Whipped into action!!!

I have been led astray from the blogging world recently by a number of things, the biggest one being the end of an era as my daughter leaves primary school and gets ready for high school and the Summer holidays and entertaining two children, well one of the problems has been that they don't need entertaining just a mum to drive them here there and everywhere!!!


Another reason has to be also that I was led into the dark and mysterious world of 'Fifty Shades', I have to admit- I have read them all, even though I found them not to be of a great literary standard........ well she does use the word 'Flushed' 50 times in the first two chapters of the first book, but there was something there in all three that just had me turning the pages!!! Neither am I great writer, so hats off to her or rather whips out!!, that she has created the fastest selling book of all time, and will net herself  a pretty penny or two in sales and future TV & film rights.


Any way after a meet up- nearly a week ago with  my lovely SU daughter Tammy & the lovely Yvonne my SU friend & convention buddy- I said that I needed whipping into shape and need someone to nag me into getting back to blogging........ And Yvonne has been doing just that, every couple of days, she has sent me a text, sometimes in BIG SHOUTY LETTERS TOO!!!!

I am sharing with you the Card and wreath, I made for my SU mum Julie Kettlewells birthday, she loved it so much, that she used the design to create a Christmas card project for the recent training event she held. Forgive the photos but they were taken at night under a desk light, so the calypso coral looks a little brighter than in real life!! xx

The Diorama card is created by folding & sticking two sheets of A5 card. you score both sheets using the lovely SU 'Simply Scored Scoring Board' along the top side at 1/4", 6 1/4" & 7 1/4". Before sticking the two pieces together using the 1/4" flap. I die cut an aperture into the front panel, I using the 'Labels Collection; from the 'Stampin' Up!' Summer Mini Catalogue.

I went to town with the punches and created 3d flowers on top of the water coloured wreath- stamped from 'Apothecary Art' stamp set. The banner was stamped again on to extra card and the greeting added from the same set and raised up, you can also make out the 'On colour' stamping on the soft suede labels die cut, using the flourish, from the 'Creative elements' Stamp set. The same stamp was also used to decorate the panel behind the diecut, again with more 'On Colour' stamping. 

I added a 'Friend' label using a stamp from the 'For my Family' stamp set, and even more punched flowers!

The envelope got some stamping and craft TLC too......

Complete with more punched and spiral flowers and bird builder leaves.

I made lots of 3D flowers in Calypso Coral card stock, using the Bigz 'Fun Flowers' die and the 'Big Shot' to decorate the wreath, I made a video on how to do this check it out here:

http://stampin-sally.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/back-with-premier.html

The top got some simple long loop bows of 'Soft Suede' striped grosgrain & Ruffled 'Calypso Coral' ribbon, 

I love it that the SU products all co-ordinate!

To break up the calypso coral blooms, I added some flowers created with the new 'Blossom' punch, from the Summer Mini, using 'Newsprint DSP' and an 'Antique Brad' to hold them together.

To secure the blooms on to the wreath I used, a hot glue gun and whilst the glue was still drying pushed a pearl headed pin into the centre of each of the 'Calypso Coral' bloom. I also pushed in some leaves that I had die-cut using the 'Little Leaves' sizzlit die.

I promise that I will be back- sooner than last time with a blog post, thank you for sticking with me, like a trusty 'Tombow'!!!!

And if you are in the UK and would like to purchase some of the lovely 'Stampin' Up!' craft goods, or even become a demonstrator like myself, then please get in touch....

My email is: sally-johoughton@hotmail.co,uk

or you can call: 07891605129

Thanks for stopping by

xXXx

Spot the difference!!

Recently I had the pleasure to receive some handmade cards, for a yearly event in my life which I absolutely detest- I absolutely hate being a year older every year, and the handmade cards I received off my craft & SU friends were rays of sunshine in a stormy time for me! They have given me so much inspiration, that I felt a few 'CASE's' were in order!!

My SU Mummy- Julie Kettlewell, sent me a lovely card featuring the lovely 'Fun Flowers' & 'Top Note' SU Bigz Dies, can you spot the difference??

Julie's card is to the left of this picture,

I wanted to give this 'CASE', to my Gran-

who was celebrating her 97th birthday yesterday!

So I upped the size of the card to a 15cm square base,

as she likes a big card for on her mantle piece!

I used 'Parlour Prints' to create a lovely aged background panel-

It goes so well with the 'Attic Boutique DSP',

out of the 'Summer Mini'......

