New Look Blog and Stampin'Up! giveaway ....

Hello there, thank you so much for your emails and comments about my new look. I am so very happy with it and I cannot stop hovering my mouse over the moving nav bar at the top just how posh is that?
Michelle at Laycock Designs is a truly wonderful and talented lady blessed with the patience of a saint, believe me I know this as I have really tried it over the last few weeks, I am a nightmare at deciding stuff but Michelle had kept me on the right path with her extended knowledge in web design. I would totally 100 trillion % recommend Michelle and Heather to anyone thinking of treating themselves to a blog/website makeover, they are both incredibly professional and very, very good, they sure know their stuff.

I like my design so much that I had to create a card to match it .. look

I do not think I have ever used a punch as much as this bird one. I have made Birthday cards, Christmas cards, bereavement cards so lovely and so very versatile, I adore it.
Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive and Baja Breeze were the colours used and they look so happy together, very fresh and festive. The JOY word is from the Welcome Christmas set. The designer paper in Baja Breeze is positively yum. A touch of Old Olive was added with the tafetta ribbon and card stock for the branches.
Here's a nice close up of the little flowers in Cherry Cobbler which were made using the Boho Blossom punch.

I only wish I would have used a slightly bigger pearl for the eye of the bird is sort of lost in that smaller size, I will change it I think.
So my new look causes for a celebration. I am offering my blog readers the chance to win some yummy Stampin'Up! products. In order to qualify you will need to subscribe to my blog become a follower and leave me a comment answering what is your favourite Christmas colour combination. While you are here you might want to subscribe to my mailing list as well, you will find the box top left corner of this page. I have some exciting things planned for 2011 so you might want to be on my list to find out about them.
The Giveaway closes on Wednesday December 15th at 12 am. The winner will be determined by a random number generator and announced on Thursday 16 th December.
Want to see what's up for grabs? Have a peek at this yummy lot.

A full stack of 12x12 Sweet Pea designer paper, yummy colours and patterns all double sided sheets wonderful quality thick enough for gift bags and handbags, scrapbooking card making etc.
A Stamp A Ma Jig- wonderful tool should be part of every crafter's arsenal, this is a positioner that will allow you to stamp straight every time, or to stamp something in the exact desired spot, ideal for the two step sets as well for perfect alignment.
Two full reels of ribbon- Certainly Celery poly twill ties like a dream and So Saffron gorgeous grosgrain.
Also included in this giveaway are not one but 2 brand new stamp sets.
The one on the left is a level 2 retired hostess set and the one on the right is a useful sentiment set that just about covers every occasion, yummy font as well.
Let's see if I can reach 360 subscribers, tell your friends and GOOD LUCK !!!!

Birthday Passionette...........

Hello there, well I had all the good intentions in posting this yesterday but I failed miserably. I had such a busy day, busy but  very enjoyable **GRINS**

For starters it was Dawn's Special Day YAY!!!

Now Dawn is so loved by everyone, she is an absolute diamond of a girl and I am lucky to know her, very kind hearted and truly beautiful. 

Dawn fave colour is Pink and my favourite new colour is Melon Mambo so what was I to do? make her a card of course.

I have loosely used a sketch from our next challenge at Stamp With Us and paired Mambo with So Saffron and Old Olive.  The crazy for cupcakes is a set I haven't inked in a while and it was good working with it, like visiting an old friend.

I have coloured the cupcake using markers and I have started with Barely Banana, then More Mustard, Really Rust and Close to Cocoa. For the frosting I used Pretty in Pink and Pink passion then using the Versamark pen I added heat and stick and dazzling diamonds all over.

And as if that wasn't enough I took my Vintage Vogue set and the Bird punch and added a fun dimensional accent, well Dawn is very special so I wanted her to have an extra special cupcake.

Here's a close up of the said element.

 I was very pleased with it I hope Dawn liked it just as much.

