Happy New Year!

ah hay, had some crafting time today so made the most of it!!

Here is a card made using the Itty Bitty Buds stamp set.  It has lot of different elements so you can let your imagination run riot and make your own images and backgrounds.

The sentiments are from the Fun & Fast Notes and were just cut out using my Word Window punch.

To make the flower centers I punched a small hole through the centre and tied a small knot in some ribbon, then threaded both ends of the ribbon through the hole - leaving the knot at the front.

I just used one of the small flowers with versamark ink to do the background which gives a really subtle effect.

Recipe;
Cardstock - Blush Blossom, Whisper White, Regal Rose; Chocolate Chip.
Inks - Blush Blossom, Mellow Moss, Chocolate Chip & Versamark
Stamp sets - Itty Bitty Buds, Fun & Fast Notes
Accessories - Whipser White taffeta ribbon,
Punches - Scallop square, Eyelet Border, Word Window.

Thanks for stopping by and

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Jan
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A very Merry and Emotional Christmas...

Hope you all had a lovely Christmas!

We had an amazing, and very emotional day - with a special lady who, only a few weeks ago, looked like she wouldnt be here to share it with us.

And here she is, My Mum...

I havent had the chance to do any crafting, even though we are still struggling to get out of the house with the road outside being like an ice rink!!!

Thank you for taking the time to stop by.
Jan
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Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

Only one more sleep...!

Finally got round to making my Hubby, Ian's, Christmas Card!!

The All In The Family stamp set is fantastic - so adaptable and brilliant for making the images look like the person you are making the card for!!!

I used the Neighbourhood wheel with Versamark ink onto Confetti White cardstock and heat embossed in black embossing powder.  Then had a ball watercolouring the houses in - I love watercolouring and cant wait to do more now that all my Christmas cards are done (phew).  To make it more appropriate for this time of year, I traced along the roof tops, steps and other areas with Tombow glue and sprinkled Dazzling Diamonds to give a 'snowy' feel.

To make 'Ian', 'Me' and 'Mrs Miggins' (our cat), I used my Stamp A Ma Jig to line up all the elements, coloured them in using markers and then cut it out.

Recipe:
Stamp sets - Neighbourhood Wheel, All in the Family, Season of Joy
Cardstock - Old Olive, Boardering Blue, Confetti White
Ink - Versamark, Basic Grey, Markers
Accessories - Always Artichoke ribbon, white gel pen, Dazzling Diamonds, black embossing powder, Large Oval and Scalloped Oval punches.

Well, I would just like to thank you for taking the time to view my blog, and to wish you and your loved ones a very

SAFE, MERRY and PEACEFUL CHRISTMAS.

Love
Jan
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Sale A Bration!

Fancy getting hold of some exclusive free stamps?

Stampin' Up are holding their Sale A Bration event between 30th Dec 2009 and 28th Feb 2010!

Spend £45 on products from the 2009 - 2010 Ideas Book And Catalogue and you get a free stamp set - its a simple as that!!! And the stamp sets are absolutely gorgeous...

You can also get one of the sets by hosting a workshop by holding a workshop with product sales of over £300.00

Stampin' Up are also offering those signing up as a Demonstrator during the promotion period, a free stamp set (to the value of £38.95).

So all you have to do to get free stamps between 30th Dec 2009 and 28th Feb 2010 is

  * Order products over £45
or

  * Hold a workshop with sales totalling over £300

or

  * Sign up as a demonstrator

Which will you choose...Mmmmmmm

When you decide, or if you just want more information, just email me!!!

Jan

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Blog Award

Way Hay!  I have news of TWO Awards!!!

The first one is from Stampin' Up! I have recieved my certificate and award pin for achieving Bronze 2 level.  They were delayed for some reason but am so chuffed to get them in time for Christmas!!!

I was also mentioned in the latest issue of Stampin' Up Impressions, the monthly magazine for demonstrators.  Really proud to get it - and thank you to Sara for all your help, ideas and inspiration!!!

My second award is from Sara - its a blog award - and I have to pass it on to others too...


There are a few rules that have to be followed with this award and here they are.

1. Copy this award to your blog

2. Link to the person who gave you this award

3. Identify 7 interesting facts about yourself

4. Choose 7 other bloggers to pass this award on to

5. Link to their blogs

6. Leave them a comment to let them know about this award

So, 7 interesting facts ... Well, facts - not sure if they are that interesting but here goes.

1) I was born in the same year that England won the world cup - not at all interesting to me as I hate football.

2) Next April I will have been married to my amazing hubby Ian for 24 years!  I love him to bits, and I think we ought to start looking at how to celebrate our Silver Wedding in 2011!!  Where did that go?  We had our honeymoon in a two birth caravan in Bridlington - in April! 

3) I love motorcycling and watching MotoGP, World and British Superbikes and have met James Toseland (World Superbike Champion 2004 and 2007) a few times - he has given me a kiss (after winning two races at Brands Hatch in 2007) and even touched my left shoulder twice (Oooh, sorry I forgot what I was doing for a mo..). 

