Polar Party Easel Cards

I bought these mini easel frames a couple of months ago, knowing that I could make something different with them - only I had put them in a "safe" place and had to hunt around for a few days to find them!!

As time was running out, I have only made this style of card for Lucy and Philip.

I have used the pretty hostess Cheerful Treat papers for Lucy's card, I love these papers!! The colours are Whisper White, Melon Mambo and Elegant Eggplant.

A close up of the detail, I covered the stocking and candy cane with Crystal Effects to give them a glossy button like finish.  The cute penguins were coloured with Stampin' Write makers, I punched them out with the Four Frames punch and some Dazzling Diamonds added for "sparkly" snow.

For Philip's card I stamped the polar bear, again coloured with the Stampin' Write markers, the colours are Whisper White, Real Red and Pool Party.

I made some bunting for the top of this card and added a piece of Pool Party ruffled ribbon at the bottom.  I'm sure you can't miss the super sparkly red paper - but you will have to wait until 4th January to find out more!!

Angela x

Christmas Treats

I have been busy completing orders for Christmas Treats during the past few weeks. I used the exclusive Stampin' Up! Mini Milk Carton die, changing the colours and decorations to suit the themes and colours for each order, filled with chocolates, sweets or after dinner mints.

This is a set made with in Pear Pizazz and Very Vanilla, the box was die cut and then embossed with the polka dots folder, I wrapped some First Edition DSP around  and tied a gorgeous Very Vanilla satin bow, adding a Gold "snowflake" punched from the new 3-step punch with a "merry" from the Tiny Tags stamp set and of course punched with the matching punch. These boxes were given a spritz of twinkling shimmer mist made with the  Champagne  shimmer paint mixed with alcohol in a fine spray bottle, the mini clip is also a Stampin' Up! product.

The next box is from a set of 6 made with Basic Grey card, spritzed generously with Champagne shimmer mist and stamped with the Serene Snowflakes stamp set in Craft White ink.  The bows are tied with the gorgeous Whisper White satin/taffeta ribbon, and the "snowflakes" punched with the 3-step punch using Shimmery White card, the top ones were covered with Dazzling Diamonds and for a little sparkle a rhinestone was added to the centre of them.

 Here is one of the fun "Santa" boxes, made with Real Red card and the Tags Till Christmas stamp set.

Unfortunately I didn't manage to get all of my boxes photographed before they were collected, I mostly used the Stampin' Up! exclusive Mini Milk Carton die, I think this has to be one of my "best buy's" so far from this Stampin' Up! catalogue.  These little boxes are so easy to decorate in so many different ways, and of course can be filled with all kinds of sweets and chocolates.

Angela x

Christmas Bunting

Today the light was slightly better as I managed to dash home mid afternoon, so I grabbed my camera and quickly took these pictures, before going back out to brave Asda!!

Hung between the Christmas stockings is my reindeer bunting, made with of course the exclusive Stampin' Up! Bunting die.

A closer up of the details (although slightly fuzzy?!).

I cut the bunting in Chocolate Chip card and embossed them with the Square Lattice folder, the eyes and nose are made using various circle punches, the "fluff" is from the Boho Blossom punch, antlers are cut with Swirls Scribbles die, threaded on to elastic cord with some Real Red grosgrain ribbon tied between them.

If you look closely you may notice a NEW product, I will have all the details very soon!!  Getting my hands on new products early is just one of the many things I love about Stampin' Up! - if you would like to find out how you can get your hands on these new products first contact me to find out more!

Angela x

Teacher Gifts

As school finished last Friday for the holidays, many small gifts were made and sent for the teachers and teaching assistants.

I found some chocolate "Wishes" and thought they would make perfect Christmas treats.

This gift wrapping idea is inspired from the lovely Convention gift I received  from my SU "mum Jules.

I cut two Cherry Cobbler scalloped circles with a big shot die, then embossed them with the Vintage Wallpaper folder, they were scored at the bottom and fixed together with Tombow adhesive. I used the crop-o-dile to punch a hole at the top, threading a length of scalloped dots Chocolate Chip ribbon tied with some beautiful Victoria crochet trim. I stamped the baubles and used the matching punch to make the hanging tags adding a pretty rhinestone for a  little bling.

