Krafty Biker

A NEW TEAM MEMBER …... (or two ?)

2012-01-22T22:52:00.002Z

I am pleased to welcome another new Stampin’ Up! team member, Laura. She is my most local team mate which makes sharing even easier, being only about 5 miles away.

Laura works with textiles, curtain-making etc and is looking forward to creating with our Stampin’ Up! materials. Having a young son, she is also looking forward to running day classes whilst he is at school.

As we sat planning her launch party, Lewis left watching the football with my husband (well Manchester United hadn’t started yet!! ) to join us in my craft room and, seeing my shoe-box for prize door forms, immediately wanted to make one himself when he got home.

“Just like Sandra’s”

Here is the photo Laura sent which she has given permission for me to post here on my blog. Just look at that cheeky grin, he was so well behaved.

Happy craftin’

Sandra

HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEPHANIE

2012-01-17T08:17:00.003Z

I’m so excited to share my cards with fellow crafters, it can be difficult to keep designs back when planning their birthday cards, remembering who has seen what.

Here is the card I created for Stephanie, who celebrated birthday Sunday.

This little box was made for a little chocolate treat to accompany her gift, using the beautiful Stampin’ Up! Morning Mocha Designer Series Paper which are being featured, together with Everything Eleanor stamp set, at my next All-Day classes on Saturday 28th January in Bury St Edmunds and Sunday 29th January in Norwich. Please get in touch if you would like more information.

We enjoyed helping her celebrate with a drink or two in the local pub.

I was so disappointed that within just a few minutes of arriving at the pub, I had lost one of my large black pearl earrings. They were a gift with the matching white gold and black pearl necklace that David had bought me from the jewellers in Hawaii where my engagement ring came from on holiday for my 40th birthday. The price to replace was going to be shocking (yes David looked up when we got home) !!

Having walked to the pub over grass and gravel on the road, I never expected to see again. What was the chance of finding in the dark ?

However, putting key in the door, David shone his torch just beside the door mat and there it sat. What a miracle, I was so pleased !!! A good ending to a lovely evening.

Happy craftin’

Sandra

Friday 13th !!!!!!!!!!!!!

2012-01-14T16:20:00.008Z

So OK, I've been lucky so far. In 30yrs of driving, I have been so lucky to escape huge car bills ....... until now ....... on Friday 13th !!!

Last night driving to my class in Bury St Edmunds, I noticed a bit of a rumbling in my car. Worried I might not get home, I phoned hubby to make sure he stayed up till I got home OK. Yesterday our local garage took a look. Unfortunately, I left my iPhone in the car when I left the garage so had to phone to ask them to keep it safe and the kind souls had to take for a test drive to listen for problem so brought it back to me at work, 5miles up the road (bless 'em). Then just before lunch came the horror phone call I was dreading. They diagnosed a 'dual mass fly wheel' which will cost about £2500 for Toyota to repair or £1500 at local garage !!!!!!!!!

On top of this, our en suite shower has been leaking through to the kitchen so we have had to brought forward getting a new shower and revamp for the whole en suite.

Such an expensive time.

Anyway, on a lighter note, here is one of the cards we made Thursday evening.

Happy craftin’

Sandra

Happy Birthday Jane

2012-01-14T13:41:00.003Z

Unfortunately one of my regular class attendees, Jane, was poorly and missed Thursdays class so her birthday card had to be posted. We all wish her a speedy recovery and hope that the card arrived OK. One of the projects she missed on Thursday I think will be received from another class member for birthday!!

I quickly rustled up another card to post Friday and this year, whenever I create a birthday card, I am doing my best to make a few for my stock box. It’s not an SU design but I know she loved my Stampin’ Up! Owl Extravaganza class, so hope she will like these owls too.

Happy craftin’

Sandra

Paul and Thandi’s Wedding

2012-01-12T12:54:00.001Z

Brother-in-law Paul re-married on Thursday and here is the card I made for the happy couple.

My card features the heart stamp from the Perfect Postage stamp set #126111 (W) #126113 (C). The images were stamped using Versamark ink pad #102283 and silver embossing powder. These were then punched out with the Postage Stamp punch #122344 and mounted onto a piece of silver hearts holographic card from my stash before being mounted onto a white A5 base card.

The greeting was from Occasional Quotes, a retired Hostess gift.

Happy craftin’

Sandra

IN LOVE WITH STAMPING - BLOG HOP

2012-01-04T09:45:00.013Z

Hi and welcome to our ILWS Stampin' Up! blog hop.

As Stampin' Up! Demonstrators, we get the opportunity to pre-order products from new catalogues, a month before the general release date. As such, several demonstrators on ILWS have got together to showcase the products they have earned for FREE from recent Stampin' Up! promotions or purchased themselves from the NEW Spring 2012 Mini catalogue that you will be able to order from today.

Do you love to be among the first to receive information or fancy the opportunity to earn even more FREE products ? Then why not ask me about becoming a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator and you could be joining us here next time. Just click on the 'contact me' button at the top of the screen to get in touch.

Now grab that cuppa, sit back and enjoy your hop. You may have just joined me from Emma's blog http://www.emma-daye.blogspot.com, she makes such wonderful projects.

One of my favourite things about Stampin' Up! is the co-ordination of stamps and punches together. Either can be used on it's own but teamed up together they are just great. Today I'm featuring two sets in the NEW Mini that do just that.

My first card to showcase is the Build a Cupcake stamp set with matching punch. I had been hoping this set would make in into the European catalogue last October but sadly not. I was so pleased it finally made it for the Mini. Isn't that cherry just so cute. This card also uses the new 2-3/8" Scallop Circle punch, it's quite a bit bigger than the existing one and is great for layering the two together for flowers. Like to have a go making some easy but realistic looking flowers, then get in touch to book your space on my next all-day Stampin' Up! class.

Next is the Perfect Postage stamp set with matching punch. An earlier post back in October, featured this small gift box so I have decided these small images would fit perfectly on these small notelets. I just love this years In-Colour Lucky Limeade and matching scallop edged ribbon.
I hope you've enjoyed the creations I've shared with you today and thank you for stopping by.

Now please continue enjoying your 'hop' round and pop over to Caroline's blog http://www.stampaholix.blogspot.com blog for some more lovely creations.

Happy Craftin' till next time.

Sandra

NEW SPRING 2012 MINI

2012-01-04T00:01:00.010Z

This year is so special ..... up until now, here in Europe we have only had one Mini catalogue that has run from 1st April to 30th September.

We had some fabulous news at Stampin' Up! European Convention in November. Our ****NEW**** Spring 2012 Mini starts today 4th January 2012 and runs until 30th April. (In addition we also know there will be a Summer Mini too to look forward too later on).
If you haven't already got your hands on a copy, please use the 'contact me' tab at the top of the page to get in touch and I will post you a copy 1st class post or click on the image on the left to view the entire catalogue.

Please pop back at 10am this morning with a cuppa and enjoy hopping round several Stampin' Up! Demonstrators blogs who are show casing products from the NEW SPRING 2012 MINI CATALOGUE.

Bye for now and see you back here soon.

Sandra

12 for 2012 ........

2012-01-01T21:40:00.003Z

It's the 1st day of 2012 and thanks to my hubby, I have started Christmas cards for 2012 ......

Chatting to a crafting friend in the village pub last night, hubby invited her to come for lunch. She had told me earlier that she had now used up all her bought card supply and she really needed to now start her Christmas cards much earlier this year, I suggested she stay and craft !! Well, who needs an excuse to spend the afternoon in a craft room chatting.

We both have 12 made. Steph chose 6 each of 2 different designs, completed with liners and packed with envelopes ready to pack away in shoebox. Mine are toppers for Convention 2012 swaps in November, providing the stamp set doesn't retire in September. If it does, then it really doesn't matter as I will have ample toppers to put on card bases and voile, Christmas cards ready made.

What a start to the New Year. Keeping design under wraps so it's a surprise for Convention goers :-)

Bye for now crafters, hope you had a good night last night.

Sandra

Christmas Cards 2011

2011-12-25T08:37:00.002Z

Happy Christmas fellow crafters !!!

I thought I would post one of my very quick and simple Christmas cards which was an adaptation of my Convention swap that was themed in to my Black and Vanilla class held in December. Some had pearls added (yes, I got caught out with the postage) and some were spritzed with Stampin' Up! Champagne shimmer paint.

This year I have received so many beautiful handmade cards. These extra special ones usually go on the top shelf of the dresser but this year it was crammed full and couldn't see all of them - it was lovely to see the handmade ones making such a dramatic increase. Thank you all for your festive wishes.

When the season is over, please bring your cards to class before recycling them, even the bought ones. There are many great inspirations to chat through possiblities and creative ideas.

Happy craftin'

Sandra

CONVENTION - ROOMIE GIFTS

2011-11-24T22:24:00.007Z

Just wanted to share our Roomie gifts from Convention with you. One of my downline, Emily, Emma and I all shared a room and exchanged gifts.

I made Emily and Emma these boxes using the new Morning Mocha Designer Series Papers. One contains a Terrys chocolate orange and the other contain a mini bottle of Asti.

Emily gave us these lovely wooden decorated gift box and plaque.

Emma made these wonderful gifts. Such a lot of work went in to these, they are simply gorgeous.Thank you once again for some be beautiful gifts. Thanks again for sharing with me.

Sandra

EMILY & SANDRA - Paris Pre-Convention

2011-11-22T21:39:00.015Z

Neither Emily or I have ever been to Paris so when Stampin' Up! announced their European Convention 2011 would be held at EuroDisney we booked a few extra days to explore a few sights of Paris.

Thanks to Tesco vouchers and Airmiles, we were able to enjoy 2 tickets to Paris via Eurostar and 3 nights in Paris FREE OF CHARGE. I recommend getting a Tesco Visa card as I put as much as I can through here, especially my Stampin' Up! orders. I never use the quarterly vouchers at face value in the store as they are worth much more converted into vouchers.

This is Emily on the first leg of the journey from Downham Market ...... recognise the crafty bits as we begin assembling my swaps.

Our 1st sightseeing day we took a bus tour of Paris, travelling as the only passengers on the top of a double decker bus, with fabulous views, taking in all the popular well known tourist attractions. Just by the Arc De Triomphe look what Emily spotted ......... 'Le French Monsieur Brown'. I wonder if there were any Stampin' Up! parcels in there ??

Next a trip up the Eifel Tower was an absolute 'must' for me. The views from the top were wonderful although a bit cloudy to one side. Once down at the bottom we realised we hadn't had lunch and at 4pm were getting quite peckish. Another absolute 'must' for Emily was a crepe and she recommended the banana and chocolate spread .... delicious. She didn't really eat two but I had to take the photo quickly so she didn't try !

Our 2nd day browsing at leisure, took us to a station on the Metro called 4th September. At the coffee shop enjoying a proper hot chocolate, Emily tried out her French to ask the lady next to us if she spoke English ........ Only Emily could ask an English lady whether she spoke English !! We all had a good giggle and she was flattered that her French was so convincing.

Emily had searched the Internet and discovered there was a craft shop called UltraMod (well truly mad crafters have to find crafting opportunities wherever we go, don't we !!). Well this was more like a haberdashery and was a very old fashioned shop cram packed with buttons, braids and ribbons etc in every nook and cranny. A wonderful shop ..... and they allowed us to take photos !!

Having made an unwise meal choice the previous evening, Emily was keen to have some good quality food and we certainly couldn't complain here at the Royal Opera. A wonderful Croque Monsieur with generous portion of french fries.

The evening brought the 2nd half of our tour, this time an evening cruise along the River. Our guide was very fluent in English and pointed out all the sites (so much better than the taped recording on the bus yesterday)

The Eifel Tower at night

On arrival at EuroDisney and walking round village deciding on where to eat, we visited the many shops and of course the obligatory trying on of silly hats !!!

Well we had arrived and tomorrow Convention starts properly ... next post tomorrow.

Sandra

Convention Swap & Tutorial

2011-11-21T19:56:00.008Z

Last year, Stampin' Up! announced their European Convention 2011 would be held at EuroDisney Paris. Here is my swap that I repeated 300 times !!!!! Yes, 300 swaps as I like to swap with as many people as possible to share many, many ideas. I have a lovely big box of swaps to share with customers and give me inspiration for my creations.

Several people asked me how this was made so here are a few pictures showing you step by step, so here is a very simple tutorial to show how it was created.

Firstly, ink up the fir cone from Autumn Days stamp set using Basic Black ink.

There is no need to draw a circle, post-it, mask or anything. My card here was 9cm square. Simply line up the edge of the wooden stamp with the edge of the card, and, with the stalks pointing inwards, stamp in the centre of the bottom of card.

Turn card and repeat at North, South, East and West positions.

Now stamp across the corner - I did mine freehand but if you prefer, use the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig. Don't be afraid of it - with a bit of practice, it'll be much quicker without ... trust me, 300 swaps, each one stamped 8 times, I was not going to use the SAMJ !!!! LOL

.... and this is the finished wreath shape. See how it makes a circle without the need for a guide !!

Next I used the berries and just dipped the tip onto the ink pad and stamped the tip randomly round the edge.

Finally punch stamp and punch out greeting using a range of Stampin' Up! circle punches as you prefer. Here I used Cherry Cobbler to bring in the colour of the berries.

A huge thanks to Emily for helping me assemble all the component pieces on the train from Downham Market to London and then on Eurostar to Paris. It was a good way to pass the journey. October and November were such busy months for me but I intend having started much earlier in the year for 2012 Convention.

