4th DAY OF ADVENT

Evening crafters

Another card today, this time using Ornamental Pine #135104. 

Of course the envelope couldn't escape without being decorated too.

..... add a little Dazzling Details #124117 to add some sparkle and a bow made from 1/2" Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding #120992 to finish.

See you again tomorrow for another festive project, one for each day of Advent. 

Happy craftin'

Sandra

Email : sroberts07@btinternet.com

Contact me on : 07806 616704

For all your Stampin' Up! requirements and Special Offers, please visit : MY ONLINE SHOP http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/sandraroberts

3rd DAY OF ADVENT

Evening crafters

Today I'm sharing cards made to swap with my fellow Stampin' Up! Demostrators, attending our Regional Training event at Huntingdon. 

Here are some of the component pieces before 'production line' assembly commenced.  Here the stamped and punched trees were re-inserted into the punch to make smaller trees, giving a quick way to add variety of tree sizes to your projects. 

Remember that ordering the stamp and punch together you will receive a 15% discount.   Just get in touch with me to see how you can save even more. 

See you again tomorrow for another festive project, rapidly counting down towards the seasonal festive celebrations.

Happy craftin'

Sandra

Email : sroberts07@btinternet.com

Contact me on : 07806 616704

For all your Stampin' Up! requirements and Special Offers, please visit : MY ONLINE SHOP http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/sandraroberts

WEEKLY DEALS ~ 3.12.14 to 9.12.14

Morning crafters

Welcome back to this weeks Stampin' Up! Weekly Deals. 

Simply click on my online shop link 24-7 below in red to take advantage of this weeks Weekly Deals in the screenshot below, or get in touch with me to add to my next order and save your postage. 

Happy craftin'

Sandra

Email : sroberts07@btinternet.com

Contact me on : 07806 616704

For all your Stampin' Up! requirements and Special Offers, please visit : MY ONLINE SHOP http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/sandraroberts

2nd DAY OF ADVENT

Morning crafters

This morning I'm sharing a table decoration ladies made at my recent Ultimate Christmas Retreat Weekends. 

This was inspired by a picture my upline shared with me of a topiary tree, way back in January 2014 and I asked if we could make up when we next met. Mine was made in Spring colours but could see the potential for my Christmas Retreat, in Christmas colours from the papers Jo used and bought several packs of Print Poetry DSP stacks to pack away ready for the Autumn. 

Sisters Sandra & Mandy relaxing in matching PJs

.... and later getting fingers too close to the hot glue gun !

Cutting and curling all those strips of paper was a gentle project to unwind after lots of concentrating during the rest of the day. 

See you again tomorrow for another festive project, one for each day of Advent. 

Happy craftin'

Sandra

Email : sroberts07@btinternet.com

Contact me on : 07806 616704

For all your Stampin' Up! requirements and Special Offers, please visit : MY ONLINE SHOP http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/sandraroberts

CHARITY CRAFT DAY

Evening crafters

Yesterday, I spent one of my 'non-working' days, joining fellow NHS colleagues raising money for charity.  

Our table fees were donated to the Arthur Rank Hospice charity and each table holder donated a percentage of their profits (after costs deducted) to their own nominated charity. I nominated 50% of my profits to Macmillan Cancer. 

Some of my stocking filler mini crackers with nail varnish 

for craft table & personal gifts

made with Stampin' Up! Envelope Punch Board

On Sunday, I made 24 of these mini crackers using Stampin' Up! Envelope Punch Board.  A slight adjustment on the measurements, can easily be made to fit your festive treats ~ here each had a festive nail polish inside.  Some are for personal gifts and the rest went on my charity table.

I received several commission orders from colleagues, of my display items, which need to be made up ASAP for Christmas, so a busy weekend ahead. 

Pop back again tomorrow for another festive project, one for each day of Advent.

Happy craftin'

Sandra

Email : sroberts07@btinternet.com

Contact me on : 07806 616704

For all your Stampin' Up! requirements and Special Offers, please visit : MY ONLINE SHOP http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/sandraroberts

STAMPIN' UP! NORFOLK RETREAT WEEKEND(s)

Afternoon crafters

I have recently held my first double 'back-to-back' Stampin' Up! Crafting Retreat weekends, at a new cottage I found last year, near Oxborough in Norfolk. 

It was lovely to see so many familiar faces joining me again and a few new faces were welcomed by everyone. 

With the sudden passing of my Dad just a few days before and hospital visits the week prior, it had been extremely difficult time, ensuring everything was ready on time for my ladies. 

