Special Season

Good Afternoon Blog world

Wow, it's certainly been some time since I've worked on my blog.  Just been a very busy few months and does certainly feel like forever.

I thought that I'd show you a lovely little Christmas set, just perfect for all those cards that we are all busy, busy creating.

Stamp set used: Special Season
DSP: Winter Frost paper stack











Happy Stamping
Loraine

Craft Workshop

Good Evening

Pretty excited this evening, I've just returned from doing another Hels Sheridan workshop at Crafty Bunch, my local craft shop where I go for all stash non SU.  It was a totally "Me" day doing what I love......crafting of course.  We made a canvas using LOTS of different products and techniques which was great fun and kept me totally absorbed and inspired all day.

SU stamp used: En Francais

Happy Stamping and creating

Loraine

Birthday's, Thank You's and a little bit of Chris...........

Hello All

Hope you're all well and have had a restfull weekend.

In our class just passed we did 3 cards, yes 3 cards and the reason for this was that it was time for me to sneak a little Christmas card in there to remind everyone that it's about time that they started thinking about their Christmas card making.

Stamp set's used: Creative Elements, Clock Works, Four You and other from my stash










Happy Stamping
Loraine

Mix and Match

Good Afternoon All

Well, here we are again........just found some time to post our last class cards and it's nearly, nearly time for another class:-)

We used a few different stamp set's for these.  Some from past catalogues and some from the present - well you have to use ALL your stash most of the time don't you!

Stamp set's used: Papillion Potpourri & Four You
Punches used: Elegant Butterfly &Scallop Trim Border
Embossing Folder: Honeycomb
DSP: Epic Day This & That
Brads: Antique brade
Ribbon: VV Seam Binding

Stamp set's used: Papaya Collage & Charming (retired)
Score Board: Simply Scored Scoring Tool, metric plate
Brads: Rhinstone (retired)
Ribbon: Old Olive Satin & Linen Thread

Happy Stamping

Loraine

Where does the time go?

Hello All

Hope you're all well.  Not quite sure where my time is going at the moment but I've just realised that I never posted my last class creations.

We did a box full of mini cards, either used as a gift, which is what some of the ladies were going to do, or to keep the cards in to use yourself.  Either way, a lovely project.

I think my class were a little apprehensive when I told them that I'd put loads of stamp set's on the table and that my project was just there as a guide.  They were to "go crazy" and do their own thing!  I could see the panic set in but as they are now all more than capable crafters I was confident and we had some amazing results!  I was very pleased.

Below is my sample, could have been a better picture but at least it shows what we got up to.

Stamp set's used: Tape it, Best of Flowers, Papillion Potpouri, Serene Sillhouettes, Four You and circle circus (retired)









Happy Stamping
Loraine

Creative Elements

Good Afternoon All

Hope you're all well.  I have been enjoying the wonderful warm weather that the UK has had over the last couple of weeks and long may it continue in my opinion.  All that it means is less time in my craft room and more time in my garden - never a bad thing:-)

This last week we used the lovely creative elements stamp set once again and teamed it up with the new  silicone moulds and clay and it worked a treat! We also used some of the new washi tape that Stampin' Up! has brought out.  Really enjoying using all these lovely new goodies.

Take a look and let me know what you think.

Stamp set used: Creative Elements
Washi Tape: Epic Day This and That
Moulds: Blossoms
Clay: Simply pressed clay
Punches used: Decorative Label & Fancy Flower
Dies used: Bitty Banners






Happy Stamping
Loraine

Sneak Peek

Good Morning All

Hope that you're all well.

Here we go, a bit of a sneak peek for you all.  I've been working on canvas again but within this project is a little something from the new Stampin' Up! catalogue.  Can you guess what it is?

Happy Stamping
Loraine

Better late than never.....

Hello

Hope you're all keeping well.  As I said, better late than never.

These are the class projects from a couple of weeks ago, before I went off on a tangent by thoroughly enjoying a me day and doing a door hanger for my craft room!

