A Spring card with lots of cake

Hope that you've had a relaxing bank holiday.

I had a great time with Jan and Joanne yesterday, planning where we'll stay for the SU! convention. We've decided on the Sequoia Lodge and travelling there by train and Eurostar. There'll be a whole bunch of us demos on the Eurostar and there have already been some comparisons of it ending up like the train to Hogwarts. Heehee, I feel sorry for the non-demos that end up on the train with us, it's likely to be a giddy journey. Don't forget that there's still time for you to join us, just take a look at joining my team here.

Jan brought me an absolutely gorgeous distressed card when she stopped by. You can see it on her blog here. I must get my distressing tools out again soon.

But for now I've gone for a more clean and simple look using an old favourite card fold that I was reminded of when browsing the SUDSOL pattern library:

Recipe

Stamp sets: Itty Bitty Bits, Cute by the Inch, Cupcakes

Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, So Saffron, Very Vanilla

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Cherry Cobbler

Punches: Petal Card, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, 1/2" Circle

The card blank is a 10" x 5" base of Crumb Cake, cut and folded into a Spring Card. The front was matted with So Saffron and Cherry Cobbler. Using Chocolate Chip ink, the cupcake image from the Cute by the Inch (level 2 hostess) set, was stamped onto Very Vanilla card, cut out and adhered to the centre of a Petal Card punched from Crumb Cake card. This was folded closed and adhered to the card front. The cuppa and the cupcake from the Itty Bitty Bits set were stamped onto Very Vanilla card using Cherry Cobbler and Chocolate Chip inks. These were all then punched with the Circle from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack. Cuppas were matted onto 1/2" Circles of So Saffron card and cupcakes were matted onto 1/2" Circles of Crumb Cake card and then all were adhered direct to the card front spacing them evenly around the edges. Small triangular mats of Very Vanilla card were stamped with the Cupcakes wheel using Chocolate Chip ink before adhering them to the base of the card front.

Here's the little Petal Card opened up:

And (because I got pulled up recently for not making inserts, lol) here's the "inside":

Recipe (inside)

Stamp sets: Itty Bitty Bits, Afterthoughts

Cardstock: Very Vanilla

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Cherry Cobbler

The sentiment was stamped in Chocolate Chip ink onto Very Vanilla card and then the cuppa and the cupcakes from the Itty Bitty Bits were stamped at the points of the diamond with Cherry Cobbler and Chocolate Chip inks.

Enjoy the rest of your holiday.

Sara xx

A calming card with lavender overtones

Hope you're looking forward to the long weekend. I know I am. My team mates Jan and Joanne are coming round tomorrow morning for us to plan which hotel to stay at when we go to the Stampin' Up! Convention at Disneyland Paris in November! Woohoo!

It's not too late to join up and come along with us if you fancy a couple of days of crafty play at a great location. Just click here for more information about the benefits and goodies you get when you join my team or email me with any questions and I can either email back or give you a call and talk you through it all.

Now onto the crafting and for today's card I used a layout from the SUDSOL group that I'm a member of. They have an online chat and challenge twice a week and while I couldn't get online at the time for the chat, I just loved the layout they used for the challenge and so decided to play along after the event. Pocket Silhouettes was already out on my workspace and I remembered my MIL saying that this particular flower image from the set reminded her of lavender, which was how I got to my colour combo this time around :-)

Recipe

Stamp sets: Pocket Silhouettes, Curly Cute

Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Wild Wasabi, Perfect Plum

Ink: Wild Wasabi, Perfect Plum

Punches: Scallop Oval, Large Oval, Scallop Edge Border

Embossing Folder: Perfect Polka Dots

Other: Brads (Subtles)

The card blank is an A6 Portrait of Very Vanilla card and the Thinking of You sentiment from the Curly Cute set was stamped using Perfect Plum ink direct to the card. A mat of Wild Wasabi was cut short (to reveal the sentiment), punched with the Scallop Edge Border (retain the offcut strip) and run through the Perfect Polka Dots folder on the Big Shot before adhering direct to the card front. Using the Mat Pack and Paper Piercing Tool, the Brads were set evenly spaced onto a mat of Very Vanilla card. The offcut strip of Wild Wasabi card from the Scallop Edge Border punch was adhered above the Brads. This mat was adhered direct to the card front. Using Perfect Plum and Wild Wasabi Markers I coloured the flowers direct to stamp, huffed and stamped them onto Very Vanilla card three times, then punched out with the Large Oval. These were adhered direct to three Scallop Ovals punched from Perfect Plum card and popped up on dimensionals on the card front.

