Banana and chocolate butterfly for the Stamp With Us challenge

Wayhay, we're back to normal again over at Stamp With Us, so we have a new challenge for you this week. It's a colour theme and this is our colour inspiration.

Crikey, this looked a bit intimidating to start with but on the other hand it pushed me away from Christmas cards which is all I seem to be making at the moment. I decided that the Tea and Crumpets paper would work well for this colour combo and so here's what I came up with.

Recipe

Stamp set: Flight of the Butterfly

Cardstock: Barely Banana, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Card Vellum

DSP: Tea and Crumpets

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Ruby Red

Punches: Scallop Circle, 1-3/8" Circle, Butterfly

Other: Gold Elastic Cord

The plain butterfly was stamped in Ruby Red and punched with the Circle punch. I then stamped the flower butterfly in the same ink onto the vellum cardstock. This vellum is so lush, it's quite heavy but it's still best to score it with a bone folder rather than the black scoring blade on the Paper Cutter. I cut my first attempt in half, so I hope you gain from my mistake, lol. Gold elastic cord was wrapped around and tied so the ends make the butterfly antenna, which also picks up the gold buckles in the shoes of the colour theme.

Bess has bounced back from her op pretty well, she keeps crying but we're learning that she's just milking the attention because she's suddenly alright again when she gets it. She has more energy than we hoped, we thought the injections on Friday would knock her back for longer than they have. We're not allowed to take her for a walk for 5 days and have to stop her jumping or moving around too much. Hmm, an active 3 year old Staffie ... not moving around or jumping ... not quite sure how that's going to work.

Yesterday's craft fair went very well despite the awful weather later in the afternoon. JJ and I had lots of visitors throughout the day, sold plenty and persuaded a few to come along to our classes. Hi and thanks to everyone who stopped by.

Jan and I also picked up a commission each for more work while we were there. I'm now going to be working on a dozen Christmas boxes to hold handmade chocolates for a lady who actually turned out to be local to me. Yummy.

Back to the revision now since I got a day off yesterday.

Looking forward to seeing your entries to the Stamp With Us challenge this week and please pop along and check out the rest of the Design Team creations.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend.

Sara xx

A red easel card and matching gift bag and Bess in her high vis coat

I've been meaning to make one of these easel cards for ages and now that I've got around to it I'm loving them. They're so easy to do but they have that bit of a wow factor. I'm still stockpiling for the craft fair tomorrow and so I made a matching gift bag to go with the card again.

Can you see the little tag on the bag? Guess what I got free with my last order? I spent two lots of £45 from the gift giving guide and so I got both of the Tag punches free. Details are here or at the top of the right hand menu just under the blinkie and the offer is on right through to 29 December 2009. It certainly makes short work of little gift tags.

Recipe

Stamp sets: Season of Joy, Spotlight on Christmas, A Tree for all Seasons

Cardstock: Real Red, Very Vanilla

Ink: Real Red

DSP: I Wish Scrappin' Kit (retired)

Punches: Scallop Circle, 1-3/8" Circle, 1-1/4" Circle, 1/2" Circle, Scallop Oval, Large Oval, Eyelet Border

I cut an A4 sheet of card in half lengthways to get a piece that measured 29.7cm x 10.5cm. I then scored the card at 14.9cm and 22.3cm. The card front is only stuck down to the bottom quarter panel and a raised sentiment has been placed approximately halfway down the inside of the card to act as a stopper to stand the front against.

Recipe

Stamp sets: Spotlight on Christmas

Cardstock: Real Red, Very Vanilla (plain), Very Vanilla (textured)

Ink: Real Red

DSP: I Wish Scrappin' Kit (retired)

Punches: Eyelet Border, 5-petal flower, Tag, Small Tag, Round Tab

Narrow Grosgrain Ribbon: Real Red

Other: Gold Brads, Pewter Eyelets, Gold Elastic Cord

The instructions for the bag are from Splitcoaststampers here. I used textured Vanilla card for the trim around the base, the flowers and the Tab fastening, for the luxury feel it adds. I used plain Vanilla card for the front and back of the tag, so that the stamped image would show clearly and to make it easier to write on.

We're just about to go and pick up Bess from the vets so I just thought I'd leave you with a pic of her in her high visibility coat that I make her wear when we go for a walk on these dark mornings. Isn't she cute?

Have a great weekend.

Sara xx

Another christmas duo and an impending op for Bess, ssh don't tell her

Finally ... a brighter day and so chance to take some pics of the card and bag I made on Sunday. I still have some of last year's christmas scrappin' kit left (they go a long way - excellent value) so I'm using those up before I do any more with the new Christmas Jingle kit. I missed my regular dose of Stamp With Us challenge on last week (the DT had a week off for the SU convention) and so I'm also entering these for the ongoing Christmas theme challenge - normal service is resumed this Sunday.

