Do U Stamp?????????????

Do U? Because if you do Boy oh Boy I ve got some news for you. Dawn and Heather two very talented and successful StampinUp demos from US and Canada have put together the first ever University of Stamping UStamp and what s more exciting is that this will be running worldwide and lil old me has been asked to represent the UK . I can't tell you how excited and honoured I am that they have chosen me. This is what the girls have to say:

We are so excited to have you join us for the World Premiere of the University of Stamping!!Registrations are now being accepted for the FIRST ONLINE CLASS, offered World Wide, EXCLUSIVELY showcasing Stampin’ Up! products.It is truly an exciting and historic time to be part of this fabulous Stampin’ Up! learning experience!!Comprehensive educational tools will inspire you to create all the class projects at your own pace since there are NO HANDS in the University of Stamping Clock!
North to South, East to West, all around the globe, all skill levels of stampers, scrappers, paper crafters, as well as, and especially, Stampin’Up! Demonstrator ALL are officially invited to participate in the Fall 2008 University of Stamping opportunity hosted by Dawn Rapsas, United Stated Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator and Heather Summers, Canadian Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator!
Here is what to expect:
Quick and easy registration beginning TODAY!
Early registration means bonus projects and extra prizes!!!
Grand Opening project debut August 12th
Classes begin on September 8th and will run for the entire month of September. But remember, if this is a busy time for you that’s okay because you will have all the PDFs and videos and access to the site until mid November!!
100% Stampin’ Up! products on all projects
Fun techniques with lots of twists and turns
Never before seen step-by-step photo and video tutorials for at least 10 amazing projects
All the templates and PDF’s you need to create the projects including supply lists, dimensions, photographs and class suggestions for everyone registered for this course!
Online Chats connecting participants from all over the world
Inspirational Photo Gallery
Stampin’ Up! Demonstrators granted FULL permission to reuse the class materials and PDF files for their personal use or classes (this is 10 already to use classes for you….no thought, no effort, just order the supplies and you are ready!!!)
All of the projects will make fantastic classes, so don’t expect just one card from us as a project (We can’t wait for you to see what we have in store for you!!!)
Prizes, prizes and more prizes!!
No question, this is NOT your ordinary stamping class!! This is like 10 or more amazing classes for the price of one!!!!We know you will agree that this Extraordinary Event calls for Extraordinary Payment options!! Registration is only $20 until July 31st, 2008!Registration returns to the regular class fee of $25 beginning August 1st. So this would mean around £10.25 for us in the UK which is fantastic value, works at an incredible £1 per class. Dont forget to mention my name if you join. I cannot wait!!!!
Here s more details taken from Heathers’ Blog:
What do I need to take this class?
All you need to take this class with us is paper, a paper cutter, adhesive and stamps. You do not have to use the same supplies we use to create your projects! It’ll be fun to showcase new tools and stamps but it is not necessary for you to be successful to use all of the same supplies.
Are all the projects scrapbooking?
NO!!! For any of you that follow our blogs you know we LOVE packages and cards and 3D items and scrapbooking and…… There will be a huge variety of projects!
Can you summarize what you mean by 10 classes?
I will re describe the class to you and hopefully summarize it more clearly. For $20, you will receive our first ever exclusive UStamp Class. Included in this class will be a minimum of 10 projects!!!! Each project will be a collection of items, for example 5 cards and a box could be one project. All projects will include step by step photos, dimensions and instructions.

Now Heather and Dawn are offering a Kit to purchase, which cannot be purchased by UK residents… BUT I will be offering my own Kit shortly keep your eyes on this blog as I will make it a GOOD one!

So would you like to go to UNI? to this fun and creative one crammed full with great projects and techniques to recreate at your own pace? mostly would you like to do it for FREE? I am offering a free entry to one of my blog readers, leave me a comment on this post by Saturday midnight and I will use the random generator to pick one name out and announce it on Sunday.

Now see this gorgeous box? You can download the pattern to make your own here on Dawn s blog.