Have a relaxing bank holiday weekend.

Sara xx

A few pics from Sunday's Stamptacular

As promised earlier in the week, I've got a few pix to share with you today from Sunday's Stamptacular.

We covered three full projects on the day ... plus a bonus project.

We started with the little purse portfolio (pictured below) in the morning, then after lunch Jan demonstrated a bunch of punch art animal toppers, sooo cute (there's a sneak peek on her blog here). This is everyone hard at work making them:

Then we moved on to a chocolate treat holder and matching card, before finishing with a real whirlwind demonstration of a mini brag book made from a single sheet of DSP.

This is the purse portfolio:

which opens up to reveal two inner liners filled with cards, sentiments and tags:

We made a small batch in blues:

And one in oranges:

... all using the resist and baby wipe techniques.

Back soon with another project (just as soon as I've got my breath back, heehee).

Sara xx

A birthday cake card for the Mojo Monday challenge

Much as I love my new Big Shot and all the dies and embossing folders, it's nice to do some plain stamping now and again too. I hadn't actually planned it that way, it just sort of came together when I worked on the sketch for this week's Mojo Monday challenge:

Here's my take on it:

Recipe

Stamp sets: On a Pedestal, Afterthoughts

Cardstock: Perfect Plum, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White

Ink: Rose Red

Markers: Rose Red, Perfect Plum, Pretty in Pink, Crumb Cake, Wild Wasabi, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie

DSP: Subtles Patterns Stack

Punches: Scallop Edge Border, Fancy Flower, 1-3/4" Circle, Jewelry Tag

Seam Binding Ribbon: Rose Red

Other: Subtles Brads

The card base is an A6 portrait of Perfect Plum. The birthday cake was built up by stamping the pedestal with Rose Red ink onto Whisper White card and then using markers direct to stamp together with the stamp-a-ma-jig to add the other elements. This image was matted onto Perfect Plum card and then adhered direct to mats of Pretty in Pink DSP and Whisper White card that had been punched with the Scallop Edge Border along the bottom. Rose Red ribbon was wrapped around the layers. The cherry was stamped onto Whisper White card and punched with the Jewelry Tag. A brad was used to secure a faux bow and the tag over the top of the wrapped ribbon. Two Fancy Flowers were punched from Pretty in Pink and Perfect Plum, adhered together and popped up on dimensionals on the card front. The sentiment from the Afterthoughts set was coloured with markers, stamped onto Whisper White card, punched with the 1-3/4" Circle and then popped up on dimensionals in the centre of the Fancy Flowers.

Hope you like it.

Sara xx

Quick and easy wedding invites

Just chilling out now after a great day with a great bunch of ladies (my feet are killing me - didn't realise quite how long I was stood or walking around, lol). Had a really fun day at our Stamptacular today. As always, we tried to fit too much in and ended up rushing through the last few projects, but hope everyone was pleased with the value for money! Heehee.

I'll share some pix of the Stamptacular over the next few days, but in the meantime this is a quick wedding style invite that I shared at a workshop on Monday. It's quick and easy to produce in the large batches that you need for such an occasion.

Recipe

Stamp set: Four Frames, Sincere Salutations

Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Early Espresso

Ink: Early Espresso

Punch: Decorative Label

Embossing Folder: Elegant Bouquet

The card blank is an A6 of Early Espresso. The mat of Very Vanilla was run through the Big Shot with the Elegant Bouquet embossing folder before adhering it direct to the front of the card. Using Early Espresso ink, the Four Frames flourish was stamped onto Very Vanilla. Using the Stamp-a-ma-jig, the sentiment was stamped in the centre in the same ink and the complete image was punched out with the Decorative Label. Another Decorative Label was punched from Early Espresso card, cut in half horizontally and matted behind the sentiment, before popping up on dimensionals on the card front.

