A 'Reason to SMILE'- Augusts fantastic offer!

Get the Reason to Smile Set FREE....

when you spend £60 on any Stampin’ Up! products Or purchase it at the regular retail price.

Promotion dates: 1-31 August 2012

During August, you have the opportunity to purchase—or earn for FREE—an exclusive stamp set, available only through this special offer!

Description	Retail Item	Retail Price	Free Item	Price
Reason to Smile Wood-Mount Set	130826	£18.95	131050	£0.00
Reason to Smile Clear-Mount Set	130828	£14.95	131051	£0.00

Some details to remember!!:

• Dates: 1-31 August 2012
• Spend £60 (excluding shipping and handling) on any current Stampin’ Up! products to get the exclusive Reason to Smile Set for FREE.
• There is a limit of one (1) free set per customer per order.
• Customers may purchase the Reason to Smile Set at regular retail price during August. There is no minimum purchase necessary.
• The Reason to Smile Set is exclusive to this promotion and will not be available after 31 August 2012

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

50 shades of SU colour.......

Long before we had heard or even read the 'Fifty Shades' saga, 'Stampin' Up!' were leading the way with  their fifty shades of SU colour! My crafty friends tell me that I have a thing for 'Soft Suede' from the 'Neutrals' group, so following in the footsteps of 'Anastasia Steele'- and her trying something new!!! I turned to my SU version of 'Christian Grey'.......my trusty 'Colour Coach' for guidance into a new colour combo!! 

I had a desire to use the lovely 'In Colour'- 'Wisteria Wonder' and the colour coach suggested that a good tonal match would be 'Elegant Eggplant'- a combo that I have never tried before......... but what about a 'Neutral'....well SU may have a whole rainbow of Fifty colours in their range but they don't have fifty shades of grey, they only have one colour that is referred too as grey, and that is 'Basic Grey'- well there was nothing basic about Mr Greys, grey eyes, so I choose 'Sahara Sand' the colour that can sometimes looks icy grey or sometimes look warm grey!!! 

As it was my first time, I stayed safe, and made a few pillow box die, thank you's for my 'Stampers 5' group. The grey of the tea cup, from the 'Summer Mini' SU Stamp Set- 'Tea Shoppe' looks very warm on these, and you can just make out the over stamping, on the 'Cup of thanks' label, with the flourish, from the 'Creative elements' SU Stamp set.

 Each of the boxes got a little hand cut butterfly, that was stamped from the 'Creative elements' SU Stamp set, in the 'Elegant Eggplant' SU ink. 

 To finished each of the boxes, I gave each of the tea cups a little 'Itty Bitty' punched flower in 'Wisteria Wonder' SU card stock, with a little SU rhinestone gem for the centre, they also all got a squirt of the 'Champagne- Shimmer Paint' that has been watered down and put in a misting bottle!

So now I had dipped my stamping into a new colour combo, there was no stopping me.......

Getting braver, I made some little card blanks from some 'Sahara Sand' SU card stock, and decorated them with Stamping- using the same Stamp sets as the pillow boxes.

 For this card, I used the large tea cup from the 'Tea Shoppe' Stamp set and stamped the label from the same set too, it works with the large oval and scalloped punches beautifully.

 The other two cards were made using waste 'Wisteria Wonder' card stock, from when I die cut the boxes, to make a decorative panel with the addition of the flourish stamp from the 'Creative elements' SU Stamp set and as with the Pillow Boxes I used 'Elegant Eggplant' SU ink. 

 To add a little variation to the other, I just tuned the band horizontally!

The paper lunch bag was decorated in the same way too, using the larger label text stamp from the SU 'Tea Shoppe' Stamp set, it coordinated beautifully with the 'Extra Large oval Punch' too!

 To the bag, I added the large tea cup, which was stamped in  'Sahara Sand' SU Ink and hand cut. To finish  a butterfly, stamped in 'Elegant Eggplant' SU ink,  and was stuck to the top edge of the tea cup. 

I have enjoyed my foray into using different SU colours. and as the old adage goes......

'Don't knock it, till you try it!!'...

I am off to twiddled my colour coach,

a little more!!

If you would like to purchase a 'Colour Coach' or any other SU stash,

then please get in touch:

Telephone/ Text: 07891695129

Email: sally-johoughton@hotmail.co.uk

xXXx

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

A Very Enchanting Offer,,,,,,,

Promotion dates: 1-31 July 2012

During July, you my customers have the opportunity to get

an exclusive Ribbon & Brad Pack-

available only through this special offer!

Get the 'Everyday Ribbon & Brad Pack' FREE -

when you spend £45 on any 'Stampin’ Up!' products in July. 

