A New Addition to my Favourite Blog Roll ........ and Organic Grace

I have added a gorgeous new blog to the sidebar - A Passion for Craft - it's put together by Fleur, a very talented scrapbooker and cardmaker - if you have the time today please take a look and leave a comment to let her know you've passed by and put her on your own Favourite Blog list.

When I send out any Stampin' Up! items I always like to enclose a little card, this is my way of showing my appreciation for all the support I have received but it's also a nice way of introducing a stamp set to everyone - today's stamp set is Organic Grace - a Level One Hostess set.

The cards I make for these occasions are generally smaller, this one is just under 4" x 4" and the perfect size for a Thank You card.

The palette of colours used - Old Olive, Certainly Celery, Always Artichoke and Close to Cocoa - with Very Vanilla and Close to Cocoa cardstock together with a little Kraft taffeta ribbon.

The very versatile sentiment comes from another Level One Hostess set - Best Yet.

To find out more details click on the front cover of the main Idea Book and Catalogue in the righhand sidebar and have a look at pages 8 - 13 - it details the benefits of having a Hostess Party for yourself and your friends.

I'm busy working on projects for our first Saturday Workshop on August 8 but will have something to show you tomorrow - a two-step stamping item using A Rose is a Rose on p44 of the catalogue.

Bridgette

PS Don't forget Fleur's blog ........ and Louise's, oh, and Chris' and not to forget Debbie's, and of course, Sally's and my good friend Anne's - well, actually, every single one of them - they are all gorgeous and will inspire you - see you tomorrow.

Joyce's Demo Card

I found this layout in the current Idea Book and Catalogue from the US - or it may have been the retiring catalogue - but Stampin' Up anyway - so I just tweaked it a little, changing the sentiment and image to suit myself and what I had available and adding a little Almost Amethyst cardstock - it just helped to lift the card for my eye lol.

The base card is Elegant Eggplant with Almost Amethyst, Close to Cocoa and Very Vanilla for the layers.

I used the Sanded background stamp on the Close to Cocoa and my main image comes from the stamp set Soft Summer to be found on the first page of the mini catalogue - you can see it by clicking on the mini catalogue front page in my side bar, to the right - pretty, isn't it?

The inks used were those that match the cardstock perfectly - Elegant Eggplant and Almost Amethyst - it's what's so lovely about Stampin' Up products: the fact it all matches.

My trusty Stamp-a-ma-jig helped me to align the images to give a shadowed effect and again to position the little sentiment - there are two in the set and I used the other on the envelope, just in the corner.

A little bit of Certainly Celery grosgrain ribbon just gives a bit of zing and an additional dash of colour.

As I said in my previous post - not my usual colours but definitely my style - which tends to be quite simple, certainly not difficult to achieve but pretty all the same.

I have a little Thank You card ready to show you tomorrow, it highlights Organic Grace, one of the Hostess sets that really comes to life when stamped - it's magical.

Bridgette

Make and Take

The main photo is the Make and Take I prepared for Joyce's Hostess Party recently - it's a quick and simple little card using rollers and punches on Bashful Blue cardstock. It requires a simple matt of Mellow Moss on Whisper White which has been rolled with the It's Beautiful roller to be found on p46 - this perfectly matches the A Beautiful Thing stamp set which was used recently to make Fleur's Hostess Party Make and Take in June - see photo below.

The corners of the two matting pieces where then clipped using the 1/2" Circle punch.

A piece of Bashful Blue taffeta ribbon was then secured across the Whisper White piece, this was then layered onto the Mellow Moss. A simple knot was then tied using a piece of Bashful Blue and Mellow Moss ribbon.

The flower was created using the 5-Petal punch, together with one of the blossoms from the Boho Blossoms punch and the 1/2" Circle punch, all layered together and secured in position.

The final touch would be an appropriate sentiment for the occasion - in this case, Kind Thanks from the Thank You Kindly set to be found on p60. By using the Stamp-a-ma-jig this could easily and accurately be placed wherever you thought looked the nicest - it is such a useful little gadget.