Inside:

Stamp set: Cornelli Lace

Cardstock: Very Vanilla

Ink: Early Espresso

The text of the invite was computer generated and printed onto Very Vanilla card. The Cornelli Lace jumbo wheel was stamped along the edge of the insert in Early Espresso ink before adhering to the inside of the card.

Hope you had a great weekend.

Sara xx

Stamptacular sneak peek and this months batch of thank yous

The little glimpse above is just a sneak peek at one of the projects that we'll be making at Sunday's Stamptacular. In the card at the front you'll see that we're using the Fine Flourish background stamp. Everyone who attends the Stamptacular will get a goodie bag that includes this fabulous stamp along with another surprise item!

It's not too late to book but I do need to hear from you very soon, so that I can make sure that we cater for enough people. Just use the Paypal button on the right to book your place (£30 for a single ticket or 10% off when you bring a friend). More details about the day are here.

Now, on to today's card and this is my batch of thank yous that are going out with everyone's order this month. I loved the faux dry embossed technique so much, that I used it for these cards and just kept swapping which of the little flowers from the Pocket Silhouettes set I used on each one, so this is one of four designs:

Recipe

Stamp set: Pocket Silhouettes

Cardstock: Basic Black, Pear Pizzazz

Ink: Basic Black, Pear Pizzazz, Craft Whisper White

Punches: Modern Label, Word Window

The card blank is a Square of Basic Black. The chosen flower was stamped in the bottom right corner of a square of Pear Pizzazz using the faux dry embossed technique and then matted direct to the card front. The same flower was stamped in Basic Black ink onto Pear Pizzazz card, matted onto Basic Black card and then popped up on the left of the card front using dimensionals. Using Basic Black ink again, the sentiment was stamped onto Pear Pizzazz card and punched out with the Word Window. This was matted direct to a Modern Label punched from Basic Black card. The right side of the sentiment was popped up on a dimensional and the left side was adhered direct to the raised image.

If you'd like a demonstration of the faux dry embossed technique then please email me.

Here's the first batch that I made:

Hope to see you at the Stamptacular on Sunday.

Sara xx

Take a meander through our inspirational SUDSOL blog tour

Hi and welcome.

I'm a Stampin' Up! demo based in the UK and I joined SUDSOL back in January for the 24/7 access to inspirational ideas, project instructions and templates that I can use to WOW my workshop guests and hostess. SUDSOL offers a free two week trial membership to SU! demos around the world, just click on the blinking SUDSOL icon on the right hand side menu or here to sign up.

If you're not a SU! demo then please still take a look at the projects on the tour for inspiration for your own creations, or why not book a workshop and see them first hand?

This first project is great fun, it's a faker shaker card and so easy to make - when you know how, lol. I found the idea in the Patterns and Templates area of SUDSOL's Creative Library.

Recipe

Stamp Set: Strength and Hope

Cardstock: Pretty in Pink, Rose Red, Pink Pirouette

Ink: Rose Red, White Stazon

Taffeta Ribbon: Pretty in Pink

Punch: Small Heart

Sizzlits 4-Pack Die: Lots of Tags

Embosslits Die: Beautiful Wings

Embossing Folder: Square Lattice

Other: Cello Bag, Basic Pearls

The Cello Bag was stamped with the writing in White Stazon, then filled with dinky punched and die cut heart and butterfly shapes before folding over the bag top and sealing. Using Rose Red ink the scroll motif was stamped onto a square of Pink Pirouette card. One of the Lots of Tags sizzlits was used to die cut an aperture just above. This leaves an impression on the card of the full sizzlit plate and so the square was run through the Square Lattice to emboss the pattern over the top. The faker shaker was adhered behind the aperture then adhered to the card front with dimensionals. The butterfly was stamped in Rose Red ink onto Pink Pirouette card, cut out and popped up on a dimensional. Pretty in Pink taffeta ribbon was shaped into a Ribbon of Hope, secured with a glue dot and a Pearl fixed over the dot.

Next up, I raided the library again for their all-occasion bag box pattern.

