busy little bee!!!!!!!!

I've been really busy over the last couple of days doing that last minute christmas stuff and even managed to find time to make my neices a little notebook to put in their christmas gift bag.... Yes I made 10 of them. in fact I have a total of 16 neicies and 3 nephews, sadly we dont see all of them.

I used a variety of cardstock, papers and ribbons from my stash along with my bind-it-all to fix them together. Hopefully I've got their favourite colours right!!

Thank you for stopping by and I wish you and your families a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Fame...........

I'm so happy at the moment I've just received a complimentary copy of Just Cards Magazine Volume 16 and guess what that only happens when you've had work published in there ( page 34/35)!!!!!!!!!

Yes little old me published, I had totally forgotten that I sent a card of way back in January of this year . You could knock me down with a feather.

My hubby and daughters are gobsmacked ..........as I didn't tell them anything about sending my work off.

I'm so sorry I can't share the photo with you on my blog until the magazine is out, but I just had to share my news.......

Winter Green.........

Oh Why have Stampin' Up! discontinued these papers they're my favourite. Here is a card using my take on the Sketch and Stash challenge number 25 that runs until the 4th Jan. I've used some silver mirri card along with Sage Shadow cardstock from Stampin' Up! the stamp set is Lovely as a Tree with some Dazzling Diamonds added for that sparkle. The ribbon is from my stash.

better late than never

Here's another card I made using a sketch that can be found over at Friday Sketchers. I just loved this layout and had to have a go when I found the time.

Again I've used a Penny Black Image coloured with Promarkers, a computer generated sentiment and Stampin' Up! Winter Green Designer Papers (sadly retired) along with Sage Shadow and Always Artichoke Card stock. And to finish it off I've used some stickles and Certainly Celery Ribbon from Stampin' Up!

another card another challange

Here I've used the sketch challenge that can be found over at Stamp With Us to make a Christmas Card for my friends Nephew. I've used discontinued Stampin' Up! designer paper along with Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon and Night of Navy Card stock.

The image is from Penny Black which I have coloured in using Promarkers and added a little sparkle with stickles (you cant have a Christmas card without glitter now!!!!!!!)

Busy Busy Busy!!!!!!!

This weekend was really hectic for me on Saturday I went out to a crop and managed to start 3 different layouts not one of them finished....urgh!!!!

I was planning to drive down to Portsmouth on Sunday to pick up Amy (as Uni broke up for the christmas holidays on friday) BUT when I arrived home on Saturday Evening there AMY was sitting in my front room!!

Her favourite Uncle decided that he'd surprise us both and drive down to see her digs and deliver her to me.....


Which allowed me to catch up on my christmas cards on Sunday. Here are a couple of "shaker" cards I made for my neicies........

I had a fantastic day out two weeks ago over in Essex with Steph. She laid on a lovelly spread for us as well as four FABULOUS make and takes, (I forgot to take my camera but there are some photos over on her blog).

I loved one of the layouts she did on her cards that much that I've cased it using Stampin' Up! products ~ Merry Moments 12x12 papers/Chocolate Chip, Real Red and Vanilla Cardstock/Real Red Grossgrain Ribbon/Season of Joy Stampset

Tree Trimmings

Here are a couple of cards that I've made using traditional colours and the Tree Trimmings Stamp set from Stampin' Up! as the main focal point.

I've glittered some of the baubles with Dazzling Diamonds and raised them up with Dimensions

long time no post...............

I've managed to catch up with a few things around the house and have had time to play....YIPEE!!

Heres my take on this weeks Mojo challange 116 ....... I've used a Whipper Snapper image (he's so adorable, thanks Sue for correcting me!) and papers from my stash (including some old Stampin' Up! ones), the card stock is Always Artichoke and Sage Shadow.

I'm off to play some more now....

Christmas Extravaganza with Stampin' Up!

We all like something for FREE don't we?

Stampin' Up! have a special offer starting on 1st November, if you spend £45-00 or more on products from their Christmas Gift guide then you get a FREE tag punch worth £12-50!

