I'm still here....

I have been really busy with many different Christmas projects, I think I've had quite enough now!!!!  I still have a few special cards to make and some gift boxes but I have to report that the Christmas shopping is done & most of it is wrapped, the tree is up & the lights are on outside so for once I'm feeling quite organised.  I plan to do lots of baking, catch up with some projects I would like to finish and of course there will be some crafting.

I'm hoping I have some photos still on my camera as I thought I had photos of the 80 boxes I made for the Christmas party for Heel and Toe - a children's charity that provides conductive education based in Durham, Philip has made some lovely progress there especially with his fine motor skills.

Today I thought I would share a quick card made with the beautiful Holiday Frame embossing folder, it is a beautiful design and the embossing is really deep. I used the Tags til Christmas stamp set and punched it out with the extra large oval, the tree is from the Scentsational Season stamp set cut with the matching holiday framelits, I added a small heart shaped button with a scrap of linen thread.

I used Red Riding Hood card for my base with Very Vanilla and Gum Ball Green and a little star cut from the gorgeous Champagne glimmer paper.

I think this week is the "calm before the storm" as next week I have a lot of classes plan for - I'm spending a full day at school with year 5 & 6 helping them make Christmas cards and boxes, an afternoon helping Philip craft and  I will be making Teacher gifts for Philip's teacher for her little boy to take to nursery - its quite an order!!

We also have one of the nicest "Christmas presents" ever a new wheelchair assessment for a lightweight "sporty" chair that will be much easier for Philip to use and a better design overall.  The wheelchair was something I thought I would look in to after Christmas but Philip's teacher and the Head Teacher stepped in and the children and families at school are helping to raise money to get Philip a new chair - I  never expected this nor would I have asked them to help, it was an afternoon of tears & complete shock when I got to know about this. 

I will get my pictures organised and plan some more blog posts later this week, as I have a lot to share with you!!

Angela x

Stampin' Up Polar Party

I'm afraid you are going to be seeing a lot of Christmas projects from me as this is what I have been spending many hours working on!!  Today I have a set of cards and gift packaging made with the cute Polar Party stamp set, I think it was July when I made these cards - hopefully I WILL be organised this year.

I have chosen a non-traditional colour scheme for this set, Pink Pirouette, Pool Party, Melon Mambo and Whisper White. The Polar Party stamp set is a really cute set and perfect for a bit of therapeutic "colouring in".

I love the sweet little penguin stamps in this set, I used the exclusive Labels framelits to cut out the layers adding different papers from the paper stacks.

More colouring in!!!  I added lots of Dazzling Details glitter to this card for snow, I love the spotty scallop ribbon, only a few more colours left to collect.

I used paper to make the tall gift bag as Stampin' Up! papers are excellent quality, I made the closing flap with the exclusive Labels framlits.  The small box was cut with the exclusive Mini Milk Carton die, I used the extra large oval and the scalloped oval punch to layer the image, with a little ruffled Pool Party ribbon.

The photos doesn't really show the glitter and Crystal Effects I added to the trees.

Another cute scene, I "masked" the polar bear before stamping the trees so I could get some depth to the "scene".

I think this might be a set that Lucy will choose for her friends this year.  I have another set of cards made with the Polar Party stamp set that I will share with you soon!!

If you would like to order any Stampin' Up! products contact me for more details.

Angela x

In Love With Stampin' Blog Hop

Thank you for visiting my blog today,  I am taking part in the In Love With Stampin' blog hop so hopefully you have arrived HERE from Margaret's blog.

I am sharing projects made with NEW products from the Autumn and Winter seasonal catalogue.  I used the Merry Minis stamp set with the matching punch pack.

I used Cherry Cobbler for my card base, with a strip of Be of Good Cheer paper edged with the ribbon border punch. I used the Postage Stamp punch (NOW available in the new annual catalogue!!)  to punch out three red glimmer paper squares, then I punched one of each shape with Very Vanilla card, layering them with dimensionals, I wrapped some twine around the paper and added a button before tying the ends together.

A different version of the card using Festival of Prints designer papers (bargain at £6.25 for 48 sheets!!), I used Champagne glimmer paper with some Baja Breeze seam binding ribbon.

My final card uses my favourite Christmas paper this year - Snow Festival.  I stamped and punched the Merry Minis and layered them on to a strip of Whisper White card with a sprinkling of sparkling gems, the edges are punched with the Scallop trim border punch, the sentiment is from the Teeny Tiny Sentiments stamp set.

Thank you for hopping by today - now it's time to visit Leanie to see some more fabulous creations!!

Click Here if you would like to go to the start of the blog hop.

