Bad Blogger

Well I was hoping to get some projects shown this last week and everything has just become so hectic here. I have a new part time job, plus I am preparing for Christmas like many of you. I spent yesterday afternoon Christmas shopping to buy only one gift after three hours of browsing. My feet ached. I think I should just do it all online, but finding what my darling son wants is hard. The best way is to take him to toy shops and to just watch what he goes for. He is unusual as he never asks for anything. Not like my daughter, lol.
I am currently working on some projects for a Christmas Extravaganza Evening I will be holding on December 3rd. More details and some sneek peeks of projects will hopefully appear over the next week or two. So until then happy stampin'.

I'm back and some offers!

Hey! I am back, the flooring is looking good too. But my poor aching fingers are still a bit sore. Yep that is what happens when you are using cement and grouting. Not something I want to repeat in a hurry. It was a long job which took ALL week but its done and I can try and get back to normal this week. Just got a few jobs of cleaning first and of course putting ALL my craft stuff back in its home.

But I have some amazing offers for you from Stampin' Up!

The first one is if you place an order of £150 or more you not only get the hostess benefits but you also get to choose another FREE stamp set from the list below.

109467 pg17 Wondrous gift £19.95

107930 pg20 Snow Flurries £9.95

110528 pg 56 Friendly £14.95

110536 pg 60 Seasonal wishes £15.95

109324 pg 91 Dotted Autumn £12.95

105979 pg 91 Cold Play £24.95

This offer runs from November 1st till December 31st.

**************************

The second offer is 20% off Rub-Ons and also textured cardstock when you spend £20 on any Stampin' Up! products.

113659 pg 77 Hidden Garden Blossoms rub ons £6.00

113660 pg 77 Cherished Memories rub ons £6.00

113634 pg 68 Bold Brights 12 x 12 textured card £7.40

113635 pg 68 Earth elements 12 x 12 textured card £7.40

113636 pg 69 Rich regals 12 x 12 textured card £7.40

113637 pg 69 Softsubtles 12 x 12 textured card £7.40

113638 pg 67 Neutrals 12 x 12 textured card £7.40

This offer runs from 10th to 30th November.

If you would like to order anything, not just offers please get in touch on melanie.reid2@ntlworld.com

Ok off to get those pesky jobs out of the way as I desperately NEED to get some crafting done.

** Stampers Club **

I already have a Stampers 6 club on the go but have had a couple of more enquiries with joining in on the next one. I am aiming to start the next ones in January but if I fill another 6 places, I will start as soon as possible.
With a Stampers 6 club we have 6 members
It runs for 6 months
Each month every member commits to ordering a minimum of £25 worth of product plus P&P
Each month one of the members is selected as a "virtual" hostess and received the hostess benefits which will be a minimum of a Level 1 hostess stamp set and £15 worth of free products. This is guaranteed but it could be more.
You will receive a free copy of the catalogue.

Stampers 6 is a great way of building up your stash each month without
breaking the bank.

If you would like more information, please mail me on melanie.reid2@ntlworld.com

I would like to say at the moment all those that have been in the stampers 6 have gained a level 2 in the hostess sets and also had £35 to spend in merchandise FREE for that one month.

This is all without having to hold a party at home.

Nothing Crafty....

...... this week. I am sorry but we are now laying the new floor and everything has had to be boxed up and moved to other rooms. This is a total nightmare for me, not just my goodies are packed away but the mess too. Plus we choose the week the kids where on half term, how much bad planning is that? But so far they are keeping out of the way and amusing themselves. They are pretty good like that. My knees are going to be sore tomorrow and I am only a few rows done. We can't do it all in one go as we don't have the room to move the furniture to. That is the downside of these old terraced houses. Hubby is mixing the plaster for the adhesive and I have the short straw of laying the things, grrrr, if they are not straight, guess who gets the blame? Yep me! But so far, I have done some skimming and got them straight, so I am well chuffed on that. One for the ladies, none for the men, lol.

New Stash and life

Thought I had better do a post to say why I am really quiet lately. Last week I have the children off sick, one at a time. Then I have managed to get an ear infection, just when one starts to clear up the other one has flared up. So I am now on not only drops, but antibiotics and also nurofen for the intense pain and swelling. Its not nice at all. In the meantime I have had a lovely delivery of new stash,

My hubby has bought all this for me for Christmas and him being so nice he has let me have it ALL now!

