celebratory bottle of a wonderful Puligny Montrachet (Roger has never let on how much it actually cost - so it must have been stonkingly expensive!)

The restaurant is called SHEER so what else could I use for a title - than Sheer Bliss?

The layout is a scraplift of one by Ginger Williams in the new Cricut magazine which I got at CHA - and is done using the beautiful Love Letters DSP.

Looks like the retreat is a goer!!

2011-02-11T10:08:00.002Z

Thanks for the enquiries I have had so far about the one day retreat - it looks as though its a goer - so I will get on with designing projects and working out the costings properly!

Some of you have asked about the sort of thing I will be offering so here are some examples of what you are likely to get......please note - these are NOT the items which will be offered on the day - they are just to give you an idea of what we will be doing

First up - some scrapbook pages....... these are all 12 x 12!

All of the pages above use entirely Stampin'Up! products so you can see how versatile they are

Now - the tri- shutter album - this is one I made for our vow renewal last year - and we will be doing a version of this one using current products

This is the cover.........

and this is it opened out to show the inside - its not nearly as complicated as it looks - honest! It takes longer to decorate than it does to make!

This is the sort of project that you will make again and again once you have mastered it! We made a version at my December Scrapbook Club meeting and one lady told me she went home and made 4 more as gifts for Christmas!

Here's another mini album we could do as well

And here are the sort of boxed cards sets I was talking about

The retreat will include all the materials for the projects we make - and you will have a fair amount of product left to take home and use again.

If anyone is thinking of coming from outside the area - there are 2 B&Bs in the village (one is the the local real ale pub on the village green) and there are quite a few other pubs close by which offer accommodation too - and if you want to make a weekend of it with the family - there's lots to do in the local area - Bedgebury Pinetum with its "Go Ape!" aerial walkways and bike trails, several National Trust properties and I'm sure my hubby would be willing to take interested partners out sailing at Bewl Water, and there's a steam railway not far away......

Get in touch if you want more information ExStitch@aol.com/ 07973 969153

One day retreat anyone???

2011-02-10T12:24:00.000Z

Just gauging the interest out there for a one day "mini retreat" around the launch of the new mini catalogue in April?

I am planning a one day Stampin' Up! crafting event where you would come along to this lovely part of Kent, and spend a lovely spring day papercrafting to your hearts content.

There would be no more than 6 of you, and between 10am and 5 pm on a Saturday. We would be making some lovely things using the lush Stampin Up! products - I was thinking of things like the tri shutter mini album, a scrapbook page and some boxed cards but willing to do whatever attendees would like. Whatever we do - you'll be able to see and try out the punches, stamps, papers, inks and markers that you may only have seen in the catalogue.

We could even make it a scrapbook day where we complete around 8-10 co-ordinated pages!

Price would be around £50 for the day to include all refreshments, a salad buffet lunch (and our nearest supermarket is Waitrose....) and all materials to complete all the projects - and with lots left over for you to take home with you. I will also be offering a 10% discount on any orders taken that day (excluding postage)

If you would be interested could you let me know - and also let me have any suggestions for projects you would like to make so I can get on with some final costings

ExStitch@aol.com
07973 969153

Sale-a- Bration Blog Hop 2011

2011-01-23T10:01:00.002Z

Welcome to my blog today - if you have never visited before - Welcome! and if you are a returning visitor - Welcome back!

The posting today is part of a blog hop organised by the lovely Pat from the In Love with Stamping forum, and if you are taking part in that - you may have come here from Alison's blog, and at the end of this post I will hand you on to Kim! However there are 40 Demos taking part in the hop today so keep an eye out for links to the other 3 groups (I have added the links to the start points on all 4 below) and just see the lovely things we have all created for you!

Anyway - the reason for the blog hop today is to showcase some of the lovely projects we have made using the FREE stamp sets on offer as part of the Sale-a-Bration promotion which runs until the end of February. Spend £45 on catalogue goodies and you can choose any set for FREE and you get a free set for EVERY £45 you spend - why not collect them all?

Anyway here are mine

First up is a little boxed set of cards using the Bliss stamp set - I can see that flourish being very useful.... and the butterfly... and you should see the other stamps in the set that I haven't used here! The box is made from Pretty in Pink cardstock, and the topper is made from Basic Black and Whisper White. I stamped the flourish with Old Olive ink using the stamping off technique, then used Pretty in Pink ink to stamp the butterfly on top- I then stamped the butterfly in basic black, cut it out and mounted it on dimensionals over the darkest flourish. I added some pearls from a pack of basic pearls to the body and the dots of the i's in the greeting (which comes from the So happy For you set), punched out using the modern label punch!

Next up is the little 3d favour box I made for the training session swap last week. This was made from Real Red cardstock, with a belly band of Whisper White and a patterned paper from the Love Letters DSP pack tied up with the organza ribbon.. The tags were stamped using the Punch Bunch set and - you've guessed it - punched out using the matching punches!

My final one is a little card showing off the big stem stamp from Sweet Summer - but also showing how you can make a very effective vase from the bauble punch. The little 3D roses I made using one of the techniques Natalie taught us last week - and the centre is finished with a pearl! The greeting is another one from the So Happy for you set

I will hand you on to Kim now but look out for links to the other 3 circles as well - if you can't find them here are links to the starting Blogs in all 4 circles.

Group 1 - Sara's Blog
Group 2 - Theresa's Blog
Group 3 - Keren's Blog
Group 4 - Kirsteen's Blog

Why not nip off and grab a cuppa and settle down to a creative morning with us?

If I can help you with orders or you would like to book a workshop (Have car - will travel!) please do get in touch on ExStitch@aol.com or 07973 969153!

Would you like a FREE set (or two ) from the catalogue?

2011-01-18T09:47:00.000Z

Hah!

That caught your interest didn't it??

But its not an empty offer - it can really happen at the moment as there is a very special offer for new demos who sign up to Stampin' Up! during the Sale-a-Bration period. If you sign up now - the fabulous starter kit (typical example below!) will cost you £119 including shipping to your door.....

As you can see - it contains no less than FOUR stamp sets already (3 wood mount and one clear mount) along with a standard wheel. That is fantastic value by any measure you use! Sign up during January and February and you can pick any set you like from the catalogue (yes - even the most expensive one in there - Broadsheet alphabet which is £44.95!) to add to your starter kit order!

The starter set on its own is worth £230, but the Sale-a-Bration offer adds up to another £44.95 which means that you get £275 worth of goodies - and if you choose me as your upline, I will give you ANOTHER set of your choice which means you can start off your demonstratorship with over £300 worth of lushness and SIX stamp sets for just that initial outlay of £119!!

Already got some of the items pictured? No problem as unlike a lot of Direct Sales companies, Stampin' Up! allow you to customise the starter kit, and you can substitute ANY of their suggested stamp sets for another of equal or lesser value, and likewise, you can swap out the cardstock packs, designer paper, and inkpads for colours of your choice - so your kit is guaranteed to contain things you like and can start working with straight away!

Fancy the kit but don't want to be a demo?