The chocolates slipped into the wrapping, here are some of them all ready to go into school.

 Angela x

Hello Again!

I just cannot believe how quickly this past month has gone!! I have been busy with so many appointments and school activities that my blog has been neglected but hopefully I can get back into regular posting again. I will share some of the many projects I have made during this week as many of them are of course Christmas projects.

Last week I held my final classes of 2011, I decided not to make Christmas projects and instead we did a "One Sheet Wonder" class using the Circle Circus stamp set inspired by my lovely SU "mum" Jules. 

We used the new "In Colours" Lucky Limeade, Wisteria Wonder, and Calypso Coral with the very versatile Circle Circus stamp set. Once we had stamped our A4 sheet of card it was then cut to make pretty background paper for the cards.

 

As everyone is busy shopping for Christmas gifts, I thought the cards from this class could make a pretty gift, so we added a decorative band around a clear acetate box to hold the cards and envelopes along with the matching gift bag to present them in.

My next classes are on 11th & 13th January 2012, if you would like to join our friendly group contact me now to book your place as spaces are very limited.

Angela x

Time for a Make Over

Please bear with me while I give my blog a make over, hopefully it won't take too long?!

Angela x

Back from Paris

Well I can tell you I had a fantastic time at Stampin' Up!s Euopean Convention at Disneyland Paris!!!

There are so many new and exciting products coming soon!

A weekend with friends near and far, sharing our passion of all things Stampin ' Up! with several free stamp sets, crafting and a lot of fun and laughter, just perfect!

I had a huge suprise when I went to register and collect my fabulous business bag - I was given a leadership award - something I never really expected to do was walk across the stage at convention and yes I did that this year!!

The theme this year was "Grow" and the inspirational displays were filled with so many beautiful flowers all made using Stampin' Up! products.

Would like to join me at next year's convention?

2nd and 3rd November 2012

at

Mainz Germany.

Contact me to find out more.

Angela x

Last Convention Gift

This is my gift I made to take for my Stampin' Up! "Mum" Jules, something completely different as there is no stamping!!!

I made a Christmas decoration using some lovely Old Olive buttons and Cherry Cobbler seam binding, with the gorgeous Victoria crochet trim ruffled around the edge. I added a gem to the flower button at the top of the tree for a little sparkle.  I got out my embroidery threads to finish the tree and added a few french knots to fill in the spaces - I really enjoyed making this as I haven't done any embroidery for such along time!!

I will share my Convention news as soon as I have a spare half hour, I need some time to catch up at home and find my desk again, oh and a lot of sleep too!!

Angela x



More Convention Gifts

Today I am sharing the "pillow" gifts I made for Julie my downline and travelling companion.

I altered a Stampin' Up! journal book with a matching pen holder and a jumbo peg.

I used those gorgeous  First Edition papers  with the edges inked with Crumb Cake ink, the spiral wire of the book is decorated with lots of ruffled ribbons and some crochet trim - the colours are from the NEW In Colours - Pool Party, Island Indigo, Wisteria Wonder.  I used the beautiful Everything Elenor stamp set, there are so many gorgeous stamp in this one, a must have for your collection!!  Most of the flowers have been cut out and layered to add some depth with a few pretty pearls.

At convention we all recieve the same bag, so it is important to make your bag easy to find by adding a tag with your name, I made a tag for Julie and a similar one for myself.

I cut the tags from some strong chipbaord using the NEW Two Tags die. I used the same paper, stamps and ribbons to make the tags When I went to Disneyland Paris in July I bought some cute Mickey & Minnie charms with the Eiffel Tower to add to the "bag Tags".

I have another special gift I made for my Stampin' Up! "Mum" Jules to share soon!!

Angela x

Convention Team Gifts

Along with general swaps we also make team gifts to share with demonstrators who are part of "Julie's Jem's", this year there are 18 demonstrators attending convention at Disneyland Paris from our team.

