A new challenge blog

Come on over and join us at Aly's crafty challenges, a new facebook group, putting your crafty mojo to the test each month. pop over to me, myself & the world for more details.

This months challenge is Back to school, and i used this fab template from splitcoaststampers to create this cute lil backpack as my DT project.

I've used Gumball green cardstock, one of the brand new in colours for the new annual catalogue,  you can purchase these new colours now, as they coordinate with many of the items in the new Autumn/Winter catalogue, please contact me for items available & costs. I used the festival of prints DSP stack (126904 £6.25), which is great for little accents on projects and the perfect size for mounting photos for scrapbooking. Its all finished off with so saffron 3/8" taffeta ribbon (122982 £6.25)

I hope you'll come and join us for our monthly challenges, we will have some lovely prizes up for grabs & lots of inspiration for you.

This is an especially exciting time at Stampin’ Up! as we say goodbye to some of our 2011-2012 products and say hello to new products for 2012-2013! Of course, this also means there is a lot of information I need to share with you.

There are two retiring product lists:

• Stamps
• Accessories

The retiring stamps list comes in two formats: a PDF sorted by page number and a sortable Excel sheet that allows you to sort by name, item number, or page number. Retiring stamps are only available while supplies last.
The retiring accessories list is really for your information only. Products on this list are also only while supplies last, and some may sell out quickly. We will update the stamps and accessories lists on the demonstrator website Monday through Friday at 5:00 PM (GMT). If you take retiring products orders at a party, be sure to get a couple different options from your customers in case their first choice has sold out.
When you look at the retired accessories list, you’ll note that all of our Stampin’ Pads are listed. This is for two reasons: (1) Craft Stampin’ Pads will now only be available in black and white; and (2) we are introducing a new Firm Foam pad in our Classic Stampin’ Pads with the 2012-2013 annual catalogue.

The Firm Foam pads offer better ink coverage and, in turn, better stamped images. They are available for preorder; you can also learn more about this change here. As a demonstrator, you are not required to replace all of your old stamp pads with the new firm foam pads. However, we do recommend you have at least one on hand to demonstrate for your customers.

In addition, please note the following about the new catalogue:

• Only select Stampin’ Write Markers will be available individually (Stampin’ Write Markers in colour collections will continue to be offered).
• 12" x 12" Textured Cardstock will no longer be offered.
• 12" x 12" Smooth Cardstock will only be available in select individual colours and colour collections.

Some of these items are available at a discounted price, so may sell out quickly. So don't delay if something you love is on the list!

Today also sees the launch of the new Autumn/Winter seasonal catalogue, full of gorgeous products to help you create some halloween treats, christmas gifts & whatever else your imagination can dream up! The catalogue runs until the 31st of January, and can be viewed via the link in my side bar. If you would like a hard copy of the catalogue, get in touch with you name and address and i will pop one in the post for you.

Pop back tomorrow evening for my first Design team post, using Gumball green, one of the new in colours (available now to coordinate with the new products). Why not hop over and join the group now https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/335678713185312/ the first challenge goes live on Monday, there will be a new challnge, and lovely prize up for grabs, every month. Its going to be lots of fun & we'd love to have you.

Gift Card holder

Another quick project to share this evening, i should be getting organised for our week away in skegvegas! This lil gift card/certificate holder was actually a favour for the hubby so i will let myself off :)
I kept it quite simple, using the tickets & tags simply scrappin' kit as my starting point. I am really going to miss this kit when it retires in october :( i used the delightful dozen stamp set for the sentiment(which i embossed in gold), this really is a brilliant set to have in your collection, it covers pretty much all events & some of the sentiments actually make great focal points themselves. I've tied the whole thing togethet (literally!) with basic black striped grosgrain ribbon.

I have mostly been pottering about thinking about different things i could do with ribbon. I totally adore the striped grosgrain ribbon, the only problem is i never want to use it! Its great for making bow embellishments, so this evening i stuck with the bow theme, and put this bracelet together using the basic grey and daffodil delight ribbons.