I have to admit that I have spent along time stroking this, before I cut at it!!!

I just love the vintage, shabby chicness of it, but it's still fresh and vibrant with bursts of colour!

 I split my 'Top Note' die cut of the gorgeous 'Attic boutique DSP' to fit the square, placing a 'Crumb Cake' banner, stamped with the birthday greeting from 'Curly Cute', to cover the gap!

I embellished it with SU pearls, as my gran likes the posh bits!

I added a lovely twirled bow-

using the new 'Pool Party' 'Seam Binding &

 using the 'For My Family' stamp set, I added a little 'Decorative Label' with 'Grandma' on & a few more pearls too!

I layered up the flowers- like Julie, but switched the button,

to one of our lush 'Antique Brads'!

Here you can see, that following Julies inspiration, I too added stamping to one of the flower layers.

 I always like to add some decoration to the inside of my cards, that are going to be received, so I finished this with a light stamping of the 'Parlour Prints' stamp around the edge......

This was the trickiest bit in creating the whole card...

As the card is wider than the stamp, and you also want to take off the ink from the centre. of the stamp, so you have somewhere to write your message- this I forgot to do!

So as Julie say's-

'it's a good job SU card stock is double sided!!!'

Thank you for stopping by, and checking out my crafty makes-

Sally-Jo

xXXx

Not the Farmers wife...........

So the other week I thought I had just got back in to the swing of things, time to craft, time to be a mum and time to be a good up line and down line to my SU friends, time to be a good friend and time to enjoy the summer sun..............


Hmmm but I had forgotten something..........


time to be 'Not the farmers wife' I say that with a giggle, as we have been together so long and have our two children together, a lot of people presume we are married, but I am happy to declare I am 'Not the farmers wife' but last week not only was Farmer Johnnie having his hip fixed (a big needle and some fluid to reline the socket....fingers crossed it will work!!) but he was also busy preparing for his 'Red Tractor' Farm assured audit on Monday. So as a family we all chipped in to do some farm jobs and help him through it, mainly for me it was helping him get the girls out in the sunshine and get his paper work in order, and I am happy to say we have passed!


So I haven't even got round to finishing that layout I said I had in mind last week, so I thought I would share with you some fabric makes, that I put together for my table in the 'Share Fair' at the 'Stampin' Up!'- Leeds Regional Training, I attended........... 

I am not a sewer, but all I can say is that I get an idea,

and I just have a go, on my trusty hand turn antique Singer sewing machine.......

I am rubbish with an electric machine as I am heavy footed.......

Farmer Johnnie would probably agree, as he is always looking at my car tyres and shaking his head!!!

But I spied some cheap as chips, baby onesies and added a 'Twitterpated' fabric heart and

I had created some super cute baby wear.

Using some felt out of my stash, I cut some bird bodies, using the new 'BIGZ- Elegant Bird Die' I then cut some wings from the 'Twitterpated' fabric and added some 'Pear Pizazz- Seam binding' and with some simply sewing and stuffing....

I have a lovely home décor item!

And my fail safe fabric activity......

Fabric brooches, using the 'Fun Flowers-BIGZ Die',

the 'Twitterpated' Fabric,

and a few 'Twitterpated' designer buttons......

You just have to use the 'Big Shot' to cut some lovely flowers,

and stab the needle and thread in and out the fabric,

although I will say........ 

avoid stabbing your fingers as it will hurt and.....

don't sew with it close to your knee as yes! I have sewn my work to my jeans before now!

Because not only am I 'Not the farmers wife', but I am not a sewer too!!

Thank you for stopping bye

Sally-Jo xXx

Hello 'My Friend'.......

Well yesterday I managed to clear my desk, and start on a few projects I been eyeing up to CASE, out of the NEW 'Stampin' Up!' Spring Mini Catalogue, can you guess which Page and thhe products???

Yes! Its the lovely 'Pocketful of Posies' Product suite.... the papers are so, so utterly gorgeous, and have a fresh, modern edge, and the co-ordinating stamp set- 'My Friend', is so leafy and fresh.... yet can be used in many ways! I loved the lovely display at the top of page 18 so much, that I had to do a version for myself- I hope you like my interpretations....

I made the family portrait into a frame layout of Heather & Matthew, I added lots more white and incorporated some stamping with the leafy fronds from the 'My Friend' stamp set.

I used the 'Big Shot' and the lovely 'Fun Flowers' die, to create an embellishment,finished with 'Linen Thread' and button.

