Seven days...

I can't quite believe it's been that long since I last came on here - I really need to get posting a little more regularly.

Last week though, I was preparing for the Dabble Day over in Blyth for the lovely Kim Sutton. There were 72 ladies all together, taking turns to travel around the room and work on 6 different tables. Each table had a different project, and I was doing the Glitter Girls Oriental board.

Here is the card that we made on my table -

Besides doing this, I am busy preparing for our other fantastic Workshop on the 24th March over in Bullcroft Memorial Hall, Carcroft. Would you like to nip on over and come join the fun??

I did however, plan a weekend away the week before last with my lovely hubby. We were supposed to have been going to Kent but got rained off due to flooding and the howling winds, so we went to the Deep in Hull. We have never been there even though it's just on our doorstep really, but we had a lovely day.

I really liked how it was all set out, where you walk down through time and then zip back upto the top in a lift which is placed in a tube with water and sealife all around.. here are a few piccies of our trip.

I love these little critters - although I wouldn't like to come across one with me feet! These little 'uns look harmless enough don't they? I think they're amazing.

This little guy was a right little poser! Point a camera at it and it just sat there waiting for you to take it's picture. So cute!

NEMO!! I knew there would be one loitering somewhere and I found him! There were quite a few in this coral, but this little chap was the one that kept popping out.

Well, instead of sitting here waffling, I do have a couple of projects to share with you over the next few days, so I'll go and write those up rather than share all in one post and then nothing for another few days. lol.

I really hope you call back again to see a few cards - they're scheduled now, so whilst I'm out and about this week with work, they'll be there for you to see!

Toodles!

Punching... stamping... then read on..

March is a fantastic month with Stampin Up.

Five different punches are available at a discounted price when you buy the matching stamp set! You will recieve a massive 20% off the coordinating punch! Great eh? Click HERE for more info.

The stamp sets are

In the Stars -£24.95 - then you get the matching Star punch for £10.00

Flight of the Butterfly - £23.95 - matching punch for £10.00

Say it with Scallops - £14.95 - matching Scallop square punch £10.00

Oval All - £14.95 - matching Scallop Oval punch £10.00

Simply Said - £22.95 - MATCHING LIMITED EDITION HEART PUNCH for £10.00

This Heart punch will only be available while stocks last and for the month of March!!!! Will then not be available until October 2010!

If you already have the Simply Said set but would like the matching punch

you can still get this but at the full price of £12.50

Now, isn't that a great offer? I am writing my shopping list as we speak!

And, if you'd like to try out the punches with the matching stamp sets, then why not come along and join us at our next Stampin Up crafty evening, to be held on the 24th March at the Bullcroft Memorial Hall in Carcroft, Doncaster. Details at the top of the page.

Now then...

What about an evening learning more about Stampin Up?

Well, you can, simply by reading on.....


Savour the Stampin' Up! Experience

If you enjoy crafting, you’ll savour the experience of a Stampin’ Up! Experience event. This exclusive event gives you the opportunity to create a number of projects with Stampin’ Up!’s products, enjoy the company of others who share your interest in crafting, and win products through a prize draw—all at no cost to you!

Join us for a Stampin’ Up! Experience event at one of these venues.

11 March 2010
Beauchief Hotel
161 Abbeydale Road South
Sheffield
S7 2QW
Time: 7-9pm
www.beauchief-hotel.co.uk

13 March 2010
Glasgow Pond Hotel
Great Western Road
West End
Glasgow
G12 0XP
Time: 7-9pm
www.glasgowpondhotel.com

18 March 2010
Aston Court Hotel
80-90 Holyhead Road
Coventry
CV1 3AS
Time: 7-9pm
www.astoncourthotel.co.uk

20 March 2010
Parkside International Hotel
Bath Road
Reading
RG30 2BE
Time: 7-9pm
www.parksideinternationalhotel.com

10 April 2010
Novotel Plymouth
Marsh Mills
Plymouth
PL6 8NH
Time: 3-5pm
www.novotel.com

Please contact me directly for a personal invitation to this exclusive event.You can email me on joaustin22@aol.com or ring me / text me on 07545 579 096.

I look forward to hearing from you...

A great read

How are you all?

