I'm on a roll

with my Chrissy cards made quite a few over the last few days although things are hotting up around here again, what with DT work for Scrap a Gogo and forthcoming classes ( BTW Dec 6 classes all fully booked now, but if you re still interested get in touch and I will tell you what days I have available for my next ones), is all hands on deck.

Here s my *Driving home for Christmas* card

made quite a few of those as I do have a lot of friends that commute a lot with their jobs so I just thought those cards would be appropriate. Holiday Treasures papers Loads of Love stamp set and a sentiment for the Best Yet level one Hostess set. To get a bushy tree I stamped the tree in Chocolate Chip first then using Old Olive and my SAMJ I have repeatedly stamped a couple of times every time moving to the left or to the right of the main image. Choco Chip ribbon finishes the card.
Now one of my team members on UKS Debbie has became a grandma to a pair of adorable twin boys on Friday so i have made her this card to post tomorrow. morning, I am not worried she will see it on my blog as i doubt she will have time to surf the net, even if she did it would be very hard with both arms full. So Deb if you re reading this big CONGRATULATIONS to all of you.

All in the Family is SUCH a gorgeous and very versatile set!! I wasn't going to buy it at first but I caved in and I am so glad i did, I have made some cool pressies for some people lately, you will just have to wait and see. I just love it!! used the baby to stamp 2 babies coloured them with markers and for my title I have used the Basic Phrases set, I used the NEW BABY and WISHES words to stamp NEW BABIES, I did this by using the ever so clever Stamp a ma Jig.
I have also got some good news, I have been so excited for the last few weeks as I found out that SU UK, were going to recognize their top 3 achievers in Sales and top 3 in Recruiting, so I was overwhelmed gobsmacked and delighted when I found out that I have managed to win in BOTH categories!! I came second in Sales and first in Recruiting. Very excited and pleased as you can imagine and just wanted to say that if you are reading this and you have purchased anything over the last year through me, this is down to you, is you that made this possible for me so I am grateful for your support and of course I hope that I can count on it for the next coming year. A hugs from the bottom of my heart THANK YOU!!!!!
Oh and apparently we are getting prizes ***** GRINS*****
HUGS TO YOU ALL Monica

I have to...

.. I really have to pull my finger out and get some Christmas cards done. I am terribly behind with them and although we don't post many I still have plenty to give out. But the good news is I have made an extra one to go with the few I have made earlier in the year. I made it for Kristina's colour challenge, this week you had to use Real Red, Sahara Sand( comes in the neutral pack), Very Vanilla and Whisper White. Pulled out a stamp set that I have had ever since joining up *Lovely as a tree* for this one, Polka Dot background and the sentiment from *Season of Joy*, Kraft taffeta ribbon and silver brads. The trees were white embossed and the red layer was distressed( just like I am at the moment haha). I do love the combo I have to say so thank you Kristina. Also wanted to ask those of you that live near the DN14 9QZ postcode, would you want to come to my Christmas Extravaganza event on the 6 of December? Ask me for more details if you are interested. Till tomorrow bye bye. M xxx

Blimey...

...that was hard work. Sorry guys spent the entire weekend trying to get my video to work and my editing program was having none of it, not quite sure what s happening to technology in my house lately but between email problems and various software I am not doing very well lately, anyway here it is as it stands I am totally fed up of hearing it and seeing ( trust me this video job is not easy), but I truly hope you ll enjoy it.






I have made a couple of cards as well, the first one is a total lift from this card here http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/1095556, I fell in love with this card a while ago and when one of my lovely downline Carole posted a colour challenge at ILWS I immediately reached for it as it used the same combo and I didn't have to think too much. While on the caseing subject i would like you to tell me how you feel about it, i crate tons of my own work and I am happy to do so, but equally if I see something out there that takes my eye I would not have a problem caseing and giving credit. I have heard others criticising designers because their work is not always original do you think it matters? Is it wrong to case or copy? I would be interested to know your views on this?
Haiku papers, So saffron card base, Really Rust and old Olive card stock, Bloomin Beautiful stamp set, Wide grosgrain ribbon in Old Olive.
My second card is my own doing and was made using the Spring Solitude bundle , this is a level 2 hostess set with a coordinating wheel, combo is Real Red, Bashful Blue, So Saffron and a bit of Certainly Celery. This was made for a sketch at ILWS hosted by the gorgeous Debbie.Picture not good but I will try and take a better one. Coloured my images using the marvelous markers. Thank for bearing with me I am pleased to announce that normal service is resumed so I will see you again very soon. Hugs M xxx