4) Didn't know what I wanted to do when I left school so didnt study much at all.  But in the last 10 years I have trained and studied really hard to gain all my qualifications and am now a Health and Safety Consultant.

5) I have always been creative.  I worked as a florist when I left school and ran my own business, designing wedding flowers for a few years before deciding to concentrate on health and safety.  Thankfully, I never lost the bug of making things!!!

6) I have been driven around Donington Park in a Ferrari - my hubby arranged it for my 40th birthday, bless him.  I seem to be a bit of a petrol head and love driving our Focus ST.

7) After a very 'trying' few months I have learned to appreciate what I have got, where I am and where I want to be. 

Life is for living and is too short to take for granted!

Here are the people I would like to pass the award on to

Elaine
Steph
Debbi
Jenny
Claire
Abby
Abi

Over to you ladies...!

Simple Crimble

Heres a card I made in about 10 minutes!!

I used the swirl stamp and stamped the image twice onto a panel of Whister White card - flipping it over for the second image.

The Poinsettia images were stamped out and then trimmed leaving a white outline then mounted on Dimensionals. 

A couple of the small flowers were stamped in Real Red next to the swirls and then matted and layered the panel onto Real Red cardstock.  The Poinsettias were then added, slightly overlapping the panels.

The sentiment is from Occasional Greetings (a brilliant selection of stamps covering almost all occasions!) and is just matted onto Real Red cardstock.

This has to be the quickest card I have ever done!!!

Jan

Cute Christmas

I do find it hard sometimes to do cards for men, but with these stamp sets its a breeze!

Loads of Love has the truck with a selection of different 'loads' and sentiments.  The Loads of Love Accessories can make your cards REALLY personal as you can put people in the truck too!!!

I used my Stamp A Ma Jig to line up the images and coloured it in using my markers, then used two jumbo eyelets for wheels.

Recipe;
Cardstock - Boardering Blue, Whisper White, Real Red
Ink - Basic Grey, Marvelous Markers
Stamp sets - Season of Joy, Loads of Love, Loads of Love Accessories
Designer Series Paper - Ski Slope (retired)
Accessories - Jumbo Eyelets

Thank you for taking the time to view my blog!!!
Jan

Christmas Cringle

Its been a busy weekend, spent a fab crafty afternoon on Saturday with Sara Stamper, then had to go to our works Christmas Party.  Thank you Sara for a brilliant time!

Thought I would post pics of the Christmas cards I made for Sara and Abby - it would be a bit rude to post them before passing them on LOL!

All the images were stamped using Versamark and heat embossed with white embossing powder.  Then I highlighted some areas with Dazzling Diamonds using tombow glue.

I used my round tab punch to cut out the Holiday Greetings sentiment, cut out and mounted the snowflake onto the round tab shape and used silver elastic cord to hang the cut the mittens (I glued them together but left them to swing loose from the card).

Recipe;

Cardstock - Old Olive, Real Red, Whisper White

Stamp Sets - Scandinavian Season, Sincere Salutations, Punches Three

Ink - Versamark

Accessories - White embossing powder, Round tab and Eyelet Border punches, brad, silver elastic cord & Dazzling Diamonds glitter.

On Abby's card I wanted to do something a little different!

 

I stamped the bird in Versamark and again heat embossed with white embossing powder.  Then I stamped another image in Versamark, slightly off the first one, which gives a 3D shading effect.  When the Versamark had dried, I highlighted areas of the image with Tombow glue and sprinkled Dazzling Diamonds over the top.

For some reason the Dazzling Diamonds also adheared to the versamark - and wouldnt come off!!!  But it gave the whole image sparkle!

I used my Eyelet Border punch along the bottom and then matted onto another layer of card, just leaving a tiny bit of the Chocolate Chip card showing.

The Merry Christmas sentiment was stamped onto Sahara Sand and Chocolate Chip card then trimmed the image on the Sahara Sand following the outline of the stamp.  This was then raised using Dimensionals directly over the chocolate chip image.  This sentiment is called Punches Three and is a Level 1 Hostess set - you can get it free when placing an order, or holding a workshop, with sales totaling over £150! 

Recipe;

Cardstock - Sahara Sand, Chocolate Chip
Stamp Sets - Whimsical Wings (Level 2 Hostess Set), Punches Three
Ink - Versamark
Accessories - White embossing powder, Scallop Square and Eyelet Border Punches, Whisper White ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds glitter.

Tri-Shutter Card

I have been meaning to have a go at this card for months and finally got round to doing it today.  Sarastamper inspired me (as she always does, thanks Sara!).

I stamped the tree first in Real Red and stamped a second image in Old Olive, cut inside the outline of the Old Olive image and mounted it over the top of the red one with dimensionals, leaving the red outline showing.

Its a Tri-shutter card and although it looks complicated it is really easy to do, just a few scorelines and two cuts!!!  Here is the same card with the photo taken at a different angle.