The Christmas gift guide has loads of gift ideas for stocking fillers, cardmakers, scrap bookers etc...

To place host a workshop or place an order then feel free to email me at frankiesue@ntlworld.com

Scraps.............

We all have a place where we put our scraps!! well yesterday I popped over to Shaz's and helped her to finish moving into her "Craft Cabin" it took us about 2 hours sorting the last little bits and pieces sorted out, then we sat down to play.......we had great fun.

I decided as Shaz had a rather large box of scraps I would challange my self to use these to make some cards with. I hope you like my creations, I used Winter Post and Spotlight on Christmas stampsets.

Sorry ladies its been a while since I have posted anything to my blog but my health has been suffering. As some of you know I have severe anemia at the moment which is leaving me rather tired and lifeless which hasn't gone down to well with my arthritis and other problems, therefore I haven't done any crafting to post on my blog to share with you.

This weekend I perked up a little bit as Amy came back to visit from Uni, we haven't seen each other for over a month and she's really hard to tie down on the phone or msn (out raving I expect).

So hopefully the Iron tablets and change of diet are taking their effect as well as Amy's visit and I'll be back crafting by the end of the week..........

Christmas

is catching up upon us really fast. For my workshop this evening the hostess asked if we could make gift card holders for her make and take, these are becoming very popular especially when buying for teenagers.....

I used the Scandinavian Season Stampset, this set has slowly grown on me since being added to the new idea book & catalogue. I wanted to stay with traditional colours so I used - Old Olive, Whisper White cardstock and inks. I have decorated the tree with some Dazzling Diamonds using Stampin' Up! s new 2 Way Glue pen. I have also used their new Mat Pack and Paper peircing tool to decorate the corner.

WOW!!!!!!!

What a fab time I had at convention despite the awful weather we had. Shaz and I arrived about lunch time on Thursday and decided to take a little walk, the heavens just opened and we got

soaked.......but I managed to find this to duck into to keep dry....

Fancy travelling all that way and finding an old fashioned telephone box. I had an early night as I wanted to be up early ready for registration on Friday morning and to trade my card swaps. We had some really good speakers after our lunch break and I came away with some fab ideas and really inspired. On Friday evening we had a formal dinner and an awards cermony, Shaz my upline "Mummy" was award a certficate and pin for acheiving 24th Demonstartor of the year in the UK (at present there are approx 400 demonstrators in the UK).

On Saturday we had a really early start where we got to play with the stamp sets that we received for attending convention ~ Circle Circus and New Year's Celebration...... As the session ended Shelli and her husband Stirling started to help every one clear up the tables for the next session, I had done so much chatting that the others on the table had tided their bits up and where off chatting, strecting their legs or getting refreshments. As I started to pack away the last few bits that I had been using back into the box Shelli came over to help putting my stamps into the box I had to quickly retrieve them and we both had a giggle over it.

The last session ended with both Shelli and Pam sharing some techniques and tips with us before we had to sadly return home. It was a great experience and I cant wait until convention next year especially as it will be here in the UK!!!!!!!!!!

I did take more pictures, but I'm saving them for the scrap book pages that I'm going to do over the next few weeks to share with you.

more card swaps

This is the second batch of cards I made for the swap and I was pleasently surprised at how the colour combination went really well together and looks clean and fresh.

The stamp set is Garden Whimsy and I stamped the sentiment in Basic Gray and the images in Certainly Celery.

I popped some Whisper White card stock through a cuttlebug folder before matting it onto a Basic Gray card base. After matting the sentiment on to some Certainly Celery card stock I edged this with some Basic Gray cardstock that I had put through new Eyelet Border punch from Stampin' Up. I love this lacy effect!!!!!!!

Card swaps.........

Stampin' Up! is holding their first ever European Convention, and I'm really excited at actually being able to go. I'm looking forward to actually putting faces to names on our forum, meeting the staff from HQ especially Chris and Eileen and of course demonstrators from France and Germany.

