Wrap Card & Full On Days!

Just dug something out of the files for a little card today. Have been incredibly busy doing lots of things- including getting ready for our 2011 Mini Catalogue that goes live April 1st. Get your date in for a party quickly- you’re NOT going to want to miss seeing what’s in store!

This is a simple wrap card using vellum cardstock- just trace around the ends using a small saucer or bowl and tie a ribbon to keep it closed. Use a bit of faux-stitching and a few bits of cardstock pieced together. The pattern around the edges is using the For Everything set stamped using white Stazon.

The past couple of days have been a bit full on- yesterday in a moment of madness I invited 4 extra kids over for tea- one for each of my children except for Will, who was happy to flit between them all. There were 9 kids for tea plus my Mum and me (Steve stayed well out of the way!) Apart from a large amount of mixed catering to please the different foodie tastes, it was surprisingly simple. They all amused each other with no arguing or frustration; bliss!!

This morning was a little hectic- I thought it would be a good idea to get organised and order my nephews’ Birthday present online before Breakfast- that was great, until a little later I realised that being ultra-organised can have its downside! On my way to school there was an extremely angry cyclist- boy- he was gesticulating at everyone. I think he must have got out of bed on the wrong side- I was glad to give him a wide margin and get out of his way. On the way home, I encountered a lorry that pulled out in front of me on a roundabout. The ‘give way to the right’ rule seemed not to apply to him. I had to slam on, on the roundabout and it was no small mercy there was no-one behind me. He just sailed right past me, narrowly missing my front bumper. I was not impressed but carried onto the petrol station to fill up and get some groceries. It was only when I came to pay that I realised my super-organisation had come back to bite me as I’d left my purse by the PC. I could have just come back and paid later but with a car full of diesel there was suddenly a problem. It was no longer a simple thing- I had to wait for a manager, sign stuff, give my address etc. I started walking to the exit when I was stopped by another shopper. She was in her car and wound her window down to talk to me. She couldn’t help noticing what had happened (yep, the entire shop was witness to my stupidity!!) and brandished her credit card. If I was in a hurry to get home, (because she realised these things had a habit of ruining your day if you needed to be somewhere quick ), would I like her to pay for it for me? I stood there utterly stunned that a complete stranger was prepared to do that for me. I guess she was taking a massive risk, not knowing whether she’d get her money back. I thanked her profusely, told her she was a star, but we were only 10 minutes walk away from home, and I’d not got any pressing schedules. What a beautiful person. I was really thankful for her kindness and generosity. Thankyou, whoever you are! Oh, that there were more like her!… Then we walked home to get my purse, returned with the purse, paid for it all and then turned to go home.

I’ve just finished baking and cooking- more cupcakes up for grabs. My healthy eating can withstand most things, but definately not cupcakes. Stupid really, I just shouldn’t bake them, then I’d not have the temptation. Having baked over 50 this week (for specific reasons!), it’s not been a great calorie-controlling experience. Ah well, I intend to bless some others and get rid of them quick. In the meanwhile I need to avoid the kitchen!

See you later- have a fun day ahead tomorrow when I’m helping a friend make some decisions about her wedding (the details,- not whether to go ahead!!!)

Card recipe; Vellum cardstock, Cardstock- Melon Mambo, Marina Mist &  Pear Pizzazz. Flower brad, basic pearls. Ribbon- Marina Mist satin. Ink- White Stazon. Stamp set- ‘For EverythingClear mount=£18.95 for 11 stamps and Wood mount £23.95. Designer Paper stack in In-Colours. White Signo gel pen

 

Card Class Makes & Chip Shops

This post is gonna be a little photo heavy, but I wanted to show you some of the cards we made at last nights class. It was a rare night as there was completely no stamping which is an absolute first but was because we were using mostly the  ‘Good Times’  scrapbooking kit but not scrapping with it at all. With all the left overs, the girls could do a myriad of things but we stuck with cards just for the night. The little box was made after seeing a few people in blogland do similar ones- I made two, both slightly different dimensions as the cards we made needed to fit into them. One just about fitted the envelopes but was a little snug. I guess I’ll have to play with the dimensions a little more. It’s reminiscent of lots of notecard holders I had when I was little. Next time I’ll add a closing front too- feels a little open and exposed to the elements!