Well believe it or not - you can do that too! Sign up and take the kit now, and you have nearly 6 months to decide if you want to do any more. If you don't place an order or meet the minimum, by the end of June - you will simply drop. No hassle, no questions asked and you have picked yourself up the bargain of the year. But if you want to make it into a business - with a bit of work on your part you can do just that - and for those who do well (and I'll be brutally honest here - work REALLY hard at it!), there are some quite big rewards on offer like cash prizes and expenses paid trips to a luxury hotel - this year's winners are off to Prague in June and next year's trip is to Vienna!

And don't forget - there is always the middle road - sell SU goodies to your friends and family and you can fund your own hobby as you get a discount on everything you sell!

Want to know more? Well just give me a call on (01892) 724030 or drop me an email to ExStitch@aol.com and I will do my best to help you!

Productive Training Day!!

2011-01-16T15:23:00.001Z

Well - I don't know about you - but yesterday I had a lovely crafty day doing some Stampin' Up! business training with Natalie and her Stamping Stars team down in Crawley Library. That's the nice thing about the Stampin' Up! demos - nearly all of of those who have got big teams are happy to allow taggers on like me join in their team training. Natalie is the nearest top 5 demo to me - and I go along to her training sessions as my own "SU Mummy" is a bit too far away from me (in Aberdeen) to get to the sessions she runs....

However as well as "business training" we do spend most of the day creating samples to use at our SU workshops, and this time we were concentrating on using the Sale-a-bration sets.

After I posted a Facebook status saying I'd come home with lots of pretty things, quite a few of my friends asked me to share what we made - so here they are.....

Let's start with the swaps!

Swaps are an integral part of SU meet ups - and this time - Natalie had asked us to bring samples made with the Sale a Bration sets and here is what I came home with!

So lets swiftly move on to the goodies we created on the day.... First up was this lovely card made using the Sweet Summer set......the card itself was designed by the very talented Jenny Moors who creates the most gorgeous things. Here the stems and beasties are stamped on a base of the new Shimmery White cardstock while the flowers were stamped on another piece, then cut out and raised on a dimensional with the tiniest pearls being used as stamens!! The card base was made using a mix of cardstock and DSP before finishing with some Pear Pizzazz poly stitched ribbon and some more pearls. The greeting is from So Happy for You!

now onto another card - this time using the Bliss set

Here we stamped the flourish onto Crumb Cake cardstock, and topped it with the buterfly stamped in marina Mist onto white cardstock. This was mounted onto a Marina mist base, then a strip of the sheet music paper from the Newsprint pack was added and the card was finished off with a pleasted ribbon and the flower from Bliss added on a dimensional. The butterfly and flower were embellished with flatback pearls!

Now this set I just LOVE to bits .... it uses the Bliss and Punch Bunch sets!

This is a set Natalie suggests as a hostess gift! Here we have used Sweet and Sour DSP as well as the ordinary DSP block as a background for a stamped and sprayed block on whisper white!
The white card was stamped all over with the flourish stamp using black ink, before being spritzed using Rose Red. The greeting was stamped onto white and punched out and mounted onto a little frame of black and embellished with branches cut using the bird punch, and just look at those gorgeous little roses.... to find out how to make them - you will need to ask me along to do a workshop for you!!

And now - the piece de la resistance - the mini album......

The photos really don't do this lovely little book justice. Its made in black and vanilla with hightlights of Cherry Cobbler and uses Newsprint papers. The stamp set used is the gorgeous Notably Ornate...... Here's the front cover....

Open it up and inside you will see.......

Lift up the right hand section and you get......

and finally..... open that one up and you get this....

Wouldn't it be fabulous as a wedding album??

As always if I can help you with supplies to make any of these gorgeous things please get in touch via email - ExStitch@aol.com, or via phone 07973 969153.

Hope you liked them!!

Sale-a-Bration is here! FREE STAMPS!

2011-01-04T09:24:00.000Z

Well - its January - and that means just one thing in the Stampin' Up! Europe world - and that is the fabulous Sale-a-Bration promotion which runs until the end of February!

This is a fanatstic opportunity to get some gorgeous Stampin' Up! limited edition stamp sets - for FREE! Yes that's right - for FREE!

There are no less than FOUR fabulous sets for you to choose from - and here they are!

All you have to do to get hold of one of them is place an order with me for a minimum of £45 before postage and packaging and you can choose one of the sets above to add to your order - for free!

And that's not all - you can get more than one set as you get one for every £45 you spend....

Spend over £45 - get ONE set free
Spend over £90 - get TWO sets...
Spend over £135 - get THREE sets..... and
Spend over £180 - get ALL FOUR sets for FREE!

Hold a workshop (ring me for details of available dates) where your guests spend over £300 and you get a Sale-a Bration set for FREE (as well as any you might earn yourself!)

And even better.....would you like a free stamp set (up to £44.95 value) of your own choice from the 2010/11 catalogue?

Well if you sign up to be a Stampin' Up! demonstrator during the Sale-a-Bration promotion - you get exactly that!

As well as getting the fabulous Demo starter kit which contains over £230 worth of goodies from the current catalogue (most of which you can choose yourself) - for just £119 - you will be able to choose another stamp set - even the most expensive one on offer - absolutely FREE - so your starter kit could be worth over £275.....

*And if you sign up with me - I will match the stamp set offer so you can get ANOTHER set worth over £40* - that means if you sign up during January or February, you will get well over £300 worth of gorgeous Stampin' Up! goodies for just £119.

Lets face it - the Starter kit would be a fabulous crafty gift to buy yourself with your Christmas money.... Stamps, cardstock, inkpads, markers, adhesive everything you need to get started..... and you can just get the starter kit and run (no obligation to continue as a demo) or you can make it a business... Get in touch for more details!

ExStitch@aol.com
07973 969153

* I will send you your free stamp set once you have submitted your first order!

I definitely had a White Christmas!

2010-12-26T09:24:00.000Z

Well what does one expect when one is spending Christmas at a ski resort high in the Norwegian mountains!!!

Mind you after the shenanigans we had getting here it was a blessing to see the gorgeous Dr Holms hotel in Geilo last Tuesday evening!!

With the bad weather we'd had on the weekend of the 18th 19th, we were worried about actually getting out of the UK on the evening of Monday 20th.... and despite being assured by the lovely lady at Norwegian Air Services that the flight was running and on time when I called at 2pm, by the time we arrived at Gatwicj at 3:45, we saw the dreaded word CANCELLED against our flight.... yes we weren't going anywhere that evening so we headed back to the house we had locked up only a couple of hours before and got on the PC and rebooked everything! We were lucky to get offered a flight early the next morning from Stansted, so grabbed it - and then went and prepared what Roger called the "Umbrella syndrome" - he got the snow chains on the car and I booked everything else...

So 4am on Tuesday saw us heading for Stanstead - on snowchains, which thankfully we were able to remove once clear of our own road! Once on the main A21/ M25/ M11 we were fine and we hit the airport at 5:45am and handed the car over to the valet parkers and headed into chaos!!!

Our flight was showing on the boards but with no details of where to check in or anything against it.... so we found a convenient spot - and waited.......and waited.... Finally - Roger gave up and went to look for something for breakfast and no sooner had he vanished into the crowds, than the announcement came over the tannoy (at 6:45) to go to the furthest check in desks and what looked like half the airport started charging towards the desks.... Rog came rushing back and we shoved the laden trolley after the crowds..... We finally got into a queue of sorts, at the nominated desks, and indeed there were 2 desks with Norwegian boards above them - but no - one to check in the passengers....