Recipe

Stamp set: Strength and Hope

Cardstock: Rose Red, Pink Pirouette

Ink: Rose Red, Pretty in Pink

DSP: Lap of Luxury

Punches: Extra-large Tag, 1-1/4" Square

Embossing Folder: Square Lattice

After following the cutting and folding instructions in the pattern, the front of the box was decorated with a piece of Lap of Luxury DSP that had been stamped with the butterfly in Pretty in Pink and Rose Red inks. The butterfly was stamped again with Rose Red ink onto Pink Pirouette card, cut out and popped up on a dimensional over the one stamped on the DSP. Using Rose Red ink, the Hope sentiment was stamped onto Pink Pirouette card, punched out with the 1-1/4" Square and run through the Square Lattice embossing folder. This was adhered direct to a Large Tag punched from Rose Red card and then tied to the bag closure with Pretty in Pink taffeta ribbon.

Finally, I have a masculine card to share. It took inspiration from the samples gallery to create this.

Recipe

Stamp sets: Sail Away, Plane and Simple (sentiment)

Cardstock: Baja Breeze, Basic Gray, Cherry Cobbler, Watercolor Paper, Very Vanilla

Ink: Black Stazon, Pacific Point, Bashful Blue, Cherry Cobbler

Seam Binding Ribbon: Baja Breeze

Bigz Die: Top Note

Other: Pewter Jumbo Eyelets

Watercolor paper was die cut using the Top Note, the left edge trimmed off and the rest of the shape cut to the perforated line before stamping the Sail Away image with Black Stazon. An aquapainter was used to pick up ink and paint the image, leaving the sails unpainted. This was then matted onto another Top Note, die cut from Cherry Cobbler card and a Pewter Jumbo Eyelet was added using the Crop-a-dile. Baja Breeze Seam Binding Ribbon was wrapped around a mat of Basic Gray card, threaded and tied through the main image which was popped up on dimensionals. The sentiment from the Plane and Simple set was stamped onto Very Vanilla card with Cherry Cobbler ink. This was then cut into a flag shape, sponged along the edges with more Cherry Cobbler and popped up on slivers of dimensionals on the card front.

I hope that these projects have inspired you. If you're a demo and would like access to all these patterns, templates and more, then be sure to sign up for your free trial. After you activate your membership you'll also be able to view my gallery.

If you're not a demo then why not email me to book your own workshop and I can demonstrate one of these projects for you in person.

Sara xx

Edited - sorry all the blog links are now gone. Please watch out for our next blog tour.

Last few places on the Stamptacular and a class card

Here is another card from Saturday's technique class. We has a great afternoon and I think it's safe to say that the faux dry embossing technique was the big success of the day. Everyone loved the results they got with it. They soon got the hang of the Stamp-a-ma-jig and seemed surprised at how easily they got such a professional look.

The ruffled ribbon technique was a little more of a challenge. We had a few broken threads and threads that pulled all the way out, but by the time everyone had practised it a few times we were getting there and again they loved the finished result.

If you missed out on the technique class, there's still a chance to snag one of the last few places at our Stamptacular on Sunday. A goodie bag, 3 full projects, light lunch, refreshments, bonus project and free prize draw, all for £30 or £27 if you bring a friend! Please email me straight away to guarantee your place or use the Paypal button on the right for immediate, secure payment.

Recipe

Stamp sets: Sincere Salutations, Fine Flourish

Cardstock: Rose Red, Regal Rose, River Rock, Baja Breeze, Very Vanilla

Ink: Rose Red, Not Quite Navy

Seam Binding Ribbon: Rose Red

Bigz Dies: Top Note, Beautiful Butterflies

Embossing Folder: Vintage Wallpaper

Other: Clear Rhinestones (or Basic Pearls, lol)

The card blank is an A6 landscape of Regal Rose, matted with Rose Red card. Very Vanilla and River Rock card were cut with the Top Note die and the sentiment stamped in the top right of the Vanilla layer with Rose Red ink. The River Rock layer was cut to a little less than half and run through the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder before adhering to the Very Vanilla layer. Ruffled Rose Red Seam Binding Ribbon was wrapped around the join and secured at the back before popping these layers up on dimensionals on the card front. Two butterflies were die cut from Very Vanilla and Baja Breeze card using the Beautiful Butterflies die. They were both stamped with the Fine Flourish using Not Quite Navy ink. A Clear Rhinestone was used to secure them to each other before popping up on the card front with dimensionals.

Admission - I forgot to pack the Clear Rhinestones on Saturday, so we improvised with Basic Pearls (I always have the Basic Pearls or Rhinestones with me because they're perfect for every project) and used a glue dot to secure the two butterflies together.