I am currently trying to work on my Christmas scedule too, some new classes and also learning how to use my camera. As I don't use it to even have its potential. I am hoping to have some Christmas events at my evening class on a Wednesday and there are some fab ideas that are coming into shape. Won't say too much just yet. I have quite a few swaps that I am working on this week too, been waiting for new stuff to arrive, not all Stampin' Up! I am afraid to say, but we don't have any halloween stamps in our catalogue this year, which was very disappointing being a demo. So I have had to buy some from elsewhere to do my halloween projects for the kids.

Talking of which they break up at the end of the week for half term. Can you believe it. So we are hoping for some nicer weather to get out and about. I will try and show some cards this week when I get some time to myself. Until then have a nice day!

Shoe Box Appeal

As promised I have taken some photo's of the items I have made and also altered. I have used up some old stock of papers, that I thought would be appropriate for little girls and boys. We have also found out where they will be going and this year it will be Romania.

One for the boys and one for the girls.

Included in the boxes are decorated notebooks, decorated pencils, colouring book, box of crayons and some lolly pops. The sweets have to be boiled so I thought they would be nice to be decorated, giving that special touch.

This is a box made and decorated to hold the crayons. I bought a big pack from the £1 shop and split it into 2 giving 40 crayons per pack.

Next where the colouring books I made using my BIA.

Out side and inside. I know how much my own children love to colour in and they love the stamped images I have of children. The children these go to can colour them in and make little scenes around them. We are not allowed to put any words on any of the projects with them going over seas. So I thought these would be really appropriate.

I would so love to be a fly on the wall when the children who get these receive them, just to see their faces light up with joy. Just like both of my own children did when I showed them what I had done.

Just for Fun!

The Recipe For Melanie

3 parts Sweetness 2 parts Friendship 1 part Imagination Splash of Playfulness Finish off with an olive

What's the Recipe for Your Personality?

October Offers from Stampin' Up!

Whoops I forgot to add these to my blog at the beginning of the month. There are two offers that are availble this month. One runs out on the 11th, this was to celebrate World card making day. Which was last Saturday.

If you buy the Simply sent card elements you get them for £10 instead of £12.50, also the simply sent card making kits are now £31.96 instead of £39.95

The second one is to celebrate Stampin' Up! 20th Birthday.

If you spend £20 you can choose one of the following sets at 20% off

111618 - Crazy for Cupcakes - page 32 - £16.76

105455 - Birthday Best - page 33 - £8.76

110524 - Cheer and wishes - page 58 - £11.96

Sorry for the delay in posting these offers up.

!!! OFFER !!!

**For the month of October only.**

If you would like to purchase any of the following, I am offering a discount of 10% on selected items only.

This offer is my own offer and NOT one from Stampin' Up!

Silent Night Stamp set @ £14.36

Ink pads - Basic gray, bashful blue, ballet blue, Apricot Appeal, Barely banana, Night of navy @ £3.83 Each

If you are interested in purchasing any of these products or any from the current catalogue, please email me on melanie.reid2@ntlworld.com

Postage is £3.95 on orders up to £80

Silent Night

1. Stamp your image (church stamp from Silent Night), using basic gray ink pad. I choose gray as its not as bold as black.

2. Colour in your image. I used a mixture of ink pads and markers. A little white gel pen on the trees to indicate a little snow, brrrrrrr.

3. Dry off using your heat gun. Using a versamark pen, go all around your image and colour it in. Don’t do the open trees in the background.

4. Pour over clear embossing powder. With it being clear it’s hard to show in a photo. Heat using your heat tool. Don’t worry if you miss bits you can over with your pen and repeat the embossing process. Put to one side for now.

5. For the moon you need to either punch out a circle or cut your shape out. I am going to use my moon stamp to show how it’s used but it’s the same for a punched out circle.
At the top of the post it note (where the sticky is on the reverse), stamp your image. (Or punch out your circle). Cut it out.

6. Place the mask where you want it on your project. Using your second colour (bashful blue) and a piece of kitchen sponge. Stipple the colour around the moon.

7. Remove the mask and sponge on your first colour (barely banana). Just go outside of the moon shape to give a natural glare coming from the moon.