Recipe

Stamp set: Season of Joy

Ink; Real Red and Old Olive

Cardstock; Old Olive, Whisper White, Real Red

DSP; Old Olive (retired)

Accessories; Scalloped circle punch

Thanks for looking!

Jan

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Silent Night

I love this stamp set, it doesnt need much at all to finish the card off and the colours are so bright and cheerful!!

Heres another card I made on Sunday.

To shape the corners I used my 1" circle punch to snip off each corner which reminds me of old fashioned photo corners!

Recipe:

Stamp set; Silent Night

Ink; Brilliant Blue

Cardstock, Whisper White, Real Red, Ballet Blue

Accessories; Real Red ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds, 1" curcle punch.

Fab Weekend!

Been crazily busy lately with work and havent had a minute to myself but I took Friday and today off as holiday which gave me a lovely long weekend.  I put my Christmas tree up on Friday and got loads of other bits & bobs done which has been great. 

I even had some time on Sunday to get some cards done (being as we sold most of the ones we had at the Felkirk Church craft fair in November!).

My Mum is feeling much stronger and I have had a fantastic day today - I took her Christmas shopping, to Meadowhall!!!  She had to stop for a sit down every now and then but she loved it - we are SOOOO looking forward to Christmas.

Here is one of the cards I made on Sunday using the Silent Night set, but to make it slightly different I made a tag from the sentiment stamp.

To make the topper, the church image was stamped onto Whisper White card and mounted it onto Boardering Blue cardstock. Then I turned it over and put Sticky Strip really close to the edges and the bottom.  This created a pocket when it was stuck onto the front of the card.

I trimmed the card with the sentiment on and again mounted it onto card, trimming really close to the edge.  I then created a hole and threaded ribbon through.  The tag then slips nicely between the card blank and topper.

Havent had the time to add the glitter yet. Thought I would have a 'glitter day' and do all the glittering for my cards in one go.  At least then I will only be wearing it for one week instead of 2 or 3!!!

Recipe:

Stamp sets; Silent Night, Sincere Salutations

Cardstock; Whisper White, Real Read & Boardering Blue

Ink; Bordering Blue

Accessories; Real Red ribbon, Scalloped Oval punch.

I know, sorry - its another easel card!!!  But to be fair, I did mention the other day that I had the bug...

I forgot about this Christmas Tree stamp set until the other day.  I actually got it as part of my starter set when I joined SU!!! Fun and Fast Notes has images for most occasions and is cute enough for most ages.  I coloured the image using my markers and aqua painters to give a watercoloured look.

The Merry Christmas stamp fits the scalloped square punch perfectly and is part of a set of three stamps (Punches Three - Hostess Level 1 set) which you can only get by;

- holding a workshop with qualifying sales

- joining one my stamp club

- placing an order for over £150 in products (excl delivery)

The designer series paper used and the ribbon are both Certainly Celery.  The paper is now retired and the ribbon was free with a special offer a few months ago.  I tied a knot in the ribbon which creates a raised area to hold the card front in place for display.

Recipe
Cardstock Old Olive, Whisper White
DSP - Certainly Celery
Stamp sets - Fun and Fast Notes, Punches Three
Accessories - Brad (Hodgepodge Hardware) Scalloped Square punch, Certainly Celery ribbon, Aqua Painters
Non Su - Die cutter

Silent Night

This stamp set is absolutely gorgeous. If you are looking for a stamp set to make quick batches of Christmas cards this is the baby!!!!

It doesnt need any other embellishments, all that I have added is some Dazzling Diamonds glitter.  I have used the sentiment stamp for the card insert.

Recipe
Cardstock - Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Whisper White
Ink - Chocolate Chip
Accessories - Dazzling Diamonds glitter
Non SU - Die cutter

Thanks for stopping by, off to make more cards...

Jan

Christmas Jingle, Simply Scrappin - not just for scrapbooking!!!

Well, I am having to make more Christmas cards as we sold most of our others at the craft fair at Felkirk Church the other day!

I think I have fallen in love with the easel cards!  They are so easy to make and look really impressive.

Here is one I made today using some items from the Christmas Jingle scrapping kit.  I must admit I am terrible at using some items from SU as they are so lovely to look at!!! I imagine most crafters do the same though...

The corners of the top section have been made by punching out a scalloped square and cutting it into 4 quarters.

Recipe
Cardstock - Old Olive, Real Red, Whisper White
Stamp set - Season of Joy
Christmas Jingle Simply Scrapping Kit
Accessories - Red glitter, Scalloped Oval and Scalloped Square punches, Paper pricking tool and mat

Expect to see more easel cards - I have the bug now!!!
Thanks for stopping by

Jan

Easel Card and Tree Hanger

Had a great morning with a great group of crafty ladies at my open day today.  Showed how to make an easel card and as a make and take everyone made a little tree hanger - I had to test the sweets to make sure they were safe first though (ha ha!).