Well, I hope you like this mini tutorial and enjoy creating yourself. For your Stampin' Up! supplies please contact me.

Regards till next time.

Sandra

Weekend Retreat in Mablethorpe

2011-11-07T21:52:00.011Z

WOW, what a fantastic weekend !!!!

Emily and I have just held our first Stampin' Up! Craft Retreat Weekend with a lovely bunch of ladies, including a car load travelling from Suffolk who took a slight detour to a craft shop, some of my Stampers 10 group from Thetford, plus others from Wellingborough and Branston in Lincolnshire.

Using Emily's large house, kept our costs lower which of course benefitted our crafters in keeping the cost low. The 5* guest house next door provided accomodation for some of our guests, plus full English breakfasts and buffet lunches for everyone.

Those sleeping at Emily's were lucky (or not so lucky given they helped with her Convention swaps) to enjoy extra crafting time, being made to feel at home by Emily. I am an early bird but even I was surprised to go to the kitchen at 6:40am to find two of our ladies in their PJs catching up on unfinished projects from the day before.

Everyone had a fantastic time and we were really pleased with the feedback received. I think everyone will be back in October 2012 for another Retreat.

Emily's son Caiden enjoyed all the fuss from the ladies !!
Unfortunately I can't share details of the projects we made as we have a repeat of the Retreat Weekend on 3rd - 5th February 2012 and need to keep the surprise for another group of ladies who we are looking forward to spending a fun-filled weekend with us. I'm sure some of our projects will make it on here later in February.

If you are interested in attending a future Stampin' Up! Craft Retreat Weekend, please get in touch with me - my contact details have been updated on the tab at the top.

Many thanks for popping by and look forward to catching up again soon.

Sandra

Guest Demo at local craft group

2011-10-29T18:23:00.011+01:00

Last night I was really pleased to have been invited to be a guest demonstrator at a local craft club that meets fortnightly in my 'next door' village, Foulden.

Although I have previously joined them a couple of times as a customer, unfortunately then I was working long hours and travelling so couldn't make it a regular commitment. I was thrilled to be asked to teach a group of 17 ladies of various ages and abilities.

This is the project they made .........

I was keen to create a project that they could reproduce at home on their own. The box lid was created using the width of an A4 sheet of card, making into a 21cm square and scoring at 7cm intervals all the way round. The bottom of the box was made exactly the same using 20.4cm square and scoring at 6.8 intervals all the way round.

We all had a wonderful evening and many of them asking me to go back in the New Year after their winter break.

Sandra

WEEK IN PORTUGAL

2011-10-09T09:14:00.009+01:00

David and I have enjoyed a 'chill out' week on The Algarve, Portugal with sister-in-law and her hubby. We were extremely lucky with the weather too. Chatting to the taxi driver on our journey from the airport, he said they had the same heat wave experienced in the UK at the end of September, with the Vilamoura having their usual July and August temperatures.

Vilamoura Marina

We have been to Villamoura a few times now but this was our first time in a self-catering apartment. Mandy and Glyn were in the one below. This gave us more freedom and there was still a pool adjacent if we wanted to use, although with lovely beaches and warm water both sides of the Marina, we didn't bother.

David and I managed to fit in a couple of excursions to see the sights inland.

We also managed a couple of visits to my favourite Thai restaurant, sitting outside on the veranda. This is simply the best Thai food anywhere !!

David, Glyn, Mandy, Sandra enjoying a cocktail @ bar on Marina

Rui's bar is a small bar just off the Marina where Brits tend to hang out. The resident singer is a Scouser and we think he has been there for some 15years !! When he sang The Hole of the Moon by The Waterboys, we were all reminded of the Interpretive Dance artist 'David Armand' and impulse made us do all his interpretive movements !! Yes, OK so we had had a few drinks. For those of you who haven't seen or heard of him, I highly recommend Googling his name and looking at the many You Tube links. He is so talented and has so much energy. For an even greater laugh, play the clips to your friends / family without the sound on and see if they can guess what the record is.

David chatting to Manager of the Champagne bar

Mandy has a bit of a passion for Champagne, so we had to visit the Champagne bar a couple of times.

This is one of those holidays we choose to just chill out although I did take the laptop and fit in some craft planning ......... well it was a really bad time to go away on the day the New Ideas Book and Catalogue launched !!! Well that's what you get travelling with and fitting round other people.

A lovely relaxing break and now back to the grindstone.

Sandra

IT'S THAT EXCITING TIME OF YEAR AGAIN !!

2011-10-01T06:39:00.009+01:00

The waiting is now over !!!

It's always so exciting to receive the new Ideas & Catalogue book each year. As an Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, we get to see the preview one month early but with so many new items, it's difficult to have to wait until 1st October to be able to order.

Stampin' Up! have introduced many new changes this year. The biggest one being the NEW HOSTESS BENEFITS. There is no longer a 3-tier hostess level gift reward ... I know everyone wants to earn the level 3 and how difficult this can be to achieve.

How fantastic would it be to choose ANY of the exclusive Hostess gifts. Well now you can. You will now recieve Hostess Pounds which you can spend as you choose. If you do not wish for a any of the exclusive Hostess stamp sets, you can simply spend your money on any items in the catalogue. How fantastic is that !!!!

The next HUGE benefit is that for a £300 party, in addition to your £50 FREE SPENDS, you can choose an item from the catalogue at HALF PRICE. Yes, that really does mean, choose the most expensive item you wish and you will only pay half price. (I can tell you my choices are already made and I will have a doctors bag to keep my Big Shot on it's way to me today - I can't wait.

SANDRA's NEW CATALOGUE SPECIAL

I am really excited to be ordering many new items to share with you at my upcoming classes and I would like to share this with you.

Throughout October I will be placing orders every Sunday evening. For OCTOBER, I am offering all my lovely customers a fantastic offer to help you get your hands on even more new items. For every £30 of product ordered from today, you will receive a raffle ticket number for entry into my FREE PRIZE DRAW to earn fabulous gifts from the New Catalogue. Prizes will be Hostess benefits from that week's orders and you will be able to choose your gifts. If orders are over £300 in any particular week, there will be an additional DRAW for the HALF PRICE ITEM. So make sure I have a telephone number I can contact you on or leave me your wish list in order of preference !!

Please note - this is not a Stampin' Up! offer but my personal offer to you. It does not apply to Stampers 10 commitments as this is a regular commitment where Hostess for that month receives benefits and any individual orders over £150 as you will receive full hostess beenfits for the total of your ordrer.

BOOK A PARTY NOW

With such fantastic offers to be earned for FREE, why not contact me to book your own party now ? I would love to hear from you so please contact me on 07806 616704 or email sroberts07@btinternet and I will get back to you ASAP.

If you haven't yet got your hands on a copy of the New Ideas & Catalogue book, click on the image at the top left of this blog until I can get one to you. RRP is £5.95 but I am selling at £5 posted to your door.

Happy craftin' till I see you next.

Sandra

LAST CHANCE BLOG HOP

2011-09-10T09:45:00.007+01:00

Thank you for joining us today and welcome to our LAST CHANCE Blog Hop featuring stamp sets and accessories that are sadly retiring from the current catalogue this month. Hurry though because with several bargains at 25% and 40% it is only while stocks last and already items are selling out. Please feel free to give me a call on 01366 728407 or 07806 616704 to place your orders and enter my draw for free hostess gifts.

Now, you may have just joined from Elaine at http://www.thesassystampers.blogspot.com where I'm sure you've seen some wonderful projects. If this is your first stop, grab a cuppa and enjoying a short break from the Saturday morning chores whilst browsing through some demonstrators blogs and 'hop' your way back to your starting point.

My first project today is one I made using the charity set 'Strength & Hope' with £1 from every stamp set sold being donated by Stampin' Up! to help raise money for The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. A very worthwhile cause and beautiful stamp set.

This fancy fold card also featured a greeting from Occasional Greetings which is currently at 40% discount.

Also featured is the Springtime Vintage DSP that appeared in the Mini catalogue on 1st April and will also sadly be waving goodbye by the end of this month.

The card below features Baby Blossoms, again from the Mini catalogue, a delightful set of 18 stamps featuring our two-step stamping technique.

The vase here is made by punching an oval and using the 'hole' to sponge through. I used the punched out image to place in the neck of the vase to give a curved shape.

Lastly, here is a card I have seen lots of times in 'blogland' recently. Use any leftover DSP and punch squares using either the 1-1/4" or 1-3/8" square punches and layer onto card, running through Square Lattice Big shot to give a quilted effect. Here I have used some more of the Springtime Vintage that is retiring this month.

The NEW Stampin' Up Ideas & Catalogue book is released on 1st october and will contain even more pages of exciting craft goodies. Be sure to contact me to reserve your copy and be among the first to receive over the next week or so.

Now, to continue 'hopping' around blogland, click here to join Natalie http://www.natalieoshea.co.uk/blog/html where I'm sure she will have posted some amazing projects as always.

Happy craftin' and thanks for stopping by today.

Sandra

Retirement List - BLOG HOP

2011-09-08T23:21:00.001+01:00

In a moment of madness I added my name to the list on our forum IN LOVE WITH STAMPING for a BLOG HOP featuring Stampin' Up's Retirement list items. Little did I realise just how little time I had and when could I fit it all in !!

Sometimes it's good to work under a 'bit' of pressure and as I had problems with Blogger last time, I'll be back tomorrow with a few of my projects using items that are sadly retiring.

Happy craftin'

Sandra

Last Chance list

2011-09-01T06:21:00.012+01:00

It's that sad time of the year again when we have to say Goodbye to some of the stamp sets and accessories retire from the current catalogue to make space in the warehouse for all the NEW supplies in the Ideas & Catalogue 2011-2012 book available on 1st October 2011.

Many items are reduced with some even 25% and 40% discount but hurry, they are only available while stocks left and will completely disappear on 30th September !!!!

For a copy of the current Retirement list click http://204.228.150.61/docs/lastchance/en-GB/Availability_en-GB.pdf

As an extra bonus, as soon as order reach £150 I will submit and do a draw from all those customers in that order to earn the FREE hostess level 1 stamp set. So, make sure I have your contact details......

Have fun snapping up those bargains.

Happy craftin'

Sandra

Doesn't time fly .....

2011-08-16T23:46:00.003+01:00

As always I can't believe how time is flying past at such a fast rate in my busy life !!

I apologise that since my holiday I've not had the time to devote to the electronics and 'blogging'. Rest assured that behind the scenes I have still been extremely busy planning and prepping classes.

I'm pleased to say that I am still very busy with my classes with many being sold out and September places all full in all locations and even a waiting list.Some classes have not been able to be advertised as they have sold out in advance. So, if you are interested in joining me at one of my forthcoming classes, please call to reserve your space on 01366 728407 or 07806 616704. Bookings being taken right up to the week before Christmas.

Look forward to hearing from you soon.

Happy Craftin'

Sandra

BLOGGER IS BACK ..........

2011-07-06T20:55:00.001+01:00

........ and so am I !!!!!!

Hi crafters

Yipee, I have finally got my Blogger back.

Some of you will no doubt be aware I've been on holiday for two and a bit weeks in the South of France with a bunch of Honda Goldwingers.

I had posts scheduled for while I was away which didn't work and sadly I had to withdraw from an ILWS Blog Hop scheduled for Friday 1st July as I couldn't Blogger to save posts without throwing out error messages. It really was a bit silly of me to think I could squash something else in when I got home, in addiiton to catching up from two weeks of work and having two all day classes Saturday and Sunday to prep for, without realising Blogger was going to play up. This is the first opportunity I've had to try and sort it out.

David and I headed for Maidstone Premier Inn the first Friday evening to meet up with 26 other fellow Goldwing traveling companions from all over the UK. A good trip down for us until the M25 - onto the M20 and the heavens looked as if they were going to open. Pulling up under a flyover, waterproofs on .... well at least the weather should be better the other side of the Channel !!

Late snack for lunch in the bar and of course a few drinks (well the holiday hads started), meeting new faces and getting to know each other then a nice relaxing evening meal followed by an early night ready for the long ride the following day.

Bright and early the next morning we were all at the tunel and, heading for our first week in Narbonne, we stopped overnight half way across France in Toures.

Continuing on the following morning to Narbonne, we spent a week touring round some stunning ride outs including Carcasonne, Millau Bridge - the tallest in the world, castles and chateauxs and stunning scenery.

I was pleased that we had CB radio linked into our headsets and intercom. With 14 trikes and solos travelling in convoy, at times we probably stretched over 1/2 mile. Travelling for ride outs when not on the motorway, going through towns and villages it is hard not get seperated at traffic lights, roundabouts etc. CB allowed us to keep smaller groups together until on the open road once again.
.
Moving on for our second week, we set off for Lourdes on the 'scenic route', which took us over mountains and up in to the clouds. Unfortunately waterproofs on again but it was only the heavy drizzle from being so high up in the clouds and not the great British weather following us.

Arriving in Lourdes and the French/Spanish Pyrennes scenery was even more beautiful. Taking over the top floor of the hotel Dame De La Sarte, we had fabulous views from the balcony overlooking the Pyrennes, with snow still visible on the highest peaks ........... yes, in June.
.

Our first ride out from here took us on parts of the Tour De France route and included lots of number of hairpin bends as we made our way up and down various mountain passes. David doesn't like heights and with very few barriers to stop accidents, we were so grateful we were on 3 wheels not 2. In total there were 6 trikes and 8 solo bikes travelling.

The next couple of days we travelled up more mountain passes, including taking a cable car from the ski resort to Pic Du Midi to the 'space station in the sky', having stopped at supermarket for picnic lunches.