A Bendi Fold Card
Stamp set's used: Papaya Collage and Petite Pairs
Embossing folder used: Perfect Polka Dots
Punch used: Modern Label

Fathers Day Card

Stamp set used: The Open Sea

Punches used: Word Window & Modern Label

Happy Stamping

Loraine

Craft Room Door Hanger

Good morning all

Hope you all had a great weekend, we had pretty good weather here in Shropshire - makes a change and it can now stay till end November!

I was having a bit of a play this weekend and made a door hanger for my craft room.  I'm really pleased with the result so thought that I'd share it with you all.

SU wheel used: Music Notes
SU DSP used: First Edition Speciality
SU Punches used: Fancy Flower, 1 3/4" scallop circle & Bird builder
















Have a fab week, happy crafting!
Loraine

Stampin' Up! Retirement List is out!!!!

Good Morning All

 Just thought that I'd let you know that the Stampin' Up! retiring list is now out.  Take a look on the website here: http://www2.stampinup.com/home/en-gb/ and follow the links.

Otherwise follow the retirement lists links here: stamps; http://su-media.s3.amazonaws.com/media/lastChance/2013%20EU%20Retired%20List/Stamp_Availability-UK.pdf and here for accessories; http://su-media.s3.amazonaws.com/media/lastChance/2013%20EU%20Retired%20List/Accessories_Availability-UK.pdf

Let me know if there is anything that you'd like to order.  Please do bear in mind that these products often disappear quickly which means that it may be worth your while to place your own order and pay the £4.95 p&p.  If you want to wait until I have a few orders together there is the chance that you won't end up with the products that you want:-(

Give me a shout if there's anything that you'd love to have and I'll place your order for you straight away.

Happy stamping and creating.

Loraine

A Wonderfull way to spend a Sunday

Hello All

Hope you're all well.  We have sunshine again in the UK today, well where I am anyway and this is always good as it lifts your spirits.

I know, it's time for those class projects again but I'll leave that for another day BECAUSE yesterday I went to a wonderfull workshop with Hels Sheridan at Crafty Bunch Telford, it was a totally "me" day where I could create and enjoy something I'd been dying to do for ages which is using a melt pot.

I could see so much potential and possibility using this tool that I'm now going to look at my Stampin' Up! stash in a very different way!  Time to play with ALL those gorgeous SU red rubber stamps again and drag out all those that are a little uhmmm, dusty and in need of some love.

Take a peak and let me know what you think

Happy Stamping and creating
Loraine

Serene Silhouettes

Hello bloggers

I hope that you are all keeping well.  I know it's time for another class project or two but I did not hold a class yesterday as I went to my Stampin' Up! regional training event, which was fab,  informative and inspirational which is just what you want from a day out with about 300 fellow demonstrators.  If you're interested in becoming a demonstrator and joining my team, please do get in touch either by e-mail or phone (details on the sidebar)

Now.... let me tell you that one of the many idea's and projects shared caught my eye in particular so I had to come home and give it a go.  You'll see why in a minute but let me explain my excitement.  I love to draw and paint BUT MOST OF ALL I LOVE TO PLAY WITH STAMPS AND INK!!!!  Just in case you had not guessed by now:-)

We were show by Lynne Fahey, how to create a silhouette with inks!!!!!  I had heard of this technique but not seen it before and fell in love with it, not that you only create silhouettes with this technique but because I was dying to do just this with my lovely serene silhouettes stamp set, this is the bit that really caught my attention.

Using your clear blocks and a few ink pads and a spritzer you're able to blend your inks together and create some stunning backgrounds.

Take a peek below and if you're interested in learning how to do this please do get in contact to come along to one of my classes where I can share this with you.