I decorated a desk photo, with just some scraps........

Making a simple banner, with stamped title and

punched flower embellishment.

And a lovely little shadow box frame, that utilises  more scraps, the stamp set & the lovely 'Beautiful Wings' 'Embosslits Die' 

Don't forget if you would like to see any of my makes close up, and in your hands,

and you are in the North West......

I am available for free at home,

craft workshops! 

Ring or send me text, Tel. 07891605129

 Book a date that suits you and

your family & friends!

You could get some FREE goods too!! xXx

Back with a 'Premier'......

Well after such lovely comments about my makes, not only at Julie's Training event- but also on Facebook and here, I thought there was no better way than to share my love of Papercaft and 'Stampin' Up!' than by giving you a 100th blog post Premier........

A lot of people admired my 'Spice Cake' wreath (Thanks to my SU Mum- Julie Kettlewell, for the lovely pictures..xx) and asked how I had made the 3D flowers, well today I created a video clip, to show how easy it is to create these flowers!

What I will say is that Farmer Johnnie, was my camera man, and he won't be rushing to leave the cows for 'Hollywood' yet and I do not claim to have the smooth shot, footage of some Ultra pro- demo, but what you see, is genuine crafting and the spirit to share what I know, so apologies for the wobbly camera, the dodgy coloured picture (I haven't had a spray tan since Saturday!!) and the waffling of me panicking to get the bits to stick, but what I hope to show is that if I can do it, anyone can!! So grab yourself a brew, because it is a little longer than planned....well alot longer!! and check out my how too! xx

Happy Crafting, and thank you, for checking out my blog, and I hope you will keep visiting! XXX

No scissors....Timeless make!

Whether its flicking over the pages of the my bedside book of choice......My 'Stampin' Up! Ideas Book & Catalogue' or browsing the rails of clothes & jewellery, in the shops in town, nothing is nicer than knowing you can do something, to make the stamp set, papers or clothes, your own, adding a personal touch, that makes the item all that much better....well in my opinion anyway!!

Well.... whilst browsing the rails of clothes and jewellery in my local supermarket, something caught my eye...... and I thought I could give it a little 'Timeless' makeover!.........

For anyone who has met me, you may have noticed I am a bit of a costume Jewellery fan.....my Gran who is 93 years old, sometimes says to me 'Well it's alright, but its plastic!!' But hey when a girl is buying her own, she cant be choosy!!! And these jewels called out to the magpie in me, but they were in need of a little something else!

And what better than a no scissors, fabric corsage, made with some of my favourite fabric, from the 'New Ideas Book & Catalogue'....'Timeless Portrait'! I utilised some small off cuts of the cameo fabric and for reinforcement, that is soft to the skin a little black felt out of my stash, there really was no sewing involved, as the whole thing is held together with one of the beautiful new 'Antique Brads' So many of my ladies have purchase a pot of these beauties, and at £5.50, for 20 that range in size from 8.5mm to 19mm, you do get value for money. I even used the legs of the brads to secure the corsage to the necklace.

I enlisted the assistance of heather as a model, to show the finished piece,........but have ended up with a request for her own, she can't have this one.....as hopefully this little beauty may be crossing the water to Paris.

Thanks for checking out my blog and please do leave comments and questions, some one has requested a tutorial for the notice board, so next week when the children are back at school I will work on that. xXx

Craft & Company

I have company in my craft room today, my sister Jilly has joined me, she has even brought Sandwiches from our mums shop, for lunch!!

Jilly wanted to have a play with my SU 'Big Shot', she had seen some felt brooches I had made using my 'Fun Flowers' die a bit since and wanted to know how it was done, so as she is on half term, she has come to have a wind of the handle herself!!

She has fallen in love with the 'Big Shot' and says 'that you can do a lot more with it than I realised......Not just Cards!!' I will have to tell her Hubby- Jimbob, that in November & December, I am offering a Gift list service with free Gift wrapping!!

While I have Jilly round, I will show you a make which I made with the uber gorgeous 'Timeless Portrait' Fabric, after all my makes with one pack of the fabric, I still have a bit left, which I am squirreling away, until inspiration strikes me!!

I have used it to make a lovely, little quilted notice board. It is embellished with the 'Clear- SU Rhinestone Brads', and some of our 'Grosgrain Ribbon'. The hook to hang it up by, was made by using a small piece of the 'Wide striped Grosgrain'.

