AJ Papercraft

New Website launches today

2009-02-18T09:00:00.002Z

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!

2009-02-17T13:23:00.001Z

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

2009-02-17T09:15:00.001Z

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.........

2009-02-16T09:07:00.001Z

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

2009-02-15T09:53:00.001Z

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

2009-02-14T08:54:00.000Z

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

2009-02-12T13:16:00.000Z

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?

2009-02-10T17:36:00.000Z

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?

2009-02-09T13:07:00.003Z

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

2009-02-07T10:00:00.000Z

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

2009-02-05T07:17:00.003Z

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

2009-01-30T12:02:00.005Z

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......

2009-01-27T07:49:00.004Z

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?

2009-01-20T16:00:00.000Z

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

2009-01-20T14:30:00.001Z

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

2009-01-19T15:32:00.002Z

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

2009-01-13T16:20:00.007Z

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

2009-01-10T09:45:00.000Z

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......

2009-01-09T16:33:00.005Z

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

2009-01-09T07:58:00.007Z

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

2009-01-07T12:09:00.004Z

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

2009-01-05T07:37:00.006Z

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

2009-01-02T16:48:00.008Z

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!

2009-01-01T00:01:00.001Z

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

Tomorrow, Tomorrow !

2008-12-31T11:05:00.002Z

Tomorrow is the day!

Yes I know tomorrow is New Years Day but is also the day a fantastic new promotion starts for Stampin' Up! here in the UK.

All of my customers on my mailing list will be getting the details in a letter, with a leaflet and information about my Spring 2009 classes but if you just can't wait until then you need to pop back tomorrow!

Have a wonderful New Years Eve

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

2 lovely cards

2008-12-28T10:42:00.000Z

These 2 cards need a little explanation the first is from the lovely Christine and she has made a background using floor polish and acetate along with some glitter and ink, it is one of my favourite techniques and she she learnt this when she attended one of my stamping classes earlier this year. We had such fun making a wide variety of backgrounds even using shaving foam! The class is really popular and I'll be running it again next year.

This second card is from Steph, she is joining my team in January and is a very talented lady, this card is fab she has used the scallop punch to punch out the front of the card and mat and layer a second punch on the back of the card.

Wonderful cards thank you x

3 lovely cards

2008-12-27T10:38:00.001Z

These lovely cards are from Sharon, Sally and Elaine

Thank you very much x

4 more lovely cards

2008-12-26T10:29:00.001Z

These lovely cards are from Lynne, Karen, Vanessa and Lydia

Thank you very much x

A lovely gift

2008-12-25T10:04:00.000Z

At the team training last week Hayley gave me a lovely gift in a handmade bag. It is a card keeper made from 12" x 12" card, stamped and bound. She put celebrate on it which is perfect because I will be using it to keep all the cards for my Inspiring Inkin' team their birthday and their Stampin' Up! anniversaries.

If you would like to know how she made this, it is going to be one of my classes in the new year, if you would like to receive a copy of my class list, please email me and I will put one in the post to you.

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

Tree Ornaments

2008-12-24T16:16:00.000Z

Hayley made these lovely ornaments and gave them to all the team at our training day for our Christmas tree, I got 2 sets..........well one is for my little girl's tree it's a very pink tree!

They are lovely, made from punched scallops with stamped snowflake images and sandwiched in the middle is an Elizabeth Shaw mints, yum!

Christmas Cake

2008-12-24T12:11:00.000Z

I made my Christmas cake a couple of months ago and this year my lovely daughter asked if there was something she could do to help with the Christmas preparations. So I asked her to decorate the Christmas cake, she used fondant icing that you can roll out, star cutters and the most fabulous silver edible glitter along with our usual polar bears and tree.

I finished it off with a Bashful Blue double stitched ribbon and bow!

What a clever girl, thank you Kimberley x

Coaster Calendar Tutorial

2008-12-24T06:00:00.001Z

As promised here is the coaster calendar tutorial.

You will need

2 Coasters

4 4" square pieces of Designer series paper ( I have used Rainbow Sherbert)

Toning 1/4" grosgrain ribbon ( Tempting Turquoise)

A calendar and mat layer of toning card stock

3 flowers punched from co-ordinating colours of card stock I have used Apricot Appeal, Green Galore and Tempting Turquoise and the 5 petal flower punch and Boho Blossoms punch

Brad, piercing tool and mat

Strong double sided adhesive

Cropodile

Sanding block or sand paper

Stick the paper to one side of the coaster, lining up 2 of the edges so you have to trim less.

Trim around the edge of each coaster, then stick down a second piece of paper on the other side and trim again.

Using your sanding block sand down the edges of the paper, don't use a backwards and forwards motion as this will lift up the paper from the coaster, just keep sanding in one direction down towards the coaster. The designer paper has a white core and this is what you can see on the next picture. You are aiming for a nice smooth rounded edge on all sides.

Lay the coasters on top of one another making sure all the edges match, then using your Cropodile punch 3 holes through both coasters. Because the Cropodile is so strong it will easily go through both layers at once.

Decide which sides are going to be on the inside and thread ribbon through as shown. Tie knots and trim the edges of the ribbon. The knots will be on the inside of the coaster.

The back of the calendar will look like this.

Layer the 3 flowers on top of one another and stick together with a brad, mat the calendar onto the cardstock.

Finish your calendar as shown in the picture below.

4 lovely cards

2008-12-23T20:24:00.003Z

Cards from Hayley, 2 from Marilyn and one from Carrie.

Thank you they are all beautiful.

Only 2 days to go.........

2008-12-23T09:01:00.004Z

Quick post today, I have been busy with magazine deadlines this weekend, mailshots, Christmas parties and of course there is an up coming special event only 2 days away............

Unfortunately the Christmas Fairy has decided not to come and help so stamping and blogging has taken a serious back seat!

I'm almost there with the tidying and the food shopping, everything that needs to be wrapped is and best of all my family are on their way, we have a full house all over Christmas and I can't wait!

Over the coming days I shall be showing you some of the beautiful handmade cards I have received, many of them are using Stampin' Up! products. I also have a calendar tutorial for you and of course the launch of something very special on the 1st January 2009.

Before I sign off I just want to wish you all a wonderful Christmas, full of family, love, joy and peace.

Amanda

Warm Wedding Wishes

2008-12-20T06:04:00.002Z

A wedding day is always very special and the lovely Paula ( Country Manager for Stampin' Up! in the UK) is getting married to Paul. There is a vintage theme running through their wedding and although Paula hasn't been giving away too many secrets.......she did say that she was using basic grey for her wedding invites so I have made a card for her and Paul in a very simple style I hope she likes it.

I have used the So Swirly wheel over the front and back of the Basic Grey card with Versamark ink put onto an empty ink cartridge, it's really simple to do! I then heat embossed using clear embossing powder, this give a lovely texture to the card. I cut off an inch from the front of the card and decorated the back with taffeta ribbon, Whisper White with a band of Basic Grey (which looks almost silver).

The sentiment Now & Forever is from the Occasional greeting stamp set and is heat embossed using versamark ink and clear embossing powder, I then punched it out using the Boho Blossoms punch.

The white scallop underneath is again using the So Swirly wheel and then heat and stick and Dazzling Diamonds glitter for a tiny bit of bling on the front.

Inside I have cut a piece of Whisper White and then wheeled 2 of the corners and again used Heat and Stick and Dazzling Diamonds. Apologies for the lack of focus in the picture......

Not a traditional wedding card, but simple and elegant and I am very pleased to say she did love the card.

