Tutorial

Hello, did you noticed I have changed my picture? I wanted one to match the SU catalogue lol. The fun I had trying to take it NOT, imagine being on your own with the camera mounted on a tripod, not fun, in the end I had to call for help and Vicky my next door neighbour came to the rescue.
I ve got a new tutorial for you and it is about mounting your rubber stamps. Now I m sure you will have probably seen this done before but you might not have seen the stamp mounting for the acrylic block. I attended a local crop a few months ago and one of the girls Tammy( she s my team mate on UKS) was mounting her SU stamps and we were talking about how she wished she could keep her stamps unmounted because of lack of space. So as I was trying to explain that if you peel off the rubber from the foam you will be able to use the stamp with the acrylic block using a pritt stick to adhere. Well that was not good enough for Tammy as she wanted the foam cushioning and not to have to clean the block and stamp from all the glue all the time, so as she was trying to prise the stamp from the foam she discovered that the rubber was adhered to the discovered this way of doing it, so it is thanks to Tammy I am able to bring you this.

Finally!!!

Finally I got a few minutes spare to do some crafting!! So I did a bit of blog hopping and ended up with a head full of ideas, by the time I sat down to create something .....BLANK!! absolutely nothing there, so you think to yourself great, mojoless again!! So in time like this I get out my little book. In this book I jot down things that inspire me,like colour combos( I actually spend my time at work people watching and translate their clothes combos into SU colours, does that sounds abnormal?)I sometimes sketch different layouts etc. absolutely everything that catches my eye I put down in this little book, it ends up chaotic and sometimes I read back and I don't understand a word of it but other times it jogged my memory and know exactly what it means. So this was how this card was created. I ve seen this idea used a lot on cards from various people so don t know who exactly to credit but the combo and layout are completely mine. So you stamp the card and you realise you moved the stamp at the end and you ended up with a double image, you start all over again .... this time perfect, you put the card together and you take a look and you think *Monica that s not a bad card well done*. You take your card to the photography place( a sideboard in my conservatory) snap away 3-4 pics from different angles so you can choose a semi decent one later. You then upload your photos and perform a bit of editing and then it hits you....
... you ve used the first image the one that was bad!!! waaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh %$&*(^$$ LOL.( because the picture is quite small you can really tell but look close to the end of the word celebrate can you see? it is more obvious IRL)
Bashful blue card stock, Big Deal alphabet, Wonderful Words stamp set, Basful blue, So Saffron, Certainly celery,Creamy Caramel inks, Choc. Chip grosgrain ribbon, Jumbo eyelets ( love those), soft subtles brads. The background was stamped in Versamark using one of the stamps from Seeing Spots set.
My second card was hard. It was made for a colour challenge over at In Love with Stamping. You had to use Elegant Eggplant( love this), Certainly Celery( also love this) and Orchid Opulence( not love this much). I have a problem with lilacs and mauve's and purples don't ask me why, I adore the colours( well some of them) but I just find I shy away from working with them, so this card took me ages but I do love the end result I think is a fab combo and the Orchid Opulence really makes my frame stand out. So thank you Carole for challenging me I think I need it that.
So I ve used all the colours the challenge stated, I ve chosen the flower from the Heartfelt set and used part of the fabulous friend stamp from the Occasional Greetings, some elegant eggplant grosgrain ribbon completes the look. What do you think? would this be a combo you d normally use? Put it this way I m so glad I did. Thank you for visiting me and massive thanks to all of those that left me so many lovely comments. *love* I haven t forgotten the tutorials still working on them.Till later HUGS Monica xxxx

Promoted

Yep I did it !!!! got promoted through StampinUp for the third time since started at the end of January

I am so very chuffed with myself and wanted to share this with you all, as it is YOU that got me here, every single one of you that has purchased something through me over those past 5 months. Thank you so very much for confirming to me that this is indeed such a fabulous company with high quality products that you love just as much as I do. Also I feel the need to thank those gorgoues girlies that are part of my team and worked hard to make my promotion happen so thank you girls so very,very much. On my journey with this great comapny I get to meet lovely people that share the same passion, and I ve made some great friends along the way. It is safe to say that I LOVE WHAT I DO AND, I SHARE WHAT I LOVE!!! Here are my gorgeous pinsThe crystals in them are really sparkly. Got my two Bronze Levels ( two and three) and the biggie ( to this date) my Silver 1. I am made up THANK YOU all!!!