Please remember to pop back tomorrow for the SUDSOL blog tour:

See you then.

Sara xx

Reminder - SUDSOL Blog Tour May 17

Just a quick reminder that I'll be taking part in the SUDSOL Blog Tour on May 17 and I hope that you'll pop back to join me.

The Blog Tour is being organised by SUDSOL (Simply Unique Demonstrators Sharing OnLine) an online community of Stampin' Up! demonstrators dedicated to providing creative and professional information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, regardless of location (ie. it covers demos from the US, Canada, Australia and NZ and now Europe too). SUDSOL provides me with access to hundreds of project ideas together with instructions, a gallery with more projects and inspiration, business ideas, forms and files and a regular email loop of ongoing inspiration.

I'm currently using it to gather ideas for wedding stationery and browsing through the online gallery to see past creations. I'm not planning on casing them completely, but I've gathered a whole bunch of ideas that will provide a brilliant starting point and that I'll tweak and alter to make my own.

If you're a Stampin' Up! demonstrator you can get two weeks free membership straight away by clicking on the blinky SUDSOL box in the right hand column of this blog or click here to Join me on SUDSOL - Your 24/7 Upline!.

Not an SU demonstrator? Not a problem, the blog tour will have tons of ideas and inspiration to share with you for free but ...

... why not join my team as a demo? You can sign up just to get a great discount on the starter kit (more than £230 of products for just £119), for ongoing discount for yourself and maybe a few friends or, you can start to build your own business (with coaching from me) with hours to suit you and your family. Click here for more details or email me at sarastamper123@gmail.com to learn more.

Please call by on the 17th for the tour and enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Sara xx

A sneak peek of todays technique class

Unfortunately blogger has been playing up over the last few days and every time I had chance to blog, I couldn't and then whenever it was working, I didn't have time to post. Figures!

So it's a quick post this morning and then off to pack for class. Here's a sneak peek of the one of the cards we'll be making today and I'll pop back after class to share the recipe.

Edited: I've added the recipe and updated this post now ;-)

If you'd like to come along to the next Crop and/or Class on Saturday 11 June then see here for details. The more the merrier, we'd love to have your company.

Recipe

Stamp set: Just Believe

Cardstock: Baja Breeze, Rose Red, Elegant Eggplant, Very Vanilla

Ink: Rose Red, Craft Whisper White, Baja Breeze

Seam Binding Ribbon: Rose Red

Punches: Modern Label, Word Window

Embosslits Die: Beautiful Wings

Other: Basic Pearls

The base card is an A6 portrait of Baja Breeze. Ruffled Rose Red ribbon was wrapped around a layer of Elegant Eggplant card and adhered direct to the card front. The largest image from the Just Believe set was stamped onto Baja Breeze card using the faux dry embossing technique. This was then matted onto Rose Red card and popped up on dimensionals on the card front. Using Rose Red ink, the sentiment was stamped onto Very Vanilla card and then punched out with the Word Window. This was matted direct onto a Modern Label punched from Rose Red card and popped up on dimensionals on the card front. Teeny pearls were added to the sentiment and the card was finished with a die cut butterfly popped up on a dimensional.

Want a demonstration of the ruffled ribbon or faux dry embossing techniques? Just email me to book a workshop or a class.

Have a great weekend.

Sara xx

A beveled windowpane to frame a miniature masterpiece

These Beveled Windowpanes are one of those gorgeous accessories that I buy and then can't bring myself to use, lol. Do I really love anyone that much? Well, I'm determined to get using mine after all ... so that I'll have the perfect excuse to buy some more, heehee.

They add a real touch of luxury to any card.