8. Keeping the moon clean, re place the mask back over the moon. Using your third colour (ballet blue), sponge around the edge and blend into the bashful blue as you go.

9. Cut down your image, so that it is ready for matting and layering. Now using the Night of navy ink, place colour all around the edges of the sky section only.

10. Remove the mask and sponge a little of the Apricot Appeal in the centre. This will give the moon a little more depth.

11. If you have a moon stamp, you can stamp it now using your stamp-a-ma-jig. If you have just used a punched out circle, leave as it is. Both versions look just as good. Mat and layer onto your cardstock. I choose Apricot appeal, basic black and night of navy.

First sample showing a plain moon the second with a stamp. Enjoy!

Inspirational!

Most days when I have a coffee, I tend to go blog hopping. I normally skim through a lot of blogs and never leave many comments. I know shame on me for not telling others how GREAT their work is. But there is one particular blog that has caught my eye this week. You may of already been a fan, but I have only just discovered Michelle's fantastic work. So much so I wanted to have a go at one of her tutorials. Check it out Here. Don't you agree how fab it is. There are many more tutorials on using brayers etc

I have stamped and water coloured the church stamp from Silent night. I then used a versamark PEN, not ink pad. Coloured all over the image with it and clear embossed it. I then choose a few ink pads, barely banana, bashful blue, ballet blue, night of navy and apricot appeal. I tore up a kitchen household sponge and used that to stipple on the colours where I wanted them. to build up the colour of the sky. I then used my stamp-a-ma-jig and a stamp from Magnolia to create the image over the moon. Cardstock is Apricot Appeal and Night of Navy. I hope you like it.

New catalogue

Whoa the new catalogue is finally launched today and there are some fabulous stamp sets in there. Plus loads of other surprises.

If you haven't yet got yours, you can either click on the catalogue and it will take you to an online viewing of it. Or you can purchase a copy direct from me for £4 including postage. £3 will be refundable off an order of £50 or more.

I will also be starting another stampers 6 soon, so if you are interested please drop me a line and I will explain how it works.

I am working on some new projects at the moment in between seeing builders and running as a taxi service for my children. So please keep checking back.

No posts today

Sorry for no posts yesterday and today. I have been extremely busy making some small items for a shoe box appeal, that my daughter school is organising. So far I have altered some lolly pops, decorated some note books and also some packs of pencils. She needs them all by Monday, so I have yet still some things I would like to get done. Like some colouring books and I have a lovely idea for that. These will be issued to the Samaritan's for their purse appeal. Basically its a show box filled with goodies for children. Now these could be the first Christmas present a child has ever received. I was shocked at reading that. We just take Christmas for granted and sometimes don't think about the 3rd world children.

Hopefully if I have time I will take some pictures of what I have done.

Bind It All book

For today I have been busy writing some instructions for my craft class this evening. They will be making a simple book using the Bind-It-All and index cards.

These days the index cards come in different sizes. If you can't get hold of index cards you could just cut up some printer paper to what ever size you need.

The papers used are from Cutie Pie collection. This set will retire at the end of the month and will remain available while stocks last. I have also used certain celery grosgrain and the stamp set is from one of the new ones from the new catalogue. Its called True Friend. I have used my markers to ink up the image before stampin'. Then I used a dauber with bashful blue ink pad to create a subtle colour around the edges.

You could also attach ribbon to the rings of the binding to decorate it further.

I received my delievery of catalogues yesterday and all I can say is WOW. Some scrummy looking stamps, not to mention the new decorative papers and scrapbooking kits too. Plus the new scallop edge punch that I am sooooo excited about. Can't wait to order one of those ;-)

If you would like to order a catalogue they are £4 including postage. I take cheques or you can pay by paypal. Please email me first if paying by paypal for details.

Trinket Box Tutorial

Remember this box, well I have been asked how I made it. So I thought I would write a little tutorial on how I did it. It wasn't my original idea, and I can't remember whose blog I got it from to give credit, I am sorry.

• Take a sheet of 12 x 12 cardstock and cut in half to 6 x 12 inches.
  
• Score at 3, 6 and 9 inches along the 12 inch edge.
  
• Turn 90 degrees and score again at 1.5 and 3 inches
  
• You now need to cut out three larger panels, indicated by a 'X' on the photo.
  