So have you ever though as joining up as a demonstrator? Have you? because if it even entered your head for one second you need to know about this. If you join from now till the end of July in addition to your great starter kit SU is offering a free stamp set of your choice up to the value of £41.95( that s pretty much any set out there) but this is not all, join under me and become part of my team and I will be matching SU s offer by giving you another FREE stamp set of your choice, any one you want . How s that for a fabaronie DEAL? Remember you can join as a hobby demo, buying products for your own use at the 20% discount, with no need to do workshops and persue this as a business. Ask me, if you need any more info at telemech01@aol.

I will go on to share some layouts I did at the Getaway, they feature my darling Luca as I m working on a album for him. Those layouts have all been sketches that I followed from some of the most fabulous designers out there, all of them in the DT for Scrap a Gogo.

First is Ifa s sketch ( my favorite by far)

The papers used are the most gorgeous papers I have ever seen( I m not kidding here) they are the new release not quite in the UK yet, by October Afternoon. The soft charms are also from the same range but I have sneaked in some Ki softies, as well as some Chatter Box buttons. The title refers to how Luca is nearly eight months in this photo and not quite mastered sitting up yet, we had so much fun taking those photos as Laura was holding him and after I took this photo I said to her on a count to 3 let him go and she did, and then he just went to the left falling.... lol so funny. Saying that exactly one week later he did it, he managed to sit up on is own. My cute little Bobitza DID IT!!!!! (this is our pet name for him).

My next one is was inspired by a sketch by Jenny.

Laura and Luca on the day uncle Pete bought him a baby walker. As soon as we put him inside it he took off screaming with delight that he was actually mobile for the first time. He loved it. Very little product used here apart from some SU chipboard covered with some Scenic Route paper, and the chipboard ring was covered in some more Oct. Afternoon paper, the absolutely gorgeous sticky backed felt strip came from Prima Marketing. I love how it turned up even thoguh the bright colours in the walker are not picked up anywhere else on the page. The dilema is whether to add a title or not, most people I ve asked were divided so a few more suggestions would be great.

My third one was inspired by one of Karen M. s layouts.

This is Luca and his daddy on Easter Sunday this year, papers are Doodlebug. A bit of a collective on this one as the snowflakes stamps were borrowed from Nat ( thank you hunny) I didn t take my winter stamps with me lol. The black letters are from Doodlebug and the chipboard ones are from SU , the journalling stamp is SU as well from the Office Accoutrement set, my trusty Fiskars water Threading punch was used for the black borders, and the small middle bits on the left hand side and on the decoupaged bits are from my buddy Helen ( they are the middle of the letters *O* from some chipboard alphabet she had) thank you sweet.

Right I m working on some video tutorials at the minute so watch this space. See ya M xxxx

Happy Birthday sis

Aww my little sister Laura, celebrates her birthday today, so a VERRY HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you sweetheart hope you ll have a fabulous day. Is also her very first birthday as a mummy so because that little gorgeous nephew of mine is too little to buy her a pressie, auntie Moni made something that mummy will apreciate for sure.

I bought a number of canvases from Wilkinson s a while ago so I ve decided to use one of them. The papers, lace card stock and softies are all from the KI range Pop Culture( I think ), I ve had those since last October and never used them so I am trying to work through my mountain of unused stuff. Sentiment is done using Doodlebug alpha stickers, used my SU punches on here as well.
Also made her a card, and I now whised I ve used more brighter colours to match the canvas but I ve stamped the card before the canvas and wanted her to have this one as I love it.
Kraft card stock was used for my base with Sage Shadow and Chocolate Chip. The Sage Shadow layer was stamped using one of the stamps from the Garden shilouettes set in Choc Chip and te brown layer was stamped with the polka dot border from the Three for You box set. I alinged my dots and the sentiment perfectly using the Stamp A Ma Jig. Sentiment was made with the Daily Flexible Phrases set. Made the flower using my scallop punch, a 1/2" distressed circle in Sage Shadow was used as the middle of the flower topped off with a half backed pearl. The ribbon is tafetta in Kraft also from SU. Hope you like it Frosi ( this is my pet name for her), I love you LOTS and LOTS> Hugs M xxxx

Scrap a Gogo

I am little bit late in updating is really hectic around here, trying to keep on top of everything, I m planning a cardmaking class, a holiday for us and my little sis and her family, trying to keep my house in check as well as work because is holiday season so we have a lot of covering to do but I wont go on as I m sure you all understand and you might be in the same boat. Anyway here s what i been up to with May s kit.