I used Bashful Blue card stock, Certainly Celery designer paper, Heartfelt hostess level 3 stamp set and Circle of Friendship, pumpkin pie ribbon and a half backed pearl form the Pretties kit. The flowers stems were stamped in Versamark and embossesd with clear embossing powder. Filled it with Maltesers but with regret but the time I took this photo they were all gone and some tissue paper was stuffed inside instead. Oh well....I did make the box two days ago.

I ve also made this super bright card for a new found friend, hope you like it Stevie. I used Ballet Blue, Pumpkin Pie and Old Olive colour scheme, In the Spotlight hostess set and a chipboard ring all from StampinUp!!! Phew!! now that was a lot of talk...... see ya. M xx

I m on a roll

Two post in one day ..Gosh I don't know how long is been since that happened. I ve had the pleasure to spend some time with two of my Gogo DT buddies Sally and Jenny yesterday, we had a fantastic time but we were not productive at all unfortunately. Before lunch we did attempt a emboss resist technique and the while the girls managed to complete theirs I ve only got as far as stamping and embossing the image. Then sadly Jennie had to leave us at lunch time as they were expecting more relatives at her mum s house, this left me and Sally to quickly grab something then the plan was that we were going to attempt some sort of a challenge, sadly that didn't happen until there were 30 min left before Sally had to head back home. Sally just said to me common we are going to do a challenge in the half an hour we have left, so we pulled out Kristina s colour challenge and we set at work. What !! a card in 30 minutes? Surely not, but I have to say we have both managed it all right, mine was missing the sentiment and the scalloped border but it did resemble a card when the time was up. Woohoo. M xx

The challenge was to use Choc Chip, Close to cocoa , Really Rust, Cert celery. and Whisper White. delicious!! I ve had a play with Sally pick a petal set and now I have to make this baby one of my own. I love how I ve created my own patterned paper using two of the stamps from the kit, don't they look so beautiful? The only close to cocoa I ve used was for the center of my flower and the scalloped border looks so dark because I went over the Choc Chip Card stock with my Choc Chip marker. If you ve got those colours give it a go is a fab combo. Thanks for stopping by Hugs Monica xxx

For my Friend

I left for my holiday with a few completed projects to share with you while away but made a big mistake. Instead of uploading everything to blogger I just took my laptop with me thinking that I would be able to find a wireless network to do my uploading when the sun was too hot to stay in it. I was wrong as there were no wireless networks available the only Internet connections were in the hotel lobby at 2 euros for 30 min. Bah.
So anyway on the 4 of July my real good friend Claudia celebrated her birthday. Made her this card

Black card blank was stamped with the polka dot background in white Brilliance ink. The Too cute flower set was used to stamp and cut pout some of the blooms, and the leaf from the In the Spotlight hostess set was stamped in a little cluster. Some black brads for the centres and some spotty May Arts sheer ribbon. Hope you liked it Clau and hope you had a fab Birthday and Independence Day.

I ve also scoured Etsy for something to offer her as a little pressie and found this gorgeous pendant and chain. I just love Etsy for lovely handmade gifts there is so much talent out there and you do end up with something a bit different. The pendant has a mother of pearl inlaid centre and some beautiful opals that would match Clau s blue eyes perfectly.
Looked lovely IRL as well I just hope she liked it, not had a chance to talk to her yet. I will see you very soon as I ve got some exciting news to share with you all. M xxx

I m back

.. and if you ve been wondering where I ve disappeared, I ve just took a well needed break HERE. Fantastic wheater, lovely people and not overly comercialised combined with the standard that s expected from any Riu hotel in the world we had a fabulous time indeed. Luca had a fab time too and Moni has got a few hunderds of photos to prove it LOL> Anyway I am charged and ready to go so normal service will resume very soon. Hugs Monica xxx

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.....

I m seeing spots...

..... literally!!!!!! after completing a colour challenge on SCS, you had to use choc chip, sage shadow and very vanilla.............GORGEOUSLY beautiful and yummilicious!!!!

