Christmas is coming...

I just can't believe that it's nearly Christmas already! I have two Christmas Fayre's to do this week too.. but if the snow continues, I definately won't be doing one of them! Outside? In snow? Cold and wet?? No thanks...

But I have however, been making a start on some Christmas cards. This is one of the newest, and this stamp is just sooooo cute!

I've had this one a while, as I love anything cute and especially cows!

Here she is in a little more detail.

Isn't she just the cutest .. and the little mouse is adorable. The little flowers are punched and arranged into poinsettia's.

I hope you like it.. and the contemporary colours. I think I may make some fresh and funky ones this year as a change from traditional colours.

Back tomorrow with a few more. See you then!

A snowdrop or two....

I LOVE SNOW! Well, I do when it's not as thick as it is at the moment... when everyday life stops and things are put on hold just because of the White Stuff. However would we cope if we lived in America, eh? Now they have 'real' snow don't they.. !

So, today, I have had the men go to work as usual (but thankfully a friend was playing taxi), and the girls are at home. Work has shut for the day for one, and no school for the other (so she's off playing igloo's!!)

And this is a lovely photo that Nikki sent onto me yesterday. One of a collection, but this is my favouritest!

And here are a few of the snowy pictures I took this morning as I was trying to dig my way out of the house!!!

This is the front garden - look at the snow on the bin! Blimey!

This view above, shows just how high the snow is at the front. The fencing is around 4 foot high.. and it's half way up it!

Cars? What cars??

And a few of the Furballs... don't you just love em?

Mr Scoobs... looking very beautiful.

Holly and Scooby - it's not very often that you can photograph them together.

What's your snow like? Leave me a comment and let me know.

Phew!

That took a while!

I've been making over my blog to make it look a bit more Christmassy... what do you think?

And it looks really christmassy outside today too, but it's bloomin' freezin' inside!

We have had a good falling of snow this morning again - like much of the country. It covered the other evening, but was starting to disappear on Saturday. Then froze on Sunday making driving a little hazardous, then we have had a good fall overnight and this morning.

fortunately the furballs love it when it's snowed. Strange things.

More later. xx

Well.....

Tomorrow never came did it..

On my last post, I said I would be back the day after to update you all.. but things have been a bit hectic on the work front (not that I'm complaining), but it would be nice to have some creative time to get some Christmas cards made .. hey, what the heck.. I don't have that many to make, and they would probably end up coming from WH Smiths, like they usually do.. lol.

Other than that, my demonstrations have finished for 2010. December at Docrafts is usually a very quiet time, so I am now awaiting with diary in hand to get my demo's booked in for 2011.. I have a nice collection booked in from January to November already, so off to a good start.

The other reason I've been 'away with the fairies' is because of the phone line. We've just changed over from BT to AOL and the internet has been hit and miss.. but we're now back on the straight and narrow, and things should be back to normal now.

So.. over the next few days, I am hoping to get online and upload some new projects for you.

Until then, take care and check back soon. xx

Guess where Ive been...

Give you a clue....

Yep.... pussy cat watching... I'll fill you in more tomorrow when I get chance. xxx

Packing a punch...

Hi again... how are you all?

I've been spending the last day or so creating, so thought I'd share another project from last weekend. Honestly, you really need to experience a Training Day with Monica and Bekka - they're truly not to be missed and so much fun. We have a lovely collection of projects to make too, and you can see more on Monica's blog of the ones I haven't had chance to photograph yet.

However, this little card box for a set of 4" x 4" cards is one I'd love to share.

We used the wonderful birdy punch (I love that bird!!) and a collection of other punches too to create this piece of art.

And I'd also love to share this with you too... one of Linzi's little gift boxes that was made last weekend too. Isn't it just the cutest?

Right.. must get on.. I'm getting there with all my projects, so hopefully by the middle of next week they'll all be delivered and I'll have more to do. (In fact, I know I will, as I'm waiting for some product arriving at the moment!)

A bit more punch...

Oh I love the new border punches.. did I tell you that??

After another few busy days, I thought I'd just upload a few cards for you from our Sunday out last week. As you know, I was down in Peterborough with a lovely collection of lady Stampin Uppers!

I was, as I said before, demoing the new border and corner punches. Here are some of the cards that I made on the day.