Sorry the photos not that good due to the poor lighting!

We also talked through how our stamp club will work and when their hostess month will be!  I only have one (possible) place left for this club, however if you would like to be included on in a new Stampers 6 or Stampers 10 club, please  email me.

Recipe
Stamp set - Season of Joy
Ink - Old Olive, Chocolate Chip
Cardstock - Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White
Accessories - Real Red ribbon, Red glitter, Scalloped Circle, 1 1/4" Circle and Scallop Edge punches.
Non Su - Sweets (chocolate eclairs)

Update 22/11/09
Following a request from the wonderful Abby, here are the instructions to make the easel cards

1) Cut an A4 sheet of card in half lengthways to give you a piece of card measuring 29.7cm x 10.5cm.
2) Score the card at 14.9cm and 22.3cm.
3) The main image/topper is secured to the bottom quarter panel (so as you fold to display the card, the topper shows at the right angle).
4) A raised sentiment has been placed approximately halfway down the inside of the card.  This holds the front of the card in place to display.  Simples!

Craft Fair and Open Day Sat 21st Nov

What a totally brilliant day we had on Saturday!!

Felkirk Church near South Hiendly is a beautiful building (dont quote me but I think it was built around the 12th century) and was where we spent Saturday 14th November.  Here is a photo of the goodies me & Sara Stamper had on the stall.

We sold lots of stock - and I now need to make some more Christmas cards as I dont have enough left lol!!! Oh well, its a hard life will just have to have a play this weekend!!

I am holding an open day on Saturday 21st between 10am and 12 noon and will be demonstrating how to make a quick easel card and do a christmas themed make and take.  We are also going to be discussing the Stampers 10 Club (info here) but still have a couple of places left.  We are starting the club before the end of November so if you fancy the chance of getting free stamp sets and products email me and I will send you directions.

Whist at the craft fair I had lots of requests for classes, and will be holding one Saturday 23rd January from 10am to 12noon.  As there were so many comments about the bag in boxes on the stall at the fair we will be making one and a couple of matching cards!  I will post details of the February class in a couple of weeks.

Thank you to the lovely ladies who took the time to come and say hello - Abby, Kim, Anne, Kaz, Jean and Pat.  And a huge thank you to Sara Stamper, for her support, ideas and inspiration - her creations are amazing.

Love
Jan
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Just Moved!

Our friends have just moved house and it was just the excuse I needed to use my Neighbourhood wheel! 

There are lots of these wheels in the range - and it was seeing them in the last catalogue that started my obsession with everything Stampin' Up!  LOL.

The Neighbourhood wheel is so cute and can be used for so many different occasions.  Here are the other wheels available from SU

There are two sizes of wheel (standard & jumbo) and the optional ink cartridges (like mini ink pads) come uninked (so you can use reinkers or versamark for inking).  You can also buy pre-inked cartridges in a range of co-ordinating colours (Standard £3.95 or Jumbo £5.95)

I use uninked cartridges with Versamark and then heat emboss.  Here I used black embossing powder, then water coloured the images in with my reinkers and Aqua Painters. The Whispter White cardstock isnt very forgiving when watercolouring so I used Confetti White - which is gorgous - its a little thicker and perfect for watercolouring!!

Thanks for taking the time to look at my blog - hope to see you at the Craft Fair at Felkirk, South Heindley, on Saturday if you are going!!!

Recipe:

Cardstock - Confetti White, Chocolate Chip, Summer Sun

DSP - Chocolate Chip

Stamp sets - Neighbourhood Wheel, Loads of Love Accessories

Ink - Versamark, Chocolate Chip

Accessories - Black embossing powder.

Jan

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Thanks Again!

I loved the effect with the vellum cardstock so HAD to do another - and they are going to different people so its not really cheating (LOL!).

I did the same techniqe as the card I made on Saturday but changed the colours and raised the images onto scalloped edged card instead of recessing into the card blank.

Recipe:


Cardsock; Pink Passion, Whisper White
Stamp Sets; In My Garden
Ink; Pink Passion, Marvelous Markers
Accessories; So Saffron ribbon, Circle and Scalloped Edge punches.

Butterflies

Havent had the chance to play with this stamp set since getting it and had a ball using it - its so nice to use and the matching punch cuts out the butterfiles perfectly!

I used a die cutter to make the base for the bottom layer, leaving the cutter in place whilst using my Stampin Pastels with sponge daubers to do some shading.  This left a really nice white edge to the layer.  I had heard about this technique before but have never tried it before today - its really easy and the effect is lovely.

The sentiment is one from the stamp set and was stamped directly onto the base using a marker to colour.

I stamped different butterfly stamps onto vellum cardstock, punched them out and layered them, creasing the wings so they are raised slightly.  I used a little craft wire from my stash and fastened long chrystal beads from the Pretties Kit onto the butterflies for the body, curling the ends.  I then mounted them on dimentionals.

The two flowers are each made from two layers of the six pointed flower from the Boho Punch, secured using a brad to the centre.

