Hidden journalling and a very messy kitchen

Yesterday evening saw the return of my monthly scrapbook club and we had a great time. Especially Lexie who sat staring at her kit in fear 'cos she's never created a layout before. I wish I'd thought to take a photo of everyone's layouts as they were just fab.

Everyone's kits contained products from the Berry Blossom Product Suite and here is the layout I created:

It's to match the layout I made previously which I cased from the cover of the Spring Mini Catalogue. You can see I spent some time cutting out the Cameo Coral leaves from the Berry Blossom Designer Papers, I found it very theraputic! I'm loving the Fruit and Flowers stamp set that coordinates with the papers and the matching Blossom Party Die too.

To match the page I'd made previously, I used the same Big Shot dies to make my flowers, along with various punches. What can you see here?

This is my attempt at hidden journalling. The title takes some explaining so I thought I'd write about it - just in case when I'm an oldie that I forget why I wrote it! Not that I would - it was at my Sister In Laws wedding. At the point in the wedding ceremony where the registrar askes if anyone has any reasons why blah, blah, blah.... silence fell upon the room until Zac shouted out 'uh-oh'. Everyone turned at him and laughed and in the end he got so noisy about it I missed my Sister in law getting married as I had to take the boys outside! Anyway - during the Best Mans speech later in the day, Zac was presented with the 'Uh-Oh Award' for the funniest moment of the day and the photo is the gorgeous bride Nicola giving Zac his award.

I hid my journalling inside an envelope made from the Scallop Envelope Die in the same papers.

Now I've been a bit missing in action recently - let me explain. For one, me and my boys have been a bit poorly. Actually I still am. On top of that, some lovely phone company took it upon themselves to take the sum of just over £2.5k from our bank for a phone we no longer have. We have the police on the case and are hoping for an outcome that doesn't leave us short of said amount - as we can't afford it! Just to lift my spirits, my American style fridge freezer died on me - ruining all the contents in the process. This followed the death of my dyson, my toaster oh and did I mention the kettle? Wanna bet what goes next? Anyway - lovely Samsung engineer called round this morning to spend just over an hour repairing my beloved freezer. Greatful for the free repair - but look at the state of my kitchen now:

The engineer left with a smile saying 'you're OK to dispose of all the faulty parts aren't you?' - thing is he didn't wait for an answer, so now I have to get rid of this plus lots more, oh and list all and things have certainly smelt better!

So - onwards and upwards, back soon with more.
Hugs

Perfect Postage and 30% Discount!

Did I mention how much I liked making my card for yesterday's blog post? Well I did and so I've made it again but in alternative colours. Amazing how different it looks:

My colours this time are Pool Party, Whisteria Wonder, Rich Razzleberry and Concord Crush. Again using the Perfect Postage heart stamp.

The sentiment is from Outlined Occasions which is one of Sale-A-Bration sets you can choose for FREE with every £45 you spend with me between now and 31st March - oooh!!! I've made a box using the Mini Milk Carton Die today:

All I've added is a cute silver clip from the Clips Assortment, punched out the sentiment with the Jewellery Tag Punch and attached it with a brad from the Subtles collection.

Would you like to get yourself 20% off all these products and more? How about a one off special of 30% off everything you pop on one order? Simple - just ask me about joining my team of Jelly Stampers and becoming a demonstrator yourself to enjoy the discounts Stampin' Up! offers to it's demos. You don't have to do parties or workshops, you can join simply to take advantage of the discounts available to you. Top that with a customisable Starter Kit for £119 with over £250 worth of product, oh and a FREE stamp set to any value of your choice from the current mini or main catalogue and you'll be laughing at how much stash you suddenly own! Valid until 30th March 2012.

Sound interesting? Want to know more? Give me a call on 07748 707845 or drop me an email for at bluejellystampin@sky.com and I can answer any questions you might have.