So we waited....... and we waited...... and we waited......finally at 7:30, someone appeared and even then spent another 10 minutes chatting to his colleague on the upper level. What was annoying was the fact that although there was no check in happening, the tannoy kept calling people to the unmanned desks so people were obviously thinking that they were late and kept trying to push into the queue. Anyway - after an hour of waiting check in finally started at 7:45 (remember the flight was supposed to take of at 8:20)......and we finally hit the desk at 8:15 to be allocated seats right at the back of the plane....

Then we had a mad rush through security and onto the wee train to take us to the gate (we didn't have to as there were dozens of people in the queue behind us but try telling that to a stressy husband!) where we sat for another eon waiting to board! We finally took off at 10:20, and were very grateful that we had allowed ourselves a cushion of 4 hours to catch the train up to the mountains!. We landed safely in Bergen and having grabbed our luggage, jumped into a taxi for the station.....

Roger had managed to nip to the Duty Free in Stansted to buy the celebratory champers for our wedding anniversary on the 22nd, and the big day... and he put the bagg with the precious bubbly in the boot with the bags.... only to see it go flying when the driver pulled one of the bags out at the station..... we watched £25 worth of vintage Veuve Cliquot pour over the cobblestone.....Fortunately the second bottle survived!

We stashed the bags in left luggage and nipped out to get some lunch.before heading back for the train...... check out these super comfy seats - eat your heart out SouthEastern railways!!!!!!

`Anyway - 3 hours later we were met at the station by the hotel minibus to take us up to the hotel! We checked in - and headed straight for dinner

The big event in Scandinavia is always Christmas Eve... the shops and skilifts all shut early to allow everyone to get home for the Julefest. We had the most sumptous hot and cold buffet with loads of choice of cold meats and seafood and the traditional meal of roast pork and lots of lovely desserts including rice pudding (YUM!!!). After dinner - we got a visit from a certain person with one of his friends....

Santa sat in the lobby dishing out presents to the younger guests - I was able to get up close and personal with his reindeer who was very tame and didn't seem to mind being pawed, petted and photographed by all and sundry!

See those Antlers??? They tell you that this is a lady reindeer as the males shed their antlers in the winter - proof positive that Santa relies on a team of ladies to get him round all those houses on Christmas Eve without getting lost!!!

Anyway - we had noticed in the ballroom that the Christmas tree had been moved into the centre of the dancefloor, ready for the traditional dancing and singing round the tree. Here are some of the dancers, and notice the beautiful national costumes which a lot of our fellow guests were wearing..... lots of them - and every single one was different!

Anyway - we finished our drinks and headed to bed....unfortunately not to wake up to presents as they had to be left in England..... can't wait until we get home to whether I made the nice list this year!!

Merry Christmas and happy new year to you all!

How to make the Christmas Tree Advent Calndar...

2010-12-17T09:06:00.001Z

Following several requests.....

The basic instructions for the Christmas tree advent calendar are on my other blog... complete with a link to the template for the twist box "crackers"

Scrapaholic at Large

Merry Christmas to you all!

Advent Calendar Christmas Tree

2010-12-13T08:36:00.001Z

As many of you know, there was a Cyber crop on UK Scrappers last weekend, and one of the challenges was to take a mystery kit and create a WOW project using just the kit (and the packaging it came in) and a very limited range of extras. However, due to the crummy weather delaying the post and some of the ordered kits, the mystery kit wasn't included in the points totals or voted on until everyone had a chance to submit their entries.

Anyway, cutting to the chase, the galleries opened last night - and I can at last share my creation with you! I'm actually a bit cross as I rushed to finish and upload this by the original deadline, so the finishing touches and the photographs aren't too good.

First of all - I made the 25 little crackers using my (contraband) SU candy wrapper sizzix die and whisper white and basic black cardstock, held together with sticky strip. These contain an assortment of sweets and chocolates. Then having worked out how to make the pyramid shape I needed - I satrted cutting up the pizza box the kit arrived in to make the tree and the base.

The cardboard was painted using black acrylic paint, then sprayed with a mica mist to add some sparkle, before being assembled. and decorated using chipboard snowflakes, patterned papers and bling along with some snowflakes (cut with another piece of SU contraband - the snowflake punch) cut from mica misted whisper white cardstock

The crackers were decorated with patterned papers from the kit and the tags were punched from card and paper using my trusty SU circle punches. Finally the filled and labelled crackers were all popped onto the shelves of the tree

At the moment it is proudly displayed as part of my Christmas decorations but come putting away time, I will probably remake the tree using foamcore board, and taking a bit more time as the whole tree is very usable for next year.

If you would like to check out how I am doing in the voting, you can find my entry in the Fairies gallery along with those from the 16 other Christmas Fairies who entered!

Hope you enjoyed this

The Origami Christmas Tree

2010-12-06T09:47:00.000Z

Quite a few of my readers have asked me about the instructions for the origami tree I featured as part of the blog hop yesterday.

I spend hours on youtube looking for various origami projects which I can use to feature the gorgeous Designer Series papers Stampi' Up! produce, and I stumbled over this one last week. It looks really complicated, but in fact its really really simple - just 5 squares of DSP and a touch of glue.

Unfortunately, I didn't make a note of the address, and now I can't find it again (isn't that just typical??) but if you give me until the end of the week, I will knock up a photo tutorial for it (I have scrapbook club and a visitor this week so don't have time right now.

Watch this space!

The morning after.....

2010-12-06T08:29:00.000Z

Remind me that its not really a good idea to mix a cyber crop on UKS with preparing for a blog hop... I was buzzing with ideas which hit me at the last minute so I ended up with not doing as much as I would have liked for both events. Add into the mix a hubby panicking about his trip to the US this week (don't worry dear - as long as you can take off from Heathrow you will be fine - Washington DC and New York know how to deal with heavy snow!) and a stroppy teenager with cabin fever....... and shall we just say I'm glad its just me and my dog this morning!!

I thought I'd share one of the cyber crop challenges I completed with you today!

This one was a 3 part challenge - On Friday evening we were challenged to produce 3 decorated trees, on Saturday a 3 word title, and then yesterday we were challenged to produce a layout with our trees and title - and here's what I came up with. Its not as skew whiff in real life - the page bowed in the middle as I was trying to take a picture. I used the Christmas Suite colours and the Jolly Holiday papers again - and I'm really chuffed with the result!

Hubby? Well as far as I know - he made it to Washington around 1 am this morning!

As ever - if I can help with any of your last minute Christmas crafting - please let me know!

Welcome to the Tartan Stampers Blog Hop!

2010-12-05T10:09:00.003Z

Good morning everyone and welcome to the first ever Tartan Stampers Team Blog Hop! With most of us being snowed in, we've been getting on with some Christmas crafting - and thought we'd like to share some ideas with you.

You may have started here or joined me from Fiona's blog (wasn't her project just gorgeous? I NEED me one of those frame thingys!) and there are 10 blogs for you to visit today!

As always - if you are inspired by what you see here - please get in touch as we can still get orders to you before Christmas. There's a link to the online catalogue on the right and if you would like to order any of the items I used - you can get hold of me on 07973 969153 or vai email at ExStitch@aol.com. Orders placed by the end of today are usually here by next Thursday......