Need a reason to smile?

We all need a reason to smile every now and then, and Stampin' up! are here to help! This month, you have the opportunity to purcase, or earn FREE! an exclusive stamp set...

Images may not be to scale.

Get the Reason to Smile Set FREE when you spend £60 on any Stampin’ Up! products. Or purchase it at the regular retail price.

I must confess to not having even opened my set of these lovely stamps, due to spending a lot of time working on some my hush hush projects!! That will soon be rectified, I promise, and I'll be back to share some inspiration with you =)

Before i shoot off, i just want to share with you that signing up to be a Stampin' up! demonstrator is now even easier! There is now a link in my sidebar which will take you to the new online sign up forms. Now is a great time to sign up, with so many exiting new catalogues on there way, to help kick start you business, and if you sign up now you can preorder from our upcoming autumn winter seasonal (using your sign up discount), and next month you will be able to preorder from the new annual catalogue. the best bit is your minimums will not need to be met until the end of december. If you would like to discuss becoming a demonstrator, i'm more than happy to talk things through with you, so get in touch =)

I've been a terribly rubbish blogger recently, but i sort of have an excuse! I have taken a little step back from things and am currently working on some new offerings for you :) i havent been as neglectful of my facebook page so if you haven't already, please do check it out I'll be giving my facebook and blog a makeover soon (it could also mean a new blog!) so watch this space...

I have now received my copy of the new autumn/winter seasonal catalogue, & i can honestly say its amazing! There are some brilliant bundles and great kits for beginners so keep your eyes peeled for its launch on the 1st of september, if your lucky i might share some sneak peeks with you before then :)

While many of the things i have been working on are a bit hush hush & crafting has slowed now the kids are off school i will not just post and run without sharing something crafty with you.
This has already been shared on my facebook page (told you i've been less neglectful over there!) i was asked very last minute to make a wedding card post box, my brief was ivory, fancy & to fit possibly 90 cards, & i had 2 days to do it! This is what i came up with...

The paper party is over, but hot on its tail is a brand new, exclusive promotion. This month, when you spend £45 (before shipping and handling) you will receive an exclusive ribbon and brad pack worth £15.95.  If you earned the everyday enchantment paper pack during sale-a-bration, this is the perfect opportunity to earn some coordinating products. If you missed out on this gorgeous paper pack (or you just love it!),you will have the opportunity to purchase it for a limited time only.

Contact me today to place your order...

Great things are happening at Stampin' up!

Some exciting changes have been announced!
Going forward, Stampin' up! will be aligning our european catalogue with those in the US. Meaning, a larger annual catalogue containing all our core products (including those previously only available in the US), and two seasonal catalogues each year. These will also be larger than the mini catalogues we currently have, containing on trend and seasonal offerings.

This catalogue year will be a transition period for these changes to take place. Our 2012/2013 catalogue will launch 1st October as usual, however it will only run until the 30th June 2013. Ready for the release of the 2013/2014 catalogue.
We will see the first seasonal catalogue launch on the 1st September, and the Spring/Summer seasonal will arrive 1st February 2013.

I will be Starting a stampers 10 club on the 1st of September to run along side this transition period. The club will end just before the launch of the 2013/2014 catalogue, which you will receive on completion of the club, with no obligation to sign up again.
For more details of how the club works, please click on the hostess clubs tab.

Before you go and take a sneak peek at the US catalogue (I know you're going to!) I'll leave you with this card...

Products used...

Stamp sets

• Just Believe
• En francais
• Tea Shoppe

Ink

• Crumb cake
• Chocolate chip
• Soft suede
• Blushing bride
• VersaMark pad

Card

• Very vanilla
• Crumb cake
• Chocolate chip

Accessories

• Crumb cake seam binding ribbon
• Gold embossing powder
• Clear embossing powder
• Curly label punch

If you would like to order any of these products, drop me a line.