In preperation for this some of us have been busy beavering away making card swaps to build up our bank of ideas of how to use different stamp sets. So today I'm going to share my first batch of cards with you.

In total I have managed to make 70 which considering I'm still recovering from my surgery and other ailments, I don't think I've done to bad especially as the total number of demonstrator's going is somewhere around the 180 mark.

On these cards I've used 2 stamp sets Mr & Mrs, Cheer & Wishes and a standard wheel Forever Flowers. I decided that I would make some samples up in different colour ways, I like them all but my favourite has to be the plummy ones at the moment.

Sparkling Christmas.......

Over at Shaz's last night we made this fabulous desk calander and matching cards. Using one of my favourite Stampin' Up! Christmas stamps Silent Night.

We used Aqua Painters to colour the image before adding Dazzling Diamonds using Heat and Stick (yes I was allowed to use the glitter but only outside as I love to bathe in it....LOL)


I think that I may be making a few of these as gifts this year.

New home

Over on the Stamp shack we have been taking it in turns to host a variety of different challanges for others to play along with, this week it was my turn. I didn't want to do a reciepe, colour or sketch I wanted to do something different then I thought about the stamps I had laying around that rarely get used, yes I know you all must have one or two that are hidden away but not forgotten.

So I came up with the challange to use a "roller" stamp either as the main focal point (like my sample) or in the background.

For my sample I've used one from Stampin' Up! called "Neighbourhood" which I then watercoloured in with their Stampin' Up! write markers, matted this on to Taken with Teal Card stock before placing on a Whisper White card stamped with a retired sentiment.

This was perfect as I went to see my brother and his girlfriend yesterday in their new home, I wish then all the best together.

This has to be my favourite layout of the weekend.

Suzzane added a paper "Dollie" to our weekend challange kit and I thought what the heck am I going to do with that........ after looking through the photographs that I had with me and in my box of papers that I had left from old layouts, I deceided to ink it up with a creamy brown ink pad and came up with this layout.

The photograph is from my neighbours Hindu wedding cermony it was a wonderful experience.

Well we're nearly straight the carpet is being layed this morning then its just the part of putting all the furniture back.

I just wanted to share these scrapping pages with you they are from a couple of the challanges that Suzzane arranged for us at the retreat. I had great fun doing these!!!!!!!!!

another 2 layouts

as promised I said I would share some more scrap booking pages with you from the weekend, especially as I'm still up the ladder painting.....

Firstly I must apologize for being a bad blogger these past couple of weeks, you now how it goes and I haven't been able to do much crafting either except at the weekend I went away on a Scrapping retreat with the ladies from the "Golden Green" crop that I attend. I had a brillant time and did loads of scrapping, so my posts over the next few days will be of layouts that I finished whilst there as my darling husband is decorating the living room and needs an assistant...LOL.

Here are two layouts I've completed, on one of them I have used the paper peircing technique on co-ordinations cards stock and then gently rubbing down with sand paper.

Fab time..........

What a fabulous time I had on Saturday meeting up with people for the second year running....... it was a shame not all of you could make it though....maybe next time round

Dee let us try metal embossing I really enjoyed it (wont tell hubby though he'll just moan at expense lol), Trudy and Joanne showed us how to make a domino box and gave us a domino to alter to place in it... and Sabina made her famous cookies........hubby said they were spot on!!!

And me I held a mini workshop were everyone got to make a little ATC holder, heres a piccie of some of them making it

as I said in my previous posting any commision raised was going to Charity ~ Cancer Research in memory of Joy I, well I'm pleased to say we raised £15.00 (reference no D0141560) Thankyou for your support Ladies.

My final thanks have to go to Chris......Dee's hubby who kindly supplied us with tea's and coffee's all day long........... well done Chris.... he even got it down to who had sugar, tea or coffee!!

Friendship Atc's

Here is another set of ATC's that I have made for a hosted swap.

