Hello everyone,

Do you, like me, struggle to make male cards?  Well today its my youngest daughters partners birthday and as always I stuggled with the card. So I got my thinking head on and made him this card using the Sale Away stamp.

 I wanted to use some colours I don't usually use so decieded on black, soft suede and cajun craze as the colour theme and I think they work very well together for a male card.  I stamped the image in Cajun Craze on Whisper White card and, using a blender pen, added some "sea" to the card with Baja Breeze by picking the ink up from the lid.  I then did faux stiching on the black card around the soft suede.  Once I had stamped the sentiment from the hostess set Happiest Birthday Wishes I thought that something was missing so I added the buttons which I feel go well on this card.

I've got to pull my finger out as I need another 7 cards for the weekend as its my sisters birthday on Sunday and my youngests on Monday and I've been tasked to make all the cards from us all...the joy...lol.  So I'll be back soon to show you what I've done.

Hugs

Tracy -x-

Yesterday was my monthly crafting class and, despite being in severe pain, I didn't want to let my ladies down. Luckily they are all very understanding and didn't mind me sitting down for most of the lesson...lol. It was the turn of the scrapbook yesterday and, as we've just celebrated christmas, I thought we'd do pages on this theme.

I must say I did cheat a little with this class as the pages we did I had done about a year ago at a class run by my upliner, Victoria so very little thought had to go into it. As with all my classes I told my ladies that they could either follow my creation or do their own thing as I think its personal choice esp when doing something like a scrapbook. Well I was nicely surprised when a lot of them did vary the layout and I even managed to remember to take some photos of their creations and, with their permission, I will show you them now.

This is my original layout

 

      

  

I'm sure you will agree that all of the changes, no matter how slight or major, are fantastic.  In my next class we are going to be making a chest that holds 10 cards.  I thought it would be a nice gift for mothers day or birthdays.  If you would like to know more about my classes or to order anything, just get in touch and I'll be happy to discuss things with you.

Thank you for stopping by and please leave a comment.

Hugs
Tracy -x-

 

Sale-a-Bration time !!!!

I know we've only just had the launch of the Spring Mini catalogue but now we have the opportunity to earn free stamp sets during Sale-a-bration time .....YAY.  This year we are a little later than usual launching SAB due to the spring mini but don't worry as it runs until the end of March 2012.

There are many ways in which everyone can earn either free exclusive stamp sets or exclusive papers from SU and here they are:

For every £45 you spend you will earn a free stamp set or exclusive papers from the SAB brochure.  Purchases can be from either the main catalogue, mini or a combination of both.  I have prepared some bundles which I will post later to show how much you can get for your money

Host a workshop and for every £300 of sales you, as the hostess, will earn a free stamp set or the exclusive papers.  This price does not include P&P

If you would like to begin a new career and sign up as a demonstrator you have the chance during SAB to choose a FREE stamp set of any value.  If you forget to do this then you will automatically receive the Broadsheet Alaphabet set.

So what are you waiting for, get in touch by phone, text or e-mail and we can discuss the option you wish to choose to in order to earn these lovely free products.   If you don't have the brochure click  here to see what lovely products you can earn or the icon on my sidebar.

I can't wait to hear from you so please get in touch.

Hugs

Tracy -x-

Perfect Postage

I'm not sure what to make of the weather today, one minute its nice and sunny and the next pouring with rain.  I've decided not to hang my washing out so its in the spare room drying !!!!  This week hubby is off work so I have some company as I'm going stir crazy being off work and at home alone every day.  You'd think that I'd be crafting but until recently I've lost interest...lol.  However, I have a scrapbook class on Saturday and I'm using 2 pages I did at another class my upliner, Victoria, did last year.  I know its a bit like cheating but none of the ladies have done these pages and its a good opportunity to use up those christmas photos.

So, to say thank you to the ladies for coming to my class I've made them all a thank you card.  For this I have used the In Colours for 2010-2012 and the Perfect Postage stamp set and punch out of the current mini catalogue.  The "thank you" is from Tiny Tags and punched out using the coordinating punch.  I enjoyed making these as its just stamping and punching, so easy to do. 

This is the full set and below is a close up of the cards

I've done 2 variations of the same card and you will see that I have used the postage punch to not only create the background but, using the linen thread, as a spirelli base as well.  I've also stamped all the envelopes and have used chocolate chip and poppy parade markers for this. 

Next month we are making a mothers day gift so if you are interested in attending one of my classes, want to know more about my classes or purchasing any of the products from SU please contact me by any of the methods at the top of the homepage

Thanks for stopping by and I'll be back soon

Hugs
Tracy -x-

Embossed butterflies

Hello everyone,

I recently attended a training event provided by a fellow SU demontrator, Jules.  Everytime I go to one of Jules training sessions I always come away feeling inspired and motivated to get on with things.  As with all training swaps were a must...lol.   Now those that know me will tell you that I cannot do anything simple.  I always get "told off" for giving too many colour options with my swaps, but I get bored doing repetitious cards and swaps hence the colour option.  So not to disappoint anyone I did the same this time :), and here they are ......

Here's a close up of one of the swaps.  I've used a variety of DSP from the current catalogue to make the top with matching cardstock as the base.  The very vanilla c/s has been embossed using the new stripe embossing folder and then the corners punched out with the corner punch. 

Die cut emobossed butterflies were then added to the card.  The DSP was folded so that it opened up to reveal a message.  It was kept closed by Linen thread being wrapped around a brad.  The brad was fixed on the top layer of the paper and the  Linen thread attached to the back.