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

Promotions for the team

2008-12-19T12:29:00.000Z

During November lots of my team promoted I always make them a card to say well done.

Here they are and look, new stamp images.........I wonder what they could be??

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

Technique Class and a man!

2008-12-18T12:35:00.000Z

On the 3rd Tuesday of the month I hold my technique classes, these are opportunities for my club customers to learn more advanced techniques that we can't usually cover in a home workshop. My club customers sign up for eight months and agree to purchase £20 of products from me every month.

Not only do they get their products, but also all the hostess benefits for one month out of the eight and of course this free technique class where we make a card, a 3D item and learn 2 techniques. We make a sample of each of the 2 techniques which are stuck onto instruction pages that fit nicely into one of our 6x6 albums. The finished product is a fabulous reference guide.

I encourage my club members to bring along friends so they can see what we do at club and this Tuesday was a very special occasion, not only was it Anne's 35th birthday ( oops not sure if I should have said the number.....) but she brought along Chuck. Chuck is a gentleman and I am very honoured because in 20 years I have never had a gentleman in one of my papercraft classes, several have watched my demonstrations but never stayed to class.

I even have proof!

If you would be interested in joining a technique club, I do have several customers interested in the North Hampshire / Berkshire area, postcode RG7 -14 ish for an evening club, please do email me if you would be interested in joining them.

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

2 Team projects today and one of mine

2008-12-17T07:56:00.000Z

More team projects today, this time Tessa and Elaine.

Tessa's card uses the fab Loads of Love truck with her Stampamajig to make a great moving house card.

Elaines card made sure we where seeing stars for the morning, isn't it fab!

And finally a Coaster Calendar, this was my shoebox swap project, I will be doing a mini tutorial on this over the weekend.

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

3 team projects today

2008-12-16T07:45:00.000Z

Here are 3 of the projects from my lovely team shoebox swap.

First up is Naomi with a fab Summer by the Sea card.

Then Helen with a pocket Silhouettes Bagalope, I'm running a Pocket Silhoettes class next year and I can see a similar project will be part of it!

And finally for today the lovely Hayley and a card using the canvas background stamp, stem sayings and Oh a stamp set you haven't seen before..........perhaps you'll have to pop back nearer 1st January 2009 to find out more!

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

Inspiring Inkin' Team Meeting

2008-12-15T07:20:00.004Z

Saturday was our very first Inspiring Inkin' team training day, we had a wonderful time, full of fun and creativity. Today I will share with you some of the projects I designed for the team and over the coming days I will share with you the projects that my very talented team designed for the shoebox swap.

First up, the notebooks, you may remember from my last post that I had an accident with a pair of scissors.......well it was over the notebooks I bled, so I had to remake 6 of them! Here are the newly designed ones! Although our day was designed to be lots of fun, there was quite a lot of training elements too, finance and hints and tips on building a successful business was our theme this time, so they all needed a notebook for their notes!

Now CD's, I have been building a team website with the help of my brother and we hope it will be finished over Christmas but meantime I had lots of documents I wanted to share with my team so they are all on these CD's, it includes all the worksheets for all the classes I have run this year and lots of other support documents on building a successful business.

My projects, we didn't get time to complete everything but these are the some of the projects I had planned, more details to follow for them individually later this week.

And finally, I only managed to snap one picture of people! But I did manage to catch 2 new team members on the left is Naomi, she's next to her lovely up-line Hayley and then just in the background is Tessa. What a fab team x

More tomorrow

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

Oops and Wow !

2008-12-12T07:50:00.004Z

Oops

Yesterday I received a parcel I have been eagerly awaiting and it was sealed with some strong parcel tape, instead of being sensible and carefully peeling the tape back I used my Stampin' Up! paper snips........Now if you have been at a workshop with me you will know how much I love these scissors, they are really, really sharp have fantastic points on them......can you see where I'm going with this story?

Needless to say I slipped and wholeheartedly stabbed them into my left hand between my thumb and first finger you know the fleshy bit. Argh! There was lots of blood, speedy children who got a "clean" t-towel and a trip to casualty. They stuck me back together, with a warning that my hand will end up being very painful, black and blue and swollen for days, but thank heavens no lasting damage.

That was an oops, but I was more upset that I had bled all over the projects I had been making for my downline that are coming to a meeting tomorrow! So I've had to pull them apart and start again, which is slightly tricky since my left hand is bandaged, swollen and hurts! You've got to laugh, how silly am I! So the moral of the story is don't open parcels using your Paper snips, and never ever over your completed work!

Now to the Wow

Over the past few months I have had several projects in Making Cards Magazine, in the January 2009 issue I have 3 projects all of them using some wonderful Stampin' Up! products, one of them is also on the front cover! If you would like to find out more about the magazine the website is here.

I am also one of the designers who is running workshops for them at their weekend events to find out more visit the website here.

2009 is shaping up to be a fantastic year already.

I'll be back tomorrow with creations for you as I'll be able to show all of the things I have been making for the team who are coming to my training tomorrow.

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

Oh My, Oh My Oh My..........

2008-12-09T10:46:00.005Z

Regular readers of my blog will know that I recently achieved an award and recognition from Stampin' Up! for my recruiting during the past year, I have the most wonderful team!

Today the post lady brought me a package from Stampin' Up! It was an envelope with a little box inside........

A turquoise blue box with a white ribbon............do you know what that means?.....

A Tiffany box ! Oh my.......... A Tiffany box !

So would you like to see what is inside?

And what is inside the pouch?

A beautiful Silver pendant and chain from the Tiffany notes collection. The pendant is 4cm in diameter and so beautiful, I am so honoured, I absolutely love it and will be wearing it constantly!!!!

Traditional Christmas

2008-12-08T10:48:00.000Z

Real traditional colours on this Christmas card, a base card of Glorious Green with a Real Red mat and then a Whisper White mat. The swirl from Season of Joy stamped in Real Red, the square sentiment stamp again from Season of Joy stamped in Glorious Green and then a small section of it stamped in Real Red onto scrap Whisper White card and the snowflake cut out. The layers are joined together using Real Red brads and a little Gingham bow finishes the card off.

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

Blue Christmas

2008-12-07T13:42:00.002Z

This is one of a set of Christmas cards we made at my all day workshops in October. A Whisper White card base with a Brilliant Blue mat that has the swirl from Season of Joy stamped all over in Brilliant Blue ink. Over the top is a layer of vellum stamped using versamark ink and white embossing powder with the poinsettia, tree and sentiment again all from Season of Joy. Finished off with a piece of Night of Navy grosgrain ribbon.

Very simple but really quite quick!

So how are you doing with your Christmas cards? Dare I admit I still haven't started..............But I have achieved lots of other things on my to do list this weekend, and there is always tomorrow!

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

Happy Birthday Alex

2008-12-06T18:08:00.004Z

It's my littlest nephew's birthday today and he is 1 !

Here is his card, difficult to take a picture for some reason......it's a standard size card blank but I cut 1 1/2" off the front to show the balloon which I placed on the inside of the card.

The base is textured card Taken with Teal and both stamped images are stamped in Black Stazon onto Whisper White card and then I used my aqua painter and the ink pads to water colour the images and then cut them out.

The frosting on the cupcake is made by stamping the image again colouring as before and cutting out. I then covered the whole image with versamark ink, then heat and stick powder ( heated it gently.....) and then added dazzling diamonds with a little bit of heat to fix it. I used stampin' dimensionals to raise up the frosting and then stamped the sentiment at the bottom with Black Stazon.

The balloon was the same only this time I used 2 layers of clear embossing powder and then sprinkled a little dazzling diamonds on top whilst the embossing powder was still soft.