Mr and Mrs

Hi ladies and gentlemen (wink wink), gosh life is hectic to say the least there are 32 days to Christmas (WHAT?) and I feel like everything is catching up with me and very fast, no cards yet no plans for any pressies (apart from a few crafty one I have made myself), no plans for what we are eating in Christmas day, Laura, Luca and Bil are spending the holidays with us and we tried to get mum and dad to fly over but they cannot make it, all this and there s only 32 days left, thirtytwodays!!!

However with all those deadlines that I am late for is not a Chrissy card I am showing you today but a wedding one

My next door neighbours are going to a wedding tomorrow and Vicky asked me for a card, the bridesmaids are wearing pink coloured dresses and there are pink flowers in the bouquet's so this is why I have choose those particular colours. Regal Rose Whisper White with a touch of black for contrast, the stamp set is the beautiful *Mr and Mrs*perfect for anniversaries and wedding cards. I have also added loads of clear crystals( non SU) in the centre of flowers and those have really lifted the whole card love them, looks much better IRL was hard to get a good photo, mind you is hard getting any photos in the grim light that we have at the minute.I am busy doing a video on ribbon tying today but first I have to dash and buy me some skirting boards. See you soon hugs and kisses!! M xxx

Hello

Hi everybody, I know apologies are in order as it took me a while to update you all. Well what a hoot this last Saturday was at the Birmingham NEC!! I loved it even though it was so very busy all day long, didn't even get the chance to get to the loo, I worked on adrenaline the whole day I am sure, I have shared the wonderful SU opportunity with so many lovely ladies it was great, it was also fab to meet some of my Passionettes for the first time I only wished I had a bit more time to chat and get to know them a bit better but I am sure we will have the chance to all meet one day( I am working on a mini convention for all the Passionettes!!). I even met some of my SU grandchildren as well LOL, customers of mine, blog followers and loads of our talented demos popped in throughout the day I LOVED IT!! There were 7 of us on Saturday and I am sorry to report that I didn't even had time to take my camera out the bag so no piccies*upside down smile*, however kindly Michelle sent me one of hers that a kind gentleman that clearly doesn't understand dslr took, and he also managed to make me look huge, I wish I could remember his face LOL. here it is


From left, moi, Paula our lovely Country Manager, at the back is the lovely Charlotte( clever talented lady, she did all the demos at the Prima stand for SU), then the ever so sweet Eileen( Eileen is part of our demo support team) , the gorgeous and funny Kelly at the front( Paula's assistant), my super duper good friend Michelle sneaking at the back and the lovely and bubbly Amanda at the end. This was the Saturday team.

Now it was a lot of fun but boy oh boy as soon as we stopped everything started to ache from feet to backs to faces from all the smiling, to my throat ( I can talk for England but even so I could feel my voice going by the end of the day). I think feet were the main complain of the day and I have anticipated that this would be the case and made some quick but useful gifts for all the ladies to take back to their hotel rooms.I didn't have a lot of time to make those WOW looking, as you can imagine with all the decorating we did last week I have hardly seen my stamping place, so went for quickness just a cello bag with a simple scalloped topper. The little containers were purchased at Superdrug and the reviving foot spray and softening cream came from Boots Sanctuary range. I have shared a room with Michelle and OMG!! it was such a laugh she is such a darling and I love her,we didn't stopped talking till 1 am I even ended up at the reception in my pyjamas to ask for some milk as we run out and couldn't find a number to ring, imagine the faces of all the diners from the adjacent restaurant, you know when people look once then look again in disbelief !!!! Yep that was me however receptionist never batted an eye lid, I m sure he's seen it all before. I will go off to bed now and I promise I will get back into the swings of things pronto. Night night M xxxx

Had to say BIG CONGRATS...