Recipe:

Cardsock; Pink Passion, vellum
Stamp Sets; Flight of the Butterfly
Ink; Marvelous Markers
Accessories; Stampin Pastels, Sponge Daubers, brads, So Safron ribbon, chrystal beads (Pretties Kit), Butterfly Punch.

Thanks
Jan

Thank You!

Mum is doing really well!!  She is on a general ward and definately getting back to her normal self.

Finally got round to making some thank you cards for the staff at the hospitals my Mum has been treated at - and enjoying a bit of chill out time. 

Here is one of the cards I made using the 'In My Garden' set. It is really sweet and is a Level 1 hostess set.  You can get the set by placing an order or holding a worksop with sales totalling the qualifying amount.  I also have some places left in my Stampers 10 Club (details here).

I stamped the images using white pigment ink onto vellum cardstock, turned the cardstock over and then coloured the image from the back using markers.  This gives a gorgeous stained glass effect which looks really pretty.  I then punched the image out and mounted it on Mellow Moss cardstock to highlight the colours.

I punched circles out of the card blank and positioned the images through the holes, glueing them to the back part of the card blank.  I finished off the card using a piece of Certainly Celery ribbon, a chrystal brad, and a sentiment trimmed to fit one of the Hodgepodge Hardware frames.  The peircing along the bottom of the card was done using the piercing tool and mat set (so pleased with this!)

Recipe:
Cardsock; Vellum, Mellow Moss, Barely Banana
Stamp Sets; In My Garden, Sincere Salutations
Ink; Certainly Celery, Marvelous Markers
Accessories; Hodgepodge Hardware and brads, Certainly Celery ribbon, chrystal brad (Pretties Kit), piercing tool & mat set, Circle punches.

Thanks for stopping by!
Jan

Holiday Extravaganza!

Here is a cracking offer from Stampin' Up!

Order £45 in products from the above Gift Giving Guide between 1st November and 29th December 2009 and recieve a free Tag or Small Tag Punch worth £12.50.  To view the Gift Giving Guide on line click here.

Loads of Love

Well, Mum seems finally to be on the mend, but is still in Intensive Care.  Her doctors are amazed at her progress, so fingers crossed she will be home soon.  She still has the tracheostomy fitted but its getting easier to work out what she is trying to say - and she has even vowed to stop smoking!!!

Not been able to do much crafting at all but have LOADS of ideas just bursting to come out!!

Here is a card and matching gift box I made the other day.  I used the Loads of Love stamp set which is so versatile and is just brilliant for mens cards.

I used two sheets of Designer Series Paper to make the box which is suprisingly sturdy considering that its made with paper and not cardstock.  The template for making the box is from the Splitcoast Stampers website (here) I love using this template.  Theres no cutting or glueing needed but I decided to put a little spot of glue to the inner flaps just to keep them flat (it just looks a little better).  The finished box is 4" X 4" so is ideal for lots of goodies to fit inside!!

I stamped the truck then used the Stamp-a-ma-jig to position the gifts, man + woman and finally the sentiments.  The images were then coloured with Marvelous Markers (with both direct and using watercolouring techniques). 

I used a die cutter to trim the images and mounted them on larger die cut shapes of Real Red cardstock then finished the card and box with a little Real Red ribbon and stamped the 'Cheers to You' sentiment and mounted it with dimentionals onto red cardstock.

Recipe:
Cardstock - Brocade Blue, Real Red
DSP - Brilliant Blue (retired)
Stamp Sets - Loads of Love, Cheers to You
Ink - Basic Gray, Markers
Accessories - 1 3/8 Circle punch, Real Red Ribbon
Non SU - Die cutter

Thanks for taking the time to look at my blog.
Jan
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Starter Kit Offer

For a limited time Stampin' Up! is offering an extra 10% off the price of their already low price new recruit starter kit.

Join up between now and 13 November 2009 and become a Stampin' Up! demonstrator for just £125 instead of £139!

You don't need to run a business to be a demo.  You can be what we call a "hobby demo" just using the discount for yourself and friends - but you might find it grows anyway.

Benefits of becoming a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator:
Huge discount on the customisable starter kit (£240 of tools and products for just £125)
Significant discount on all Stampin' Up! products
Sneak peeks of upcoming products and chance to pre-order
Free newsletter every month with tips and techniques
No need to hold a workshop or "sell" if you prefer to remain a "hobby demo"
Bonuses and incentives available to those who want follow the career plan
Access to on-line resources and business support
Ability to drop out at any time, no tie-ins (but you cannot then rejoin for set period)
Opportunity to attend field training events and annual convention (charges apply)
Ability to earn free stamp sets in your first 6 months

If you are interested in signing up or have more questions you'd like answered, then email me at felinecrafty@btinternet.com

Update on Mum

Is it only just over a week since our world turned on its head?

