Happy Birthday Bro!

I cant believe its my fab little Bros 25th Birthday today.  There is a really big age gap between us (I am not telling how long LOL) but it doesnt seem 25 years since I sat holding the smallest, cutest baby I had seen before in my life and wondering how he would turn out.

Anyway, hes not a that cute anymore and he stands about 5 foot 10 so he isnt that small either but hes the best brother anyone could have.  Happy Birthday Tim!

Heres the card I made him - I am gutted that this set isnt going to stay in the new catalogue - its brilliant for mens cards.  If you want to get yours before its discontinued, email me ASAP.  Once its gone thats it.

I stamped the truck onto Whisper White and Brocade Blue cardstock and then on the Whisper White card I used my samj to position and stamp 'Tim' and the parcels inside.  I cut out the main body of the truck, which had been stamped onto the Brocade Blue card and just glued it over the same part of the image on the Whisper White card.  The wheels, parcels, Tim and the bumbers of the truck were just watercoloured using ink pads and my aqua painters.

Recipe
Cardstock - Whisper White and Brocade Blue
Stamp sets - Loads of Love, Loads of Love Accessories
Accessories - Brocade Blue 8/5 Grosgrain ribbon, Bashful Blue DSP, 1" circle punch, 1 1/4" circle punch
Non SU - Die cut shape cutters

Last Chance List

On 30th September the Stampin' Up! 2009 - 2010 Ideas Book and Catalogue ends.  And today SU released the list of items which will retire. Click HERE to go to the full list.

This Last Chance List shows the products that will not be moving over to the new Idea Book and Catalogue (although one or two of them are being "reconfigured" ie. manufactured/packaged a little differently). Now is the perfect time to grab them as some are reduced by 25% to 50% off. They'll only be available while stocks last or until September 30 at the latest.

I have seent he new catalogue and you will love the new stamps and other products. We cant show you anything yet but if you come along to a class or have a workshop I should be able so give you a taster of whats coming!  I will also be having an open house on the 2nd October where you can see some of the new products in the flesh.  Please let me know if you would like to come to my open day so I can send you directions.

There are lots of changes afoot within SU - including some really exciting ones!!  Cant tell you everything cos I'd have to shoot you.  But one thing which is happening is that prices are increasing - so if you want to get something which is carrying through to the new catalogue - now is the time to get them before the price increase.

Please email me for more info.  Thanks for visiting!
Jan X

No Mo Jo

Mmmm, so much for getting some crafting done over the weekend!

As some of you may know, we are hoping to move house soon so have been decorating and 'decluttering'.  Well, we brought some boxes down from the loft the other day and I decided yesterday morning to sort through all the items and work out what we wanted to keep.

All was going well until I came across a box containing old wedding, birthday and Christmas cards.  There were cards from family, friends and people we have worked with for over twenty years and it was lovely remembering some really happy times.  Then I found some sympathy cards from when my Dad passed away and that was it - I went to pieces.

To cut a long story short I just couldnt bring myself to do anything - my heart just wasnt in it.  Its 8 1/2 years now since we lost him but it brought everything back. 

The good thing is, whilst looking through my stamp sets this afternoon (and wondering which ones would carry forward into the new catalogue!), I picked up my 'In the Stars' stamp set and one of the stamps jumped out at me - May All Your Dreams Come True - and for some reason, I just thought of my Dad.

He was a really quiet, gentle man - a gentle giant - and he always used to encourage me in everything I tried to do.  So Dad, this ones for you!

Recipe
Stampset - In the Stars
Cardstock - Real Red, Sahara Sand, Chocolate Chip and Whisper White
Designer Series Paper - Speciality
Ink - Real Red
Accessories - Silver elastic cord, Star Punch, Brad (Hodgepodge Hardware) and Real Red Satin Ribbon
Non Su - Die Cuts

Getting Excited...

Oh, I am getting soooooo excited, the new Stampin' Up! catalogue is coming out soon and I cant wait!

The current catalogue runs until the end of September and the list of retiring stamps and products comes out on the 1st September - its always an exciting time but this year is even more so as we know that lots of colours will be going.  But they are making way for new cardstock and ink colours so the suspense of actually seeing the new catalogue is almost unbearable!

I have been busy with work and things this week, but heres a photo of the card we made last Saturday - the one at the back of the photo that you couldnt see (I would never make a David Bailey would I?).

