Love and Sympathy

Well, the Stampin' Up Retirement List 2015 has certainly been seeing some action - but if you'd like to snag a bargain, you're not too late!

This card features the wonderful Love and Sympathy stamp set which not only contains wonderful sentiments for those tricky-to-make sympathy cards but also a gorgeous, grassy floral which lends itself brilliantly to sponged scenes like this one.

• If you'd like to read more about how I made this card, click here.

DON'T MISS OUT ON YOUR FAVOURITES!
The clear version of Love and Sympathy has already sold out but you can still get the wood mount version for only £11.86. And if you're a bargain hunter extraordinaire, don't forget the Clearance Rack! The Framed Tulips embossing folder used in this card has turned up in there and is now just £5.69!

EDITED TO ADD: Since I wrote this post, Love and Sympathy sold out in wood mount too - those stamp sets are flying off the shelves! A really good substitute would be another set on the retirement list - Too Kind. Again, it's already sold out in clear mount but the wood mount version is still available at £13.95. But HURRY...!

BUY THE SUPPLIES TO MAKE THIS CARD NOW!
Click on any item to be transported to my online shop!

Too Kind Wood Stamp Set £17.95 now only £13.95	Hardwood Clear-Mount Stamp Set £12.95	Soft Sky Classic Stampin' Pad £4.95
Wild Wasabi Classic Stampin' Pad £4.95	Rose Red Classic Stampin' Pad £4.95	Framed Tulips Embossing Folder  £7.50 now only £5.69

My shop is open 24/7 so you can buy Stampin' Up products from me any time, day or night.

If you have any queries, or prefer to speak to me, I'm happy to help.

You can contact me by email or phone on 01280 820593.

There's a bank holiday across the British Isles this weekend so you can almost guarantee there'll be plenty of good crafting weather *winks*. I'll be back on Tuesday so do come back and visit me then!

Get your bargains in the Stampin' Up retirement sale!

Have you taken advantage of the fabulous Stampin' Up retirement sale yet? Well hurry - some items have already sold out but there are still many amazing bargains to be had!

SAY IT WITH SPEECH BUBBLES!
One of my favourite retiring stamp sets is Just Sayin', a bargain at 25% off. The coordinating Word Bubbles framelits have been slashed to half price too making this a very attractive little bundle. Come and see some of the cards I've made with this set:

With trendy word bubbles against a watercolour background, this card is perfect for a teen. And yes, no matter how grumpy they appear to be, they DO like to be told that you love them :)

This cheeky sentiment is a bit of fun for anyone's birthday but I designed this particular card for a male. The word bubble was combined with a stripe image from Gorgeous Grunge and some bright chevrons made with the Chevron Border punch. The tyre marks are from a previously retired set, Need For Speed, but a strip of washi would work just as well.

Are you getting an idea of how versatile this set is yet? Here's another speech bubble, this time sitting on a Hardwood background smeared with ink and overstamped with Gorgeous Grunge ink splats. You can make these word bubbles say whatever you like and I hope you realise that I've been very good to restrain myself!

• Just Sayin' is 25% off at £14.21 (cling mount) and £17.96 (wood mount.
• Word Bubbles framelits are 50% off at £10.48 for the pack.

BUY THE SUPPLIES TO MAKE THESE CARDS NOW!
Click on any item to be transported to my online shop!

Just Sayin' Clear Stamp Set £18.95 NOW £14.21	Word Bubbles Framelits Die £20.95 NOW £10.48	Gorgeous Grunge Wood Stamp Set £21.95
Lost Lagoon Classic Stampin' Pad £4.95	Hardwood Clear-Mount Stamp Set £12.95	Border Chevron Punch £19.95

My shop is open 24/7 so you can buy Stampin' Up products from me any time, day or night.

If you have any queries, or prefer to speak to me, I'm happy to help.

You can contact me by email or phone on 01280 820593.

The heatwave we were having seems to have cooled down considerably and I found myself complaining that I felt quite chilly the other evening. "Go and sit in the corner then," suggested my youngest son obscurely. "Why on earth would I do that?" I asked. "Well it's 90 degrees in the corner!" he said and then added, kindly: "That's a maths joke!"

Thanks for joining me today. If you fancy a little more male card inspiration, do come back and visit me tomorrow when I'll be adding a quirky touch to a classic!

Hugs,

Love is Kindness (and a bunch of tulips!) by Stampin' Up

I've been busy making some spring birthday cards - and what a gorgeous selection of spring stamps there are in the Stampin' Up spring/summer catalogue! The one I've used today is a beauty (and it allows me to get a little Blendabilities therapy!) Come and see:

This fabulous, wrapped-up bunch of tulips is normally used upright but I thought it would be fun to turn it sideways as if it had been laid down on a kitchen counter. I made my wooden counter with the Hardwood background stamp which I find is in constant use!