Here is a selection of the cards we made. The kit is £17.75 and the girls only used half as its easily split into two as everything is duplicated. You get 6 sheets of cardstock stickers (2 of each one), 6 sheets of double sided 12×12 paper and 8 sheets of textured 12×12 cardstock. We made the box and 5 cards out of half and there was still a lot left over. The only thing we added was 1 sheet of very vanilla, some ribbon and few rhinestones.

Here’s what else we made;

These are such bold and fun colours and so many of them would be great for men and teenagers, which is a rare thing for me to have a selection of those type of cards. I have to say that initially I struggled with the colours- so not me, but they made me happy working with them and after some of the hard work of the week, it was therapeutic working with something zingy. I’m offering this card class as a free tutorial (PDF) when you order the Good Times kit. Get in touch and I’ll order it for you.

  My next class is on  April 15th -(Friday) at 8pm . Button, Brads & Eyelet Extravaganza!.  Ever used eyelets? Want to use buttons in a different way? Make fun projects with dimensional elements.

Class price £13- or get a button goody bag full of 1 of every button and design in the whole Stampin’Up! range and a selection of brads in different colours for £19.95. (It would cost you well over £35 to buy the sets individually for the range of colours). Add on to be ordered by April 1st.

Get in touch- I do need booking in advance- particularly if you want to take advantage of the great value add-on although payment for the class is on the night.  You don’t need any crafting experience, not supplies as I provide everything.  Check out my Stamping Class Tab at the top of the page. They’re always good fun and I love the classes. They get booked up and I have limited space so get in early!

Well, this week has been one of looking after ill kids (bronchiolitis was back but without a trip a hospital fortunately). We stayed in mostly and amazingly, my house has stayed reasonably tidy after the viewing on Monday. One of the viewers was someone I’d actually met through crafting (small world huh!) and I’m reaping the rewards of house staging by enjoying the flowers and plants that I’d bought for the occasion. Don’t you love flowers! I couldn’t really justify it but if flowers were free, I’d embellish every room in the house with their beauty and fragrance if I was able. Looking at gorgeous blooms just lifts my spirits- doesn’t it yours?!

I have to make this short and sweet, food to buy and prep for friends for tomorrow. We’re off to see some other friends this afternoon and having a chippy tea later. Not sure quite how I can get something low calorie from the chipshop? boiled rice maybe? I used to work in a chippy when I was in sixth form. Being blonde and working in a place like that in Essex- can you imagine the comments?!! Apart from the fact our clothes had to be stored in the garage as they stank of chip fat so much, I learned that being blonde was definately a hindrance. Blokes (and it was always blokes), used to ask me for ‘fish and chips twice’- I remember one fella saying as an afterthought- erm thats TWO lots of fish and TWO lots of chips’. I felt like decking him but smiled sweetly and carried on. When I was asked for a ‘wally’ one day, I wasn’t entirely clear whether it was a pointed comment at me, but in fact, it’s Essex speak for a boiled egg! We had to do all calculations in our heads- my mental maths became pretty good although now it’s pretty dire!! and don’t get me going on how all the chips were prepared in an old cast iron bath- eugghhh!

Off now- see you soon!

Card recipes- all supplies from Good Times kit with marina mist satin and pumpkin pie taffeta ribbon. Rhinestones.

Round Card and Truly Pancake Day!

I have the right day today! It’s officially Pancake Day! No-one can text me and tell me I’ve got it wrong!! I told you on the last non-Pancake Day that I was going to do a round card card and here it is. A truly 5 minute card! It’s an unusual styel- but it’s using sketch type stamps- so I’ve just gone with it!

