It's that time of year again.

Yep as the title says, it's that time of year again when kids are moving up a level in their schooling. This year though my eldest is leaving secondary and moving on to sixth form. Where did all those years go? It only seems yesterday she was in my arms as a newborn.

Anyway I have some thank you cards to make as some teachers have been really good with her under all the strain she had at home with our not so nice neighbours. Long story that one.

So I have made a start and this is one that I have just completed today. Not sure which teacher will get it.

As you can see it's another LOTV stamp. Loving these at the moment, although my colouring needs a lot more practice. It does look deeper in real life, the iPad isn't the most great thing at taking photos, but it saves me time getting the big boy out.

Coloured it with Copics. The papers are nitwit's and the card stock is Stampin' Up!

Hope you like what I have created. Enjoy!

Posted with Blogsy

Is is too early?.........

Is it ever too early to make a start on your Christmas cards? Naaaa don't think so. If I didn't start early they would never get done as Christmas time is ever so hectic.

Today I have a Christmas card to show you, just love the pink and grey combo.

 

I have used one of the LOTV stamps, snow queen and a sentiment too, coloured using prisma pencils. The papers are all from Nitwit collections. Flowers are from WOC. Gems and card Stampin' Up!

Got to dash, just realised the time, got to get ready for the paid job.

 

Posted with Blogsy

Kick about time anyone?

 

 

Well good day to you. Just thought I would pop on and blog a little card I have just made for an upcoming class of mine. We have been looking at colouring mediums, from Copics, distress inks and also Prisma pencils. This card I am about to show uses the pencils. I love how easy these are to blend with.

I just love these cute little images, so easy to colour. These are from Lili of the Valley. We all know making cards for men is difficult but they have some gorgeous ones just come out, can't wait to get my little handies on them. Anyway back to what I have used. For the dies I have used a few from different places, spellbinders borderbilities, whimsy for the corner, papertrey ink for my scalloped circle and Lil Inker for the stitched rectangle. Papers are again from LOTV. Card, button and brads are Stampin' Up! of course. Hope you likey! Righter better clear up my mess and to see if this blogsy malarky works ok for me. Until next time. Mwah!

 

Posted with Blogsy

I'm back!

Well hello there peeps, been a very looooooong time since I blogged, well one has been busy with one thing and another, life I guess gets that way sometimes. Anyway its come to a time that I want to start sharing my creations again. But yep there's a but, I am using the iPad, so need to learn technology to upload pics etc which is scary in itself. Will get there, don't want to switch on the dinosaur of a computer, lol. So bear with me for a while as I'm also updating the look of my blog too as you will notices changes. Well must get back to trying to work out how to upload the pics. Bye for now.

Remember me?

Sorry for being absent for such a looooong time. I guess with working and having a family etc, life has just took over. I haven't stopped crafting just not had the time to blog anything or even take many photo's.

I have been scrapbooking though which is something I would love to do more of but its the time factor again. I just made a page this time of my son. I know its one of the first pages I have made of him. Sad because he is very photogenic. He just looks so natural any time I take pics of him. Anyway not 100% happy with this page as I tried to do something with the bottom corner to bring it in a bit and ended up spoiling it. Then I thought I would just do it all again to find I have run out of card, grrrr, don't you just hate it when that happens. So will have to order some more ;-)

Anyway here is the picture I took, not a very clear one as I took it on my iPad.

Can you see what I mean about THAT bottom corner. Would of been far better if I had just left it. So disappointed. The papers I have used are the new ones from the sale-a-bration. Just love them at the moment. As its a male layout and Jordon is on a BIG iron wheel, I wanted to make it looks like wheels or cogs at the top, instead of flowers. So the bottom layer is a die cut but the edges are kind of spikey. Also instead of stitching across the top and down the sides I just pricked two lines. Looks better close up, but again me thinks I will change it. The card base is lucky limeade, (another of my favourites). OK that is it for today, better go and do some housework. Hope its not another four months before I blog again.

It's a girl

Woohoo, a few weeks ago now my nephew and his lovely girlfriend gave birth to an adorable baby girl, Poppy. So Aunty Mel had to make something special for this little one, after all I am her great Aunt ;-)

So I was on a mission to create something different and this is what I came up with.