I have huge thank-you's to pass on to everyone who attended the two 'weekends', for their understanding and support at this very sad time.   Special thanks go to Val for keeping us all 'fed & watered' the entire time, my hubby David for producing us some wonderfully delicious home cooked evening meals and to Joanne for bailing me out on the time front, by creating everyone cute little Christmas themed Curvy Keepsake boxes, for one of the all attendee give-aways. 

The second group joined me from the Monday evening to repeat all over again until Thursday morning, with some additional Day Guests who joined us for a 12-hr crafting day on Tuesday. 

With unanimous support for the next one, Autumn 2015 back-to-back retreats were booked with the cottage owner during our stay and I am currently working on interest for a potential Spring 2015 too.  First invites as always go to previous attendees however, if you are interested, please get in touch to be on my next mailing. 

Our lovely farmland views from our 'floor to ceiling' windows 

the length of the building.  

Our friendly 'neighbours', coming to see what we were up to !!

That's all for now folks.  I'm slowly returning to the kraftybiker craft room. My only crafting over the last few weeks has been completing swaps for Stampin' Up! Regional Training event, which will be posted soon, together with updates from my Autumn retreat :-)

Until then, happy craftin'

Sandra

Email : sroberts07@btinternet.com

Contact me on : 07806 616704

For all your Stampin' Up! requirements and Special Offers, please visit : MY ONLINE SHOP http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/sandraroberts'

SAD NEWS

Hello fellow crafters

Apologies for my lack of blogging over the last few weeks but I have some very sad news to share with you. 

Last week family and friends joined my sister and I to say our goodbyes to our dear Dad who sadly passed away recently, following a short spell at the James Paget Hospital in Gorleston. 

Following his first 'elderly' fall, just getting up and falling over his feet, doctors stopped his Warfarin to allow his blood to clot and nasty leg to heal.  A couple of weeks later he suffered a stroke, followed by further strokes in hospital before passing away in less than a week.

His death shocked everyone as prior to his fall, he had been in such good health at 83-years old. 

Dad enjoying the sunshine at Hunstanton

28th September 2014

This is a poem my sister found online, that was read Dad's funeral.  The words were very appropriate for his long farming career. 

CLOSE THE GATE

For this one farmer the worries are over, lie down and rest your head,

Your time has been and struggles enough, put the tractor in the shed.

Years were not easy, many downright hard, but your faith in God transcended,

Put away your tools and sleep in peace. The fences have all been mended.

You raised a fine family, worked the land well and always followed the Son,

Hang up your shovel inside of the barn; your work here on earth is done.

A faith few possess led your journey through life, often a jagged and stony way,

The sun is setting, the cattle are all bedded, and here now is the end of your day.

Your love of God’s soil has passed on to your kin; the stories flow like fine wine,

Wash off your work boots in the puddle left by blessed rain one final time.

You always believed that the good Lord would provide and He always had somehow,

Take off your gloves and put them down, no more sweat and worry for you now.

Your labor is done, your home now is heaven; no more must you wait,

Your legacy lives on, your love of the land, and we will close the gate.

Nancy Kraayenhof

He was such a kind and loving character, who had enjoyed life in his new bungalow, following Mums death over two years ago, alternating his weekends at his two 'hotels' in Northwold with myself and David, and in Fritton with my sister and brother-in-law.

We have many happy memories with lots of laughter to keep in our thoughts. I'm so pleased that I was able to work part-time from January this year, which allowed me to spend more time with him. 

Lots of love Dad, you will be sadly missed by everyone, especially myself. xxx  

Sandra

Email : sroberts07@btinternet.com

Contact me on : 07806 616704

For all your Stampin' Up! requirements and Special Offers, please visit : MY ONLINE SHOP http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/sandraroberts

WEEKLY DEALS ~ 26.11.14 to 2.12.14

Morning crafters

Welcome back to this weeks Stampin' Up! Weekly Deals. 

Simply click on my online shop link 24-7 below in red below, to take advantage of this weeks Weekly Deals in the screenshot below, or get in touch with me to add to my next order and save your postage.

Happy craftin'

Sandra

Email : sroberts07@btinternet.com

Contact me on : 07806 616704

For all your Stampin' Up! requirements and Special Offers, please visit : MY ONLINE SHOP http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/sandraroberts

WEEKLY DEALS ~ 5.11.14 to 11.11.14

Morning crafters

Welcome back to this weeks Stampin' Up! Weekly Deals. 

Simply click on my online shop link 24-7 below in red to take advantage of this weeks Weekly Deals in the screenshot below, or get in touch with me to add to my next order and save your postage. 