I really enjoyed making these swaps and the "wow" factor that it gives.  The sentiment was stamped onto a piece of Very Vanilla card and cut to the shape of the paper.

I hope you have enjoyed looking at my project and would appreciate it if you would leave a comment.  If you would like to purchase any of the items above please do not hesitate to contact me.

Hugs
Tracy -x-

Creative Elements

Good Afternoon,

Just before christmas it was my mums birthday so I obviously needed to make her cards it was just a question of deciding which stamp set to use and what to do.   Well at convention in November we all were given the Creative Elements stamp set.  This is a beautiful set and is very versatile (you can find it on page 67 of the main catty)  Well not only did I make one card using this set but two, one for me and one for my daughter.  Here is the one I gave to mum......

For this card I have used quite a few new products from the main catalogue.  The base card is elegant eggplant, then whisper white followed by wisteria wonder, one of the 2012 In Colours.   The top layer is whuisper white and I have stamped the swirly image in wisteria wonder before embossing the left hand side with the new embossing folder.  I have them stamped the flower image in wisteria wonder and the butterfly image in the darker elegant eggplant ink.  On some spare whisper white I stamped the flower image again using versamark and elegant eggplant ink.  I them added heat and stick, heat embossed that and then added dazzling diamonds.   As you can see I mounted the flowers on top of the stamped images to give a 3d effect but have gradually reduced the flowers to show some of the original image underneath.  The Sentiment is from the hostess set Tagtastic and punched out using the large oval punch.  The wisteria wonder frame is from the new emobossing folders and cut out by hand.  I've then added the lace ribbon and bow and attached the topper to the main card.

Here is the second card I did and Kirsty chose to give this one to her Nan....

This one was a little easier than the last one.  The colour scheme is Pool Party and Island Indigo and I have stamped the swirly images in both  inks colours .  I stamped the butterfly image onto pool party cardstock in both ink colours and cut out by hand.  I then stamped the label image twice, once on whisper white and once on island indigo and cut both out by hand .  I then cut the darker label in half and attached it to both ends as shown.  The sentiment is from a set called Easy Events (pg43) and I used my markers to highlight the sentiment only and stamp a ma jig to position it in the frame.  The little flowers were punched out using the Boho Blossoms punch.  The card was then embellished with pearls.  

Mum liked them both which is always a bonus...lol.  I'm going to be re-creating these cards for my class in February.  If you would like to join me and my ladies please get in touch for more details.

I'll be back soon to show you the other card I made for mum that Nicola gave her.  I also hope to show you lots of projects over the next few weeks as I've been signed off work for another 3 months, however if I recover sooner then I can go back sooner.   |I'm already going stir crazy after 6 weeks so need to occupy myself  with something and its going to have be be crafting as I can't do much else....lol.

Hugs

Tracy -x-

Christmas presents

Hello Everyone,

Now you are probably wondering what on earth is this woman going on about christmas presents for when its only the beginning of January?   Well I'm actually going to show you some christmas presents that I made this year for some members of my family.

The first one I made was for my eldest daughter Nicola and her partner Lee.   Here it is.....

As you can see it is of gorgeous baby Leo.   I've used a box frame and painted it white with Gesso (none SU) and them stamped on the frame in Basic Black and Real Red ink.   The swirly pattern is from a stamp in the Creative Elements set and the flowers are from the ever popular Greenhouse Garden.  To decorate inside the frame I've used the Flower Daisies and Fun Flowers Die and the Medium Sizzlits dies for the letters.  The capital letters of his name have been mounted using the 2 different size Tag punches.  The embellishments used are the adhesive Pearls and a couple of clips from the clip assortments, buttons and antique brads. 

Now below is another present only this time it was for my youngest daughter Kirsty and her partner Alex.  Unfortunately I didn't take a picutre when it was completed this is the "designing" stage but you will get the jist of what I did as its very similar to Nicolas.  

This picture was taken of them when they were in Paris last year.   The difference between the two frames were that I only put the swirly pattern on Kirstys and I've used the Heart to Heart punch and letters from the chipboard Alphabet Soup selection to embelish it.  I've also used buttons, antique brads and filigree brads in the centre of the flowers.

These were given after all the other presents had been opened when we were at mum's on Christmas day and both girls loved them, in fact Nicola got very emotional :) 

I hope you've enjoyed looking at my projects this time.  Please leave a comment as I love to read them.

Hugs

Tracy -x-

Launch of the New Spring Mini Catalogue !!!!

Good Morning ladies,

Firstly I'd like to wish you all a Happy New Year and hope 2012 is a good one.

Now we have some exciting news from Stampin'Up! and that is the launch of the new Spring Mini catalogue.  It is the first time Stampin'Up! have launched a mini so early.   To view the new mini online simply click on the picture on the right hand side of my home page, or if you are like me and prefer to have the catty in your hand, then drop me an e-mail with your details on and I'll get one in the post to you :)

  

 Stampin' Up! have really stepped up and spoilt us this time as they have introduced lots of new products including the Simply Adorned jewellery range that has pendants, charms, bracelets etc.  The quality of these items are just brilliant and can be found on pgs 7 & 8, they come in boxed packaging so would make a lovely gift. The lockets are clear so a picture/project can be placed both sides and being hinged the image can be changed regularly.  Stampin' Up! have also introduced new punches and stamp sets inlcuding a cupcake stamp set and matching punch (pg22).  I can't wait to make some projects from this set and will post them as soon as I do. 

You may also have spotted a second punch on this page, its a new, larger scallop circle punch, great for layering projects on your cards.

I hope you enjoy looking through the mini as much as I do and remember, if you would like to order anything please get in touch.

Til next time take care

Hugs

Tracy -x-