More tomorrow

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

2008-12-06T10:38:00.003Z

Morning

This is the first of several posts this weekend I've been trying to catch up...........and start my Christmas shopping and make my Christmas cards.........needless to say I have been getting distracted with my stamps!!!! But there is always tomorrow.....

This is a card for the lovely Jane, she was my very first downline and she joined a year ago today! Since then the team has grown to 21 and I have received a recognition award from Stampin' Up! for being in the top 3 in recruiting so thank you to all my lovely ladies for sharing this journey with me.

So to the card, this is using the Fantastic Rainbow Sherbert paper I have cut into strips and then punched a 5 petal flower from Apricot Appeal and from the paper, sponged the edges with Apricot Appeal and then attached with a Fire Crystal brad. The sentiment is from One of a Kind and is stamped in Tempting Turquoise on the same card stock.

Drop by later for more cards!

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

2008-12-01T19:45:00.003Z

Wow this is my 100th post........

And a very quick one!

Last Thursday was my lovely daughter's birthday and since she is a little star I made her a starry card, with of course a star for each of her birthdays!

The base is Perfect Plum Textured card 8" x 8" scored at 4" to make a long thin card. I then stamped and punched and cut out a variety of stars from In the Stars stamp set using Orchid Opulence, Lovely Lilac and Pale Plum card. Some of the stars I have heat embossed clear and silver, others I have used Heat and Stick and Dazzling Diamonds. As always with my cards simple, quick and easy.

I have 2 very important cards to make this week, one for my gorgeous nephew Alex who is 1 on Saturday and a wedding card for the lovely Paula. Pop back later in the week to see them.

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

Have you made your Christmas cards yet?

2008-11-26T17:18:00.000Z

Hands up who has made their Christmas cards yet............Okay well done, hands down...........Now hands up who hasn't made your Christmas cards yet,......Mmmmmm I suspected so, lots more hands up!

Including mine...........GULP............I know it's hard to believe but I haven't made a single Christmas card yet........

The problem with teaching card making and paper crafting Classes is that Christmas starts in July and by November I'm Christmas'd out!

So I'm on a mission to save you and me so we can get our cards finished before the last posting date.

Here are two really quick cards using wheels and punches, at the most they will take you 5 minutes each and that is tying the ribbon!

I have used Whisper White card blanks and for the 3 ornaments punched a 1" a 1 1/4" and a 1 3/8" circles from a scrap piece of card the same size as my card blank. I then wheeled randomly over the card blank in Lovely Lilac ink and then sponged a little ink inside the circles to give a tonal effect using a dauber. I used an Elegant Eggplant marker to draw the string and bows and tied a ribbon knot of Elegant Eggplant grosgrain ribbon to finish.

For the single ornament I punched the round tab punch twice to make a circle ( you just turn it around, play and see or if you ask I'll post some pictures.......) that will give you an almost 2" circle then I used the words from the Season of Joy stamp set and again sponged with toning ink ( Tempting Turquoise) this time I finished it off with a Tempting Turquoise bow and String.

So see how many quick Christmas cards you can make and I'll post another idea on Monday.

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

Simple Thank you's

2008-11-25T17:12:00.003Z

I always send thank you cards to my hostesses and to my new team members (for joining my team Inpiring Inkin' ) and to lots of people just to show that I appreciate what they have done or said.

I therefore need lots of them..........and as always they need to be quick, so off to my new favourite stamp set Pocket Silhouettes.

A Chocolate Chip card blank, 3 different stamps in Chocolate Chip ink onto Bashful Blue card stock and punched out with the square Scallop punch, finished off with a little blue gingham ribbon.

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

Another Anniversary

2008-11-20T07:00:00.002Z

Not mine this time, my Mum and Dad, they have been married 42 years and a wonderful couple they are!

Here is their card, I've used a So Saffron Carousel note ( unfortunately there is an error in the catalogue you get 12 notes not 30). Which I have attached to a Chocolate Chip 6" square card blank, pierced in a circle and then what would you know I've used A Rose is a Rose to stamp in Summer Sun and So Saffron to get the lovely roses. The 'Love' stamp is from Wonderful Words. Of course a little Dazzling Diamonds to sparkle.

I promise I'll use some different stamp sets over the weekend!

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

And the winner is..........

2008-11-19T17:52:00.002Z

Mrsspook

My actual number of everyone who has been to a home workshop or a class and wanted to place an order or be put on my mailing list is 748 so well done and please email me ajpapercraft@btinternet.com to give me your address so I can send you your goodies.

Thank you so much to everyone who has entered, I have actually met more than 2,000 people in this past year but many of them have been at shows where the leads have been shared with other demonstrators.

Another number for you is 1834 which is the number of people at my classes and home workshops this year, but many of them are regulars who have been to lots of classes or workshops.

Thank you so much to everyone who entered.

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

Happy Anniversary to me......

2008-11-15T06:45:00.000Z

Today is my 1 year anniversary with Stampin' Up! I am having a great time manning the Stampin' Up! stall at the NEC today what a great way to spend my anniversary!

I can't believe how quickly the time has flown by and how rewarding this past year has been. I have made some wonderful friends, shared crafting with hundreds of customers, been inspired by those same crafters, I learn something at every workshop. I have had an absolute blast, so much fun and laughter! My team has grown to 20 an amazing group of ladies who are my inspiration.

To celebrate I have some goodies to give away, a Birthday Best Stamp set which is really cute and perfect for quick and easy birthday cards, Some textured cardstock cut at A4 size for either mats or card bases, some Designer series paper also cut at A4 and a selection of ribbons and brads, along with a Chocolate Chip ink, well what celebration doesn't have chocolate?

So what do you have to do to win this lovely prize?

Leave me a message and guess how many customers I have met in this last year..............

I have added up everyone who has been to a home workshop or a class and wanted to place an order or be put on my mailing list. The closest person wins, in the event of a tie the person who posted first will win!

Closing time and date Tuesday 18th November 2008 at 12 noon UK time.

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

Quick Christmas card

2008-11-13T16:31:00.003Z

A quick Christmas card for you using the Perfect Presents set, it is an "M' Fold card 4" x 12" scored at 1 1/2", 3" and 7 1/2". The Christmas tree is heat embossed using white embossing powder.

I'm off to the NEC in Birmingham on Friday for the Hobbycraft show, Stampin' Up! has got a stall at the show and will be running make and take sessions and demonstrations every day, there will be the opportunity to talk to demonstrators too.

So do pop along to the stand, if you want to say hello to me I'll be there all day on Saturday.

Fabulous Frog

2008-11-11T09:13:00.000Z

This is a card made for the lovely Helen, it was her birthday last month. She loves this frog and although it is a retired stamp set there are still some available, the stamp set is called Unfrogettable.

I can take your orders for any Stampin' Up! products via email, telephone or even post.............you don't have to wait until your next workshop to order.

This style of card will be part of my pop up cards class in the spring, my class list will be on it's way at the end of December, if you would like to receive a copy please email me your contact details.

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

I Wish Tins.......

2008-11-10T07:34:00.003Z

My favourite Simply Scrappin' kit is I wish and I think that is because I love Christmas so much, it's a opportunity to see all the family all at once and we have a great time.

I decorated these little tins for part of the display at the NEC but I'm sure several of them will find their way under the christmas tree!

I have used mini size chocolates and wrapped them in the Double sided paper popped them into the tin, cut a piece of double sided paper to fit the lid and embellished with the adhesive die-cuts, really quick and easy.