Recipe

Stamp sets: Baby Blossoms, Something to Celebrate

Cardstock: Baja Breeze, Pear Pizzazz, Very Vanilla

Ink: Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy, Pear Pizzazz, Garden Green

DSP: Springtime Vintage

Seam Binding Ribbon: Baja Breeze

Embossing Folder: Perfect Polka Dots

Other: Beveled Windowpanes, Brads (Subtles)

The card is a 5" Square of Baja Breeze, matted with Pear Pizzazz card and then a layer of Very Vanilla card that was first run through the Big Shot with the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder. A panel of Springtime Vintage DSP was stamped with the sentiment using Garden Green ink. This was then matted onto Pear Pizzazz and then Baja Breeze cardstock. Using the Stamp-a-ma-jig for placement, the Baby Blossoms were stamped onto Very vanilla card using a combination of Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy, Pear Pizzazz and Garden Green inks. This was trimmed to the same size as the medium Windowpane and Baja Breeze Seam Binding Ribbon was threaded through the Windowpane to hold the image in place before securing the ribbon behind the DSP matted panel. A brad was used to secure a faux bow in place before popping the panel up on the card front with dimensionals.

Here's a close up of the windowpane:

What have you got tucked away in your stash box that's too yummy to use?

Sara xx

A glitzy name card for my SIL

Oh what a disappointment this morning when I had to get up and go to work. I could really get used to those bank holiday mondays, lol!

It was my SIL's birthday yesterday and this is the card I made for her. Before you all write in and correct me - that is actually how she spells her name, with the umlauts on the "E" not the "O". Unusual isn't it?

Recipe

Stamp sets: Perfect Punches, Something to Celebrate, Thanks for Caring

Cardstock: Baja Breeze, Blushing Bride, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla

Ink: Early Espresso, Blushing Bride, Craft White

DSP: Elegant Soiree

Punches: 2" x 1-3/8" Oval, Scallop Oval

Bigz Die: Beautiful Butterflies

Embosslits Die: Beautiful Wings

Embossing Folder: Perfect Polka Dots

Other: On Board Alphabet Soup, Baja Breeze Glass Glitter, Basic Rhinestones

The base card is tri-shutter cut from a 12" x 12" sheet of Baja Breeze card. This was matted with different pieces of Elegant Soiree DSP, all sponged around the edges with Early Espresso ink. For the name I sponged the letters from the On Board Alphabet Soup with Craft White ink (in case any showed through the chunky glitter) then covered with Baja Breeze Glass Glitter. The sentiment on the front was stamped in Early Espresso ink onto Very Vanilla card, punched with the 2" x 1-3/8" Oval and sponged around the edges as for the DSP. A Scallop Oval of Blushing Bride card was cut in two lengthways, the edges trimmed and adhered directly behind the sentiment before popping up on the top of the card front with dimensionals. Beautiful Wings butterflies were die cut from Blushing Bride card and the largest was popped up on dimensionals on the bottom of the card front.

The inside writing area was created by matting and layering Very Vanilla card, sponged around the edges, onto Early Espresso card then adhering direct to the central area. Using Early Espresso ink, the sentiment from the Something to Celebrate set was stamped in the middle of the panel and the flower and butterfly from the Thanks for Caring set were stamped either side in Blushing Bride ink. To decorate the back panel, one of the large Beautiful Butterflies was die cut from Blushing Bride card and run through the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder. The smaller Beautiful Butterfly was die cut from DSP and sponged before adding to the centre of the large one and a strip of Basic Rhinestones run down the middle to finish. This was popped up on dimensionals on the back panel. A couple more small butterflies left over from cutting with the Embosslits for the front, were also popped up on dimensionals.

Hope she likes it.

Sara xx

Another purse and upcoming event reminders

Hope that you're having a great weekend. As promised, I'm back again with the other version of the purse I shared yesterday ... but first a couple of event reminders:

Crop and class

Next Saturday - 14 May - is the next monthly Crop and Class at St Saviour's Church Hall, High Green, Sheffield

Crop - Drop in any time 11am - 4pm and stay as long as you like. Bring along your own project and materials (can be cardmaking, scrapbooking or anything else crafty) and join us to share in some inspiration and good company. Cost is £4 towards room hire and refreshments, with any profits donated to Cavendish Cancer Care.

Class - runs 1.30pm - 3.30pm and all materials are provided. Learn new techniques (this month is ruffled ribbon and faux dry embossing), build your technique notebook and practice on a couple of projects. Cost is £12 for full class kit (including a product to take home), room hire and refreshments.

Crop and class - come along for both and the combined cost is just £15.

More details including directions to the venue are here.

Spring Stamptacular

This full day (10:30am - 3.30pm) crafting smorgasbord takes place a week on Sunday - 22 May - also at St Saviour's Church Hall, High Green, Sheffield.

