TUESDAY TOP TIP

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 .....

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

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 :-)

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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 !

:-)

RETREAT WEEKENDS

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

16th - 18th September, 2011

or

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

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

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

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 !!!!

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

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

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

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.

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

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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 !!

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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.

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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.

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The card below shows the effect that I achieved.

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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.

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

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Happy craftin'.

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Sandra

JUST BELIEVE IN NEUTRALS !!

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.

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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 !!

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Happy caraftin'.

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Sandra