I hope you are all having a great crafty weekend - I'm all crafted out for today, I was busy all day yesterday with one thing or another, so decided today to give it a rest.

This week, I have also fitted in time to read a great book called The Lovely Bones. It's just come out into the cinema, and I think I'm going to have to go and see it if the book is anything to go by.

I don't usually read fictional books, but the film trailer last week caught my eye, so I bought the book and read it within a few days. It's sooo gripping.

I absolutely loved the sentiment behind the book and the way it was written was just so warm and lovely. I can highly recommend it. It most definately made a change from factual books or craft magasines. lol.

What ever you're upto this weekend, have a good one.

Jo xx

A Crafty Evening

Hi folks.. sorry for the delay in posting but I've had a few card orders and bits to get finished this week, so I'm a bit slow in getting my bits and pieces uploaded for you all.

Well.... what a night we had on Monday! I think me and Sheila are still aching from it!

After waiting such a long time, it was finally here - our first ever Stampin Up Craft Evening! Sheila and I had done lots of waiting for the evening to arrive and we weren't disappointed. Even though it had snowed, a grand total of 22 people turned up which is fantastic, so thank you to each and every one of you who made it... it was lovely to see you all happy and crafting.

The other thing that I loved was there were all ages there, ranging from Kathryn's little girl to ladies a little older than me! But the projects that Sheila had planned and designed were wonderful and loved by all.

Here's one of the things we made -

This was the first sample of the card, so it's black and yellow, but the one we made on the night was slightly different colours from the Soft Subtles range of cardstock.

We also made a gift box with the So Swirly wheel and Oval All stamp sets, and a notepad holder using the Sale a Bration set Vintage frames.

I had arrived at the Hall at around 5pm to start setting up, poor Sheila had been there all day with work, and we'd just about sorted and finished by 10.30pm.

Here are some photos of the wonderful ladies who attended.. excuse the photos being so bad ***note to self.. get a bloomin mobile that has flash, or at least remember me camera!***

Having a minutes break to look at all the samples that were displayed around the room. Did you notice the coffee pot, choccies and biccies on the far table? Yep.. we feed and water you too.. lol.

All very busy and industrious. We had three tables set out, one for each project.I think this one gets the vote for the 'messy table'. What do you think?

Aww, the lovely Mandi.. what a doll! (and thank you so much for the lovely text at the end of the evening.. it meant alot to me and Sheila).

Come on now ladies... no giggling - just work! Hehe..See, I told you this was the Messy Table.

Three very happy little bunnies.This was the end of the evening... so I'm not quite sure if they were just pleased to be going home.. mmmmm..

A few different wonderful ladies on this table too - at the back you can see our youngest crafter of the evening, with her mum, the lovely Kathryn. (Don't tell her I told you this, but she is soooooo sweet!)And nearest to us is another Cathryn, a lovely lady who I had been in contact with by email, and had now finally got the chance for a hug with. It was lovely to meet you in the flesh my love. I'm not quite sure what Sheila is doing with her hand on the left of the photo.. but it made me chuckle.

So.. there you have it. Workshop Numero Uno. Done. Dusted. Finito.

If you feel you've missed out on all the fun, then don't worry! We are holding another event on Wednesday 24th March 2010 from 7pm to 9pm if you'd like to join us. We would absolutely love to see you there, so why not get it put into your diaries.

If you and your friends would like to book a place, email me on joaustin22@aol.com, ring or text me on 07545 579 096 or ring Sheila on 01302 726633 (you may also get to speak to the lovely Kathryn).

If you've never had the chance to craft and wonder what it's all about, then wonder no more.. come along and we'll show you how easy it is to make some brilliant projects.

A little birthday album

What a weekend!

I woke up this morning to another few inches of snow - although I love it, I hate it when it goes slushy and icy. The dogs absolutely love it too, especially Truly, but all three of them went bonkers this morning playing outside.

Their walk was a little wetter than usual, but they had a lovely time and we found another little gathering of springers and cockers on our walk.. you know, I think these types of dogs are getting more popular as most of the dogs we meet on our walks are springers! They are such a sociable dog though, and never a day goes by without one of mine doing something to make me laugh. lol

Anyway, I was asked last week to make a Birthday card for a girls 21st - she was doing a fashion degree, but didn't really like girly colours. It was quite a challenge as most of the 'fashiony' types of things that you find are pinks and fluffy!