I'll photograph the card I demonstrated after the Make and Take and show you that tomorrow - it uses an unusual colour combination for me, namely, Elegant Eggplant, Almost Amethyst, Close to Cocoa and Very Vanilla with a touch of Certainly Celery grosgrain ribbon - do you see what I mean? - pop back tomorrow, if you have time, and have a look and see what you think to the colour combination.

Bridgette

Now I'm playing catch-up ........

Whoosh ........ that was my last week flying by - so here I go with a few photos to help you see what I've been doing.

Lou's Hostess Party saw us creating those cute little owl notelet cards you all see us holding in the previous post - it was a fun party and the door prize - a Sale-a-bration Yummy Stamp Set was won by Avril - I've yet to photograph the Punch Out Board which gives a pictorial representation of the little guy - wow, that was a bit wordy wasn't it? - sorry.

The 14th was our Tuesday Craft Club - with the theme of Crazy for Cupcakes - the projects went down well - I was pleased with them - we just lost two of our number - Nicola very kindly stood in for someone at work and Tina became a grandmother when her daughter gave birth to a beautiful baby boy - many congratulation to all - he's a cutie, I had the privilege of seeing him on Saturday when I popped round with SU goodies for Tina.

The 16th saw myself and Lou at the High School in Spalding helping 20 Year 8 girls and 4 teachers produce a cute little handbag and four little notelet cards to go inside - the handbag was inspired by those produced by Becky Roberts - her blog Inking Idaho can be found in my side bar - I have purchased classes from her in the past - she is just amazing - if you have the time do take a look - you'll not be disappointed.

Wow, that's bought you quickly up to date - August is shaping up to be a good month with our first Saturday Workshop and a super class for our Tuesday Craft Group for both Mum/Gran/Nanny and children - and I am happy to report that the Tuesday group is once again full - thank you everyone for your support - it sounds mushy but I just love sharing Stampin' Up with everyone and I am so enjoying what I'm doing.

Please don't forget the change of venue from August onwards - check the sidebar.

Bridgette

We had a 'hoot' ...... at Lou's lol

.......sorry, I couldn't resist that - just a quick photo to let you see what we get up to when we all get together and share the fun of a Stampin' Up! party.

We made these cute little sticky note holders - with a gorgeous little owl on the front - he provided lots of giggles as 'eyebrows' and long ears were added to customise his appearance - he may even find his way onto a teacher's desk or two, or at least a version of him - he is perfect as a quick handcrafted gift and twice as nice if a matching card is added.

I will be giving more details tomorrow about the little holder but just thought you might enjoy seeing the photo first.

Bridgette

Make & Take inspired by Peterboro' Training .....

Hello again - just two little items to show you - as you know I attended a training session in Peterboro' on the 23rd June and we had a great time - the Make and Take inspired me to change its colour scheme and use it for the Make & Take at Fleur's Hostess Party on 26th June.

I simply used summery colours of So Saffron and Regal Rose with a touch of Confetti White on the pull-out tab card - I also added a sentiment in the bottom right-hand corner - all other aspects are from the original design from Stampin' Up!

The order is now here and ready to be delivered but I have made a little card to accompany their purchases and for those that don't already have one a little Cherry Hill Crafts Loyalty Card has been made and stamped with their purchases to date.

Swaps for Peterboro' Training Session ........

Well, it was a lovely evening in Peterboro' and definitely one of the perks of being an SU demo - lovely to meet everyone, indulge in some crafting, swap some cards and have a good time - I shall hopefully put to good use what I learnt this evening - it certainly reaffirms for me all the positive aspects of joining SU because there truly are no negative ones.

I took a few pictures of my basket of swaps before I left this evening with Chris - please take a peek at her new blog - in the favourites bar at the side - Always about Colour - she would be delighted to have your comments - her work is quite stunning.
Busy few days ahead of me so I shall hopefully find more time over the weekend to say 'Hello' again. I will look forward to sharing a few of the swaps I received this evening with you over the next few days.

Bridgette

Fete News

Well, it's all done and dusted now - and it was such alot of fun and so relaxing - it was really lovely to sit next to Lou for several hours chatting to people about Stampin' Up, giving out details about the craft classes and the workshop we have planned for August, letting people see the products and more importantly have a play with them if they wanted to.