 Stamp set's used: Serene Silhouettes & Afterthoughts (retired)
Ink's used: Pumpkin Pie, Cherry Cobbler  & Chocolate Chip
Clear block: E














Happy Stamping
Loraine

This and That

Good Morning

Wow, two blog posts in two days!  Way to go but the reason is that there is some very exciting news this morning and that is the introduction of the **NEW** journalling line from Stampin' Up!  It's called this and that and you can currently get a bundle which is available from 1st - 31st May at a cost of £29.24, have a look at the link below to see all the gorgeous products available and give me a ring or drop me an e-mail if you'd like to order it.

http://www2.stampinup.com/gb/documents/DEMO_this_and_that_flyer_EU.pdf

There is also a quick video available if you'd like a look:http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=kwg7yFG8KIo

Happy Crafting
Loraine

Serene Silhouettes

Good Afternoon all

From a sometimes sunny afternoon in the UK.  The weather is improving, spring has sprung and the birds are nesting.  We have a little lady black bird nesting in one of our lilac trees, she has 3 eggs that I can see but there could be a 4th.  I managed to sneak in just one quick pic of the nest when she went to stretch her legs as I don't want to scare her and get too close as she's right outside our conservatory window. It is a real treat to have her there.  I personally think she's a little silly choosing to nest in our garden with our crazy Jack Russell dog but perhaps she's not that crazy thinking that nothing else will come into the garden because of him!??

Picture through the conservatory window (not wanting to get too close)












On to this last weeks class, we used the lovely Serene Silhouettes stamp set, this set has so much promise to it and I decided to start off with a Rich Razzleberry card and gift box set.  There was a LOT of masking involved for the box but as always, there are options and not everyone chose to do as much masking as me - that's the beauty of coming to class as you gain the confidence to do things your own way after a bit of time.

Take a peak and let me know what you think.

Stamp set's used: Serene Silhouette, Curly Cute & Papillion Potpouri
Punches used: 1 3/4" circle & Bitty Butterfly











Happy Stamping
Loraine

Clockworks & Create a Cupcake

Hello All

Well, it's been a busy few weeks here.  I've been re-doing my craft room (pictures to follow at some point) so that I could once again see everything and work in a less cluttered environment - far better for the soul and the mind I think as I don't have to keep thinking "where is this or that, I saw it a minute ago"!!

This week is time for another class on Saturday so I thought that I'd better get around to posting the pictures of the last class we did.  We used the clockworks stamp set and mixed it up with some other retired bits and a few things from my crafting stash, see what happens when I can find everything again.  We also used the lovely little create a cupcake set which is just adorable and made such a pretty little easel card.

Take a peak...

Stamp set used: Clockworks
Other: from my stash

Stamp set used: Create A Cupcake
Embossing folders: Square lattice and Perfect Polka Dots









Happy Stamping
Loraine

Clockworks

Hello Bloggers

Hope you're all well and have been having a fantastic Easter break with family and friends!  For us here in the UK, we've also had our clock's change this weekend, we have gone forward an hour as British Summer Time has begun!  So they say anyway but with snow on the ground and very cold winds - I'm not sure I believe it.

I decided that I'd use the lovely little clockworks set just because it seemed right with our change of time.  There are no actual clocks on my card but rather some cogs from my crafting stash along with the very beautifull background stamps from this gorgeous little set.

Take a look and let me know what you think.

Stamp Set Used: Clockworks
Punches Used: Modern Label & Word Window










Happy Stamping
Loraine

Kindness Matters

Good Afternoon all.

Well, we're off to a good start in that the sun has come out for an hour or so today and it certainly brightens everything up a little and makes us feel better.

I was asked in class today if I had a bit of a blue and brown "thing" going on......well, what can I say I do love those colours together but also planned my class project without thinking about the last colours we used in class......, never mind our projects were gorgeous and the colours quite suited the little Kindness Matters stamp set too:-)

Take a peak at the matching card and gift box set below and let me know what you think.

Stamp set's used: Kindness Matters, En Francais & Tiny Tags
Embossing folders used: Vintage Wallpaper & Designer Frames (oval)
Punches used: 3/4"circle, Jewelry Tag & Modern Label






Happy Stamping
Loraine

A simple bit of scrapping

Good Evening All

Well, yesterday's weather was gorgeous in the UK, gorgeous for this time of the year anyway and it reminded me that I'd taken some lovely pictures in Attingham Park the other week of the snowdrops.

I decided that I'd make a little reminder for myself, so that I can look back at it as and when over the next few weeks before Spring really does appear and while the weather cant make up it's mind, as in today is a gloomy day again!

