EXCITING NEW ANNUAL CATALOGUE

At long last …. it’s finally here.  The NEW Stampin’ Up! Annual Catalogue is finally released tomorrow and it’s a whopper !!!!

All will be revealed tomorrow ………

Sandra

 

POOR LONELY AND NEGLECTED BLOG

Those who know me well know the summer has been a difficult time for me and, whilst my customers and classes come first, sadly my blog is usually is forgotten.

At the end of June, Mum was taken into hospital suddenly, not expected to last the night and then sadly died 10 days later. Dad has been living with us now for 3-months and the summer has meant putting Dad first.  It has been lovely catching up with Dad and spending lots of quality time with him.

Needless to say, my Stampin’ Up! business had to take a back seat for a while and I am so grateful to all my lovely ladies who understood the necessary adjustments and who continued to support me through both family bereavement and also a couple of recent hospital appointments myself.

Here is a photo of Dad enjoying his new mobility scooter on the seafront at Southwold during a day out with my sister and hubby.

Dad recently celebrated his 81st birthday.  Last Saturday he tried his first ever Chinese meal at the Lucky Star all-you-can-eat buffet and, being a farmer and preferring meat and two veg’, he admitted he was ‘pleasantly surprised’. 

Dad has now been living with us for 3-months and now things are settling down a bit and I’m back in the blogging habit, I plan to be blogging more frequently.

Please pop back again soon.

 

Sandra

FUN DAY OF CRAFTING

With hubby away for the weekend with his British Legion Riders Branch friends, yesterday I spent my second ‘Fun Day of Crafting’ with fellow crafters at my home in Northwold.

Crafting for 12-hrs from 9am to 9pm is a girl’s ideal way to spend the day, specially with none of life’s usual interruptions like the telephone, family, children etc.   With bacon butties consumed, decisions had to made as to theme and colour of their first project.  It was lovely being able to hold another class at home and being able to give everyone the versatility and choice to personalise their project as they wished.  I lost count of the number of trips up and down my stairs but the exercise was good, working off the Chinese buffet from the night before.

I’m looking forward to my third ‘Fun Day of Crafting’ on 19th May.  Ironically this was the first date booked, having another event booked whilst hubby at the BMF, that got cancelled.  Not to lose the opportunity of an empty house for the weekend, my 12-hour ‘Fun Days of Crafting’ were born !! 

These projects were first inspired last year by fellow Demonstrator Victoria, sharing one she had made for baby Grace on our In Love With Stamping Demonstrator forum.

 

This is Jo’s frame – it was her birthday on the day (5th May) and her husband had paid for her craft day for her birthday.  It was unfortunate that the friend who should have been joining her had tonsillitis.

 

This is Natalie’s frame – she has recently signed up as a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator, through a contact she made online.   We only met recently at the Sincerely Yours show in Thetford on 1st April .

  

This was Kathy’s frame – she made this for her daughter.

This is Susan’s frame - made for her home.

Unfortunately I don’t have photos of all the frames that our guests created back in November 2011, at the Mablethorpe Crafting Retreat Weekend with Emily and myself, but here is a selection.

 Julie’s Christmas frame

Jane’s Christmas frame

Mandy’s frame

Andrea’s frame

   

Carol’s frame

….. and a few more from the February 2012 Crafting Retreat Weekend.

This is Tracy’s frame – she is a US Stampin’ Up’ Demonstrator.

This is Debbie’s frame – made with her family name.

I cannot remember who’s these next two belonged to but if you see this and get in touch with me, I will add your names.

 

I hope you have enjoyed seeing these beautiful projects.  I like to ensure that guests have the same surprise element when attending Crafting Retreat Weekends and similar special events, hence not publishing these photos until today.  They have been extremely popular will everyone who has attended.

With a couple of ladies attending my next ‘Fun Day of Crafting’ group on Saturday 19th May having already made projects above at previous Retreat Weekends,  they will be creating an alternative project using lovely NEW products from the Stampin’ Up! Summer 2012 Mini catalogue, hence, I am now able to share this wide selection of individualised projects with you.

The remaining projects will be posted after 19th May so please pop back then to see what else my guests created, together with a tutorial.

That’s all for now, hope these have given you some inspiration for handmade gifts.  I know my customers have enjoyed and are busy making more for Christmas presents already.

Happy craftin’

Sandra

FRIDAY NIGHT FUN & LAUGHTER

One of my Thetford Stampers 10 members, Judy, asked about delivery of her order as she had no forthcoming appointments in my area to be able to collect as usual.  She wondered if I was going to be visiting the Norwich area anytime soon, or perhaps going to the Chinese buffet that my hubby and I like.

