The full Sale-A-Bration brochure can be seen by clicking here

Sale-A-Bration Dates: 1 January – 28 February 2009

For more than ten years, the Sale-A-Bration promotion in the US has
been one of Stampin’ Up!’s biggest promotions of the year.

That’s why we are very excited to offer Sale-A-Bration in the UK for the first time ever.
With rewards for customers, hostesses and new demonstrators Sale-A-Bration
gives everyone a reason to celebrate!

Customers: Receive a free Sale-A-Bration product for every £45 purchase.

Hostesses: Receive a free Sale-A-Bration stamp set when you host a workshop with sales of £300 or more, in addition to the normal hostess benefits!

New Demonstrators signing up between 1 January and 28 February: Choose any retail stamp set (a value up to £38.95) from the current catalogue when signing up during the promotion as well as those already included in the excellent value for money starter kit (priced at £139).

Please contact me as soon as possible to confirm your workshop dates

Congratulations

Congratulations Linda - you are the lucky winner of a free stamp set :)

I would post to share some of the Christmas cards I made this year but unfortunately I didn't manage to get a photo of them! Camera battery needed charged and I really needed to get them in the post!

If any of the recipients have a photo they could let me have I'd be ever so grateful! LOL

Almost Christmas

You know its Christmas when this ad hits the TV (mind you I've been so busy recently I haven't had much time to watch so not sure if its even being played this year or not!)




As a thank you to all my stampers 10 ladies for their support over the last few months I will be randomly choosing one of you to receive a free stamp set from the following list. Check back later to find out who is the lucky winner.

Item #	Pg	Stamp Set	Retail Value
109467	17	Wondrous Gift	£19.95
107930	20	Snow Flurries	£9.95
110528	56	Friendly	£14.95
110536	60	Seasonal Wishes	£15.95
109324	91	Dotted Autumn	£12.95
105979	91	Cold Play	£24.95

Next class! and reminder for last Christmas orders

Thank you to everyone who came along on Thursday - I think we got there in the end after the late start!

I've just looked at the school newsletter and there is something on at the school on the 18th and as I think most people were busy anyway the next class will be in the New Year. I'll confirm that date in due course and post a picture of our next project.

Also a quick reminder that if you wanted to order anything for Christmas either for presents or yourself, or if your loved ones want to place an order for you then I recommend that you have the orders with me no later than 8 December.
Remember if you order £150 or more this qualifies as a workshop order and you will receive all the usual hostess benefits (ie free level one gift plus £15 of product) PLUS the additional free set for workshop orders placed in November and December (see post below)

Finally look out for some information coming soon re a VERY special event in the New Year!

Boxes, bags n tags class - part 2

Ooops sorry! Forgot to post the photo of the other two projects we will be making - hope you like them :)

Christmas Gifts

Looking for gift ideas for your crafty friends (crafty in the nicest possible sense that is! )
Print off the handy gift giving guide or gift list for more ideas.

If you would like help with what to order or would like some suggestions for a gift box/basket then please let me know. I am happy to help.

Contact details T: 01475 689958 or email me

Boxes, Bags n Tags Class

These are just some of the projects we'll be making at the Boxes, Bags N Tags class on Thursday 27 November - more pictures to follow over the next few days.

If you'd like to come along please contact me to book your place no later than 14th November. Cost is £10 and class must be paid in full by the registration date (14th Nov).

T: 01475 689958 or email me

Square Scallop Punch Christmas Decoration

This was the little bonus project for the last Christmas class - we only touched on it briefly towards the end so I thought I would post the tutorial online.

Step 1: Punch out 6 squares using the square scallop punch - I am using a sheet from the Too Cute designed series paper.

Step 2
Fold over each corner as shown

Step 3
Do the same on all 6 scalloped squares


Step 4
Glue the folded bits together as shown on 5 of the squares (I used the Tombow Multi glue - loving this! Now my glue of choice :) Step 6
Before you add the last square either thread a hat pin from the pretties kit through your cube diagonally, or a piece of silver or gold elastic cord.