Angela x

Anniversary Card

I have been sorting my files with recent photos on my computer and found this picture of the card I made in July for our wedding anniversary.

I used Pedal Presents stamp set, adding the hearts to the basket  this is a lovely set but will only available until 31st August.  I used my colour coach to select the colours for my card - Baja Breeze, Poppy Parade and Crumb Cake. I embossed the card base with the Adorning Accents embossing folder, the sentiment is from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set, layered with the modern label and word window punch.

Angela x

Rainbow Ribbon

I spent last night with a lovely group of ladies re-visiting one of the stamp sets they bought when I did a workshop using the lovely Greenhouse Garden stamp set.This is a "two-step" stamp set and the group decided they would like to have a refresher class using it. 

I showed the ladies how they can create their own custom ink pad colours using Stampin' Up! re -inkers and a baby wipe. 

The cards are very "clean & simple"  we used Regal Rose card for the base with  Daffodil Delight, Marina Mist and Regal Rose re-inkers, the detail is stamped with Basic Grey ink.

There was quite a lot of cutting out of  flowers and we made a matching gift box with a tag as well.

Look at the gorgeous "rainbow ribbon" - it seemed a shame to waste the ink left on the baby wipe and as I only had a small length of Whisper White satin/taffeta ribbon left I thought I would see what happened when I placed it on the ink. The result this gorgeous ribbon that perfectly matches the flowers!!

Here is the set we made altogether.  Why not get your friends together and book a workshop with me and I will share some "wow" techniques using Stampin' Up! products.  

The NEW Autumn and Winter Seasonal catalogue from Stampin' Up! will be released on 1st September for customers to order from, as a demonstrator I have the privilege of ordering before it is released - what an order it was too!!  I know you will love the new products - email me to find out how you can get your copy.

Angela x

Birthday "Smiles"

I needed a quick Birthday card this week, so I used the lovely FREE Reason to Smile stamp set, that will only be available during August - so be quick if you want to get this stamp set!!

I stamped the flower with Pumpkin Pie and Tangerine Tango ink by colouring directly on to the stamp with marker pens to give a "shaded" effect, then I used my stamp-ma-jig to line up the next stamp to add detail to the flower. I added a button for the centre and layered the flower with punches. I stamped the outline image on to some script paper adding a small scalloped border with the Ribbon Border punch, the sentiment is from the Curly Cute stamp set.

If you would like to get your FREE stamp set during August contact me to place an order for £60 or more before delivery.

Flower Frame

This pretty flower frame was a last minute make for my Sister's birthday a couple of weeks ago.  I really needed a glue gun - but mine is no where to be found???????  I now have a nice new one sitting in a box on my desk - I'm sure the old glue gun will turn up just as soon as I have used the new one?!

I used a 6 x 6 box frame to put my flowers in, covering the back of the frame with some Wisteria Wonder paper.  The flowers are made from two different tutorials I bought here from A Diary of Two Crafty Girls.

I was intrigued by the pine cone in the Elegant Holiday Bouquet, I knew I "needed" to find out how it was made, the tutorials are excellent with a lot of step by step photos and tips to make your creations look real.

I also bought the beautiful Summer Bouquet tutorial, I made the anemone and ranunculus flowers from this one and it was also my inspiration for the colours too. The flowers are made using a lot of different Stampin' Up! punches and card many of the edges have been lightly sponged with ink, then I gave the flowers a spritz of shimmer mist made with Platinum shimmer paint & rubbing alcohol.

I hope to make a start on the Christmas bouquet now I have my glue gun!! I think they will make lovely gifts at Christmas, I have been making a start on some Christmas projects this week as I want to try not to be last minute with everything this year?!

Angela x

More reasons to smile

Here are some more cards made with the beautiful Reason to Smile stamp set that is available FREE with any £60 order during August.

I used Regal Rose card for my base with the wonderful Diagonal Score plate that fits over the Simply Scored board to create the background, adding a little glitter here the score lines cross. My flower was stamped on to Whisper White card with Regal Rose  and Lucky Limeade Stampin' Marker pens, then I added the detail stamped in Basic Grey with the stamp-ma-jig. I added some pretty scallop dot ribbon with a tiny scalloped border made from the ribbon border punch.

My second card uses Tangerine Tango card for the base, along with the scallop dots ribbon in Tangerine Tango. I randomly stamped the flowers with Regal Rose and Tangerine Tango ink on to Whisper White card, using a circle punch to round one of the corners.

If you would like to add this "time limited" stamp set to your collection, contact me to place your order.

Angela x

Bright Blossoms Class

This afternoon I had my second Stampin' Up! class of the week and spent a lovely afternoon with a different group of ladies, June is having a weekend away with her husband & yes we did miss her!!

