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

Well what can I say .....

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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.

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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 !!

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

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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.

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Sandra

CHRISTMAS WORKSHOPS

Hi

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

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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.

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

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Happy crafting

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Sandra

SUNDAY BLOG HOP - Retirement list

Hi crafters

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Happy shopping.

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Sandra

BACK FROM HOLS

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 !!.

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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 !!

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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.

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Sandra

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

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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.

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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 !!!!

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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.

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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..

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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).

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

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Sandra

SUNSET BRAYERING

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

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

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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.

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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 !!

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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.

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Happy Crafting !!

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:-)

BRAYERING WORKSHOP

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

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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 ........

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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.

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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 !!!!!!!!!

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

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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).

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Pop back shortly and I will have some latest updates.

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Sandra

"BUG IN THE BLOG"

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.

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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.

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

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

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Thanks

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

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

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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.

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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 !!

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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

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

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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.

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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 !!

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

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Sandra

LAVENDER TIME

Hi crafters !!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

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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.

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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.

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Catch up again soon.

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Sandra

VELLUM WORKSHOP

Hi

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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 ....

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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.

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Hope you enjoyed todays updates and thanks for stopping by.

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Sandra

PUNCHART BLOG HOP - continued !!!!

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Hi there

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

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Hope you like the finished result.

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Sandra

PUNCHART BLOG HOP - 23rd June

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Welcome to my 2nd 'Blog Hop' in just a few weeks and a very big hello to our friends in the USA and beyond. Unfortunately, here in the UK, we still do not have the range of punches that you have in the USA. I am eagerly awaiting our next catalogue on 1st October and hope they give us a few more.

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In the meantime, we still have fun playing with what we do have. I am regularly amazed on my surfing trips at the inspiration I get from the many Punchart creations.

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One of my regular customers, Vicky from Harringworth, has no internet access so I promised to share her recent Punchart here on my blog.

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Unfortunatley, time has run away with me since volunteering for this blog a few days ago. Today I will now be sharing with you a couple of floral inspirations .......

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Each day I receive inspiration from life around me and whilst driving home from a workshop with my friend, we passed this gorgeous field of poppies. Now for some time I have had an idea to experiment with punches to create these wonderful flowers.

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POPPIES
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1. Here I have used Stampin' Ups! Butterfly punch and to make 3 butterflies in vellum card stock.
2. I used Ruby Red ink and sponge with circular motion to colour vellum. Allow to dry.
3. Punch 1/16" hole in centre of each butterfly and set aside.
4. Don't laugh, but this was the easiest way to do the next bit ......Take clear crystal brad and attach to top of pointed lid of Crystal Effect bottle !! Gently squeeze Crystal Effect round rim of brad and then fill centre.
5. Gently 'dip' brad into Stampin' Glitter Galaxy - Black to completely cover. Leave to dry completely.
6. In the meantime, take a 10 x 10cm Ruby Red base card and mat 9.5 x 9.5cm layer of black.
7. Take 9.1 x 9.1cm square of Ruby Red card stock and stamp flower stems from Garden Dream in Black ink. Sponge edges if you wish.
8. When Brad is dry, remove from lid and use to assemble 3 layers of vellum poppy petals together, finally going through red card. Mat onto prepared base card.
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   DAISIES

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This photo was inspired by the punch 'Boho Blossoms' as I knew there would be many kinds of flowers to create from the 3 small images.

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Daisies

1. Start by punching 2 of the largest Boho Blossom shapes from white card.
2. Snip alternate petals, not quite to the centre.
3. Snip the ones in between but not quite so far in.
4. Punch 1/16" hole punch in centre of each one.
5. Sponge pinky colour of your choice round edge of petals (take a close look at daisies !)
6. Lay on a piece of kitchen paper and spritz gently to allow to shape slightly.
7. Dab off any excess moisture - shouldn't be enough to make ink run.
8. Place small piece of Snail tape runner in centre of one flower and stick together, slightly off centre so that petals alternate and with centre holes matching. Put yellow coloured brad from through centre (here I used Apricot Appeal but you could use So Saffron.
9. Take piece of white card 9.1 x 9.1cm. Stamp with stems of your choice from Pocket Silhouettes and Autumn Days, random stamping between Always Artichoke and Old Olive.
10. Pierce holes where you wish daisies to be on finished card and stick brad through to fasten.
11. Take 10x10cm Always Artichoke base card and attach 9.5 x 9.5cm Old Olive card stock.
12. Mat white stamped card with daisies and brads on to base card.
13. Stamp greeting in Always Artichoke Ink.
14. Put a mask of copy papier round brad and stipple with Black Staz On ink to give dimension to centre of daisy. (I used rough side of bath sponge).