I have also sent a little surprise for Dawn as she is always sending me something, I said she is very kind didn't I? Dawn I really hope you had a wonderful day, big hugs xxx.

Now the second nice surprise is that Stampin 'Up! announced  the location for the next annual Convention which is to be held in London. Just look at this for a magnificent spot. I am sooo excited to spend nearly 3 days with a few hundred of demonstrators from the 3 European markets having a copious amount of insane FUN> is just the best thing ever. This event is only available to demonstrators so what are you waiting for? Contact me and become a Passionette then you can join us all at this amazing event. This is the Oscars of SU, not to be missed for sure.

I don't think I mentioned the fact that it was just the most beautiful and warm day so spirits was high. If you are a regular blog reader you will have known that not that long ago my car broke down while travelling back from  weekend away in London with my friends. Well I have to confess that I fell out of love with that car.

So we talked about maybe changing it and today we test drove 2 vehicles. And we decided on the one I said I would never want, and now I REALLY, REALLY WANT IT!! LOL

Extremely silly grin on my face and freakish eyes but this car made me happy, I loved it. Trouble is I think I need to make some more money and fast, my question is Would you like to book a workshop with me? LOL. Until I make more money I will count on hubs to make this happen if not I 'll live. 

And to finish off a lovely day we went to see my lovely Passionette Jules perform in Footlosse. OH WOW!! the show was spectacular and Julie blew my socks off, I never knew she could sing like that, brilliant she was like the whole of the cast, these guys were as far away from the word amateur as it could get. I am already excited for the next performance.

So thank you if you read so far I had a wonderful day and I am looking forward to a relaxing weekend the weather is supposed to be warm and sunny and I could do with topping my sun tan off which I might just do.

Have a great weekend yourself till next time Hugs xxx

Birthday Passionette...........

Hi there today is a very special day, because is Jo's Happy Birthday.
 Jo is a sweetheart she joined my team over a year ago and she loves being a demonstrator, I don't think she ever missed a training event she loves people and our get together.

Jo's favourite colour is blue and I know just what you're thinking THAT S NOT very blue but it has got some blue in it. It also has the new Soft Suede card and ribbon. I added some Mustard stamped with the Medallion  background. The sculpted flowers which are all the rage at the minute have been made with the small heart punch you need 8 heart shapes for each bloom they look lovely and very dimensional. Polka dotted yumm yum ribbon and the branches from the lush Bird Punch.
Lovely and elegant I hope Jo will like.
Right back to the grindstone will be back soon. Till then Hugs xxxx

More team training

Hello I am here, just snowed under !!

I promised you more pictures from our Quarterly Team training in Peterborough. We always have such fun when we get together, I love training days and I always count the weeks till the next one.  I have put together a few collages of the day. Some of the samples I have already showcased on here.

The lovely ladies doing what they like to do best chat and craft. Plenty of inspiration, we always swap and have tons of ideas on display.

You can see Carol in one of those photos demonstrating a cool technique using the new shimmer paints, she had a whole table with fabulous projects displayed, all using those new shimmers DELISH. We are so lucky to have such talented stampers in our team willing to share their knowledge, I do really love this team, they are the BESTl!!

More samples using some of the new Treat cups and more of Carol's gorgeous makes.
I also have to share some thank you cards that I made a while ago for my customers.

Really Rust card bases, Really Rust and more Mustard inks and delish Chocolate Chip satin ribbon. I have also used the ever so versatile tiny tags and matching punch.

A close up of the gradation technique.
HAVE A WONDERFUL weekend I will see you tomorrow with some more. Till next time Hugs xx

Birthday Passionette...........