Everyone was very enthusiastic and loved the mini catalogue and we gave out the techinique booklet and details about the benefits of having a party - it really was all about getting the name known - we will definitely be doing some more events to keep casting the net wider and wider.

Now I have to confess I really do not like having my photograph taken - and I don't think Lou is much better than me - but well, I did say that I would take a photo and I actually took two and this is the better one - lovely of Lou, not so great of me lol.

Bridgette

It's tomorrow .........

...............and I could do with more time - but nevermind - just another very quick fete-make - this is actually the base of a card that we completed at one of the Tuesday Craft Classes - but I have just added a couple of Forest Friends stamps and I was naughty and cheated by using a Sizzix tree trunk - I love my Big Shot I just wish it was in our catalogue but I'm sure it will be in the future ...........I'll just have to be patient.

Well I shall let you know how the fete goes - let's hope the weather holds.

Bridgette

A beautiful tag card by Lou ......wow!!

Don't you just love this? Me too - it's from my crafty friend Lou - remember the little mini notebook, uh huh, that's the one!!!

Lou is extremely talented and is amazingly supportive of my fledgling SU business, as are all my crafty friends, I can't thank them enough - thank you, thank you, thank you - Lou helps with the Tuesday craft class and, as you know, because I keep mentioning it so much, she and I are at St John's School Fete on 20 June hence the number of fete-makes lol.

I love this tag card using Close to Cocoa, Not Quite Navy and Ruby Red and the Crazy for Cupcakes stamp set - for those that know the stamp set, have you noticed the clever use of the string from the balloon stamp ( minus balloon ) - on the envelope and the card - yep, that's what I thought - inspired.

I love the little stitch detailing to the navy square, and the distressed edge to the cupcake image together with the embossing detail - just lovely.

I'm now so excited as this is the stamp set that we shall be using for the July craft class on the 14th - it obviously has so many possibilities for us to explore - I can't wait - there are two places left so if you are tempted to join us please contact me - we are an extremely friendly group of crafters - so if you are a lone crafter please don't be worried about joining, you will be made to feel very welcome.

Bridgette

Another Craft Class ......

Hello again - I am just reporting on our craft group which takes place every second Tuesday of the month - there was a male theme to today's class with Father's Day just around the corner - we managed to make a Father's Day card and a lovely little matching 3D item - a simple box which once decorated can house a whole host of small gifts - Monica gave details of it on her gorgeous blog http://www.monicas-passions.blogspot.com/ in metric but I have converted it to imperial measurements as my Scor-Pal is in inches - it's a fast and easy little box to make.

The other project which was inspired by a project in the SU Catalogue for last year allowed us to colour an image using either the Aqua pens or the blender pens and used an image from a retired stamping set called Seaside Sketches - it is by the same artist as our Summer by the Sea stamp set in the current catalogue - line drawings that are just perfect as they are or enhanced with a little colour.

The class is two hours long and the time just flies by - but it is so enjoyable - I'm just glad that coffee was served before we sat down (thank you Chris if you're reading this) as once we were under way there didn't seem to be the opportunity for another one - so the biccies will be there for the next time and I shall put them in the middle of the table straight away - so many apologies I'll make up for it at the July class where we will be playing with Crazy for Cupcakes - and making another 3D item and two more useful cards to send to loved ones.

Imperial Box Measurements:

Cut your A4 sheet to exactly 11 1/2" - so just a tiny bit to cut off.

Score along the longest side first at 1 1/2" - 5" - 6 1/2" and 10".

Turn the cardstock so the shortest side is at the top and score at 1 1/2" from the edge on both the left and right hand side.

Crease along all of these lines.

Make four cuts along the score lines on each of the long sides just as far as the 1 1/2" score line.

The box should start to take on a life of its own and you can see the shape appearing.

At this stage I would decorate the lid and sides whilst it is still flat.

Once happy with my decoration I would glue the short tabs and fold them into place on the inside of the box.

All done - it really is as easy as that.

I'll pull together some photographs to make it easier to understand but once you've done it once there will be no holding you.

Bridgette

An unusual combination ..........