Hugs

Project Revival

Sometimes I can sit in the room of craft for what seems like an eternity, itching to craft, admiring my stash and with absolutely no inspiration whatsoever. Sound familiar? Well today to bring my mojo back to life I had a look back at projects I'd made this time last year! This is what I found HERE.

I remember I enjoyed making the card and box so gave it a new lease of life with current products:

 

My colour combo is very similar - Early Espresso, Whisper White, Regal Rose, Melon Mambo and Pink Pirouette. The card is 5" square and puts several punches to use including Postage Stamp, 
1 3/8" Square, 1 3/8", 1 1/4" and 1" Circle Punches:

Do you like the heart stamp image from Perfect Postage? Fits just right with the Postage Stamp Punch. The sentiment in the centre is from the Sale-A-Bration set Outlined Expressions.

I stamped it onto designer paper to match the polka dots on the heart stamp. Finally the matching box:

I might have a go at re-creating some more of my old projects, it was fun to do.

Hugs

Recycled Lurve

I have both my boys home with me today as Zac has a chesty cough and going in and out of the cold to play at nursery isn't doing him any favours. He's been doing a spot of fabulous colouring in with Stunt Baby (who needs a new nickname now he is infact a toddler - suggestions welcome) but more of that in a bit.

Fluffy and Co over at Cupcake Craft Challenge blog have set a challenge involving a spot of recycling. I have a collection of these in the room of craft. Actually it's more of a hoard than a collection:

It looks much prettier like this:

I've used the same colour combo as I did yesterday - as hey, I'm messy and all the stuff was still out! Tangerine Tango, Regal Rose. Poppy Parade and Crumb Cake. The tub has DSP glued around the outside and inside. The circle base and lid are cut using the Circles Die (the biggest circle) and topped with 2 3/8" Scalloped Circle, 1 3/4" Circle and a stamped and cut out heart from I Heart Hearts. Would be rude not to make a matching card:

I've created the same topper on a Regal Rose card base. The fab sentiment if from the Sale-A-Bration set Outlined Occasions. I stamped it in Versamark and heat set with White Embossing Powder before colouring in with Markers. Looks neat and tidy doesn't it? Guess who forgot to wear her glasses?

Oops - not so neat close up! So do you want to see what my boys were doing patiently whilst I made this?

And here are some of the pictures they coloured too:

Quite abstract me thinks - will have to pop these in Zac's progress folder at nursery tomorrow. Two future demos in the making.

Hugs

Sprinkled Postage

Now then, Valentine's is nearly upon us and usually I make just the one item for the event - y'see James is the one for me and always will be. However this year I may be tempted to make something for my boys and also I have a Valentine's craft fair coming up so I'd better get busy for that too! Anyhoo, for Hubby I have made a card and chocolate set:

I know my colour combo of Regal Rose, Tangerine Tango, Poppy Parade and Crumb Cake is a bit girlie for something created to give to Hubby, but it's me that's going to enjoy admiring it on the shelf in the living room more than him, so it needs to be eye candy for me too! Here's the card:

So, I've embossed the lower half of the card with the Stripes Embossing Folder and added a strip of Regal Rose DSP trimmed in Tangerine Tango which has been edged with the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch. Now the image is a mix of stamps:

The sentiment is from the Sale-A-Bration set Sprinkled Expressions, inked up with Markers before stamping and the cute 'lil bunny is from Perfect Postage in the Spring Mini. Punched out with the Extra Large Oval Punch and mounted on a piece of Poppy Parade card that has been embossed with the Designer Frames Folder and ahem, carefully cut out by hand. I was worried I'd ruin it at this stage but I think my cutting out is OK!

Finally a plastic card box (not Stampin' Up!) crammed full of choccy bars (16 to be exact). Not my choc bar of choice by a long shot but for some reason Hubster likes it - me I'm more of a Hotel Chocolate kinda girl - just in case Hubster pops on for a visit! I made a coordinating insert and wrap.