We experienced some thunder and lightening behind the mountains one evening - sitting in the Irish bar next door to the hotel, we weren't in the least bothered, it was very refreshing after reaching really high temperatures. It was very picturesque watching the white lightening disappearing behind the Pyrennes.

Overall a superb holiday and definitely the best way to tour. So much fresh air, I slept extremely well and wasn't awake at stupid o'clock like I am at home. Just as well really because luggage space for two weeks was very limited and therefore no space for crafting materials. I defnitely suffered withdrawal symptoms. LOL

Having heard about the French toilets, this was not something I was looking forward to. I am so pleased to say I worried unecessarily as I managed to survive the whole of the holiday without having to endure this unbelieveable experience !!! Thanks Helen for the warning though.

Pop back soon - I hope to be back into normal routine soon.

Sandra

TUESDAY TOP TIP

2011-06-21T07:11:00.002+01:00

For todays, top tip, how would you like to have another punch without spending any extra money ?

Punch a Scallop Circle. Stick on a Post-It note and re-insert into punch.

Line up so that each scallop is the the middle of the next one and punch.

I love the new look punch, hope you do too.

Happy craftin'

Sandra

BIRTHDAY CARDS

2011-06-08T07:52:00.001+01:00

Today I thought I would share some of the birthday cards I received last week.

When I first started crafting I only had the odd one or two handmade cards. This year I had loads, including some from my Stampin' Up! customers, class members and a small birthday club I joined. It is always lovely to see the different designs from fellow crafters.

Here are just a few of my favourites :-

Parchment is a beautiful craft which takes many, many hours to create masterpeices. This beautiful card was made by Pat, one of my SU downline and also my unofficial 'adopted Mum'.

A close up of the parchment flowers.

This gorgeous card was sent by another one of my SU downline, Emily. Here she used Cherry Cobbler and Crumb Cake, colouring the white organza ribbon using the same ink.

This lovely card was from Jean from AJs Card Craft in Stamford where I have Stampin' Up! classes alternate months. Jean recently visited family in the USA and brought a few SU goodies home with her !! This stamp set is not one we can get here in the UK (at the moment). The brad in the middle swivels round to point to whatever you like.

This beautiful card was from Cathi, a lovely vintage style using one of the old oak from Lovely As A Tree. This is a really versatile set but this is the stamp I use the least. I need to give this one a go.

This one was from Sarah who is loving her new Owl punch and looking forward to next repeat of OWL EXTRAVAGANZA CLASS in Norwich on Sunday 24th July. If you are interested in joining the group, please get in touch with me.

This one is from Angie, a fellow SU Demonstrator featuring the beautiful butterfly. The effect was so shiny, I thought it was on accetate.

Thank you all once again and to all the others, too many to post.

Happy craftin'

Sandra

TUESDAY TOP TIP

2011-06-07T23:31:00.004+01:00

Don't you just hate the red sticky tape for being so static and not being able to shake off your hands ?

Well when doing lots of crafting, I make a loop of masking tape or selotape on the corner of my craft mat or desk. Simply stick red backing tape here and it will accumulate without any annoyance - when it is full, just turn over and use other side of loop or replace.

Emily's Top Tip for this is to stick it on your fellow crafters skin as this does the same thing !!! Sorry, should have taken a photo on Saturday.

I will leave that one for you !!!!!

Happy craftin'

Sandra

TUESDAY TOP TIP

2011-05-31T08:01:00.003+01:00

Today is a very quick 'Tuesday Top Tip'.

I had to laugh this week when a couple of my customers shared that they have adopted one of funny habits :-)

When watching TV (especially the crafting channels) and you see something you like, pause the TV. Then go and grab your camera and take a photo of the TV screen. OK, not everyone has this facility - it works on Sky+. This way, whatever has caught your inspiration can be captured and used later when you are crafting.

I have even taken a photo of a blouse/top that a TV presenter was wearing because of the colour combination. This is not copyright, just colour inspiration. Of course, I take care not to include the person themselves and once the idea is used the photo can be deleted.

OK, so I am addicted to my crafting............ that's not such a bad thing.

Happy craftin'

Sandra

Mummy ...... I'm helping .....

2011-05-29T07:15:00.001+01:00

It's fatal to leave the craft room chair unattended with the door open !!

Here is my little Princess 'Smudge' trying to help Mummy getting class ready earlier this week.

:-)

Bank Holiday Weekend

2011-05-28T20:56:00.004+01:00

Ok, so an unusual post this evening.

We have had an elderly Aunt in hospital in Manchester for the last 3 weeks and whilst David has managed to visit several times, unfortunately this was my first weekend that I could visit too.

I'm pleased to say she is much improved to when she came in very very poorly. We are staying overnight having visited and run shopping errands and back at hospital tomorrow.

For those of you who know, David is a Machester United fan and we are sitting in the hotel bar with a score of 3-1 down. David (and many others) not a happy bunny !!!

