Now then....

I have been a stranger all right, huh?
You know I mentioned my throat infection last time I blogged? well it really took hold of me and I was completely out of action all last week which is never good especially when you haven't planned taking a week off IYKWIM. A few trips to doc. plus a dreaded antibiotics course, lemon, honey, throat lozenges, gargles with various remedies and only this last Monday I started feeling like I was getting better.
I have tons to share so hopefully things will get back to normal around here as I really missed my blogging!!

On Sunday we had our Quarterly Team Training Event and I was determined to be there, what a FAB we had!!!.
 I planned on being a bit more quiet then normal just so I don't put more strain on my vocal cords and did you think it happened? I was sounding terrible by the end of the day HAHA.

We had such a BLAST it really was a fabulous day. Lovely swaps, lovely demonstrations and lovely people whom I love dearly, some from our extended team and some from other teams all coming together and having a FUN day. Here's some of the fab things we got up to and some of the projects.
First the demos

Carole showed us how to use the Icicle rub ons and acetate, she also demoed those fabulous glitter baubles I LOVE them !!

How fabulous do they look? and you need to believe that they are even better IRL>

Her table looked gorgeous as well with lots of card samples here's just 3 of them, I love the acetate windows one

I cannot believe how quick these cards could come together, I have a good friend and customer Alison who loves rub ons, raves about them and uses them all the time, I am  now a convert after seeing those lovely samples, thank you Carole for inspiring me with those rub ons that I don't seem to ever want to use..

Marlene demoed some of the most beautiful sculpted flowers

I was in heaven watching her table everything looked so delicate and lovely.
My fave item from her table ( it was hard to choose) was this lovely cone

Can you just imagine these doted about in your home around Christmas time? hanged from a door handle maybe? lush !!
What about this?Lovely colours, note how Marlene used the bird wing from the Extra Large Bird Punch to add the leaves to the roses.

You need a special card this Christmas?

How about this beauty? Love it, is so very elegant and deffo special!!
Thank you so much Marlene for your demo on the day, fab stuff!!! xx
I love learning from our team they are such a FAB bunch of talented girls!! I will show you the swaps soon THEY ARE AMAZING !!

Next I will share some of the projects we did
First one a simple brayering technique

Bashful Blue with a hint of chocolate and plenty of dazzling diamonds. Dasher made an appearance of course I just love him!!.

Second card was a Christmas card using a non Christmassy set .

This is my fave purely because I love Sage Shadow. We added glue dots to the bare branches and doused them with glitter, lovely effect so very sparkly.

Next Bekka designed  a wonderful Planner made from envelopes so clever and so very cute.
I pinched those pics from Bekka's blog, here's the covers

and here's a picture of the inside

I cannot wait to make my own version. Perfect to help you with all the preparations during the festive season, lots of room for lists and receipts even secret pockets.
The last project was a home decor banner.

It turned out so pretty I will definitely offer this as a local class as is one of those items you could easily use or make as a gift for someone.

We used the lovely and very festive Christmas Jingle Scrapping kit and we had tons left over, those kits are amazing value.

I am going to leave you with a funny picture, I wish I could have shared pictures of all the girls there on the day but I am aware this post is already picture heavy and you might be already bored, however I just need to share this one with you because no matter where you go there's always ONE isn't it?

Carol, Victoria, Vannessa and Lindsey 

Love crafters as most of them are just as crazy if not more than I am.

Till next time BIG HUGS xxxx

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

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

Vintage Vogue

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Hiya, well I have been at it again!! This Vintage style really draws me you know, and is so very easy to achieve with this gorgeous stamp set.

Gosh where do I start. I have torn, crumpled, distressed layered stamps over stamps and splatters let not forget the splatters in fact I am addicted to them LOL.

This is a small love noted tote that I designed for one of our Team Training Events in January. So I have revisited this dinky little box but this time I didn't play clean, oh no I went for it.

The tote is made in very vanilla and the Very Vintage wheel has been wheeled as a background in Pink Passion. Layers of Bravo Burgundy, Kraft, Tempting Turquoise have been manipulated and crumpled within an inch of their life and then the blooms have been stamped in Pink Passion and Tempting Turquoise. I do love I have to say this is one of my favourites colour combos at the minute.

Talking about team training THE PASSIONETTES are meeting on the 25 April for the next Quarterly Team Event. Are you a demonstrator that does not have access to team training sessions are you interested in finding out more about being a demonstrator or would you like to spend a day crafting with like minded people? Then YOU'RE INVITED !!