Happy craftin'

Sandra

Email : sroberts07@btinternet.com

Contact me on : 07806 616704

For all your Stampin' Up! requirements and Special Offers, please visit : MY ONLINE SHOP http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/sandraroberts

WEEKLY DEALS - 29.10.14 - 5.11.14

Evening crafters

Welcome back to this weeks Stampin' Up! Weekly Deals. 

Simply click on my online link 24-7 below in red to take advantage of this weeks Weekly deals screenshot below, or get in touch with me to add to my next order and save your postage.

Happy craftin'

Sandra 

Email : sroberts07@btinternet.com

Contact me on :  07806 616704

For all your Stampin' Up! requirements and Special Offers, please visit :

MY ONLINE SHOP : http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/sandraroberts

HOMEMADE LIGHT BOX

Morning crafters

Today I'm sharing another achievement from my bucket list for this year. It's been one of those things I really wanted, but begrudged paying for one when I can make myself for 'next-to-nothing'.

Early last week after hubby had left for work, I had just tidied away some craft bits 'n' pieces from one of our strong Stampin' Up! delivery boxes.  Instead of putting the empty box in the recycling bin, I had one of those 'no time like the present' moments and by 9:30am had finished my new project with a photo taken ready to post on blog. 

It's my box Mum !!!!

Mum..... What have you done with my walls and roof ?

Covered with some very light foam packaging.

I lined with two A3 sheets of card but need A2 to prevent join.

Test photo with black background

Test photo with white background

I'm so pleased with the results ..... no fancy camera, just photos taken on my iPad.  Who would have thought recycling could produce such brilliant results ?   Big thanks to Julie for kindly picking up larger sheet of A2 size mount board when she came over Tuesday morning.  The black is actually an off-white on the reverse so only need to have one reversible sheet.  I think she was as excited to see the results it produced as I was, and will now be making one herself too :-)  I'm looking forward to seeing photos of her handmade jewellery items done in her light box :-) 

Now, I can't wait to photograph my projects, as they look so much more professional, with no distracting backgrounds ..... so pop back soon to see photos of projects, swaps & gifts from Stampin' Up! European Convention weekend in Brussels.  

Happy craftin'

Sandra 

Email : sroberts07@btinternet.com

Contact me on :  07806 616704

For all your Stampin' Up! requirements and Special Offers, please visit :

MY ONLINE SHOP : http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/sandraroberts

HOMEWARD BOUND

Morning crafters

So, our trip to Brussels has come to an end and the five of us travelling together locally, will be homeward bound just after lunch today. 

Here's a quick 'selfie' yesterday afternoon before Convention finished of Jo, Laura and Tracy S, with Tracy K and myself in front. 

Stampin' Up! European Convention closed last night at 5pm and we enjoyed a little shopping time, on the way back to hotel to chill out, before a lovely relaxed meal out.  None of us would have thought that a late October evening could be so warm, sitting outside restaurant in short sleeves till after 10:30pm !!

Suitcases are packed ...... not sure how everything (and my coat) got in.  Just hope seams don't burst !!

Catch up back home with orders to arrange deliveries on tomorrow. 

Happy craftin'

Sandra 

Email : sroberts07@btinternet.com

Contact me on :  07806 616704

For all your Stampin' Up! requirements and Special Offers, please visit :

MY ONLINE SHOP : http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/sandraroberts

DEMONSTRATOR COMPETITION

Evening crafters

Following on my long weekend here in Brussels for the Stampin' Up! European Convention, I had some exciting news yesterday.

Demonstrators had been invited to submit entries for a Convention Design contest, to be displayed on inspiration boards & tables, sharing creative ideas with fellow Independent Demonstrators over the weekend. 

Having spent a lovely weekend with Julie, one of my Downlines, just before the closing date, she had taught me how she made her beautiful 'cake in a box'.   With a display contest prize offered and both of us up for a challenge, we stayed up till the early hours both Friday and Saturday evenings, planning and designing how we could make a similar Christmas cake themed project using Stampin' Up! products, entering the competition in joint names. 

Yesterday lunchtime, we were finally allowed into the Demo resource centre to view displays of many items that had been demonstrated on stage in the morning, together with display boards with many items made by fellow Demonstrators, with stamp sets, especially for Convention. 

I was so pleased to see that Julie and I had been awarded Runners Up prize from all the UK entries, with £50 to be spent between us on Stampin' Up! products. It was well worth our combined efforts and very late nights crafting. 

The outside of the box before posting our entry. 

The competition entry table for the UK entries. 

This was so much fun to create, getting carried away bouncing ideas of each other.   I hope you enjoy this project as much as we did designing it.  Lots of the intricate details don't show very well in these photos but I hope to transfer some more photos off my camera when I get home. 

Pop back soon for more updates from Convention. 