The Bright Blossom stamp set is another NEW set from the Summer mini catalogue - this is a set that can be mixed and matched creating a lot of different designs.

I chose my colours for this class around the reverse side of the Nursery Nest 12 x12 papers -  Blushing Bride, Pear Pizzaz, Marina Mist and Whisper White with some rhinestones for a bit of bling!!

The stamps not only make a variety of modern flowers but they are perfect for stamping backgrounds on your cards.

This card uses several circle punches to layer up the design.

We added inserts to the cards and decorated them to match the card fronts.

Angela x

Leeds Training Swap

On Saturday I attended a training event in Leeds organised by Stampin' Up! and as usual when demonstrators gather we like to share our ideas and swap cards and projects.

I used the new hostess exclusive stamp set Pedal Presents from the summer Mini Catalogue. The image was coloured with Stampin' Up! marker pens, background clouds are sponged lightly in Bashful Blue ink using a scrap punched from a scallop circle punch, I spritzed the ground below the bike to give a light textured finish.  I used the Framelits die to cut the stamped image out and added a strip of embossed hearts with an Adorning Accent embossing folder (this is from a set of 3).

The colours for my swap are Chocolate Chip, certainly Celery, Bashful Blue and Whisper White.

Angela x

More Scrapbooking

As promised here is the other layout I made of Philip.  This picture was taken in Walt Disney Studios Park at the Stars n Cars Parade - we were fortunate to have separate area with wheelchair access to watch this fabulous parade, many of the characters came over and I quickly asked "Donald & Daisy" for a photo.

The colours are taken from the characters costumes - Island Indigo, Daffodil Delight, Rose Red and Whisper White. This layout is also for the In Love With Stamping Birthday Challenge - I used a sketch provided for this page.  

I don't like too much fuss on my pages but I'm getting better at adding "journalling" directly on my layouts and I added a few punched circles, buttons and brads for accents.

I hope to start my scrapbooking classes again - I now have a lovely new venue to hold them at with plenty of space to work, so if you live close to me and would like to come along contact me to find out  more details.

Angela x

In Love With Stamping Summer Mini Blog Hop

Welcome to the In Love With Stamping blog hop, I'm sure you will be inspired by the fabulous projects made by some very talented demonstrators using  NEW products available from the Summer Mini Catalogue released today!!!!!!!!!!!

Hopefully you have arrived here from Anne-Marie's blog

I have chosen to share the yummy NEW Sweet Shop designer papers and matching Jelly Bean Brads.

The base is Island Indigo with the matching ruffled ribbon - the papers are perfect for a Summer Birthday and don't need too much else - although I have used another new product - the Simply Scored Board to make the paper rosette in the centre of the card, adding a matching jelly bean brad.

I think this is my favourite paper - I love the pretty colours of the ice-creams!!  The base is Calypso Coral with matching riffled ribbon and another jelly bean brad. The sentiment is from the Curly Cute stamp set.

I made some mini boxes with the Candy Wrapper die, wrapped with a strip of Sweet Shop designer paper.

I will have more projects to share soon, its time to hop on over to Elaine's blog now!!

Angela x

Birthday Gift Set

I think I'm safe posting this card and matching gift set I made for my friend Liz who celebrates her Birthday tomorrow.

I used some of the FREE Pocketful of Posies designer papers, I chose two similar designs in Rich Razzleberry.

The large gift bag is made from a single sheet of 12 x 12 paper - you can find my tutorial here. I used white satin ribbon for the handles and made a matching tag with a Rich Razzleberry button. I made a small gift box with the Pillow Box die.

The card I made for Liz uses the gorgeous blossom tree from the Easter Blossoms stamp set - only a few days left to order this from the Spring mini catalogue!!!   I coloured the image with Rich Razzleberry ink and a Blender pen. The boarder is punched with the eyelet punch and I added a few sparkly rhinestones.

If there is anything you would like to order from the Spring Mini Catalogue please email me ASAP as products are only available until 30th April, p&p is only £4.95 for delivery direct to your door no matter how much you order & a FREE pack of 12 x 12 designer paper when you spend over £45.

Angela x

Creative Elelments Class

I'm late again with my post - this weekend has been so busy!! I will catch up through the week, don't forget there is only a week left to buy products from the Spring Mini Catalogue.

I started with a class on Friday night with a lovely group of ladies, these are the projects we made. The colours we used are Pink Pirouette, Pool Party, Basic Grey and Whisper White.

I tried out the "faux mother of pearl" technique on the Whisper White card, it looks really pretty  and works well with the flowers and butterflies from the Creative Elements stamp set.