Gorgeous again, I adore the papers from Prima Marketing

Everything used on those cards was included in the kit including the yummy rubons. I ve made the layered flower with my scalloped punch and a ball tool, the wine colour was a perfect match for the turquoisy green paper, I ve had cut around the swirls.

Next I ve made a coordinating pouch

Very simple, this was made from a half sheet of a A4 size card stock and a long tall envelope. Here how to make one

1. Start by sealing your long envelope then fold in half so that the flap that you ve just sealed is on the outside.

2. Now trim away very little from the top so you end up with 2 pockets, open up your envelope and add length of db. sided tape on the inside and glue both pockets together. You now have 2 pockets joined in the middle.

3. Using the full length of an A4 sheet of cardstock cut the width 1cm bigger than the width of your envelope ( ie. If the width of your envelope is 5cm your cardstock width will be 6cm.) Score your cardstock half way

4. Using a 1/5" circle punch, punch 2 circles some distance away and then cut the remaining card stock between your holes with a craft knife( this will become your handle)

5. Begin to decorate the outside of your cardstock and add your chosen sentiment.6. Now glue the outside of your pockets entirely to the cardstock, you could fill one side with your desired treat the other with a message or a little card.

My next card was designed for a teenager, quite simple but then teenagers like simple and tbh they not that bothered about the card as much as they are about the paper money inside LOL>This paper was perfect and the massive rubon was big enoguh to make a statement on is own with only a little charm added.

Tehn went to town with the charms and used 3 on one single card LOL.

I ve used a circle punch to make the windows and added 3 d pads with the charms glued behind it. Note how I ve also left the panel longer? I like how it hangs off the card it offers something different.

I ve got one more to show you and this is a fun one. I loved this curvy sentiment on the rub on sheet

so I ve designed this card to go with it. The cute little cupcake I ve hand cut the oval is cut with a plain nestabilitie die and the scallops done with my scallop punch. So this was my offering for May, I really like the kit and have tons of stuff left over, and having just finished working with next months I can assure you it is scrummylicious and if you ve got little boys you will adore it. As always if you re thinking of subscribing to those fab kits go and email Lorraine or Janice at Scrap a Gogo.

Till later hugs M xxxx

WOW!!!

WOW!!! WOW!!!! and some more WOW!! This Getaway was just the BEST!! And I m happy I will get the chance to do it all over again as I ve booked for next year s on the spot. So I know I ve been back since Sunday night and not updated you all, but believe me it took me a good 3 days to get back to normal again, it was impossible I was so worn out is not even funny, but then I ve had I ve had 11 hours sleep out of 40 so obviously it was too much that I could handle, I cannot do it anymore.. honestly I was cream cracker ed, I am also in work all week so not got much time for everything else. But I promise you I ve got loads to share just need a day off to catch up with everything. But I ve got to ask you something.. do you live near the postcode DN14? would you like to come and meet me over a card making session? if your answer is yes get in touch and I will fill you in... it is very EXCITING!!!

Ok until next time I am leaving you with a picture of the fabulous teachers at the Gogo Getaway and the brains behind it that are Lorraine and Janice.

What a line up!!!! From left Fiona Beckman( great lady loved her classes I took two and they were both FAB!!!) , Jane Dean( this lady blew me away with her class and her personality, she is the sweetest, funny, quite shy, warmest and generous person, love her), Lorraine and Janice in the middle (those two girls along with some of the DT girlies and Lorraine daughters worked like truppers to ensure everything went as smooth as... and boy oh boy it did!!), next it was Mary Anne( gorgeous talented lady warm and friendly, didn't take her class but bought everything to have a go at it later as it was DELISH think clear shaped acrylic yum!!!) and then there was a sweet girl called Shimelle ( well what can i say, she truly is a sweetheart and the mini book queen, Loved the class she taught and as you can expect it was fun and quirky and original, she even made cupcakes for us all I had rhubarb and raspberries very yum indeed). Apart from the teachers I ve met some gorgeous girls and I loved them all, but I won t mention any names for the fear of leaving somebody out. I cannot wait to do it all over again roll on 2009. Night night M xxx

Under pressure...

Do you work best under pressure? I seem to although as I m getting older I m realising this might not be such a good idea anymoreLOL> I am lucky enough to be able to attend the fanatbulous event that is GOGO Getaway this weekend, so you would think that I ve nearly finished packing( In work tmrrw. till 5.30, need to be out the house by 8.15 on Friday morning)? well you will be wrong, no packed clothes no packed stash no badge finished and I only just managed to put some photos together ina folder ready to be printed before now and time I leave....hmmm like I said I m under pressure LOL
Ok then I have got a few cards for you and those were made in my lunch hour the other day. I ve managed FIVE!!!!!!!! can you believe that?