The box insert has been embossed too but it doesn't show up on the photo. Take my word for it!

Now, my lovely friend Susie is closing her shop and also running the last challenge on her challenge blog Die Cut Dreams. Now I've been on the design team for Susie twice and loved it so I absolutley have to enter this last challenge which is to use pink, red and hearts. Thanks for the laughs along the way Susie - enjoy spending oodles more time with your family.

Hugs

1 Sketch 3 Ways

Ooh it's been ages since I joined in with a challenge and temptation got the better of me when I saw this weeks sketch challenge over at Less is More. As soon as I saw the sketch an idea came into my head and I ended up making three cards:

I've used the Sale-A-Bration stamp set Sprinkled Expressions and whilst I was at it, had a play with heat embossing too! All cards use the same colour combination of Elegant Eggplant, Tempting Turquoise and Melon Mambo. Here's the first one I made and my favourite too:

I don't know what happened to my photos today, it's very dull and my pictures have come out a bit grainy. Maybe I'll try again later. Anyway, this is the Elegant Eggplant version. I've stamped the flower image with Versamark and then sprinkled the Tempting Turquoise and Melon Mambo embossing powders on. To stop the colours mixing, I stamped the images one at a time, added the powder and stamped again. then heat set. Next is the Melon Mambo version:

I've made this in the same way, except we don't have an Elegant Eggplant embossing powder. So to create the effect I inked up the heart stamp first with Versamark and then again with Elegant Eggplant ink. It doesn't damage your ink pads but it means the Versamark ink is on the top when you stamp it so you can then sprinkle with Clear Embossing Powder to achieve the same effect. I think on coloured card this works best with darker inks.

Finally the Tempting Turquoise card:

Created in the same way with Elegant Eggplant ink and Clear Embossing Powder. I've also used the Corner Punch on my cards to give them a rounded finish. Thanks Chrissie and Mandi for the inspiration.

It feels like Monday today as Hubby has gone in to work and was off on Friday. So I guess I must be a naughty Mummy as Zac isn't at pre-school, it's nearly 1pm and we're all still in our pyjamas and the lounge floor is a compilation of various bits of train track and lego. Something I have no intention of clearing up until oooh at least bedtime! 

Hugs

Craft Box Party Gift

Ooh the weather is so bright and sunny today, a contrast to the last few days! I've been to a birthday party today with Zac. It was his little friend Darcy's 4th Birthday and I was really struggling to think of a gift to buy her. I am of course an expert when it comes to buying anything Star Wars or Lego related but figured Darcy is more of a fan of things pink and girlie. Hmm, then it came to me in a flash - I'm a Stampin' Up! demo, what better gift can I give.....

Than a personalised birthday card and a matching craft box filled with Stampin' Up! stash? The card measures 6" square and I loved making it as I got to play with the Little Princess stamp set I earnt at Convention last year.

I've used Crumb Cake card for the base and then the same combo I've used a few times recently, Pool Party, So Saffron, Pretty in Pink and Regal Rose. The letters are die cut using the Simple Alphabet Big Shot dies (glad she doesn't have a long name!) and the princess is coloured with Markers to match:

I stamped the princess and cake in Stazon and coloured before cutting out and layering on a 1 3/4" circle and the new 2 3/8" Scallop Circle punch. The number is die cut from the Sizzlits set Timeless Type Junior Alphabet. Then I've added a strip of So Saffron Designer paper and layered on some Regal Rose card, edged with the Scallop Trim Border punch.

I found a box base in my cupboard but no lid, so made one using the stiff white card that comes in the paper packs. Then decorated it to match the card.

Here are the contents:

I filled it with things to match the card, a mini ink pad, a single heart stamp, lots of die cuts, ribbons and buttons. Underneath are A5 sheets of card and designer papers. I made some 3" square cards and added envelopes too. Finally a few stamped sentiments punched out for Darcy to stick on her projects. So easy to put together and agreat kids gift.