This is another of the cards I made last week.. Except I didn't place a sentiment on this one. I love Bashful Blue.. it's really lovely and delicate.

This card was just basic stamping and the border was made to act as a ribbon holder. I used gold thread from Stampin' Up to thread through the holes.

This card is one of my favourites too! It's Certainly celery and Whisper White with the Vintage Vogue stamp set.

Here's a little close up of the punched edge. How pretty!

Right.. I must get on with work.. I have a pile of Wedding Invitations and Save the Date magnets to make.. and some work too for Docrafts.. so hopefully you'll check back soon.

Take care, and Happy Crafting!!

Just a little box or two ..

Hello everyone..

Sorry for the delay in posting another project for you all, but this week has just been so bad for time..

On Monday, I was catching up on things from Sunday after I attended a Training Event held for us Stampin' Uppers. And what fun it was too! I travelled down with my friend, Sharon, at around seven o'clock to be there for nine.

I needed to be there early as I was demoing for Monica and Bekka.The lovely Linzi was there too demoing.. and I have some photos of her fantastic punchy projects to show another day - they are seriously not to be missed!!

I was showing the new corner and border punches. I honestly wasn't too sure about them to begin with, but after using them for a wide array of projects, I am totally in love!!! There is a knack to using them, but once you've cracked it.. you've got it!

here's a little something I made to show.

The box was a basic little pizza styleee box, but I put a top and bottom on it and decorated it up a little. You can see the border and corner punch on it in this little photo below. I love the little Pizza Boxes, they are so adaptable with the size and dimensions. And also so easy to make. 

And here is another little box too.

I made this one more like a little book style box. Again, you can clearly see how brilliant the scallop punch is with corner.

So, after Monday came Tuesday and I had a corker of a migraine.. I had an appointment in the morning and didn't feel very well at all, so had to cancel my meeting with Sharon at Costa Coffee (tragic as we love our Costa!) and I had to try and make my way home, being sick and not feeling at all well. I collapsed into bed at around 11 o'clock in the morning, and didn't get back up until three. I hate having migraines.. they seem to be getting worse each time. So if anyone has any hints and tips, feel free to leave a comment!!

As you can see, Tuesday came and went and Wednesday wasn't much better either. I always end up quite cotton-woolish in my head and can't quite focus on things, concentration is lax and my brain just doesn't work.. (no change there then! lol). So today, I was relieved when I woke up at 5am feeling a little more 'normal', as I have loads of things to catch up on.

I am off to another coffee shop today (and I really don't drink coffee that often!) to meet up with my downline Sarah.. It's so exciting! She has a craft fair on Sunday to promote her business  and get herself known.. so all the best of luck Sarah, and me and my tablecloth will be with you around 10am!

Right. It's now 9.15am, and I really ought to go and get sorted out.

I'll be back with more projects later for you. Happy Crafting everyone!

A new way to shop

Guess what's just arrived at Stampin' Up??

Yes... you guessed it - you can now pay for all your Stampin' Up! supplies with your Credit and Debit Cards. Now isn't that fantastic? And so much easier.

To celebrate this NEW method of payment, I am offering FREE shipping with all orders paid with credit and debit cards until the end of November 2011.

Happy crafting - and of course, shopping!

Fast and Fabulous

Just in case you were thinking I was talking about me (!!) I am in fact talking about the Stamp Set that I've used in this card here..sorry for the fuzziness.. it was very early morning and I didn't want to use flash.

It's one of the stamp sets that I had the pleasure of preordering before the catalogue came out - and I am soooooo glad that I did, as it is in fact, fast and fabulous. Fast because it makes your projects come together easily and quickly, and fabulous, basically because it is! You have a range of stamps in the set from single flowers to this stem - just beautiful. And to get it, you just need to hold a workshop and make the sales target to recieve it!

That target is only £300 and you'll get a choice of some exclusive fabulous stamp sets that you can't buy, and also a minumum of £35 of free product from the catalogue. So if you'd like a workshop, then just email me - joaustin22@aol.com

Here's the close up of the flowers -

It is a two step stamping set but is really easy to use. I've used taffeta ribbon to decorate it up a little, and the colours are Bashful Blue, Rose Red and Old Olive. I also used the Medallion stamp and Le Francais to make the background.