I ve used the Seeing Spots set from Su( I still think this has got to be the most versatile set ever) and started playing about with the stamps and some of the circle punches, in fact I ve used them all to punch out different coloured circles and frames from those 3 colours listed in the challenge, I have also used sage shadow and choc chip inks. Can I just openly admit that I adore the end result? I love how everything coordinates and works together, no fancy papers and ribbons just a single jumbo brad and a bit of linen thread as accents. The sentiment from the same set was mounted on 3 d pads, very minimalist and perfect for a man or somebody that s not into cute and girly. Love it!!! I am working on another tutorial fro you all but I m in work this Saturday then I m out shopping for some clothes and .. SHOES ( always need more shoes) so it would probably be Sunday by the time I ll post one. Hugs Monica xxx

You could see more beautiful cards using this color combo here

Cute

I don t often do cute but I had to do a card for a very special 2 year old. I ve recently took part in a Penny Black image swap and I ve got loads of images which I m going to keep for emergency's.

I ve used this cute image called *Embrace* and coloured it with my prismas and gamsol, card stock by SU ribbon unknown ( had it in my stash ages) scalloped punch and 1 3/8" circle punch and a chipboard number 2( w hich I ve glittered to the roofs lol) from SU on board lots of letters( did you see how much chipboard you get for your money in those packs? )LOADS.......

My message swas stamped with SU daily flexible phrases and my Stamp-a-ma-jig, I am so pleased with that little tool, my messages are spot on every time now.

The photo is a first for me as it was taken at around 12 o clock at night in my craft room with some black card stock around it and my OTT lamp. I know the bulbs in those lamps simulate natural daylight but I never thought it will work so well with my photography. I m quite pleased with the result and is definitely handy to know for the dark winter nights.

Now this next bit is really important......If your name is ANDREA BROWN please get in touch with me ASAP> M xxx

Ok I ll be off now and I ll see you soon. Hugs Monica xxxx

Bank Holiday Offering

Is one pitiful but quite beautiful card. Honestly I couldn t believe that I got so many days off with nothing planned but managed to create nothing. Saying that there were so many jobs around the house outstanding that really I had to take some time away from crafting and get on with them, and also I am the proud owner of an irrigation system for the front of my house to water my pots and plants, so no longer will I have to sit out there watering for 30 minutes every night.. woohoo now that counts for something, I will have more time to craft!!

One of the girls I work with celebrated her Birthday today so this is what I made for her.

I ve lost my mojo lately I really wanted this card to be purple and lilac and the sort but after 3 attempts that ended up in the bin, I got tired and resorted to a safe colour combo (I am determined to do the purple combo though). Rose Red card stock was stamped with the gorgeous paisley background, I ve stamped the branch from the Garden Silhouettes ( you re probably getting tired of me using this stamp but I just cant help myself sorry), I ve used my markers to ink the image in Cert. Celery and Pretty in pink, then I ve inked the stamp in Old Olive and stamped some more for extra interest, I ve also used some little flowers which were punched out with the 3 for you punch on page 80 pf the catalogue. Look out in June for a cool offer from StampinUP for this set. Really exciting. Pretty in pink taffeta ribbon was tied in a bow, and the sentiment was stamped in black Staz on. Now this was my mistake with this card, like I said my mojo must have left me for somebody else cos I ve just picked this stamp up and never give it a thought wheter it will be wrong and IT WAS!! I think I needed something bolder to show up more on my background but by the time I ve stamped the sentiment it was too late. So I m not that happy about it, but I wasn t that unhappy with it so I would start all over again. I was going to make another video tutorial today but have not been feeling great so I will do one for next time. Hugs and stamping kisses Monica xxx

Helooooooooooooooo

I m back!!! and I ve had the best weekend of my life. Center Parks might not be my ideal holiday destination but it was perfect for our weekend away. The girls were a scream ( LITERALLY!!!) and it was so hard to believe that we never met as we just clicked instantly. Our lodge was beautifully situated this was the view from the patio, we had lovely neighbours as well which were only a little walk away ( in fact I was still in my pj s taking those photos. )

Back to those girls I can safely say that I have not laughed as hard in my entire life. I just want to thank each and every one of them for a fab weekend. So THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH Pat, Leigh, Cherry, Tracey and Bev. You are the BEST!!!! Mwahh...