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

November Special Offer

2008-11-07T16:20:00.001Z

Our Special Offer this month from 10th to the 30th November is

20% off Rub-Ons and textured cardstock when you spend £20 on any Stampin' Up! products.

113659 p77 Hidden Garden Blossoms rub ons £6.00
113660 p77 Cherished Memories rub ons £6.00
113634 p68 Bold Brights 12 x 12 textured card £7.40
113635 p68 Earth elements 12 x 12 textured card £7.40
113636 p69 Rich regals 12 x 12 textured card £7.40
113637 p69 Soft subtles 12 x 12 textured card £7.40
113638 p67 Neutrals 12 x 12 textured card £7.40

Below is a covered notebook, using the fantastic Pumpkin Pie Textured card stock, now is a great time to stock up whilst we have a special offer. I have stamped images from the One of a Kind stamp set and embellished it with a bit of Old Olive ribbon.

This is a candle I have decorated using rub -ons, it works really well, just be gentle when rubbing, a very quick and simple idea, great for the gift giving season!

Please remember we have a hostess offer running through both November and December as well!

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

Season of Thanks

2008-11-06T15:49:00.006Z

The Co-founder and CEO of Stampin' Up! is a lovely lady called Shelli, Shelli has an amazing sense of fun which matched with her enthusiasm and creativity is a wonderful combination! Shelli has recently started a blog which I check regularly for ideas and inspiration www.soshelli.com and runs monthly creative challenges, I couldn't resist this months challenges, things we are thankful for.........

Below is a picture in a picture, it is my daughter and me taken last Christmas by my brother a very talented photographer. In my blog you will find lots of comments about my family, I am a very lucky lady, my family supports and cherishes me and I am very thankful for each and every one of them.

Now to the photoframe, it is a glass frame bought at a local DIY store and decorated with Stampin' Up! Rub-ons I have used both the Hidden Garden Blossoms and the Cherished Memories sets. They are so easy to apply and from 10th - 30th November they are on special offer too with the textured card stock, I'll post more about that later.

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

ps If you would like to check out some more fantastic photographs my brother has taken this is his website www.riclatham.com

Tis the season to Host a workshop......

2008-11-01T08:21:00.003Z

Good Morning

I have just received information from Stampin' Up! regarding a new promotion starting today that runs until the end of December 2008!

Host a qualifying £150 workshop and you can chose one of the following stamp sets for free.

Item No Pg Stamp Set Retail Value

109467 17 Wondrous Gift £19.95
107930 20 Snow Flurries £9.95
110528 56 Friendly £14.95
110536 60 Seasonal Wishes £15.95
109324 91 Dotted Autumn £12.95
105979 91 Cold Play £24.95

There is a limit of one free stamp set for every qualifying hostess order. If you don't have a current catalogue you can check out the stamp sets on the website www.stampinup.co.uk please remember every hostess receives a catalogue too!

While anytime is a great time to book a workshop, November and December are even better. In addition to the already generous hostess benefits, you can earn an additional free stamp set! Please email me to book a workshop ajpapercraft@btinternet.com.

In addition to this any orders placed between the 10th and the 30th November that are over £20 can have 20% off our brand new textured card-stock £7.40 at the promotional price for 24 sheets (31p a sheet) and the rub-ons packs at £6.

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

Ric Rac Tutorial

2008-10-31T08:16:00.009Z

Thank you for the emails requesting this tutorial, I have kept the words to a minimum and the pictures will do the talking, a big thank you to my son for taking the pictures.

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

Ric Rac Tutorial

Start with a thin strip of card stock, I have used 1" or 2.5cm. I always start in the middle when punching so the scallops at each end are even.

For your second and subsequent punches make sure you line it up correctly NOT like the picture below!

Line it up like this one!

Your first edge complete.

Now trim off one edge of the scalloped border, cut straight up between 2 scallops, I just love my new paper snips!

It should look like this.

Now turn the cardstock over and put the straight edge back into the punch, don't line it up like this.......

You need to offset it as the picture below shows half way across a scallop. This is the most important part.

It doesn't matter where you start once it is lined up. Then just punch as normal, lining it up to cover the scallops and work your way along the edges of the cardstock, as the next 2 pictures show.

There you have it, play around with different widths of cardstock to get different ribbons.

Time to Celebrate

2008-10-30T07:19:00.002Z

I have some wonderful news to share with you............

You will have noticed from previous posts that I have a wonderful team of ladies as part of my downline team called Inspiring Inkin' and it's not that long ago I was telling you how we had grown to a team of 7. Well my team is now 17..........yes 17..........and I had a phone call yesterday to say that is likely to be 18 very soon, which is fantastic !

This wonderful team have been working really hard, they have run more workshops than ever before, lots of them have promoted due to team members and sales which shows you how well they are doing. I am so proud of them.

My third piece of news is that October has been my very best month with Stampin' Up! I have had more classes, more home workshops and more sales than any other month. But most importantly I am now Silver 2..........

Stampin' Up! has a career plan with a series of titles that you achieve due to sales , team members and team promotions, it is a very balanced plan which means that the team has to grow together, and we have certainly done that. All of my team have played a part in my promotion but specific thanks have to go to Jane and Hayley who now are both Bronze 3.

Silver 2 is the highest title achieved so far within Europe as Stampin' Up! is not quite a year old, there are only 3 demonstrators in the whole of Europe at this level and only 2 of us in the UK so I am thrilled.

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

PS Cards to follow later, and the ric rac tutorial over the weekend, so pop back soon.

One of kind!

2008-10-24T16:22:00.004+01:00

Another blue card.....sorry but Tempting Turquoise is well so tempting......

I've used the One of a Kind stamp set with the matching Boho Blossoms punch, some of the flowers I have popped up on Dimensionals others I have glued flat, added a brad and a little bit of ribbon and all done.

I've only used Whisper White and Tempting Turquoise ink and Tempting Turquoise card, brad and ribbon.

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

Thank you candle

2008-10-23T17:27:00.000+01:00

Lots and lots of home workshops this month, this is one of the gifts I will be giving to my hostesses as a thank you to them for inviting me into their home and allowing me to share Stampin' Up! products with them and their family and friends.

If you have ever wondered what happens at one of my Stampin' Up! home workshops here is a brief explanation........

I discuss with the hostess in advance their likes and dislikes and tailor the products and stamps I use to suit her style and taste
I bring lots of samples of projects, cards, 3D items to show, grid paper to protect your table, stamps, inks, card stock and materials enough for everyone to participate ( with lots of spare for any mistakes....) catalogues and order forms
I demonstrate lots of lovely products
I demonstrate a variety of projects, usually a card or two or a scrapbook page and a 3D item
Everyone makes a project, has lots of fun, trying stamping out and being creative, there is always laughter and smiles, drinks and snacks and more FUN !
Everyone has the opportunity to try products out, ask questions, book workshops with me, place orders
Then at the end of the workshop as long as the sales reach £150, the hostess chooses her free stamp sets and free products

So what are you waiting for, and more importantly think of the FUN and free products you could have!

I still have a little bit of space in my diary for November and December if you want to book please email me ajpapercraft@btinternet.com

Happy Birthday Brenda

2008-10-22T10:07:00.001+01:00

It's my Mother-in-Law's birthday today and it's a very special birthday, I hope she won't mind me telling you how old she is......(just keep it a secret!)