Luckily I have brought the laptop with me so sitting here amongst the footy supporters playing online with free Wi-Fi :-)

~~~~~

On a sad note, we have a very good friend in the village who is a Harley Davidson bike rider. He had an unfortunate accident last weekend at Brandon Creek and is still in Addenbrookes Hospital. We heard very sad news Wednesday that he has lost the fight to save his leg. Our love and thoughts go to Steve and his partner Cristel during this difficult time.

Sandra

TUESDAY TOP TIP

2011-05-25T21:21:00.004+01:00

Today's Top Tip has been suggested by my downline Emily who reminded me of something I do with my Big Shot machine, which you might be interested in.

I am using the Big Shot even more now that SU have introduced lots of Dies and Embossing folders.

Most of us know the BS cracks and groans as it passes through the machine and also leaves cuts in the plates. These are unsightly but accepted as being part of the machines functions.

Sometimes these cuts can actually embed into card when going through embossing folder if you have part of the card outside the embossing folder.

To stop this happening I invested in another set of plates and labelled with permanent marker pen "EMBOSSING FOLDERS ONLY" on each plate. This way, these plates are staying pristine and don't leave unsightly marks, leaving the scratched ones for cutting Dies. I have advised all my classes using the BS and they are respecting why I have done this and so far (!!!!!!) with no accidents.

I know of a couple of other demos who have now done the same and some customers who are also following my Top Tip already.

A small investment but I feel it is worth it.

Happy Craftin'

Sandra

Daisy, Daisy

2011-05-23T19:06:00.000+01:00

Here is a quick sample of a card of some daisies we did on my Big Shot Day last weekend.

When the new Mini was released, I was hesitant as to how many Dies to purchase. However, I'm taken in by all of them and keep gradually adding to them.

The Flower Daisies #2 Die #114520 is so versatile and creates beautiful results.

Sandra

2011-05-11T18:00:00.001+01:00

RETREAT WEEKENDS ............ Watch this space ........

Emily is coming to spend this weekend with me in Norfolk to finalise our two Retreat weekends planned for September and November. Lots of ideas are jumping backwards and forwards by text and email already and we're so excited by this new venture and the interest that has been shown already.

Places will be strictly first come, first served and will require a non-refundable deposit.

Pop back on Monday for the finalised details.

:-)

TUESDAY TOP TIP

2011-05-10T18:44:00.006+01:00

Welcome back to Tuesday Top Tip - and today there are a few Top Tips in one project !

When the 2011 Mini was announced, SU Demonstrators were given a FREE set of stamps at the launch training Itty Bitty Bits. Several people were cautious as to whether it would be popular or not. I eagerly awaited the matching Itty Bitty Punch Pack and matching Itty Bitty Buttons.

TIP 1 : Yesterdays card firstly used the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder. Each of the dimples were punched out using the small flower punch to make small flower heads. Don't forget to think outside the box and use for other purposes.

TIP 2 : For a different way to make a faux layer, cut a piece of scrap card the same size as project you are working on. Punch required shape - here I used the Wide Oval punch, positioning where you wish to make a template. The Whisper White card was placed underneath the template and then gently sponged through from the outside edges inwards.

To make stems, cut thin slithers of Old Olive cardstock free hand with scissors. Nature is not perfectly straight, so you don't have to be either !

TIP 3 : To make the leaves, I then punched one small flower in Old Olive cardstock and cut in half, then into segments as in photo above. OK, so they're fiddly to stick down but using a previous tip for the cocktail stick and blob of Tombow as a pick-up tool, it was easy. Again thinking outside the box.

Pop back again soon for futher Top Tips.

Happy craftin'

Sandra

ITTY BITTY PUNCHES

2011-05-09T11:30:00.004+01:00

Here is a quick post of the card I made for the East Coast Stampers Get Together yesterday.

I love my punches and decided to make a CAS (Clean And Simple) design using one of the Itty Bitty Punches.

Please pop back tomorrow evening for 'Top Tip Tuesday' and I will show you a couple of techniques used on this card.

Happy craftin'

Sandra

TUESDAY TOP TIP - Recycled flowers

2011-05-03T07:30:00.008+01:00

You may remember a Blog entry at the end of last year when I shared a birthday card I made with a beautiful flower ? Well, todays Top Tip will share another recycling idea together with a Tutorial on how to make these flowers.

Some of my regular customers will already have seen this technique. You may have seen lots of versions of this type of flower in 'Blogland' but this is a good way to recycle in a beautiful way. Apologies this wasn't posted previously but I found this in my saved 'Draft' entries this morning.

Stampin' Up! deliveries are very well packaged and padded with lots and lots of brown packing paper which used to fill up in my recycle bin !!

Much to the annoyance of my husband, I do like to recycle and when I think something may 'come in useful for crafting', it makes it's way into to craft room. (That's probably why it is filling up again, LOL)

Here is one of the cards from my workshop in January.

You will need to punch approximately 12 scallop circles from waste brown paper. It is easier to punch 2-3 layers together rather than one at a time. If you find difficult, try sandwiching between some scrap paper - no need to waste your printer paper, use junk mail !

Hold all layers roughly together and make a hole in the centre using a Cropodile or Pricking Tool. Insert a brad through and secure underneath.

Screw up each layer one at a time - don't be tempted to cut corners .... it really won't be the same as the layers need to be seperated.

Gently tease layers open. Grab your ink pad and 'scrub' the edges of the flower !

I like to pierce a hold in the project I am making and very gently partially undo the back of the brad to insert through hole to secure to my projects but be careful they don't all jump off !! This way you can hide the legs of the brad neatly underneath your project. Alternatively you can apply some red sticky tape or strong adhesive to the back.

Once you've had a go, I'm sure you will be saving all sorts of papers to recycle....... I found some lovely thick grey flecked tissue packing a pair of shoes.

Have fun playing and pop back soon !!

Sandra

BIRTHDAY CARD

2011-05-02T11:30:00.001+01:00

Here is a quick peak at a birthday card I made for one of my downline. Instead of using her favourite colour, I was trying to think 'out of the box'.

The card uses the Friendly background stamp, stamped in Chocolate Chip ink onto Pink Pirouette cardstock. I have added some 1-1/4" Striped Chocolate Chip Grosgrain ribbon which was ruffled by pulling a thread gently, a technique we used at both my classes this weekend. The envelope is one of our fabulous Stampin' Up! punches Petal Card and the two images are both from a Hostess Level 2 gift called Cute By The Inch.

I hope you like.

Sandra

TOP TIP TUESDAY

2011-04-26T07:00:00.001+01:00

Today's is an embarrassing one .... but I need to warn you .......

At my last Stamford all-day class I was concentrating on the punchart piece I was holding for yet another OWL CLASS and, holding too close to my body, it nipped me !!

Now, to do this once was painful enough and you would think 'once bitten, twice shy' but no ....... I did it again later in the day, much to the amusement of the class.

You have been warned !

:-)

2011-04-25T08:00:00.006+01:00

RETREAT WEEKENDS

The news is out ..................

16th - 18th September, 2011

4th - 6th November 2011

Emily and I are really excited to confirm we have been busy planning our first RETREAT WEEKENDS in Mablethorpe !!!

Due to the interest showed initially from our customers, we had to quickly add a second repeat date. The dates have now been shared with those attending our classes and also at the Sincerely Yours show last Sunday. With outline details well underway, we will confirm the final details Mid-May when Emily will be visiting Norfolk for the weekend so we can plan all the projects for the entire weekend.

The reaction at the show was tremendous and therefore indications are that spaces will go very fast. If you are seriously interested in joining us on either of the above dates, please let us know to avoid disappointment.

We will be asking for non-refundable deposits to secure places once we confirm exact details.

Please reserve these dates in your diary and watch this blog for further details in the forthcoming weeks.

Happy craftin'

Sandra

ANDRE RIEU CONCERT

2011-04-24T19:41:00.005+01:00

David and I both enjoy the music and rapport that Andre Rieu and His Johann Strauss Orchestra have with the audience. When we said last year we were booking tickets for Birmingham LG Arena for Good Friday, David's sister Mandy and her husband Glyn wanted to join us.

Returning from staying with them for a couple of days in Bridgnorth, catching up with housework, gardening and now my emails, I am sitting typing this evening for my blog, David turned on the TV to find Andre Rieu in Concert on Sky !!!

What a wonderful Bank Holiday weekend and still one day left to go .......... hopefully a bit of crafting in there somewhere tomorrow. However, if it is hot and sunny the Goldwing Trike will no doubt be out for a spin somewhere. Since last season, I need a bit of a refresher before we drive it to the south of France on holiday.

Sandra

SINCERELY YOURS - THETFORD SHOW

2011-04-22T18:30:00.007+01:00

Last Sunday, Angie and I attended the Sincerely Yours event in Thetford again, ably assisted my crafting friend Sarah who visited for the weekend to help out. Another fab show and we were pleased to meet lots of new faces.

We had 100 people join us during the day to Make & Take the card below using a stamp Set called Strength & Hope which is featured in the new Mini 2011 catalogue, released on 1st April 2011.

Stampin' Up! are donating £1 for each set sold to Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Angie and I both matched this for the show, deducting a further £1 from both the Clear and Wood mount sets.

The card was made in Melon Mambo and Pink Pirouette card stock and matching ink. The background was stamped repeatedly using the words from the stamp set in the same Melon Mambo ink. The Pink Pirouette card stock was stamped again using the same matching Pink Pirouette ink and the swirl stamp three times as a gentle background (sorry the photo doesn't pick this up very well). The butterfly image was then stamped over the background and edges sponged edges in Melon Mambo ink. The Hope topper and mat layer were both punched with the 1 3/8" and 1 1/4" square punches. When I purchased these, I did think it was a bit of a luxury as I could cut with trimmer however, I have no regrets, the precision, speed and ability to punch image in centre of square, makes them well worth it.

If you wish to purchase any of the items listed, please do not hesitate to contact me.

My Owl Extravaganza all-day workshops have proved extremely popular and my next repeat class has once again sold out, within a few days of the show. I am currently re-scheduling yet another date and will be contacting those on the waiting list shortly. If you have missed out and would still like to attend, please email me or give me a call on 07806 616704.

Finally a warm welcome to all our new visitors from the show. I look forward to seeing you again in the near future.

Please pop back here for some more updates soon.

In the meantime, Happy Craftin'.

Sandra

TUESDAY TOP TIP

2011-04-19T18:30:00.001+01:00

Well, today's Top Tip is following an idea from my downline Emily.

When buying the CLEAR MOUNT stamp sets, if not using the waste rubber for one of my previous Top Tips, in true crafting style, don't throw it away !! Remove the backing and mount into the plastic case.

Having mounted all your stamps, they will fit neatly into the shapes and easily show if any are missing ........ heaven forbid !!!!

Happy craftin' everyone !!

Sandra

CATCHING UP !!!!

2011-04-13T08:00:00.001+01:00

I need to apologise to all my followers, I have been extremely busy lately so my blog posting has suffered.

For those who know me well, I have been busy with several classes, lots and lots of OWLS flying around, playing in the orchestra pit for a week long production of Crazy For You' in Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds, visitors (both crafting and non-crafting), and of course all this on top of working full time. I am so grateful for all the Bank Holidays coming up.

The blog hop post below shares with you some of my OWL creations and also fantastic ideas from lots of my fellow demonstrators, using products from the NEW MINI CATALOGUE.

There are more exciting things on the horizon too that are taking a lot of my planning time. The first one being SINCERELY YOURS - SUNDAY 17th APRIL @ THETFORD. Angie, Sarah and myself will once again be at this regular crafting event so please do pop by and say hello and join us for a Make & Take project.

The second one will be released formally mid-May however guaging initial reaction from last Saturdays class and word of mouth, it looks like a further repeat date will be announced at the same time. It is very exciting and the suspense will be worth waiting for. If you are attedning any classes in the near future, you will find out first hand. And ......... if the suspense is just too much, give me a call 07806 616704 to find out more !!.

Please pop back soon and I hope to have caught up with all the Tuesday Top Tips which are in my head but just not made it to computer.

Bye for now and Happy Craftin'

Sandra

2011 MINI CATALOGUE BLOG HOP

2011-04-02T09:15:00.002+01:00

Welcome to our 2011 Mini Catalogue Blog Hop. Today we have over 50 Stampin' Up Demonstrators who have sceduled posts of projects on their blogs for 10am this morning, using items available from the New 2011 Mini catalogue which was released yesterday.

You may have just joined today from Amanda http://thecraftspa.blogspot.com. I have an all day class but can't wait to have time to 'hop' round myself. So make a cuppa, grab a pen and paper for your Wish List and enjoy surfing.

I think this is the best Mini Catalogue we have had so far. The BIG news being that Stampin' Up! have released the BIG-SHOT Die-Cutting Machine. Together with this there are 27 Dies and Embossing folders, 21 of which are UNIQUE TO STAMPIN' UP!

Today I am featuring the new OWL PUNCH. I first fell in love with this little fellow when it was first released in USA and was so pleased to hear he was joining the UK Mini 2011 catalogue. There is just so much that can be made from him. I've already held my first OWL EXTRAVAGANZA ALL-DAY CLASS which Emily attended and has now also become totOWLly obsessed with this little fella. Together we have lots more ideas planned for a sequel so, if you are interested in attending repeat classes currently being added to my scheduled 2011 class list or purchasing a kit and/or owl punch to make yourself, please give me a call on 07806 616704 or email sroberts07@btinternet.com.

The tree template is totally unique, having started myself I enlisted the help of Pat, one of my lovely downlines, to finish. The leaves were made using the Sizzlits Little Leaves Die. The small owls were made by inking the owl image from Punch Bunch (Sale-A Bration set - now sadly retired) and stamping onto shrink plastic and heated which shrinks images to 1/7th of their original size and worked perfectly for this project.

I was pleased to be able to share the clouds and bushes technique with my downline. These are made by punching some scallop ovals and circles and making a template to sponge against.

This would make a lovely 'welcome new home card'.

My next project has been in my head for some time but didn't quite know how I was going to make ! It is a slider card, using the word window punch to cut slit and a 1p each side of a foam dot to fix the penguin on. The penguins are also made from the owl punch - simply cut off his ear and feet for his body, punch feet from a scrap of pumpkin pie card for feet and beak.

My next project was inspired by a video I saw from Valita's fresh folds, demonstrating how to punch the owl body to make tulips. She made a single purple bloom with glitter and mounted onto a nestability frame.

Here I have used the new Square Lattice Textured Embossing folder to create a basket work effect for the background.

The 'Twoo-lips' have been punched in Daffodil Delight cardstock and sponged edges in Real Red ink. The centres are made from the Small Oval punch.

I couldn't let you leave today without seeing the NEW MOTORBIKE stamp. I've had several people say to me they think of me everytime they see the Motorbike stamp in the Mini catalogue ! I can't imagine why. Hubby is away tomorrow, taking our beautiful Honda Goldwing Trike to Wootton Bassett. I'm sure you will see it on the news tomorrow - they are expecting 10,000 motorbikes and David will actually be one of the 45 Trikes taking soldiers on the back.