I'm not much of a one for complicated colouring but with these tulips you get a great effect with just a few scribbles of the blendabilities markers. I used the new Pink Pirouette and Wild Wasabi sets and added a few drops of Crystal Effects for that 'fresh from the garden' look!

The beautiful sentiment is from Basic Butterflies and I'm finding it's one I use again and again.

I'll be linking this card up with CASology where the code word is Birthday, Seize the Birthday where anything goes this time, and ATSM which is running a CAS challenge this week.

BUY THE SUPPLIES TO MAKE THIS CARD NOW!
Click on any item to be transported to my online shop!
Don't forget you'll get a free Sale-a-bration item for every £45 you spend

Love Is Kindness Wood Stamp £7.95	Pink Pirouette Assortment Stampin' Blendabilities Markers £10.95	Wild Wasabi Assortment Stampin' Blendabilities Markers £10.95
Crystal Effects £5.25	Hardwood Clear-Mount Stamp Set £12.95	Linen Thread £3.95

My shop is open 24/7 so you can buy Stampin' Up products from me any time, day or night.

If you have any queries, or prefer to speak to me, I'm happy to help.

You can contact me by email or phone on 01280 820593.

Just a very quick post from me today because I'm getting ready for my VIV (Very Important Visitor!) in between washing mud off my mud magnet puppy who is looking more guinness than champagne! Who is visiting? My lovely daughter is coming back from uni for the weekend so we're all hanging out the flags for her!

Have a great weekend and I'll see you on Monday,

Hardwood hearts with a Stampin' Up Blendabilities technique

Valentine cards don't have to be all pink and fluffy. Today's card features hearts, flowers and gems but not in an obvious way! Come and see:

A Basic Grey panel forms a nice, neutral backdrop. I rounded the corners and trimmed out a strip to house the greeting - an appropriate 'I heart you' from Stampin' Up's And Many More stamp set. The hearts were made by stamping a piece of Crumb Cake card stock with the Hardwood background stamp and cutting them out with Hearts framelits.

I sponged the smaller one with Burnt Brown Sugar ink but the larger one was stamped with leaves and flowers from Stampin' Up's new wedding set Your Perfect Day. I stamped them in Whisper White Craft ink then coloured over them with Blendabilities markers. LOVE this technique!

A sprinkling of gems and the card was done - and not a frill in sight!


I was inspired to make this card when I saw the challenge at Fusion. I used both the photo and the sketch.

BUY THE SUPPLIES TO MAKE MY CARD NOW!
Click on any item to be transported to my online shop! 
CHOOSE A FREE SALE-A-BRATION ITEM WITH EVERY £45 YOU SPEND!

Hardwood Clear-Mount Stamp Set £12.95

Whisper White Craft Stampin' Pad £6.95

Wild Wasabi Assortment Stampin' Blendabilities Markers £10.95

Pink Pirouette Assortment Stampin' Blendabilities Markers £10.95

My shop is open 24/7 so you can buy Stampin' Up products from me any time, day or night.

If you have any queries, or prefer to speak to me, I'm happy to help.

You can contact me by email or phone on 01280 820593.

I'm loving watching my youngest son bonding with the puppy. Yesterday evening, he was sitting on the floor fondling Eva's ears while she rested her head in his lap. "I prefer your ears to Tuppence's Eva," he was saying to her, then caught my eye and chuckled. "I suppose that's a bit like saying I prefer your ears to Daddy's!" he said.

Have a lovely weekend won't you and I'll be back on Monday with more crafting fun!

Back from Stampin' Up convention!

Oh my goodness, have I been having fun! I've just returned from the annual Stampin' Up convention where I have been enjoying fun, excitement, the company of my Stampin' Up friends and a whole bunch of inspiration!

My husband had decided to accompany me but had to pull out at the last moment because of work commitments. That was disappointing but guess who took his ticket?

One of my favourite people in the world - my daughter! She's doing French and English at uni so naturally she needs to take every opportunity possible to practice her French!

We had an smooth journey on the Eurostar and enjoyed meeting other Stampin' Up demonstrators on their way to Convention (we could spot them a mile off because their excitement levels were off the scale!)

This was the place we called home for a few days. The lovely people at the Hotel Dixseptieme couldn't have been more welcoming and we were perfectly placed, both for me to get to Convention and for my daughter to explore beautiful Brussels.

On the first evening, I scooted up the hill to attend a special reception for demonstrators who have achieved the Silver 2 title and above.

The wonderful Stampin' Up staff had worked hard to make the room look stunning and we were spoilt with gorgeous gifts, delicious food and brilliant entertainment. The evening was rounded off by a chocolate fountain complete with marshmallows and fruit to dip into it. I couldn't work out how to eat these elegantly but luckily for you I managed to avoid a photo of me with chocolate all over my head! 