Apothecary art anniversary

I haven't had much time for crafting lately, with the half term and the kids being poorly :( luckily we did manage to get a little break over the weekend.
Now that all thats over, we are starting to get back to normality. I've been planning my next class (date to be confirmed), for a little sneak peek at what i'm planning go check out my facebook page
Today i'd like to share with you this anniversary card i made using my favourite stamp set, apothecary art and the co ordinating framelit dies.
I've used very vanilla and confetti cream cardstock as well as very vanilla satin ribbon. I stamped the image in crumb cake and coloured with lucky limeade and wisteria wonder, which i also used to stamp the sentiment (from teeny tiny wishes). My trusty scoreboard with its diagonal plate created the embossed effect which i then added pearls to as its for a 30th anniversary :)
I finally took my edgelits out the packet to create the scallop edge.
If you would like to purchase any of these products, do get in touch and i can organise an order with you.

During June, you will get a FREE package of Designer Series Paper when you buy three! Use this limited-time offer to stock up on all your favourites, including brand-new designs from the 2012 Summer Mini Catalogue.

Find a Designer Series Paper for every crafting occasion, every crafting project, and every creative mood.

• There is no limit to the number of free packages of Designer Series Paper you can earn.
• Specialty Designer Series Paper and hostess Designer Series Paper are not part of this promotion and cannot be redeemed through this offer.

*Click on the current promotions tab for details of our great hostess offer for June and July.*

A quick catch up...

I've been a neglectful blogger lately... I promise to do better! I've got lots of things i want to share with you but as i'm on my phone you'll have to wait for all the details (& pictures) from (my first) regional training event! It was a great day and provided me with lots inspiration, but more on that later :)

Saturday saw my first ever craft group, it wasnt a huge turn out, which was lucky as i've moved the venue to my new crafting area (which is still harpers brook!). Although its a smaller area, it allows for more crafting time. i'm thinking of including lunch at the next one, let me know what you think.

It was nice to just relax and craft which i don't get to do very often (its usually speed crafting around the kids!) i'll leave you with some of my project from the day using the tickets and tags simply scrappin' kit.

Scrapbooking workshop sneak peeks

On the 26th may i will be holding a scrapbooking workshop at mocha mama in kettering, we will be making about 8 6x6 layouts and using items from the adorable nursery nest product suite.

I really love this collection of products, its perfect for children and babies, but its not overly cute so that you wouldn't use it for anything else!

This workshop is aimed at all levels, from beginner onwards. we will be using a variety of punches, dies and embellishments to enhance the layouts.

All materials are provided, and please feel free to 'play' with my layouts to create something that suits you, i won't be offended =)

I hope to see you there!
If you can't make the workshop or have a different theme in mind. Please get in touch and i can arrange a workshop or demonstration for you.

Apothecary Art

 I am absolutely loving this stamp set from the summer mini, and the added bonus with this set is the matching set of framelit dies, no scissors needed!

Tonight  I am going to share just  a couple of projects using this set (i can't seem to stop using it and the framelits...they are so useful) firstly a simple 6x6 layout i came up with while crafting with my upline vicky (go check out her twitterpated owl!), she actually had to ban me from using the set as i kept using it instead of sets i don't have =)

please excuse some of these pictures as my camera died so i had to take some on my phone. I really love the simplicity of this layout.

This next project i'm still playing with but i wanted to share it anyway!

This bit is actually finished, i've used the new framelit dies for the body of this little gift bag and decorated with the new attic boutique DSP, the catalogue really does not do these papers justice, they are gorgeous and just a little bit different.

i am currently toying with different ideas for what to put inside my gift bag

I thought i might make a few mini note cards (using the framelits again) and maybe a little stack of tags, tied with the new bakers twine (you have to try this its so soft and lovely)

I'm also considering maybe a little tag/mini book, will keep you posted on that one =) Thats all for now as i must get on with my swaps etc. for regional training soon.
If you would like to order any of the products i've used or would like a demonstration of any items please do get in touch.

It's arrived!