Yep a Nappy Bike. Now in this photo, which was a quick one to show someone, the sock where a mess. So since taking this I fiddled with the wheels and also the socks on the handle bars. They where so much neater, once I had done. Here are a couple more pics to show what a state it was in. Sadle didn't take any before I gave it to them.

As you can see one tyre needed tightening. I just loved it and so did they. Also a card was in order which I used two of Papertrey Inks stamp sets,



I loved how this all came together, using a new in colour from Stampin' Up! Pool Party, just loving that colour right now. Its so refreshing.

P.S. forgot to add the bear was one from Build a Bear shop, love that place, can't go past without a look in at all the adorable bears. Hope you like.



Making your own backgrounds

Well hello there peeps! Been a little while since I last blogged but hey what's new?

I haven't been idle, quite the opposite in fact. What with working and running after family members (yes kids you know who you are ;-) mwah!). I have finally got something to share with you. I cased a couple of cards the other week using stamps from another company, I know shocker but I do love other things as well. Anyway, I thought I would show you them.

This first one, I have made my own background using the snowflake from Winter Post. The card is Melon Mambo and then stamped using real red, fabulous in real life. Notice the colour of the silhouette from Welcome Christmas? Yep its one of the fabby new in colours, which I am just loving right now, Pool Party, also the card along the bottom is the same colour. Then finished off the the tiny tags, love those too.

My second card is along the same lines as the first, I created my own background. OK this one was a little time consuming, but hey I was having a chill out day, well hour or so to be exact. Again the colour of the base card is that of Lucky Limeade, stamped on using Tiny Tags and Old Olive ink. I think you will probably work out the other stamp sets use, but if not they are, Contempo Christmas (senitment), and Notably Ornate for the frame. A strip of DSP is added underneath and of course you can't go wrong with a bit of BLING on anything.

Now you have seen what I have done why not dig out a stamp set and have a look at those unused stamps in sets and see what you can come up with? Don't forget its not only limited to patterns but to words too. Enjoy and have fun!



It's Here and its LIVE!

Yep its here the brand new catalogue from Stampin' Up!

Fabulous new products too. If you want to see more click on the photo on the left and you should be able to view online, but if like me, you like to browse one over a cup of coffee or tea and like to stroke those gorgeous pages filled with more scrumptious goodies, then you can always have one delivered to your door. If you would like one, please email me on melanie.reid2@ntlworld.com the price is just £4.50 per catalogue.

The hostess offers have changed too, no more having to place a VERY large order to get that exclusive hostess stamp set you had your eyes on. Nope you can use the NEW hostess rewards programme. It's fabbbbuuuuulous darling!

Also I have one more place for the Stampers group left which is due to start mid month. So if you want to have some scrummy goodies delivered to your door each month, you simply order goodies to the minimum value of £25 (plus postage at cost). Then one month out of the six you will be a virtual hostess where you reap all the hostess rewards. What is better than that?

Ever thought of becoming a Stampin' Up! demo? You don't have to run it as a business you could be what we call a hobby demo and have that discount just for yourself. If you want to know more please email me and I will give you all the details.

Hugs

Melanie

x



Something a bit different...

... well not for me, but for my blog it is. Not done any real sewing in ages but just couldn't resist doing something once I received my Fabirc on Friday. This is going to be something new coming up next month in the Stampin' Up! new catalogue, so watch this space as I have loads of projects in mind. Its just finding time to actually get them done. It took me most of the afternoon inbetween other things (like son's homework) to get this done.

Its a mug organiser. Isn't it sweet. There are actually little pockets on the inside of the mug too, its tied at the sides with some of the luxury satin ribbon. It is in shades of pink and you know what that means, yep, darling daughter has her eyes on it. Really enjoyed making one of these so may have to make another. Would make nice gifts for Christmas.

I will have new Stampers clubs starting too in October, if you want to know more details please get in touch, melanie.reid2@ntlworld.com and I will send you all the details. Places fill up fast. So if you want to have your self some stamping goodies delivered to your door each month, then please sign up, they are a fabulous way to build up your stash.

Well I hope you have enjoyed this post with it not being card related.

Helllloooooooo!!!!