I set myself a challenge this week to go through all of the wonderful Stampin' Up! 48 colours and find those that I haven't used. Now you may have notice I tend to go for vibrant colours, so the Soft Subtles family of colours is my least used except for Certainly Celery, Lavender Lace and Bashful Blue that is. So I got myself a set of Stampin' Spots in Soft Subtles, 12 mini ink pads for £17.50, fantastic for trying out the colours to find your favourites but for me great for travelling around as they come packaged in a little box.

Then I set to make 2 cards for Brenda, usually the children make their own card, but this week has been a little manic with disco's, pop concerts, sleep overs and after school sports and Karate!

I chose Perfect Plum and Pale Plum for their card, I used the One of a Kind stamp set and the Boho Blossoms punch which matches, a super quick lovely card and a fabby colour combination!

Then for our card I chose Apricot Appeal and Mellow Moss, I have no idea why I haven't used these colours before, I LOVE them!

The main card is Apricot Appeal textured card then a Mellow Moss mat and then I have stamped En Francais background stamp onto Apricot Appeal card stock, now I used both the Mellow Moss and the Apricot Appeal ink pads and smooshed (is that a real word?) them over the stamp to give a tonal effect, I hope it shows on the photograph. Then of course my favourite A Rose is A Rose stamp set stamped onto Whisper White cardstock, the stems and leaves are Mellow Moss, the base colour is Apricot Appeal and the outline is Pumpkin Pie to make it Pop!

The 70 is made using Mellow Moss paper from the Tea & Crumpets set over chipboard numbers which have been embossed 3 times with clear embossing powder.

Ric-Rac Joy

2008-10-21T18:22:00.000+01:00

This card is one of the cards I will be demonstrating at my home workshops this month, it uses the lovely Season of Joy stamp set and shows off the wonderful scallop edge punch to make ric-rac style ribbon from cardstock.

I'll be posting a tutorial later on this week to show you how to make this ric-rac it is very simple but easier to show than explain!

The colours used are Old Olive and Real Red.

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

Technique Clubs

2008-10-20T17:18:00.003+01:00

Would you like:

Free products
Free Catalogues
PLUS…
A free stamping technique class each month?

Then you might want to consider joining my monthly Stampin’ Techniques club!

Technique Clubs start in November !

Stampin’ Techniques Club is a great morning or evening out. We'll have a great time, make some fantastic projects, learn new ways to use our rubber stamps, learn new techniques, laugh a lot and have fun.

We will stamp 2 technique cards, a greeting card and a 3D project every month.

Please contact me if you are interested in becoming a Stampin’ Techniques Club member, so that we can find a date and time that work for everyone. There is no fee to participate. As a Stampin’ Technique Club member you place a £20 minimum order each month for 8 months, plus you receive all the hostess benefits ( a minimum of a Level 1 stamp set and £15 of free products) for one month of the 8 months the club runs.

email ajpapercraft@btinternet.com

Happy Birthday Stampin' Up!

2008-10-17T20:07:00.000+01:00

Stampin' Up! is 20 this year and to celebrate they are giving 20% off 3 different stamp sets when you spend £20 during October.

One of the stamp sets in this promotion is Crazy for Cupcakes, a lovely set, it's 2 main images are a cupcake and candle, as on Dad's card and also a stack of Cupcakes with Cherries on the top!

Magazine cards

2008-10-16T19:49:00.003+01:00

Just a quick post to give you the link for my lastest publication.........

I'm on page 2 and page 48, 49 of Making Cards magazine it's the November 2008 issue.

http://www.makingcardsmagazine.com/thismonth/

How exciting!

Happy Birthday Dad

2008-10-15T12:04:00.000+01:00

It's my Dad's birthday today, I won't tell you how old he is, but if you want to know count the candles............

A very bright and vibrant card, matches my Dad's personality and Red is his favourite colour, so I hope he loves it!

New stamp sets

2008-10-14T19:48:00.003+01:00

When I first saw the new catalogue the stamp set I was drawn to most was A Rose is a Rose, it is one of Stampin' Up! s 2-Step Stampin' sets. If you have never come across 2-Step Stampin' it is all about giving depth to your images by stamping one image and then stamping again with a different stamp over the original image.........confused........the picture below will explain all, I have used Summer Sun ink stamped the solid part of the rose once onto scrap paper and then onto my piece of Whisper White card and then inked the second stamp, an outline border of the rose petals again in Summer Sun.

There it is a beautiful yellow rose, my favourite flower!

Joyful weekend!

2008-10-13T08:46:00.005+01:00

Wow what busy weekend, more than 200 cards were made at my Christmas card workshop on Saturday, with lots of fun and laughter along the way!

Thank you so much to all the ladies who attended, it was a lovely day, and you were all so kind helping with the packing up!

Then onto the Southampton papercraft show on Sunday, Hazel and I met lots of lovely ladies and gentlemen all avid papercrafters, I think we converted some of them to becoming stampers too which is great we gave away lots of catalogues, held a prize draw and collected lots of new contacts who are interested in Stampin' Up! workshops and even perhaps a new member or two for my team...........

This is one of the cards we made on Saturday, the class fee included the Snowflake Spot stamp set, I will post the full details after Friday when the second class runs, so as not to spoil the surprise!

Lots more cards to show you this week, my order of new stamps arrived on Friday so come back soon to see what I have made!

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

1 very simple design, 3 lovely cards

2008-10-10T18:19:00.000+01:00

Everyone made a variation of these cards on Tuesday, Bashful Blue was the base the background always stamped in Bashful Blue ink but Seeing Spots, Touch of Nature and Simply Said sets where used. Brilliant Blue was the mat layer and then a focal image was stamped onto Confetti White from either For Father, Simply Said or Summer by the Sea. The female cards also had the addition of Night of Navy grosgrain ribbon.

Blue Christmas

2008-10-09T10:07:00.000+01:00

Today I'm off to Chichester for a Stampin' Up! class, we are making 2 cards and at Linda's request we are making this style of card, I call it a diamond fold but she described it as a cracker fold which I think sums this up much better!

This card has the same background, and side decorations as the previous card the only change is the front diamond.

Using versamark ink stamp the Christmas tree from Season on Joy and heat emboss using clear powder. The edges of the Bashful Blue diamond are stamped using the swirls from the Season of Joy set and Bashful Blue ink and then the edges softened using ink and the sponge Daubers.

Classes Update

2008-10-08T16:37:00.004+01:00

My Christmas card classes are now all booked but I still have spaces on the following classes in November.

Please email me ajpapercraft@btinternet.com to book your place.

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

Emergency Card Class

Make 12 cards and 2 boxes, perfect for a variety of occasions, to keep on standby or great for a gift! We will use stamps, patterned papers and diecut shapes to make beautiful cards. All the materials needed will be provided (except glue).

10am – 1pm £15 Monday 3/11/08 (Booking closes 24/10/08)

Minibook

Have you wanted to start to scrapbook your photographs but not sure where to start? This is an ideal class for you. We will make a 6”x6” minibook and learn about choosing photographs, layouts, products and ways you can preserve your memories. All the materials needed will be provided (except glue).

10am – 12.30pm £15 Tuesday 18/11/08 (Booking closes 7/11/08)

It's a blue week........

2008-10-06T16:50:00.004+01:00

For lots of reasons this is a blue week, it's a busy week too, two Stampin' Up! home workshops, an all day Christmas Card Class on Saturday and the Southampton Papercraft show on Sunday so I've set blogger to post automatically so you have some different cards and projects to look at.

This an 18th Card for Annabel, daughter of Julia one of my very first Stampin' Up! customers, now a dear friend and I'm sending them both and their family a very big hug x

This is a diamond fold card see the post here for instructions.

I have used the Swirling Stars wheel in Bashful Blue to get the background.