... to three of my Passionettes that have managed to promote to Silver 1 last month, those girls have enjoyed massive success in a short amount of time and I am extremely proud of them, they are like my children you understand and I am lucky to be able to call them friends. They are Sally, Julie and Linda, so to mark this milestone in their Stampin'Up! career I have sent them a card along with £15.00 worth of SU goodies, you see when you join my team I reward your hard work and recognise your promotions, I like to spoil all my girls so if you're debating whether to join or not just get in touch with me. This was the card I have made for them.


So saffron base, Haiku patterned paper, Scallop edge punch, Old Olive grosgrain ribbon, and a ribbon slider from the hodge podge tin, stampe set used is *Live your dream* and the quote was perfect for this occasion (I have stamped it inside the card), the congrats sentiment came from *Basic phrases* set, now I know what you are thinking that sentiment looks like it has been punched out with the elusive( for our UK market) Word Window punch but it wasn't, I will show you very soon how you can get that effect but check Sally's blog as she has a fab tutorial on how to get the window part using punches. For the flowers I have used my markers to ink the heads only, Pumpkin Pie, Really Rust and Summer Sun were the colours used and I have added some stickles to the centre of the flowers, I have also added some glitter to the cebtre of the ribbon slider, here is a closer look they looked gorgeous and so very sparkly IRL.I really hope the girls liked them. Now I am nearly all packed for tomorrow at the NEC just a few finishing touches to a couple of projects I am taking with me left to do and hopefully get an early night but I know I won't be able to sleep as I am soo excited!!! I had so many emails from you guys travelling to the NEC tomorrow so make sure you pop at the Stampin'Up! stand and say hello, I would love to meet you. Hugs Monica xxx

Hellooooooooooooooo

my lovelies!!! Oh my dear Lord! I am absolutely knackered ( can I type that loud?) Gosh I ache in places I never knew I had can hardly feel my fingers and we are not even half way through. Cloakroom is all finished and the kitchen dining is all done. So onwards and upwards tomorrow. HARD BLOOMIN WORK! What were we thinking about .

I did however spent some time last night in my place and knocked up 4 cards and a little Christmas duo for a crafty friend. I am trying to do things as I go along so I don't get bogged down come December, but I just know I will end up bogged down I always do.

I have used the wonderful yumilicious I WISH scrapping kit, it is so lovely I felt bad using it, but it was al worth as the duo looks fab and it only took me 30 minutes to faff about and decided what to use. The little gift bag houses some ink spots and a tub of Tombow multi glue, the tab punch was used to keep the top closed, the card base is cut from a 12x12 sheet of textured card stock ( love this card stock in all SU colour families get in touch and buy some now while is on special offer it works out at a bargainous 30 p /sheet). The card uses the Season Of Joy stamp set and the scalloped rectangle was made using my scallop edge punch ( you can see the tutorial here)
I have loads of cards to share but I cannot yet so bear with me LOL.
I am also attempting to shoot a video tutorial on how to tie a bow or rather different types of bows, so watch this space.

Special offers.........

...........from Stampin'Up! this month. Hello to you all that have visited me this last few days I am so sorry fpr the lack of updates but stupidly we have decided to re decorate the house nearly 6 weeks before Christmas, I mean anyone in their right mind would not think of doing it but we are not in our right minds. So downstairs loo had a major face lift with stone tiles and one of those fancy round bowls as a sink, solid oak is being laid all over downstairs apart from the conservatory where the previous owners have already fitted pine floorboards but because of the underfloor heating we don't want to mess things up so we decided that that's staying, a new fireplace, painting all the rooms and we are attempting to have all this finished in one week, well I have got until Friday as Saturday I am going to be at the NEC with Stampin'Up! so if you're going please, please pop over and say hello I would love to meet you. Also wanted to tell you about this month's offers

20% off Rub-Ons and textured cardstock when you spend £20 on any Stampin' Up! products.
113659 p77 Hidden Garden Blossoms rub ons £6.00
113660 p77 Cherished Memories rub ons £6.00
113634 p68 Bold Brights 12 x 12 textured card £7.40
113635 p68 Earth elements 12 x 12 textured card £7.40
113636 p69 Rich regals 12 x 12 textured card £7.40
113637 p69 Soft subtles 12 x 12 textured card £7.40
113638 p67 Neutrals 12 x 12 textured card £7.40