• On the bottom panels you need to cut up to the first score line, again indicated by black lines on the photo.

• From the section cut away, cut a small piece of card 3/4" x 1.5" score in half length ways and fold. This will be your joining piece on the box. Place DST on to both panels.

• Stick this little piece to the inside of the box on the middle panel. Then stick the other side to the other end of the box, to join the sides together.

• Fold up the bottom part of the box and stick together using DST
  
• Cut two squares out of cardstock measuring 3.5 x 3.5 inches. Also one square out of decorative paper 3 1/4" x 3 1/4".
  
• You can use a corner rounder or a ticket corner punch to decorate the corners at this stage.
  
• Place the paper on top of one of the cardstock squares.
  
• Adhere the squares to the top and bottom of the box. Remember to place the one with the decorative paper on the top part of the box.
  

• You can now decorate the top. I wrapped ribbon round and tied at the side to close the box.

Scallop Box

Would you like to know how to make this?

Uncovered

Covered

It is an scalloped box that will hold A6 cards and envelopes. Great idea for a gift. I chose a Christmas theme because I have just given them as some gifts.

If you want all the instructions check out ILWS. Or you can click Here these should take you there. Hope you have fun making one of these, any questions please just email me. Details on the right.

Note: If you click on the above here, you will need to join the forum. If however you don't want to join and still would like the instructions please just email me with your details. I can send it either PDF or word format. Please say which one you would like.

Christmas part 2

Who said big bold birthday had to be only for birthday's? I have used this set to create a couple of Christmas cards, colours used, real red, old olive, certain celery. The designer paper is one that is retiring at the end of September. I have also used the pricking mat that comes in the tools wallet.

This card uses the Lovely as a tree stamp set. I am not sure the picture shows the glitter that is on the tree to simulate snow. This is very quick to make if you are pushed for time. Colours again are real red, whisper white and old olive.

12 days to go!!!!!

Yes it is only 12 days to go before the New catalogue is launched in the UK. I have some on pre order and when I have checked today they are in 'Picking'. Meaning they are getting ready to leave the warehouse. I am sooooo excited as are other demo's.

If you would like a copy of the catalogue please get in touch and I can reserve one for you. I am not sure on the cost yet, but I can't see them being no more that £4 including postage.

If you are in my stampers clubs one is already reserved for you, so don't panic.

Have you checked out my offer for next month yet! Its on the right hand side. Basically every time you spend £5 with me through October you will receive a raffle ticket. At the end of the month I will draw one number and they will receive a NEW scallop edged punch. These are similar to the Fiskars one with the holes in, only ours won't have the holes, but they are easily put in with a punch. I like that idea best as you can have them with or without. Also there will be some fabulous stamp sets not to mention some new designer papers.

Oooooooo can you feel the excitement!

Christmas Cards

One of the things I have been asked to do in my craft classes are ideas for Christmas cards. I have done quite a few lately as I do need to get mine made as I have 100's to make and send. So over the next couplf of days I hope to share some with you.

This is using two stamps sets, Hung up on the holidays and Occasional greetings. The cardstock is Whisper white, real red, chocolate chip and Old olive. I have used a nestability die to make the rectangle and a cuttlebug small folder for the snow scene. I used a white gel pen to highlight some areas on the embossing folder. A sticky gem was then placed on the bauble.

Trinket Box

Sorry its been a while since I last blogged but I have not only been very busy but been a bit unwell to boot. Hopefully the doctor will get me back to an even keel over the next couple of weeks, just need to run some routine tests.

This is the project that I will be doing at tonights craft class. It is made out of a sheet of 12 x 12 cardstock. I choose Real red. I have seen this done on quite a few blogs and I think it makes a lovely item to pop in a small gift for a special occassion. As I do jewellery, I have made a few for my Daughter to give to her friends for Christmas.

The sentiment actually comes from a new stamp set that will be in the new catalogue called Seasons of Joy.

I am soooooooo looking forward to the new catalogue that will be available on October the 1st. I have been like a child waiting for Santa to arrive as we have had a few sneak peeks of what is to come. There will be the ever famous scallop border punch for starters, not this will only cost £10.95 Plus there will be loads of other new stuff. I don't want to tell you too much as I don't want to spoil any surprises.

Well hopefully I can now begin to share some of the things I have made lately, thanks for being patient.