Well, what else was I supposed to do, in the interests of maintaining good Customer Service of course, but to oblige and rustle up a car full of fellow crafters to meet her for a Chinese buffet.  After all, hubby was away for the weekend and everything was ready for the following days class !! We had a really enjoyable evening, so many funny tales, I think our squeals of laughter were perhaps a bit too noisy at times for the other diners, so apologies to them, but we did have lots of fun !!

Two of the funniest moments were tales of Judy’s parrot Elvis, that kept us amused for some time, and who, at 16yrs old had escaped out of an open door and after returning a while later had later laid an egg, realising Elvis was in fact a ‘she’.  Elvis is now 23yrs old.

Then there was Alison’s tale of her forthcoming house move, downsizing but having been to auction that day and buying several items of furniture at very good prices, had not thought about how she was getting them home !!  Luckily her friend has a van and he is collecting some time this week, hopefully some being delivered to her craft room at the new house to save moving them twice.

Thank you all for an excellent evening, one I feel must be repeated again.

Sandra

 

 

NEW SUMMER MINI BLOG HOP

Hi fellow crafters and welcome to today’s Blog Hop.  From 10am this morning, around 40 Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrators are showcasing products from the Summer 2012 Mini catalogue which you can order from TODAY. 

Grab yourself a cuppa and have some fun ‘hopping’ round for some wonderful inspiration.  You may need a pen and paper to jot down some of your favourite products along the way and start your wish list.  Don’t worry if you have a long list, with TWO great offers from Stampin’ Up! at the moment, it has never been a better time to sign up as a Demonstrator – for just £99 - and earn some of your favourite products for FREE.  Why not contact me on 07806 616704 or email sroberts07@btinternet.com to take advantage of the offers or find out more information.  Details will remain at the top of my blog for the merry month of May.

You may have joined me today from Alison’s blog  HERE, one of my team of Stampin’ Up! downlines.  Didn’t she have some wonderful projects.  

My first project to share with you today is the card I made for a recent swap with my fellow Demonstrators over on In Love With Stamping.  Here I have used the new Blossom Punch #125603 to punch the main flower and used the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing folder #117335 to add texture to the petals.  The leaves have been punched using the Bird Builder punch #117191.  The Designer Series Paper is from Twitterpated Suite which features DSP, Buttons, ribbons and materials.

Here they are all ready before posting.

One of our dear Demo Support staff, Eileen, has been very poorly lately and I was creating these when I heard the news.  Here is the card I sent to her to wish her a speedy recovery.

Next I wish to share with you projects from my recent all-day class, an ‘Introduction to Scrapbooking’, where attendees received class kits containing a lovely assortment of products from the New Twitterpated Suite to create some pages for their 6” x 6” scrapbook album.  These are one of my favourite DSP collections and have something to suit everyone’s taste.

The front page for my album was inspired by a 12”x12” scrapbook page designed by the lovely Monica at a recent training session in Peterborough.  Using my selection for my class kits, I adapted the design for my 6” x 6” album and used completely different products, incorporating new products from the Summer 2012 Mini.  Monica’s design used the self adhesive die-cut strips from Tickets and Tags Simply Scrappin’ kit #122373 but I have used various strips of co-ordinating cardstock and Eyelet Border punch #119853 and Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch #119275.   The centre mats have been created by using two sizes from the Framelits #125598. Numbers have been cut using Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine #113439 using the Timeless Type Junior Alphabet Dies #115951. The new Pleated Satin Ribbon in Red Riding Hood Red #125569.

 

My next double page provided my own inspiration for the cards above.  Using the beautiful DSP with Red Riding Hood Red & Whisper White cardstock and textured using Perfect Polka Dots Embossing folder detailed above.

   

The next double page features the beautiful floral paper from the Twitterpated Suite.  Here I have used the Island Indigo and Blushing Bride co-ordinating cardstock.  The Red Riding Hood Red also features within the paper and has been used to create this lovely carnation using the Blossom punch #125603 and mounted onto two strips of Island Indigo cardstock that have been cut and embossed using the Adorning Accents Edgelit Dies #125595 and Adorning Accents Textured Impressions Embossing folders #125601.

  

My last share today features another quick and simple double page layout.  Both of these are identical pages, just placed in album with one upside down !!  Here I incorporated the Pleated Satin Ribbon in Blushing Bride #125570 and the Twitterpated Designer Buttons #125579.

   

Some of my class ladies (and gent) have allowed me to take photos of some of their adaptations and I will be posting more over the next few days.   With lots of new products to play with, I am looking forward to finding some time over the Bank holiday Weekend to do some more creating.