However, I kept hunting and came across the most beautiful papers and this is the finished project -

The photograph doesn't do it justice really, as I've used a layer of mirror card on the front and it hasn't come out properly in the picture.

This is the whole of centre of the card, which I guess is more like an album.

The idea for this card came from the absolutely wonderful Jo Dumbleton, and the project I've linked to when you click on her name is the one that's inspired me.

This is the centre of the card, which is where the main image is. I got a few of these images from the Kanban sheet that I'd used, so I cut out the main section of the picture and layered it up with silicone to give it more depth.

This is one side of the album..
And this is the other -

I'm pretty pleased with it, although I wish the lovely girly images would've been less pink.. but I matched it up with some black and white papers from the same collection and it's not looking quite as girly as it could have been.

What do you think?

Right.. I had better make a move and finish sorting out a few bits and pieces for our event at Bullcroft Memorial Hall in Carcroft tomorrow evening - hasn't it come around quickly?!

See ya's later!

Wahey for wii!!

Isnt technology amazing... From my wii. I always knew there was more to this wii than wii fit and guitar hero.

Those early mornings..

Blimey, they take alot of time to get caught up with don't they?

I was up early - I was going to say the crack of dawn, but even that was too late! - on Monday to get down to Chez de Crafting for an early 9 o'clock show, followed by another at 12. It is what seemed to be a veeeeery long day. However, the sun rose whilst I was nearly down in Peterborough and it did make for some lovely scenery. Shame I'd forgot my camera - duh!

I was using the wonderful papercrafting kits on the first show, and did stamping on the next. So lots of prep was done for these. I did have some help with the samples for the stamping show from my wonderful matey, Sheila, who is proudly now one of my 'Designers'. lol. What a title to bestow upon her eh? hehe.

She made some wonderful cards to take down with me, and I love that because she has a completely different taste to me card-wise... apparantly, I'm 'girly girly' (moi? Girly?) and she's a bit of a grungy person.. but alas, the cards were amazing and really liked by la Maison de Buzzcraft which is where they are currently residing.

Here are a few samples for you from the new stamp sets - these were from the female (notice my Stampin Up punch along the top - I love love love that border punch!)

And a variety from the mens.. (scallops from the Stampin Up scallop punch, and footballs punched out with the 1 3/4 circle punch.)

Yesterday, I took a drive upto Bradford with Martina, to deliver off the samples and a copy of the show on DVD for Andrew. You know, the weather was appalling! It was fine when we left home, quite sunny, but on the way home there was hailstones, snow, rain...  what a day!

Now today, I have a very important birthday card to make for a wonderful lady called Kay, (well, actually, it's not for her, it's for her neice who's 21.) and I have some organising to do for looked - forward - to event over at the Bullcroft Memorial Hall on Monday evening... do you want to come along?

The Stampin Up 'Do' will be held at Bullcroft Memorial Hall, Carcroft, Doncaster, on the 22nd February, 7pm to 9pm. If you'd like to come along, we are making three fantastic projects for £5 and raffles and refreshments are included. There will be lots of inspiration, lots of help and advice if needed, and a last chance to bag  your FREE Stampin Up Sale a Bration stamp sets with your orders - catalogues will be around to look through.

So, if you'd like to join us, me and Sheila would be delighted to see you. Just email me at joaustin22@aol.com or telephone 01302 726633 to reserve your place.

Well, that's it for today.. I really need to get photographing some bits and pieces for you - I've got a Valentine Swap set of cards that I'd love to show you all... loads of inspiration there I can tell you!

See you soon xx

Happy Birthday Shiela!

Today is my friend Sheila's birthday. I can't tell you how old she is as she would most probably kill me with her bare hands, but however old you are my darling, have a good one!

I thought I would just share this little card with you that I received from Sheila in a swap.

Isn't it lovely? The papers and stamps are Stampin Up. And I really love it!

I recieved it on Tuesday whilst at Monica's house doing our monthly training. There was only a small group of people there which was good for Mon, as she was full of cold and feeling pretty rubbish. We had a great evening though and made a couple of great projects.

