New Website launches today

Today my website launches

www.inspiringinkin.com

Do change your bookmark and register with the email reader on the site if you wish.

Please leave a comment on the new site I'd love to know what you think, there will be giveaways too!

I will no longer update this blog.

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

I'm seeing spots!

Another sneak peek, but this is the last one........this is part of the 7th March Pampered Stamper class made with a Simply Scrappin' kit called Love Stories.

There is only 1 place left on this class see here for details

Now the adhesive diecuts come in a variety of shapes and the spots below are designed for the centres of flowers, but I've used them in all sorts of ways and I love this card !!!!!!!!!

It is so different from the type of card I usually make, I'm not really an abstract type of girl, please do let me know what you think.

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

Make It! Show Feb 2009

Friday morning, All day Saturday and Sunday you will find me demonstrating at the Make it! show in Farnborough. I'll be on the Making Cards Magazine stand, do come along and say hello.

You can find details of the event here.

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

I'm a little sad.........

                                                    and very excited too!

February 18th 2009 is the launch of my brand new website, on this website you will find all of your favourite projects from my blog along with lots more, it is much easier to navigate, has the facility for me to post videos.......... and has a password section for my team and so much more.

Pop back on Wednesday for the link!

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

Bookmark card a design process

I wanted to share the design process with you of how a card starts out and where it ends up! Steph one of my lovely downline and I attended a workshop together a couple of weeks ago as it was her first one and she asked me to design a bookmark card as one of the make and takes.

The picture below is my first one, I was just playing around with design ideas, working with bits of card I had on my table. I knew I wanted to have Close to Cocoa in the design and the Mr & Mrs stamp set because of the matching Forever Flowers wheel. 

Steph suggested Pretty in Pink and I wanted to add more dimension to the card as it seemed quite flat, the picture below is of the final card. I liked it so much I made 30 of them for the High Wycombe swap, although it was a labour of love to cut out 30 tiny Flowers and paper pierce around the edges of both the mat layer and the scallop circle.

In the picture below you can see the inside of the card, if you click on it you will see a larger version and you will be able to make out the perforated line, this is made using the cutter kit and a metal ruler.  That is where you detach the bookmark from the card.

Supplies

Close to Cocoa Card stock
Pretty in Pink Card stock
Very Vanilla Card stock
Chocolate Chip ink
Stampin’ Pastels
Pretty in Pink Taffeta ribbon
Dazzling Diamonds
Tombow multi purpose glue
Stampin’ Dimensionals
Snail

Equipment

Forever Flowers wheel
Mr & Mrs Stamp set
Cutter kit
Scallop circle punch
1 ¼” circle punch
Cropodile
Crafters tool kit
Paper snips

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

Happy Valentines Day

This is a card I'm sending to my hubby, who needs to forgive me for scheduling a class on Valentines day............I'll be spending the day with 14 wonderful ladies who will be making 14 cards each in one of my all day classes. We will be having lots of fun and laughter, making new friends and stamping all day!  If that sounds like the sort of class you would like to attend check out my class list here for details of my March and April classes.

I'm sure Brian will forgive me, I'll cook him something special for dinner!

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

Sneak peek Love Stories

Below are 3 cards that will form part of my classes held on 7th March, Pampered Stamper.  I have included them in my week of Love themed cards because they are made from one of Stampin' Up!s Simply Scrappin' kits called Love Stories.  The Simply Scrappin' kits are such great fun to work with the colours blend beautifully and the adhesive diecuts are made from cardstock which makes them wonderful for both card making and Scrapbooking.

If you would like more details of my classes you can find them here.

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

Love........Cupcakes?

I might be taking the love theme a little too far but who wouldn't love 13 cupcakes?...........

The stamp set is called Crazy for Cupcakes and it is a wonderful set. I have stamped the original image 3 times, once for the main card and then again so I could colour them and cut out lots more individual cupcakes.  The original image only has 6 cupcakes on it and I like lots more on my plate so in total I cut out 7 additional cupcakes, 3 I have layered on top of the original image and 1 for the front, the last 3 are on the inside of the card.

I have coloured the cupcakes using my blender pens and Pretty in Pink, Real Red, Close to Cocoa and Bashful Blue for the stand.  I have purposely not coloured all of the image, If you enlarge it my clicking on the photo you will see white space, that's not bits I've missed it's so that it gives the look of watercolouring.