Step 7
Add the final side and attach a small piece of gingham ribbon for decoration.


You can combine more than one for a large decoration - I also used the circle punch to make a round decoration.

November is a GREAT month to book a party!

If you host a party with me between 1st November and 31st December not only will you get the usual FREE HOSTESS SET and FREE PRODUCTS if your party sales are over £150 but you will also get

ANOTHER FREE STAMP SET (worth up to £24.95)...

...your free set can be any one of the following:

Wondrous Gift (page 17)

Snow Flurries (page 20)

Friendly (page 56)

Seasonal Wishes (page 60)

Dotted Autumn (Page 91)

Cold Play (Page 91)

Click on the flyer below for additional information.


You can host a party in your own home, or simply just email me your order for £150 or more.

Please contact me as soon as possible so that I can accommodate your first choice of workshop date (that's Stampin' Up! speak for a party :) )

And that's not all! For any orders placed between 10 and 30 November 2008 there is a special offer available on rub-ons and textured card packs when you spend £20 or more on other items from the catalogue.
Again click on the flyer for more information

Christmas Class

I had such a great time today teaching my Christmas "I Wish" class. Thank you to everyone who came along and made it so easy for me. Look forward to seeing you all next month at my Boxes, Bags n Tags class *smile*

Here's a little ornament I made last week:

Kirsten liked it so much we had to make another one in pastel girly colours too and at over an hour a time to make wasn't that fun! Actually its quite relaxing to sit and fold them when watching the TV. The decoration is made from 30 sonobe modules joined together.
Patterned paper is Stampin' Up!'s Holiday Treasures Designer Series Paper

Fun & Fast Notes 5

Christmas card

I love the versatility of the Fun & Fast notes set - there really is a stamp for almost any occasion.

Supplies:
Stamps: Fun & Fast Notes
Card: Real Red, Old Olive, So Saffron, Naturals Ivory
Accessories: Dazzling Diamonds

Fun & Fast Notes 4

New baby card

Supplies:
Stamps: Fun & Fast Notes
Card: Naturals Ivory, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose
Ink Black Staz-on
Accessories: Pretty In Pink taffeta ribbon, Fower from Pretties kit coloured using Regal Rose marker, Pretty in Pink Brad

Monogram card

Stamp Set: Frames With A Flourish, Typeset Alphabet Lower, Polkadot background
Card: Sahara Sand, Not Quite Navy, Bashful Blue
Ink: Bashful Blue
Ribbon: Bashful Blue Taffeta

Fun & Fast Notes 3

Stamps: Fun & Fast Notes
Card: Naturals Ivory, Pale Plum, Perfect Plum, Mellow Moss
Ribbon: Moss gingham
Ink: Black staz-on, Pale Plum, Perfect Plum, Mellow Moss (image coloured using blender pens and ink pads)

Fun & Fast Notes 2

I just love this little chick - he's so cute:

Supplies:
Stamps: Fun& Fast Notes
Card: Natural Ivory, So Saffron, Pretty In Pink, Regal Rose
Ink: Black Staz-on
Accessories - Crystal brad (Pretties Kit)

Ribbon Share

NOW GONE _ Thank you

mmmmmmm! This is what all of Stampin' Up!'s ribbon looks like all together.

Due to one person pulling out at the last minute I have one ribbon kit left. Full details of what's included are at this post here.

If anyone would like to purchase the kit the cost is £20 and includes P&P. Please add a comment below or email me

Fun & Fast Notes 1

Birthday card supplies:
Stamps: Fun & Fast Notes
Card: Natural Ivory, Brocade Blue, Old Olive
Ink: Black Staz-on, So Saffron, Brocade Blue
Ribbon 5/8" Brocade Blue
Accessories: Dazzling Diamonds

Halloween card

Supplies used:
Stamp sets: Frames With A Flourish, Occasional Greetings, Polkadot background stamp
Card: Basic Gray, Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie,
Ribbon: Pumpkin Pie, Elegant Eggplant, Always Artichoke.