One of them isn't quite finished yet, but the other one is this -

A little poppy-outy card just for Easter. Isn't this chick just the cutest? It's not exactly how it should be as we had run out of ribbon, but hey, the idea's great isn't it. The chick was coloured with Stampin Up reinkers and the aqua painter brush.

Now, I thought I'd just share a little picture of something I've been making over the last few evenings too.

Little pots and carriers! I'm not telling you what they are for.. but I'm sure you'll be finding out shortly! lol.

So.. that's me back upto date.

Sheila, my lovely, if you're reading this - have a FANTASTIC birthday and I hope you get absolutely spoiled rotten! See you soon.

Happy Valentines!

Awwww, isn't it so nice this time of year? Everyone's talking Valentine's day... all lovey-dovey!

Now take a look at my lickle Valentine...

Now isn't this the cutest lovey you could wake up to? lol. This morning, I was up early for a doctors appointment and to get stuck into making some samples for Monday, and Scoobs decided he was coming up to sleep on the bed.. only he quickly took daddy's place as he wasn't in - head on pillow and cuddling his mummy. Ahh, sweet! Scoobs I love you too! The pic was taken on the mobile, so the quality isn't great.

The doctors appointment went well. I was having a little op to have a little lump taken off my chest. It's been there for a while now, and after three weeks of visiting the doctor twice a week to get it cauterised to get rid of it, the only thing it did was to make it bigger. It ended up looking like a little mushroom! So. Choice was to keep going with the cauterising, or have an op to get it off.. so I opted for the op. It's healed up lovely and looks alot better now!

Anyway, Valentine week for me started on Thursday when I went to help Sheila at her Craft Class. There was a lady there who asked me to help her out with a Valentine card for her new Fiance. She bought a magasine with her, and all the papers and images came from that. I must say, there are pretty lush! Not that I'm a green person myself, but these are great!

This is the card that we made..

And this is one happy lady!

Today, other than making samples for Create and Craft, I made this Valentine card for Carley for her boyfriend.

The idea came from a swap I recieved from THIS lady, Siobhan, who I had done a Love card swap with.



The colours are awful.. they were taken quickly on the mobile - I'll take a proper photo before it goes off to its new home.

Two other quick photos that were snapped today are these ones below. My other two little furbabies.

Here's Holly looking really sweet.

She has got the most appealing eyes a dog could have. Honestly, butter wouldn't melt! lol.

And here's Truly looking really cute too. She's usually quite hyper, but just before 'wakey-up' time she's actually really slow to wake up. Active time starts about half past ten, then it's Force 21 all the way!

She is a sweetie though. Today she's not a happy bunny because she's had her ears combed! Just one of her pet hates. lol

Well, that's all for now.. more tomorrow.

Mmmm.. aint this true?!

I've just found this through a link someone gave.. I read it, and thought.. mmm.. isn't this so true! So thought I'd share!

I have never made anything perfect. 

 Nope, not once. I might have come close a few times, but there was always the stamped image that was just a little crooked. Or the bow that didn’t come out totally right. You know. Life-or-death stuff.

I have, however, made some really great things that made other people happy and were fun to do. For example, I sewed a scalloped baby quilt that had some wonky spots at one edge. Does my daughter care? Not a bit. Do I wince a little every time I look at those spots? Well… I’m trying not to. 

Here’s an equation for all of us who worry too much about perfection in our crafting:
Being creative ≠ being perfect.

Being creative is about renewal. And having fun. And feeling connected to the generations of women before us who did the same things. Only today we have even cooler and more diverse materials to work with, unprecedented ease of communication, and a modern design sense to bring to the table. Hello! What an incredible time to be a crafter.

Simply Handmade exists to celebrate making useful, pretty things by hand. And to provide you with exactly what you need – step-by-step instructions, helpful patterns, and lots of pictures – to recreate these same projects yourself… or to simply get inspired as you come up with your own lovely creations.

I’ve been excited for this magazine ever since it was a little seed of an idea being tossed around among our editors. This is what I love. If I were a kid, this would be my candy store. So I am thrilled to be in a position to share these beautiful things with all of you. Let’s create.