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I do hope you have enjoyed my contribution. Although we do not have the full range of punches that the USA & Canada have, I'm sure you will enjoy being 'wowed' at the rest of the blog hop.

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Please continue on your way and enjoy the sites below.

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http://www.paperpunchaddiction.com

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http://www.dostamping.typepad.com

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http://astampabove.typepad.com/my-blog

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http://www.kintakards.webs.com

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http://stampinreckon.blogspot.com

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http://www.thestampingstudio.blogspot.com

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http://www.stampwithlindawalsh.com

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http://www.kraftykateskupboard.typepad.com

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http://stampinwithj.blogspot.com

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http://creativewishes.blogspot.com/

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Thanks again for 'hopping' by and hope to see you again sometime.

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Happy Punchin' !

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Sandra

STAMPERS 10 PROJECT

Welcome back to another 'New In Colour' project that my Stampers 10 group made last night.

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What could difficult about two squares of card cut in half and a bit of folding !!! Sorry girls, I thought it would be easier that it was. I did stress at the beginning of the evening, this project does rely on accurate measuring and accurate folding.

1. Start with 2 pieces of Whisper White cardstock measuring 14x14cm.
2. Cut each piece in half lengthwise so you have 4 pieces each 7x14cm.
3. Score each piece in half down the centre lengthwise at 3.5cm and also in from each shorter end at 3.5cm.
4. Lay pieces on your cutting mat as in the picture. Apply red sticky tape as shown, in each of the 4 outside corners, taping from fold to the outside edge only.
5. Align both halves with tape closely together and, removing the tape from one section at a time, attach the other pieces crossways.
6. Your base is now done. Take a bone folder and firmly crease each fold in all directions.

.Once assembled it was a simple cutting strips to cover each section and then decorate as you wish. It is really important to keep the folds clear.

1. The folds should all be 3.5cm wide and the longer sections 3.5x7cm. I cut my DSP at 1mm smaller than the section itself.
2. Cut strip of DSP at 3.4cm. Then cut squares at 3.4cm and longer pieces at 6.9cm. Fix DSP with tape runner. Working on one 'face' at a time makes it easier.
3. Repeat for each of the other 'faces' using the photos below as a guide.

Once all covered, decorate with co-ordinating cardstock, stamps and matting and layering as you wish. It really is fun but if you are unsure, make a template using photocopier paper first to get the hang of it.
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Have fun and persevere !!
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Sandra

WELCOME TO MY FIRST BLOG HOP !!!

Hi everyone and welcome to my Blog.

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I was on a waiting list to be included in this 'blog hop' and only picked up email advising me there was now a space available yesterday morning whilst out hosting a Workshop !! So, last night once I got home (after fish & chip supper and socialising), I ended up with only 12 hours through the night to make these cards and create my scheduled post by 10am Sunday !!

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Hopefully if I have done everything correctly to join this 'hop', you may have just joined me from http://www.natalie-oshea.blogspot.com/. Natalie creates some stunning work and I was lucky to be able to attend one of her 'Stamp With Us' camps in March. Everyone had a fab weekend, so much fun and laughter whilst enjoying our hobby. Now I'm booked on September as well - there is still room in the car if anyone would like to join Angie and myself and share transport from Norfolk.

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I hope you are all enjoying your tour round and getting some inspiration for projects using the New In Colours Stampin' Up! launched here in the UK at the beginning of May.

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Anyway, at the 11th hour, here is my selection of cards using the New In Colours.

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To make the plaque on the right hand card above, I used a 7.5cm square of Rich Razzleberry cardstock and punched once in the centre of each side of the square, using the Eyelet Border punch (see close up below).
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To get the extra flowers on the right hand card below, I stamped flowers from Simply Said in Rich Razzleberry Ink.

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I then squeezed ink pad to get some onto lid and painted with watercolour brush (see below).

Here I introduced some of the Old Olive Satin ribbon from the Mini Catalogue.

To make the Word window 'mat' layer on the right hand card below, I have found that if you cut a piece of cardstock 4.8cm x 1.3cm and corner round, it fits perfectly. A technique my classes have been using since the new window punch was available.
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I hope you have liked todays post. I'm sorry that time got the better of me and the box was not finished by the deadline. If you hop back again later this afternoon, I hope to have it added.

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Please continue with your 'hop' and follow this link for some more fantastic inspiration from Dawn at http://www.tartanstamper.blogspot.com/ .