Going, Going, GONE!

Yes you guessed it, we have a retirement list for the UK catalogue.

There are a few things that will probably go like hot cakes and some may well be there next week or the week after. All I can say is, if you want anything on this list to order as soon as possible because its basically first come first served.

Hopefully clicking on it you will get to see it at a larger size. If not you can always email me and I will forward a copy by email. If you would like to order anything please just get in touch.

Me email address is melanie.reid2@ntlworld.com

Hello!

Sorry for not bloggin anything lately, but with the kids home and having to entertain them, going for days out and also getting ready for a busy Month next month, things are a little hectic. I have three fairs next month not too mention classes and also kids will be back at school, yippeeeeeee. Can't wait for the last one. They are now both at the stage where they are bored as soon as they get up. What happened to the days where you got up and found loads of things to do. I can certainly find things to do, but not my kids.

We have had some great days away, forbidden corner, Alnwick castle, Alnwick gardens, Beach, the park. Took some great photo's too, so hopefully I will get back into scrapbooking.

I have some creations planned for the coming months, so please keep checking back. I have a great tutorial lined up for September on ILWS, check out the link on the right hand side. Plus I need to make a start on my Christmas cards, I know its only August but I have loads to be made and put in the post and if I don't start now well, they will have to be purchased. I know, I need my hands slapped if I do that, lol.

Want a free catalogue?

If your answer is yes then check out your local Morrison's. I noticed they have Septembers issue of Crafts beautiful with a FREE copy of the Stampin' Up! catalogue.

This catty is absolutely fab for inspiration. If you get one and would like to order from a local demo or even organise a party in your own home, then why not check out In Love With Stamping forum. They have a demo locator on the site.

If you want to order through myself please contact me by email.

August Offer

Stampin' Up! have a great offer for August. If you like papers you will just love these. Buy three packs of the designer papers and get a fourth FREE. Yep

You will find the papers on pages 72 and 73 of the UK catalogue. If you would like to order these or anything from the catalogue please contact me, my details are on the right hand side.

Blog candy

Hello everyone. Just to let you know a friend of mine is having some blog candy for her first birthday of her BLOG please visit and check it out.

Also there is another lovely lady who is having blog candy every day this week Here to go see. Please check out some of her wonderful cards too. Awesome!

Bag in a Box

Well I got up Monday morning all set to do all sorts of jobs and I was ill. My poor daughter was so worried she called daddy to come home as I just couldn't move from the bathroom. I also missed her leavers assembly which I am so upset about. Thankfully a friend has taken it all on her camcorder. Hopefully she will give me a copy.

Anyway yesterday I felt a bit better so I got on with some jobs. I decided to start making some teachers gift, I know I am way behind.

I made these ones for the male teachers,

and these for the female teachers.

Both are filled with sweets in a plastic bag that has been sealed. I had seen these on so many blogs I thought I would give them ago. I think they make gorgeous gifts. I am going to make some for Christmas.

Anyway today I am going to rest as I just don't feel right again. Feet up and making the most of the peace because from tomorrow the kids are home for 6 weeks. Yes its our summer holidays, although I don't know where the summer is.

Hopefully I will get some more crafting done this week.

Sorry for being missing

Life has just been manic here this week. I meant to come on last Sunday to let you all know how the fair went. As for Jewellery sales I only sold one set but a few said they didn't know I was going to be there.

However I did meet a few nice ladies that enjoy crafting too. One has got back in touch to order some SU goodies. Hi Ann if your reading.

At the beginning of the week I had to catch up on all those boring house chores and then the kids where off school because of the council workers union where on strike. Then Friday and Saturday I went to Graphicus for their open days to pick up some bargains. I managed to buy some Maya Road lunch tins that will hold 5 x 7" cards. So I am going to make some for Xmas presents.

My kids break up next Wednesday for the summer hols, so I guess it will be all hay wire as to what we do each day. In the UK its not known for a really good summer, only that of rain. So when its fine we will be making the most of it and going out. Right must go and check on Dinner.

I have got an award

I have never had one of these before so its an honour to receive one. Thank you to Carolynne for nominating me. Here is her fantastic blog, please go and check it out.

Ok the rules for this award are

1. The winner can put the logo on their blog.

2. Link the person you received your award from.

3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.

