.... and now the turn of the little girls ...

Hello I'm back again - just a quick addition to the previous post - this one is for the baby girls using Pretty in Pink on Whisper White - with no second colour it looks different perhaps I should have included a soft green, not sure.

Not such a clear photograph but if you click on it for the larger image it is so much better and let's you see the details

I'll be back with more tomorrow - hopefully see you then - Bridgette

....... and baby makes two ......

With the stall in mind a baby card or two is always a good idea - so again not complicated but hopefully attractive enough to catch someone's eye and tempt them to come and have a browse.

Bashful Blue Designer Papers with Barely Banana cardstock on Whisper White - the stamp is from a set that my dear friend Joyce got for me the last time she returned home to the US along with a gorgeous large oval punch - the striped ribbon is in the new mini catalogue and comes in blue and pink too - perfect for baby cards.

More tomorrow - thanks for taking a look and keeping me company - enjoy the rest of the weekend.

Bridgette ........

White Rabbit Moment ..... late again lol

Hello - well it's gone midnight on the Saturday and had to watch Britain's Got Talent - love Diversity but sooooooooooooooo wanted Julian to win - so here I am with Saturday's Fete Offering - I sought inspiration on the American SU site to give myself a jumping off point and for the moment I have to bear in mind that these cards will be for sale at £1.50 and therefore cannot be overly embellished - and I have in mind to do a Buy 2 Get One Free offer on the day so in fact the cards will end up being £1.00 each.

Bashful Blue, Close to Cocoa, Old Olive and So Saffron cardstock and Kraft taffeta ribbon - I have to admit to using a contraband product - in my defence it is an EK Success punch just not one commissioned by SU - but I don't seem to be able to part with it - I even kept it over and above my Magnolia Tilda stamps - it is such a lovely shape.


Well I shall be back tomorrow - working on Baby cards - thanks for stopping by - Bridgette

What about this one? ......

Well I changed the colourway and sentiment from the Soft Summer stamp set from the mini - this time it was Earth Elements colours of Pumpkin and Close to Cocoa with Very Vanilla cardstock rather than the Whisper White as used for the blue version.

I didn't colour the envelope this time - just stamped the image and left it plain - I like both ways, but using the brown Stazon just gave a softer look.


I've just managed to squeeze in another order for the Designer Papers which are currently on offer - I'm trying Cutie Pie from the retired list this time - it looks very fresh for summer time - this offer ends on Sunday - as yet we don't know if there will be an offer for June - I'll let you know if I get to hear anything.


Bridgette

Cards for the Fete ....

Hello - as I mentioned in the previous post I shall be working on cards to sell on the 20 June at the school fete - so I shall be sharing them with you as I go.

Yesterday I mentioned using the Soft Summer stamp set from the mini - this is a double mounted stamp set that is so versatile and lends itself to lots of colourways - today is the blue offering - using Brocade Blue and Night of Navy both Rich Regals colours - with a little Bashful Blue taffeta ribbon - it all tones beautifully - I was pleased with the outcome - I'm going to do several in different colourways and perhaps a different sentiment - the stamp set comes with two to choose from.


See you tomorrow - Bridgette

First Card Swap ......

Hello again - I've been busy furthering the process of turning my stash-full craft room into a Stampin' Up! haven - with just a touch of Sizzix - but I don't feel too bad about that as the Big Shot from Sizzix features so heavily in the US catalogue - I only wish it would make its way here officially - perhaps in the new catalogue? - oh well, a girl can hope lol.

Guess what? I took part in my very first card swap and I have put a photo of my offering at the top of this post - but I fear that my style is too simple but I shall wait to see how the other cards are made before I start beating myself up - I only had to make 9 samples in total and in a little while I will get a return envelope with 9 different samples in it - so if I am allowed to I will photograph the collection and let you see.

I am currently working on additional cards for a school fete that is on 20 June and I will post some of the designs that I will be making with the sets that I have available to me - I am doing this event with my dear friend Lou who has been, like all my crafty friends, so supportive of my efforts to make my SU venture viable - Lou will also be making some cards using only SU products ready to sell on the day - I am looking forward to it and I must remember to take a photograph of our little pitch before the event gets underway to show you all.