I love the effect you get when "stamping off "with this particulat stamp set ~ Pocket Silhouette's and the sentiment is perfect for this swap. The paper is from the Tea and Crumpets collection, which co~ordinates really well with the Chocolate Chip 1/4" Grossgrain Ribbon, Chocolate Chip and So Saffron cardstock.

Get well

Here are the cards that I have made for a Get Well card swap over at the Stamp Shack.

The stamp is from the Fun and Fast Notes set.

I used Stampin' Up!'s Write Markers to colour the image before matting it on So Saffron cardstock. I've also used the So Saffron Stampin' Pastel on the embossed Whisper White cardstock.

4 pages in 1

Here is a sneek peek at 2 of the 4 pages the ladies are going to make..............at our scrapping retreat later in October. I'm counting the sleeps down on my calander!!!

I was asked by Suzzanne, if I would teach this layout that I learnt at a total paper crafts crop, way before coming a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.

Now the new Catalogue and Ideas book is out I'm raring to have a go with Stampin' Up!'s new 12 x 12 papers.........

South of England Meet Sat 10th

Wow its come round really quickly, has it really been a year since we all got together down in Horsham............

As arranged with Dee, I will be demonstrating some of Stampin' Up!'s products. For those of you that are lucky enough to be going you will be able to make a little something to take home with you.

As before I will be donating the Hostesses comission to Cancer research in memory of our good friend Joy I. So the more you spend the more the charitiy will get.

For those of you who are unable to attend and wish to make a purchase, the catalogue in the side bar is a virtual catalogue which you can browse on line and the just drop me an email at frankiesue@ntlworld.com and I will add the sales on to the day’s total. Please remember its cash or cheque only, sorry no cards.

Tulips.......

Here are some Artist Trading Cards (ATC's) that I made for a swap that I'm hosting on one of the crafting forums I belong to entitled "Flowers".

I've used the Tulip stamp from Stampin' Up!'s Garden Whimsy set, coloured in with Summer Sun and Always Artichoke marker pens, on Whisper White card stock.

I have then layered this on Always Artichoke cardstock and emblished is with Certainly Celery ribbon.

Time for

another card using one of the new stamp sets in the Stampin' Up! 2009-2010 idea book & catalogue.

Sadly I can't take credit for this card as it was made for me by Shaz my upline "Mummy" knowing that I was unable to craft with all my sneek peaks sitting in front of me.


The main stamp set used is Circle Circus, stamped in and on Summer Sun and Basic Gray colours and emblished with a Basic Gray Taffeta Ribbon.

Shaz has layered the Circles up using the Scallop circle punch as well as the circle punches and held them together with a Silver Brad.

The sentiment is from the Cheers and Wishes set.

New card

Here's a card I made using one of the new stamps from the A Flower for All Seasons stamp set which can be found on page 46 of the new brochure, along with the Whimsy roller and sentiment from the Garden Whimsy set (page42).

Card stock colours are Old Olive, Bashful Blue, Rose Red and the emblishments are Dazzling Diamonds and Striped grossgrain ribbon (Bashful Blue).

The image was coloured in using the Stampin' Up!'s Watercolor Wonder Crayons which can be found on page 71

No crafting today.......

Stitches were taken out late this afternoon, Shaz held my hand and took me for a lovely coffee and slice of cake seeing that I didn't cry.......LOL

but I have got some cards ready to post for the launch of the NEW Stampin' Up! catalogue which will should be avaliable to view on line tomorrow or if you'd like to purchase your own copy then contact me at frankiesue@ntlworld.com

Nieces birthday cards

I managed to use my trimmer without help (so hands def on the mend) to make these cards for my twin nieces who are 11 this Saturday.

They also count towards the challanges on Friday sketchers (the sketch) and Magnolia down Under (buttons).

I've used Stampin' Up Designer papers and Card stock in Pumpkin Pie and Old Olive, the sentitment is from the Cheers and Wishes stamp set.

Hope you have a great birthday girls...........

Busy evening.........