I Wish Christmas Kit class - Thurs 30 October

Do you wish you could have a class using the new "I Wish" Christmas Simply Scrappin' Kit from Stampin' Up!? *ping* well now your dreams can come true LOL

In my next class you will have the chance to make two Christmas gift boxes, an ornament or two (not pictured) and at least 8 cards.

The class will take place in Largs (venue to be ascertained depending on numbers) on Thursday 30th October at 10 am and will cost £10. Your kit will include the following:

• One half of an "I Wish" Simply Scrappin kit (page 73 of the new catalogue and Idea Book) containing:
  4 12"x12" sheets of Stampin' Up! textured cardstock
  2 12" x 12" double sided sheets of patterned paper
  3 different sheets of accents, borders and stickers
  
  
• One sheet of whisper white card stock
  
  
• Real Red, Always Artichoke and Chocolate Chip ribbon.
  

During the class we will be doing some heat embossing using Stampin' Up!'s super fine embossing powder and there could even be a sprinkling of Dazzling Diamonds glitter. There will also be an opportunity to have a play with the new Season of Joy stamps and also the Perfect Presents stamp set.

If you are interested in coming along then please let me know by Thursday 16th October at the latest. Class fee must be paid in full by 16th October to enable supplies to be ordered.

Please email me at: thefineartofstampin@gmail.com or phone me on 01475 689958 to reserve your place.

Now & Forever

I love, love this frame stamp that is in the frames and flourishes set - so quick and easy to make a simple, elegant card.

Supplies:
Stamps: Frames With A Flourish, Occasional Greetings
Card: Close to Cocoa, Sahara Sand
Ink: Close to Cocoa
Ribbon: Chocolate Chip Taffeta

Word Window Punch Tutorial using the Scallop Circle punch

OK I know some folks are sad that we don't carry Stampin' Up!'s word window punch here in the UK (yet!) but here's how to get the same effect using your scallop punch...ta, da!

First stamp your sentiment. I'm using the "Happy Halloween" stamp from the Occasional Greetings set, using Pumpkin Pie ink on Sahara Sand cardstock.

Then turn your scallop circle punch upside down and position it so that there is a scallop at each end of your word(s) and punch out.


Trim off the rest of the scallop by cutting straight across.

And attach to project of your choice...

I then used mine to decorate my paper pumpkin (inspired by US Stampin' Up! demo Dawn Griffiths)

Ribbon storage

Same as before using the instructions from Rebel Inker, but added a few shelves for more storage. Looking a bit bare at the moment but lots of lovely ribbons are on their way - they have been enjoying a weekend break at Manchester (DHL depot!) for some reason but hopefully they will be back on their way soon and making their way up and over the border early next week :D

A quick and easy card and some storage

This unit was inspired by Rebel Inker's creation here, (scroll down towards the bottom of that page) and also by Rachel over on ILWS.

I adapted mine as WHSmith had A3 sheets of foam board on special for only £3.74. So my unit is only about 16" wide instead of 20" in the original instructions - just as well we didn't get the in-colours this time around :)

I think I'm going to make one for my ribbon too.

This card was made as part of the Inspiration Challenge over on ILWS. Karin has been really busy providing us with lots of really great projects for World Card Making Day - Why not pop over and join in?

Supplies:
Stamps: Carte Postale
Card: Basic Black; Whisper White;
Ink: Black Staz-on

Another offer from Stampin' Up!

There is so much that is going on this month I forgot to tell you about ANOTHER offer that Stampin' Up! have at the moment.

Stampin’ Up! Celebrates World Card Making Day

Stampin’ Up! is excited to celebrate this holiday with you and your customers the week of 4-11 October. During this week, we are offering 20 percent off Simply Sent Card Kits and Simply Sent Card Elements.

Click on the image to see a larger version

And don't forget the other offers available at the moment:

Ribbon share
20th Birthday offer - 20% off selected Birthday stamp sets if you spend over £20.

Sweet Favours

I made these little favour bags and filled them with tablet as a thank you for the Stampin' Up!® peeps who travelled to Glasgow for the recent training event. I hope they enjoyed them.