Three for you again, this set is such fun!!! I m glad SU put the offer on as I ve had this a while and never took it out, so i m giving it a workout if nothing else. Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip and Very Vanilla, this positively sounds like one of those famous American ice creams from Ben & Jerry lol.

No two, three and four is made with the Circle of Friendship set, you all now how much I love my round sentiments, I love them so much because they offer you the versatility of using them with any sort of layout, because they are round they will look right whatever your layout. Fab !!!!

I don't know what I was looking at when taking this picture it is definitely very crooked hmm this was the only one and it is now pitch black outside so I doubt I ll get a better one. Very Vanilla love notes( you will get 20 of those with envelopes in the June bundle see post below, they are so dinky and cute), Certainly Celery designer paper, Regal rose ribbon and card stock, cert celery brad, 1" and 1 1/4" circle punches.This sweet little number was inspired by the very talented in flower making Joanne, this lady can turn plain card stock into realistically looking flowers without hardly any tools at all, mine is nothing like the works of art she produces but I know she will be proud of my for trying hee hee. I ve made the petals using the 1 1/4" circle punch that s included in the bundle. I ve also used the 1/2"punch and the 1" punch. Now the 1" punches the sentiment stamps perfectly without a border and the 1 1/4" punches them with a nice border around. Very Vanilla, Real red, Choc Chip and Cert. Celery were used here. I ve also used the corner rounder on this.Last one uses Choc. Chip, Cert Celery, Pumpkin Pie same punches as above.

Not sure if you ve noticed but the reason I ve made so many in such short time is the fact that I ve used the same base colours and added different contrasting colours and slightly different layouts. Got ot go my bed awaits me, don't forget I m having fun at the Getaway this weekend so please email me with any orders and I will get back to you by Sunday night. Hugs M
xxxx

Three for you

Hello I ve promised you some samples using what s on offer with SU this month and here I am. I ve made a card using the lovely Three for You punch box, the colour scheme was inspired by Kristina Werner she is an incredibly beautiful and talented lady and adore her simple style based on extremely well though out colour schemes.
I ve used Kraft card stock as my base and I ve made this card for the Grid Technique over SCS , the little flowers were stamped with the same colour ink as the card stock used then punched out with the coordinating punch, the colours used here are Tempting Turquoise, Certainly Celery and Chocolate Chip, classy classy combo I just love it. Now the sentiment was stamped on little tags that I cut with my Expression. I ve made some samples with the little notes included in the Escape bundle I will get them photographed and uploaded for you tomorrow. Hugs M xxxx

e- SCAPE with StampinUp

Hello, and Happy June !!!!! Now picture this.. let s pretend that for one day only, you are not allowed to use any form of electronic communications ( no email, no blogging, no telephone, no texting etc.) to get in touch with your friends or loved ones. I for one shudder at the thought lol, but at the same time when SU announced their e Scape promo it made me think and realise just how much we rely on the modern way of communication. So I m am challenging you all to send a least one hand made card in every week of June to someone you love, let somebody know just how special they are to you.

Now to mark this event SU are offering a great bundle as a special offer, and it involves the gorgeous Circle of Friendship set, so if you pondered whether to get this et this set NOW is the time to get it, FAB deal.

Description Page Number Price

Love Notes assortment p. 78 £5.95
Circle of Friendship stamp set p. 62 £17.95
1-1/4" Circle punch p. 80 £13.95
Total (non-bundled) £37.85
eScape Bundle price £28.39

Great deal but hey, that s not all, if this offer s not for you fear not Su has another TWO great deals for this month with a whooping 30% off. Here it goes

Buy the *Tree for You* Punch Box for a amazing 30% the catalogue price(41.95 in the catalogue, £29.00 with 30%off), I love this set and I m using the flower punch a lot those little flowers are perfect size for card making and the stamps work with the punch, very handy ... I love mine.

Also buy the *Basic Phrases* set for a cool £ 23.50, catalogue price £33.95

This set allows you to construct 20 of the most common phrases to be used in your handmade projects, make sure you don t miss this deal ( I wont as I don't have it yet so I will be placing a order for it soon). Fabulous deals, I am excited and should you wish to purchase anything just email me or better still send me as hand stamped note. Hugs Monica xxx
I will be back with some samples very soon.....