Here I have stamped one image in Basic Black towards the right hand edge of the card and stamped repeatedly, each time moving approximately 1/2cm to the left. The background is stamped with the Sanded Background stamp and embossed with the Square Lattice Textured Embossing folder to give a tyre tread effect.

For your next 'hop' click this link to see the lovely projects that my lovely downline Emily is sharing with you today - http://stampinmermaid.blogspot.com/

If you wish to take a 'hop' round the other groups, I have added the links below.

Group 1 - http://twintroublescreations.blogspot.com/

Group 2 - http://sparklycards.blogspot.com/

Group 3 - http://ritasstampinblog.blogspot.com/

Group 4 - http://seriousstamper.blogspot.com/

Happy crafting, hope to see you back here soon.

Sandra

OWL PUNCH PRE-ORDERS

2011-03-31T21:52:00.010+01:00

Apologies that everything has been a bit quiet for me on here as it's been so difficult to keep quiet about the NEW MINI CATALOGUE which releases on 1st April.

Whilst Demonstrators have been able to pre-order some products, we have not been allowed to publicly display on blogs etc until today.

We had a fantastic OWL EXTRAVAGANZA WORKSHOP last Saturday which everyone thoroughly enjoyed. A sequel is already in the pipeline !!!

So my first post today will be the OWL PUNCH PRE-ORDER DRAW as I am processing at midnight to be among the first orders to be despatched from HQ in Germany.

Here are the names of pre-orders, in the order they went onto my list :-

1. Lynn B

2. Sarah (Northwold)

3. Stephanie S

4. Janet W

5. Gina D

6. Grace M

7. Vicky P

8. Louise E

9. Cathi P

10. Mandy S

11. Maggie P

12. Debbie K

13. June D

14. Marilyn B

15. Weeting 1 - Joyce

16. Weeting 2 - Marilyn R

17. Weeting 3 - Eileen G

18. Weeting 4 - Joanne R

19. Judy B

20. Roberta

21. Jane

22. Julie

23. Anj

24. Sarah R

25. Judy H

26. Marion

27. Pat (S)

So to draw the winning line, I have just shouted to my hubby to pick a number between 1 and 27 and the winner is ...............No 17. Eileen from Weeting will be the proud owner of a FREE STAMP SET of her choice from my stock box.

Please keep popping back over the next few days to see lots of new prjects from the New Mini catalogue and also join us here from 10am Saturday for a Demonstrator Blog Hop. Here you will able to hop from links between each site and see many wonderful projects made from the new items.

Catch up again soon.

Sandra

TUESDAY TOP TIP

2011-03-08T06:00:00.011Z

This weekend it made change to have relatively clear of any commitments. So, before the dreaded 'spring cleaning' started and hubby was still snoring, I started playing with one of my ideas I just hadn't had time to get round too.

Those of you who have Stampin' Up! stamp sets, will be aware of the waste rubber round the wonderful stamps.

Today I'm sharing one of my ideas for some more recycling and also showing what excellent value for money Stampin Up! stamp sets are - the enjoyment of the initial stamp set but then the added extra !!

The photo above shows how I have cut a cut a tree shape from the waste rubber and stuck onto an old acrylic block. The ones Stampin' Up! added to their new catalogue in October are just so nice to use, I don't use the old ones any more.

Next, I got out my old sturdy craft knife and cut a slither from the centre and then some smaller lines. A bit fiddly but was easier stuck on the acrylic block.

The card below shows the effect that I achieved.

The card was finished by stamping onto Early Espresso card with Whisper White ink and matted onto Very Vanilla and Early Espresso base card. The tag is from Tiny Tags stamp set and punched with the Medium Jewelry tag punch.

Hope you enjoyed todays tip. Pop back next week for another recycling 'Top Tip' together with another free Tutorial.

Happy craftin'.

Sandra

JUST BELIEVE IN NEUTRALS !!

2011-03-05T07:52:00.004Z

Here is a quick share but unfortunately the photo doesn't show the detail of the faux silk technique with tissue paper that my classes did this month. Everyone really enjoyed learning yet another simple but very effective new technique.

The two small pieces of left over River Rock DSP I had in my remnants from making up samples, were quickly made into this card whilst demonstrating the technique. However, I had to bow down to the rest of the class who all agreed to put the image crooked !! I wanted to put straight to the left hand side with greeting half on and half off, but the class won !!

Happy caraftin'.

Sandra

Emboss Resist card

2011-03-02T21:26:00.006Z

Today I thought I would share with you one of my 'Just Believe in Neutrals' selection that some my classes made in February. I really enjoyed using the whole of the Neutrals card stock and matching Designer Series Paper, my favourite colour being the River Rock.

Here the large floral image was stamped in Versamark with clear embossing powder. The En Francais script was stamped in Soft Suede ink through a masked window torn from scrap paper. The centre of the image was then sponged with River Rock ink. Here the ink resists the shiny embossed surface and the design 'pops' as you polish off the excess ink with kitchen paper.

Happy craftin' and be sure to pop back soon.

Sandra

2011-02-28T23:59:00.003Z

***THIS POST WILL STAY AT THE TOP DURING SALE-A-BRATION***

***PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR NEWER POSTS***

It's Sale-A-Bration time again at Stampin' Up! and friends, fresh ideas, and FREE PRODUCT is what it's all about !

Every year Stampin' Up! gives customers, hostesses, and new demonstrators the opporutnity to earn fantastic, limited-edition products they'll enjoy for years to come. Double click on the catalogue at the top left to view the 4 stamp sets available.

Get FREE stamp sets by doing any of the following :

SPEND

You'll receive a free Sale-A-Bration stamp set when you spend £45 on Stampin' Up! merchandise (product sales before handling and shipping). There's no limit - for every £45 you spend, you can select another FREE Sale-A-Bration reward!

HOST

You'll receive a free Sale-A-Bration stamp set when you host a workshop of at least £300 (product sales before handling and shipping) - this is in addition to all of the regular hostess benefits!

JOIN

During Sale-A-Bration, anyone who joins as a demonstrator can choose any stamp set - a value of up to £44.95 - from our current Idea Book and Catalogue.

The Sale-A-Bration promotion starts today and runs through 28 February 2011, so don't miss your chance to earn free products! Give me a call on 01366 728407 or 07806 616704 to place an order, book a workshop or find out more about joining my team.

Happy Crafting !!

Sandra

BEAUTIFUL ROSES

2011-02-23T06:00:00.001Z

Here are some of the cards I made with my lovely ladies at Weeting on Saturday. I had been asked to incorporate a couple of Easter cards into our day so decided on a Spring theme. Using the Occasional Greetings #110520, my customers had a choice of greetings for each of the 8 cards which gave them all the variety they needed and incorporated Mothers Day, Easter Wishes, Thank You, For You and Happy Birthday.

The cards below used the Happiness Shared stamp set #117038 (W) / 120534 (C) which available from Stampin' Up! and can be ordered from me at any time.

After the initial fear of inking the stamp with the marker pens, the whole group made this technique look effortless and all enjoyed creating these three cards with only one inking !

Here is the 2nd generation of stamping after a light 'misting'.

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This is the 3rd generation stamped after another 'misting'. While I was demonstrating, we proved that when using Watercolour Paper you could stamp even more images. Why not give it a try !
.

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Hope you like these samples today.

Happy craftin'
.
Sandra

TUESDAY TOP TIP

2011-02-22T07:36:00.004Z

Lots of people use their stamps to ink in black or grey and then colour in with their preferred colouring medium eg watercolour pencils, markers etc.

Here are my supplies for today's TUESDAY TOP TIP.

As you can see, we have a clear stamp mounted onto an acrylic block. I have Stampin' Write Markers in Rose Rose, Old Olive and Chocolate Chip. The stamp in the photo has already been inked and ready to stamp.

These are the 4 images I have stamped from that one inked image. For best results you will need to use Watercolour Paper #105019. In between each one, I have held the stamp, face upwards, mid air (away from the table) and spritzed lightly with a very fine water spray. Stamp again and repeat.

Once you have finished stamping, take your Aqua Painter #103954 and gently pull in the colour already on your image. There is no need to add further ink. Take care to clean your brush on kitchen paper in between sections and when changing colours.

Pop back later and I will post samples made at Saturdays Workshop using these images.

Happy craftin'

Sandra

TUESDAY TOP TIP

2011-02-15T07:42:00.003Z

When you are embossing, there are special little Embossing Buddies you can buy via me from Stampin' Up! They are neat little pouch that fits into a corner of your crafting caddy and do just the perfect job for preventing little speckles of embossing powder sticking to your project where you don't want it. They last for a very long time !!

Simply wipe the little pouch over cardstock and a very fine layer of fine powder will be left on card. Stamp and emboss in the usual way and you will have a perfect image.

If you haven't got round to getting one yet, as a temporary measure tip some talcum powder into a dish and use a paintbrush to dust powder over card instead. Not an ideal way but will help you get buy under you get the proper item !

Pop back next week for another Top Tip Tuesday !!

Happy craftin'

Sandra

WHAT A SURPRISE !!!!!!

2011-02-14T21:04:00.012Z

Well I was chuffed to have had a visit from the lovely Peg who I met through Stampin Up training events. She left me this award at the weekend and I've had fun reading everyones 8 random facts. .

Well here are my random facts :-.

I think, live and breathe CRAFTING and love every minute of it. When hubby puts TV onto the sport channel or boring documentaries, I am more than happy to go upstairs to my craft room. I enjoy getting inspiration from everyday moments in life. (Yes Grace, I am currently re-creating the decoration on your jumper from Saturday, LOL). Creating and sharing with my lovely class ladies (and gent) is a great way to spend an evening or Saturday.

I am a GRADE VIII musician . I play Clarinet and Saxophone and whilst I do not play regularly any more (choosing to let craft take up more time), I still enjoy playing for amateur dramatic productions in Bury St Edmunds Theatre Royal and will be playing in the pit for 'Crazy For You' from 21st-26th March.

DAVID & I have both been married before and both used to play in RAF Honington and RAF Wyton Voluntary Band. He claims he only went out with me because Wyton needed another Clarinet player !!!! We kept our wedding secret at Cambridgshire Registry office and as, we got married a week before my birthday, we planned a birthday BBQ at home with 70 of our family and friends. It was lovely to see their faces as the penny gradually dropped !!

I ride a HONDA GOLDWING 1800 TRIKE - well some of you will have noticed the picture on my Blog, but that is David driving. My first solo trip was last year whilst down in Cornwall for the Goldwing Treffen and I took off on my own to visit fellow demonstrator Abi for a few hours 'crafting fix'. Who would have thought that a motorbike would have a towbar .... yes, we tow a trailer making the outfit much bigger than a car. I also am now a seasoned camper ........ Cornwall in the wet, with broken tent zip, that was fun !!!!! We've bought a new one now.

Sad I know but I check the Premium Bond website every 3rd working day of the month (or thereabouts) just to see if uncle E.R.N.I.E. has been kind to me this month. I would really like to pay off the mortgage so I can go part time and craft more ......... I keep dreaming !!

I worked for Barclays Bank PLC for just under 25yrs before being made redundant in 2004. I now work for Priory Group, working in a school for children with challenging behaviours, still doing finance and budgets etc. My work life balance has been totally restored, working just 1 mile from home is simply wonderful.

I have an adopted MUM ........... well unofficially. Pat worked for me in my team at Barclays Bank PLC and became a very close and dear friend and agony aunt, seeing me through many of lives troubles including divorce, moving house etc. She is also a talented crafter and we love spending time together whenever I have a day off work. I adopted her as my 'Mum' many years ago.

I have a TWIN .......... well unofficially too. My latest downline Emily is so like me it is uncanny. There are so many things we do, think and share that are the same, I think we must be twins. (In real life I have one sister who is a Detective Sergeant for Norfolk Constabulary).

I would like to pass this lovely award on to the following :-

Peg - http://pegcraftalot.com

Abi - http://cornwallcraftystamper.blogspot.com

Natalie - http://www.natalieoshea.co.uk/blog.html

Zoe - http://stampingscene.blogspot.com

Monica - http://monicas-passions.blogspot.com

Kirsteen - http://www.creatinwithkirsteen.com

Valita - http://valitasfreshfolds.blogspot.com

Andrea - http://creatingcardswithandrea.blogspot.com

Sorry but I've added a bonus honary award to Emily at - http://www.stampinmermaid.blogspot.com/. As a new demo she has only just started her blog but, not being a PC whizz, I am proud that she has mastered posting a photo and entry on her own. Keep an eye on more exciting things happening on here in the future.
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Well I've had fun creatin this post and hope you enjoyed reading.

Take care and happy crafting. I'm waiting some more crafting goodies to arrive which I cannot wait to try out.

Sandra

TUESDAY TOP TIP

2011-02-13T16:32:00.009Z

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Hi crafters !
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Seems there has been a bit of a blip with my Top Tips - the dates have gone silly and one not posted. I had picked up a draft email I'd saved but was empty and typed one and of course, it dated the post on the date it had originally saved ! It wasn't really January's.

Anyway, I've re-typed last Tuesday 8th February here and also got Tuesday 15th February scheduled for 7am!! Well hope it works OK.

TOP TIP TUESDAY

When I began crafting many years ago, I used to 'wipe' the ink pad along the edge of the card. For some time now I have been using a sponging technique which has become one of my favourites. It allows a small 'smoky' effect round the edge of cards.

When I get home from holding classes, I have a bag of sponges and sponge daubers, sometimes in a variety of colours, which need cleaning ready for the next class.

Up to now I have squeezed them through in the sink with a bit of washing up liquid. Recently one of my fellow crafters shared with me that they put in a net bag in the washing machine !!! I would just say, make sure it is a dark load and I would also just rinse excess out under the tap first.

Here is a card that we made yesterday with the lovely ladies in Stamford.

We have used the sponges to accent round edge of the Very Vanilla mat layer and also round the greeting. Everyone had fun creating the centre image, again sponging over our embossed image and then polishing off with kitchen roll which made our image 'pop'.

My Bury St Edmunds and Norwich classes will be making a variation on this card as one of their card selection on 26th and 27th February respectively whilst crafting with Just Believe stamp set #116948 (W) and 120453 (C). The colour choice this month is the Neutrals collection and all attendees will receive half a pack of Neutrals cardstock #121699, a stash of wonderful Designer Series Paper in the Neutrals #117157 and a selection of ribbons and accesories in the same colour theme.

Please contact me to reserve your place on 01366 728407 / 07806 616704.

Please pop back soon.

Happy crafting.

Sandra

BIRTHDAY INSPIRATION

2011-02-06T16:13:00.012Z

This weekend we have had my sister-in-law and her husband visiting from Shropshire for her birthday. David had asked some female colleagues what to buy a 'woman who has everything' and was suggested some Jo Malone perfume (he also got me some for my Valentine gift).

As soon as I saw the clean and simple lines of the packaging, I knew I wanted to make her card along the same lines.

He read all the write-ups about each fragrance and went with one of the most popular ones Pomegranate Noir. Not only did he choose a range she really liked, but also chose her favourite fragrance in the collection. Didn't he do well !!