This is the inside of the card, I have started adding an extra layer inside some of my cards if I am putting a sentiment inside.  I love the little layer of cupcakes at the bottom.

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

In the mood for love?

Well we are racing towards Valentines day, So I thought I'd share a few love themed cards this week.  This first one looks more complicated than it is.  It's one of the stamps from the Level 1 hostess set A little bit of Happiness.  It's a wonderful stamp set and exclusive to our hostesses.

I have repeatedly stamped in Black Stazon ink onto Whisper White cardstock moving the stamp along to form a patchwork effect.  I then cut the cardstock down to mat onto a standard size card blank in Pink Passion.  I have been using my blender pens much more lately and I have coloured in the hearts with 3 different pink inks, Pink Passion, Pretty in Pink and Pixie Pink.  To use the blender pens, just squeeze the ink pad lid onto the pad and this will give you a pool of colour in the lid.  Pick up that colour with the tip of the blender pen and start colouring.  A sentiment finishes the card from Seasonal Wishes.

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

Stampin' Up! Conference

We are getting a Stampin' Up! conference for Europe to be held in Frankfurt, Germany on the 6th and 7th November 2009.  This is going to be a wonderful event for demonstrators and I am hoping that my whole team will be able to attend, we are all saving up!

There has never been a better time to join my team of demonstrators, still running is the Sale-a-bration promotion till the end of February which means you get over £240 of products for £139 and you also can choose a free stamp set of any value from the catalogue ! I would love you to join me and my team of Inspiring Inkees for the friendship, support, inspiration and fun we share and of course the discount on your products and the ability to earn extra income.

You will find a question and answer section of what being a demonstrator means here.

I will of course match special sign up offers given by other Stampin' Up! demonstrators for stamp sets or free products so why not email me or call me 07890 426945 to talk about how you can start your Stampin' Up! journey with me and my team.

Happy Stampin'

Amanda 

Happy Birthday Connor

Today is my son's 14th birthday.......How did he get so old?

I made a card for him, not your average teenage card, but the image I used was the stamp he said he liked the best in the catalogue!

Details later as I must dash, presents to open and a chocolate toffee cake to finish!

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

Inspirational Meeting

On Friday I went to High Wycombe for a Stampin' Up! meeting. It is for demonstrators who are Bronze 3 and above, that means they have a downline team. It's wonderful that 8 of my team qualified for this event, although sadly not all of them were able to attend.

As always at a Stampin' Up! meeting there was lots of swapping of cards and 3D items, below are pictures of the lovely cards and 3D items I received.

I can't show you a picture of my swap because I have 2 workshops this week and we will be making the cards as part of the workshop, I don't want to spoil the surprise, but I will put it on the blog over the weekend.

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

Emergency cards......

How often do we need a card in a hurry? Whether to say Hi!, Thank you, Miss you! or even Happy Birthday!

This is a little box and set of cards that you can give as a gift to someone you know who might need a card in just such an emergency!

They are made from the wonderful Petal Party Simply Scrappin' kit. Yes, Simply Scrappin' kits are not just for Scrapbooking! At £15.50 it's a fantastic price and you can get 24 cards (2 each of 12 designs) and 4 boxes from one kit.......Brilliant if you are looking to make gifts this year.

I have full instructions and will send them out to anyone who buys a Petal Party Simply Scrappin' kit from me.

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

Are you in the Hampshire area?

Steph one of my lovely downline and I are attending a local cardmaking group next week to do a demonstration and to make a card and bag with the group.

It's a new group set up by Christine, so plenty of space for new members, if you would like to attend please email Christine by clicking here or visit her club website here.

All of the details are below.

Happy Stampin'

Amanda


Calling all card makers

Do you live in the Portsmouth / Waterlooville / Havant / Fareham area?

Are you into card making or would like to start it up as a new hobby, and would you like to meet up on a regular basis to meet up with other crafters for a natter & workshops

Wednesday 28th January
Time - 7.30pm - 9.30pm
Venue - St. Philips Church Hall, Cosham

Cost of each meeting will be £3 which will include the cost of hiring the hall and materials (drinks will also be provided)

All cards you make on the night you can take home with you

http://www.portsmouthcraftyclub.co.uk/

Owl Bookmark

A quick post about an Owl..........