Here are the cards that I made at the class I went to last night......... by the end of the evening my hand was really aching and I haven't been able to do much to day!! All that distressing has taken its toll on me... but I just love the effect on the cards.

Shaz kindly added the Dazzling Diamonds using Stampin' Up!'s Heat and Stick Powder due to me still having my stitches in roll on next Wednesday.

Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We managed it ...........we made five cards in total!!! Heidi had to do all the cutting/trimming but I managed to do the sticking etc.....

Here I used a new stamp I got at Sandown Park, that Sue and Shaz kindly took me too, along with my Ski Slope papers, Real Red cardstock and sentiment (from Best Yet hostess set) from Stampin' Up!

I used my newly purchased Promarkers to colour the images in with and because I've still got my stictches in and don't want to get my wound infected I used stickles and flower soft to emblish this adorable couple.

Feelin................

a wee bit better now!! I've taken off my pressure bandage and it doen't look like I've done ten rounds with Tyson now!

But the brusing is really bad....(not the nice range of colours from the rainbow) I was warned about this from the surgeon as my other consultant has changed my medication, so healing process may also take longer.......... ouch!!

My daughter Heidi is being a great help, she has stamped up some images for me so at least I can colour them in with my good hand. As long as she doesn't have toooooo much home work I'm hoping she'll help me with the rest so together we can make up some cards this evening.

I'm getting servere withdrawl symptoms.............LOL

another teaser............

Here a couple of quick cards that I whipped up this afternoon, as I tidy up before I go into hospital tomorrow for my second round of Carpal Tunnel surgery. This time on my left hand so hopefully I wont be out of action for toooooo long, especially as I still want to play with all the new stamp sets that I managed to get my hands on for the sneek peak......

I've used the flowers from the new stamp set Good Friend and the sentiment is from Very Versitile which is only avaliable until the end of September from the Mini catalogue.

I challanged myself to work with a colour that I haven't used but really love Taken with Teal. Here I've used it with Certainly Celery, Chocolate Chip and Pumpkin Pie.

New meets the old............

I've made 2 zig-zag cards here using those gorgeous Winter Green papers......mmmmmmm I'm in love with them......... which are reduced by 25% on the last chance list

On both cards I have used Wonderous Gift and Circle of Friendship stamp sets, which can be found in both the old and new catalogoue.

I've also dressed the tree's with baubles using glitters from 1 of the 2 NEW ranges of Stampin' Glitter and Tombow adhesive. I can't wait to get my hands on the other set............

God's Blessings

My neighbours got married today and guess who forgot to make their card in advance.......Yep ME!!!

So between helping Amy to pack (she's off to Uni tomorrow) and getting ready for the wedding I managed to whisk up this little card........... the image seems to be a favourite of mine at the moment for weddings, this is the 3rd time I've used the happy couple.

The sentiment is from Stampin' Up! it is 1 of 8 stamps from the God's Blessings stamp set which is on the " last chance list" at a reduced price of £20.21

Silent Night

This is one of my favourite Christmas carols and I just love the image and sentiment Stampin' Up! have used in this stamp set.

I've made two different cards using the Silent Night and Snow Burst stamp sets. The first is using the Holiday Papers again that are on the "last chance list" and the co-ordinating card stock Chocolate Chip and Ruby Red.The second is stamped in Night of Navy on Whisper White cardstock, I then matted this on Night of Navy cardstock before giving it a scalloped edge.

On both card I have used Tombow adhesive and Dazzling Diamonds (not sure if the camera managed to pick this up) on the church roof and on the trees

Winter Green.........

I love these papers and they're still avaliable on the Stampin' Up! "last chance list" at a really good price.

Here I've use the Snow Burst stamp set in the back ground, stamped in and on Sage green card stock and made these snowmen using a vairety of punches/ nesties. The sentiment is from Occasional Greetings.

Blog award...............

Thanks Jude for leaving me this award over at your blog.

It was a nice surprise as I took time out from crafting ( I'm in the middle of making 250 wedding invites for my best friend) to revamp my blog........

now its back to crafting.....