Now is the time to stock up on your textured 12 x12 card stock it works out at an incredible 30p/sheet, and is just fab looks and feels like Bazzill if not better, you will love it I PROMISE you!! If you want to take advantage of this offer email me and I will tell you what other specials I am offering on top of those myself. Also don't forget about joining me and the Passionettes, with Christmas approaching why don't you get someone dear to you to treat you to the starter kit and take the plunge and become a demonstrator. As part of my team you will get all the support and guidance you will need to go all the way with this, but if you don't want to conquer the SU world you don't have to you can just join and become a hobby demo which means buying for you and your friends at a discount you don't have to host a workshop EVER!! my team has room for all types of demos, so common and join in with the fun and become a Passionette. Get in touch with me at telemech01@aol.com and I will explain more about this fun and exciting opportunity.

Now I will leave you with a photo of my project for UStamp, I cannot post the tutorial because UStamp members paid for those but I will let you see the finished card. Is a master view card and if you spin the dial on the right you will reveal a different picture every time. Fun but a bit fiddly to make. Wish me luck for this week and keep visiting as I am crafting in the night and will post some more cards very very soon. Hugs Monica xxx

OMG!!

You ladies are so good, I cannot believe how quick you all were to spot the mistake, and the majority of you correctly guessed that it was the upside down image. As you can see in the photo I have remedied the mistake. I also need to apologise about this video is probably my worst to date I think I should not try and edit in the middle of the night again missed the millions of OK's sorry if I annoyed you with them LOL. Jo was the first person to leave me a comment so I will send her a pot of Heat and Stick powder as a little prize. Thank you all so much for your lovely comments and congratulations on my promo. Hugs Monica xx

Tutorial

Well I woke up and is was ready to share so here it is my latest video tutorial on how to make a lovely bookmark using the silver Hodgepodge from SU. I will however need to make you aware that if you give this a go be careful and don't make the same mistake I did, can you spot it? the first person to spot my mistake in this video gets a little prize, just leave me a comment. Also I know that after seeing this you will just have to buy this beautiful tin full of yummyness so I'm going to make it easier to treat yourself to it. Buy the Hodgepodge Hardware tin and a reel of the double stitched grosgrain ribbon( colour of your choice) from me for an amazing £25.00 plus p&p. Great deal you could make at least 10 bookmarks to give as presents this year and still be left with loads of gorgeous pieces of hardware to use on your projects, just email me at telemech01@aol.com. Right I better go to work now enjoy the video. Hugs Monica xxx

Christmas gifts!!

There aren't that many gifts I buy for friends now a days, I find that I can always make them something inexpensive and something that means a lot more then a shop bought something. So today post is all about hand made gifts. I have stamped a candle and made a stunning bookmark using the gorgeous silver hodgepodge hardware from Stampin'Up!

I have stamped the Baroque Motifs swirls in black Staz on and the small flowers Old Olive I have also sponged some Old Olive at the bottom of the candle and I have added some green crystals to the centre of flowers. I have made a simple box from acetate and some black card stock and tied some wide grosgrain ribbon on the top lid. I know you are probably looking at that ribbon and think that I haven't took any notice of you if you asked me for a tutorial, bear with me I will shoot one soon I promise.

The next gift idea is a gorgeous bookmark, those were demonstrated at the SU convention in the States this year and I loved them at once after seeing them over at SCS. I have shoot a tutorial that is uploading to Youtube as I type this so hopefully I will have a link soon.

Stamps used are Pocket Silhouettes and Daily Flexible Phrases. Colours used Regal rose, Rose red and Old Olive for the main image and Bashful Blue for the grass in the background. Used the Rose Red double stitched ribbon for the bookmark itself. It will all become clear when you see the video. Till then take care Monica xxx

ooh nearly forgot I have managed to add another pin to my collection, I have just promoted to Silver 3, I am the first one to reach this title in the whole of Europe so I have to say a massive thanks to my FAB team ( Monica's Passionettes) and to each and every one my equally FAB customers, thank you so much for your continued support you all rock and I am a very lucky girlie!!! Hugs M xxxx

Very short..

post!! Guess how much I wished that I worked for Stampin'Up! HQ ?. Check this video out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpSR4J6XNvs. Soo funny!! Hugs Monica xx