Every year we are given a Convention bag especially designed for Stampin' Up. This year's is stunning in Real Red lined with Soft Sky and I adore it! There are plenty of pockets to organise your belongings and of course the all-important Stampin' Up badge! I added a hand stamped tag to mine so that I wouldn't lose it...

... and made a matching tag to hang round my neck in case I got lost too! 

YOU CAN BUY THE SUPPLIES TO MAKE THIS TAG NOW!
(Click on each item to find it quickly in my online shop) 

Kinda Eclectic Wood-Mount Stamp Set £24.95	Hardwood [clear] £12.95	Smoky Slate Classic Stampin' Pad £4.95
Lost Lagoon Classic Stampin' Pad £4.95	Crushed Curry Classic Stampin' Pad £4.95	Little Letters Thinlits Die £25.95

My shop is open 24/7 so you can buy Stampin' Up products from me any time, day or night.

If you have any queries, or prefer to speak to me, I'm happy to help.

You can contact me by email or phone on 01280 820593.

I have got so much to share with you but the thing I most want to say is just come and join me in Brussels next year 13th-14th November 2015! If you love Stampin' Up, going to Convention and sharing the excitement with friends who share your passion is an experience you will never forget. Click here to find out all the info about joining Stampin' Up - and don't miss the fab freebies you'll get if you sign up this month!

Do you remember the other day when I told you that my youngest son had asked how I'd got on in Manchester after I'd returned from a trip to Cambridge? I'm afraid his geography (or his hearing!) is not improving. I gave him a big hug before he trotted off to school on the Thursday I left for Convention. When he'd crossed the road he turned and waved cheerily. "Have a great time in Berlin!" he yelled.

See you tomorrow,

Another use for Stampin' Up's Curvy Keepsake Box part 2

Did you see the mug I made yesterday with the Curvy Keepsake Box from the new Stampin' Up autumn/winter catalogue? Well, I have a confession to make... I made that card when I saw this week's Beverage challenge at Less is More, only the trouble is I forgot it was supposed to be one layer. Now, has anyone else made that mistake before?!!! I couldn't admit defeat though and so today, I bring you my Curvy Keepsake mug part 2! Come and see:

This time, when I made a mug out of the die, I used it as a mask. I placed the mug mask off the side of a Crumb Cake card base, put a sheet of scrap paper over most of it and stamped the Hardwood background stamp to create a 'table'. The scrap paper was moved to cover the table and I sponged Whisper White craft ink around it and the mug.

To decorate the mug, I used the heart from the Itty Bitty Accents punch pack to make a stencil and sponged inside it, adding a gem. The Stampin' Up chalk marker made excellent steam and I added some more gems to that. Ahhhhh! Nothing like a cup of lurve!

Here's a close up of that Hardwood table. I love the way it looks stamped in Wisteria Wonder on Crumb Cake card stock and sponged with more of the ink. The sentiment is a favourite of mine from the Hopeful Thoughts stamp set, stamped in Elegant Eggplant ink.

Here's a quick visual reminder of how to make the mug:

BUY THE SUPPLIES TO MAKE THIS CARD NOW!
(Click on each item to find it quickly in my online shop) 

Curvy Keepsake Box Thinlits Dies £29.95	Crumb Cake A4 Card Stock £6.25	Hardwood [wood] £15.95	Hopeful Thoughts Clear-Mount Stamp Set £17.95	Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack £15.50
Basic Rhinestones Jewel Accents £4.50	Wisteria Wonder Classic Stampin' Pad £4.95	Elegant Eggplant Classic Stampin' Pad £4.95	Whisper White Craft Stampin' Pad £6.95	White Stampin Chalk Marker £3.25

My shop is open 24/7 so you can buy Stampin' Up products any time, day or night.

If you have any queries, or prefer to speak to me, I'm happy to help.

You can contact me by email or phone on 01280 820593.

I've been very touched by all the messages of support I've received about my daughter leaving home to go to university. We gave her a great send off with a fun games evening on the evening before she left. Her lovely boyfriend introduced us to some brilliant games that will remain firm family favourites (the saucepan game anyone?!)

The whole family escorted her to Manchester and helped her carry her belongings to her room.

There was a tricky moment when my daughter found my eldest son in the kitchen eating a brownie that one of the new students had baked to share with her new flatmates. "But there was a sign on them saying help yourself!" he said indignantly. A black eye can be painful, so we whisked him away while my daughter settled in and met everyone. We returned later to take her out for a slap up meal and I was able to hear about her day before our journey home. Of course I shall miss her like mad but I know that she'll be happy and we'll certainly keep in touch :)

See you tomorrow,