This is a bookmark we made at my Mum and Me class last September for some reason I never posted the tutorial so here it is better late than never!

Embellishments and Tools

3” Paperclip
Hot glue gun or other strong glue
Old Olive Ribbon
Black marker pen and White gel pen
1 3/8 ” Punch
½ ” punch
Boho Blossoms punch
Scallop circle punch
Round Tab punch

1. First punch and cut out all your pieces 1 3/8” punch 4 x Chocolate Chip, 1 x Close to Cocoa, ½ ” Circle punch 2 x Old Olive, Round tab punch 1 x Chocolate Chip, Boho Blossoms punch 2 x Creamy Caramel. Cut a small triangle for a beak from Creamy Caramel.
2. Stick 1 of the Chocolate Chip circles to each side of the top of the paperclip.
3. Draw black and white eyes onto the Old Olive circles and attach them with the beak onto the Chocolate Chip round tab punch.
4. Make wings by punching part of the Chocolate Chip circles through the scallop circle punch, about 4 scallops is the right size.
5. Stick 2 of the small flowers underneath the Close to Cocoa 1 3/8” circle to make feet and attach the wings to the top section., Then add the head.
6. Put glue onto one of the Chocolate Chip circles attached to the Paperclip and stick the owl to it.
7. Tie the ribbon to decorate the bookmark.

Making Cards Magazine

In the January 2009 Making Cards magazine I had 3 projects published, the cards below are one of the projects.  You can find details of the magazine here.  The cards are using the brilliant Loads of Love stamp set and Loads of Love accessories.  The images have all been water coloured with Stampin' UP! watercolour crayons.  If you would like to order both stamp sets and some watercolour crayons you will qualify for a free Sale-A-Bration stamp set. Email me to place an order.

Thanks for visiting.

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

Sneak Peek 1

I promised some sneak peeks of my class preparations for you this week.  This is a picture of one of the samples of a Stationery Box.  Now this is not the finished sample.......... or even the colours we will be using..........but it does show you sort of what the box looks like, we will be decorating the cards which are included as well. I really don't like to give everything away so if you'd like to see everything you need to come along to class.

The original design idea comes from the super talented Jackie Topa a SU! demo in the USA.  I have adapted her original idea to make it fit UK card and envelope sizes and tweaked in several other ways.  Of course I rewrote the instructions too, so they are in very simple easy to understand steps.

Did you know that everyone attending my classes will always get an instruction sheet (when one is needed) for them to take away so they can always replicate the projects at home, no need to take notes in my classes!  We have way to much fun to take notes!!!

If you would like information about the classes please click here, or email me so I can send you a leaflet and a booking form.

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

More cards

These cards are the rest of the 32 from yesterday, mainly scraps of double sided paper and a bit of so Swirly wheel, more scallops and circle punches too!

Class prep planned for today and tomorrow so maybe some sneak peeks for you after the weekend.

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

Just call me speedy......

Well not quite as speedy as I hoped.......32 cards so far today, I'm really pleased with that total I do have some interesting colour combos...... During today I have also spoken to 2 of my team, also to the lovely Deb who is joining my team soon, responded to lots and lots of emails and got some very important packages in the post to Hayley and Carolynne. All in all a good 6 hours work!

Some of the cards I have made are below, all quick and simple mainly using En Francais Background stamp, Seeing spots and Scallop and circle punches, some rub-ons and some ribbons and brads.

All of the card and paper came out of my "I'll save it because you never know when you might need it boxes" ! YES ! I said boxes.......... There really is no hope for minimalistic living in my crafting world!

More pictures of the 32 cards tomorrow.

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

Congratulations

During December 2 of my lovely Inspiring Inkin' team promoted to Bronze 2     Lydia and Rhoda congratulations ladies well done.

The cards I made are using Textured cardstock I started with a 6" x 6" piece and scored and folded at 4" to give a card where the front was only 2".  I then scalloped that edge, love the border punch and stuck a piece of Whisper White card stock behind it of 3" x 6".  The diamonds where made using the scallop square punch, now usually I say stamp the image then punch, but not this time, it's so hard to line up to get the diamond shape so punch then stamp.  I used matching ink to card stock So Saffron and Certainly Celery.  The sentiment is from the Congratulations SAB set which you can have for free with an order of £45 email me.  FREE STAMPS........How Fab!  and the card was finished off with some Whisper White grosgrain ribbon.