This duo is bound for the Christmas Fair at Felkirk on Saturday, so if you're in the area then please stop by and say "Hi" to JJ and I.

Hubby and I started our christmas shopping last night and picked up a few family gifts. I'm hoping that getting started a bit earlier might mean that I get to be a bit more imaginative with some of the wrapping. Please, please don't rub things in by telling me that you're all shopped up and wrapped already, lol.

While we were shopping we also got a high visibility coat for Bess (our Staffie) to keep her safe when I walk her on these dark mornings. She looks soooo cute in it. I'll try to get a pic to show you. Ssh, don't tell her, but she's being taken to be spayed on Friday so she may not be speaking to us this weekend.

Anyway, onto the recipes.

Recipe

Stamp set: Scandinavian Season, Season of Joy

Cardstock: Old Olive, Real Red, Whisper White

DSP: I Wish Simply Scrappin' kit (retired)

Ink: Versamark, Real Red

Punch: Corner Rounder, Scallop Oval, Large Oval

Wide Grosgrain Ribbon: Old Olive

Other: Gold EP, Gold Brad, Fine Cosmo glitter (celery)

Non-SU: Die Cut mats

Recipe

Stamp sets: Punches 3 (hostess), Polka Dot Punches (retired)

Cardstock: Old Olive, Real Red, Whisper White

DSP: I Wish Simply Scrappin' kit (retired)

Ink: Old Olive, Real Red

Punches: Round Tab, Square Scallop, Eyelet Border, 5-petal

Narrow Grosgrain Ribbon: Real Red

Other: Gold Brads, Gold Eyelets, Gold Elastic Cord

If you have any tips on nursing Bess after her op then please drop me a comment.

Thanks

Sara xx

A quick reminder about the low price starter kit

Earlier today I sent out the email invitations to my downlines to mark the date of my Cringle Mingle and it reminded me, to remind you, that the low price starter kit is still available for a few more days.

My Cringle Mingle is one way for me to say thank you to my downlines, hostesses and top customers. It's an informal crafting get together where we can have a play with the latest products, have a chat, some mince pies and drinks and just get away from the hustle and bustle of xmas shopping. You're not too late to come along and join us if you'd like to become one of my Stampettes.

If you join up by 13 November you can become a Stampin' Up demonstrator for just £125 instead of £139. More details about the benefits and the offer are here and you can email me at sarastamper123@gmail.com if you have questions or to join.

Hope to see you at the Cringle Mingle :-)

It's going to be a chocolate christmas

A late post from tonight as I've been busy revising since I got in from work. Saturday was also busy as anticipated but I got my MIL crafting again and so I was able to enter this sweetie box for the ILWS challenge.

Recipe

Stamp sets: Season of Joy, Scandinavian Season

Cardstock: Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Whisper White Craft

DSP: Chocolate Chip

Punches: Scallop Oval, Large Oval, 1-1/4" Circle

Narrow Grosgrain ribbon: Chocolate Chip

Other: Medium Window Sheet

Non-SU: Die cut window

I die cut a window from the top of the box and put a medium window sheet behind it so that the recipient will be able to see the sweeties straight away. I also made a chocolate version of my quick card to go with the box.

Recipe

Stamp set: Silent Night

Cardstock: Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa, Whisper White

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Punch: Eyelet Border

Narrow Grosgrain Ribbon: Chocolate Chip

Other: Dazzling Diamonds

Meanwhile my MIL was making a version of the box herself. She was originally going to have a butterfly on the lid as well but decided she liked the flowers so much she'd just stick with those. As there was no room for a sentiment she added a tag to add a message to the sender. She's really taken to crafting and I'm really proud of her results.

I made a few more items on Sunday but haven't had chance to photograph those yet. I promise to get them blogged over the next few days.

Thanks for stopping by.

Sara xx

A baby card to welcome a little girl

While I've been away from work for so long, one of my friends has given birth to a baby daughter, Isobel. I can't wait for my friend to bring her in to see us, I don't even seem to make them cry so much these days, lol (the babies that is, rather than the friends, haha). Here's the card I made for her.

Recipe

Stamp sets: Animal Stories, Curvy Verses (Inside)

Cardstock: Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Rose Red, Whisper White

Ink: Pretty in Pink, Rose Red

DSP: Tea & Crumpets

Punches: Eyelet Border, Heart to Heart

Gingham Ribbon: Light Pink

The next view shows a bit better how the card front folds back on itself and the verse inside.

We've got company today, I need to do housework and keep up the revision of the last few days but I'm also hoping to find some time to play along with the Cinderella's Ball challenges over at ILWS. For those of us Cinderella's that couldn't go along to the SU! convention in Germany, they're hosting a series of challenges, together with prizes. They're open to both demos and customers and you don't have to enter every challenge to be in with the chance of winning a prize, so well worth popping along there today.

