Dipping my toe in the water..............

OK! it's a Sunday morning, I have been up  since before ten and I am dipping my toe in the pool of blog land and doing a post! One of the main reasons for this was being asked to take part in my lovely SU mummy- Julie Kettlewells' team newsletter, and produce a make or two.

Now I haven't stopped crafting  if anything I have crafted just as much, and my love for Stampin' Up! has grown even deeper, I just didn't feel in the mood to sit and tippy tap at the keyboard and tickle blogger into playing along, so apologies to those that have missed me, I am hoping to get on here once a week and feel the love for blogging once again, feel free to check out my Facebook page too and click on the like button too, when I get to 200 likes I will tell my convention story, which involves Shelli being less then 10 metres from my knickers!

Anyway now for the stuff you most likely,

came to take a look at....

I have created a small A6 card and a 12x12" layout,
using two new stamp sets from the:

2013 Spring/ Summer Seasonal Stampin' Up! catalogue. 

I so like a bit of plaid, and not just for Christmas, and I  created some 'Circle Patchwork' embellishments using the new 'Beyond Plaid' Stamp Set, and one of our circle punches.

The 'Beyond Plaid' Stamp Set,Contains 4 stamps

Wood mounted 129201 28,95 € | £21.95

Cling Mounted 129204 22,95 € | £17.95

The sentiment that adorns both the layout

and the card comes from,

the Gorgeous 'Feel Goods', also from the Seasonal cattie:

 It contains 5 stamps

 Wood mounted 129681 30,95 € | £22.95

Cling Mounted 129684 24,95 € | £17.95

.

Now in the cattie these all read with a feminine slant, but with the crafty use of a 'Stampin' Write Marker' it's easy to not ink the 's' and make it masculine.

I also went out of my safe colour zone and choose to use the not quite green, although not quite yellow colour of 'Summer Starfruit' teamed with the blue inky colour of 'Midnight Muse', as usual the inside of the card got a bit of TLC, with a chevron strip and a sentiment.

It is a photo that I have scrapped before but I so love it, I did another layout, this I am going to pop in a frame and have out, so I can look at it everyday, a mothers love for her Chillibeans xx

On both the lay out and the card I used our lovely 'Line Thread', but on the page the 'Tiny Trinket' embellishments looked very lost, so I tied on one of the 'Naturals Designer Buttons.

 For a tiny touch of journalling I snook in a third stamp set......

Can You tell I have a rubber addiction?

It a fabulous set of ticket stamps called 'That’s the Ticket'' There are 8 in each set:

Wood mounted 128072 27,95 € | £20.95 129567

Cling Mounted 128075 21,95 € | £16.95.

They co-ordinate with the 'Ticket Duo Builder Punch' that can be found on Pg. 182 of the annual cattie.

.

Also this picture shows how I got rough around the edges with the new 'Distressing Tool',this is one of my must have products, and the 2013 Spring/ Summer Seasonal Stampin' Up! catalogue. is so crammed with products, its hard to over look-

Here are the details.....

"Stampin’ Distress Tool

Faster than a speeding bullet. Able to 

distress card stock edges in a flash. It’s a 

tool. It’s a blade. It’s . . . it’s . . . amazing! 

8 access points on blade. Soft grip and

large, easy-to-hold surface area."

5,95 € £4.50 127562

Looking at this pic of my 'Eight' embellishment really does emphasise my rubber addiction......

Because its another set.... think its called 'Memorable Moments'.....but it's in the Annual cattie....

so we wont really count that!.... ;-)

So just to see if you have really been looking, I am springing a pop quiz on you!

Can you spot the sneaky use of another new item from the

2013 Spring/ Summer Seasonal Stampin' Up! catalogue,

that I haven't mentioned in my post?

If you have send me an email- sally-johoughton@hotmail.co.uk

and give me a comment saying spotted, as we don't want to give the game away!

I hope you have enjoyed looking at my makes, again apologies for leaving it so long, over the next week I will don my flowered swimming hat and dive, again into the pool of blog land.

Love

Sally-Jo

xXx

Just In Case........

OOOoooo my gosh, having realised that my blog posts are getting even more sporadic, I thought I had better share with you- what I was up too at the weekend, and if in case my cosmic star chart is dragging me away from the computer still and you don't get another blog post off me till the New Year, I had better send you my.......