Here is a close up.

I have been doing lots of stamping, most of it is for my up coming classes see the link here for details and I do like to keep most of the details a surprise for my lovely customers who attend but I will share some sneak peaks with you over the coming days.

I have also set myself a mission for today...........make 40 Thank you/Sentiment free cards..........well I need lots for my thank you's for my hostesses and online orders and cards for my team and well for lots of things........(my words aren't quite flowing today! sorry) I have lots of scraps I can't bear to part with so pop back and see what I have accomplished!

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

Join my team

There has never been a better time to join Stampin' Up! as an Independent Demonstrator.

The start up costs are low, £139 for £240 of products and you will receive an additional stamp set of your choice from the catalogue during January and February 2009 as part of Sale-a-bration.

To sign up with Stampin' Up! you need to do so through another Demonstrator who is called your upline, now in the UK there are more than 200 Demonstrators so why should you choose me?

I'm a positive, enthusiastic person who loves to create and share that with others. I adore rubber-stamping and all of the products that Stampin' Up! stock. I joined 14 months ago when Stampin' Up! launched in the UK and I am now one of the highest titled demonstrators in the UK and have a team of 22 demonstrators spread from the Shetland Islands to Penzance, they are wonderfully creative and my inspiration. I teach Card making and Papercrafting across the UK and undertake design work for Making Cards magazine.

By signing up with me will become part of my team Inspiring Inkin’, and I’ll provide you with all the help and support you need — but I will never push or pressure you to do more than you wish to. Whether your goals are to just support your paper-crafting or stamping habit or you want to build a successful business, I am here to help. I will be here for you at all times – all you have to do is call or email me!

I run quarterly meetings for my team, they always have stamping at it’s core but will also be focused on business topics and skills, so whether you are a demonstrator who has joined to just get your discount or intending on building a business there will be something to interest you at these meetings. Inspiring Inkin’ is a fabulously active team of people who love what they do and share what they love with others!

What will I do as a demonstrator?

You will share your love of paper crafting, creating cards, gifts or scrapbook pages with family and friends and perhaps friends you have yet to meet. You can do this through running in home workshops, classes, events or even on a 1 on 1 basis. If you choose to, you will also help others enjoy the fun and flexibility of running their own Stampin’ Up! business. But if you just want to buy your products at a discount that is absolutely fine.

Will I receive support and training as a demonstrator?

You certainly will, in addition to the above I offer to run a first workshop for new demonstrators if they haven't been to one or would like me too so they can see the type of things to do. I send out regular emails, project ideas and give all my team information on the classes and projects that I do to help and inspire them. I also celebrate their successes with cards and gifts and reward promotions and sales with stamp sets and products.

On top of that, Stampin’ Up! provides the following:

A password protected demonstrator website which has lots of resources, pattern and template libraries and online ordering.
A full colour monthly magazine called Impressions with creative and business ideas just for demonstrators.
A free phone number to contact the knowledgeable and friendly Demonstrator Support team.
An achievable incentive program for income and awards if you choose to aspire to them.
A training DVD and field trainings are run throughout the year by head office.

What if I decide it’s not for me once I’ve started? Will I be penalised if I quit?

You simply stop placing orders. If you don’t meet the minimum quarterly requirement, Stampin’ Up! will just “drop” you—no penalties, no questions asked! Well apart from me…….. I’ll check to make sure you are okay and ask if I can help, but if you’ve decided to finish that’s fine. But I guarantee that once you start you won’t want to stop!!

I love my business, and my team are a vital part of that business, I would never have achieved the promotions and awards I have without them.

This is absolutely the very best job I have ever had, sharing and teaching paper-crafting and rubber-stamping isn't really work is it? I can even do my design work at home in my PJ's!

I would love you to join my team for the friendship, support, inspiration and fun we share.

I will of course match special sign up offers given by other Stampin' Up! demonstrators for stamp sets or free products so why not email me or call me 07890 426945 to talk about how you can start your Stampin' Up! journey with me.

