Friday, 5 October 2012
MY NEW STASH !!!
Monday, 1 October 2012
NEW CATALOGUE BLOG HOP
It’s that time of year again when Demonstrators over on In Love With Stamping get together and showcase an assortment of projects made using NEW and exciting items from the Autumn and Winter supplement and also the NEW Annual catalogues.
Demonstrators will be scheduling blog posts at 10am this morning. If you have just joined me here then make yourself a cuppa and grab yourself a notepad and pen. I’m sure there will be some wonderful inspirations along the way.
You may have just joined from Sarah's blog so a very big warm welcome to you. I hope you are enjoying your ‘hopping’ so far.
Apologies that I have been absent from blogging for a while but pleased to have joined in today, easing myself in gently with today’s small contribution from recent class.
With so many lovely new items it’s hard to know what to play with first !! In the Autumn/Winter supplement, Stampin’ Up! have introduced co-ordinated product bundles at discounted prices. This means that purchasing a stamp set and dies together, you can make even bigger savings.
My first two cards feature the NEW Scentsational Season and the Holiday Collection Framelit Dies that I created for my ‘Ink-Illicious’ classes held this Saturday in Bury St Edmunds and Sunday in Norwich.
Here I have inked up brayer with Early Espresso ink and brayered the raised surface on the inside of the NEW Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions Embossing folder #127819. Next I processed through the Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine #113439. This pushed the ink into the crevices to create a lovely effect. The card is layered with Very Vanilla and Soft Suede onto an Early Espresso card base.
To give a different effect, this card follows the same style but using the Square Lattice Textured Impression Embossing folder #119976 with the Christmas Tree from Scentsational Season. The cute greeting is from Teeny Tiny Sentiments #129579 (W) #120024 (C).
I’m sure there will be a lot of this stamp set featured on this hop today. It has been really popular with customers already.
This card features the NEW Ornament Keepsake stamp set, also available as a product bundle at a discounted price #129949 (W) #129950 (C).
The ornament has been centred on the NEW Holiday Frame Textured Embossing folder #127820 on River Rock, Very Vanilla and Early Espresso card layers.
The new 3-1/2” Scalloped Tulle ribbon was too heavy at full width for this card so I trimmed down the centre to make two pieces. I think for this card it’s more balanced. NEW Tulle ribbon is available in Cherry Cobbler #127841, Crumb Cake #127840 and Early Espresso #127839.
The edges of the bauble have been finished off with Tombow Multipurpose glue #110755 and Dazzling Diamonds Stampin’ Glitter #102023.
If you wish to browse the NEW Catalogues, please click on the images at the top of my blog. If you would like your own copy in the post or wish to place an order, please feel free to contact me on 07806 616704 or by email sroberts07@btinternet.com.
I hope you have enjoyed your stop with me today. Please continue on your way by popping across to Sharon's blog and enjoy the creations she has in store for you.
Happy ‘hopping’ and please make sure to pop back soon.
Sandra
OCTOBER & NOVEMBER OFFER – FREE PAPERS
Sunday, 30 September 2012
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
Saturday, 29 September 2012
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
Sunday, 6 May 2012
FUN DAY OF CRAFTING
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
Tuesday, 1 May 2012
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
Sunday, 29 April 2012
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
Saturday, 14 April 2012
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
Sunday, 22 January 2012
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
Tuesday, 17 January 2012
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
Saturday, 14 January 2012
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.
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
Thursday, 12 January 2012
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
Wednesday, 4 January 2012
IN LOVE WITH STAMPING - BLOG HOP
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.
Happy Craftin' till next time.
SandraNEW **** SPRING 2012 MINI ****

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.