Stamp set used: Kindness matters & words from retired set Style beautiful
Punch Used: Decorative Label & Scallop Border









Happy Stamping
Loraine

Papaya Collage

Good Afternoon blogland

Hope you're all well, the sun has been shinning here in the UK all day today which is fab and makes me look forward to spring and the thought of working and sitting out in the garden again.....dream on I hear you say.....

This weeks card and matching gift box were done with Spring in mind, what a lovely and versatile set Papaya Collage is, I can see myself using this set over and over again and combining it with many others for a wonderful finish.

Take a peek and let me know what you think.

Stamp setsused: Papaya Collage & En Francais
Punches used: Jewelry tag &Elegant butterfly
Embossing folder used: Vintage wallpaper









Happy stamping and creating
Loraine

Create a Cupcake

Good Morning All

Hope you're all well, even though it's a little chilly outside in the UK.....ok, call that a LOT chilly!

I thought that I'd show you a little cupcake card today, one that was made for a special lady for her birthday, I even took out my mini sewing machine, not something I do very often and only on paper!

Stamp set used: Create a cupcake
Embossing Folder: Perfect Polka Dots
DSP: Patio Party











Happy Stamping
Loraine

Clockworks & Creative Elements

Good Evening

Here we are at the end of the weekend, what a shame......feel like another 2 days would be just perfect right now!

Yesterday in class we used the clockworks set and what a gorgeous set this is, there are so, so many uses for it but for class I decided to go monochrome and again, this could be used for a men's card - what a bonus!  Two weeks in a row.

Our second card used Creative elements set and I have to say, this is a set I find drawn to again and again as there are so many beautifull things that can be done with it.

Stamp set used: Clockworks
Punches used: 1/2", 3/4", 1" & 1 1/4" Circle punches & Word window & Modern label
Embossing folder: from my stash

Stamp set used: Creative Elements & Papillon Potpourri

Embossing folder: Pefect Polka Dots

DSP: Retired Spice cake (fabric still available)

Happy Stamping

Loraine

The Open Sea and a little Valentines!

Good Evening All

Hope you've had a great weekend, mine has been busy, busy but very enjoyable all the same.

Yesterday was the beginning of our 2013 classes and we had great fun as always!  Some were a little rusty or said they were, some were a little late arriving after having forgotten about class.......... but by the time we'd gotten around to the second card and after a couple of cups of tea and a bit of a natter, everyone was well on their way again and all left with two "perfect" cards:-)

I decided that since we don't usually make that many men's cards during the year, we'd start the year off making one which went down very well  and also since we're heading toward Valentines Day I thought that we'd get ahead of ourselves and be very organised.......makes a change.

Take a peak and let me know what you think.

Stamp set's used: The Open Sea & Petite Pairs
Punches used: Modern Label
Accessories: Simply Scored Stylus (for pushing out the billowing sails on the vellum)










Stamp set used: Petite Pairs
Punch used: Full Heart
Embosslit: Fashionable Hearts















Have a great week and happy Stamping
Loraine

Looking forward to Spring/Summer

Good Morning All

Some MORE exciting news.  Not only do we have sale-a-brations running at the moment where if you spend £45.00 you can get 1 free product from the leaflet (see previous post) but now we have the NEW Spring/Summer Mini catalogue which comes out today!

There are some gorgeous products available, some lovely buttons and trinkets too.  Take a look at the Spring/Summer Mini, link and drop me a line if there's anything you'd like to order.

Happy Stamping
Loraine

Sale-A-Bration

Good Morning All

Well here we go, it's sale-a-bration time again!  For every £45.00 that you spend you can earn one product free from the sale-a-bration brochure.

Please take a look and let me know if there's anything that you're interested in.

Happy Stamping
Loraine

Happy New Year......a little belated

Good Morning All

Happy New Year to you all, I hope that you've all had a good start to the year so far.  Mine was fab as I've just returned from a break away in South Africa visiting family and friends.  Only wish that we had the same weather here as we did there but sadly we returned to the cold and snow from the heat and sunshine!

Here are a couple of pictures from the top of Table Mountain, Cape Town.

Some exciting things coming up this year in the world of Stampin Up! so please pop by every now and again and take a look.

Keep warm and safe
Loraine