Wednesday 15 May 2013

Lots of boxes

G'Morning!
Very windy but bright here today. The dogs ears were being flapped about as we ran down the side of the field at 7.30 am. I'm off to the hairdressers in a few moments to get beautified (!!) and just have time to share these lovely pictures of the boxes that Aleysha and I made last week.

This one was a papier mache box that we prettied up with stamping, designer series paper, ribbon, embossed panels, butterflies and pearls. It was made to hold Aleysha's client record cards in her beauty rooms and has already been admired by her ladies.

 
These are the milk carton die gift boxes. So cute! By making them ourselves we were able to get a unique look and tie the colours and themes together. I am sure they will fly off the shelves!

 
Have a great day!
Irene

Tuesday 14 May 2013

Little Boxes

Dont you just love boxes? I spent a happy few hours yesterday with a clever crafter in Beyond the Greenhouse land (aka my delicious garden studio) making boxes for her to present samples in her beauty salon. By making them ourselves we could ensure that they toned with the theme of her salon and are really distinctive. Her palette of colours is grey and pink with splashes of burgandy and fuchsia so we used Wisteria Wonder, Rich Razzleberry, Primrose Petals and Pink Piroutte - running them through the Big Shot with the milk carton die and then adorning them with a selection of belly bands and butterflies. A few diamonds added bling and some customised tags finished the look. I cant wait til she sends photos of them in situ which I will post of course for us all to ooh! and ahh!! over. I get the feeling that this is one lady (or should I say another lady) who has added Big Shot to her wish list. I was at a workshop last week where the hostess earned a half price item and was able to get her Big Shot for 50% - and of course because it was bought from a Stampin Up demonstrator she has instant access to advice and ideas. I always offer a free training session to everyone who buys their Big Shot through me - I take all my dies, impressions folders, sizzlets and framelets for us to really explore the possibilities of the machine. It is very reassuring to have someone talk and walk you through what to do when you get your own Big Shot. Do pass on the word that with Stampin Up demos you get full customer support!
 Is there anything right at the top of your wish list?
 Do share! Mine currently has the Big Shot doctors bag at the top of it. So smart and easy for taking your machine to classes or crops.

My friend Michelle is currently in the USA visting Pam (an American SU demonstrator) and having a great crafty time. She was a little nervous about going (on her own!) but I am sure going to classes and meeting with the every enthusiastic SU demonstrators will be totally fantastic and I cant wait to see and hear all about it. Michelle is a member of the Butterfly Belles and along with another of our team - the lovely Linden - we spent a great 36 hrs at regional training in Telford last weekend. So many great ideas and sneak peaks of the new products that I have to (unfortunately) keep secret for the time being! But I will share as soon as I can - promise!! If you are reading this but are not yet an SU demonstrator then why not take the plunge, join the Belles and join in all the fun. Actually its a brilliant way of getting your Big Shot and a whole load more stuff - £160 worth actually - for only £99. Dont miss out - phone or email me today.....the possibilities are endless.

Look out for those pictures soon. Meanwhile I will leave you with this beauty that I made as roomie gifts for the girls at Telford - M&S scented candle inside that matches the paper beautifully. Email me for instructions if you too love boxes!


Wednesday 1 May 2013

This and That

Finally Spring has sprung! The garden beyond and around the greenhouse is a riot of cowslips and the birds seem to be making up for lost time with a wonderful dawn chorus this morning. Its the first of May and silly as it might be I always wash my face in the morning dew on this day every year (normal face cleansing will resume later!) because this is guaranteed to keep you young! Hmmmm it seems to be working I think!!

So, on to matters creative. I spent a fab weekend crafting with friends old and new and am now bursting with ideas. Thank you Monica for your inspiration. The ladies at one of my regular classes have asked if I can teach them some of the different techniques for stamping and using ink pads so I am busy working on projects to show two part stamping, stippling, spritzing and heat embossing. We may also have time to use masks to make positive and negative sponged backgrounds. Everyone is getting an Elements of Style stampset to use in class and keep afterwards. Its such a classic I cant wait to show the vesatility of this lovely 5 stamp set. The class is on Monday 20th May , 10.30 - 1.00 in Bicknacre Village hall. Want to be part of it? Give me a ring!

 I will post some pictures when I have completed my samples.

The other "breaking news" is that the This and That smashbook bundle is available from TODAY.

This gorgeous bundle of journal, papers, date and event stamp, stickers and Washi tape is ideal for virtually instant scrapbooking of a holiday or special event. Lovely for kids to keep a great record of a holiday, wonderful for friends with a wedding or anniversary celebration coming up but mostly just a fab present to yourself! Check out the bundle by clicking this link.

http://www2.stampinup.com/home/en-GB/promotions_gb

Now give me a call or email and I can order you one with the 15% discount on the bundle.

I hope you are feeling as inspired as I am - so its off to the studio now to prepare for my two events this week and make those samples.

Looking forward to hearing from you.
Irene