What with all the holiday hullabaloo and my boy Matthew breaking his wrist, I was glad of the excuse, to shoot over the hill and join many of the Julies Jems- for a Shoe Box swap on Saturday! 

I have been tinkering around with this 'Top Note' wall hanging idea in my head for the last couple of weeks and was considering about it as my offering at the 'Shoe box Swap', but after making this late Friday afternoon/ evening I thought that we would be hard pushed, to get the whole thing Big Shotted, punched, stamped, cut and glued in the 30mins we had for each project!

But I risked it for a biscuit!!! And stayed up, till the very early hours, doing die cutting and punching, then my fellow Swap attendees could concentrate on the important bit- the stamping, well we are 'Stampin' Up!' Demonstrators after all!!!! 

I think the trickest bit, I left for the girls was that I was down to my last few peices of 'Very Vanillia Card after die cutting the top notes, so they only had a small peice on to which the had to stamp the letters from the 'Letter It' SU stamp set...... 

 This is going to be my favourite alphabet stamp set, although if Shelli checks this out- It would be awesome if we had a punch, to punch them out and it would double up for the 'Number It' SU Stamp set too!!

 In the little kits I put together for the 'Shoe Box Swap', I even drew on lines so the girls could get on with putting the stamped letters into place, i love how the words winter & warm over hang from the top note!

 In little envelopes I had put the different elements to decorate the wall hanging, in one were the punched leaves and flowers.....

 In another were the branch and the robins........

 And I had even put an envelope together for the embellies, yep! I had snipped the gem stones and the linen thread ready for use!!

As there were so many of us swapping we split into two groups, so her are links to the blogs, of the girls in our group, hopefully they aren't as behind as me and will have blogged about what they created to swap!!

                           Kate Martin 

Lynda Bradley

Allie Jolliffe

Evelyn Calder

Jill Jones

Victoria

Apoplogies to Karen Fagelman & Julie Wade- sorry that I can't link to  your blogs but I have googled you and cant find links, please get in touch, then I can correct xxx

It was a fantastic day, and it was great that we all brought such different ideas to the swapping table, I cant wait for the next one in the new year!!

But now for a little pop quiz!!

What I love the most about what I have designed and created, is the use of the most unusual stamp, to create the Snowflake background on the top notes......

In fact I have renamed it my...

'Hidden Snowflake'!!!!

Can you guess which  Current 'Stampin' Up!' Stamp set, it has come from????

Get your answers in my comment box, and I will put the correct answers in a box, and draw out a winner and will post the winner a kit and instructions to make this little wall hanging, I will do the draw on Saturday evening (25/08/2012) UK time.  

Thanks for stopping by

Sally-Jo

xXx

Back with a punch!!

Apologies for abandoning and deserting my blog for so long, but my mojo took a vacation, and with the lighter nights outdoor life on the farm, took over!!!

Just week ago I had the delightful pleasure of popping down the motorway to meet my newest downline Tammy, now what what was meant to be 20mins on the motorway, turned into 2 1/2 hours, so I an glad my convention friend Yvonne was there before me!!

We had loads of lovely SU chat, over lunch and then cleared the tables and crafted in the cafe!! We made flower balls.....(GIGGLES AT NAME!!)......I had made Tammy a little gift of a twiggy heart, decorated with flowers made using the new blossom punch (check it out in the 'Summer Mini' the link is to the right!)And I had figured out that if I joined two of the flowers together, you can create these lovely flowery balls!! Check out the video to see how easy they are to make.........

I would have included some photos of them dangling from my twigs but they are on the back seat of the car.... and its pouring with rain and didn't want to get them wet dragging them back inside, so as soon as it's dry I will add some, I have to add too, that I didn't photograph the heart I decorated for Tammy either, maybe she will for her blog?? I know she is working on makes for it at the moment, whilst settling into her UK life, look out for a link in my sidebar soon! 

Right! off to get busy......... well I hasten to add that farmer Johnnie probably doesn't think crafting fits that category, but he knows better than to complain! 

xXXx

A little under the weather......

Sorry for being AWOL folks, but the first week of the Easter holidays has left me drained, and suffering from a really bad back, I know exactly what I did to set it off,  I dangled from a tree, but teamed with the general bits and bobs that life throws at you in the holidays, I am feeling a little under the weather and have only just ventured back to my desk tonight, the first time since Tuesday!

