Modern Medley

Morning all,

We've all settled in to the back to school mode and the weather has definitely started to become autumnal, even X Factor and Strictly have started - the official countdown to Christmas lol !

Today's card is for my Sister- in-law who celebrates a special birthday tomorrow. We bought some Jo Malone perfume so I made the card in matching colours, Basic Black and Very Vanilla....

The sentiment is from the ever so useful Memorable Moments set and the flowers are from Always Eleanor. I love the Modern Medley papers, they look stunning on their own but also team up with any colour.

I also decorated a gift bag.....

Hope she likes them !

Right time to get up and start the day, need to plan next weeks class. Have a good weekend x

 

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New Term

Evening all,

Bit of a milestone day today as Isabel started High School, which means I am redundant from the school run ! Feels a bit strange as for the last 10 years or so I have taken one or both of the girls. Still when the winter comes I'm sure I will be glad not to have to venture out !

I did make Isabel a good luck card and decided it needed to be suitably 'grown up' .As it was a special occasion I made a card with the inaugural inking of my new Postcard stamp.....

I love the fact that the postcard concept means you can hand write a message and it becomes suitable for all those non standard occasions. Colours are Soft Suede and Crisp Cantaloupe. Flowers are from the Stippled Blossoms set.

She survived her first day ( and so did I) and has decided she wants to go again tomorrow. Good job really ...... Lol

 

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Using the left overs

Morning all,

I'm up bright and early this morning, with lots to do. In theory with it being school holidays I should have more time but it doesn't work out that way ! I think it's because there is not a tight schedule to follow then there is no sense of urgency, eg the normal morning/ bathroom routine of showers, hair washing etc can take til mid morning by the time the girls decide to surface !

Still , I suppose they had better make the most of it as its back to school next week and we've still got the dreaded saga of school shoes to sort out ! At the moment we haven't got past stage 1, a pair that fits properly and then comes the worst bit , stage 2 -finding a pair that both they and I agree are suitable for school. Wish me luck !

Today also sees the launch of the new Stampin' Up Seasonal Catalogue and there are lots of goodies inside for Halloween and Christmas. I will add a link later but please contact me if you would like a 'real' copy.

Today's card is one that has been rescued from my desk. When cutting up or designing for my classes I often have scraps left or punched pieces because I've changed my mind and I don't like to throw pretty things away.

All the elements from this card were ready stamped /punched etc and just needed to be rescued and put together. How many cards do you have hiding on your desk ?

Colours are Island Indigo and Pistachio Pudding and the paper is from the Venetian Romance set. Proves the cast offs shouldn't just go in the bin lol.

Time to rally the troops, be brave and conquer the shoe mission - let battle commence !

 

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Exam Congrats

Hello all,

The card I have to show you is for my ' big' girl Sophie who has had some exam results today. She took 2 GCSE s ( 2 years early) and got an A and an A* !!! So proud of her !

Papers are from Modern Medley, and the stamps are from Blue Ribbon, Simply Stars and a retired sentiment. Colours are Basic Black, Very Vanilla and Strawberry Slush.

Off to celebrate with a Chinese takeaway x

 

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His and Hers

Hello all,

Well, the saga of the Lucky Pants continues ... Hubby was up bright and early this morning for his trip to Bristol and when getting dressed he decided that he needed to wear his Christmas boxer shorts ! The reason being that last time he went to Bristol he saw Santa and a real reindeer ?!? Not sure about his logic, but it worked and the Wolves have won again ! By the end of the season maybe his whole underwear collection will have magical powers lol

The first card I have to show you today is one we made at my class on Wednesday and I have since sent it to one of my lovely ladies who has had a hip replacement op, get well soon Anne !

The colour combination was Coastal Cabana, Sahara Sand and Always Artichoke. The flowers were stamped from the beautiful Stippled Blossom set and we had some very accurate stamping, with the help of the brill Stamp-a-ma-jig.

