Stampin' Up - you'll never walk alone!

Yesterday I had an email from someone who'd read my post about joining Stampin' Up saying that she would never dare to set up a business on her own. The truth is though that we're not alone at all. When you join my team, you'll get as much help as you choose from me - I'm always available on the phone or online, and my goal is to help you to get what you want out of being a demonstrator whether that's to pursue your hobby, or build a business, or anything in between. As well as me, you'll have the whole extended team behind you as well as the dedicated official Stampin' Up support team. You'll be amazed at what you could achieve while doing something you love! Click here for more info - and think about  it... this could be the start of something very exciting!

Stampin' Up rewards demonstrators for their achievements and when members of my team get promoted I like to send them a little something too. Here's a little gift I sent to one of my team members recently:

This was made at the same time as yesterday's card and uses a similar design but a different colour scheme. Check out that scored border which, I've realised, was partly scored by my friend Jenny from Crafting in the Country who was round here and playing with the score plate! I think you'll agree it adds a whole extra je ne sais quoi to the project! The flowers are coloured with a So Saffron marker but because they were stamped on Naturals Ivory card stock which is more porous than the smooth Very Vanilla, the colour comes out darker. I love it and the way it contrasts with the Pool Party.

Are you wondering what's inside that little pouch?

It's my exclusive INKredibles team bracelet, complete with a handmade charm! A new charm is sent for each promotion so the bracelets can end up looking very pretty indeed!

I wrapped the bracelet in tissue and secured it with a coordinating label...

... before popping it into a pouch made with the Scallop Envelope bigz die. I folded the die cut as a pocket rather than an envelope - just another way to use this fabulous die!

Here's what you'll need to make the card and pouch
Stamps: Easy Events, Delightful Dozen, Tiny Tags
Ink: Black stazon, subtles markers
Card stock: Naturals Ivory, Pool Party
Punches: Decorative Label, 7/8" scallop and 3/4" circle punches
Other: Simply Scored, Borders scoring plate, Big Shot, Beautiful Wings embosslits, Pool Party bakers twine,  Neutrals Watercolour Wonder crayons, stamp-a-majig
I'D BE DELIGHTED TO ORDER STAMPIN' UP ITEMS FOR YOU AND HAVE THEM DELIVERED STRAIGHT TO YOUR ADDRESS IN THE UK. I'M COMMITTED TO PROVIDING EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE AND AM ALWAYS HAPPY TO OFFER HELP AND ADVICE. TO PLACE YOUR ORDER, JUST SEND ME AN EMAIL OR GIVE ME A CALL ON 01280 820593.
• Add a free Sale-a-bration item from this list for every £45 you spend!

My poor son is still poorly but hasn't lost his sense of humour. I was snacking from a bag of almonds yesterday when he suddenly creased up laughing and pointed at the side of the packet. There was an allergy warning printed there which said: "Warning - may contain nuts!" I looked at him rolling around on the sofa. "Hmm," I said. "It's a bit like this house isn't it!"

It's Three Minute Thursday here tomorrow - hope you'll join me then for a fast card!

Easter basket using the scalloped envelope die

Good morning! I wanted to celebrate Good Friday by showing you a couple of projects using the scalloped envelope die.

First of all - this little basket is so easy to make and is perfect for an Easter egg hunt. And because it's a die, you can make several in minutes!

You simply die-cut four envelopes per basket, cut one of the side flaps off each of them and stick them together with Sticky Strip. I decorated the sides of mine with panels of striped designer paper which I'd stamped with an image from the Just Believe stamp set. To make a handle, I ran my Snail adhesive down another strip of card stock, stuck 1/4" grosgrain ribbon to it and attached it to the basket with brads.

The minute I saw the Four Frames stamp set in the mini catalogue, I knew it would be so useful. And when I saw that there was a punch to cut the frames out in a second, both items positively jumped into my shopping basket! This little tag was made with textured So Saffron card stock... oh - hang on! you can't see it in this picture... how about this one:

Ah! That's better! I punched the little flowers out of Pacific Point card stock with the Boho Blossoms punch, and decorated them with another favourite - the self-adhesive pearls. I use loads of these little flowers!

I couldn't leave you without a close-up of the gorgeous seam binding ribbon in Pear Pizzazz. It makes a perfect bow every time - I love it!

SUPPLIES FOR THE EASTER BASKET
Stamps: Just Believe, Four Frames, Occasional Greetings
Ink: Pacific Point, Always Artichoke
Card stock: Daffodil Delight, So Saffron, Pacific Point
Other: Scallop envelope die, Patterns designer paper stack in Brights, Old Olive 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, Pear Pizzazz seam binding, Decorative label punch, gold brads

And now for something different. Sometimes a chocolate egg isn't the right thing to give at Easter. Very small children, for example, may appreciate a gift voucher so they can choose something longer lasting - and their parents certainly would!

The scallop envelope die makes a sweet and tiny little envelope perfect for a card front or for hidden journalling on a scrapbook page, but did you know you can make it larger to hold a gift voucher?

I came across the idea here, on the blog of a very talented American demonstrator called Patty Bennett.

Now, your tots may not appreciate a voucher like this, but I know lots of teenaged crafters and their mums who would adore one! My Stampin' Up vouchers come in any denomination you like and are presented in a hand-crafted holder, which can be personalised if you like. It's easy to redeem them by emailing or phoning me and I'm always happy to spend time helping my customers find exactly what they're looking for. Start dropping hints now ladies!

SUPPLIES FOR THE GIFT VOUCHER
Stamps: Perfect Punches
Ink: Marina Mist, Always Artichoke markers
Card stock: Whisper White
Other: Scallop envelope die, Nursery Suite designer paper, Marina Mist button, Marina Mist taffeta ribbon, linen thread, extra large oval punch

Thank you so much for joining me today - I hope you've enjoyed these last-minute Easter projects. I'll be showing you loads more ways to use the scallop envelope die in the coming weeks - you really do need one you know!

There'll be no Masculine Monday next week as I shall be celebrating with my lovely family, but I'll be back on Tuesday. Hope to see you then but in the meantime, have a wonderful Easter weekend.