Mum is still critical and on a ventilator in hospital.  She is awake now, but cant speak as she had a tracheostomy fitted to make it more comfortable when they reduced her sedation.  She can only nod, shake her head or smile to communicate with us but thats enough to keep us all going for now.

Its going to be a long hard journey but we are hopeful that she can make it.  Hopefully, I should get back to crafting soon.

Thank you all your kind wishes.
Jan

Bad News

I may not be updating my blog over the next few days as my Mum is in a critical condition in Pinderfields ICU.

We are hoping that the will recover and be back to her old ways (less the cigarettes!) soon.  But I didnt want to just stop posting.

Thank you in advance for your patience.
Kind regards
Jan
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Christmas Jingle

I havent done much scrapbooking lately and whilst stroking the Christmas Jingle 'Simply Scrappin' set and wondering if I had any Christmassy photos I remembered an 18th birthday fancy dress party we were invited to a few years ago.

We originally were going as a monk and a nun but the costumes I ordered on the internet never arrived.  So the day before the party we went to a fancy dress shop near Barnsley to get some ideas.  As soon as I saw the Queen Elizabeth I outfit I knew that was the one - my favourate character from the Blackadder series is Queenie - so that was it, me sorted.

The lady in the shop mentioned the Henry VIII costume so my Hubby tried it on and we were absolutely hysterical (or should that be historical - sorry!).  Anyway, I won the best costume prize and we all had a ball!!!
 
The party was just before the New Year but you cant see any of the Christmas decorations so I didnt make the page too festive. The top boarder and some of the Circle Circus stamps remind me of some of the detailing on the fancy dress outfits - and I have been itching to use the Circus Circle stamp set!!!

Christmas Jingle Simply Scrappin Set

Recipe;
Cardstock - Whisper White
Christmas Jingle 'Simply Scrappin' set
Stamp set - Circle Circus
Ink - Chocolate Chip
Punched flower shapes
Non SU - Die cut shape cutters.

I am planning on moving all my craft stuff into a bigger bedroom this weekend (much more room to play) - sooooo excited!

Thanks for dropping by.  Hope you have a lovely weekend!

Jan

Stamp Club

Interested in getting free stamps and free goodies?

I am setting up a Stamping Club and have places available!!

Heres how it works

You would commit to a ten month membership, agreeing to spend £15 per month from the catalogue. (That’s £3.75 per week - the price of one magazine!).  Spending more is allowed, and if you know that you will want to spend at least £30 per month, then you can take two slots - giving you twice the benefits! 

The delivery charge is only 5% of the value of your order (and 5% of £15 is only 75p).

I commit to giving you a free catalogue when the club starts and to run a free prize draw each month (for goodies from the catalogue).

Then
• For one month during your ten month membership (two months if you have two slots) you will receive a free level one hostess set

• For one month during your ten month membership (two months if you have two slots) you will receive your choice of £15 worth of free items from the catalogue

As soon as I have enough members, the club can start - so if you know anyone who would be interested please tell them - lets get the party started...!

You don't have to hold a workshop in your own home when its your turn to be the Hostess, but if you want to thats great - just get as many of your friends together for a great night of fun!!!

What a weekend!

Phew, what a blinding weekend!

I held my New Catalogue Launch Party on Saturday morning and had an absolute ball. We made some quick (and I mean quick!) sheep bookmarks using the Scallop Circle and Large Oval punches, and some mini bags using 6X6 designer deries paper and I gave everyone who came a little goodie bag. 

I have heard that there is now  flock of said sheep wondering around Sophies house (Ha Ha - or should that be Baa Baa?)

Thank you Abby, Kim, Anne, Sophie and Suzanne for a brilliant time! 

Sunday was manic as I did the craft fair in Barnsley.  Thank you for helping Kath!!

Had to have a huge piece of cheesecake to build my strength back up!!!

Jan
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Simply Silent Night

I was hoping to get my Christmas cards done this week but have been too excited having the week off work and just wanted to play with all my stamps.  The only Christmas cards I have managed to do are ones to sell at craft fares with matching boxes, so knowing me I will end up buying some at the last minute - LOL!!!

Here is a card I made using the Silent Night set.  The image is absolutely stunning, the only addition I made to is to add some Dazzling Diamonds glitter and some ribbon.

To decorate the scalloped part of the Whisper White I punched out some small circles using a normal whole punch and glued them on just above the scalloped edge.

Recipe;

Cardstock - Bordering Blue, Whisper White

Ink - Bordering Blue

Ribbon - Brilliant Blue

Accessories - Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Scalloped Border Punch and stationary punch.

Tree Trimmings Card & Box

Hi there!

I have my New Catalogue Lunch Party this Saturday and looking forward to showing everyone how gorgeous the new products are!  And loving finally having some time this week to play!!

Here is a card and gift box made using the Tree Trimmings stamp set.  I also used the pine tree branch and cone stamp from the Autumn Days set which fits really well.

