New Website launches today

Today my website launches

www.inspiringinkin.com

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

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

I will no longer update this blog.

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

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

                                                    and very excited too!

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

Pop back on Wednesday for the link!

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

Stampin' Up! Conference

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

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

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

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

Happy Stampin'

Amanda 

Happy Birthday Connor

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

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

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

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

Inspirational Meeting

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

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

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

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

Are you in the Hampshire area?

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

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

All of the details are below.

Happy Stampin'

Amanda


Calling all card makers

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

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

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

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

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

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

Join my team

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

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

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

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

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

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

What will I do as a demonstrator?

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

Will I receive support and training as a demonstrator?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Happy Stampin'

Amanda

Happy New Year!

It's time to Sale-A-Brate !!!!!!! 

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

There are 4 exclusive stamp sets to choose from.

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

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

These are the stamp sets

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


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

Happy 2009

Amanda

Tomorrow, Tomorrow !

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

Technique Class and a man!

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

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

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!!!!

Quick Christmas card

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.

Season of Thanks

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  

Technique Clubs

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

Joyful weekend!

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

Classes Update

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)

Happy New Year!

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

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

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

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'