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Here I have used Basic Black 5/8" Satin Ribbon with the Happy Birthday greeting from Party This Way stamp set on Basic Black and Very Vanilla cardstock. I hope you like my interpretation.

Hope to see you back soon.

Sandra

2011-01-26T20:27:00.003Z

'TOP TIP TUESDAY'

TODAYS TOP TIP : How many times have you stuck cards together upside down or opening the wrong way ?

If this happens, please do not panic ! Providing you have used ordinary double sided tape (not the red sticky tape), simply heat gently from the back with a heat gun. This will warm the glue sufficiently to let you peel off and reapply correctly.

I've used this tip several times this week to help customers so thought it would be a good one to share for this weeks 'top tip'.

If you have used red sticky tape, all is not lost. Trim at the fold and mat and layer onto another card base !

See you again next week.

Sandra

2011-01-25T20:55:00.004Z

'TOP TIP TUESDAY'

Hi again, a bit later than usual !!

Today's tip is using those fantastic MINI GLUE DOTS. There are various brands on the market but I prefer the Stampin' Up! ones - my regular customers know, I never recommend something just because it's SU unless I truely believe in it - this is one of those products. It took me a long while to become addicted to them but, for those of you who know how tacky the red sticky strip is, then these are just the same.

They are great for attaching embellishments to cards. I especially like them for attaching small bows to projects. Simply push the back of the bow onto the glue dot on the roll and then gently peel off and then glue comes too !!

If you have smaller embellishments, why not try rolling glue dot between your fingers to make even smaller !

Hope to see you back again soon.

Sandra

S-A-B BLOG HOP - Technique

2011-01-24T23:20:00.009Z

Hi
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I promised to post another colour way of one of my Sale-A-Bration Blog Hop cards from yesterday.

Here I have used Rich Razzleberry as a base card with Baja Breeze and Whisper White.

Several people yesterday asked how I had done the colour panels. On these samples I masked off a square or rectangle with Post It notes (however I have now ordered both sizes of square punch so I can just punch out in classes).

Simply sponge through the hole with the centre colour and then with a contrast either side. The shape can be any size or shape.

The butterfly from Sale-A-Bration BLISS stamp set has been stamped in Basic Black ink and then stamped again onto scrap of Whisper White, card out by hand (sorry no punch for this one !) and attached just down the centre so that the wings are lose.

The greeting and small butterfly is from Sale-A-Bration SO HAPPY FOR YOU stamp set.

I hope you enjoyed yesterdays 'blog hop' and have lots of inspiration for your stamp sets.

Until next time.

Happy Crafting

Sandra

2011-01-23T09:45:00.043Z

Welcome to our

SALE-A-BRATION Blog Hop

Today, 42 Demonstrators have got together to organise four Blog Hop groups to share with you some inspiration using the 2011 SALE-A-BRATION stamp sets that you can get FREE with every £45 spent in the current Ideas Book & Catalogue, and there are FOUR sets to collect before 28th February 2011.

Simply follow the links in each blog post, either forwards or backwards and you should start back at where you started. I have included the link to the start of each group at the bottom. So, make yourself a cuppa, forget the housework for a while and sit back and enjoy your tour. I'm sure that that you will soon be thumbing through the catalogue to make your next order and and choosing your FREE stamp sets. (If you don't have a copy there is a link at the top left of this blog).

Providing all the links have been scheduled correctly for 10am today, you may have just joined me from Emma @ http://emma-daye.blogspot.com and hope you are enjoying all the inspiration your have seen so far on your tour. If you have already been round this loop you may wish to click on the start of one of the other groups listed at the bottom of this post.

For our contribution today, my downline Emily and I started by designing this cute little set of five 10cm x 10cm cards, going out of our comfort zone and working with colours we wouldn't normally use. Here we used Tangerine Tango and Daffodil Delight with a Basic Black silhouette on each of the designs. We have used all 5 greetings from SO HAPPY FOR YOU stamp set for this collection, one on each card.

This owl is from PUNCH BUNCH stamp set. Our cute little owl will also be available from 1st April 2011 as a punch in our Mini Catalogue. With one gentle squeeze, you punch all 9 component pieces to mix and match into some delightful characters. I love this little chap and can guarantee you will be seeing lots more of him !!!!

This scalloped flower is also from PUNCH BUNCH. Every stamp in this set has a co-ordinating punch.

This card uses Butterfly from BLISS stamp set. Pop back tomorrow to another version of this card in a different colour way that I am sharing in a demo swop today.

Here again is a wonderful scroll from the BLISS stamp set. This also makes some wonderful background effects for your card.

The last one in this little set comes from SWEET SUMMER stamp set and again is very versatile.

We then continued out of our comfort zone to make this little quarter card with Cajun Craze cardstock and Designer Series Paper from the Regals collection. The centre greeting is from PUNCH BUNCH stamp set and has been punched with the Square Scallop punch.

.... and finally, we continued with our Cajun Craze cardstock and Designer Series Paper to make an owl spinner card. The owl is from PUNCH BUNCH stamp set and greeting from SO HAPPY FOR YOU stamp set. I will show you how to make this spinner card in my all-day workshop in March. Please contact me for scheduled workshop dates for the whole of 2011 in Thetford, Bury St Edmunds, Norwich and Stamford - Tel. 01366 728407 / 07806 616704 or email sroberts07@btinternet.com.

I hope you have enjoyed your blog hop tour so far and dont forget, you can have these stamp sets for FREE too. Click on this link to go to Gemma @ http://makedoandgem.blogspot.com/ for your next inspiration.

Group 1 starts - http://sarastamper.blogspot.com/

Group 2 starts - http://my-next-chapter.blogspot.com/ (I'm in this group)

Group 3 starts - http://kerenbaker.wordpress.com/

Group 4 starts - http://www.creatinwithkirsteen.com/

Thanks for stopping by.
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Sandra

Sarah & Steph's Shaving Foam cards

2011-01-17T07:00:00.014Z

Tuesday was my monthly girls get together with Sarah and Steph from here in the village.

I refrained from the red wine as feeling groggy with cough, thumping head and taking medication etc. They had never tried shaving foam technique and I only like to do the 'messy' cards when in is my month to host.
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They enjoyed playing with the retired cardstock colours and re-inkers in Taken with Teal, Regal Rose and Ballet Blue.

It's amazing the backgrounds that can be achieved. If you haven't tried .... give it a go !

Sandra

2011-01-16T15:09:00.005Z

Here's one of the cards Emily, Pat, Angie and I made yesterday at our team meeting.

It was taking us all out of our comfort zone, using bright colours that we would not normally put together. It wasn't as painful as we all thought either !!

Here we used Red Riding Hood, Daffodil Delight and Wild Wasabi. The tulips are from Garden Whimsy and were stamped and cut out free-hand, rasing the tulip head of Stampin' Dimensionals.

Sandra

WOW .... WHAT A DAY !!

2011-01-15T09:36:00.005Z

Take 2 crafters, add 13 hours, remove sleep (who needs it anyway), children and cats, retire one husband to bed and leave the other back home with baby and dogs and ...............

That's the way to spend time with your Stampin' Up! downline, having huge amounts of fun and laughter whilst crafting of course !!

Yesterday Emily came down to Norfolk for our first Krafty C.A.T.S. team meeting today. Unfortunately (!!!) Emily lives too far away to travel today so was forced to stay overnight. As I worked last Sunday, I took Friday as holiday so hey presto ........ instant Craft Marathon !!! Well perhaps half-marathon as 13 hours.

After my bleary-eyed husband woke from his slumber to say "are you two staying up all night ?" we finally thought we had better retire to bed at 3am. Four hours kip and here we are again !!

Haven't taken photos yet, but please pop back tomorrow to see some of our creations. Unfortunately many of them are for classes so will have to keep you in suspense a little longer so as not to spoil the surprise. Of course, if you book your classes, then you will be the first to see :-)

See you tomorrow.

ZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

2011-01-12T09:00:00.005Z

'TOP TIP TUESDAY'

Welcome to a regular little slot to pass on hints and tips to you all.

TODAY's TIP : When punching small pieces, either from scrap or to re-punch perhaps for Punchart, use a Post-It note. Attach your piece of card to the sticky part of the Post It note to punch.

At the weekend, I showed one of my classes how to cut a thin scrap of card neatly in half to make two long thin strips. Being too small to place in the Guilotine or paper trimmer on it's own, simply line up with the edge of the post it note and place in the guiltotine or paper trimmer. Because you have a larger piece it works a treat and leaves you with two straight pieces.

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I know I wouldn't be without Post It notes in my craft tote ! They have so many uses.

Hope you find this useful and remember to pop back next Tuesday for another 'Top Tip'.

Sandra

2011-01-04T00:00:00.010Z

'TOP TIP' TUESDAY

Welcome to a regular little slot to pass on

hints and tips to you all.

TODAY's TIP : I find especially helpful when working with small fiddly pieces of card, gems etc and sticking eyes & noses on cute little punchart creations!!

Trim the pointed tip from a cocktail stick. Apply a large 'blob' of Tombow Multi-Purpose adhesive (available from me @ Stampin' Up!) and allow to dry. I insert the other pointed end of the cocktail stick into the top of my kitchen roll and then the sticky bit will dry without getting glue on everything else !

Once dry, it will remain slightly tacky and is excellent for picking up the smallest crafting items. I use a Pringles lid to rest it in while using so that other materials do not get attached.

Hope you find this useful and remember to pop back next Tuesday for another Top Tip!

Sandra

Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year !!!

2010-12-30T20:13:00.011Z

Well didn't December go quickly !!! Every year I say I will have all my Christmas cards made, addressed and stamped ready for posting on 1st December .... and every year I fail, with many catching the last posting day !! However, I have a plan in place for 2011 ........ watch this space !

Here is a picture of some of my Thetford Stampers 10 group enjoying their Christmas meal. Unfortunately not everyone could be there and of course we had the lovely Janet taking the photo. A lovely evening was had by all and the food was terrific.

Hopefully everyone has survived the bad snow falls and had an enjoyable Christmas with their families. David and I have just returned from Manchester having taken David's 83yr old Auntie back from her fortnight Christmas holiday in Norfolk. I must admit he was a real treasure, spending Christmas Eve putting together the new storeage units for my craft room !! DIY is not his strongest talent ..... hence the additional shelves that I put up, with some 'supervision' of course. He did admit that the only reason he did it then was because the delivery arrived at lunchtime on Christmas Eve and was filling our hall so no-one could move. Well, they did promise delivery before Christmas.

So as we all prepare to see the New Year in, may I wish you all a very Happy New Year with lots of crafting !!

Catch up again very soon.

Sandra

HOW MUCH SNOW HAVE YOU STILL GOT ??

2010-12-05T20:34:00.014Z

Well much as I love to see the countryside all white, it's now gradually disappearing. I should have been at the Stamp With Us day on Saturday near Crawley but unfortuantely the weather prevented us going - the thought of being stuck down there or on the motorway. Natalie reported 14" of snow and I know some areas were even worse.

Being disappointed that my weekend didn't go as planned, at least I have something to look forward to tomorrow. Another day off work - this time to wait in for a delivery. My craftroom walls will not expand any further and so I have decided to invest in some wonderful new storage. If any of you have bought craft magazines lately, you may have seen full page adverts for crafts4storage and the Really Useful Boxes. The units themselves count as 'furniture' and therefore on a 21 day delivery, however the boxes themselves should be delivered tomorrow so I can start filling them and get organised. The units should be here by Christmas so I can get everything put away before the festivities begin in the Roberts' household. How's that for starting the Spring cleaning early !!

Today I have put up some more shelving, the sort where you can adjust the height easily. Where I thought I could only get two shelves, I can now get another one so back to Focus this week when I pop into Thetford to get my hair cut.

It's all so exciting as I love my craft room but so desperately needed that extra storage space. I was so pleased when Stampin' Up! introduced Clear Mount stamp sets in the NEW catalogue in October. This is a not only a great cost saving but more importantly so much lighter and smaller to store. Many of my customers prefer them as they can see where to place their images without using a Stamp-A-Ma-Jig.

Every year I aim to have all my Christmas preparation finished by 1st December but somehow it just never happens. Oh well there's always next year. Back to writing Christmas cards and sticking on stamps ready for posting.

Bye for now, keep safe and warm.

Sandra

1st DAY OF CHRISTMAS

2010-12-01T07:04:00.010Z

Well, here we are on the 1st December and Christmas is approaching all too fast. I still have so much to do.

Firstly, a big thank you to all those who ventured out in the snowy conditions on Saturday to attend our Christmas Jingle workshop at the Anglian Sports & Social club with Angie and myself. Whilst the journey in was a little scary, I was pleased we had wonderful sunshine all day with no further snow fall, and hope you all got home safely.

With half of a Simply Scrappin' Christmas Jingle kit, plus some extras, there were 24 samples on display and attendees were able to use their materials plus additional stamps, punches etc to make whichever designs they chose and also to vary as they wished. Here are a few of samples :-

In addition to this, our class had a CD calendar to make and decorate. This was a project that Angie and myself completed when we attended a 'Stamp With Us' weekend earlier in the year. Apologies no picture but I need to find my sample which is buried in my overflowing craft room. I have ordered some new storage and will hopefully be starting to re-organise soon, so will keep you updated in another blog post later. Will add photo as soon as I find. Weather permitting, we are off to another 'Stamp With Us' day on Saturday, so pop back here next week to see what we got up to.

Secondly, I would like to share the birthday card I made for Julie and Sarah who both had birthdays last week. I have seen this flower created by several different people but this is a slight twist on a variation.

My December Workshop is Bury St Edmunds is a further Punchart class, learning how to make fun creatures with punches but also alternative ways to use those punches that you may not have thought of. This will be completely different projects to a similar class earlier this year.

If you are interested in attending on Saturday 11th December, 10am-4pm at the Moreton Hall Community Centre in Bury, please give me a call on 07806 616704 to reserve the last few spaces. I look forward to you joining us.

Please keep safe and warm in this snowy weather.

Sandra

Stampin' Up! goes to Disneyland Paris

2010-11-22T21:45:00.018Z

I would like to just share with the fantastic time I had at the begining of November at Stampin' Up! European Convention.

Following on from the first European event in Frankfurt last year, it was lovely to meet up with Shelli, Eileen and other SU staff again, together with friends both old and new, at Addington Palace near London, our venue for 2010.

When Demonstrators get together at any events, they always like to 'Inspire, Create and Share' and this means swopping card designs with each other. Here is my card design, unfortunately the photo does not do it justice but I have used the Cherry Cobler and Whisper White cardstock, Sparkling roller with Whisper White Kraft ink, Contempo Christmas stamp set with Cherry Cobler ink and Ornament punch. The bauble hangers were from Tree Trimmings, stamped in basic Black ink and the finished background was sprayed with SU Champagne shimmer paint mixed with isopropanol alcohol to create a lovely sparkle.