I stamped the branch & cone image at varying angles along the top of a piece of whisper white paper then used my stamp-a-ma-jig to position the strings and baubles.  I used the new glue pen on the baubles and sprinkled glitter on to give a bit of bling (by the way, the new SU glitters are awesome!).

The top of the box is decorated using six baubles, glittered, cut out and positioned in a star shape with a brad in the centre.  The box is made using instructions from Splitcoast Stampers.

Recipe:

Cardstock - Old Olive, Whisper White and Rose Red.

Stamp Sets - Tree Trimmings, Autumn Days, Season of Joy

Designer Series Paper - Old Olive

Ink - Real Red Marker

Accessories - Real Red Ribbon, Glitter, Glue Pen, brad, Large Oval, Scalloped Oval and Scalloped Border punches

Non SU - Die cutter

Good morning!
Here is a really cute card I made the other day, that I wanted to share.  The colours are great!

Oh, and hear is Mrs Miggins, helping me packing some of the items for my next craft fare...

Cardstock - Rose Red, Regal Rose
Stamp Set - Cheers to You
Designer Series Paper - Rose Red
Ribbon - So Saffron (limited edition only available in August SU promotion).
Accessories - Scalloped Border and Scalloped Circle Punches, Marvelous Markers.

New Ideas Book & Catalogue!!!

At last, I can now share the 2009-2010 Ideas Book & Catalogue with you.  Hurrah!!!

Here is the on line version.  It may take a while to download - but be patient its worth it.

Some of the items from the last catalogue and some from the mini calatogue have made it into the new one - but there are some gorgeous new ones.

Other new items include some ribbons, run-ons, punches and the most amazing glitters...

I am holding my New Catalogue Launch Party on Saturday 10th October from 10am to 1pm, where you can come along and see some of the new sets, papers and items in action.

If you cant come over to the party and have some crafting friends who are interested in crafting why not hold a workshop?  You can earn free stamps and products when product sales reach certain amounts - how good is that!

Please email me if you would like to come to the launch party or fancy holding a workshop.

Thanks
Jan
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Blog Hop Weds 30th Sept

To celebrate the launch of the fantastic new Stampin’ Up! 2009–2010 Idea Book & Catalogue, Stampin’ Up! have selected three online crafting bloggers for a blog hop on Wednesday, 30 September!


The bloggers will receive the NEW products at 6:00 PM on 30 September. Then they have six hours to create as many projects as they would like to showcase on their blogs!

Here are the lucky ladies
Lousette Ashton
Jenny Cocks
Suzanne Torr
The crafting bloggers projects will be online at 12:00 PM on Wednesday, 30 September. Please take a look!  I KNOW I WILL - Ha Ha!!!

Grab yourself a bargain

Last chance saloon... Ordering from the current Idea Book & Catalogue will finish on 30th September - when the 2009-2010 catalogue begins (Wooohooo!).

Stampin Up have released their Last Chance List which shows the stamp sets, papers & other items which will be discontinued - and guess what - some of the items are even reduced in price - 25 and 50% off!!! Once these items have gone - thats it, so if you fancy anything get them while you can...

The last date to order from the Last Chance List is 30th September.

Here is the list which shows all the details.

Also, the hostess stamps in the current catalogue will no longer be available after the 30th Septamber so, if you fancy having a workshop or placing an order to qualify as a hostess - email me as soon as poss!!

I will be keeping this post to the top of my blog until the end of September and updating it with items on the Last Chance List which are no longer available.  Please scroll down for new posts.


Update as of 28th September:
The following items are currently sold out;
101850 Flaky Friends
107009 Be Happy
104036 All Wrapped Up
100319 Happy Hearts
105755 Mixed Bouquet
106624 Unfrogettable
109347 Year after Year
111604 Best Yet (Hostess Set)

Bottle Bag and Cardmaking Class

Wow, what a brilliant day!!

Just held my first class and loved every minute of it.  I put sets of cardstock in various colours together and let the ladies pick the colours they wanted - hopefully they all got the ones they really liked!?

We made a bottle bag and two cards (well that was the plan) however, we sort of over ran a bit - by nearly 2 hours!!!  Thank you ladies, it was a super day. See you at the New Catalogue Launch Party on 10th October.


Here are the lovely ladies engrossed in their projects. 

And here is the bottle bag and a couple of matching cards from todays session.

Recipe for the set above:

Cardstock - Bordering Blue, Brilliant Blue, Summer Sun and Whisper White

Ink - Basic Grey, markers

DSP - Brilliant Blue (last chance list - has to be ordered before 30/09/09)

Stamp set - Cheers to You

Accessories - Brad, Punches (Square Scallop, Large and Small Tag, Oval and Scallop Oval) Bordering Blue Ribbon.

Off now for a little drink (honest) and to reflect on a fantastic (but a little tiring) day.

Have a great weekend!

Jan

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Thought I would do another card using Autumn Days (whilst I was on a roll!).

The technique for masking off the pheasant is the same as yesterdays post.