Stampin' Up!

Every year Stampin' Up! retire some of their stamps sets, papers and accessories.... BUT this year they have decieded to reduce some of the products by up to 50% off..

You can view this years last chance list here and of course should you wish to place an order send me an email addy is in the side bar.

Just a little reminder that the mini catalogue ends at the end of September.

Happy shopping

Sue

a little behind

Over at the stamp shack, I'm in a "swap" which helps me to build up my Christmas card stash so its not a rush........... well you guessed it I haven't been able to keep up!! But I'm trying to make sure I catch up a little especially knowing that my next op is around the corner(mid September).

Well here is one that I made for a challange that I found whilst surfing the net late the other night or early in the morning........I couldn't sleep. The challange site is called Stampin Sisters in Christ , this is their first challange which is to make a card with a food or drink theme.

The image is Tilda cooking, I just loved the stripey paper that came in a goodie bag that I had bought for my birthday. The sentiment and card stock is from Stampin' Up!

A few piccie's from our hols...

Well we only managed to get out for 2 days as I was taken ill and laid up in my hotel room for the rest off it. It was pretty scary seeing as I'm the driver and we were up in Liverpool.

We decided to pop up and visit this city as my darling hubby is "Beatles" mad and I thought it would be great for Heidi to see the Tate in Liverpool seeing as she is starting to study for her Art and Design GSCE.....

The first day the weather was beautiful so we decided to visit Chester Zoo, it was fantastic and I would recommend it to people over London Zoo. A huge variety of animals to see, and if you have problems walking around you can still see most by using their monorail, it was great!!!!

The second day we ventured into Liverpool, to the Albert Docks to visit the "Beatles Story" muesum, Frank was in his element!!

Unfortunately we never made it to the Magical Mystery Tour or the Tate..........from what we saw of this beautiful City we vowed we will be back!!!!!!!!!!

Proud Mummy

Just had to share some good news with you , my middle daughter Amy, did really well in her " AS" results (2nd year of A level) managing to get an A grade in English and C in Psychology and History.

So that means she's off to University at the end of September!! now she's just deciding which one ...... and I thought this would be the stress free part.

Well done Amy!!!!!!!!

August Special from Stampin' Up!

Gift with Purchase Promotion Our Gift to You


To show appreciation to all our customers and hostesses, we’re offering an exclusive ribbon bundle FREE with a qualifying purchase or workshop!

From 1-31 August, get a FREE bundle of ribbon when you


Spend £45 on any Stampin’ Up! products OR Host a £300 workshop.




These items cannot be ordered in the catalogue, so what are you waiting for contact me to book your workshop or place an order today..........

Monochromatic card

Over at the shack some members are setting a variety of different challanges for others to take part in if they wish to. This week was to make a Monochromatic card using your choice of colours.

I decided to ink up my one of my newer stamps from Stampin' Up! Soft Summer this is a two step stamping set I used Note Quite Navy and Night of Navy inks. The card stock is Night of Navy and Bashful Blue the same as the papers. The sentiment is from my stash along with the buttons.

Update on Luffy Meet

I'd like to say a big thank you to Barry, Janet and Julia for organising the "Luffy" meet, another fantastic time was had by all.

The make and take went well, with the ladies staying in the same B&B as me benefiting from another demonstration ........ well that's what friends do help one another.

Thanks to all those that placed an order either on the day or via email, we raised £25.00 for cancer research (ref D0128641).

Sorry I forgot to take piccies so I can't upload any (silly me)..

Keeping my fingers crossed that there is a meet next year!
love
Sue xxx

been creative.......

I'm not sure about you but I find it really difficult when it comes to making sympathy cards, especially if they're for your best friend....... so I thought that I would share a couple of simple ones that I made using Stampin' Up! papers and sentiment from the "God's Blessing set".

I managed to use the layout over on Mojo Monday for one them. The other I decorated with beads and ribbons that I found in my stash.