I also forced myself to make a masculine card ( much prefer ' pretty ') and I did actually like this one.....

Stamps are from The Open Sea set

Love all the different textures !

Check my Facebook page to see a Christmas card we made in the same colours.

Better go and tidy up from today's designing session before the Happy Wanderer returns. Least he won't be sulking tonight !

 

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Molineux Magic

Happy Sunday to you ! Hope you've had a nice weekend, we've just spent a lovely afternoon at a Christening and the weather was kind enough that the celebrations could be held outside afterwards.

With regards to the football, the lucky pants have had mixed fortunes this week. On Tuesday Wolves were knocked out of the Capital One by Morecambe but yesterday at the first home game of the season they actually WON ! And won well too - 4 nil !! Lets hope it's the first of many this season.

Today's projects use another of the fab new In Colours, Strawberry Slush and the Mosaic Madness stamps, punch, paper and embossing folder

The beautiful flower image on the left is from the Summer Silhouettes set and talking of beautiful flowers I will show you the lovely roses from my garden........

This is a David Austin rose called Molineux ( after the Wolves ground) and has to be tended carefully to ensure the success of the team ?!? Not just the lucky pants I have to put up with lol !

 

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Flower Shop

Happy New Season !

Yes, after what seems an all too short break, the football season starts again today. Hubby made me smile this morning when he put on a new pair of boxers that he'd had for his recent birthday and declared that these were going to be his new ' lucky pants ' as last seasons had been useless !

As Wolves have now been relegated in 2 successive seasons, he has a whole different set of places to go to , starting with Preston today. The pants didn't work completely, but they didn't lose so I suppose that will mean he will want that pair washed and ready for the next game on Tues ! Oh well, if it keeps him happy ....

Today's cards are made with some delicious new colours, Pistachio Pudding and Smoky Slate

The flowers have been stamped using the new Flower Shop set. I love how each of the images is the same shape but has a completely different feel to it - and there is a matching punch too ! And a 15 % discount if you order both the stamps and the punch as a bundle - you don't even need to be wearing lucky pants lol !

The Happy Wanderer should be returning anytime now so I'd best get ready to nod and smile as he goes through the after match postmortem. Still he does listen to me going on about SU colours.

 

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A 'Boss' Birthday

Evening all, hope you are well ?

Last week we had a break in sunny Wales and very sunny it was too ! The weather was fantastic, we were so lucky as we have had some very heavy , thundery showers since we got back.

This was the view from our hotel balcony

We had tied in the holiday with Hubby going to see Bruce Springsteen at the Millenium Stadium, so you can imagine his surprise when he got back from the concert to find that the 'Bruce themed card ' Isabel had made for him had been signed by the man himself !!! Yes, Bruce and the E Street band were staying in our hotel !

Wolves colours and signed by his hero, what more could a man want lol! He also got to have photos with some of the other band members and it was definitely a birthday he will always remember.

Ok, so to a couple of things I've made, unfortunately mine aren't signed by a celebrity !

These were made using the new Gingham Garden papers and matching Washi tape. I like how the Label Love stamps have a matching punch and can be used to make a border too. Colours are Melon Mambo and Daffodil Delight.

Pop over to my Facebook page ( button at top takes you there) and see some more projects with these products. Oh, and while you're there I would be very grateful if you could ' like' my page too . Thank you ! x

 

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End of term thank yours

Well, it's official my ' baby' is all grown up now and ready to start High School in September. It was a very busy and emotional final week but it was lovely to see how close the classmates have become over the years.

They all loved their memory boxes too and were collecting random bits and pieces to put in there. I was also kept busy making some end of term thank yous .............

Used up some retired paper, so that must mean I have space to buy some new !

Also did a flower arrangement and tried to choose more tropical type flowers in the hope that they wouldn't wilt in the heat.

Hopefully things will be a lot quieter this week and we will spend some time enjoying the sunshine. Am looking forward to not having to get up quite so early for a few weeks.