Bashful Blue card stock stamped with Birthday Wishes from Sincere Salutations and edged with the wonderful scallop edge punch, the edges softened with a sponge dauber and ink.

The poinsettia flower from Season of Joy stamped twice onto Whisper White card with Bashful Blue ink, cut out and the petals bent in towards the centre to give dimension. Attached to the card with a pale blue Ice Brad.

The 18 is chipboard, inked and then double heat embossed with clear embossing powder.

The butterfly (from Touch of Nature) is stamped onto Vellum with versamark, then heat and stick powder then dazzling diamonds glitter, the layer below is the same butterfly stamped in Bashful Blue ink onto Whisper white card and then cut out.

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

Happy New Year!

2008-10-01T17:34:00.006+01:00

Yes I know it's not January...............

But today is the day of a new Stampin' Up! year with a new catalogue filled to the brim with amazing stamps, punches a scallop edge, star and scallop square!, inks, textured cardstock, felt flowers, rub-ons........I could go on and on.....

Now the very best way to see the new catalogue is to book a home workshop with me, invite everyone you know to spend and afternoon or evening being creative, I will demonstrate lots of the lovely new products and we will all make a card, 3D project or a scrapbook page, you choose......

The second best way to see to new catalogue is on your sofa at home with a cup of tea or coffee, not quite as creative but perfect for a bit of 'me' time and a chance to write your wish list! Please email me so I can post one to you.

The card following is one that we made at the Stampin' Up! field training at High Wycombe, it showcases the most fabulous A Rose is a Rose stamp set 111560 £32.95, my order for this stamp set has already gone in and as soon as it arrives I will be demonstrating it!

Now there are lots of offers and new things to tell you over the coming days, so make sure you pop back soon........

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

Hostess Appreciation

2008-09-30T14:35:00.005+01:00

Well Saturday was my Hostess Appreciation event, and it was great fun. We made 4 projects using some of the new stamp sets, made our wish lists from the new catalogue, ate cake and enjoyed being creative together. There are 3 photos of the lovely ladies all working hard and the fourth picture is of my fab friend Jan, she made all the cake and supplied all of the tea and coffee, well being creative is thirsty work!

The more eagle eyed will have noticed, Elaine, Hazel and Hayley in the pictures, 3 of my fab team joined me for the day too.

I am a very lucky lady to have such wonderful hostesses and this will become an annual event, so if you would love to take part next year, book a home workshop with me.

This was one of the cards we made using the For Father stamp set.

What a wonderful evening

2008-09-21T20:08:00.006+01:00

I had a wonderful time on Friday at the Demonstrator training, we got to see the new catalogue...........gasp............it is fantastic!

It's is released on the 1st October and we have to keep everything a secret but.......shhh don't tell anyone.......we have definitely got some beautiful stamp sets, more punches, and they all work like a dream on card stock, our punches they are designed to work on our card stock they are not just for paper!

We also have the most beautiful rose set, it's a 2 step stamp set and I'll be demonstrating it at every home workshop I can, so book now..........

Now I have to introduce you to some Inspiring Inkees........Inspiring Inkin' is my team's name and everyone who joins my team becomes an Inkee! There are 13 of us now and they are such a wonderful, warm, creative bunch of ladies, I am very lucky to be able to work with them.

On Friday 6 of my team where able to attend, there are 2 pictures of them busy working on the make and takes.

and the last picture is of all of us, at the very back is Hayley, then from left to right is Hazel, Elaine, Jane, Me, Amy and Helen.

Lots to share

2008-09-19T16:42:00.001+01:00

Lots of things to show and tell you over the next few days.......

Tonight I'm off to a Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator field training, there will be more than 60 of us attending and we will get some more sneak peeks of the new catalogue, make projects, share, create and of course have fun.

I've had several requests about the Scallop edge punch, I believe it is in the catalogue, but until I can be sure I won't take any pre-orders. Pop back tomorrow and hopefully I will have good news!

Now when ever you get a gathering of stampers we all share and tonight is no exception I have this card as my swap, I'm sure I will receive some lovely creations and I will share those with you over the coming days.

En Francais
Wonderful Words
Touch of Nature
Very Vanilla card stock
Bashful blue card stock and ink
Night of Navy card stock and ink
Blender Pen
Night of Navy 1/4” Grosgrain Ribbon
Sponge Dauber

Bashful Blue ink was used for the En Francais backgrounds and the “Thank you” and the Butterfly were stamped in Night of Navy ink. Sponging Bashful Blue ink using the dauber softened the edges of the Butterfly layer. The butterfly was softened by using a blender pen over the stamped image.

I am also meeting up with 6 of my Inspiring Inkin' team I have 3 projects for them to make and we will have lots of sharing of ideas and business training this afternoon. If you would like to find out more about how you can be part of my team please email me.

We also have to submit a card or other stamped item for a Demonstrators choice, basically everyone votes for their favourite, this is my stamped item - A New Catalogue Survival kit! it's based on a kit given to my friend when she retired but with a Stampin' Up! twist and chocolate!!!!

I'll post the full details over the weekend.

Happy Stampin'

Mum and Me !

2008-09-16T12:45:00.004+01:00

On Saturday I held a Mum and Me class, the Mum's ( and Nanna's) and the girls all had a fab time, here are some pictures taken by Clair. Everyone made 4 cards and a handbag to store them in, bookmarks and a door hanger.

Card club workshops

2008-09-15T15:58:00.003+01:00

Tonight and tomorrow I am off to see the lovely Sally and her 2 Card clubs, when we discussed the types of projects we are going to do we settled on Christmas cards, one traditional and one more contemporary.

I know that not everyone will love pink snowflakes with glitter, but I think it's a fab combination.

Both cards quick and easy and as always with Stampin' Up! the quality of the stamps shine through.

I used Snowflake Spot, (it's retiring so get it whilst you can!) and Traditional Christmas Stamp sets.

Elaine's projects

2008-09-13T15:06:00.001+01:00

Last week I attended a home works shop with one of my lovely Inspiring Inkin' team Elaine.

The homework shop was for a group of very experienced crafters and they made 3 projects.......

It was Elaine's first workshop and look at the lovely projects her customers made. The first is a bag in a box using the Dashing Designer series paper ( which is retiring) and ecorated with some white gel pen doodling and some scallops using the corner rounder.

The second project is a tag used here for some Coconut ice this time using Shapes and Shadows another set that is retiring.

The third was a lovely card using Pick a Petal but I didn't manage to get a picture of that.

Look what the DHL man brought me!

2008-09-11T14:52:00.000+01:00

This is a very exciting time of year for me, not only have I got stamps retiring and therefore lots of home workshops to run for customers wanting to make sure they get the stamps that they love before they are gone Stampin' Up! Demonstrators also have sneak peaks and the opportunity to buy some stamps from the new catalogue!

I ordered 2 stamp sets and these are going to be used at my hostess event at the end of the month. I will have a hostess event every year to say thank you to my wonderful hostesses, we make projects, look at the new catalogues, have prize draws, eat cake and have lots of fun, creativity and laughter.

It's not too late to get an invitation just contact me to book a home workshop during September and I'll add you to my guest list.

Enjoy looking at the stamps, you will see from the final picture these new ones are diecut, so you just pop them right out and stick them onto your wooden blocks. The new catalogue will have a mixture of diecut and traditional Stampin' Up! stamp sets which we will still need to cut out.

The new catalogue launches on the 1st October, please email me if you would like to pre-order one or to book a home workshop.

Amanda

Happy Anniversary to me......