Anyway - let's move on to my own offerings!

Some of you may be aware that there is a cybercrop on UKScappers this weekend - and here is a card I created for one of the challenges on Friday night (Mrs Lastminute.com - moi?) I had a lot of scraps of the Jolly Holiday papers left over from Convention swaps and I used some of them to create this gorgeous little origami Christmas tree - I used the Christmas suite colours of Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive and Very Vanilla for the card and the greeting comes from the Occasional Greetings set. The envelope was stamped with Delightful Decorations (using the masking technique) and the strings added with a marker pen!

I love having place names on the table for Christmas lunch (as we normally have 10 or more for lunch and I am usually busy serving up - it helps if all they have to do is find their own seats! This was last year's effort which I unearthed whilst tidying up......

And here are this year's - bigger, better and more 3 dimensional with a wee Christmas chocolate for eating with coffee after lunch hidden in the mini cracker! Again the Christmas Suite Colours, with Jolly Holiday papers and Delightful Decorations stamp set!

Here is one of my table decorations.....

I found instructions for this (not so) little origami Christmas tree on Youtube - and had to give it a go!! Again the Jolly Holiday papers are in evidence

Finally I'd like to share a project I did at one of Natalie's (link will follow) Stampin' Days in Crawley. This fab concertina folder filled with 6 Christmas cards was made using half of a Christmas Jingle Simply Scrappin' kit and a spool of Old Olive grosgrain ribbon. Here's the outside of it all closed up.....

Open it up and here are the 6 cards we made to go inside... aren't they lovely? (and there's still a load of the papers and stickers left over!)

Anyway - that's all from me - if you have enjoyed having a peek - please leave a comment.

Now - pop over and see what our uber-talented Sharon has got for you today - her blog is always a treat to visit!!

Merry Christmas!

Scrapping again

2010-11-25T18:16:00.001Z

As most of you know, I'm a scrapbooker rather than a cardmaker, but recently my scrapping mojo has been on holiday. That was until this week when I was handed my December Scrapaholix kit and told to get on with some samples.

You can see the result of that over on the other blog where i have got 2 gorgeous projects ready to do with the Club members on the 8th Dec... but it really got my scrapping mojo going again and here is an all SU page I made today...

This is another one for my Vow Renewal album - and its all Stampin' Up! products on it.

The base is Basic Black cardstock, and the papers are from the Neutrals Designer Series Paper pack (basic black and whisper white). I've added highlights using my new favourite red - the Poppy Parade in colour cardstock for the flowers, and ribbon along with a few Circle Fire brads in red. Add a spray of Old Olive leaves, and a title and bingo!

Do you like my home made roses??

Watch this space!

I can now take credit card payments!!

2010-11-19T13:48:00.000Z

I forgot to mention some BIG news back in October - but I'll share it with you now!

Stampin' Up! Demonstrators can now accept credit cards for payments for stash goodies!

This is fantastic news for me as a Demonstrator and you as a customer as it means that we no longer have to tell our hostesses to tell their guests to bring along cash or cheque books, and don't have to wait for cheques to arrive in the post and clear before placing orders!

Why not have a browse through the online catalogue - click on the link on the right ---> to be taken straight there! and then ring or email your order through - I will then get in touch for the all important details which will be kept securely at all times!

Go on - order today and your goodies could be landing on your doorstep in less than a week!

If you would like a hard copy of the catalogue to flick through - these cost £5 including postage (refundable with an order of £60 or more).

ExStitch@aol.com

07973 969153

Product news

2010-11-18T12:27:00.000Z

Due to a quality control issue with the ornament punch, Stampin' Up! have temporarily withdrawn it from sale.

They are working with the manufacturer to resolve the problem, and hopefully it will be available to purchase again in the very near future.

Unfortunately, this means that one of the bundles in the current promotion is also no longer available to purchase.

I apologise to any of my customers who were hoping to buy one of these punches - but I will let everyone know when it is available for purchase again.

Fancy a Christmas bargain??

2010-11-16T20:09:00.000Z

Like to take an impulse buy off my hands and get yourself a bargain???

A couple of months ago, I was tempted by a special offer - and treated myself to one of these little toys which were launched at the summer CHA. Its the Teresa Collins Stampmaker machine and starter kit.

Quite why I gave in to that moment of madness I don't know - but the poor little machine has languished in the unopened brown cardboard outer sleeve in which it arrived - I haven't even opened it to look at the contents, so i thought I would offer it to my readers.

Normally these machines sell in the UK for £125 plus P&P but here is a chance to get your hands on one for just £100 which includes the P&P to your doorstep - as i said - I haven't even opened the posting box let alone the inner box and the goodies it contains.

If you want to see one in action, here is Teresa herself putting it through its paces so you can see exactly what it can do!

Get in touch if you are interested

ExStitch@aol.com

07973 969153

Christmas is Coming!!

2010-11-15T15:55:00.002Z

Well we are just a few weeks away from the festive season, and all those "Oh it's just what I've always wanted!" presents (that we all get at least one of every year) under the tree.

Well - I have a suggestion for those of you who have hopeless present buying hubbies/ boyfriends/ parents/ kids who would like to get at least one present you really really want under the tree on Christmas morning - my wish list service!

Ask me for a wish list form, or simply email your wish list over to me on ExStitch@aol.com. When your present buyers ask you what you want for Christmas - simply point them in my direction and once they tell me the budget, I will order you items from your list, wrap them up beautifully (with a hand stamped tag so you know what's in the parcel) and ensure they are delivered in time for the big day. Now that I can take credit cards (Visa and Mastercard) for payment - its easier than ever!!

If you click the picture of the catalogue in the side bar, you will be taken straight to the online catalogue, or ask me to pop a hard copy (£5 inc P&P and refundable on an order of £60 or more) in the post.

If you have a very geneous present buyer who gives me a budget of over £150 - you will also get the hostess benefits of a limited edition stamp set or paper pad, and free merchandise.

Let me know if I can help!!

Don't forget the great offer on at the moment where you can get your choice of special limited edition Christmas ribbons for FREE - check out the Current Promotion page on the top line for details.

ExStitch@aol.com
07973 969153

Convention Make and Takes

2010-11-11T10:31:00.000Z

No - I make no apology for going on- and on (and on!) about Convention!

It really is the highlight of the Stampin' Up! year and a chance to catch up with old friends and make new ones. For me its a very rare chance to catch up with my team mates in the Tartan Stampers who as you can probably guess from the name, are nearly all based in Scotland, the majority in Aberdeen so just about as far away from Kent as you can get!

One of the perks of going to the party is that you get quite a few freebies thrown into the package - starting off with the exclusive Convention Bag which is usually quite nice - but this year is obviously the one taste forgot and I'm afraid that I don't really LIKE the lurid Tangerine Tango/ Melon Mambo/ Whisper White plastic satchel we got this year - so I'm not going to show it to you - in any case - as it has been appropriated by Katy as her schoolbag - it isn't here to photograph!

However the contents of the bags are another matter - they contain TWO fabulous stamp sets from the current catalogue, and this year the sets were the beautiful Just Believe (116948W/120453C at £32.95 or £25.95 respectively) and the fun Party this Way (118744W/ 120609C at £15.95 and £12.95 respectively). The second morning of the Convention is spent doing a set of make and takes using these sets and here are the ones we made this year.....