4. Put links to these blogs on yours.

5. Leave a message on the blogs you have nominated.

I have a hard choice deciding who to put on here as I check out loads of fantastic blogs from all over the world.

hmmmmm

1. Helen http://allthingsstampy.blogspot.com/

2. Debbie http://heartfeltstamping.blogspot.com/

3. Jackie http://jackiescards.blogspot.com/

4.Michelle http://michellescraftypaper.typepad.com/

5.Elaine http://www.elainemork.blogspot.com/

6.Janette http://www.cardsandchat.blogspot.com/

7. Jenny http://www.stampingmoments.blogspot.com/

I could go on and on as there are loads of great ideas and one idea can be made totally different on another's blog, AMAZING! I hope you enjoy looking ;-)

Preparations

Well tomorrow is the day of the fair, I hope I am ready but I know I will of forgotten something.

I have just set up my rough guide of my table minus the SU books as I have packed those.

This is what it will roughly look like but I do have to set up a section for the make and takes that I am doing too. I have made a basket with the sour cream holders, filled with a little surprise. I will be charging a small fee for these and the money will go to the charities that I mentioned in a previous post.

I have also decorated some Elizabeth shaw mints and put them into a bucket, these will be handed to people towards the end of the day.

I hope the weathermen are correct for once and it stays dry, not bothered about the sun, but it would be nice if it could pop out and say hello now and then. I know there are going to be firemen there with a fire engine, now I hope my son wants to go and see that ;-)

Will try and report tomorrow about how it all goes.

Bag 'O' cards

For demo's, what was the first thing you made when you got your kit? Me it was a small bag of cards. I had seen this done on another blog and thought it was a great gift to give. So I made my own little notelets (3x3") and then cut some envelopes from the cricut machine.

I then set about making a small box but decided to put a handle instead of a lid.

This was the finished project. I did put some bling onto the cards, but I kept the colour theme all the same.

I then took two colours that I liked and made a bigger one but this time I used a set from the US catalogue. I can't find where I have put the cards as things are being packed up again in my craft area. I am having new flooring laid at some point. Ceramic tiles, which are stood in my living room. But that is another story, or thriller, which ever way you want to look at it, lol.

Here is the bigger one, its to hold A6 cards and envelopes, which I do have matching ones somewhere. I love this stamp set and I hope it comes into the new catalogue.

Anyway must get on as I have a tutorial to write for tonight, well instructions for the box of cards we are going to start making. I may show it once its done, if hubby doesn't pack away my camera ;-)

Hectic house

Well its been a while since I blogged and I don't suppose I will get to show anything this week either. I have a fair I am doing on Sunday and I am frantically getting ready for it. Its all in aid of charity and will be held at Bishop Auckland Cricket ground. The charities are sudden death syndrome and cerebral palsey (think that is spelt right). The main sponsor will be Asda.

I will be having a jewellery stall with a percentage going to these charities(my hubby is manning this one) plus I am doing a make and take stall where it costs a small fee to come and make a card and ALL profits will be going to the charities. I will also be having all the info with me on Stampin' Up! (brochures, forms etc, plus loads of samples.)

So if you are in the neighbourhood and want to see some of the products just pop along and say hi. Plus you can make a card too.

We are hoping the rain will stay away just for the one day and let us raise loads of cash.

I will try and upload some cards I have made but time is precious this week and I am going greyer by the minute ;-)

Leeds Stampin' Tour

Wow what can I say. It was such a fabulous evening getting to meet Shelli and some of her team, including her sister. We managed to make three projects too which I thoroughly enjoyed and so did my friends who came along.

This was the first project we made using 'Big bold birthday' Stamp set on page 35. This is actually a treat bag that you can pop some choccies inside, and you know EVERYONE loves chocolate.

This was the second project we made, using the 'Bundle of joy' stamp set in page 32. It is a tag inside a pocket.

This was the third project we manage to make. Although I had to finish the last page at home and then I realised I didn't ahve the correct wheel, duh. Must of been the long drive I had last night. These are two 6 x 6 scrapbook pages.

I also got to meet a couple of the girls from ILWS (In love with Stamping) forum. They are so sweet. Hi Monica and Sally.

Anyway must dash to go and collect my little one from school my oldest has gone to the senior school for her first visit and she was so scared this morning bless her. But she will be fine once she gets there with her friends.