2008-09-09T14:46:00.003+01:00

It's my wedding anniversary today, 19 years.........Here is a card I made for my husband Brian, very simple but I know he will love it.

Rose Red and Chocolate Chip cardstock and ink

En Francais background stamp

Simply Said for the heart

Wonderful Words for the Love sentiment

I stamped the solid heart with Rose Red ink onto Rose Red cardstock and then I used the Flower heart stamp over the top in Versamark and then heat embossed it with clear embossing powder.

Happy Anniversary

2008-09-05T09:30:00.005+01:00

It's my lovely In-Laws Wedding Anniversary this week and here is their card.

I've used one of the retiring stamp sets Mixed Bouquet which is a really versatile set available whilst stocks last at £26.95.

Please email me to order ajpapercraft@btinternet.com

So to the details of the card

Rose Red, Chocolate Chip and So Saffron card and inks

Old Olive ink

Very Vanilla Card

Mixed Bouquet Stamp set

Occasional Greetings Stamp set - for the sentiment

I made a basic card blank with the Chocolate chip and 3 matted layers each one 1/4" smaller than the layer below. That leaves a lovely border edge.

The top layer is Very Vanilla and I randomly stamped the shadow image of the Rose and then overstamped with the detailed image. In the gaps I stamped the leaves in Old Olive.

I then stamped more roses onto scraps of Very Vanilla Card and cut them out. The outlines give you good cutting lines and I cut smaller and smaller sections in order to layer up 2 of the roses. You can see the layers better on this picture.

I use Dimensionals to raise each layer up. ( quick tip - there is a border around the dimensional sheets use that by snipping bits off to get small pieces of foam tape)

I then used my 2 way glue pen and Dazzling Diamonds to add a little bit of bling to the card.

Going Going Gone.............

2008-09-01T07:12:00.006+01:00

This is just a quick note to tell you that Stampin' Up! has announced it's 2008 retirement list of stamp sets and accessories and they are available for you to buy during September or whilst stocks last at a discounted price. The Hostess sets are retiring too so if there is a particular one you really really want you need to book a workshop with me during September.

We are getting a fantastic new catalogue on the 1st October 2008 and therefore some stamp sets and accessories have to retire to make room for all the lovely new things we are bringing to you.

Attached here you will find a copy of the retiring list of stamps and accessories many of the stamp sets have £2 off. Some of my favourites are retiring, Natures Wonders, Mixed Bouquet, Roses in Winter, Unfrogettable and Bold Butterfly, so don't delay place your order as once they are gone, they are gone!

You can view an on-line version of the catalogue here

A retirement gift from me..................all orders placed with me via email that include retired items during September will be delivered direct to your door for only £2.

Happy Birthday Vicky

2008-08-31T09:31:00.005+01:00

It's my lovely sister in law's birthday and here is her card.

The base is Pumpkin Pie, stamped in Pumpkin pie with the tiny flower from Simply Said set. I matted a Close to Cocoa layer and then a Summer Sun layer which was also stamped in Summer Sun with the tiny flower stamp and the Happy Birthday is from the Occasional Greetings set, stamped in Pumpkin Pie. The original card and the layers have all had their corners rounded.

The flower is made from the fab On Board Blossoms and Basics chip board set, I pressed out 5 petals and using sponge daubers I inked them, first with Summer Sun all over and then around the edges with Pumpkin Pie, I also touched the very centre tips with a little bit of Close to Cocoa.

Using a strong wet glue I attached them to the card front and then traced tiny tines along each petal and covered that with Dazzling Diamonds for a bit of bling. Finally the centre of the flower is a large flat backed pearl and three small flat backed pearls from the pretties kit.

I am stamping honest........

2008-08-28T21:14:00.004+01:00

But I can't share ! Sorry.

I've been working on some commissions for magazine articles so they have to stay under wraps, I've been putting the final touches to my classes for the autumn and my hostess event at the end of September, none of which I can share with you, yet !

I can however share this little bit of a card...............it's for a very special lady but it's not her birthday until the 31st so I won't spoil the surprise but pop back and you will see it on Sunday.

I promise to have some more cards for you very soon.

2008-08-22T09:20:00.006+01:00

Amanda's Inspiring Inkin' class list

This autumn I am running a series of papercraft workshops, in a local hall in Fareham, Hampshire. If you would like to book a class, or to be included on my mailing list please email me your details

ajpapercraft@btinternet.com

I look forward to seeing you

Amanda x

Mum and Me

Come on out with your kids for a morning of paper crafting and stamping fun! This is a creative event where you will have a lot of fun and make some beautiful projects to take home. Everyone will make a card handbag or a box with 4 cards and envelopes to fit inside, also a bookmark and a door hanger. All the materials needed will be provided and a drink and a snack (except glue, please bring a glue stick or roller).

10 – 1pm Saturday 13/09/08 (Booking closes 5/09/08)

Class cost £17.50 for mum and me, an additional ‘me’ (a maximum of 2 children per adult) are £7.50

This class is not suitable for children under 5.

Christmas cards made easy

Get a head start on your Christmas 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 class fee includes a stamp set (value £20.95) and all the materials you need ( except glue). The class is all day, hot and cold drinks will be provided, please bring a packed lunch.

10 – 4pm £35 Saturday 11/10/08 (Booking closes 30/09/08)

9.15 – 3pm £35 Friday 17/10/08 (Booking closes 05/10/08)

Emergency Card Class

Make 12 cards and 2 boxes, perfect for a variety of occasions, to keep on standby or great for a gift! We will use stamps, stickers and diecut shapes to make beautiful cards. . All the materials needed will be provided (except glue).

10am – 1pm £15 Monday 3/11/08 (Booking closes 24/10/08)

Minibook

Have you wanted to start to scrapbook your photographs but not sure where to start? This is an ideal class for you. We will make a 6”x6” minibook and learn about choosing photographs, layouts, products and ways you can preserve your memories. All the materials needed will be provided (except glue).

10am – 12.30pm £15 Tuesday 18/11/08 (Booking closes 7/11/08)

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

Flutterby

2008-08-17T21:34:00.000+01:00

It has been a while since I posted a tutorial so here you are, we made this card in my workshop at Newbury.

This uses the Stampin' Pastels and Versamark ink. Now the Stampin' Pastels are artist grade chalks and they come in a palette of our 48 colours along with neutrals as well. You can do lots of wonderful things with them but for this card we will use the Poppin' Pastels Technique.

Now you will see I have said you need to pounce your Pastels onto the versamark ink, think of a cat pouncing on a mouse!........ Do not rub or scrub with them until the colour is pounced into the ink you will just smear the ink and pastels everywhere and it will look messy!

This card fold is an 'M' fold with a smaller section at the front, one of my favourites of the moment.

Have fun!

Bold Butterfly

Taken with Teal card stock 29cm x 15.5cm scored at 9.5cm (mountain), 19cm(valley) and 24cm (Mountain) this give you an M shape.
Basic Black mats of 15cm x 9cm and 15cm x 4.5cm
Whisper White mats of 14.5cm x 8.5cm and 14.5cm x 4cm
Scraps of Taken with Teal, Basic Black and Whisper White for punched flower
Black gingham ribbon
Taken with Teal ink
Scallop punch
1” punch
1 ¼” Punch

1. Stamp the shadow stamp of the small butterfly randomly over the larger piece of Whisper White card with versamark ink and using sponge daubers and Taken with Teal pastels pounce the colour into the card, blow away excess pastels. Over stamp the matching butterfly outline image with Taken with Teal ink.
2. On the smaller piece of Whisper White card repeat using the shadow flower stamp and the flower outline stamp.
3. Mat the Whisper White stamped cards onto the corresponding Basic Black card and attach to the Taken with Teal card.
4. Wrap a piece of black gingham ribbon around the butterfly stamped mat and tie into a knot or bow. Stamp a sentiment onto a piece of Whisper White card and punch out with a 1" punch, Punch a 1 1/4" Basic Black circle and a scallop from Taken with Teal and mat to make a flower, stick this over the top of the ribbon to secure it in place.
5. Stamp the outline of the butterfly onto a scrap piece of Taken with Teal in White Stazon or Taken with Teal ink and glitter using 2 way glue pen and Dazzling Diamonds, cut around the outline and using dimensionals mount onto the front of the card.