I made another Christmas themed swap using the brilliant Pillow Box die.

The boxes are cut from Cherry Cobbler card with a piece of First Edition paper (I do love this paper!!) stamped with the snowflake trio from the Serene Snowflakes stamp set in Chocolate Chip ink .  I wrapped some Crumb Cake seam binding around the box securing a cinnamon stick and some gorgeous lace trim in the knot. I punched a Very Vanilla "snowflake" with the NEW tripple punch and another in the NEW Gold card - it is so pretty and has a soft brushed effect, a "merry" from the Tiny Tags stamp set all tied to the seam binding with some linen thread.

I will be back tomorrow with more convention gifts.

Angela x

Convention Swap 2

One of the nicest things about spending time with fellow demonstrators at convention is the sharing of ideas and inspiration and whenever we get to gether we exchange our ideas by swapping cards and small gifts.

 I made a small treat for this "swap" using mini candy canes as my inspiration.

I used Poppy Parade card for the base and the scalloped border punch along the folded edge with a strip of co-ordinating paper from the In Colour paper stack in Poppy Parade. I used Pool Party, Poppy Parade and Chocolate Chip marker pens to colour the sentiment from the fabulous Tags Til Christmas stamp set, this was then punched out with the Scalloped Square punch and fixed to the topper with a dimensional.  A mini candy cane was tied with a some Pool Party ruffled ribbon and placed in to a clear bag and the folded top was taped into place.

I will share my Team Swap soon!!

Angela x

Convention Swap 1

This is one of my general swap's for convention, I decided to make a card front using the NEW cute Polar Party stamp set.

 I really love these colours together - Pool Party, Pretty in Pink and Whisper White.

I stamped the little penguin and coloured it with the marker pens in Peach Parfait, Pool Party and Pretty in Pink, I added a little Dazzling Diamonds for the snow too.

I punched out the image using the extra large oval, layering it with the decorative label punch. I used Shimmery White card and embossed it with the polka dots embossing folder, the gorgeous snowflake is punched in Shimmery White card using the Doily Triple Layer punch, with a gem for a bit of sparkle.

I decided to make the layers look like a wrapped parcel with some of the gorgeous scallop dots ribbon in Pretty in Pink.  The sentiment is from the NEW Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set, punched with the Word Window punch and layered with the Modern Label punch.

Back soon with more convention makes!!

Angela x

"Leafy" Simply Stampin' Challenge

At last I have managed to join in the Simply Stampin' challenge this week!!

The theme of the challenge is "Leafy" so I thought I would share the Thank You cards I have made for all of my customers this month.

The card base is More Mustard and I used the fabulous French Foliage stamp set, with Pumpkin Pie, Cajun craze, Always Artichoke and Crumb Cake. Perfect for an Autumn themed card.

I will share my convention swaps and gifts over the next few days.

Angela x

Happy Birthday Lucy

Today is Lucy's 10th Birthday, I can't believe how quickly this has come round!!

I made a Birthday banner to hang over the fireplace using the new Sizzix Pennants die, Timeless Type Alphabet sizzlit dies and the Tags for All sizzlit die. I threaded the pennants on to silver cord and tied small pieces of gorgeous Elegant Eggplant scalloped ribbon - just gorgeous in every colour!

I have used the gorgeous new Cheerful Treat hostess papers throughout my designs, I have to admit I wasn't too keen on this paper when I first saw it - but now I LOVE IT!!!!!

The colours are beautiful and perfect so many occasions.

Here is a close up of the cute owl, made with the Owl punch, I dressed her up with some flowers punched with the Itty Bitty punch and of course Dazzling Diamonds glitter and some gems!!  I added some leaves from the Bird punch and layered it with the scallop circle punch.

A closer view of the diamension of this card and a little of the inside of the card.

The Pennant punch was used for the bunting on the card, I used the Just Perfect alphabet stamps, the flowers are again from the Itty Bitty Bits punch set with of course more sparkly gems for some bling!

I made the treat holders with the NEW Petal Cone die - so many new products, so little time!!