Have a great weekend.

Sara xx

Last weekends workshop with the St Saviours group

On Saturday I did another workshop with the lovely bunch of ladies at St Saviours. Yes, honest, I really enjoy crafting with you all, lol. (So funny - I was asked whether I really wanted to be there - of course I do, you're a fantastic group!).

The emphasis was definitely on quick this time (I overran in a big way last time). I started off with this quick card.

Recipe

Stamp set: Silent Night

Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Not Quite Navy, Whisper White

Ink: Not Quite Navy

Taffeta Ribbon: Bashful Blue

Punch: Eyelet Border

Other: Dazzling Diamonds, 2-way Glue Pen

Not so easy to see from this pic but the glue pen and glitter were used to add snow to the roof and trees. The sentiment from the set has been stamped in the same Not Quite Navy ink on the inside of the card.

Recipe

Stamp Set: Scandinavian Season

Cardstock: Glorious Green, Real Red, Whisper White

Ink: Real Red, Glorious Green, Craft White

Narrow grosgrain ribbon: Real Red

Other: Dazzling Diamonds

Quite a few of the ladies had bought the Scandinavian Season at the last workshop I did with them and so I showed them this really quick box to make with the same set this time around.

Then we all had a go at making this chocolate christmas tree ornament. This is similar to the ones I made last year shown here. And they really are as cheerful as they all look here! See you in a few weeks ladies.

I had a little time left so I made the same card I started with, in a different colourway.

Recipe

Stamp set: Silent Night

Cardstock: Pale Plum, Perfect Plum, Whisper White

Ink: Perfect Plum

Narrow Grosgrain Ribbon: Elegant Eggplant

Punch: Eyelet Border

Other: Dazzling Diamonds, 2-way Glue Pen

The next meeting of the St Saviours craft group will be on Saturday 28 November if you'd like to come along. All are welcome.

Sara xx

A combination 40th birthday and Halloween card for my little bruv

My little brother is a Halloween babe and this year was a milestone birthday for him so for once I made a Halloween themed card for him.

Recipe

Stamp set: Golden Oldies (retired)

Cardstock: Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, Whisper White, Old Olive

Ink: Basic Black, Really Rust, Signo White gel pen, Stampin' Write Markers

Punches: Large Oval, Round Tab, Square Scallop, Scallop Edge, 1/2" Circle

Other: Fire Rhinestone brad, Crystal Effects, Black Stampin' Glitter

Non-SU: die-cut shapes and numbers

I used the same card design as here but doubled the size. The pumpkins are the same as I made for the choc box here and I drew faces onto them with a Basic Black marker. I cut the Scallop Squares in half and trimmed them to make the bats. The black goo border is Crystal Effects with black glitter sprinkled over. I pulled my Golden Oldies set out of retirement for the hidden fun message.

We had a surprise birthday party for him on Sunday night and miracle of miracles, it really was a surprise to him. He hasn't mentioned yet whether he found the hidden message, lol.

Thanks for stopping by.

Sara xx

Order from the gift giving guide to get a free tag punch

Stampin' Up! have a great offer for Christmas. Spend £45 on products from this gift giving guide (click here to download a larger version) and get a free Tag or Small Tag craft punch.

How perfect is that. You get to order presents for crafting friends and get a just the right gift for yourself to help with all those christmas presents that will need labelling.

Email me at sarastamper123@gmail.com to place your order or ask any questions about the offer.

Christmas duo for the Stamp With Us challenge

It's Sunday so it's Stamp With Us challenge day. This week's challenge is on the theme of

Christmas

so I hope that everyone will play along especially as you get two weeks to do this challenge. There is a Stampin' Up! convention in Germany next week (I can't go because I'm on an exam revision course, boohoo - but I'll still be blogging) so the Stamp With Us challenge will return to normal in a couple of weeks.

For the challenge this week I made a card and gift tube in a less traditional colour scheme.

The card is similar to a previous version here but the gift tube is a new design that I got from the SWU online class. It's small enough to hang from a tree or would make an excellent table gift on Christmas day. One of the lovely crafting ladies from St Saviours (more on them later in the week) suggested rolling a lottery ticket to go inside it as a gift for the men - great idea.

Recipe

Stamp set: Tree Trimmings, Occasional Greetings

Cardstock: Real Red, Regal Rose, Very Vanilla

Ink: Real Red

Narrow Grosgrain Ribbon: Real Red

Recipe

Stamp set: Tree Trimmings

Cardstock: Real Red, Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink, Very Vanilla

Ink: Real Red

DSP: Christmas Jingle Simply Scrappin' Kit

Punches: Eyelet Border, Scallop Circle, 5-petal flower, Boho Blossoms

Other: Gold Elastic Cord, Gold Brads

Please go take a look at the creations by the rest of the Design Team.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Sara xx