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

Spring Classes

Stamp a stack – Pocket Silhouettes

Get a head start on your cards this year with this fantastic card making class. We will be making 14 cards, 3 each of 4 designs and 2 special cards to wow and amaze those special people in your life, the cards will be suitable for a wide variety of occasions and use stamps, punches and embellishments. The class fee includes a stamp set (value £15.95) and all the materials you need except glue.

10 – 4pm Saturday 14/02/09 £35 (Booking closes 31/01/09)

Pampered Stamper

These classes are designed to make lovely gifts for yourself or your loved ones. Book for both classes and get a discount!

The morning class is making a Victorian Style Stationery box, and the following contents: Four cards and envelopes, Four 3×3 cards and envelopes, Four gift tags, a notepad, a pocket for postage stamps and a pen. Class fee includes all materials except glue.

10 – 12.30pm Saturday 07/03/09 £15 (Booking closes 20/02/09)

The afternoon class is making a stamped and decorated card keeper, with 12 monthly pockets in which to keep your cards safe and ready for posting. We will also make 6 cards in this class to give you a head start on your annual card sending. Card fee includes all materials except glue.

1.30pm – 4pm Saturday 07/03/09 £15 (Booking closes 20/02/09)

Book for both classes and get 10% off discounted price £27

Pampered Stamper repeat class

Not available on Saturday 7th March 2009? This class is a chance to do either of the 2 pampered stamper classes. Please choose Stationery Box or Card keeper on the booking form.
10 – 1pm Monday 23/03/09 £15 (Booking closes 09/03/09)

For the Love of Chocolate……….

Calorie free stamping! Using Chocolate Chip card and ink we will make a variety of chocolate bags, cards, treat holders and pop-up chocolate bars. The class will include a selection of chocolate treats.

10 – 12.30pm Saturday 04/04/09 £15 (Booking closes 20/03/09)

Stamping but not on card………

Have you ever wondered what else apart from card you can use your stamps on? In this class I will show you how to stamp on Candles, tins, vellum and acetate. You will make a variety of 3D items suitable for gifts all items needed will be provided.

1.30pm – 4pm Saturday 04/04/09 £15 (Booking closes 20/03/09)

Book for both classes and get 10% off discounted price £27

5% discount on all Stampin’ Up! orders placed at any class.

Venue for all classes a lovely spacious Scout Hall in Fareham, Hampshire with plenty of on-site parking.

To book please email me your address and I will send you a booking form.

Botanical Blooms

A card using the lovely Botanical Blooms stamp set from the  Sale-A-Bration (SAB) promotion.

It is Old Olive card stock and ink as the base card.  The flowers and leaves are stamped in Lavender Lace and Old Olive onto Whisper White card and then punched out using the Scallop Square punch and matted onto a strip of Lavender Lace card.  The sentiment was stamped onto some Lavender Lace card and them popped behind a frame from the Hodgepodge Hardware and mounted onot the front of the card.

I love getting new stamps and getting them for free is soooooo much better !  Call me on 07890 426945 to book a workshop or email me to place an order and get your free stamps!

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

Happy New Year!

It's time to Sale-A-Brate !!!!!!! 

Stampin’ Up! have announced a wonderful promotion running during January and February 2009 called Sale-A-Bration. During Sale-A-Bration for every £45 you spend you can choose a free stamp set. If you order £90 you can choose 2 sets and so on………..

There are 4 exclusive stamp sets to choose from.

Hostesses of workshops over £300 can also choose a free set as well as their usual hostess benefits.

Also people who join Stampin’ Up! as new demonstrators can choose any stamp set in the catalogue for free in addition to their starter kits, so there has never been a better time to join my team, email me to find out more.

These are the stamp sets

The stamp sets are wonderful, I've made you a Happy New Year card inspired by the card on the front of the Sale-A-Bration leaflet. I have used the Polka Dot Punches set, it's fantastic and the stamps fit the 5-Petal punch, the scallop circle punch and several of the circle punches. A really versatile set and I'm sure soon to be one of your favourites as well as mine.


All of my customers on my mailing list will be getting a copy of the leaflet which has lots of ideas and tips and techniques included in it. If you are not on my mailing list please email me with your contact details and I'll gladly put one in the post for you.

Happy 2009

Amanda