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Thanks for 'hopping bye'.

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Sandra

PIGGY REQUEST !!!

I am making a 6"x6" scrapbook as a leaving gift for my boss from all of his work colleagues and pupils. He is absolutely 'pig' mad and also admitted to being an avid Charlie Chaplin fan.

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Every page is going to have a pig featured somewhere so if anyone can send me any stamped images, links to free downloads or anything which may be able to help, please drop me a line to sroberts07@btinternet.com and let me know.

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Here is a punchart one that I have made previously with one of my craft groups, using a selection of Stampin' Up! circle punches, Word Window and 5-Petal punches. He is quite cute and so much better that the first one I made - that turned out looking more like a pink cat !!!

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Many thanks for your kind help.

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Sandra

WORKSHOP CHALLENGE

The ladies at todays Workshop were set a challenge.

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I passed round the card posted below on 2nd June and offered a bundle of New In Colour Polka Dot ribbons if anyone could guess how I made the background for the card. They had to give me their suggestion on a scrap of paper so no-one else could hear, by the end of the day.

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With lots of wrong answers offered, I gave the clue that no water was involved.

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Congratulations to Gina and Grace who both finally guessed correctly.

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I will be demonstrating this technique at Moreton Hall in Bury St Edmunds on Thursday 10th June, 7-9pm so the same applies to anyone attending. If you can guess corectly, there will be a small prize - if more than 2 correct answers, I will draw names from a hat !!

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Pop back after Thursdays class to see more pictures and technique explained.

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Happy crafting

Sandra

THE SHOW MUST GO ON ............

and it did .......

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I had a slight mis-hap early this morning .... I fell down the stairs !! It was quite a tumble, landing heavily on my Coxix, sliding on my back down the stairs with carpet burns on top of leg, grabbing for bannister on the way down and wrenching my shoulder. I ache all over and it's so uncofmortable to sit down. I texted my friends to say I was on my way, moving very slowly, but all went ahead as planned and on time.

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My Workshop today was another meeting in Stamford at AJ's craft shop with my lovely friends Alan & Jean who moved there last year from Bury St Edmunds, together with a host of regular customers I have got to know really well. (They really do need a bigger room for Workshops ....... how we squash 11 people in there, I still don't know). Everyone was on form and, despite being in discomfort from my mishap, they didn't take pity on me, so the friendly banter continued as always. Everyone had another lovely day, placed their orders and can't wait for the next one.

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Anyway, I have found out today that the waiting list I was on for an ILWS Demo bloghop scheduled for tomorrow, now has a space and I need to create 2 cards from the New In Colours and schedule publish of blog entry for 10am tomorrow !!! I have my work cut out as it's so last minute and with only 12 hours to go, but hey ........ it is my first blog hop so must give it a go. Good job I don't need much sleep !!

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Please pop back tomorrow and follow all the links to get some fab ideas for the New Products. Don't forget to look at earlier entry on this blog for a special sample kit I am offering to customers.

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See you tomorrow.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY .... to me .... and ....

Last summer I found out I share my birthday with our lovely Stampin' Up! UK Manager, Paula Gorry. This is the card I made for her using Night of Navy base and Taken with Teal which is sadly retiring from our colour range at the end of September. There is also a bit of rock 'n' roll technique between Ballet Blue with Night of Navy and also Ballet Blue with Taken with Teal on the smaller flower.

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Those of you who have already done my Black & White workshop with the Vintage Vogue stamp set, will recognise it is very similar and yet so different !! Both the background and the rock 'n' roll technique will be shared at my Bury St Edmunds class Thursday 10th June, 7-9pm.

HOT OFF THE STAMPIN' UP PRESS !!!

Morning everyone !!

I've logged on this morning to find that Stampin' Up! have released another great offer for June & July !!

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For every party/workshop totalling £250 or more up to 31st July 2010, the Hostess will earn an extra £20 in free merchandise. How fab is that .......... Sorry the flyer is not very clear when enlarged. I will have copies with me when I see you or I can email to you so you can read/print PDF file.

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Now, as an extra incentive to get those parties rolling, I will be holding a draw of all the qualyfying hostesses during the 2-month promotion and will giving away extra freebies - the winner will be given a selection to choose from. As a blog incentive, those who mention seeing this entry on my blog, will also receive a free stamp.

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So what are you waiting for ......... I am permanently attached to my iPhone and ready to receive your emails/texts to check diary and book in your party or give me a call (outside office hours 8.30am-5pm Mon-Fri please).

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Speak to you soon.