WHEN: The Event is taking place on Sunday 25th April 2010. Is being organized and run by myself and the lovely Bekka Prideaux. Registration will start 10am-11am Swapping is part of every team event and this is no different. Swapping (NEW MINI theme) will take part in this time, but you will have the opportunity to swap more throughout the day, please note this is OPTIONAL. YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS THE COOL DEMONSTRATOR FEEDER BOOTHS (everyone love those at our events !!) We estimate that the day will finish at 4pm WHERE: South Grove Community Centre Grove Street Woodston Peterborough Cambs PE2 9AG WHAT? The Business topic will be focused on time management. Improving your time management skills can even help you get better results by doing less work, because you're focusing on the things that really matter rather than all the low-priority busywork that just keeps you busy. If you don't learn how to manage your time well, you'll be far less productive than you could be and you'll get a lot less done. You'll also feel much more stressed and overwhelmed, and you'll struggle to find time to spend with the people you care about and to do the things you enjoy. Additionally you will see and create projects suitable for your workshops and classes( we cover new techniques, 3D items, hostess suitable gifts, fancy folds and treat holder type projects). All the materials you need will be provided but you will need to bring along a basic toolkit including a ruler, pencil, paper folder, cutter, wet and dry adhesives, scissors and a hole punch. HOW MUCH?????? The price for the event is £26 and along with the training this will cover all the materials you will need on the day plus hall hire etc. Lunch is NOT included in the price so please bring your own, alternatively there is a convenience shop over the road plus lots of pubs that offer food. Refreshments will be provided throughout the day and included in the price. WHO IS INVITED? The Event will be opened to all team members and non members, demonstrators and non demonstrators. Everyone will be more than welcome. To book your place please send Paypal payment (as gift preferably) to telemech01@aol.com, payment in full is required by 19 April. Please note that places are limited. If you are having dificulties please send me an email. Hope to see there . I have another card to share and this little beauty has been made by my lovely friend Jane

We spent a lovely Sunday afternoon drooling over the new mini stuff and she made a couple of cards and made one for me as well, she is so lovely although I did have to ask for it LOL.

Jane used Old Olive Pretty in Pink Rose Red and So Saffron all colours picked form the luscious Sweet Pea designer papers. I love this set and I love the sentiments in it. Till next time Hugs xx

ps DON'T FORGET TO PLACE YOUR ORDERS BY THE 11 READ THIS POST HERE.

Stamp With Us Retreat and on line classes

Hello how are you? I am a bit late in telling you all about our next Stamp With Us Retreat. Is all been booked and places are getting filled nicely so grab your diary mark the date and save a bit each month, we would love to spend a fun filled weekend with you and FUn you're guaranteed with the three of us LOL. Here are the details

Stamp With Us are excited to announce their next 2010 Retreat in Haslemere, Surrey.

8.00am Saturday 4th September – 5.00 pm Sunday 5th September 2010 at Branksome Place, Hindhead Road, Haslemere , Surrey, GU27 3PL

PLACES ARE LIMITED TO JUST 35 PEOPLE,

SO YOU NEED TO BE QUICK TO CONFIRM YOUR PLACE.

Classes start at 8.30am on both days and each day will consist of classes taught by

Monica Gale, Natalie O’Shea and Zoe Pierson.

Classes will include a mixture of techniques and projects and will use Stampin’ Up! products. There will be an assortment of papercraft classes and each class will be around two hours long. Previous classes consisted of mini albums, scrapbook pages, boxes, paper handbags and lots of cards. All products are included in the cost – you only need to bring a basic tool kit with you. Full details of what you need to bring will be sent to you a week or two before the event.

Over the experience of the last two events, we have come to the conclusion that most of you would like an all-inclusive price, so we are happy to offer the following:

At Branksome Place, all rooms are for one occupant, therefore, the following prices

apply per person in your own rooms:

To join us all day Saturday and enjoy all of the classes, lunch, dinner, Party Night, overnight accommodation Saturday night, Sunday classes and Sunday breakfast and lunch, the cost per person is £350.00.

If you wish to stay the Friday night to make sure you are refreshed and ready for your early Saturday morning start, then for accommodation in your own single room and breakfast on Saturday morning can be arranged for an additional £70.

Depending upon our numbers, we *may* be able to accommodate a couple Day Delegates, please contact us for more information and prices on this option if you are interested.

At the beginning of your stay, you will have your own table where you will sit for each class and make your “own”. There will be unlimited coffee, tea and snacks available throughout the day. Lunch will be provided each day too with a hot and cold buffet on the Saturday and a Roast lunch on the Sunday.

Please email us for more information and a booking form. Places are not confirmed until deposits are received.

Sounds good? Book your place today, I would love to have you STAMP WITH US!

I also need to let you know about our next round of Online Classes which starts very soon. You can find all the details HERE, please read the new terms as the pricing has changed if you join in late, You have untill the 18April to register for the old £15 price.

Till next time hugs xx

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