Hello everyone, I am tempted to ask how was your weekend but is nearly Wednesday so a bit pointless really LOL. Mine has gone by in a flash with work on Saturday then our Quarterly Team Training in Peterborough on Sunday and before I knew it Monday was upon me and it was back to reality. Anyway I am excited as is Bank holiday weekend next and it means I can rest a bit, oh hang on I forgot!! this Sunday IS THE START OF STAMP WITH US ONLINE , so this means that we will kick off the party with a fun live chat and a few surprises. Is hard to believe that we are approaching our first birthday, so exciting . And this doesn't mean my peaceful weekend is shattered because I can take part in my jim-jams with a large glass of wine in hand. I cannot wait!! why don't you join us? to do so click on the above link then on the buy now button.

Today is Linda's Happy Birthday, Linda is one of my original Passionettes she has been with me right from the start when I just started building my team and she is the most kind and wonderful human been, very quiet (unlike moi) and every time I am around her she brings this calm upon me for all of a 10 seconds LOL. No honestly she is a sweetheart and I am lucky to have her in my team.

Now Linda's fave colour is black so this was a blessing for me because you can pretty much put anything with black and it will look stunning. Here's the card I made for her

I teamed the Night and Day dotty black paper with Pink Passion ( how am I going to live without this wonderful pink after October?) and Old Olive and chose to use the bird punch in a different way. There are many types of flowers that you can make with the wing of the birdie and I simply layered some petals and made some kind of a futuristic bloom. I really like how it turned out, this punch is so very versatile I just love it. New Old Olive satin ribbon which is lush as it ties so beautifully and Circle of Friendship sentiment. I haven't used this in ages but I still like it.

Here's a close up for you

I added dimensionals to the flowers only which meant the stems where left floating and poking out.
Don't you just love those colours? mmm I do and I hope Linda you do to. I also hope you had a wonderful day with your lovely family .

Right I am off now as I am trying hard to get my craft room sorted and tidied up. Come back soon as I will share what we got up to at our training day.Till next time hugs xxx

Sweet Pea felt flowers

SWOOOOON !! Have you seen those beauties yet? LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. I am sooo bad I spent a fortune so far on mini goodies but then that's why I joined up so I can make enough money to spend as I wished on what I wished so that I do LOL. I was looking at them the other day and wondered what I could use them on and yes I will be sewing some on a lovely cardi's and I will be making one of those mini books that lovely Dawn has showcased but till then I chose to make a book mark.

I like to read not reading half as much as used to but I do occasionally and while I made plenty bookmarks for others never made one for myself would you believe it. Until now that is. So I set to work and pleased myself with Rose Red, Tempting Turquoise Olive and Chocolate. Yum indeed. The branch is from the infamous and very popular 2 step bird punch and the sweet pea felt floweries beauties.

How bright and cheery? Bring on the Summer LOL

Pink Passion, Summer Sun, Bashful Blue and Choc Chip plus THE BIRD!! this lovely, lovely bird. I have also used the Polka Dot big Background stamp and the elegant flourish from the new Label set to add details to the wing. The branch was layered with Choc Chip and Old Olive. I punched them out in one colours each and trimmed the leaves away for the chocolate one.

I hope you enjoyed my offerings thank you for visiting and till next time Hugs xx

IS HEREEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Woohooo finally after weeks and weeks of sitting on the exciting new mini catalogue news, the day has finally arrived. Is here and is live you can fill your boots and I am sure you will LOVE what's on offer. There is soo much lushness you can't possible decide on what you want first and if your list is BIIIIIG then why not join one of my Virtual hostess clubs? We start a new one in April and there's only 5 spaces left you need to be quick, check the top of my blog for more details then get in touch, you will love getting lovely products delivered straight to your door every month.