The leaves were coloured with light coloured markers and then a darker colour added just before stamping the image which gives a lovely effect.  I had to stop myself from doing too many leaves and getting carried away as I didnt want it to get fussy.

Recipe:
Cardstock - Pumpkin Pie, Creamy Caramel, Really Rust, Night of Navy & Very Vanilla.
Ink - Chocolate Chip & co-ordinating markers
Ribbon - Night of Navy
Punches - Large Oval, Scalloped Oval

Finally had a couple of spare days crafting (for a change).  Got most of the things ready the class I have planned for Sat 26th Sept - only 2 places left, so if you are thinking of coming, please let me know ASAP!

Here is a card I have made using one of the new stamps from the new Stampin' Up! Ideas Book and catalogue.  The catalogue goes live 1st October, but demonstrators get to see the new products early - and there are some stunning new stamps.

This stamp set is called Autumn Days and has a pheasant with other elements for you to make plants & shrubs - its really versatile.  I knew as soon as I saw it I could have loads of fun playing with it - and I did!

The pheasant was stamped first and then masked off to stamp the plants.

To create a mask, stamp the image you are using onto a post-it note (over the sticky part, so it sticks where you want it to) then cut out the image remembering to cut to the inside of the image.  It is a little fiddly but once you have the mask cut out you can save it for use later.

Once the mask was put over the image, I stamped the plants & shrubs over the top using markers in the same colours as the cardstock.  When I took off the mask, the Pheasant looks like hes standing in front of the plants! Its great for stamping multiple images as you can add extra dimension.

Recipe:

Cardstock - Really Rust, Pumpkin Pie, Very Vanilla

Designer Series Paper - Patterns Pack (level 1 hostess set)

Ink - Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie, Close to Cocoa, Creamy caramel

Stamp sets - Autumn Days, Fresh Cuts

Accessories - Hodgepodge Hardware, 2 brads

Punch - Square Scallop.

Here is one of three mini desk calendars I made for the craft fair (and forgot to post on my blog!).

It is made using two beer mats (new ones!!) which are covered with SU Designer Series Paper in Sweet Always.

I finally got round to using my Bind it all (had it for ages but just hadnt got round to doing anything with it.

The calendar is one of a pack I bought from a craft shop - you can get them from most good craft shops or stationers.

The top of the square panel on the left hand side is left open so you can slide a photo down.

Recipe:

Designer Series Paper - Sweet Always

Cardstock - Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White

Stamps - All in the Family, Forest Friends

Ink - Chocolate Chip, Basic Grey, Marvelous Markers,

Accessories - Scalloped Oval, Oval and Corner Rounder Punches, two brads, Pumpkin Pie ribbon.

Non Su - Bind it all wire, beer mats, 2010 calendar.

I had so much fun making this and love the result so I think I will make some more as there was quite a lot of interest in it at the Craft Fair.

Jan
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Specialist Craft Market

Well, me and Sara did the craft market in Barnsley!!

It was quite windy so we spent most of the day rescuing cards, boxes (and display boards!) from flying around. The stall seemed to be acting as a sail and moved around alot too which was a little scarey. Having said that the day went so quickly - and we met the stall fee so a good day was had all round!!!

It was also the Gay Pride day so there was lots of fun and music and it seemed that everyone had a wonderful time. We met some great characters and some absolutely lovely people.

Hoping to do the next one, as long as the weather is better!!!

Jan

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Season of Joy box and matching card.

Good morning!
Thought I would take a quick break from my proper job and do a quick post of a traingle box and matching card that I made the other day.  Not sure if I will get much more crafting time before the craft market on Sunday!!!

The box is made using instructions from the Splitcoaststampers website.  But I made a lid for it using a plain and a scallop circle die from my Nestables - so much quicker and neater than trying to draw round a cup and cut the circle out!!!  The circles were not exactly the right size for the box so I punched out some 1 3/8 curcles, cut them in half and glued them to the corners of the lid.

The stamped images of the large flower, swirl, and Merry Christmas greeting were done using Versamark and heat embossed using white embossing powder.  I used the small flower in the set to make backing paper for the card by inking with a marker and stamping the image twice before reinking.  This gave different shades of colour on the paper which I really like.  For the card I also used some Dazzling Diamonds glitter on the flower, unfortunatley this means that I will be wearing glitter for a week!!!

Recipe:
Cardstock - Not Quite Navy, Whisper White
Designer Series Paper - Ski Slope
Ink - Versamark, Not Quite Navy marker
Accessories - 1 3/8 circle punch, white embossing powder, Whisper White taffeta ribbon.
Not SU - Nestables

Well, time to get some proper work done. Hope you all have a great weekend!
Jan

I have been sent two awards from Sara Stamper!!!

There are no instructions for the awards so I would like to pass them on to thank the following ladies:

Jenny - for the brilliant class instructions which I will use shortly - watch this space...

Eileen and Jo - for sharing their ideas and inspiration.

and to Peata (in Australia!) for her brilliant Mini Album blog!!

Thanks ladies!!

Jan

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