Oh, and here is Zac enjoying the party:

Have a fab weekend
Hugs

Fresh Vintage with a Fresh Twist

Are you itching to know more about the FREEBIES you could earn this year during Stampin' Up! Sale-A-Bration promotion? Well today I'm going to share the Fresh Vintage set with you. I normally shy away a bit from vintage stuff as I think it's not me. But here's a hint as to what I did with it:

Not looking very vintage is it? Want to see the stamp set? Do ya? OK, here it is:

Fab set I think and it has a coordinating Postage Punch which you can find in the Spring Mini. Also it coordinates with the Triple Layer Doily Punch - bonus! To top that it has coordinating Designer Papers available in the Sale-A-Bration Menu too, Everyday Enchantment:

Both are very lovely, but my problem is that I look at them together and then I can only see that colour combination so I have to seek a colour combo elsewhere. Luckily (I think) for me, I have some bright colours in my home and this cute pink glass teamed up with this photo album worked their magic for me:

Excuse the reflection of a huge pile of outdoor toys - the conservatoire is the only place to get enough light to take photos and, as yet, I've not had chance to clear it out since we bundled everything away for the winter. So I've made another take out box using the Petal Cone Die and a matching card too. To give the Fresh Vintage stamps a different feel, I used Island Indigo card and stamped using Versamark Ink and heat embossed with Melon Mambo embossing powder.

The box is held closed with some matching Island Indigo Ruffled Ribbon and a tag made using the Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch plus an In Colour coordinating printed brad. Its held on with a clip but you can't see it very well.

Hmm - going to have to look around the house more often to see what colour combos I can find!

Hugs

Sale-A-Bration 2012 and a new career

Oooooooooooooh-eeeeeee, Sale-A-Bration is here!!!! We're later with it this year, but that's OK as it the promotion runs all the way through to 31st March 2012 - yipeee!!!!

I'll be sharing with you the fabulous stamp sets and papers you could earn for FREE over the next few days. They are so delish. So what does Sale-A-Bration mean for you?

Let's start with anyone who orders between now and 31st March - that includes members of my virtual clubs too. You can choose a FREE stamp set or set of Designer papers from the Sale-A-Bration menu for EVERY £45 you spend! There are NO LIMITS to the quantity of freebies you can get your mitts on - how amazing is that?

In addition to the offer for customers, hostesses of their own Stampin' Up! party (and the monthly hostesses in my virtual clubs) can cross their fingers and hope that the party guests spend £300 or more between them. Not only will this mean happy guests as they'll hopefully have a FREE stamp set for spending £45, but a very happy hostess too as she will get a FREE stamp set or packet of Designer Papers if the party order reaches £300.

Want to turn your hobby or love of craft into a career? When you join my wonderful team of Jelly Stampers during the Sale-A-Bration promotion, you get extras too! You can choose ANY stamp set to the value of £44.95 (that's any set by the way!) from the current Idea Book and Catalogue or Spring Mini for FREE!

I also reward all my new Jelly Stampers with a special business kit too:

I'll provide you with some key tools to kick start your own business including samples of patterned papers, card, inks and Markers. PLUS the first FIVE demonstrators to join my team during Sale-A-Bration will receive an exclusive Stampin' Up! Shopping bag. (picture includes an example of a free stamp set you could choose during the promotion).

As well as all that, everyone who joins my team will receive:

A selection of card samples to showcase a variety of techniques and products, a ribbon sampler and a worksheet to help you plan and run yoru very first home party. Of course you'll want something special to feel part of Team Jelly so I'll give you a gift of a handbag / keyring charm along with a Blue Jelly Charm Bead. Another important business tool I will provide you with are some marketing tools, including flyers, posters and letter templates for you to personalise to suit your business.

So if you would love to join our team of Jelly Stampers, please email me at bluejellystampin@sky.com or give me a call on 07748 707845 - you can always text if you're shy!

Hugs