Booking is essential for this event, so that we are able to guarantee you a goodie bag on arrival. The cost is £30 or ... bring a friend and get 10% off, making it just £27 each. Cost includes your goodie bag, projects (including all materials) throughout the day, light lunch, refreshments, free entry into the prize draw and more! Use the Paypal button on the right hand menu to book. More details are here or please email me if you have any questions.

Now, back to the crafting:

Recipe

Stamp sets: Baby Blossoms, Baroque Border

Cardstock: Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White

Ink: Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Pear Pizzazz

Punches: Word Window, Scallop Circle, 1-3/8" Circle, 1-1/4" Circle

Bigz Die: Scallop Envelope

Seam Binding Ribbon: Rose Red

Two scallop envelopes were die cut from Pretty in Pink card and the Baroque Border wheeled across the centre in Regal Rose ink. The handle was punched from each using the Word Window punch and the bottom flap cut to match the width of the side flaps (see yesterday's post for details). Using the stamp-a-ma-jig for placement the full rose and the leaves from the Baby Blossoms set were stamped onto Whisper White card with Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose and Pear Pizzazz inks. The Rose was punched out with the 1-1/4" Circle and matted onto a 1-3/8" Circle punched from Daffodil Delight card. These circles were popped up on a couple of dimensionals onto a Scallop Circle punched from Regal Rose card and then with more dimensionals onto the purse front. The two envelopes were assembled with Sticky Strip, a mini choccie bar added inside and Rose Red Seam Binding Ribbon tied around the handle and trimmed.

This side view shows the width of the purse - just big enough for that mini choccie bar.

Now I'm off to finish a birthday card for my SIL ready for tomorrow - who says I'm a last minute crafter, lol!

Sara xx

A little purse for my lovely ladies

Wayhay! Two fantastic fun workshops over the last two nights. There may be a few of the new ladies that I met for the first time, stopping by my blog, so just want to say - Hello! Welcome! *waving*

What did we do? We had a great time making cards and purses and sharing ideas and laughs.

What didn't I do? Remember to photograph some of the projects that I demonstrated. Doh!

I always gift the demonstrated projects to the hostess and so I didn't get photos of the minibook from Wednesday night or the Scallop Circle Easel card from last night. Luckily I can share this sample that I prepared beforehand, that I did different versions of at both workshops:

Recipe

Stamp set: Vintage Vogue

Cardstock: Rich Razzleberry, Pear Pizzazz, Very Vanilla

Ink: Crumb Cake, Rich Razzleberry

Punches: Word Window

Bigz Die: Scallop Envelope

Sizzlets Die: Little Leaves

Seam Binding Ribbon: Crumb Cake

Other: Basic Rhinestones

This little purse is made from two of the Scallop Envelopes with just a slice chopped off the bottom to make the flap about the same width as on each side:

The handle is created by punching in the centre top of one envelope with the Word Window punch, then putting the second envelope back to back with the first and using the aperture as a template for where to punch again. Little Leaves were die cut from Pear Pizzazz card and adhered direct to the front envelope. The large flower from Vintage Vogue was stamped using the rock and roll technique onto Very vanilla card with Crumb Cake and Rich Razzleberry ink. It was cut out by hand leaving a narrow margin, then popped up over the leaves with a dimensional and a rhinestone was added to the centre. To assemble, Sticky Strip was added to all three sides of the outside of the back envelope. These are then folded over (the purse top is left unfolded) and the purse front is adhered over the top of the back envelope. Finally a choccie was popped inside and Seam Binding ribbon tied around the handle and trimmed.

This version was made to match the card we made on Wednesday night. I'll share the second version tomorrow :-)

So that's a purse and a basket made from the Scallop Envelope. I guess I must try using it as an actual envelope some time soon, lol.

Have a great weekend.

Sara xx

Rocking and rolling again with my favourite set

I have a workshop in just a short while with a bunch of ladies who are new to Stampin' Up! Can't wait, as I just know they're going to love the quality and the colour matching and all the rest of it and they sound such a fun bunch before I even meet them. We're expecting a bit of a mix of crafting levels, from experienced to newbies, which always makes for a fun time sharing tips and helping each other out.