When I showed the ladies the card we were making and that we would be scrunching and tearing the card, the look of terror on their faces was hilarous.  In the end, I explained that they could do different versions - using less 'traumatic' techniques like using the edge punches instead of tearing and distressing the edge which calmed some of them down.

This one is slightly less distressed and just involved tearing the edges of the Regal Rose and Old Olive cardstock.

To make the layered flower, I stamped two large flowers from the Vintage Vogue set in Bravo Burgundy onto Whisper White card and then stamped between the petals of one flower with the small leaf in Old Olive.  Then I stamped a small flower in Regal Rose and cut them all out, leaving a thin white boarder around each image.  They were then layered up using Dimentionals and a brad secured them through the centre.  I got the idea from Jenny Moore who makes some gorgeous stuff.

Hope you enjoy the rest of the extended weekend - hopefully, I will be able to do a bit of crafting tomorrow.  But bob back on Weds and I should be able to show you the list of retiring items - they wont be available after the end of september so it will your the last chance to order them.

Recipe

Cardstock - Regal Rose, Bravo Burgundy, Old Olive and Whisper White
Stamp sets - Very Vintage Wheel, Fresh Cuts and Vintage Vogue
Ink - Regal Rose and Bravo Burgundy
Accessories - Circle Fire Brads,
Thanks for looking
Jan
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Vintage Vogue Class

I was hoping to publish this post earlier but I have been working in Milton Keynes and just didnt get the chance to sort it out.  The one thing thats kept me sane with all the driving is that the new Stampin' Up! catalogue comes out soon and we get to see lots (fingers crossed) of new stuff!!!  If you would like me to send you a new catalogue when they come out, please contact me.

Anyway, here is a picture of the items we made at last Saturdays Vintage Vogue class, held at the Doghill Community Centre, Shafton.

There were three cards and a little gift box and the ladies who came had a whale of a time making them - thanks for coming ladies - and Kim, I hope you enjoyed the rest of your birthday!!!

Recipe
Cardstock - Regal Rose, Bravo Burgundy and Whisper White
Stamp sets - Very Vintage Wheel, Vintage Vogue and Oval All
Ink - Regal Rose, Bravo Burgundy and Old Olive
Accessories - Rhinestone Brads, Whisper White Satin Ribbon
Punches - Large Oval, Scalloped Oval, Scallop Border and Eyelet Border.

Thanks for looking
Jan

Quick Post

Good morning!

Just a quick post this morning as I am back at work today :(

Here are a couple more cards I recieved for my birthday.

The poppy image is Funstamp Poppies and has been coloured using promarkers.

A retired Stampin' Up! set called Merci was used on this card.  How cute are the antenae on the butterfly!?

I will post details of the class I held on Saturday in the next few days so bob back soon for details.

Sorry, have to shoot off or I will be late for work!

Jan

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First Waterfall Card

Well, we have finally had the estate agent round to sort putting the house on the market - I guess now the hard works going to start. We have had the last two weeks off work to get the house decorated and a few bits finished off and its back to work on Monday (oh, no!). 

We have been viewing other houses aswell and found it absolutely exhausting - give me some decorating to do anyday - but we have seen some lovely houses (and met some lovely people) in Hoyland, Shafton and Mapplewell though.  Just got another one to look at in Shafton on Saturday and thats it for a while!  Just have to sell ours now...

A few weeks ago, me and Sara held our first Stamptacular and we had a bonus project for those attending to make after the day.

I finally got round to making it today (thanks to Saras instructions!) and had my Mum and her sister, my Auntie Val over to have a play for the afternoon.  We made the waterfall card and the Dasher card from one of my classes and it was a fantastic afternoon.  I feel really chilled out again now.

I have to get the rest of my things together for my cardmaking class on Saturday so off to go! 

Recipe

Cardstock & Ink - Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, Regal Rose, More Mustard, Lovely Lilac, Elegant Eggplant

Stamp sets - Tree for all Seasons, Greenhouse Garden

Accessories - Gold Brads, Chocolate Chip Taffetta Ribbon.

If you fancy coming to the cardmaking class, its 10am on Saturday morning. I have places available but please confirm you are coming so I can have everything ready for you. More details here.

Thanks for taking the time to come over to my blog.

Jan
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