I just traced around a saucer from the kitchen, added a sticky border from the Nursery Suite Additions, Stamped the sentiment and flourish (from ‘For Everything’ set), coloured in with white Signo gel pen and added a few pearls. Just slotted in a smattering of melon mambo circles under the Newsprint lined paper to act as scallops and there you have it. It had to be quick, doing pancake duty for 8 of us is no short job and after an hour of standing flipping, I think two pancake days a year is sufficient.

I’m also a little jaded from the major clear up because of a viewing. I’d love to not ever have to do that again, but there is something quite lovely about a truly clean house. I had even done some clearing out of cupboards, but still have plenty more to do. The clearing also involves an amount of throwing away, which in turn necessitates several trips to the local tip, or should I say ‘Waste Transfer Station’!!!

I went yesterday- the Landrover full to bursting. I got no more than a cursory glance from the bloke standing as gatekeeper. However, when I got back home, I realised I’d forgotten a load more which was on the landing upstairs. Not one for asking our viewers to high jump over them, I emplyed the house-sellers favourite last-ditch storage facility; the car!! My poor car was stuffed to the rafters (do cards have rafters?!) with more junk. Thankfully it was too dark for our potential buyers to notice! So, this morning I made a return visit. Granted, the car wasn’t obviously as heaving this time, but I did wonder why the bloke viewed me so suspiciously when I said I just had general household waste. Surely he didn’t recognise from the day before. It was only when I looked in my rear view mirror and saw that the only two items that my car appeared to contain were in fact my two boys!! I need to report that I didn’t leave them as waste items. On that vein, my hubby did once enter into negotiations at another waste place, as to where to leave ‘me’. The man in charge and Steve thought it was highly hilarious discussing which part of the dump I’d need to be left. After deciding I wasn’t a ‘small appliance’ but maybe a ‘large’ one! (cheek!)- the man just told him to leave me in his car which was a Ford Escort round the back. He said his wife would be glad of extra help! Needless to say, I was less than impressed!!!!

Well, I’ve succumbed to two pancakes and now wish I’d left well alone. I’ll be on the treadmill as soon as the kids are in bed. I fancy running off the stodge!

Enjoy your Shrove Tuesday- what did you have on your fillings? (I’m a purist- lemon juice and sugar please!!)

xx

Card recipe: Cardstock- So Saffron. Ribbon- marina mist satin.Ink- Black Stazon. All other supplies mentioned as above. Stamp set- For Everything.

Butterfly Tag Card & Clearing Out!

Morning everyone! I’m thankful for Saturday! Such a busy week, it’s so good to be at the weekend! This is a busy card- but I love cards with lots to look at. I’m using tags again and the twill ruffle, plus the little vellum pocket. The little butterfly accents remind of traffic lights in spring!- would be nice if traffic lights were a prettier shade don’t you think!! The green base is using a really lovely colour called ‘Wild Wasabi’. I’m not a fan of Wasabi in food form- I’ll eat the sushi anyday just leaving the wasabi behind! This however, is a scrummy colour- kinda spring like on steroids!

The week has been full of complicated things- just to add an extra bit of ‘je ne sais quoi’ to my schedule. My phone decided to try and escape down the toilet whilst I was picking something up from the floor. It was completely submerged and I felt completely deflated!! It’s in the process of drying out- it’s present home is a bowl full of rice. There have been moderate signs of life- the touch screen is working again but there’s no light- which makes reading the phone a trifle difficult. We’re hoping that screen brightness will return soon but we do have a few more things to try if the next 24 hours don’t bring us any joy! The wonder of technology- you’d have thought Apple might have made it waterproof by now!!

This week I also went to my eldest’s Options meeting for her GCSE’s ; how to make a girl feel old! I have to admit though, some of the courses sounded so exciting that I was tempted to sign up myself. After realising I’m not really giving my brain much of a workout, I’m actively searching out opportunities  for cerebral exercise. If only you could do a degree in Papercrafting huh?!!