At the end of the event, not only were we given the dates for next years Convention on 18th and 19th November 2011 but also the announcement that the 2011 event will be held at ................ Disneyland Paris !! .The roar of excitement from the 300 Demonstrators from UK, France and Germany who attended this year, was fantastic. Everyone is so excited and many, including myself, are already planning to stay for a few days longer.
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ALL Stampin' Up! Demonstrators are able to attend, so if you fancy becoming part of my team, and joining me on a trip to Disneyland next Autumn, then please contact me to find out more about becoming a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator. Whether you wish to purchase products for yourself and close friends at a discount price, whether you like to meet people and demonstrate at a few parties/workshops or whether you wish to pursue career propects within Stampin' Up!, there is always a place for you.

Please do not be put off by thinking there may already be a demonstrator in your area. There are no territories or boundaries, as we all know different circles of friends and acquantancies and share different ideas. Remember, Stampin' Up! does not just have to be limited to your immediate local area but can be shared across the whole of the UK.

Our low cost starter kit has been reduced even further to £119 and contains over £230 of product, which you can tailor to suit yourself. With a small quarterly minimum to remain active, there really is nothing to lose. Even if you only wish to buy products for yourself, a few friends or your local craft club, there are many savings and free products to benefit from.

For those of you who attended the recent show in Bury St Edmunds, I have been busy firming up dates for the whole of 2011 which I hope to publish very shortly and mail to you. This will also include details of an Opportunity Event to find out more about benefits of becoming a Demonstrator and a Special Recruitment offer which I will be launching for January 2011.

In addition to regular classes in Thetford, Bury St Edmunds, Norwich and Stamford, I would like to hear from anyone interested in attending FREE monthly evening classes. My Stamper's 10 group in Thetford has been very popular and I am now looking to start additional groups at locations near you. Please contact me for further information.

Happy Crafting

Sandra

Tel : 07806 616704 or Email to : sroberts07@btinternet.com

2010-11-08T07:56:00.010Z

BUNDLE UP FOR CHRISTMAS PROMOTION

November & December 2010

This Christmas season get an exclusive package of ribbon for FREE when you purchase a Christmas gift-giving bundle!
Choose from :-

Gifted Bundle
Gifted set and Jolly Holiday Designer Series Paper £35.70 Wood / £30.70 Clear Mount

Welcome Christmas Bundle
Welcome Christmas Set and Christmas Cocoa Specialty Designer Series Paper £36.90 Wood / £31.90 Clear Mount

Season of Joy Bundle
Season of Joy Set and So Swirly Stampin' Around Wheel £36.45

Delightful Decorations Bundle
Delightful Decorations Set and Ornament Punch £37.45

Then choose one package of ribbon absolutely FREE worth up to £11.50.

Unfortunatley I have not been able to get the image large and clear enough to show here, but if you are interested, please drop me an email and I will forward by return.

Remember this offer runs until 29th December.

Whilst the ribbons are in our festive colours, they do not contain Christmas images and can therefore be used all year round.

Contact me today to place your order or schedule your Christmas Workshop.

Sandra

Tel : 01366 728407 / 07806 616704 / sroberts07@btinternet.com

2010-11-01T08:03:00.003Z

NOVEMBER SPECIAL OFFERS .....

Just popped onto the Stampin' Up! demo website and seen they have just released some fab Special Offers for Christmas bundles during November.

Sorry must dash for work but will update on here later.

SUFFOLK PAPERCRAFT EVENT

2010-11-01T06:59:00.009Z

One of our local craft shops, Stamp Hut in Bury St Edmunds, organised a large craft event yesterday (similar to the regular Sincerely Yours events held in Bury St Edmunds / Thetford) and I was invited to have a Stampin' Up! stand at their Suffolk Papercraft event.

As always, it was extremely busy but having done two similar events, we were well organised and prepared !!! I was so grateful to have Emily, to help me. She is a lovely lady who also recently signed up as a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator having attended her first all day workshop with me in Stamford !! She has just moved to Mablethorpe so if you have any family or friends in that area who may be interested in learning more about Stampin' Up! or classes/workshops, please let me know and I will put you in touch with her.

Here is the Make & Take that everyone made at the event. Due to the sheer volume of visitors to our stand, it was a slightly easier adaptation of my swops for the Convention this weekend. These ones were made in the gorgeous Rich Razzleberry colour and using the baubles from Delightful Decorations and Contempo Christmas. Everyone was impressed by how quickly they could make such a wonderful Christmas card. Our youngest participant was 4yrs old, the oldest was 90yrs old and yes .... we did encourage some of the men too !!!!!!

Our Free Prize Draw was won

by Frances from Cambridge

She was absolutely delighted when I telephoned that evening to give her the good news and will be dropping off her prize on Thursday morning on my way to Convention.

We thoroughly enjoyed seeing so many new faces and to be able to have the opportunity to introduce you to the fantastic Stampin' Up! products available. There was lots of interest in classes I run locally and I will be contacting everyone that entered our draw in the next couple of weeks, just as soon as dates and venues for my 2011 classes & workshops have been finalised. For the ladies out of this area, I will be doing my best to contact demonstrators local to you so that you don't miss out.

In the meantime please do not hesitate to contact me for further information. My husband will tell you that since January I have been glued to my iPhone as I love the convenience of being able to collect emails 'on the run' so to speak.

Email : sroberts07@btinternet.com

Mobile : 07806 616704

So ....... please feel free to pop back over the weekend to see photos and details of the swops I am sharing this weekend in London.

Happy stamping !

Sandra

CAROUSEL ... the Musical

2010-10-24T15:56:00.010+01:00

Hi folks,

Well, what a busy couple of weeks ..... I played Clarinet in the Orchestra pit in Bury St Edmunds for the Bury St Edmunds Amateur Dramatic Society production of the Musical 'Carousel'. Sight reading Monday evening for Dress rehearsal and then the show ran Tuesday to Saturday, plus a Saturday matinee. I wasn't able to help them Thursday evening because of my Stampers 10 and Saturday Matinee as I had another fun day running a Stampin' Up! Workshop for in Weeting, so, five performances of the same show and I can't get the tunes out of my head !!

Friday and Saturday this week is Stampin' Up! Annual European Convention, this year being held at Addington Palace in Surrey. I so was pleased and proud to have been able to attend their 1st Euopean Convention in Germany last year. It doesn't seem possible that a year has flown by.

Last week I was on a mission to finish my 250 swops for the event, which I'm pleased to say I achieved. As of today, it's now only 3 days before Angie and I leave and still quite a bit to do. I had a day off work last Friday and spent the whole day crafting with my dear friend Pat, who I refer to as my 'adopted' Mum and is also one of my Stampin' Up! downline. We always have so much news to catch up on and so much crafting to enjoy, that we don't want waste time to stop for lunch.

I'm pleased to say that we finalised my design for my CMC swop (90 now all made just the photos to add) and also my Card Candy Swop (10 of these to make). The designs are scheduled to appear here on my blog over the weekend so I can keep the surprise for the other demonstrators receiving them this weekend. I have never done a Card Candy swop before and we had lots of fun creating some masterpieces. Pop back at the weekend to see these explained in more detail.

Happy crafting

Sandra

SOUTH LOPHAM CRAFT FAIR

2010-10-15T07:12:00.017+01:00

This weekend I will be back to the village where I grew up for their Annual craft fair. Unfortunately I was unable to make last year as, due to the renovations, the venue and date were changed.

Typically in the past there has been wood-turning, spinning wool, terrific plant and cake stalls together with lots of individual arts and crafts stalls.

ST ANDREW's CHURCH, SOUTH LOPHAM

Saturday 16th October, 10am-5pm

Sunday 17th October, 11am-4pm

(not 10am as originally posted)

Here is one the boxes we made at my last workshop, Boxes, Bags and Tags. I have made a few different variations but adapted the size to fit a small bottle of wine to make an ideal small gift. I'm hoping these will be popular Christmas gifts over the weekend.

Everyone is falling in love with this new colour 'Cherry Cobbler'. Here the Stampin' Up! white Craft ink looks stunning against the dark card. Of course you can add Dazzling Diamonds to give it a bit of sparkle too. This is a great way to use up all your non-Stampin Up card to make space for the wonderful new selecton of colours.

As always, time has run away with me and haven't had the time to make as much as I would like for the fair and tonight I have more candles to make. These have both been going down a storm at recent Workshops, everyone is so proud of what they have achieved.

This weekend is always a good opportunity for me to spend 2 days actually crafting at the table and demonstrating. When it is quieter I may try and put together my 250 Make & Takes for the Stampin' Up! Convention in 3 weeks time. I then have 90 beer mat (mini scrapbook album pages) swops to make and 10 other Card Candy swops.
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Look forward to seeing you at the weekend if you are popping by.
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Sandra

HOSTESS GIFT

2010-10-03T10:43:00.020+01:00

This is the swop that I made for High Wycombe training event in September using the new Hostess level 1 gift, Punch Potpourri. The colours on the photo are not too clear but this is using the NEW Pear Pizzazz and Early Expresso.

.YOU COULD EARN THIS SET

**** FREE ****

My favourite Hostess gift as all four images have a corresponding punch. Simply stamp, punch and create.

If you would like me to come and demonstrate a workshop in your home or local community venue, please contact me. Let me talk you through the benefits you could earn being a hostess or even have a 'virtual party' yourself. I can provide a catalogue and order forms for you and providing orders are a minimum of £150, you can earn a FREE hostess gift and minimum of £15 of FREE product of your choice to spend in the catalogue.

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Pop back later for some more ideas.
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Sandra

WHOOOOPPPPEEEEE !!!!

2010-10-03T10:20:00.008+01:00

THE NEW CATALOGUE IS HERE !!!!

Hi crafters

For those of you who couldn't join me on Friday or Saturday, please click on link to browse through the new catty in a lovely page turning format, so you really think you have the real thing in your hands. Please let me know if you wish to purchase a copy, it's bigger and better than before !!

There are some fab new things to point out to you all.

Firstly, we now have CLEAR STAMPS. Many of you will realise these work out much cheaper. I know many crafters already have clear blocks but I really do like what I've seen of the new Stampin' Up! ones. They have a finger groove all the way round, nice ronded corners and light which make them very comfortable to use. Of course, being clear they help you position exactly where you want to.

Secondly, the 14 NEW PUNCHES, turn to pages 104-106.

Thirdly, well if I said there were 64 NEW RIBBONS you would just have to jump to pages 96-97.

Last but not least, the wonderful 16 NEW CORE-COLOURS and 5 NEW IN-COLOURS. Turn to pages 80-85 to browse these.

There are loads more fab items but I'm still browsing through myself.

I have some lovely new samples to show you that have been under wraps as we were not allowed to show on our blogs until the official launch date. Pop back later and I will be adding some through the day.

One happy crafter !!!!

Sandra

FURTHER REDUCTIONS !!!!

2010-09-16T23:03:00.007+01:00

Well I've got home from my stampers 10 group this evening and found FURTHER REDUCTIONS on the Last Chance list !!

Hopefully this link will work to give you 7-pages of reductions. If not, please contact me and I can email you.

http://204.228.150.61/docs/lastchance/en-GB/Lastchance_en-GB.pdf

Remember these products will only be available while stocks last or until 30th September.

I will be checking tonights order carefully and if you have ordered an item which has been reduced further, I will issue a refund with your delivery.

With even more 25% and 50% bargains, it really is worth another look. Some that were 25% are now 50%.

Please contact me if you wish to place an order.

Tomorrow I am attending an SU Training evening so look forward to finding out more hot off the press information for you all.

Bye for now.

SO EXICITED ...to meet ........ Tim Holtz

2010-09-15T07:40:00.002+01:00

Well what can I say .....

For those of you who know Tim Holtz' fantastic work will realise what a privilege it is to be able to meet with him in person for a Workshop in Milton Keynes when he visits the UK next February.

Tickets went on sale at 8pm Monday evening through http://blog.paperartsy.co.uk/2010/09/artsycrafts-class-with-who.html and Angie and I have both had our tickets confirmed so we have two very happy little crafting bunnies !!

If you are interested, take a look but I would expect that both days will probably sell out very quickly.

Although I do have lots of his products prior to joining Stampin' Up!, I find that lots of his styles can be used with my Stampin' Up! ink pads and refill inks so looking forward to sharing some of these with you all next Spring.

Sandra

CHRISTMAS WORKSHOPS

2010-09-15T07:11:00.006+01:00

Don't forget that 'Christmas Is Coming' and not many people I've spoken to have started making their Christmas cards !!

I have a Workshop in Bury St Edmunds this Saturday 18th Sepember from 10am-4pm and also Saturday 25th September in Stamford. Both classes will be using the cute and versatile Christmas set called 'Sparkly and Bright' together with other Stampin' Up! products.

Booking is essential so if you are free and wish to attend, please contact me.

Happy crafting

Sandra

SUNDAY BLOG HOP - Retirement list

2010-09-05T10:00:00.004+01:00

Hi crafters

Today I have joined in a quick blog hop with some fellow SU Demos to showcase some of the stamps and colours that are retiring from the Stampin' Up! catalogue at the end of September. Many of the items have a discount of 25% or 50% and there are some real bargains to be had.

You may have just joined me from http://www.stampingaway.co.uk/ so welcome to you and hope you enjoy your hop around our blog sites.

Here I have used Taken With Teal and Brocade Blue. You may have seen an earlier post where I used these colours with Night of Navy with my shaving cream technique. Here I have used Bloomin' with Beauty to make a bookmark.

Here is a close up of the clouds made from sticking together a few scallop circles and oval scallops and sponging - I hope you can see better on the close up.

This is the back of the bookmark, using a template on ILWS which I believe originated from Caz. I will shortly be updating to the 2011 calendar.

Now, if you are viewing this on Sunday morning, Angie and I will be attending the Stamp With Us weekend. The idea for covering this notebook came from our last Stamp With Us weekend back in March 2010. Here I have used the Bride DSP with Brocade Blue ink using a brayer. The shiny pattern embossed into the surface resists the ink and looks great in any colour. It is such a shame that the Bride, Groom and Bridesmaid DSP are retiring as they have been so popular. At the bottom I have wrapped a piece of Brocade Blue ribbon and used a greeting from Circle of Friendship which is also retiring.

I hope you have enjoyed my entries today and hope you continue your 'hop' by clicking on to http://www.craftyalisoninlyon.blogspot.com/

Regards

Sandra

STAMPIN' UP ! RETIREMENT LIST

2010-09-02T23:09:00.013+01:00

So here it is ... the list of items retiring from the current catalogue and mini catalogue to make way for the new BIGGER catalogue launching on 1st October.

There are 7 pages of items for you to browse, many of which have 25% and 50% discounts. Unfortunately I cannot manage to get it uploaded here. Anyone wishing for me to post or email to you, please contact me.