I hope you like the my make, and if you have any questions on how it is made, then please do get in touch via the comments.

Sally-Jo xXx

Time Flies!!

Last week I started trying to get my phone to converse with my computer.....and I ended in a bit of a computer mess, and the computer had a major melt down, by Sunday I was lucky enough to have some technical support from my brother and he got it running again, but every good intention to blog this week, has flown out of the window!! As I have been struck down with a mega cold......snot....well we all have it at some point!! plus a sore throat and ears.......coupled with open evenings for high schools for heather, something had to give..... and sorry..... but it was contact with my blog,,,, apologies, but I hope this make- I have made with some new Designer papers, that launch tomorrow makes up for it?? xx
I know I am mentioning the Christmas word again, but this year I want to make a few keepsake gifts and this is one of the first, My sister Jilly got married to James on the 2nd of April this year, and I have made them a picture clock.
It uses some of the roses that I made last week & not quite half a sheet of lovely new paper, f do so hate cutting into a new sheet, is this just me? Markers were made for the hours of the cl0ck using some of our delightful pearls.

I used the 'Little Leaves Die' to add some foliage and gave the whole bit a spray or two, with the watered down shimmer paint......I think I will be ordering some more of this!!
I do promise to be back with another post within the next 24hours, with a link to the New catalogue, that launches tomorrow and full details of my launch event.Xxx

Now for the roses.........

Last week my love of SU went a stage further when, my 'Sneak Peak' products for the new catalogue arrived! My first dabble and play around, made a pretty card using a couple of the new 'In Colours' and some of the retiring products and yes a bit of 'Kissing' too!

But as with all good passions, the romance needs to be fed and what better way, than with roses....every lady loves flowers, and I created these whilst at Naomi's craft group on Saturday.

Using my 'Big Shot', the Stampin' Up! 'Fun Flowers Die' and a a couple of sheets of 'Very Vanilla' card stock, I soon had a table full of flat flowers to curl and stick, into blooms.

Now I am not the first person to have thought of this idea, and there are loads of You tube Videos & Blog posts, out there showing step by step guides, on how to do this, but don't you think they look 'Blooming' beautiful??

As they were still drying, they made the journey home, on the back ledge of the car.....no one was allowed to open the windows in case they flew out the window.

Once home, I was fired up to continue crafting but felt that the paper flowers needed a touch of something else.......I delved into my supplies and pulled out some glimmer paint..........

I placed a small amount, roughly a quarter of a teaspoon, into a mister, topped it up with water, and gave it a good shake, the colour at this point looked a little murky, almost dirty pond coloured, but I took a leap.... and 'misted' away, in the above photo, you can just see the glimmer!

The glimmer paint mist did the trick and these beauties are going to adorn some craft projects, I have planned to highlight my new catalogue products, ready for my event in October, but.......

Tomorrow night, at 'creative cafe',

making a paper rose will be our 'FREE-Make & Take' project,

and all are welcome to attend.

It starts from 6.30pm onwards.

At Delicachixs

Lane Ends

Ashton

Preston

The cost is £5 & includes refreshments,

or it's free with any order, placed on the evening for over £15.

'Creative Cafe' runs on the first & third Tuesday of every month, you bring your own current projects and work along side others, have a chat & view the fantastic 'Stampin' Up!' catalogue too!

If you would like any further information about my events please contact me... sally-johoughton@hotmail.co.uk

or ring me for a chat- Tel.No: 07891605129

Looking forward to seeing you there

Sally-Jo xx

Did you get it right??

Well the stamp set used to make the background was.....'Vintage Vogue' and here it is on the project, I had originally make the sheet for!

It's a 'CASE' of a Lay out, that was shown in the SU demo's monthly newsletter, I loved the bright colours, and the design. There are so many different elements to this!........

'Top Note Die'

'Fun Flowers Die' & 'Perfect Polk a dots Embossing folder'

Card ribbon labels & 'Brights Designer Series Buttons'
The Flourish from the 'Strength & Hope' stamp set. The quote from the 'Sense of Time' stamp set &
an engraved heart from 'I [heart] Hearts' Stamp set.

Ink Splatters made with 'Pumpkin Pie Ink'

A decorative edge made with the 'Fancy Frames punch'

I really enjoyed 'CASE'-ing this layout & hope you will do your take on it too. If you would like to purchase any of the 'Stampin' Up!' products that I used for this, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange delivery to your door. XX