I shall put the finishing touches to a card using the Soft Summer set from the mini catalogue and post for you tomorrow - please come back when you have a moment to see if you like it.

Bridgette

A Thank You for Sally .....

Now Sally as you may recall is my upline and is in the throes of a house move - scheduled for the next two weeks - now our hearts must go out to her because she has had to pack away all her lovely crafting equipment, but it so happened that during this time I was able to help her with one of her parties for one of my friends and she was so generous to me I had to thank her in a special way - if you go to her blog at http://www.sallys-daze.blogspot.com/ she has now mentioned the surprise so I can now reveal what it was - a turquoise watch that she had admired some time earlier made by Aimee - Aimee's blog can be found at www.teenyaims.blogspot.com and showcases some of her other pieces of handcrafted jewellery.

Aimee and I had to employ a very devious tactic - I bear full responsibility, Aimee is far too sweet to do this - we said that Aimee needed help with research for a line of jewellery she was thinking of producing but wanted a sample of wrist sizes to compare against the average of

7 1/2" - well, Sally was so busy that she didn't respond straight away and had to be gently nudged by email lol.

I'm sure you will agree Aimee is very talented and besides producing the watch for Sally she enclosed a gorgeous pair of earrings and cute Thank You card for me - how kind is that?

So Sally, please remember - you deserved this surprise and it was my pleasure to be able to do it for you but it couldn't have been accomplished without Aimee's help - and we are all wishing you and your family a swift and trouble free move when it finally arrives and much happiness in your new home.

Bridgette

First Craft Class .....

I decided that it would be lovely to hold a regular craft class where we could meet to have a play and make some new friends - so the first was held on 12 May with 8 crafty friends in attendance and I am so happy to report that it went well and all the projects were well received.



I seem to get such a buzz out of doing these events - I sometimes wonder who benefits the most but I'm hoping it's a two-way street lol.

We only had two hours to complete three projects, two cards and a 3D item - an origami box. All of the products used are SU as that is the way my craft room is now heading - it's lovely quality to work with and compliments all the hard work that is put into producing handcrafted items.

The classes are held on the second Tuesday of each month between 10.30 am - 12.30 pm in Spalding - there are only 3 spaces remaining for June as I really would like to keep the group small - between 10 - 12 crafters would be lovely - don't hesitate to contact me if you would like to join us - I truly can vouch for the warm welcome you will receive particularly if you are a lone crafter and would like to make new friends who enjoy the same things you do - my contact details are in the side bar - our next meeting is on 9 June 2009 and once again we will be completing two cards and another 3D box suitable for Father's Day.

Thank you for stopping by - Bridgette

Wish List ......... to say Thank You

Hello at last - just a little post to let you know I haven't run screaming to the hills - impossible really as I live in Lincolnshire and there aren't any lol - honestly I've been busy but not getting a lot done - please tell me you know that feeling.

One thing I managed to do was complete small Thank You notelets to put in with the orders that were recently sent out - Pretty in Pink and Rose Red cardstock, Mr & Mrs stamp set together with the Taking Care Of Business one - especially geared at the demonstrators among us and, of course, the trusty scallop circle - where would we be without it?

These were slipped into the carrier bag along with details of the May Special on the Designer Series Paper - Buy Three and Get The Fourth For FREE - it applies to all the DSP, current, mini and retired - take a look in the catalogues in my righthand sidebar, or if you have your own copy at home grab a cup of coffee and have a look - you may have been thinking about adding to you supply of beautiful SU papers, well, now is the time to do.

Bridgette

Inspired by Sara ..... with a slight amendment

Well, it seems to have taken a while to get around to following thro' with what I said I would do in my last post .......I wanted to use the colour combo of Choc Chip and Bashful Blue but found that I reached for Close to Cocoa cardstock instead - but I think it has turned out okay - although I couldn't make my mind up about ribbon - Very Vanilla or Chocolate Chip Taffeta - so I did one of each - the same design but just with that one variation.

The envelope was decorated both front and back - the flap with the roller and the front with the two smaller stamps using the Choc Chip ink - and for perfect positioning you can't beat the Stamp-a-ma-jig, what a simple yet effective piece of craft equipment.

As this is using a roller I shall put it as my entry for our ww#8 challenge normally set by Sally, my upline, but while Sally is snowed under with packing for her wonderfully exciting but exhausting house move Claire, my SU sister, has picked up the baton and is setting the challenges - thank you Claire.