When I got together with my wonderful hostess to chat about what to include tonight, she fell in love with the Vintage Vogue set (ok so I may have influenced her a little - maybe the majority of my samples are made with this set, lol). She was also very taken with the rock and roll technique and so for our make and take tonight I designed the card below. I'm posting it now so that I can point everyone back to the blog after we're finished tonight, as a reminder of how we made it. And there'll be an option to leave off the text and stamp the flower in a single colour, as an easier version for those just starting out.

Recipe

Stamp set: Vintage Vogue, Very Vintage

Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Rich Razzleberry, Very Vanilla

Ink: Crumb Cake, Pear Pizzazz, Rich Razzleberry

Punches: Scallop Trim, 1" Circle, 1-1/4" Circle

Narrow Grosgrain Ribbon: Rich Razzleberry

Other: Basic Rhinestones

The card blank is an A6 landscape of Crumb Cake. The Very Vintage wheel was stamped along the top front of the card with Crumb Cake ink. Using Rich Razzleberry ink, the sentiment was stamped direct to the lower right front of the card. A strip of Very Vanilla card was stamped randomly with the leafy frond in Pear Pizzazz ink and adhered direct to a strip of Rich Razzleberry punched with the Scallop Trim. Using the rock 'n' roll technique the small flower was stamped with Crumb Cake and Rich Razzleberry inks onto Very Vanilla card and punched with the 1" Circle. This was popped up on a dimensional onto a 1-1/4" Circle of Crumb Cake. Rich Razzleberry ribbon was looped behind the circles before popping them up on another dimensional on the card front. A rhinestone was added to the centre of the flower to finish.

Now, time for tea and then off out to play! ...err, I mean work, ... play ... whichever - they're both the same ;-)

If you'd like to get paid for having fun, then just check out how to join my team or email me and we'll arrange a time for me to phone you and we can have a chat.

Sara xx

Spring Stamptacular - Sunday 22 May

Spring Stamptacular!

Yes Jan and I are holding another Stamptacular event, a full day of crafting goodness, goodiness and maybe a little giddyness, heehee.

Where and when?

10:30 - 15:30

Sunday 22 May

at St Saviour’s Church Hall

(postcode S35 3HS but please note that it is next door to the Parish Council meeting rooms located at the junction of Mortomley Lane and Pack Horse Lane)

How much?

£30

Prices held! We have kept them at the same level as last year’s introductory offer:

Bring a friend and you both get 10% off, reducing the price to just £27 each!

Price includes:

Goodie bag

3 complete projects with full demonstration and printed instructions

All materials needed

Bonus project to complete on the day or take away

A light lunch (please advise of any dietary requirements)

Refreshments throughout the day

Prizes

... and more!

Booking Essential

Spaces are limited and will be allocated on receipt of payment. Bookings are

non-refundable but if after booking, you find cannot attend, we will send you

your goodie bag complete with all project materials.

How do I book?

Please email me or use the Paypal button on the right hand side menu to book. Please note that their are two options; single rate and reduced, Bring a Friend rate. To get the reduced, Bring a Friend rate you will need to purchase both tickets at the same time, using the drop down menu.

A matching patriotic bag complete with gift

On Friday I shared with you the card that I'd made to welcome a new member of our Stampin' Up! team. And I'm back now as promised to share the little gift bag that I made to go with it.

I had a wonderful crafty time this morning with Jan and Chrissi. We had great fun trialling a project that Jan and I will be sharing at our upcoming Stamptacular on Sunday 22 May (we have some places spare still so check back soon for details or email me).

This is the little bag that I gave to Chrissi:

Recipe

Stamp set: Fine Flourish

Cardstock: Whisper White, Pacific Point

Ink: Real Red, Pacific Point

DSP: Blueberry Crisp, Play Date

Punches: Eyelet Border, Round Tab

Satin Ribbon: Whisper White

Bigz L Die: Fun Flowers

Originals Dies: Leaves 2

Other: Designer Buttons

The bag design is the same one as in my Greenhouse Garden tutorial here. To trim it up, I made the flower in the same way as for the matching card and added leaves stamped in Real Red ink with the Fine Flourish stamp.

Inside I'd popped some 6" x 6" Greenhouse Gala DSP together with a pack of matching ribbons:

Fancy coming along to our next team get-together? Ask me how.

Enjoy the rest of the long weekend.

Sara xx