Happy craftin'

Sandra 

Email : sroberts07@btinternet.com

Contact me on :  07806 616704

For all your Stampin' Up! requirements and Special Offers, please visit :

MY ONLINE SHOP : http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/sandraroberts

STAMPIN' UP EUROPEAN CONVENTION @ BRUSSELS

Morning crafters from Brussels !!!

I arrived just after midday yesterday, along with my travel colleagues Laura, Jo, Tracy S & Tracy K.  We were rather tired from our very early  start and I know I'm usually an early bird, but alarm wake up at 4:30am is just unsociable !!!!

Our first class session last night was a gift box set. Although we made several cards, I didn't make the box and bits as thought transporting home might get squashed. 

Each attendee to that additional class was given a lovely personalised stamp for the back of our cards.   The label looks quite big but in real life it's quite a neat size. 

Don't you agree this was a lovely gift ?  I can't wait to use it on the backs of my cards :-)

Happy craftin'

Sandra 

Email : sroberts07@btinternet.com

Contact me on :  07806 616704

For all your Stampin' Up! requirements and Special Offers, please visit :

MY ONLINE SHOP : http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/sandraroberts

STAMPIN' UP! EUROPEAN CONVENTION

Morning crafters

By the time you read this in the morning, I will be heading off to Brussels to attend my 6th Stampin' Up! European Convention.   Last year, dates were announced for the following three years, all to be held in Brussels, being central to all the European countries and all on a good infrastructure for travelling.  

I will be meeting up with fellow team members and other local demonstrators at Downham Market train station for our journey to London, from where we will catch Eurostar into Brussels and spend a long weekend with colleagues from all over Europe.

This is the annual highlight of the Stampin' Up! calendar year which we look forward to.  

Will hopefully pop back with updates whilst I'm away if I can.  

Happy craftin'

Sandra 

Email : sroberts07@btinternet.com

Contact me on :  07806 616704

For all your Stampin' Up! requirements and Special Offers, please visit :

MY ONLINE SHOP : http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/sandraroberts

WEEKLY DEALS - 15th to 21st October

Evening crafters

Welcome back to this weeks Stampin' Up! Weekly Deals. 

Simply click on my online link 24-7 below in red to take advantage of this weeks Weekly deals screenshot below, or get in touch with me to add to my next order and save your postage.

Happy craftin'

Sandra 

Email : sroberts07@btinternet.com

Contact me on :  07806 616704

For all your Stampin' Up! requirements and Special Offers, please visit :

MY ONLINE SHOP : http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/sandraroberts

ANOTHER NEW CRAFT - Scrapbook Tile Box Frame

Afternoon crafters

This months new craft challenge to myself has been to complete my scrabble tile box frame - hubby and myself with our two '4-legged children'.  I'm really pleased with the final result :-) 

Huge thanks to Sarah for giving me the necessary tiles from her stash last week.   I really enjoyed making this and have already worked out another as part of a Christmas gift and also some possible orders :-). If you would like me to price one for you, then please get in touch. 

Happy craftin'

Sandra 

Email : sroberts07@btinternet.com

Contact me on :  07806 616704

For all your Stampin' Up! requirements and Special Offers, please visit :

MY ONLINE SHOP : http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/sandraroberts

STAMPIN' UP! UK - CURVY KEEPSAKE BOX THINLET DIES

Morning crafters

Back today to share a couple of Fridays 'makes' for Saturdays Craft Fair. There are so many fabulous ideas online, these were my take on some relatively quick makes, but there are loads more designs scribbled in my notebook to try next.  This die is probably one of my favourites in the seasonal catalogue.  Surely it will have to roll into the 2015/16 catalogue as it is so NOT just for Christmas .......... fingers crossed. 

 

No rest in the kraftybiker craft room today as I still have to finish off some of my goodies to take to this years Stampin' Up! European Convention.  

Would you like to join us next year in Brussels ? Please get in touch and we can meet for a coffee to discuss signing up as an Independent Demonstrator.  Whether you love Stampin' Up! products and would like to buy for your own hobby and crafty friends or host workshops/classes running your own small business or more, being 'Independent' means you can do as much or as little as you like, just maintaining your quarterly minimums to remain active.   Join before the 31st October and receive a pack of Designer Series Paper each month for the next six months, worth just under £60, on top of the excellent value starter kit. I look forward to catching up again soon.  Click here https://ida.stampinup.com/?demoid=5000522   to join me. 

Happy craftin'

Sandra 

Email : sroberts07@btinternet.com

Contact me on :  07806 616704

For all your Stampin' Up! requirements and Special Offers, please visit :

MY ONLINE SHOP : http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/sandraroberts