I have to get back to clearing out- another house viewing on Monday=waving goodbye to even more black bin bags full of stuff we’re attempting to be ruthless with. It feels soothing somehow seeing them go- and yet our house seems crowded still–perhaps that’s due to there being 7 bodies populating it!! My 3 year old has just come running in saying that he needs a hug. I had a lovely squeezy hug and then he pipes up ‘now please can I have chocolate’. Where did he learn that hugs equate Dairy Milk? He’ll be disappointed on this occasion- although I suspect he’s likely to try that one again very soon!!

xx

Card project- Cardstock- Wild Wasabi,Crumb Cake ,Whisper White, Daffodil Delight and Very vanilla. Punches- Corner rounder and border punch. Twill ribbon. Basic Pearls. Stamp- All a Flutter. Designer paper- Pink dot from Subtles pack. black and white paper from Newsprint pack. Brads from Subtles & Brights pack. Button from Designer Button pack in Brights. Pretty in Pink taffeta ribbon and linen thread. Embossed dots from an embossing folder in my stash.

 

Bye Bye SAB! and Coolness

 Indulge me a little…I know Sale-a-bration is over for another year, but I thought I’d say Goodbye and show you what we made at my last Stampin’Up! workshop or party (depending onwhat you’d prefer to call it). This is a little mini bag, and the other pic further down will show what is inside. Everyone made one- even those who insisted they couldn’t and weren’t arty. You really don’t need a creative bone in your body when it comes to stamping; all the hard work is done for you and you can create super cute things with little effort!

The handles and tag were made with two of our punches- the handles with the Word Window punch and the tag- with the aptly named ‘Tag’ Punch! I love these colours- these were created using the Colour Coach which is a fab tool for giving you inspiring new colour schemes and booting you out of the status quo!

You can create 4 of these out of an A4 piece of card- really economical. You just need to chop the sheet into 4. Then score at 1  3/4″, 2  1/4″ and then trim it at 5″. Punch some handles, create a tag and get stamping to decorate. Really easy and a great little Thankyou for someone or a ‘Hello!’ or maybe a ‘Hang on in there’ for that friend that could do with it!The inside is incorporating a Cello bag- our smallest size. These would be cute with tiny Lindt Easter eggs- and they match the colour scheme too! You’d fit 3 in perfectly!

I was given a great compliment by one of my daughters’ this week. Apparently she thinks that I’m a ‘cool texting babe’ ?!!!  Me? Cool?! Having never been deemed cool in any way, this is something of a first. Sadly, I cannot get delusions of grandeur that I’m anyway cool at all, it’s simply that I text so fast that her friends are impressed, apparently their mums would take half an hour!! Well, I guess I’m good at something in her eyes then- even if it is only for speedy digits!!

The same daughter was also having a conversation with her Grandad and me over the phone- a weird 3 way conversation with only two of us actually on the phone. There are only so many times you want to play intermediary and repeat everything the other two parties have said whilst not actually being part of the conversation- should have just given her the telephone! Anyhow, she thinks that a particular person known to both of us is ‘extremely cool’ and ‘awesome’ and ‘there is no intelligence that wouldn’t understand how cool he is’. My Dad and I collapsed laughing as this person is not what the average Joe would call Cool. I guess coolness is in the eye of the beholder alongside beauty. Go figure!

I committed a parental sin yesterday, apparently. One that I should be very ashamed of. After attending an Options meeting with one of my daughters, she’d had such lovely comments from the staff that she asked for a ‘McFlurry’ and I thought she really deserved one. Uh oh- wrong, very very wrong. A report came out in the last day or two saying that parents who gave their kids food as  rewards were storing up pyschological problems for their kids, which could lead to problems with eating disorders, low self esteem (from getting validation from food) and other horrors. I told her as she ate it that I was supposedly damaging her and what the problems could be. She threw back her head and laughed. Maybe I escaped  this time, but the Food Police are gonna get me one day!!

I’m going to run- I have just a big brown box from Mr UPS and it contains orders from my workshop. Better get packing those carrier bags!

xx

Treat bag- Very Vanilla cardstock. Inks- Poppy Parade, Marina Mist & Pacific Point. Designer paper in Pacific Point (Subtles) and Nursery Suite. Bliss set (boo hoo, goodbye), Daffodil Delight ribbon and Basic Pearls. Small Cello bags. Snail adhesive. Punches- Word Window & Tag.