Happy Anniversary

2008-08-14T07:09:00.000+01:00

A quick card for you, sometimes simple is the best!

Pixie Pink card and ink,Whisper White mat and ribbon and Happy Hearts stamp set.

3 offers for August

2008-08-12T08:17:00.001+01:00

The are 3 special offers for August, a Stampin' Up! offer on Designer papers and my special offers on orders made before 21st August and new demonstrators who sign up with my team by the end of August.

Check out the posts below or email me for more details ajpapercraft@btinternet.com

How many candles?

2008-08-10T07:42:00.000+01:00

Another simple card, the glitter on the candles take a few minutes but it is definately worth it!

I have stamped using Green Galore, Pink Passion, Summer Sun and Tempting Turquoise, the stamp set is Big Bold Birthday.

Z Fold Happy Birthday

2008-08-07T07:24:00.000+01:00

One of my very favourite folds and a card using only the Big Bold Birthday set, you can see I have put images on all 3 visible sides.

Remember I have some special offers this month see earlier posts for details.

Sunny Birthday

2008-08-04T07:31:00.000+01:00

In honour of the beautiful weather we've been having this a simple birthday card using Summer Sun card and ink and the Big Bold Birthday set, there are 3 more cards to follow in the coming days so please do pop back.

The flowers are made by stamping repeatedly from one inking and that gives you a total effect. The smarties on the top of the cupcake and made using versamark ink and some clear embossing powder.

My Sizzling Summer offer

2008-08-01T22:08:00.000+01:00

As a special offer for the summer, any orders placed with me by post or email between 1st – 20th August will have 10% discount and if your order is over £45 it will be postage free, orders less than £45 will be charged £2 for postage. I will place the orders on the 21st August, so your order will be with you by the end of the month.

Please email me ajpapercraft@btinternet.com for ways to pay.

Pick a pack of Pretty papers

2008-08-01T15:57:00.000+01:00

The Stampin' Up! August offer is......................, if you buy three packs of Designer Series Paper, you'll get a fourth one FREE! Each pack retails at £8.50 and includes 12 double-sided sheets (two each of six designs). You will find the papers on pages 72 & 73 of the catalogue.

It is sold as a bundle item No 114425 and there is no limit to the number of bundles you have!

13.........Lucky for me !........and for you !

2008-07-31T21:08:00.006+01:00

Wow my team is now 13, well done to Marilynn who has signed up Lorna so now Inspiring Inkin' reaches the very tip of the UK, Penzance to be exact!

This is such a wonderful job and if you are looking for work that can fit around your family, employment or other commitments that allows you to be creative every day and share what you love doing this is definately the job for you! The starter kit is an amazing £265 worth of product that you get for £155 please email me ajpapercraft@btinternet.com for more details.

So to celebrate my lucky 13 I'm offering a £30 product bonus to anyone joining my team during August, now that can be direct to me or as a downline to any of my current team. You can choose your goodies from any part of the catalogue......so don't wait!

Watch out for more special offers in August!

Back from Newbury

2008-07-29T18:24:00.000+01:00

Newbury was a fantastic show, I met lots of lovely crafters and I had a full workshop of 10 lovely ladies, it was really hot that day so thank you so much for coping in the heat! Pictures of the workshop will follow in the next few days.

My fellow demonstrators and I all made stamped items for our goodie bags and the pictures below are some of the items I made, a card, a bookmark (giant paper clip), a chocolate favour and a notebook. All simple designs but lovely.

You will also see the made with love stamp on the back. Stampin' Up! is an 'Angel' company which means it is happy for you to sell your creations using Stampin' Up! images but you need to have a copyright Stampin' Up! sign on the product, they can only be hand stamped images but there is no limit to the number of products you can make. We sell a lovely stamp set with them in, but I always have my set of these stamps available to my customers if they wish to borrow them.

You only have 2 more days to take advantage of the extra special sign up offer from Stampin' Up! of a free stamp set of your choice from the catalogue, email me for more details and see the post below.

So much news.......

2008-07-20T09:28:00.004+01:00

My Stampin' Up! team just keep growing!

In the past few weeks we have welcomed Katie, Sian, Hazel, Marilynn, Hayley and Sharon to the team so we are now 11 strong, we are located over all of the UK from Scotland to Cornwall. We have a team name

Inspiring Inkin'

each one of us loves stamping and sharing creativity. Our work as Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrators is quite simply the best job in the world. You still have a few weeks to take advantage of the free stamp set sign up offer see my post here for more details.

Newbury Art Stamps Show - I have teamed up with 4 other demonstrators to hold workshops and have a stand at the show this weekend 26th and 27th July we will have a prize draw, constant demo's throughout both days and workshops, look out for our goodie bags they are fantastic value and have a money off voucher inside too! We can take orders on the day and your crafting goodies will be delivered to your door.

I'll be posting pictures of my goodie bag contents over the next couple of days.

I'll be there on the Sunday 27th, so hope to see you.

Watch out for Stampin' Up! in Prima magazine, I know many of you love Prima magazine for all it's wonderful articles, Stampin' Up! will be featured over the coming months so do pick up a copy.

If you are on my mailing list you will have received through the post a copy of my latest news letter and my class list for the Autumn. If you would like a copy please email me your full address and I'll pop one in the post to you. ajpapercraft@btinternet.com

3 cards 1 design

2008-07-11T16:25:00.005+01:00

These are very simple yet fab cards. It's funny how designs come in and out of fashion even in the paper crafting world..........I've been teaching this design for several years ( usually at Christmas) but it has cropped up on lots of blogs just recently.

So for those of you that haven't discovered this yet here are the instructions

1 piece of Whisper white card stock 4" x 11 1/2" ( this way you get 2 out of an A4 sheet)

Score this at 1 3/4", 3 3/4", 5 3/4", 7 3/4" and 9 3/4"

You then score on a diagonal line, have the card stock horizontally in front of you and score from the top left score line to the bottom of the middle score line. Then from the top of the middle score line to the bottom of the far left score line. You will end up with a cross that meets in the middle of the second score line in. Repeat on the other side.

It may sound complicated but it really isn't, if you need pictures leave me a post and I'll photograph some for you over the weekend.

Now stamp randomly over the card stock, fold and crease along all the score lines. You then fold in the sides to make a diamond shape in the centre and the triangle sections tuck underneath, the 2 end straight sections fold forwards to hold the card upright.

Now decorate the front as desired.

For the Taken with Teal card I have used Seeing spots stamp set and Circle of Friendship.

The Green Galore Card is using the Unfrogettable stamp set, the frogs eyes are half pearls from the pretties kit with a black spot for a permanent marker pen.

The Summer Sun card is using Bold Butterfly Stamp set and the fantastic heat and stick powder, if you are going to The Newbury Show at the end of the month come visit me at the Stampin' Up! stand with some other fantastic demonstrators and I'll demonstrate it for you!