Anyway feeling a little brighter after a chat with my mum this evening, I got heather to help me shoot a little video, on an ace technique, I shared with my 'Creative Cafe' ladies at our last session.....

I think I may have managed to refrain,

from my favourite phrase too!!

I was inspired to create, after seeing the cards & projects in the May edition of Craft Stamper, in the 'Stamping Contrasts' section. There were a few inky backgrounds and I fiddled around getting that effect with my SU stash!

Here are some pictures of the cards, as the film doesn't show the colours of the purple one well....

 Shades of yellow, with 'Soft suede' stamping

& card stock trim... 

Purples with 'Basic Black' stamping & card stock trim...

And my final colour combo.....

 Blues with 'Basic Black' stamping & card stock trim.

Here is a close up of the greetings, which are all in the stamp set, they were punched with the 'Decorative Label' punch & given a little stamping with the frond that is in the stamp set too!!

 The inside was given a little stamping too!

 And here is a list, were I jotted down which markers I used for my colour combos.

I hope you give this technique a try, as I say in the video...

If it isn't quick easy and achievable, then I wouldn't do it!

And do get in touch, and let me know if you come up with some different colour combos.

xXXx

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

No sew easy!!!

The new 'IB&C' is packed full of fantastic ideas and products for 2011-2012, and I have struggled to contain my excitement, at all new things to play with, but there was one new product line, that has been causing me some concern......even invading my dream space.......and that is the fabric!!

Yes!- the quality is fantastic, and it so matches SU ink colours, Buttons, Ribbons, card stocks, and even the 'Designer Series Papers'. but with all this good stuff going on, I was petrified- even though I have had a sewing machine since I was 12years old, I still can't sew a straight line! Panic was setting in, then late on Saturday Night when I couldn't sleep I did a bit of googling, and came across the idea of a 'No sew' Pin cushion, well I gave the idea a few tweaks in my head and pushed it to the back of my mind......as yes I had dusted off the old faithful sewing machine and had started something else.....so late last night when I got so far in the other project, and I needed to get some advice, I whipped up this little beauty!!

And the fabric-122337 Timeless Portrait £8.95
Coordinates with Timeless Portrait suite

(p. 64–65 of the new 'IB& C')
And with the SU colours-Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla

The Designer Fabrics are Uniquely designed, and are made from 100% cotton. Each includes three coordinated designs, with each piece measuring approx. 68.6 x 45.7 cm.This little pin cushion took not even a 15cm square of the lovely 'Cameo' print fabric, a bit of wadding, a circle of stiff board, my trusty staple gun and a frame that I had loitering!!Adorned with a couple of ribbon roses and some 'Tempting Turquoise' Buttons, this would make a lovely gift, but mine is sitting prided of place on my craft room shelves!!!

Not only do we have fantastic new products in the new 'IB& C' we also have a fantastic New Starter Kit too!! Maybe you have been thinking about buying the Starter Kit and becoming a Demonstrator???

It's a great time to join 'Stampin' Up!', as a new demo, I am more than happy to email you some information or I would love, to give you a call & chat through the opportunity without any obligations!

The starter kit is £119 and the contents have increased!!

It now includes a 'Colour coach' & a 12x12" Patterns Stack which makes the contents worth £250!!!

WELL IT GETS EVEN BETTER........

For this month not only do you get the

BRAND NEW KIT for £119, of which parts can be changed-

to suit your personal taste!!

You will ALSO get a new IN COLOUR bundle of 5 ink pads and some card stock FREE in addition to your already great value Starter Kit!

This is a totally fantastic offer!!

And I would love you to join my team...

and Share our love of crafting!

Please email me sally-johoughton@hotmail.co.uk

Or send me a Text 07891605129,

I look forward to hearing from you! xXx

Face of thunder!!!

A quick post today as the next 24hrs are going to be filled with excitement and 'OOhhh's' and 'ahhh's' for us demo's, but more on that lower down this post!

Today's make is a layout, I was inspired to do by an ultra cute pic of Matt, usually he has the nickname of 'Sunshine boy', but when he saw me photographing it first thing yesterday morning for my blog, his cuddly cute-ness turned into a 'FACE OF THUNDER', So I post this as he angelic has one of last few lie-ins of the school hollies, and he doesn't see that he is wide on the web for all to see!The layout is cased from a previous SU catalogue, do you recognise it?? it has had a few product changes but the colours and actual placement are the same.