Helllooooo! Remember me? Sorry I have been rather absent over the last well errrr lots of months really. Working in my new job has been rather time consuming so not much has been getting done with the crafting situation. I have tried every week to get into some kind of routine but other things just take priority with home life. Kids have been on their summer break too which can be hard work. Those with teenagers will understand.

Any how over the last couple of weeks I have made a start on some Christmas cards, woooooppppeeeee!

So I will show them both to you (I haven't just made two but a few of each). When you see them you will see they are time consuming.

First of all, let me appologise for the light, Mr. Sun decided to pop behind a cloud as I took the photo's. Here is Mr. Santa with attitude (Magnolia), love him don't you? I have used copics (21 in fact) to colour him in. Cardstock is all SU. Sentiment is from Lily of the Valley. Flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts. Not sure if I have attached those quite right as they are new to me but I used silicone glue. If your an expert and reading please let me know how do you attach yours?

This one has yet to be finished, needs some bling on there. But its in progress and inserts all need to be done and popped in. Just loving Santa this year. Again all cardstock and papers are Stampin' Up!

Right better go and do some more colouring, done my back in yesterday so have no choice but to rest, what a shame!

Enjoy!



Challenge using own stash

Afternoon peeps, Today starts the peeks of the release of papertreyink's monthly stamps. A few of the girls who like to set challenges over on ILWS forum, came up with the challenge to case a card shown during the peeks with your own stash. I have manged to get a couple made today and thought I would share.

All card and inks are from Stampin' Up! Stamp sets are PTI. the green card should have some kind of dry embossing on it but I forgot as I got carried away with a letter I had just received. More about that later. The flowers in the background have a filter of vellum over so that they are not too bold against the letters. Fab idea, sadly not my own ;-(

This one was actually on one of the design teams blogs, sorry can't remember and haven't time at the moment to find it, little one needs PC for homework, groan. Again all card, ribbon, brads, embossing folder and inks, Stampin' Up! Stamp set and felt PTI. I must look for a tutorial on how to ruffle this gorgeous ribbon.

Right onto some other news, well as most people know times have been tough for many families, well today I just got news of a job I applied for. Yep I got it, so excited and nervous all rolled into one. I haven't worked since I had my daughter, well apart from voluntary work, which has been 14 years. I choose to have time out to bring up my kids, but now as they are more independant I thought it was time to get back out there. I am very proud as it was the first job I had applied for and got it. I think after a long period of time like this you tend to doubt your abilities and whether or not you could cope with a job. But it feels right, right now, so I am going for it. At least if I need some peace during holidays I can go to work, hee hee. Right that is all for now.

Nana and Me!

Well today peeps I have a couple of scrapbook layouts to share with you. I wouldn't really call myself a scrapbooker, as such, as I have only done a couple layouts and they are only simple ones. Here is one of my recent ones. The photo was actually took on my hubby's phone in a very dark room in the back of the pub at Beamish Museum. I think it was a lovely photo of my daughter and my mum (who is 81 would you believe).

The 'Nana' and 'Me' are chipboard letters that I ghave painted using inks and daubers. Then on the nana I have used Baby blossoms stamp set and stamped the little flowers to blend in with the Springtime vintage papers. The 'Me' after inking was then covered using crystal effects, then sprinkled with dazzling diamonds to give it some bling. The ampersand was very plain just using card, so I covered with gems. The bottom paper has been distressed using the distresing tool. I must say I am not a fan of distressing and tearing paper, but I thought this looked ok.

My second layout I did a while ago in one of my classes, a very simple layout as you can see.

Again all cardstock and DSP are Stampin' Up! The flowers are actually felt die cuts with brads on top. Beamish is one of our favourite places to go. Most of it is set in 1913, here Fallon is having a go at one of the school day sports, Hoop Rolling. Its a metal hoop with a stick, this one is actually attached to the hoop but back then it was just a stick and a hoop, and I think they where made out of cane rather than metal. Its fab to watch everyone having a go, as its a skill only some can do. Hope you enjoy my simple layouts.

Come fly with me......

.....Let's fly, let's fly away. Don't you just love that song? Its one of favourites too. OKay I know two blog posts in almost one day. But don't get too used to it, you know what I am like at blogging.