Have fun in the sun x

 

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School Memory Boxes

Afternoon all,

Quick break in today's busy schedule to show you a not so little project I have been working on. My 'baby' leaves primary school this week ( where did that go ! ) and there has been various events to celebrate including an awards evening where they were presented with a certificate and a dictionary. Isabel wanted something to keep her things in so I decorated a box for her and in a moment of madness, decided it would be nice to make one for each of her classmates. Thankfully, there is only 18 in the class but that seemed never ending when I was about half way through lol!

Used the sadly retired Letter It stamps and a few punches. On the back I added a little verse and personalised with each child's name.

Just been to the Leavers assembly and the children were all excited about what they were going to keep in their boxes. Few tears too from the Moms, it is definitely the end of a chapter when they leave Primary school.

More partying tonight, they are going for a meal, then being taken by limo to the school disco ! Will be lovely to see them all dressed up, better get the tissues ready !

 

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Another milestone birthday

Phew, glad it's a bit cooler today - never happy are we lol ?

I had another special birthday to make for recently, my Niece turned 18. Projects combine some new items and some old ( or even very old items ).

 

Do you ever love a piece of paper sooo much you can't use it ? Well that was the case with this piece of Crumb Cake designer paper but I have had it a few years now and I need to make space for some new paper so I was very brave and cut into it ! The colours of Perfect Plum, Crumb Cake and Very Vanilla were to match the birthday girl's bedroom. Also used the new Artisan Label punch and Wildflower Meadow stamp. She wanted vouchers but I also wanted to make something to keep to mark the occasion so I made a framed picture ......

Really like making these, it is very therapeutic !

Anyway better dash, go to go and pick Isabel up for school, not many days left at primary school now ! Last night we went to watch her Leavers Service and there were a few tears , mainly from the boys ! Tonight it's a meeting at her new High School and I think they have some sort of celebration every day now til they break up , all the Moms are checking with each other that we are at the right place on the right day, it's that busy !

Back soon x

 

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Special 40th

Thank Crunchie it's Friday !!!

Nearly at the the end of Part One of a hectic few weeks and so I am taking a 10 minute break to sit in the sunshine and 'talk' to you.

Earlier in the week it's was my Stampin' Up! Mommy Jules' birthday, and a special birthday too so I wanted to send her something to mark the occasion. If you read Jules' blog you will know that she loves the new colour Coastal Cobana and has a passion for Crumb Cake seam binding ribbon, so I knew what ingredients I wanted to use. This is the card I came up with.....

 

I used the Lattice Die, flowers from the Stippled Blossom stamp set and personalised it by adding the date with my rotary stamp.

I also sent her a gift card - which needed a bit of SU makeover to make sure it coordinated

And in true Stampin' Up! Style I wanted to make a little keepsake too, so using some beautiful Antique brads I made Jules a pair of earrings too! ( the brads are attached to proper earring stems, she does not have to put the brad legs through her ears lol !)

 

The box has been decorated with one of the clay flowers that I coloured by stamping on it and kneading in the ink. Anyway Jules I hope the post got them to you in one piece, and if not you can now see what they were supposed to look like !

Suppose I'd better carry on with my 'to - do' list, although it is tempting to stay outside and enjoy the lovely weather. Might make my lunch and have a 'picnic' in the garden.

Hope you all have a nice weekend and Jules, have a fab time tonight, sorry I can't make it x

 

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New Catalogue !

The observant amongst you may have noticed a new pair of legs on the right hand side - no they are not mine, but they are on the cover of the brand new catalogue. Click on the image and you can have a flick through but best get yourself a drink first as there is a lot of loveliness inside !

Stampin Up! have also announced a new Best of stamp set and this month it is ...... Butterflies

Gorgeous aren't they and very good value at only £13.95. If you would like to add these ( or anything else ) to your order please contact me before 5 pm today.