........well, I thought it was and it certainly is for me lol - it is Sage Shadow and Really Rust with designer papers from a retired set called Fall Flowers - but I got right back in my comfort zone with the stamp - it's from Bloomin' with Beauty, this has to be amongst my favourite set in our catalogue.


I keep playing with the little trick of gently snipping the corners away by using the small 1/2" circle punch - if you turn it over you will see that thro' the opening the metal is divided into four sections - by just gently inserting the paper to just cover one of these four sections and snipping a little concave shape is cut on the corner of the paper - really cute.


As I mentioned the stamp is the one from Bloomin' with Beauty, simply watercoloured, a little white taffeta ribbon tied in an easy little knot - and that's it.


See you tomorrow - Bridgette

Birds of a Feather ......

Hello there - sorry if you've been popping back looking for today's fete make - I've been trying to finish this since this afternoon - it started off with Mellow Moss but ended up being Pretty in Pink although I think Bashful Blue would look nice and even blue birds.

I used the Confetti White cardstock as the base and as I mentioned used Pretty in Pink and a little Close to Cocoa. Again a background stamp - this time from the retired list while stocks last one called French Flair - it matches the Carte Postale where the little bird comes from - the flowers form part of the Soft Summer stamp set from the mini and are tucked in behind the Pretty in Pink taffeta ribbon - I love all of the ribbon - I'm even beginning to warm to the wider ones although I like the slimmer ones for the moment.

Well I shall away - I shall be an evening offering again tomorrow as I volunteer in our local Sue Ryder shop on a Friday and the day soon disappears once the school run begins as well - hopefully you will find a spare minute to see what I've been up to tomorrow - until then......

Bridgette

Please leave a comment if you can - it's lovely to know you've stopped by - I can see from the stats that there are alot of you visiting so I thank you for that - bye

They're like No 9 buses ........

......all coming along at the same time lol.

Good morning - I thought I better put this one on now before I retire as I may not have time in the morning - I'm off to do a car boot if the weather holds - still selling on some crafting items that I know I won't be using but others might like to.

Chocolate Chip and Old Olive cardstock with matching inks from the Earth Elements family together with the tree from the Forest Friends stamp set in the mini - button, linen thread and taffeta ribbon all add just a touch of 'something' - also used the corner rounder and scallop edge to give it some softness.

And do you recognise the background? - it's Sanded - it's the large background stamp I used yesterday - as I mentioned it's really versatile - scroll back down and find out how you can get one for FREE.

Thanks for stopping by - see you later maybe - Bridgette

A Fete-make from the Mini ......

I know I thought that sounded a bit odd too - but I'm pressed for time and I wanted to upload my offering for today before I started on other jobs.

A little bit of 'decoupage' today using Tea Party designer papers from the mini catalogue - So Saffron cardstock and Always Artichoke ink from the Rich Regals family - and little So Saffron brads - not forgetting the Pretty in Pink taffeta ribbon tied in a little knot.

For the background I used the fabulous Sanded background stamp - these are so versatile and for June and July a hostess holding a party that amounts to £250 or more during these months gets to choose one absolutely FREE - yes, FREE - this is in addition, of course, to the other benefits that normally come with a party of that amount: a fabulous Level 1 Stamp Set and £25 towards products from the main or mini catalogues - as the saying goes you know where I live!!! please contact if you are at all interested in hosting a party - they are alot of fun to host and to attend.

Well, I shall replicate this little card a few times this evening for the fete on the 20th June - I'm slowly filling those spinners lol.

See you tomorrow and thanks for stopping by - Bridgette

Happy Anniversary to me .......

Good morning - I thought I would share with you the card that I made for my husband as it is our anniversary today - mmmmmmmmmmmmm, let me see, where have the last 18 years gone?


I used the Mr and Mrs stamp set with the Bashful Blue designer papers and Chocolate Chip cardstock - not too feminine - and I went long and thin on this one not my usual 6 x 4 - I tend to stick to 6 x 4 as it's a good standard size when making for sale.


Anyway if I have time I'll be back this evening with my fete-make for today - I have to keep going I've got two spinners to fill lol.


Bridgette

.... 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