Item	Description	Retail Value	Price with £45 Purchase
127279	Everyday Enchantment Ribbon & Brad Pack Ribbon 1/8" (3 mm) Organdy Ribbon 2 spools: 10 yards ea. spool 1 Lucky Limeade, 1 Calypso Coral Brads 3/8" (1 cm) Printed Designer Brads 30 brads: 6 ea. of 5 designs Coordinating colours: Lucky Limeade, Pool Party, Calypso Coral, Poppy Parade, Very Vanilla, Soft Suede	£15.95	FREE

Plus, back from Sale-A-Bration..... by popular demand.....  for this special offer only....  the coordinating Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper -only available while supplies last!  Item  Description  Price  126154  12 sheets: 2 ea. of 6 double-sided designs. 12” x 12” (30.5 x 30.5 cm). Acid and lignin free.  £9.95  Did you know you know, that you don't have to have a workshop, to get your hands on SU goodies! You can just order your SU stash direct from me and have it delivered direct to your door! I would love you to make the most of this offer- get in touch with me... Email:  sally-johoughton@hotmail.co.uk Or call/ text:  07891605129 Things to Remember Promotion Details: Everyday Enchantment Ribbon & Brad Pack is only available while supplies last. Orders may be placed on any order type- customer or workshop. There is no limit to the number of qualifying orders you, my customers may place; for every £45 purchase (not including shipping and handling), you will receive an Everyday Enchantment Ribbon & Brad Pack. The Ribbon & Brad Pack coordinates with the exclusive Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper (only available while supplies last). Designer Series Paper cannot be earned for FREE, but can only be purchased at regular retail price.

In a hurry... I am off of a curry!!!

Yesterday I chatted about special cards, done in a hurry, well here is a special card blogged in a hurry!!

I created this 8"x8" card for Matthew, to give to his Granny for her birthday, which is the day before mine!!

I created a lovely bunch of flowers for her using the 'Mixed bunch' stamp set & coordinating punch, see them blinged here with the gorgeous jewelled SU brads!

 I created the tag using the 'My Family' stamp set & the decorative label punch.

 The stalks and leaves were cut free hand out of 'Wild Wasabi' card stock.

 I love creating a decorative band for projects using the lovely 'Doily Lace Border Punch'.

I also used the stamps to decorate the inside of the card and also to make matching stamped front for the card too, I love that SU designs stamp sets that can be used in so many ways, being a Lancashire lass I like value for money!!!

Anyway must dash, off out for a curry tonight with the lovely Linda and discuss her random picks for her 'Stampers 6' order with me!!

Thanks for stopping by

Sally-Jo

xXXx

Getting it together- at the last minute!

You may not be one who believes in star signs. but as a 'Gemini' goes I am fairly true to the star sign attributes... Chatty, Bubbly, Out going- Personality, and as in the 'Old school' 'Cadbury's' egg adverts, I do bite it and lick it! But I also have the awful traits of- never being on time, juggling too much, and being unable to say 'NO!'..... but these could be traits of any mum...... from any star sign!

Gemini's are know to make plans and not act on them...... I do make plans- surprising as that may seem! Quite often, I write them down- the only problem with these ones is that they get hid under the clutter on my desk!

And sometimes no matter how much I plan and try, I can never get it together till the last minute!

Well this card is one of those, what with an eventful morning yesterday- time to craft went out the window till 1pm and it had to be envisaged in my head and created in time for the school run at 3pm!! It had to be a 'special' card too, for Matthew to give his Auntie, I had already made Heathers and one from me & farmer Johnnie......And once you start sending people your handmade cards they do notice when you send them shop bought, so my mojo was whipped into action!

I had been stroking the lovely 'Apothecary Art' stamp set from the 'Summer Mini', for inspiration for a large card, I had made some note-lets with it, but hadn't drummed up the courage for a larger card and this design popped into my head...well minus the ribbon and brad!! 

My colour scheme is- 'Pool Party', 'Wild Wasabi', 'Very Vanilla', 'Soft Suede' & 'Crumb Cake'....

A bit of a wild card- as this Auntie loves pinks and purples!!

 I stamped & layered up the large wreath from the 'Apothecary Art' stamp set, using the coordinating 'Framelits- Decorative label dies' & It was water coloured in, using an 'Aqua painter & some ink off the tops of my ink pads. The sentiment is from the same stamp set, I made another stamp of the wreath and then 'Stamp-A-Ma-Jigged' the greeting on to the banner, then I could cut it out and raise it up. I added some spiral flowers and some layered up punched 'Itty Bitties' & 'Boho Blossoms' in 'Pool Party' and some leaves, using the leaf from the 'Bird Builder' punch in 'Wild Wasabi' & 'Crumb Cake'

After I had made the large focal image, I felt the card looked a little bland, so I added some of the lovely striped grosgrain ribbon and fastened it with one of the antique brads. To add an 'Auntie' sentiment, I stamped and then die cut the small lined stamp from the set & added the  wording with a coordinating SU marker,  finished it with an 'Itty Bitty' bloom and a pearl and popped it under the brad and ribbon.

The inside need some TLC-  so I added a little stamping to the base using the flourish from 'Creative Elements'- I have forgotten to mention that I did this to the base of the front of the card too! I then had a root in my bits box and came across a 'Pool Party' die cut framelit, that was perfect to put under a vanilla one, to give somewhere nice for Matthew to put his own personal greeting.

I hope you like my getting it together at the last minute card, do you ever get yourself into situations like this? I would love to know.

Thanks for stopping by

Sally-Jo

xXx