Supplies:
Stamps: Circle of friendship; Paisley background stamp
Cardstock: Very Vanilla; Pretty in Pink; Bashful Blue; Basic Grey;
Ink: Basic Grey
Ribbon: Pretty in Pink; Bashful Blue;
Accessories: Cello bags

There are only a couple of places left on the Ribbon share so if you are interested please let me know as soon as possible.


And don't forget about the October offer - 20% off selected Birthday stamp sets if you spend over £20.


Finally I have had a couple of enquiries about my Stampers 10 club. If you are interested in receiving a level one hostess set AND free products from the catalogue worth at least £15, and are willing to commit to spending at least £15 for 10 months or £25 for 6 months please let me know.


As usual you can contact me by phone on 01475 689958, email me or leave a comment on my latest blog post with your contact details and I'll get back to you as soon as possible.

Stampin' Up! ® Ribbons Galore

One of my favourite things about Stampin' Up! is how everything is co-ordinated. I love how the punches match the stamp sets and how the ink, card and ribbons all match.

So in order to achieve that co-ordinated look how would you like 40 metres of Stampin' Up! ribbon and cord for £20 (inclusive of P&P).

That's one metre of each ribbon featured in the new Stampin' Up! catalogue plus two metres each of the silver and gold cord. You will never struggle again to find that exact match for your project.

Look here's what you will receive:

One metre of each of the following:

	1/4" Grosgrain
	Whisper White
	Very Vanilla
	Pumpkin Pie
	More Mustard
	Real Red
	Elegant Eggplant
	Night of Navy
	Tempting turquoise
	Certainly Celery
	Always Artichoke
	Chocolate Chip
	5/8" Grosgrain
	Very Vanilla
	Chocolate Chip
	Bravo Burgandy
	Real Red
	Regal Rose
	Brocade Blue
	Certainly Celery
	Old Olive
	1" Double Stitched Gros Grain
	Rose Red
	Bashful Blue
	Chocolate Chip
	Taffeta
	Whisper White
	Very Vanilla
	Kraft
	Chocolate Chip
	Basic Gray
	Mellow Moss
	Bashful Blue
	Pretty In Pink
	Gingham Ribbon
	Black
	Red
	Light Blue
	Light Pink
	Moss
	Caramel
	Elastic Cord
	Silver (2 metres)
	Gold (2 metres)

If you would like to join in the ribbon share please phone me (01475 689958), email me or leave a comment on my latest blog post with your contact details.

There are limited spaces (and a couple have gone already) so please let me know as soon as possible so you don't miss out.

Payment by either cheque or via Paypal (there will be a small additional charge of 98p if paying by Paypal to cover their fees)

Thank U bag

This was my entry for the demonstrator's choice challenge at our field training.

The original idea came from a US demo called Brenda Quintana - thank you for sharing your instructions Brenda :)


Supplies:
Stamps: True Friend
Card/paper: pretty in pink; rose red designer series paper;
Ink: Pretty In Pink; Regal Rose; Rose Red;
Ribbon: Pretty In Pink teffeta
Accessories: Flowers from the Pretties Kit coloured in using Regal Rose and Rose Red markers

Countdown to Christmas

I know, I know its still a while away yet but its never too early to start on your Christmas cards. :D

Hear are a couple of cards I have been working on recently. The first uses the Season of Joy set from the new catalogue out on 1 October.


Supplies:
Stamps: Season of Joy
Card: Real Red; Whisper White; Dashing Designer Series Paper (now retired - get yours while there are still stocks available)
Ink: Real Red, Versamark
Accessories: Real Red Ribbon ( I pulled a thread on this to give it a ruched effect); White embossing power (this is my favourite embossing powder - it is so finely ground it gives beautiful results every time!)


This card was the swap card I made for the Training event - I will post a picture later of all the other cards I received - they are fabulous each and every one of them.