I did some computer generated journalling, and printed it onto our 'Whisper White' card and the title was cut in 'Pumpkin Pie' using the 'Timeless Type' dies & the 'Big Shot'. I think this is the big he dislikes the most, as while glaring at me he read it, and then stomped off, but it's from the heart!

The hearts were all stamped from the 'Simply Said' SU stamp set, this one I punched out with the 'Heart to heart punch' it was smaller than the image, but I liked the shape. A small flowery button and a bit of linen thread add texture too.

A little punching of 'Old Olive' card under the photo, using the 'Spiral Border' punch. You can just see another of the strips of the 'Brights- Designer series paper' as well.

The cloud was cut free hand and 'Tempting Turquoise' ink was sponged around the edge, and the hearts were stamped from the same set as earlier and added up the side of the photo.

I hope you like it more than Mr. Face of thunder does, speaking of which, I have heard movement upstairs, so I will move on to the ultra important SU news..................................

Well it is a very exciting time at the moment, not just for me but for you my SU customers!

The LAST CHANCE LIST goes out at Midnight tonight, which means there may be reductions on retiring stock, So don't forget about the 'Retirement Party' I am hosting on Friday night, check out Mondays post or email me: sally-johoughton@hotmail.co.uk

Also the other big thing is that Tonight I get to PRE-ORDER lots of lovely new things from the New Catalogue and also to see the new catalogue for the first time! ( I am sooo excited ust to see the new 'IN colours'!!)

If you would like a copy of your own sending direct to you, they are £4.95 delivered direct to your door (RRP £5.95). Please email me at the above address, to arrange payment. Catalogues should be with you mid-September.

Right that is all for now, I will be back in the early hours of the morning, as I will definately be unable to sleep!!xxx

In a bit of a 'Mist'!

Yesterday I had fun playing with a canvas kit a facebook friend had given me, to complete it, I had to add spray inks, when I received my starter kit there was a re-fill of the 'Marina Mist' SU ink, so I added a few drops to a mister and had a fantastic spray ink to match the 'Stampin' Up!' Ink pads......note to self, I need more ink refills to make more colour mists!

The canvas kit called for me to colour a doily with the spray ink, but my scrap paper was left with a delicate silhouette, and it inspired me to make this card.

The card base is made from 'Crumb Cake' SU card stock, cut to fit a DL envelope. The doily is one from my stash....hmmm she hoards doilies....well the local village 'Flower, Produce & Handicraft show' have a Children's doily colouring class, and my two love to enter this, so when I see nice doilies I pick them up.....believe me not all doilies are pretty!! Anyway here is a close up of the 'Marina Mist' sprayed over the doily.
I then created a collage of items to create a focal point, across the lower third of the card base. The band of corrugated card was salvaged from some packaging, and a strip was ripped to fit across the card.

I gathered a short piece of 'Old Olive' ribbon and stuck it to the right, of the band.

I stamped the rose frame from the 'Stampin' Up! Four Frames' stamp set, with chocolate chip ink, on to a scrap of 'Crumb Cake' card and punched it out using the coordinating punch, I then splattered it with 'Old olive' ink and stuck it, so it was peeping out from under the top left edge of the band.
I stamped 'Friend' and 'Love' from the 'Tiny Tags' SU stamp set, in 'Old Olive' ink, on to 'Crumb Cake' Card stock, they were then punched out using the 'Jewellery Tag' Punch. the 'Heart from the same stamp set was stamped with 'Chocolate Chip' Ink and punched out using the smallest heart from the 'Heart to Heart' punch. This was mounted with a small foam pad on to another jewellery tag. I knotted these on to a piece of linen thread that had been wrapped around the band.

Just peeking out from under the bottom right edge of the band, is the bird frame, stamped as the rose one, and on top of this is a flower made with the 'Flower Accent'. It was stamped in 'Old Olive' ink, on to 'Crumb Cake' card stock, this was trimmed out and stuck on top of the bird label with a foam pad, the large glass pebble is from my stash, I picked a whole bag of them up for a couple of pounds, they are the ones used for putting in the bottom of bowls of flowers!

Before sticking the collage band to the card base I added some splatters of the 'Old Olive' Ink.
As my SU mum Julie would say...'here is an arty farty angle' of the completed card!

Right! I am off to re-work this in to a

Lay out for a scrapbook page.....

while the urge to mist is upon me! xxx