Before I go on and show you my creation I just want to say a HUGE thanks for all your comments on yesterday's post. It really, really means a lot to have such wonferful talented people pass such lovely comments on my creations. BIG hugs to you all!

Ok on to today's project (or last nights). Remember the ship in a bottle? well my idea came slightly from this but also from a post from Michelle Wooderson did with one of the sets I have used.

Someone has come along and knocked over the jar, releasing the plane. You could use this for a male birthday. kids and even babies. Just alter the colour combo. I hope you like the idea.

Stamps-PTI, Cardstock and papers- SU.

One for the Guys....

..... OK its been far too long since I last posted. I know I am really, really bad. I just don't seem to find the time these days, to take the photo's then write up everything and finally click post. But today I have decided to blog about something us crafters seem to struggle with when making cards, MEN! Yep that three letter word that just send a shudder down your spine when your asked to make a card for one. A coupld of weeks ago I set a task to make some using stash we already have, I set a challenge to some of the ladies on ILWS to make a MAN'S card using what we already have. Took me a couple of days as I was plastering at the time, yep another feather to my bow, lol. Anyhow, here are a couple that I made.

and also

Some simple colour themes and a choosen stamp set or two and voila. Hope you likes 'em.

Stamp sets are PTI and the card and inks are all SU.

General swaps for Convention!

Wowzee where is the time going these days. Christmas will soon be here and am I ready, nope not a chance. I still have heaps of Christmas pressies to get. Going shopping tomorrow, so fingers crossed I complete that task in one day.

Anyway I wanted to share with you some more of my swaps I made for convention.

This is one of them, I used artistic etchings for this. I just love this set and used it a couple of times on my swaps which you will see. I ruffled some taffeta and put along the bottom. Now to do this its very simple. Simply find a little thread at the end, about the middle and pull it as if you where pulling it out and ruffle as you go. Then just adhere the ends to the back. Simplzzzz. I also used one of the new border punches. Loving that too.

Here is another one I made, I did use the large circular motif in this set on the black and embossed it in clear, not too sure if you can quite see it in the photograph. The Eiffle Tower was embossed using white embossing powder. Love the effect on this card. Its so sophisticated and girlie. I have also made birthday cards the same but instead of the ribbon I used the silver hodgepodge, which again gives it a bit of class.

This one was actually a case from the main catalogue, but instead of using ribbon down the middle I used the border punch. The flower is the boho blossoms punch with one of the new rhinestones in the centre. The stamp set is called On a pedestal. I love this set too, in fact I am working on some Christmas cards using this set. Watch this space.

Right think I have bored you enough for now, will try and get back again with some more. This is before I start showing you my lovely swaps. Oh they are STUNNING!



In a whirl!

Where oh where does time go. This time last week I was having a ball with loads of fellow demonstrators at convention. WOW it was fabulous. I swapped cards etc with loads of talented demo's. I will get round to taking some photo's of my swaps that I received. But for now I am going to show you some of mine.

My first one was for a Card Candy swap, we had to choose a set and make some embellishments that could be used to stick onto projects,

I choose Ornate Flowers with tiny tags as a sentiment. I tried to make it a wedding theme, so stuck to Pretty in Pink, Rose Red and Wild wasabi. Love these new colours.

My second one was for a 3D swap. I had a bit of a hard time with this. I wanted to create something that was not only 3D but also could be used as a business tool.

As you can see I have used a LOT of product and a LOT of ribbon in it. The real red satin ribbon around the kite is machine stitched and pleated as I sewed. Then the designer papers (brights) where cut into sections and had to be stuck down individually. The tail I wanted little bows but couldn't work out how to put them on, then I had a brain wave to hand stitch them and place a button onto the back, this gave it some weight too. Each kite had to be measured for all the cutting bits, so it took me a whole week to make 10. Something I don't want to make again in a hurry.

I then made loads and I mean loads of general swaps, but my all time favourite was my little cute stocking and candy cane. I just loved making these and they are so simple.

Basically, its just two stocking places together and stitched around the edges. I then stuck a piece of ribbon on the top so that you could hang it up. Then punched two edges of card, stuck to top and trimmed. Then popped in the candy cane. So simple. Think I am going to make some for my tree this year.