We made a matching gift box, you can find the instructions here.

On Saturday, a training day at Leeds with Stampin' Up! mum Julie and lots of Stampin' Up! demonstrators, we had a great day with lots of gorgeous projects and inspiration and some lovely swaps from the new Summer Mini catalogue (1st May) they will certainly boost my display boards!! I will share the swaps I made using new products soon.  

I  made a  a mad dash home to go to Newcastle Arena with my lucky friend Liz (she won the tickets!) to see Youngman, Wretch 3 2 & Example - well the area bounced and maybe we are the wrong side of 40 but we had a great time!!  I think it has taken  until now to recover and feel a bit more awake but the rest of the ironing can wait until tomorrow, as I'm off for an early night!!

Angela x

Spice Cake

I have used almost all of my lovely Stampin' Up! Spice Cake papers and what better way to use them with the Stampin' Up! Cupcake Builder Punch and Create a Cupcake stamp set!!  All of them will only be available until 30th April.

I was lacking inspiration this week and saw A La Card Monkey had this great sketch with the challenge of Cupcakes and this is my card!!  I added some gorgeous Very Vanilla velvet ribbon to a double border punched with the Scallop trim punch.

I had a lovely crafty day yesterday, too wet to do anything else!!  I  made some new projects using some brand new products, I will share some sneak peaks in the next few days. I will be back  tomorrow to share the projects from my class tomorrow night.

Angela x

Stampin' Up! Berry Blossoms

This is a gift set I made using the gorgeous FREE Berry Blossoms designer papers.  I love the colours in these papers - Wisteria Wonder, Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade (2011-2013 In Colours) and Early Espresso.

The bag is made from a single 12 x 12 sheet of Berry Blossoms paper and the card uses the cut off.

I used some matching Wisteria Wonder ruffled ribbon for the handles, I added a tag, the flowers are cut with the exclusive Stampin' Up! Berry Blossoms die with a polka dot brad.

The card base is Wisteria Wonder, I used the Eyelet Border punch along the bottom of the Whisper White card, the sentiment is from the Curly Cute stamp set.

If you would like to get these gorgeous papers FREE contact me to place your order of £45 or more.

Angela x

Everybunny Class

After my last class I showed the ladies some of my cute Easter cards made with the "must have" Everybunny stamp set - so a date was set and I managed to squeeze in another class so the ladies could make their own Easter cards.

The images are stamped with Basic Grey ink and coloured with Stampin' Up! marker pens.

The papers and card are Pool Party, Lucky Limeade and Wisteria Wonder from the 2011-2013 In Colour collection.

This is not my usual choice of colours but I do think they look very pretty for Easter cards.

I have now added a morning session to my April workshop - 9.30-12.30 and there are still a couple of places left, (afternoon is fully booked) - if you would like to come along and make some gorgeous projects using Stampin' Up! products please contact me to book your place.

Angela x

Easter Gifts Day 3

I am still using a similar colour scheme of Pool Party, Calypso Coral and Peach Parfait for these Easter cards and treats.

I used the Easter Blossoms stamp set for these cards.  I stamped the images with Basic Grey and added a little colour with a Stampin' Up! marker pen  and a few tiny punched flowers with a pearl for the centre.

I stamped and cut out the eggs and layered them with a dimensional so they look like they are hanging from the branch.

I made these small pouches with a 6 x 6 piece of Everyday Enchantment paper, adding a small punched flower to an antique tag and a contrasting bow of In Colour ruffled ribbon.

I chose the colours for my cards and gifts based on the yummy chocolate bunnies - the wrapper is almost Pool Party and Calypso Coral!!  Thank you M&S!!

Tomorrow is the last of my Easter treats this week and also the last day of term!!  I do hope we continue to have some more of this gorgeous weather, as it will be nice to have a few days out somewhere nice & Lucy would love a BBQ!!

Angela x

Easter Gifts Day 2

Here are more of the Easter gifts and cards I made for Philip.  I used a gorgeous colour combination of Pool Party and Calypso Coral with more of the Everyday Enchantment papers - I know I will miss them when they are gone!!

I used the same supplies for each set and just changed the design of the card.

I used some Crumb Cake ink to give the edges a worn look and highlight the texture of the polka dot embossing folder.

The cute bunnies are coloured with Stampin' Up! marker pens and a Blender pen, the egg shells have also been glittered with Dazzling Diamonds.

These gifts are for Philip's teacher and his 1:1 teacher.  I will share the gifts and cards for Lucy's teachers tomorrow.

If you would like to get your hands on some of these beautiful Everyday Enchantment papers before they are gone forever - contact me to place your order before Friday 30th March.

Angela x