First up is this beautiful card with its matching envelope.

To create this one we used the watercolour paper which arrived in this years catalogue and we used a new (to me anyway) technique on it. We coloured the stamp using markers, then spritzed the inked stamp with a mini mister, and then stamped onto the watercolour paper - that's what gives it the fabulous soft watercolour look! We also got a chance to use the new Colour Spritzer - I can see this one being a demo or make and take at a workshop in the near future!

Now a fun little card using Party this Way - we used tone on tone ink and cardstock for this one along with one of the new square punches - and that arrow in the centre is actually a spinner

Back to Just Believe again and this time a lovely little gift pouch using Pear Pizzazz ink on the matching cardstock. Its finished off with that LUSH striped ribbon and a cute mini tag made using one of the flowers on a smaller stamp, coloured with the markers!

Open it up and inside are half a dozen mini cards to match!

Finally we made a 6x6 scrapbook page in the same colour palette - all I need to do now is find a photo to go on it I think one of the ones of my 50th will go with this perfectly as the green of the trees and the big yellow flowers on the dress i wore will go beautifully with these colours!

So that was it for another year - if you fancy joining me at next year's jamboree in Disneyland Paris (sorry - it will always be EuroDisney to me!) why not check out the fabulous starter kit (details on the Join my Team page) and get ready to PAAAAARRRRTTTTYYYYY!

Back soon with details of some of the lovely swaps i received!

Swaps swaps and more swaps!!

2010-11-09T10:29:00.001Z

Well I promised to share piccies of the swaps I made for Convention with you, so here they are in full, glorious technicolour! All of the supplies used are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise indicated.

First up the general swaps I made to exchange with my fellow demos from the UK, France and Germany, As usual I had left everything until the last minute so mine were of necessity fairly simple.

I made 100 of these little dove cards - 4x4 of basic black cardstock, the "Peace on Earth" stamp from the Four the Holidays stamp set stamped in Versamark then heat embossed with silver embossing powder. The dove was punched out of whisper white card with the 2 step Bird punch, and the branch out of old olive before assmbling the card using a dimensional to raise the wing and one of the tiny rhinestones from the new Jewels pack for his eye.

Then I also made 50 of these Christmas cones while I was at a craft fair the other weekend - thanks to the lovely Kim Fee who gave me the idea at our training session the other week - these were the first swaps to go funnily enough.....

They were half of a 6x6 piece of Jolly Holiday patterned paper rolled into a cone, a few inches of 5/8 Satin ribbon scrunched onto a 3" length of Sticky Strop with a hanger made out of a piece of card punched with the word window and gold cord/ linen thread attached with a brad. The little dangly bit was made using one of the Stamps from the gorgeous Winter Post set (stamped twice in different colours and the centre of one cut out and mounted on dimensionals) and attached to the ribbon with a wee gold safety pin (non SU).

Now for the "Card Candy" swap.

"What is card candy?" I can hear you asking - well its basically where we make little 3D embellishments to use on cards, and then package them up like you would find in shops.... the challenge is to make a minimum of 6 pieces of candy which must have at least 2 layers using one stamp set - I chose to use the fabulous Winter Post set again and my swappees can choose to use the topper decoration as a 7th piece of candy if they want! I did end up using Season of Joy for one piece and the topper decoration though (Season of Joy is one of the sets which is bundled up with the offer mentioned a couple of posts below - check it out to see if you can get some scrummy free ribbon!)

The gift item swap was one where we were challenged to make something a bit more complex - the sort of item you would buy at a craft fair. I decided to make everyone one of these gorgeous little card cabinets which I found on a US Demo's (Becky Roberts) blog. This pic is of the prototype I made for myself using whisper white and real red cardstock but the girls ones were made out of Crumb Cake card with Greenhouse Gala papers for the "drawer" fronts and on the cards and matching pens they got. Unfortuantely - I forgot to take photos of the actual items - but people seemed to like the end result!
I intend to use mine to store all my adhesives/ bone folder/ craft knives in as the bottom section is staged to lift the back compartment up so its easy to see the contents!

The 3D swap also came from Becky it was one of the items in her fabulous 12 days of Christmas 2010 tutorial. Its a little sweetie holder containing 3 Ferrero Rocher chocolates made out of old olive card and the jolly holiday papers and you may notice my signature item - the puched out doodad from Winter Post features again (I just LOVE that new designer label punch!)

The final swap I signed up for was the business tools one - and I got some fabulous ideas from the others in the group. This was my offering - a "Party in a Bag!"
This is something you can you use when you have a potential hostess who is worrying about how much preparation is involved in having a party. If you hand her a bag with everything she needs for the food and drink she might be pushed into booking. My bags (non SU) were stamped using the So Swirly jumbo wheel and a printed logo label. They contained a bagalope containing tea and coffee bags, a box of brownie mix and in real life the envelope would contain invitations for the hostess to send out. I would also put a catalogue and hostess leaflet in the bag as well. This is a great way to get some product into a potential hostesses hands (I used some of my recently retired supplies to make the contents). As the swing tag says - all your hostess has to do is "Just add Friends!". You can of course put whatever you like into the bags - a bottle of wine and a pack of nibbles might be more appropriate for your hostesses!!

So you can see why I was rather tied up last week - just at the moment I never want to touch another piece of cardstock for a VERY long time ("as if!" - snorts a hubby reading this over my shoulder!)

While its lovely to get lots of swaps back in return - its does mean a lot of hard work - and I am stating here and now that I am not doing anything other than the general swaps next year - I can do without all the stress and angst!

I'll be back shortly with the last swap the CMC or "Convention Memory Card" one which was organised by one of the German Demos......

2010-11-07T13:05:00.001Z

Wow - what a great Convention!!!

Yes there were the niggles like dodgy moments at the hotels (Dawn was put into the wrong room at first - with some almost strangers), the imbuggerance of coaches to and from the venue, and the cramped conditions in the main stage but I had a whale of a time - and I'm sure others did too! Given that everyone had to either drive themselves or catch coaches between the hotels and the venue - I don't feel too bad about opting to save money and going to the travelodge for £25/ night

I've come home with some lovely goodies from all the swaps - both general and organised, and it was great to spend some time with the friendliest and most amazing SU team in the UK (that's the Tartan Stampers BTW!)!! Photos will follow once Lorraine sends them to me!

I've already told Dawn about my big adventure on the way home but will share it with you.... its almost worthy of Mammy Hen! (Mary)

The SatNav took me home via a most circuitous route - back up to Orpington, onto the M25 there - off at Sevenoaks (which is only a couple of minutes from my sister's house...) and then a quick dash down the A21 to Tunbridge Wells all in all about 35 minutes or so from the palace to the takeaway.

I stopped in the next village to fill up the car and pick up a takeaway - and while I was waiting for the food, I decided to dig out my house keys as Rog isn't very good at leaving the motion sensor outside light on at ours..... imagine my horror when I realised I didn't have the keys in my bag - especially as Rog and Katy were down in Portsmouth on a sailing weekend....... and his car was in Southampton...