Bridgette

Isn't She Lovely .........

What a lovely surprise - I received this beautiful card from my very clever, crafty friend Sara - and isn't she lovely? - it was to say thank you for making the party fun and for the Polka Dot Blooms Stamp Set that she won when the door prizes were drawn - it was my pleasure Sara - it was a fun evening all round - the post for it is just below if you haven't already read about it.

I love the colours of Bashful Blue and Chocolate Chip that Sara has used and feel inspired to have a go at a card using that colour combination - I'll show you later if I manage to come up with anything.
Bridgette

Crafting, Cake & Coffee ... a winning combination

It was lovely to gather with friends on Friday night for that winning combination of the 3 C's - I was going initially to be a part of the party but following a request from Sally, my upline, I was given the fantastic opportunity to run the event in her place for my friend Louise, what faith they both had in me and I hope I have not let either of them down.

It was also part of our Stampers 10 Club so practically all of the faces were familiar to me and I knew they were a good group of crafters - all accomplished - so I thought four notelets with decorated envelopes would be fun to do - one representing each of the SU colour families - using different stamp sets, wheels and punches - it worked - each basket of goodies moving clockwise round the room as each group completed its card.

I must say we were sustained by the thought of Louise's baking prowess - yummy cakes - and I thought it only fair to show a photograph of one of these beauties kindly given to me by Louise to take home for my little boy John - I had to take a picture before he ate it to prove that I didn't munch it on the way home lol. Believe me he was stood just to the side of me - it's a wonder I didn't capture his hand in the photograph as he made for the chocolate buttons!

So my thanks again to Sally and Louise for the opportunity to share my love of Stampin' Up! with all my friends, old and new, and shamelessly promote what I love to do - you guessed it - it's craft.

Bridgette

Yes, it's that notebook .......... by Lou

Well here it is!! I sought Lou's permission to show the photograph that so inspired me to create my own little note book in the previous post and she very kindly agreed to allow me to reproduce it for you - isn't it a beauty, I just love the colour scheme.

The image used is from a retired stamp set entitled Nature's Wonders which is still available to purchase (p92 - see the sidebar for the Idea Book and Catalogue) and is matted onto More Mustard and Chocolate Chip cardstock - embellished with a chipboard butterfly from Batch of Blooms (p78) - the Daily Notes sentiment is from the versatile Office Accoutrement stamp set (p55) - other smaller elements will be from Lou's own crafty stash.

Thank you to Lou for sharing.

Bridgette

PS I imported the image from my email and believe me I can't do a thing with the layout it has a mind of its own lol - but hey, it's not too bad and the main thing is that we got to see the photo - Bx

Daily Notes ....... inspired by Lou

I am blessed to have so many lovely crafting friends who are all endlessly talented - amongst their number is Lou - this evening she sent me thro' an email with a photo attached of a little project she had made for someone special to her - it so inspired me that I made this little notebook - it truly looks nothing like Lou's, her little beauty is far more intricate than mine - I shall seek her permission to show you.


I have used the Tea Party papers from the mini catalogue - So Saffron cardstock and stamps from the Season of Joy - the swirl stamp is perfect all year round - and Daily Notes from the Office Accoutrements set and a cute little button from the Soft Subtles selection secured with linen thread. Believe it or not the notepad is an inexpensive one from Tesco's, 99p I think.


Happy Easter


Bridgette

Pink Blossom Inspired Easter Wishes ......

I decided that I would set up a little production line for my Easter cards and I have completed some and still have a few more to do - but I thought that I would post this now otherwise I may not have time tomorrow morning to show you what I have been doing.

It is a very simple design because I have quite a few to do - I like the spring colours of Certainly Celery and Pretty in Pink together - I pass a blossom tree in full bloom everyday and this just reminds me of those beautiful delicate little flowers.

I have used the Sale-a-bration set Botanical Blooms - although no longer available I'm hoping that lots of you have the set having taken advantage of the fabulous offer that Stampin' Up! ran in February - the Easter Wishes sentiment comes from the wonderful Occasional Greetings set found on p58 of the Idea Book and Catalogue - if you don't have your own copy yet you can find the set by clicking on the front cover shown on the right hand side of the screen.