As a Demo, we get a chance to see the catalogue online and yes, I can confirm it is bigger at 118 pages and loads more stash to collect. There are many more punches and we also have clear mounted stamps which are cheaper and take up less storeage. There is mixed feeling on these but I will be able to show you some of each come 1st October so you can make up your own minds.

Please give me a call on 07806 616704 or email sroberts07@btinternet.com to place an order or book a party and reep the benefits.

Happy shopping.

Sandra

BACK FROM HOLS

2010-09-02T22:55:00.015+01:00

Hi crafters

David and I are back from our hols in Exmore and Cornwall with the Goldwing Trike. Needless to say those of you following the weather will realise it wasn't the best weather for camping.

We had wonderful sunshine in Minehead and moved to Wadebridge in Cornwall on Tuesday. We went to Rick Stein's Seafood Restaurant on Wednesday and luckily had arranged to get a taxi both ways. Here is my David with his Singapore Chilli Crab - a stir fried whole crab with garlic, ginger, chilli and coriander - the menu said "Very much those who love eating with their hands and getting gloriously messy". The waitress advised him she would bring him 'tools' to help him.

Mine was the Indonesian Seafood Curry with Monkfish, Squid and Tiger Prawns and was wonderful !!.

On Thursday I took the trike on my own down to St Austell to see my fellow SU Demo Abi and spent a few hours crafting. Take a look at her blog http://cornwallcraftystamper.blogspot.com/ to see the photo she took of me and what the people of Devon and Cornwall call tourists !!

The rest of the week at the British Goldwing Treffen the weather improved and even interspersed with some really hot sunshine and excellent weather for our journey back without a single shower.

Sandra

2010-08-21T05:33:00.016+01:00

***** SALE TIME *****

1st September Stampin' Up! will be publishing their 'retirement list'. This will be all the items in the current catalogue and mini catalogue that are not making it into the NEW CATALOGUE which will be released on 1st October 2010. Last year we enjoyed many of the retirement items at 25% and 50% off so please make sure you pop back to this blog on 1st September and check to see if the list is out. You will have to be quick as these fantastic offers will be 'while stocks last' and I'm sure will sell out fast. I will be placing my first retirement order on 2nd Septmber, giving the early birds amongst you 24hrs to view.

We have some information sifting through from the SU Home Office and the words 'EXPANDED CATALOGUE' have been shared. Now I'm not sure by how much, but does look like it is going to be BIGGER than before. WOW !!!!

September and October are extremely busy months for Stampin' Up! so what better time to join my team. The starter kit is going to be £119 - that's £20 less than before and still valued at over £230.

I already have the lovely Emily raring to go in Rutland. Perhaps you also anticipate having a long wish list from the new catalogue and may be interested in getting them cheaper, please get in touch with me 07806 616704 or sroberts07@btinternet.com..

I will be attending a training event on 17th September and will no doubt be able to share lots more with you after this date .... good news for all those attending my 'Christmas Is Coming' Workshop on Saturday 18th September (only a few spaces left).

Happy Crafting and don't forget to pop back on 1st September !!!

Sandra

SUNSET BRAYERING

2010-08-18T06:00:00.006+01:00

This is the card I made for my lovely downline and 'adopted Mum' Pat who celebrated her 70th Birthday on Monday.

Pat is a very talented lady, making some equisite cards, parchment craft, lace making and many other crafts.

To make this sunset card using the Brayer, I used Stampin' Up! ink pads in So Saffron #110086, More Mustard #110073, Pumpkin Pie #110080 and Bravo Burgandy #110061. You will be pleased to know that none of these colours are retiring when Stampin' Up! update their colour families in the new catalogue on 1st October.

Anyone wishing to purchase a Brayer, the Soft Speedball Brayer #113663 in our Stampin' Up! catalogue is extremely competitively priced @ £8.75 (+5% P&P). Recently I have seen selling as much as £13.99 (+£2.99 P&P) elsewhere. Such a Bargain, just contact me if you wish to place an order !!

I am now offering my full colour, detailed tutorials, with lots of hints and tips by mail order. If you are interested in learning how to make this card and another 8 projects using the brayer, please drop me a line to sroberts07@btinternet.com or give me a call on 07806 616704 for more details.

Happy Crafting !!

:-)

BRAYERING WORKSHOP

2010-08-16T21:36:00.021+01:00

Here are a couple of cards we made on Saturday at Bury St Edmunds at my Brayering Workshop.

Whilst planning the class projects, my lovely friend Jo got herself a new job and everyone was so pleased for her. This card was similar to the one I made for her Congratulations card and to introduce her to the art of Brayering. She couldn't make the workshop but has ordered a brayer at our Stampers 10 group and is now itching to have a go ........

Here I used the large swirl from the Baroque Motifs stamp set #113490 with Rich Razzleberry and Old Olive. The greeting was from Sincere Salutations #105156.

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The next one was demonstrating how to use brayer to merge two ink pads and create a two-tone effect. Here I used Bashful Blue and Certainly Celery from the Soft Subtles colour family with the large stamp from Fresh Cuts #111634. I haven't used this stamp set for some time but thought it was ideal for this technique. Now I want to try in some more colour combinations.

..
Hope you enjoyed todays cards. I will be posting my favourite from the Workshop in the next couple of days so please pop back and take a look.

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Thanks for stopping by today.
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Sandra

DE-BUGGED !!!!!!!!!

2010-08-16T21:27:00.005+01:00

I'm finally back up and running ........ and de-bugged !!!!!

Finally had time to remove functions and re-apply and was afraid I would mess up the whole thing but hey ......... I didn't lose anything (only the horrible brown screen and the nasty floating box).

Pop back shortly and I will have some latest updates.

Sandra

"BUG IN THE BLOG"

2010-08-09T07:02:00.007+01:00

Sorry folks, I have been trying to find out why there is a floating box covering text and why screen has gone dark brown all the time.

If anyone has any suggestions, please can you let me know. I have a call out to my friends PC whizzy son but still waiting for him to get back to me.

The only alternative at the moment is to try changing the design on it and see if that clears.

Please bear with me while I try to get back to normal.

Thanks

LET LOSE .... AT LAST .........

2010-07-19T21:33:00.015+01:00

Here is one slightly sun-burnt and sun-stricken crafter (despite the sun tan lotion being sprayed liberally) !!!

David and I have just spent the weekend camped out at Weeting Steam Rally with the Broadlands East Anglia Region (B.E.A.R.s) Goldwing Motorcycle club showing off our Trike and trailer combo with our fellow club members. It was a lovely weekend and despite a few short showers on Saturday, the weather was great. Saturday evening we held the usual 'Mad bikers tea party', well BBQ, but the line up looked more like a scene from Alice in Wonderland.

We had 6 sessions to show off the bikes and David allowed me to do the main arena, once with him on the back and then with a friend from the club. Amy kept shouting "girl power" as I was the only female rider in the ring !!! However, with David on the side lines, it did mean I got the first piccie of me riding the mean machine. He wasn't too happy when they decided to do a proper 'display' with no practice or briefing and doing the criss-cross in the centre of the ring, alternating bikes crossing. I was also the only one towing the trailer round to show spectators how we travel in style with all the mod cons. Not bad for my first attempt at towing ever ..... car or bike !!

Weekend over and camping gear packed down, David offered to drive my car home and let me take the Trike and trailer. OK so it was only 4 miles, but as we are going to Cornwall for the British Treffen soon, I needed to practice towing the trailer on the road.

Catch up again soon with some more crafting banter.

Sandra

COOLING SUMMERTIME LEMONADE

2010-07-13T07:00:00.005+01:00

Here is another card from Saturdays Shaped Cards workshop @ Bury St Edmunds.

This card was nearly included last month for the Vellum Workshop and is just the answer for the wonderful summer weather we are having at the moment.

I saw first saw this card by Dawn Griffiths in USA. Here I have used different papers and chosen not to colour the vellum but leave as a frosted glass. This is Carol's adaptation as she has added a wonderful parasol to her summer drink. Isn't it fabulous !!! She is a very talented lady who regularly wins wonderful prizes for her creations. Thanks to her grandchildren for allowing Vicky to supply the straws !!

I will be demonstrating this card to the Hethersett group on Sunday 15th August.

Sandra

LAVENDER TIME

2010-07-11T17:20:00.019+01:00

Hi crafters !!

My doesn't time fly. Don't know about you, but I find it so hard to craft in this heat. Apart from preparing for regular workshops & holding classes, it's difficult to find energy to craft after a days work.

Still, since my last post I have had another two wonderful workshops, firstly repeating my Black & White full day workshop that has been so popular, this time in Norwich with Angie, and also my Shaped Cards Workshop for the regular Bury St Edmunds group.

The feedback from our Norwich ladies was wonderful and thank you for taking the time to give us us your thoughts but ......quarterly is not enough was a common reply !!!! We are currently seeing what we can do but in the meantime the extra day that was confirmed was Saturday 27th November.

Here is one of the inspirations from yesterday .....

At this time of year the lavender bushes are in abundance, full of bright lilac flowers and I immediately thought of one particular bloom from Stampin' Up! Pocket Silhouette stamp set #111672.

Changing a standard 10cm square card that I have previously made, here we used Nestabilities to make the outer shape and hinge the top of the card. The sweet little butterflies are from the Oval All Stamp set #113790, just inking up the small butterfly on its own with Stampin Write Marker pens and stamping randomly through the lavender. The oval style was Julie's adaptation - I love the differences in shape but with the same style of stamping.

Catch up again soon.

Sandra

VELLUM WORKSHOP

2010-06-28T07:03:00.024+01:00

Here is one of my favourite cards from Saturdays Vellum Workshop at Bury St Edmunds. This was made using a Night of Navy base card, Sparkling roller #116444 with Bashful Blue ink, Season of Joy stamp set #110384 (my favourite and most versatile Christmas set) with Night of Navy ink, strips of torn Vellum Cardstock #109897, Dazzling Diamonds #110194, Clear Rhinestone Brads #113144, Large Oval #115156 and Scallop Oval #115429 punches.

It was wonderful to see new faces and to hear the positive messages that are advertising my classes & workshops. It is very important to book those monthly spaces early to avoid disappointment as spaces are limited and are being snapped up. I now have more people interested than there are spaces so it is important to book early.

From the lovely chatter round the room, it was evident we need to seriously review numbers for the next Stampers 10 group, agree which weekday evening in the month is convenient to everyone and that the hall is available. My Thetford group say that once a month for Stampers 10 is not enough and have booked some normal classes for the fortnight in between !! This would be in addition to the last Thursday evening in the month as this evening is for any topic/projects that we wish to use, not necessarily Stampin' Up!

When I arrived home from a very hot day, my hubby had bought an ice-cream maker, one that you leave in the freezer and then, when ready, churn the ingredients for 20 minutes. Well 20mins on the buzzer and we served up our homemade strawberry ice cream. No additives or other artificial ingredients ...... wonderful. Only trouble was it could have done with a few more minutes churning, chilled glasses in such hot temperatures and camera ready first as it melted very quickly !!! I did sneak a spoonful later from the freezer after it had firmed up. It also doubles up as an excellent wine cooler or ice bucket !!!!

This then reminded me about the card I entered for a Stampin' Up! competition last summer. There were two categories, once for customers and one for demonstrators. Even though I didn't win, I was very pleased with my entry using the Tart & Tangy stamp set #111514.

The next all day workshop in Bury St Edmunds in on Saturday 10th July and the theme is 'shaped cards'. This one will now be added and as always, all the templates we use will be given with your full colour instructions for the days projects.
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One last thing ....

HOT TIP OF THE DAY - I was explaining how valuable 'Pringles' lids are and the many uses that crafters can make of them. Jennifer uses hers in the garden over her glass of wine to stop those annoying little flies getting in. It works a treat and they fit my wine glasses perfectly. Wonderful idea and thanks for sharing with us.

Hope you enjoyed todays updates and thanks for stopping by.

.
Sandra

2010-06-23T08:17:00.027+01:00

PUNCHART BLOG HOP - continued !!!!

Hi there

Finally this is the card I was desperately trying to finish for yesterdays Blog Hop.

The tractor is one I have seen online made by Boni @ swapping4fun@yahoo.com. She demonstrated this creation way back in 2009 and I made last year for my Dad who was a farmer all his life until he retired and used to own a John Deere tractor in these colours.

Now this week I amended slightly to incorporate the tractor but the top of the fence posts were made from Stampin' Up's Medium Jewelry Tag punch #117190 that goes with Tiny Tags stamp set #118091 in the mini catalogue. Trouble was, I wanted to lengthen them so was really pleased to find that the Word Window punch #117406 was exactly the same width so this was used for the bottom of the posts and also the cross bars. These were all punched from Designer Series Paper Tea & Crumpets #111911 which worked very well as there was a wooden textured effect paper in the set.

The sky was a piece of Designer Series Paper in Bashful Blue #113648 and one of the sides was plain blue. The grass was simply a piece of torn Garden Green Cardstock #109992.

I then went on to have fun with the clouds and the bushes using Scallop Circle #109877 and Scallop Oval punches #115429 from scrap card and used to sponge against, Whisper White Kraft ink pad #117361 for the clouds and Always Artichoke ink pad #110052 for the bushes. The camera unfortunately does not pick these up very well.

I adapted to add 2 black buttons from Earth Elements & Neutrals # 103981.

Hope you like the finished result.

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Sandra

Krafty Biker

A NEW TEAM MEMBER …... (or two ?)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEPHANIE

Friday 13th !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday Jane

Paul and Thandi’s Wedding

IN LOVE WITH STAMPING - BLOG HOP

NEW **** SPRING 2012 MINI ****

12 for 2012 ........

Christmas Cards 2011

CONVENTION - ROOMIE GIFTS

EMILY & SANDRA - Paris Pre-Convention

Convention Swap & Tutorial

Weekend Retreat in Mablethorpe

Guest Demo at local craft group

WEEK IN PORTUGAL

IT'S THAT EXCITING TIME OF YEAR AGAIN !!

LAST CHANCE BLOG HOP

Retirement List - BLOG HOP

Last Chance list

Doesn't time fly .....

BLOGGER IS BACK ..........

TUESDAY TOP TIP

BIRTHDAY CARDS

TUESDAY TOP TIP

TUESDAY TOP TIP

Mummy ...... I'm helping .....

Bank Holiday Weekend

TUESDAY TOP TIP

Daisy, Daisy

TUESDAY TOP TIP

ITTY BITTY PUNCHES

TUESDAY TOP TIP - Recycled flowers

BIRTHDAY CARD

TOP TIP TUESDAY

ANDRE RIEU CONCERT

SINCERELY YOURS - THETFORD SHOW

TUESDAY TOP TIP

CATCHING UP !!!!

2011 MINI CATALOGUE BLOG HOP

OWL PUNCH PRE-ORDERS

TUESDAY TOP TIP

JUST BELIEVE IN NEUTRALS !!

Emboss Resist card

BEAUTIFUL ROSES

TUESDAY TOP TIP

TUESDAY TOP TIP

WHAT A SURPRISE !!!!!!

TUESDAY TOP TIP

BIRTHDAY INSPIRATION

S-A-B BLOG HOP - Technique

Sarah & Steph's Shaving Foam cards

WOW .... WHAT A DAY !!

Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year !!!

HOW MUCH SNOW HAVE YOU STILL GOT ??

1st DAY OF CHRISTMAS

Stampin' Up! goes to Disneyland Paris

SUFFOLK PAPERCRAFT EVENT

CAROUSEL ... the Musical

SOUTH LOPHAM CRAFT FAIR

HOSTESS GIFT

WHOOOOPPPPEEEEE !!!!

FURTHER REDUCTIONS !!!!

SO EXICITED ...to meet ........ Tim Holtz

CHRISTMAS WORKSHOPS

SUNDAY BLOG HOP - Retirement list

STAMPIN' UP ! RETIREMENT LIST

BACK FROM HOLS

SUNSET BRAYERING

BRAYERING WORKSHOP

DE-BUGGED !!!!!!!!!

"BUG IN THE BLOG"

LET LOSE .... AT LAST .........

COOLING SUMMERTIME LEMONADE

LAVENDER TIME

VELLUM WORKSHOP

NEW SPRING 2012 MINI