I rang Roger, to ask him where he had put our emergency spare key (he hides it somewhere in the garden), and was even more appalled to find out that he hadn't put it back after the last time he'd needed to use it.... there I was, clutching my lovely Chinese food and locked out of the house with no prospect of being able to get in until Sunday evening...... He even admitted that he realised I must have forgotten my keys as he saw my very large key chain - complete with 2 Kipling monkeys hanging on the key board in the hall. He got yelled at for not telling me or leaving the spare outside ready for me!!

Then I remembered - my sister had a spare key (remember me saying I passed close to her house on the way back.??) Only trouble was - she'd told me on Wednesday evening that she and her family were off out to a fireworks do... Anyway - I rang my brother in law on his mobile (unlike my sister he carries it with him AND keeps it switched on all the time!!) to ask what time they expected to be home as I needed either the spare key, or if they couldn't find it - a bed for the night! Imagine my relief when I heard that while he and my niece were indeed doing a moonlight walk around a forest in the dark....my sister had opted to stay home - so I could go and get the spare key any time I liked.

Anyway - I got back in the car - and retraced my steps back to Sevenoaks to be greeted by my sis waving the spare key in one hand and a large vodka and coke in the other.... she had a plate ready so I could warm up my congealing takeaway - and I spent a lovely evening keeping her company while we heckled Strictly and X facor.... before finally going back home and into my own bed. around 11 o clock!

Hope my fellow demo's trips home were slightly less eventful - and here's to next year at Disneyland!!

Bundled up for Christmas Promotion

2010-11-01T08:58:00.001Z

How would you like a Christmas present from Stampin' Up?

Well from the 1st November until the 29th December you can have just that as SU are giving away free ribbon to customers with an order for selected bundles of Christmas products.

With every bundle you buy - you get to choose one of the fabulous ribbon packs on offer and there are 4 different ones available (Click on the pic to see a bigger one).

So what are the bundles which qualify for the goodies?

Well here they are - and look out for the lovely patterned paper which isn't in the catalogue in one of them!

Tempted? I know I was and my order went in first thing this morning so I'm hoping it gets here before Convention!

Let me know if I can help you with your orders 07973 969153 or ExStitch@aol.com

Convention is coming!

2010-10-28T07:26:00.001+01:00

Well next weekend sees the biggest event in the Stampin' Up (Europe) year - the Annual Convention.

Convention is one of the biggest social events for all of us SU Demonstrators as we get to meet and/ or catch up with the rest of our teams, make lovely cards and projects, take lots of photos of the inspiration boards and generally have a blast.

This year, its the UK's turn to host it and its happening not far from me at Addington Palace near Croydon and at the moment I'm busy creating all the In Love with Stamping forum swaps I signed up for. So far I have made 90 CMC (Convention Memory Cards) for a swap organised by one of the German Demos, 6 gift items, 10 3D swaps, and at the moment am just finishing off the business tool swap. I still have to make 10 sets of card candy, and then all the general swaps so I left those to the end as they are the ones I don't have to make a definite number.

Obvously everything is a big secret at the moment - but watch this space next week to see what I made - and more importantly what I got given in return!

Now off to consider the next big crisis - what do I wear to the awards dinner? Long? Short? Black? Colour?

Decisions! Decisions!

New Year, New Starter Kit!!

2010-10-14T09:32:00.001+01:00

Have you ever thought about being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator?

It's never been easier or cheaper to sign yourself up for a sizeable discount on everything in the Stampin' Up! catalogue, but if you do - no only do you get a discount on everything you buy (starting with the fantastic Starter Kit), but you have the opportunity to make yourself some cash by selling the fabulous products to your family and friends - and friends of friends - and friends of friends of friends... well you get the idea!

The picture above is the fabulous starter kit you get when you sign up - the fee is just £119 and the products in the kit are worth a stonking £230!!! Better still - you can personalise most of the kit to include your own choice of inkpads, stamps, cardstock and paper so you can get a wonderful box of goodies you KNOW you will love at a fabulous price!!

and in the words of the dreadful comedian Jiminy Cricket...... "And there's more!"

If you sign up with me - when you put in your first order of £150 or more - I will give you a joining up gift of a stamp set of your choice (up to £30 value), an inkpad and a pack of A4 cardstock!

Go on - get in touch for a chat - what do you have to lose??

ExStitch@aol.com/ 07973 969153

Launch night!!

2010-10-06T11:42:00.000+01:00

Well, I had convinced myself that nobody was going to turn up for the event - but how wrong could I be?? In the end I had 11 lovely ladies turn up to get their new catalogues, do make and takes and put in some rather juicy orders.

Thanks to the High Wycombe training session last month I had a lovely display board showcasing lots of goodies made with the current stamp sets so a huge thank you to everyone who swapped with me then - your work was greatly admired by all who attended. That's the display up above, except the Serene Snowflakes card in the middle of the left hand board wasn't skew whiff on the night!

We did 2 make and takes that evening - a card and a little gift pouch. The gift pouch was based on an unnamed swap from someone else at High Wycombe, so thanks for that one!

The card was the training M&T but I changed the colours to the catalogue's suggested Christmas Suite of Old Olive, Very Vanilla and the lush new Cherry Cobbler.... My fabulous upline lent me her bauble punch for the evening (thanks Dawn!) as I was panicking. I had merrily planned to case the HW swap - little realising it would feature a punch that we in the UK couldn't even order until the 1st Oct, fortunately Dawn had got hold of it on one of her many trips to the US. This card was great to do as a M&T as it showcases the stamps and the matching punch and the matching ink and cardstock. This was also the first time the customers got to see the new Clear Mount stamps as we used the new Contempo Christmas set with the fabby new acrylic blocks!

The wee pouch featured the new Newsprint designer paper and taffeta ribbon, teamed with a Very Vanilla base and Cherry Cobbler again. It was only after I had put the pouch together that I realised I hadn't stamped the base card using the Artistic Etchings stamps as I intended. Never mind - the ladies all loved the idea of being able to make their own gift packaging from now on!!

On the subject of clear mount stamps - I looked at the new acrylic blocks which came out with the new catalogue and thought - Huh! Its just a lump of plastic why bother when I already have loads of acrylic blocks? Then I tried one for myself and I am hooked!! The SU blocks ARE different in that they have finger grooves all the way round which means they are really comfortable to hold - and not only that - they are much chunkier than my cheap and nasties. I for one can heartily recommend them to you!

I now have just ONE place left on the Stamper's 6 starting up this month - if you are interested please get in touch. Be a hostess and get the goodies without the hassle of a party!!

Well the "BIG REVEAL" is finally here!!

2010-10-01T10:13:00.001+01:00

Well at long last the 1st October is finally here - and that means the UK Stampin' Up! demos are allowed to share the lushness that is the new catalogue!

This year we have 114 pages of lushness to share with you all - that's 16 more than last year - and with the colour renovation there is oodles and oodles of new stuff to tempt you!

Here is a large pic of the front cover and if you click on the little pic to your right - you will be taken direct to the browsable online catalogue.

However nice the online catalogue is though nothing beats having a nice big real catalogue to take to bed with you, pop into your bag to read on the bus or train, or just sit flicking through deciding on your wish list!

If you would like me to send you one, please get in touch and for £6 (including P&P) I will pop one in the post to you staright away. This charge is fully refundable on an order of £60 or more so go on... drop me a line on ExStitch@aol.com or ring me on 07973 969153 and it will be winging its way to you tomorrow ... you know you want to!!!