Bridgette

Identity Crisis .......

Not me, I hasten to add - my card lol. This started out one way and ended up totally opposite to what I thought I was making - so is it a birthday card or a sympathy/thinking of you card - my little boy thinks a sympathy card and my husband voted for birthday.

Needless to say I was attempting to acquaint myself with stronger colour yet again and play with the combination of Real Red, Old Olive and So Saffron as in an earlier post - once again using the Heartfelt Thanks stamp set.

Like Topsy the number of flowers just kept on growing - in my mind I was going to do a nice structured three flower matted look on 6 x 4 landscape cardstock but then I started tearing and inking and before I knew it my structure had disappeared - so I didn't fight it and just decided to let myself go - my friends know that I don't do 'letting go' terribly well - letting go and Bridgette are not normally mentioned in the same sentence - this probably explains the resulting card - it has a kind of structured letting go about it.

So what do I think?

Mmmmmmm ..... Thinking of You ........... I think!! What do you think?

Bridgette

Oh, So Lovely ......

I decided that I would continue leafing thro' last year's Idea Book and Catalogue 2007 - 2008 and recreate a card using a colour scheme that I wouldn't normally feel comfortable with.

So many thanks to the design team from Stampin' Up! - again with just a few subtle variations in ribbon type, ink colour and sentiment I have recreated the card on p16 of the catalogue - and of course, the envelope has not escaped unscathed lol.

Sizewise I work with a 6 x 4 card base as I find it very convenient - I do tend to ink my edges just to soften them - and my Old Olive edge is torn and inked rather than roughened using the super little gadget from Stampin' Up! called the Cutter Kit - it's on my wish list!

I'm pleased with the result and I must bear in mind that imitation is said to be the sincerest form of flattery and I do need a bit of handholding where colour of the base card is concerned.

Do remember to seek out a copy of the Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalogue 2008 - 2009 - it is truly a wealth of inspiration - so much more than just a list of products - and don't forget the Mini Catalogue is now available to order from - so do email me should you need to purchase any supplies I would be happy to help you - this little catalogue will run alongside the main one right up until the end of September.

See you again soon hopefully.

Bridgette

Heartfelt Thanks ....... from the Idea Book 2007 - 2008 and The Spreader of Love Award

I was looking for inspiration as I just wanted to 'play' quickly in between other jobs today - I looked thro' last years Idea Book and on p 20 I found what I needed - so this is a 'lift' just a slight colour change and orientation and my thanks to the design team at Stampin' Up!

I have to confess that before discovering Stampin' Up! my base cards where invariably white with the occasional cream/ivory addition - colour was something I tended to fight shy of - lack of confidence perhaps - but as you can see I am definitely dipping my toe in the world of colour - and where bolder to start than Real Red, a touch of Old Olive, So Saffron and a hint of Very Vanilla.

I think the design was carried out on a larger card so I changed the orientation to landscape and the proportions tended to work better for my 6 x 4 cardstock - I like the result - I finished by completing the envelope to match.

That's it - it was all done and dusted in no time - filed away in its little cellophane bag awaiting the right occasion to send it.

Thanks again to the Stampin' Up! Design Team - don't forget if you haven't got a catalogue yet have a look for inspiration by clicking on the front cover of the current catalogue over in my sidebar.

Also before I go I would like to share with you the fact that I have been awarded this gorgeous tag from my SU sister Emma - http://www.emma-daye.blogspot.com/ - and it is my pleasure to pass it on to another five blogs that I enjoy visiting - so if you haven't yet experienced the beautiful work that these favourites of mine do then you're in for a treat - don't hesitate, indulge in the pleasure of blog-hopping - but beware it's addictive.

Aimee - http://www.teenyaims.blogspot.com/

Anne - http://www.anne-ectdotes.blogspot.com/

Debbie - http://www.pinkpoppycraftbox.blogspot.com/

SallyB - http://www.sallybeescardsandchat.blogspot.com/

and finally, but by no means least - just alphabetically

Steph - http://www.stephmuchadoaboutnothing.blogspot.com/

Thank you again Emma - I hope I've managed to pass this cute award on successfully.

Thank you to all fellow blog-hoppers for stopping by - hope you can call back soon.