Supplies:
Stamps: Perfect Presents
Card: Real Red; Whisper White; Old Olive
Ink: Real Red, Old Olive; Versamark
Accessories: Real Red Ribbon; Dazzling Diamonds; Dimensionals

Little baby gift boxes

This was the project I demonstrated at the Glasgow training event for Stampin' Up! demonstrators and guests. It's a little origami fold box with a plaited (*platted/braided - delete as appropriate according to nationality!LOL ) handle. I first saw this handle used on a paper craft project when I took a class in Holland with the wonderfully talented Lida de Witt - she made us laugh when she told us it was so easy that kids at kindergarten in Holland do this! Hmmm cue a classful of grown woman struggling to make it!!

Supplies:
Stamps:Seeing Spots wheel; Wild About You
Card: Whisper White; Regal Rose; Pretty In Pink
Ink: Pretty In Pink
Tools: Scallop Punch; 1 3/8" Circle punch; Wheel Guide
Accessories: Soft Subtles brads (to attach handle)

Close up of handle

A quick word about the wheel guide - this is one of those items I flicked past in the catalogue. Then I saw one in action and it makes using the wheels so much easier and you get such a neat finish. If you have wheels at all then I highly recommend you get yourself a wheel guide.


These boxes would also be great for Christmas decorations to hang on the tree, for Halloween, for mini easter eggs or even as wedding, birthday or christening party favours.

Birthday Celebrations

Stampin' Up! is 20 years old this year and to celebrate there is 20% off selected stamp sets in October when your spend £20. Click on the image to see a bigger version.

And hello to my visitors from Germany ;)

Stampin' Up! UK New Catalogue

Here of some sneak peeks of some new sets that are coming soon!

Crazy for cupcakes

Picture to follow soon :)

In the Stars

Pocket Silhouettes

Holiday Treasures Designer Series Paper

Sneak Peeks

Ooooh!
Looks like we might be getting the scallop edge punch in the new catalogue, along with some more fab new sets like possibly Crazy About Cupcakes and In the Stars :)

The following items may be pre-ordered between now and 30 September and I will make sure the order goes in on 1 October to ensure the earliest possible delivery

CRAZY FOR CUPCAKES STAMP SET £20.95
IN THE STARS STAMP SET £24.95
POCKET SILHOUETTES STAMP SET £15.95
PUNCH SCALLOP EDGE £10.95
PAPER SNIPS £6.95

All prices are subject to confirmation. If they turn out to be lower I'll refund the difference but if they are more then there will be nothing further to pay.
£3.95 P&P charge applies as usual

New Stamps

Stampin' Up! are such a great company to be involved with. As a demonstrator I had the opportunity to pre-order some of the new stamp sets from the new catalogue due out on 1 October (all Stampers 10 club members will receive a complimentary copy of the new catalogue just as soon as they arrive with me towards the end of the month I hope).

I chose three sets:

Season of Joy
True Friends
Totally Tabs

And what's more they come die-cut - no more trimming the stamps from the red rubber before you mount them. Apparently all new sets in the new catalogue will be die cut but existing sets will still have to be cut while stocks last and then they will be replaced with a die cut version - don't worry we are told the die cut sets will be clearly marked in the new catalogue.


So this was the first card I made with my new stamps - I used Versamark and white embossing powder to get a really strong white image. I then distressed the edges of the Old Olive cardstock with my scissors, added some Kraft taffeta ribbon and some bits from the Pretties kit.

The next card I "cased" from a US blog I saw. Unfortunately it was a while ago and although the idea of making little handbags with the Round Tab punch stuck in my head, I forget where I saw the idea - if anyone knows please let me know so I can give credit :)

The sentiment comes from the True Friends set. I decided I wanted to have two different colours on my sentiment but I don't have the marker set that contains Close to Cocoa. So what I did was use a blender pen to pick up some ink from the inkpad and then coloured the stamp that way.
And finally I was very flattered to be ask to demo at the upcoming training event for demonstrators in Glasgow next weekend. I have my project for that all organised but under wraps for the time being :)
However I can show you a sneak peek of the swaps I have been busy making for that event.