I am rushing to get everything ready for my launch evening tonight. If you are in the vicinity of Horsmonden in Kent between 6pm and 9pm tonight - please feel free to come and join the fun. Full details available below!

New Stampers 6 starting up on 1st October!!

2010-09-30T14:49:00.000+01:00

With the colour renovation happening in the new catalogue which launches on October 1st, there has never been a better time to join in a stampers club so you can purchase all the lovely goodies over 6 months!

How a Stampers 6 works is that I put together a group of 6 customers. All of you agree to buy goodies worth at least £25 (plus the shipping and handling charge) from the Stampin' Up! catalogue each month for 6 months. Each member get to be the "hostess" once during the cycle which means that everyone will get at least a Level 1 hostess gift and at least £15 worth of free goodies.

If you sign up, you will receive a shiny new 2010-2011 catalogue fresh from the printers towards the end of September and you have 2 weeks to get your first orders in... you will also find a small surprise in your packages each month.

Anyone who lives within reasonable travelling distance is welcome to come to a LAUNCH EVENT for the brand new catalogue in Horsmonden on Friday 1st October. There is a £5 entrance fee, but those who come along will get

A personal copy of the brand new 2010-11 Idea book and catalogue
A chance to see some of the new goodies up close and personal
At least 2 make and takes using new stamp sets and colours
A ticket for a prize draw (you can get more tickets by placing an order on the day or booking a workshop)
a complimentary drink and nibbles as you browse.
The opportunity to acquire retiring product for FREE - I have a lot of stamp sets, inkpads and papers which will probably be looking for new homes after October 1st... watch this space!
A free inkpad of their choice with any order over £20

Go on - what do you have to lose??? Get in touch via ExStitch@aol.com or 07973 969153.

Demo Choice - and further discounts!!

2010-09-17T10:42:00.000+01:00

Well in a few short hours (eeekkk!!) I will be heading off to our New Catalogue training session which is being held this evening at High Wycombe.

I'm really looking forward to it as we will be getting one of the scrummy new stamp sets to use for the Make and Take projects which are part and parcel of these evenings. Not only that, I'm hoping to come home with lots of ideas on how to use some of the new products and colours as we demos can't resist making swaps to share with each other. I know there are some VERY talented cardmakers coming this evening, so I can't wait to see what beauties they will be bringing along to swap.....

There is a competition running as part of the evening, called Demonstrator's Choice and that is exactly what it is! We can take along a favourite piece we have created using all SU product and the 12 x 12 layout above is the item I will be entering for it. There is an item from the new cattie on there, can you guess what it is?? I'm not allowed to tell you yet, but believe me - you won't believe your eyes when you see the 114 pages of lushness which is coming your way in a couple of weeks!!

***HOT OFF THE PRESS***

Last night at 11:00, SU announced some more discounts on the retiring list!!!

Get yourselves over to the SU Website and check out the bargains to be had. Some stamps have been further reduced or reduced for the first time, and there are big savings to be made on cardstock as well.

If there is anything on the list which needs to come and live at your house, please don't hesitate to get in touch with your order - at these prices the stuff will sell out FAST!

Last Chance Saloon!!

2010-09-01T09:00:00.000+01:00

Well, we were expecting a long retirement list this year when the new catalogue was launched, and we weren't disappointed late last night, when the UK Demos were able to see the new 2010-11 catalogue for the first time. Lots of things have gone - but that means (TA DAAAAA!!) that there are lots of scrummy things coming in, once the catalogue launches
If you go to the SU website on this link, you will be taken to a SEVEN page PDF to scroll through and see just what is going. If you look closely, you will see that a few of the items are actually reduced - some by 25% and some by a whopping 50% - maybe the items you have been debating are actually reduced - why not nip over and check it out?

Personally I own 25 or so sets which will be retiring as well as inkpads, markers, reinkers and stampin spots. Some of these have never even been used. As I cannot demo with the stamps or make samples with them, I have made the decision to get rid of them, and they will go on offer at the launch evening on 1st October and the good news is - you can get them for free - just watch this space for details later on in the month.

If you were thinking of coming along to the launch evening - please let me know ASAP as I need to order catalogues and M&T supplies, as well as get the wine and nibbles. Give me a buzz on 07973 969153 or email me on ExStitch@aol.com to reserve your place.

The Countdown is ON!!!!!

2010-08-31T09:45:00.000+01:00

Well its the 31st August and that means only one thing if you are a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator!!

THE NEW CATALOGUE CAN BE SEEN TOMORROW!!!

Unfortunately for you, the customers - there is another month to wait before you can get your sticky paws on the new goodies, but in the meantime there is always the last chance list which comes out tomorrow.

Last year, SU offered some retiring sets at a discount, but we haven't heard if that is going to happen again, but if there is a set that you have been umming and ahhhing over but havent yet bought, if its on the retirement list - that means that its not going to be available after the 1st Octber.When SU retire a set - that really is it - any remaining sets are broken up and destroyed so after this September - your only hope of getting hold of retired sets you love is eBay!

Watch this space tomorrow for details of the retired list, and don't forget to book your space at the new catalogue launch in Horsmonden on Friday the 1st October.

So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, adieu.......

2010-08-19T09:50:00.000+01:00

You may remember back in May I told you about the colour renovation happening in SU with the the launch of the new catalogue on the 1st October. We are losing no less than 30 of the existing colours to make way for the four new colour families which will contain just 10 colours each, and the 5 new "In Colours" which will only be around for 2 years.

Well, we now have just 6 weeks left to stock up on the retiring colour products such as inkpads, cardstock, and markers. I am sending off an order for several packs of cardstock in my favourite "Taken with Teal" (I just cannot believe its going.... its gorgeous - SOB! SOB!), and I urge any of you who want products in any of the following colours to get your orders in fast! All orders of retiring stock must be received by SU by 11:50pm on the 30th September - and then that's it!!

Fans of the purple and mauve colours in particular will definitely need to do so as nearly all those shades are retiring. My fellow Demos and I are also pretty sure that all the current Designer Paper packs will be discontinued as well. We find out what stamps and other items from the catalogue are retiring on the 1st September so check back then for the retirement list.

I will be offering retiring colour packs of my supplies for £7.50 each after the 1st October. These will contain the inkpad (barely used in most cases), the mini ink spot, the double ended marker pen and the reinker. I will also throw in any cardstock I may have lying around in that particular colour as a free gift - some colours I have nearly full packs of while others I don't have any. You will be able to purchase these at the launch party on Friday 1st October, then they will go on offer to all. With the reinker included, you will be able to keep your colours going for quite a while as you can use it to refill both inkpads AND the marker pen! when they start to run out.

Let me know if you would like to stock up by giving me a ring on 07973 969153 or by email on ExStitch@aol

Customers local(ish) to Horsmonden are welcome to pop round anytime - just ring to check that I am actually in first though!

Another Scrapbook Page!

2010-08-10T13:22:00.001+01:00

I have been having a sort out of my SU Patterned papers and rediscovered the wonderful Nouveau Chic set. This is based around black, grey, sage shadow and apricot appeal, and as the sage and apricot are vanishing soon, I thought I would set to and produce a scrapbook page or two using them, and the first one is above!