Well better go and see to my Christmas Cake, its been baking slowly in the oven and smells scrumtious.

November/December Offer!

Wow what an offer this is. A FREE reel of lovely ribbon when you buy one of these bundles. These are not available to buy individually.

• Gifted Bundle - Gifted stamp set and Jolly Holiday Designer Paper 124051 £35.70 (wood mount) or 124052 £30.70 (clear mount)
• Welcome Christmas Bundle - Welcome Chrsitmas stamp set and Christmas Cocoa Speciality Designer Paper 124063 £36.90 (wood mount) or 124064 £31.90 (clear mount)
• Season of Joy Bundle - Season of Joy and So Swirly wheel 124055 £36.45 (wood mount only)
• Delightful Decorations Bundle - Delightful Decorations Stamp set and Ornament Punch 124058 £37.45 (wood mount Only)

Choose from on of these ribbons FREE.

 Mistletoe Ribbon Originals 116792 Retail Value £11.50

Sleigh Bells Ribbon 116795 Retail Value £8.50

Riding Hood Red 1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain 113099 Retail Value £10.25

 Real Red 3/4" Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon 115608 retail Value 10.25

If you would like to order any of the above please email me at melanie.reid2@ntlworld.com We also now take credit cards should you wish to pay this way.

Busy Busy!!!

Gosh where have the weeks gone? I just seem to get lost in my workload and don't find time to blog what I am up to. Well here is the low down on basically what I have been doing. Next week I am off to a Stampin' Up! convention. So that means making loads of swaps. I will show them later as I know a few peeps read my blog, when I do blog, lol. So I have had my working head down and been crafting non stop for about the last three weeks. I do have something I can share with you today though.

Now what is it you ask. Well my lovelies, its a mini calendar book. It measures 3 x 3 inches and can quite easily be carried in your handbag. Now this isn't at all my idea, one of the very talented ladies from PTI made one and I just had to have a go. If you do a search for Lisa Johnson or poppypaperie typepad you should be able to locate all the instructions on how to make it.  Now when I received my stash from across the pond I only ordered one calendar, DUH!, I know I want more but can't justify the postage for more right now, so I had a go at making some of my own. This is what the inside looks like

I have used a mixture of PTI and Stampin' Up! I just so love the designer papers from SU, I am actually using them instead of stroking them and putting them back. I hope you enjoy what I have to share. Don't forget if you want to order anything from Stampin' Up! you know where I am. We take credit cards now, what a BIG bonus. Until later Happy Papercrafting.

******STOP PRESS, STOP PRESS********

Woohooo, the new catalogue has now gone live and I can tell you, you are just sooooo going to love it. AS well as all the new Colour changes there are some new fabby punches, as well as the scrummy new ribbons.

PLUS gorgeous papers and also some wonderful stamp sets.

There is also an extra PLUS side to the stamps, most sets now come in clear mount. Which means NO MORE WOODEN BLOCKS, yeah!

I would just like to clarify the clear mounts are not what you think. They are still the same rubber and gray foam but they cling to acrylic blocks. Stampin' Up! wanted them this way so that they don't loose any quality to the stamps. For those of you who have them, will know just what I mean by the quality.

If you haven't yet purchased anything from Stampin' Up! and would like to know more about the products or even see them in action. Please get in touch.

If you would like to view the online catalogue please click on the link to the left (catalogue picture) it will take you right there.

Stamper's 6 Group!

This post will stay at the top. So please scroll down for further posts.

I have a new stampers 6 group starting in August. If you are interested here is the pitch

• There are 6 people with in the group, who commit to spending £25 per month (plus p+p) for 6 months.

• During these six months each person takes the role of being the hostess. This is the beauty of these groups, you DON'T have to have us all in your home. So when you become hostess you get to choose at least a level one gift plus £15 of FREE merchandise from the catalogue/mini/or sale leaflets that are available to order from at that time.

• If you don't already have one you will get a catalogue and any mini brochures that come out within that 6 month period.

• Occasionally I pop a little something in with your parcel.

This is a fabulous way to increase your Stampin' Up! goodies without breaking the bank each month. If you are interested or have any questions please email me on melanie.reid2@ntlworld.com



I look forward to hearing from you.