Would also like to wish a very Happy Birthday to Jules today and will show you her card next time. Enjoy your special day Jules !

 

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Playing with clay

Morning all,

Don't know about you but time seems to be whizzing by ! Dear daughter informed me the other day it was only 6 months til Christmas ( and their birthdays) and only 3 weeks left at school !! Turning over the calendar for July and there is something on virtually every day, leavers performance, high school induction, work experience, parents evening,music concert, end of term disco, Duke of Edinburgh expedition,class meal out, ride in a limo, 2 birthday parties etc etc- I think my girls need their own social secretaries lol. Will be needing a holiday !

Also NEXT WEEK sees the start of the new Stampin' Up annual catalogue, yippee ! Must find time to write my wish list, or at least the very urgent 'must haves'. Today's projects include a couple of new items, Mosaic Madness stamp set and punch and some embellishments made with SU clay and moulds. My class ladies loved playing with these and I hope Stampin' Up have stocked up as I know these are going to be very popular......

The moulds have 3 different size flowers and some cute buttons too.

We also made a sweet little milk carton carrier, which is quick and easy using the milk carton die

Which reminds me I have also got teacher gifts to think about ... Better get started ! x

 

 

 

 

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LOVE Letter It

Morning all,

I know it's unusual for me to post at this time of day but I was up bright and early this morning. Isabel has gone on a school trip to London and had to be at school by 6.30 am!
They have been invited by our local MP to look around the inside of the Houses of Parliament and have a question and answer session planned. I would love to be a fly on the wall as she told me some of the things her classmates want to know lol ! Good job politicians are such experts at avoiding awkward questions !

Today's projects feature the sadly retiring alphabet stamp set , Letter It. This is such an easy alphabet to use as the shape is easy to cut out so no worries about the letters not being lined up. We made this anniversary card at my class last week.....

I did take the whole alphabet and suggest that the ladies could use any other four letter word but luckily they decided not to !!!

I have also previously made a few cute little signs using this set....

It is still available but only for a few more days so get in touch quickly if you would like to order it.

Better go and pack my bag ready for a fun morning with my Wednesday class again, being as I have been up so early I have no excuses for forgetting anything today and am even treating them to a look at some new products too ! Show you next time !

 

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Going, going, gone

Evening All,

Having a good weekend ? It's been more like April here today with the showers and my washing has been in and out all day.

The cards I've got to show you today are a couple that we made at my Wednesday class and featuring retiring stamp sets, French Foliage and Nature Walk. Sadly, French Foliage has now sold out but I think Nature Walk is still available so the moral of the tale is, if there is something you've got your eye on , get it quick !

Colours are Soft Suede, Pool Party, More Mustard and the returning Pear Pizzazz.

Not long now til the new catalogue and one of the benefits of being a demonstrator is that I get to preorder some goodies. Hopefully I will have something to show you very soon.

Don't forget to check out the retirement list before it is too late !

 

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Fantastic Fabric !

Evening all,

A little shopping trip yesterday resulted in me buying something new to store my ink pads in, which then led to a massive tidy up of my desk !!! While it's tidy (even 1 day later, but I have been to work lol!) I thought I would show you my little crafty corner.........

And what I really wanted to show you is my pretty bunting ! I can't take the credit for making it myself but it is made with the gorgeous Stampin' Up Twitterpated fabric which is now reduced by 40% to only £5.37 and there is still enough leftover to make a few more bits and pieces.

Sweet isn't it ?

And my inkpads - look at all those new unlabelled ones, watch this space !

Haven't quite decided how I am going to arrange them yet - Colour families or similar colours together ? Any suggestions ?

And just in case Hubby is reading, that is all my punches - for everyone else those are just the ones that wouldn't fit in the full drawer full lol !!!!!

Rest of my craft room still needs tidying, need to create some space for some lovely new stamp sets and some beautiful new colour card stock. Exciting times ! x

 

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