One sheet of basic black, a 10x8 rectangle of sage shadow, a large photo, a piece of DSP some ribbon - a couple of flowers and some pretties from the pretties kit and - voila!

This photo was 8x6, but I trimmed it down to 7 3/4 x 6, and attached it to the top of my rectangle with a narrow border top and sides. The rest of the sage block was filled in with a piece of DSP, and the join hidden with a piece of striped ribbon tied in a bow. Dye a couple of the small flowers from the Pretties kit by squodging a sage shadow inkpad down on them until they are covered, then layer them up onto larger flowers and attach to the page with crystal brads....... spear a couple of pearls and crystals from the pretties kit with a hatpin and stab it through the knot on the bow before putting the clutch on the end for safety!

Finally, cut a title from a scrap of whisper white card (shadowed on an off cut of sage if you have the machine)

Took about 15 minutes tops!

Let me know if I can help you with any supplies!

Anyone interested in a scrapbook class by mail?

2010-08-04T15:22:00.000+01:00

Following the blog hop at the weekend I have been asked if I would offer a class for the 2 scrapbook layouts I produced for it.

Just so I can gauge interest levels if anyone is interested could you please drop me a line either in the comments on here or by email to ExStitch@aol.com? As the papers and at least one of the ribbon I used will be retiring at the end of September, this would need to happen before then!

Kits would probably include half a pack of the Night and Day papers, a tub of crystal brads, cardstock, ribbon, small brads and templates along with printed instructions. You would need to provide your own stamp sets, ink pads and bird punch (or order them from me with a class discount!)

Let me know if you would be interested.

The 2-Step Stampin Blog Hop is here!

2010-08-01T07:00:00.002+01:00

Hello and Good Morning to all of my visitors today!

Todays entry is a contribution to the blog hop to publicise the new August Stampin' Up! promotion, and has been organised by the lovely Sarah on In Love with Stamping who has the first blog on the hop today.

If you have just arrived here from Karin's blog, welcome, and at the end of this post, I will be sending you on to see what the uber-talented Bekka has for you. If you are starting with me, I invite you go round and look at the lovely things the other 9 demos have produced using the stamps which are on offer this month at a whopping 20% off the usual prices - when you get back here - you are done for the moment - but you won't have to wait too long to see more as there is another hop on the 16th August featuring 10 more lovely ladies.

Anyway - enough of the blether - let's get on with the pics of the projects I am sharing today!

Unusually for ILWS, the hop today is featuring SCRAPBOOKING, something I really love doing, but with a roomful of stash large enough to start my own shop - I must admit I have never really thought about using my Stampin' Up! goodies on my layouts - until today!!

Here is the first page I created.......

On this one, I used a 12 x 12 sheet of Basic Black cardstock (110031 - £5.95) as my base, and added various pieces of black and white designer papers from the gorgeous limited edition Night and Day speciality paper set (116768 - £8.75), with my photo mounted on the largest piece. I added a length of 1 1/4" Striped grosgrain ribbon in Old Olive (117385 - £8.95) tied in a big bow - then I got stamping using the beautiful Greenhouse Garden stamp set (113824 - £22.95. This set is absolutely gorgeous as it features FOUR beautiful flowers which are given dimension by adding details using a second stamp - aligned over the first impression using the Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049 - £9.50).I have used all 4 flowers on this page, using pale and dark inks from the colour families to produce them. These were then cut out and sprinkled around the photograph, interspersed with leaves punched using the extra large 2 step bird punch (117191 - £13.50) from Old Olive Cardstock (109991 - £4.50). Some are raised on Stampin' Dimensionals (109923 - £2.75) and they are finished off with Clear Rhinestone Brads (113144 - £7.75) for the centres. The title was cut on the Cricut in Pink Passion cardstock (109970 - £4.50).

Now for the second page.....

This romantic page features the lovely spotty acetate sheet from the Night and Day paper pack, mounted on a sheet of whisper white cardstock (110038 - £5.95) using 4 small gold brads(110023 - £4.95) . I used an offcut of paper from the last page , and cut a large heart from Rich Razzleberry (one of the new colours) cardstock (119981 - ££4.50). These were glued down, and then I mounted my photograph on a piece of Basic black card, but I left the margin slightly wider on the bottom and left to allow me to add some of the lush Rich Razzleberry polka dot grosgrain ribbon (115613 - £8.95) . I punched leaves with the bird punch, and cut my title from Old Olive cardstock. I lightly drew a circle on the page (around 8" diameter) and attached the leaves and the large and medium sized flowers stamped using Melon Mambo and Rich Razzleberry inkpads ( 115656 and 115658 respectively - £4.25), again raising some on dimensionals and finishing off with crystal brads.

I used a lot of classic inkpads (Pixie Pink. Pink Passion, Pale Plum, Dark Plum, Blush Blossom, Apricot Appeal, So Saffron and More Mustard) for the stamping - these are all £4.25 each, and you can find their order numbers in the online catalogue linked to the right! If you fancy mini versions which are easy to tote around - you can get these as 1" square Stampin Spots available in colour family sets for £17.50 for 12 (but you will need all 4 sets to copy my page exactly! LOL!!)

Now - for my final offering - I give you - a trifold shutter mini album - the basic design comes from a template by Andrea Walford - but I have done in it my own favourite colourway - yes the red black and white combo strikes again!! Seriously though - the reason I use this a lot is that at the moment we can only buy SU 12x12 cardstock in single colour packs as long as we want black, white, vanilla or kraft so that is why I use these colours a lot in my projects!! I buy the A4 packs to use for accent colours.

Here is the front of the album.....

Again it uses the Night and Day papers and acetate, but this time I have added Real Red cardstock (109968 - £4.50) and ribbon (110130 - £6.25) to the black and white card and crystal brads used on the two scrapbook pages. The flowers and swirls were cut using the Cricut as was the title.

Untie the ribbon and the book opens up to the left and right giving you a gorgeous way of showcasing 3 large and 4 small photos. If you look carefully, you will see that I have used three of the stamps from the Tiny Tags stamp set (118091 - £18.95) along with the matching Medium Jewellery Tag punch (117190 - £ £8.50) on this one.

If you like what you see here and want to order any of the products I used please get in touch on 07973 969153 or via email on ExStitch@aol.com. Any orders placed during August which include either of the stamp sets I used will get free postage from me (worth a minimum of £3.95) in addition to the 20% discount offered by Stampin' Up!

I hope you have enjoyed your visit here today, now if you are playing along in the hop - you are now off to visit Bekka at Feeling Crafty.

Goodbye for now and hope to see you again soon - feel free to leave a comment before you leave - thanks!

Time for another Blog Hop

2010-07-26T17:04:00.001+01:00

What is a blog hop I hear you ask??

Well its where a group of bloggers link up and facilitate you on a tour round their blogs to look at lots of lovely things!

Well a group of UK Stampin' Up! demos are running not one but TWO blog hops during August to showcase the stamp sets which are going to be featured in the August stampin up promotion which is a whoppping 20% off "two step" stamp sets. Just for a change we are going to be featuring SCRAPBOOKING rather than cardmaking so come and see how you can use rubber stamps on your pages!

Here is the flyer for the promotion so you can see which sets we are featuring

See you back here on Sunday the 1st!