Sorry for not being able to upload like promised, but of course I ve got there on Friday only to quickly realise that there was no Internet on the site apart from a Internet cafe that looked quite busy every time I went past it. My latest tutorial is now up and those are the cards I ve made using the different types of scallops. First card I ve made it was for Leigh ready to be handed over along with her goodie bag( we all made goodie bags that we swapped at Center Parks) and I ve included a SU scrapping kit ( it was the Secret Garden kit my favorite) so I ve used the same for the card.
A bit of a funny photo as it was taken under the forest canopy at CP so the lighting was not good.

Second one was made using a fab combo, Bashful Blue, Choc. Chip and Kraft card stock with a bit of Always Artichoke for the grass.I ve used the cute little snail from Unfrogettable ( so cute) and the special friend sentiment was stamped using the Daily flexible phrases set. The Kraft card stock was stamped with the canvas background in Versamark ink.

For my third card I ve used the beautiful hostess set * Oh so Lovely* and one of my most used combos, Cert. celery, Real Red and Whisper white.
I ve used a mixture of water colouring crayons and markers to colour my bloom. Thank you for stopping by and I hope you enjoy the tutorial. Hugs Monica xxxx

SORRY!!!!

I m so sorry for my absence been at work every day and keeping on top of everything is proving a bit tricky at the moment, I m off for a girly weekend at Center Parks, leaving tomorrow morning but the good news is I ve got a very cool tutorial ready for you, I just need to upload it and I will definitely get it done either tomorrow or Saturday, so please come back. Hugs Monica xxx

Weekend in London

I ve spent two days with this little guy!!! He s coming along nicely and i cannot belive he is now nearly 8 months old. I also don't understand how their smooth skin can whitstand all those kisses, I seem to have been permanently attached to every inch of his face, neck, head, bum.... you get the idea LOL all weekend . To say I adore him is an understatment, I m looking forward to be part of his life tremendously. Luca, Moni loves you very very much....

Oh and he also smiles just like me when I was little, do you know how that just melts my heart? sigh

Ok back to buisness lol, I have received some beautiful cards that I just have to share with you. I love the power a handmade card has and I always feel uplifted every time I receive one. This card was made for ME by the very talented Julie

I love what she did with this card, my favorite combo of pinks and greens and she used the ever so beautiful Simply Said set by StampinUP. I love this girl, it think is so amazing that I ve only actually seen her a handful of times but we just clicked instantly she s a really nice kind and very funy lady. Mwah hunny M xx

This next one completly blew me away, love the simplicity of it all.

Tell me just how fabulosly gorgeous this card is? I love everything about it and I am going to steal this idea for sure. I can use all my SU punches for this as well as my scraps of card stock. It was made by the very clever Fiona. Thank you so much my darling ( sorry I have not got a link to this ladys work)ETA I found Fiona s blog just click on her name. xx

I cannot close this post without showing you one of my recently made cards. I ve found this combo on Spiltcoast and I just loved it at once, also i cannot leave this set alone I am so taken with it, is the Garden Silhouettes level two hostess from SU> WONDERFUL!!!!

So saffron card stock was inked with More Mustard ink, the grass head was stamped with Versamark and embossed in white on Tempting turquoise card stock, then stamped again in Versamark and Tempting Turquoise ink. Sentiment form Simply Said, temp turquoise brads and Choc. Chip ribbon. TFL see ya !!! M xxx

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SALLY!!!!!!!!

Today is Sally s birthday ( 21 again LOL), and because she is such a lovely girlie I ve made her a card. It is a shameless case from a clever lady on SCS but of course I ve not save it in my gallery and now cannot find her to give credit. I ve used the same layout and colours but different image.