I made a gift bag from a single sheet of 12 x 12 paper, the papers really are quite thick, I used them with the Pillow Box die to make a pretty gift box.

I know it has been some time since I up-dated my blog, but I just seem to have been so busy lately. I have been creating a lot of different projects and future classes as I will be off to Paris to the European Stampin' Up! Convention at Disneyland Paris!!!

I am really looking forward to spending a few well earned days away with so many other ladies all "obsessed" with Stampin' Up!  I will scheduale a few posts once I know it is safe to share my swaps and gifts!!

Angela x

Christmas Extravaganza

I have had a couple of busy days but finally I can share the pictures from my first "all day" workshop with 18 lovely ladies spending last Saturday making Christmas projects.

Beautiful gift card holders with a little treat - this tutorial is available to purchase from Inkin' Idaho.

My favourite Holly Berry Bouquet 12 x 12 papers are a perfect match for the gorgeous new Victoria crochet trim, and these papers can also be used for other occasions as some of them do not have any Christmas prints on them!! 

  

I showed the ladies how they could transform a plain envelope into a pretty gift bag for those difficult to wap gifts!!  A few simple folds and some designer paper was all it took - I added a Vintage Brad to the brown bag & a velco dot to keep it closed. the other bag uses a cute mini clip with a gift tag tied and a "scrap" of lace - (too gorgeous to waste!)

Another gift wrapping idea - a "diper" folded pouch - so quick and simple with no cutting, glue or tape and just one sheet of 12 12 designer paper too.

Stampin' Up! papers are fabulous quality and work perfectly with the exclusive Big Shot dies they are heavy enough to keep their shape once foled.  I added a rosette with another gorgeous Vintage brad, not sure if I can give these brads away yet???? 

The "two tags" die is another Stampin' Up! exclusive, I used various punches to decorate the tags, the stamps are from the Tag's Till Christmas stamp set.

As the papers are suitable for other occasions I chose this print to make a mini desk top calendar.

After lunch most of the ladies started making their gorgeous curly paper wreath - they do look beautiful when finished and I have several orders to make them as gifts too.

I showed the ladies some card designs, mostly using small scraps of the Holy Berry Bouquet papers.

This is my favourite card, the square lattice embossing folder gives the papers a fabric like texture and feel.

I would like to "Thank" the ladies who attended this class and had a fabulous start to their Christmas craft projects!!  The date of the next class will be Saturday 28th January 2012  1- 4 pm the venue will be confirmed soon.

Angela x

Boo to You!!!

I thought I should share some Halloween projects today before I miss it altogether!!

I didn't get as many things finished as I would have liked to but I am quite pleased with my Haunted House.

This was made using various punches and the little ghost peeping out is made with the fabulous Owl punch! Although it doesn't show up too well the roof has been spayed with the shimmer paint to give it a sparkly finish. The little bats are from the Every Little Bit stamp set.

This is a "goody" bag made using some of the Frightful Sight papers - they are really good value as I still have some left which I know you will be seeing in the future as they are just perfect for mens cards!

I was so excited to see the exclusive Sizzix Petal Cone die had made it into the new catalogue this year!!  I have so many plans to use it in my projects, I just need more hours in the day!! I made this one using the Frigtful Sight papers and punched out a spider from a different sheet of paper to decorate the top, the seniment is from the Tiny Tiny Wishes stamp set.

Here is Lucy all dressed up to go to her friends Halloween party last Friday night - the girls all had a lovely time dancing and playing party games. At school Lucy's year have been making plans for a Halloween party as they have been learing how to manage a budget - they are going out to Tesco for some shopping this morning and having an afternoon of fun and dressing up to reward them for all of their hard work on this topic.

Philip is also having a fun day in school today. His key stage are dressed up as witches and wizzards as they have been reading the wonderful Winnie the Witch story books and making pumpkin soup - he is so fussy I know he will not try it!!

I will share my pictures from the weekend tomorrow as when I went to write  up my post I was missing a few pictures of the completed projects - I plan to take the pictures later today as I am currently re-claiming the house and having a good cleaning spree now I have the place to my self again!!

Angela x