Bridgette

My First Stampin' Up Hostess Party ....

Wow, where did that week go - thank you so much for taking the time to keep checking on me - even my friends were beginning to wonder where I had disappeared to. Honestly I was not painting the town red - not even the very faintest rose pink - but I have, with the help of my dear friend Lou, got off the starting blocks with a Stampin' Up Hostess Party.

Although we were a small party I loved it - time to chat - play with the products - produce a card - watch me demo another - get to know some new faces and say hello again to some familiar ones - it was a blissful few hours and it comfortably produced a Level One Party for Lou even from the modest gathering and some pre-orders from those who couldn't make it - all very much appreciated and I hope they can make it next time as we plan to do it again it was such a relaxing few hours snatched from our otherwise busy schedules - as women we know what it is to juggle all the 'expectations' that come with the roles we fulfil each day and there is nothing like a girly giggle to de-stress!!

The Make and Take was the 'bloom' card with papers from the Sweet Always DSP with a colour theme of Regal Rose and Chocolate Chip - a chance to get hold of stamps and punches with a very basic card that is quick and simple to put together and easy to repeat using different sentiments.

My demo card was inspired by a layout at http://www.thedecoratedpage.blogspot.com/ using the Sale-a-bration stamp set Botanical Bloom - a set was also being given as the Door Prize today - which was simply a name in the hat for all those attending and those who had placed pre-orders - again the opportunity to demo the Stamp-a-ma-jig which you start out believing you don't need and find out that you can't live without it lol - myself included!!

And finally - as it is coming towards Easter - a few brightly coloured mini eggs - enough to indulge but not feel guilty - to take home - I have to confess this is my beautiful Sizzix die Top Note - I believe the Cricut has something similar on one of its cartridges - and the Yummy Sale-a-bration set which will be the door prize at Lou's next party - I told you she is lovely to me as are all my friends - what would I do without you all.

I do hope everyone had a good time - if you're reading this and were there - a big thank you and don't forget to try out my Favourite Blogs List you'll see some gorgeous work to inspire you.

Bridgette

Is this the right time for you?

PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR THE NEWEST POSTING

Is there ever a right time to do anything? Well, if you have been thinking about joining Stampin' Up! now is the right time. For my money the Starter Kit has always been good value at £139 but from 12 March through to 25 March there will be a further 10% discount which brings it down to an incredible £125.00.

Personally, I've never been one to rush a decision - but I do recognise good value for money when it comes along. The Stampin' Up! Starter Kit falls into that category - the total worth of the kit, if bought individually, would be approx £240 and the great thing about it is there is the flexibility to tailor it to your individual needs regarding stamp sets and the colours of inks and papers - I know, I changed my selection to reflect my taste in both stamp sets and colours, for instance, I chose the Rich Regals colour family rather than the Bold Brights.

So if you have been wondering about joining SU please give this offer serious consideration but do keep in mind that it is a limited offer which will not be available after 25 March - to help you here are some of the reasons that prompted me to join ahead of time - yes, I was 'thinking' about it too and on track to join on 1 April but I came in early to take advantage of the Sale-a-bration promotion in February - perhaps this promotion will be the one that helps you to make the decision I did - and come in early!!

Becoming a demonstrator has given me the opportunity to:

• craft with high quality products.
• benefit from a 20% discount on net sales made during workshops, those from direct customer sales and my own personal sales.
• receive an amazing 30% discount on my first qualifying order as it was made within 45 days of joining - this one really helped to boost my stash.
• share my hobby with others making new friends along the way.
• buy all the latest crafty products ahead of general release.
  

Stampin' Up! will give you these same benefits and more depending on the type of demo you would like to be - remember you can join as a hobby demo to simply enjoy your craft or as a career demo who sees Stampin' Up! as a way of tailoring a business to fit in with a busy home life - and there are many varied levels inbetween because, rest assured, Stampin' Up! can accommodate all of us no matter how modest or ambitious our individual dreams may be.

Thank you for reading this far - it perhaps seems a lot to take on board but it's all good - and there are bound to be questions that have not been addressed in this short post - so please contact me I'll always do my utmost to answer any queries you may have.

I'll keep this post at the top just to remind you what a fab opportunity this is - just scroll down a little further for the latest crafty offering!

Bridgette