Choc chip, Apricot Appeal, Regal Rose make for this lovely Neapolitan ice cream like combo. I ve made my own patterned paper from various stamps and using the above colour inks. I ve used the branch from the Garden Silhouettes, I am so in love with this set it has got to be my most favorite one out of the whole catalogue ( I ll change my mind by next week lol). Now Sally my love I know you have not received this today so here it is two hours before the end of your birthday, I m sorry it not got there today, hope you had a fab day!! M xxx
I ve made another card for the lovely Carole, to say thank you for doing me a huge massive favour. Thank you mt darling you were an angel. Hope you like your card.
This time I ve used the same colour combo but turned the layout on its head. This was all my idea LOL. I ve used my corner rounder to make the scalloped border and used the handheld 1/16"punch to punch the tiny holes those are a bit bigger than the ones you get with the pricking tool, they are meant for brads, just punch a tiny hole and put your brads through EASY PEASY!!!! The flowers from the Too Cute set from SU were stamped and cut out then layered and topped with small flower which was punched with the punch from the *Three for You* set. A tiny bit of doodling using the Apricot Appeal marker and Signo white pen.
I need to let you know that I ve got 3 more places available on the May Stampers 10 so if you would like to join please let me know at telemech01@aol.com. If you re not sure what Stampers 10 is look here. Hugs and XXXX Monica

Scrap a GOGO time!!!!!!

Yeay, I can show you April s kit and what I ve been up to with it. It was all glorious shades of blue with black accents this month, with a nice clear stamp shaped like a postage stamp.

I ve used my markers to colour the stem and flower heads before stamping I ve also used my crop o dile to cut around the stamped image to make it more realistic, this idea came form my fellow DT teammie Karen. I ve used part of a tag and cut away the word LoVE as my sentiment.For this card I focused on the stamp and ways of getting more miles out of it. I stamped the daisy head three times ( using the markers to add ink to the image) and then I ve glued one single clear button on top of each flower head, loved how the image became enlarged. I ve also stamped the sentiment with black staz on onto shrink plastic punched a hole and shrunk it down I just love how the sentiment took a whole new dimension.

Next was a trio designed for my friend s birthday.

All bits from the kit, I ve decorated a candle and made a simple box to house it in. There s a close up of the card as well. Loved this colour combo very striking. As always you can subscribe to those yummy kits by going here Hugs M xx

Crafters are just THE BEST!!!!!

Yes!! they are definitely the loveliest people around, and this was proven to me again this last Thursday. The lovely Julie hosted a Stampin Up party at her house and I was the lucky girl that showed her and her guests just how fab SU products are. We had a really fab time ( well I did for sure) and talked about shoes and stampin and jewelery and all things girly but we got to play as well and this is what we ve made.

Bashful Blue card stock and ink, Regal Rose ribbon( I just love this colour so much), ink and card stock for the matted layer and the fabulous set used is Big Bold Birthday by SU. We ve used glue dots with dazzling diamonds glitter for te sprinkles on the frosting... blingy!!!!! Now those girls knew how to shop let me tell you, and between them they ve managed a staggering amount of £576.00 which meant that Julie managed to get her mitts on the much wanted Heartfelt hostess set. Thank you all once again for a fabulous evening Hugs to you all .

I ve also demo ed a scrapbook page using the wheels. I will do a tutorial on the wheels as throughout the month of May StampinUp has got an offer on the wheels. Buy any set and get the coordinating wheel half price. This is one of the pages I ve made using a photo of my gorgeous friend Julie( not the same Julie lol) from her December wedding

The wheel was used onto whisper white using so saffron ink, I then punched out a series of circles using my crop o dile as well as some of my SU punches, I then used a strip of so saffron card stock and using a corner rounder I ve created a scalloped border, I ve used this to journal about her stunning dress. Used a hat pin onto which I ve threaded some pearls and put it through some flowers from the Pretties kit. I ve also stamp one single flower stem from the Garden Silhouettes set. Simple but really eye catching with just enough detail. Have a great bank holiday. Hugs Monica xxx