We have waved goodbye to the spring mini and all the lovely products it held, but hot on its heels is the fabulous summer mini catalogue, full of gorgeous, exciting new products. Please click the link in the side bar to check out all the great thing on offer, or get in touch with me if you would like me to send you a copy. I will be back later to share some projects with you but for now i am going to share with you all the exciting things happening at stampin up! now May has arrived!

Not only do we have a fabby new Mini, we have an amazing offer for anyone who signs up as a demonstrator during May and a brand new starter kit! the starter kit is now fully customisable, so you can choose exactly which products you want/need to accompany your business suplies, and, even better is that the price is now only £99, so you can get your business started for under £100. If that isn't enough for you, anyone who signs up during May will receive free convention registration(worth £149)! Check out the join my team tab or contact me for a no obligations chat if you would like more details.

And last (for now!) but by no means least we have the new simply scored diagonal board to accompany the simply scored board making its debut in the summer mini. click the link in the side bar for more details.

New class date added

I will be running a scrapbooking workshop at Mocha mama in kettering on the 26th may, please see the classes tab for more information or contact me.
Check back soon for some sneak peak of the layouts we will be making...

New craft group

I am excited to tell you I am starting a craft group, where crafters can meet up for a couple of hours. Have a chat, do a bit of crafting, share some tips and maybe try some new projects.
If you would like more information please click on the Harpers brook craft group tab or contact me.

Spring Has Sprung!

We’re celebrating spring! From 1-30 April 2012, get one free pack of our gorgeous Designer Series Paper when you spend £45 on Stampin’ Up! products. For more information on how you can earn an extra treat this month click here

create a cupcake

Just a quick post today, as i'm getting ready to set off to doncaster for my nieces christening =)

I've recently received my create a cupcake stamp set and co ordinating builder punch. ready for a class with my upline vicky next week. it's a great set, and i had the perfect opportunity to use it today. my son was off to a birthday party and needed a card, and this set was just right!

This was really quick to put together, just what you need when you're trying to get an excited 7 year old ready for a party!

I've used the top note die, scallop oval punch and scallop border punch. Colours are Sahara sand, rose red, night of navy,elegant eggplant and crumb cake.

anyway better log off now
xx

This not my usual kind of card, it is far to clean & bright!! I've been trying to craft out of my little bubble with my stampin' up goodies and this is what i came up with. The card base is confetti cream and i've used certainly celery DSP and pretty in pink card stock. This is combined with very vanilla satin ribbon, pearls and the vintage vogue stamp set. The sentiment is from petite pairs and i've used the curly label punch with very vanilla card.
I'm going to keep this as one of my sample cards. I hope you like it? If you would like me to demonstrate how you could make something like this, or even have a go yourself. Please contact me and we can arrange an at home demonstration or a workshop for you and your friends.

Now that half term is over, i've had a bit more time to work on some samples and ideas for classes. hopefully i will have some class dates to announce soon, just want to make sure I've got everything worked out properly before I commit.

As well as cards I've been working on some gift and home decor projects, to show the versatility of Stampin' ups products. This project is not a new idea but it's a great easy gift idea. On this candle I've used the Just believe stamp set, the butterfly is from the clearly for you set.

The colours used are old olive and rose red, for the sentiment on the back I've again used just believe and clearly for you.

To give this as a gift you could either make a gift box for it or wrap in a cello bag, tie with matching ribbon and attach a handmade tag.

My starter kit has arrived..

On wednesday evening i got home to a lovely box full of my starter kit goodies =) I can't wait to get playing with everything!

In the meantime,while I'm working on my samples, I'll be sharing some of the cards I've made at classes with my lovely upline Vicky.

The first card I am sharing today is made using the Easter Blossoms stamp set from the mini catalogue.

The little flowers are punched out of First Edition speciality DSP using the Boho Blossoms punch, scrunched, inked with crumb cake and then layered on to each other.

The second card I'm sharing today is made using Vintage Vogue (which is actually one the sets i got in my starter kit!)

You could use any colours you like, to stamp out the background and I think it give the card a completely different look.

The card blanks for both cards are rose red card stock.