So would you like to see it? Here you go

Positively Y U M !!
Now as you know I like to do a special Offer for all of those who can't wait to get their hands on the new goodies.
Place an order of £45 or more with me between today and 11 April 2010 by 10pm and be in with a chance to win one of those fabulous prizes. For each 11 orders placed with me the following prizes will be up for grabs.
FIRST PLACE - A FULL SET OF DOUBLE ENDED MARKERS or £100 of spending money
SECOND PLACE - A free level 2 hostess stamp set of your choice
THIRD PLACE - A free level 1 hostess stamp set of your choice
FOURTH PLACE - £25 worth of money to spend as you wish
FIFTH PLACE -£ 25 worth of money to spend as you wish
SIXTH PLACE -£25 worth of money to spend as you wish

You loved my last draw and this time will be no different, join in the odds are FABULOUS, out of 11 people 6 will get an extra prize, a really GREAT DEAL.
What do you think? Tempted? if you are, and lets face it how can you not be all you have to do is send me your order at telemech01@aol.com before 11 April at 10pm. I will choose the winners via a recorded video, you get to see your name going into the draw then one by one the names will be pulled out. The winners will be notified by email and the video will be posted on here. Good luck. And if you only want to buy one item (not that you could ever do that I know)

it HAS TO BE this beautiful birdie punch. I cannot stop using it, I LOVE it so much. These are some Easter cards I made for my Virtual Club members. Kraft base Rose Red bird body, Old Olive branch and the wing and tiny flower was punched out from some tiny polka dot paper from the Sweet pea stack, now BEWARE if you're a paper addict you're in trouble as the papers are to die for ALL of them, the catty pictures don't really do them justice really.

Phew and on top of all this IS MY HAPPY BIRTHDAY today so I am really excited and looking forward to something very special and relaxing shall we say. And I need to mention my fellow demo and lovely friend Michelle who is also celebrating her birthday today, Happy Birthday my darling enjoy it. I will share the card I have sent her next time, till then Hugs xxx

Let's HOP !!!

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HELLO and welcome to our 2010 Mini Catalogue Blog hop. In just a few more days Stampin'Up! will be ready to launch the new Mini Catalogue which is very exciting news as it is just delicious. So a group of demonstrators got together and organized a blog hop featuring fabulous projects all showcasing brand new products. EXCITED????????? I bet you are...

So I reckon you will have arrived to my blog from this lovely and talented girlie. I love what Jo's done I think I will have to re create one of those folders.

My projects for today are focused on one of the new stamp sets in the mini. It is called Vintage Vogue and is just stunning, plus it has the benefit of a matching wheel.

I have demonstrated this lovely gift box at our Regional training in Sheffield and the Experience Event in the evening, it is really easy to make and I have a bit of a tutorial for you.

Take one sheet of A4 Bashful Blue card stock , score the length at 7cm, 14 cm, 21cm and 28 cm. Turn it portrait way and make one score at 7cm.

Next cut away the small rectangle at the end and make three angled cuts on the score lines. I have used the matching wheel to add a lovely background to my piece of card.

Add some sticky strip to the narrow flap, line both outside edges together and glue shut.

Add more adhesive to the bottom flaps and glue those down. Fill your box with your gift or treat of choice then simply pinch the sides together. You can glue the top shut or add some ribbon like I did here. To make it easier to tie the ribbon I have used a tiny clip from our clip assortment to help me. Your gift box should look like this

You are now ready to decorate as you wish. For the front I have made a made a topper from a layer of black card measuring 7cm x 5.5 cm, then a layer of barely banana cut at 6.5 cm x 5 cm, and a layer of whisper white cut at 6cm x 4.5 cm. I have used the rock n roll technique to add visual dimension to those beautiful flowers by inking in barely banana first then rolling the edges of the stamp on the bashful blue pad.
Made a matching card as well.

My colours for those projects are Bashful Blue, Barely Banana and Basic Black.
I cannot wait for you to see what the other Jo on the loop has got for you, her project is soo sweet.

All those yummy products will be available to order form 1st of April and like always I will have a Mini Extravaganza Special Offer on for those ordering from me to give you the chance to win some FABULOUS PRIZES. Thank you for visiting me today hope you'll have a wonderful day being inspired by the lovely projects on the hop, ENJOY !!. Till later Hugs xxx