I hope you have enjoyed stopping by here, if so, I would love you to leave me a comment.

Please continue your tour by clicking on Pat's blog www.pinkycardsandcreations.blogspot.com
for some more lovely New Summer 2012 Mini inspiration.

Hope to see you soon.

Happy craftin’

Sandra

STAMPIN’ UP! NEW STARTER KIT – Just £99

 

Stampin' Up! have just launched a fantastic BRAND NEW Starter Kit for new Recruits. For just £99 you can fully customise the kit to suit your own requirements. With a total value of £175, you can choose £130 of product from the **NEW** Summer Mini Catalogue or the Main Catalogue, with £45 of business supplies.

During 2012, Stampin’ Up! will be celebrating its fifth year in Europe--and doing it in a big way! As part of that celebration, during May only, new demonstrators who join Stampin’ Up! will receive FREE Convention 2012 registration--a £149 value!

This is a fabulous opportunity to start for just £99. I would love to have you as part of my team so if you would like more information please call me on 01366 728407 or 07806 616704 or email me at sroberts07@btinternet.com.

Sandra

x

THANKS TO MY DISTANT MENTOR

This afternoon I caught up with a dear friend whom I think I first met at the first ever European Convention that was held in Frankfurt, November 2009.  I am lucky to have been able to attend all three European Conventions and am already looking forward to the 4th one this November.

Dawn from Aberdeenshire remembers me sitting the bar and showing her and a few other demos how to make folded Christmas trees with Designer Series Paper.

Although we don’t get to catch up very often, Dawn has been a bit of a distant ‘mentor’ to me down here in Norfolk, giving me support along my Stampin’ Up! journey.  Being part of Stampin’ Up! team of Independent Demonstrators, is extremely rewarding and Demonstrators have the opportunity to earn many rewards along their individual journeys. 

The highlight of the year, is an all expenses paid Grand Holiday.  I would love to be part of one of these Stampin’ Up! trips however I recognise that working full time, I feel it will be a tall order for me to achieve this.  I am not one to be defeated but today Dawn has encouraged me that I am heading towards the half way mark already …. I have another 5-months to achieve this huge goal !!!

Having worked extremely hard during the first few months of this year, particularly during Sale-A-Bration, I earned some wonderful rewards for both sales and recruiting being able to choose many stamp sets free of charge from the new Mini.  I set myself some goals / personal targets for the first three months of the year.   The first is one I have been chasing for some time to get over the £10,000 in annual personal sales.  The 2nd and 3rd were to sign up 3 recruits and to achieve my Silver 2 promotion.  I am pleased to say I achieved all of these !!

Please pop back on Tuesday as there is some exciting new regarding the new starter kit which I’m sure many of you will love. 

To find out more about becoming an Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator, please give me a call on 01366 728407 or 07806 616704 and I will be pleased to answer any questions you may have.

Regards

Sandra

STAMFORD CLASS

It was lovely to see another packed class today at my regular bi-monthly class with my long standing friends at AJ’s in Stamford.  We have been trying to work out how long I have been instructing classes for Alan & Jean.  When they were Manager and Sales Assistant in the craft department at Denny in Bury St Edmunds - it must be over 6yrs now.

Instructing Stampin’ Up! craft classes here bi-monthly, they get to choose which of my monthly classes either side of their month, they wish to do.  

So, with class theme of 'Whiter Than White', it was just as the title suggests, using a wide variety of 'white' materials in the current Stampin' Up! Catalogues.  The inspiration for this class came whilst on holiday in Portugal in October 2011. I passed a shop called ‘White Linen’ and had to have a browse (as women do). Back at the apartment for an afternoon siesta, laptop and Stampin’ Up! catalogue in hand and so the class began to unfold, ready to make up when I got back home.

Today we used many different white card stock, textures and accessories to make our assortment of cards.

Unfortunately I’m only giving you one sneak peak as class also being run at Riversdale Centre THETFORD on Sunday 13th May, Moreton Hall BURY ST EDMUNDS on Saturday 26th May (SOLD OUT)  and St Faiths Centre NORWICH on Sunday 27th May. 

 

Unfortunately, the photo does not really do the project justice – in real life you can see the many different textures we have used.  If you wish to see some of the projects we made, please pop back after the last one on 27th May, as I like to keep surprises for those attending.

Places are going quickly, so please phone me on 01366 728407 or 07806 616704 or email sroberts07@btinternet.com.

Catch up soon 

Sandra

A NEW TEAM MEMBER …... (or two ?)

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

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 !!!!!!!!!!!!!

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

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

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

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 ****

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 ........

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

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

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

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