Hostess Tag Holder & How we silenced Tescos (temporarily!)

 This is what I made for my hostess at the workshop I held on Friday night. Fortunately she is a kind and lovely friend- the reasons for that will become clear later!

This is the inside of the tag holder. My friend loves making tags and so I wanted to give her something as a Thankyou for holding the party that she’d find useful. Although I’ve put 4 tags in it, the idea is that she’ll make her own and store them in it for when she neds them. I haven’t got a front cover to show you as I finished it at the party and it was way too dark to photograph. Suffice to say it was spritzed, sprayed, pearls were painted and butterflies’ were given beautiful hues of ‘Fruit Salad’!- remember those sweets?! Anyhow, you can tie it together with some Rich Razzleberry ribbon to keep it secure. The papers are mostly from the Sweet and Sour Speciality papers with a bit of Designer paper (Subtles) thrown in! It’s made using some of our lovely textured 12×12 cardstock, cut at 3″ and then scored at 6″ lengthways and 3″,6″ and 9″ to create the pockets which were held together with our trusty Snail adhesive along the score lines.

My hostess ended being particularly gracious, not because she ended up with a bumper lot of Free Sale-a-bration sets and hostess goodies and a Hostess exclusive Stamp set,(which she did!) but because I became temporarily stranded at her house because I lost my keys! We hunted high and low..wondered if someone had picked them up by mistake and searched through my bags several times. I’d just phoned my hubby to explain and Sara had agreed to give me a lift home to retrieve my spare set, when I found them hiding in a pocket. I was very sorry- it had been such a lovely evening!! I promise to put my keys somewhere memorable if I do a workshop for you! I’m taking bookings for our next promotion in March- which you will LOVE & will save you heaps. Get a few mates together and enjoy a laugh (probably at my expense!!) and get to create something for Free too!

The second mildly disastrous and extremely embarrassing thing of the wekend came after we’d had lunch out. The kids had been given helium balloons and wanted to carry them e-v-e-r-y-w-h-e-r-e !! I should have said ‘No, just leave them in the car’..what was I thinking?! We were moderately happily doing a bit of food shopping and got to the chiler section. All of a sudden there was the most humungous bang. As if someone had put a microphone to it. The balloon had burst and sounded uncannily like a shotgun. I, however was unprepared for the reaction around me. Everyone stood still and stared.. it was like they’d actually been frozen by the chilled air  escaping from the fridges. Some people  had their their mouths open and one woman was actually clutching her heart! Ermm.. I didn’t really know what to do- they were ALL looking at us. I looked at Jamie ready to tell him off and then he said it had popped all by itself!! Worse still, less than a minute later, Harriet’s spontaneously exploded too, and Yes, even more stares and possibly a tad more annoyed people. I was enormously relieved to rush out of the section and anonymously mingle with other shoppers in a aisle way away!!

You see- we court humiliation on a daily basis! If someone could give me the scientific explanation for it- I’d be all ears- I’m guessing its something to do with the gas and the drop in temperature- but I could be barking up the wrong tree! 

Before I go- I have to show you THIS…. our March Frenzy..

This offer is limited to 1000 of each item- so you’re going to have to be quick. I’m placing an order in the next 2 days- so email or phone me to put one in for you- and grab yourself a bargain!! Ok, gonna dash- have got to put another order in for some unspeakably gorgeous goodies all ready for when our very very very exciting Mini-catalaogue comes out. You’re gonna LOVE it!

Tag book recipe: Cardstock, Rose Red,Rich Razzleberry, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Designer papers- Sweet and Sour Speciality, Subtles paper stack. Linen thread, Pumpkin Pie taffeta, Rich Razzleberry Grosgrain. Punches- Butterfly, Boho Blossom. Stamp sets- Sale-a-bration and Vintage Wheel. Inks, Rich Razzleberry, Peach Parfait, Pear Pizzazz. Rhinestones, Buttons and Rhinestone brads.