Just a note.....

Hello all, this week I have lots of 'Stampin' Up!' events going on.........

• Tonight is 'Creative Cafe'- a social were crafters can get together and craft and have refreshments....the brownies are in the oven! Everyone is welcome, it starts at 6.30pm and is held at 'Delicachixs', Lane Ends, Ashton.


• Wednesday- I am demonstrating at 'Zumo- Cafe bar' (http://zumocafe.com/ for directions), at an open to all workshop, hosted by Karrie


• Saturday- 'Big Shot' event 7pm onwards, at Delicachix's. I will be demonstrating a lovely project with the 'Big Shot' and then there will be a FREE MAKE & TAKE, using the 'Big Shot' and some of the wonderful 'Stampin' Up!' & 'Big shot' products.

In preparation, for Saturday night, I am busy making lots of things with my 'Big Shot' and have enjoyed making a few bits and pieces that are not cards or layouts.

One of my latest makes is a little hanging note pad, perfect to hang at your desk and jot down SU goodies to add to your wish list!!

I had some acrylic scalloped squares in my things to alter stash, I cut a sheet of the 'Pear pizzazz- Designers series paper' to fit within the scallops and glued it to the reverse. I then added four of the 'Jumbo pewter eyelets', the top two to tie some twine for hanging up, and two to hang the note pad from.

The note pad was made using the brilliant 'Top note die', and I have a lovely little tip to share on Saturday night, to show a quicker and easier way to cut these out!

The sheets are held in place with a bit of 'Tempting Turquoise' ribbon, and a piece of elastic was secured under a fifth eyelet, to create a loop, to hold a pencil.I hope you like it, if you have any questions about how to make this or any of my other projects please email me: sally-johoughton@hotmail.co.uk I am happy to help, or if you are in the area, attend one of my events, it would be great to meet you and share our love of craft xx

'oooOOOO' I nearly forgot.....On Saturday, they will be advanced booking and a sample preview of the....

Christmas in July class!!

To be held on Sunday July 24Th.

Blowing the dust off......

OK....a show of hands please......have you ever had to have a stamp set, and then let it hide at the back of your 'Stash'?? You occasionally pick it up and stroke it and put it back thinking 'errrr...what will I do with it??'

Well, the 'Autumn Days' Stampin' Up! Stamp set has been at the back of the stamp draw for a long time now, and whilst tiding my desk, and gathering my creative thoughts, I came a across a pack of little buff notebooks that were a birthday gift, and inspiration hit me!

The set combined with 'Soft Suede' and 'Early Espresso' classic ink pads, have quickly made a rustic/ nature inspired note pad.

The Pheasant, stamped in 'Early Espresso' was used as the main focal point, in the centre of the note book. So he wasn't 'floating in mid-air' I grounded him by sponging some 'Soft suede' along a torn strip of paper. I then stamped the 'stalks of wheat' stamp that's in the set,in the lighter ink colour of 'Soft Suede' to the bottom edge and up either side of the notebook, to add depth.
Each of the pages got a little stamp treatment too, using the lovely foliage stamps that are part of the set, I stamped a different image on each page, grouping them differently and alternating ink and placement to add interest through out the book.

I had a root in my things to alter box too and came across a buff, totally round pencil and even 'rolled' that across the 'pine cone' stamp, to make a little set (I have already ear marked this stamp for a super simple Christmas card......yes!! I have wrote the word Christmas and it isn't quite July yet!!!).To attach the pencil to the notebook, i placed a large 'antique gold- jumbo eyelet' and used some general parcel string to tie the two together. Now the pheasant & foliage combo, doesn't appeal to all, but the idea could easily be adapted with many other SU stamp sets and colour combo's, I think I will make a few more, along this idea, for gifts.....they don't cost the earth, they look good and they are handmade with love.

I am planning lots of creative 'Stampin' Up!' fun through out July, and wouldn't like you to miss out, so email me: sally-johoughton@hotmail.co.uk to request the July newsletter xx