Retired List!

Well folks - I have been without the internet all evening - doesn't it make you feel lost. Amazing how reliant we are on the 'net these days.

Anyhow - Just to let you know Stampin' Up! have announced their Retired List!

It's mega exciting for 2 reasons...

It means the NEW catalogue will be here soon

It means they are making space for LOTS of new products - I have had a look and there's LOADS of great goodies coming soon.

So to see the retiring Stamp Sets you need to click here

To see the retiring accessories click here

Remember - these are the last stock and once they're gone they're gone - so stock up on your favourites and check that stamp set you are in love with won't be retired before you order it!

I'm going on holiday Tuesday so have a browse over the weekend!

Pxxx

CAS Colours and Sketches Thursday

I know it's late in the day and most of you have given up on me posting today - but here I am.

I just managed to get out with the dogs between downpours today. The weather has meant I have no desire to go Agility Training tonight. The dog would love it but I just can't get motivated.

Today's challenge from the CAS Colours and Sketches team is a double - so a sketch and colour challenge combined.

Here is my take -

I used the Elegant Lines embossing folder and punched out 4 Decorative Labels, I then stamped using stamps from Just Believe and cut it out with the Labels Collection framelit, sponging the edges slightly.

Here are the 'sketches'

Why not click here and join in the fun!

Don't forget you can join Stampin' Up! as part of my team or hold your own party!

Rubbish Blogger!!

Could someone remind me what month it is as I could have sworn it was supposed to be the summer!

OK I shouldn't moan as we did have cracking weather on Sunday and Monday - but really, torrential vertical, continual, heavy rain is just not acceptable! The dogs almost forfeited their walk, but fortunately the rain stopped.

I haven't been doing quite as much crafting as in spite of today's rain it has been relatively dry and I have been walking 4 to 6 miles a day with the dogs, making the most of the gorgeous Chiltern Hills I have the pleasure of living on.

I did make a lovely card the other day, it was an adaptation of some inspiration, I think, from Pinterest... I'm still not 'into' it like some of the other demo's and can't get hugely enthused at some of the forums - I would rather be crafting!

So the background is stamped using En Francais, I cut the Not Quite Navy mat using the Labels Collection Framelits, added a Whisper White oblong and some Not Quite Navy Taffeta Ribbon. The larger flower is stamped and cut using the Secret Garden stamps and co-ordinating Framelits, the smaller flowers are from the Sale-a-bration set and fussy cut, then embellished with Pearls. Lastly the banner was stamped using Itty Bitty Banners and cut with the corresponding framelit.

I hope you like it and will join me Thursday for another CAS Colours and Sketches Challenge.

See you soon!

Paula xxx

Slight Delay...

Sorry folks - there is a slight glitch with the On-Line ordering system - so unfortunately it will be suspended for a short time - but do not despair! You can still order from me in the usual way.

It will be back on line soon.

Paula xxx

CAS Colours & Sketches Thursday

Hope you have had a chance to visit the on-line shop! The link is in yesterday's post or on my side bar.

Today is my CAS Colours and Sketches card.

The Very Vanilla mat was embossed with the Delicate Designs embossing folder, I then scored and punched scallops on Pink Pirouette card stock, stamping the image using a stamp from Flowering Flourishes in Perfect Plum.

The sentiment is from Petite Pairs and also stamped in Perfect Plum.

I added a few pearls and just love the simplicity of this card. I can't wait to give it to someone!

Here is this weeks sketch. Why not join in yourself at CAS Colours and Sketches

Keep checking back for new posts and I'll be back soon!

Paula xxx

On-Line Shopping is here!

Oh yes - I'm so excited!

One of the things I've been bursting to share with you since Telford is the fact you can now shop On-Line with me 24 hours a day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have my very own Stampin' Up! on-line portal. All the latest offers will be available through this site and some on-line exclusives!!!

The front of the portal can be accessed here - Paula's Stampin' Up! Portal

I will still be offering exclusive deals like free catalogues and free delivery for orders over £150 - but these cannot be accessed through the on-line store.

And I still want to come and share some creative fun with you at parties! So book now!

And just to show that although I have been quiet - I have been creative! Here is a little something I did the other day...

So simple but just beautiful! With En-Francais and Flowering Flourishes stamps, some of the two tone ribbon from the Spring/Summer catalogue and one of the gorgeous Antique Brads.

Now I've been a bit quiet as I have been trying to lose some weight - so the dogs have been getting longer walks... 5-6 miles a day! So far I have lost 5kg or 11lbs. I shall be slim and gorgeous (ish) one day!

Pop back tomorrow and see what I have to share with you!

Paula xxx

Cas Colours & Sketches Challenge

I haven't ventured back to the design team yet but I have done a card this week...

It's a simple card for a simple colour challenge.

I used the Blissful Bird Stamp Set and coordinating Bird Builder Punch, the flourish is from Creative Elements.

Hope you like it!

You can visit the blog here.

Less is More Challenge

Well I'm still flying high after the regional training. I've been trying out all the techniques we learned and playing with my new stamp set...gutted I can't show it to you yet!

I thought I would get back into the challenges this week. so this card is for the Less is More challenge. This week it's a single layer card using a coloured card blank.

I love purple and pink, so I chose Perfect Plum for my base and Melon Mambo embossing powder as embossing gives better colour on coloured card.

I used Just Believe and Curly Cute stamp sets and scored the card using my Simply Scored to give it more dimension.

I had it in my head I could sponge a shadow to add depth... I'm in two minds whether it worked - what do you think? Do leave a comment and let me know... I cut an aperture in scrap card using my Ovals Framelits, positioned it on my card blank using a couple of sticky notes. I sponged with Perfect Plum - then stamped the image with Versamark. Before adding embossing powder I removed the scrap card so I wouldn't get embossing powder trapped in the cut out.

Why not join in yourself? Just click here to visit the Simply Less is More Blog.

Pxxx

Gasp!

Oh where to begin?!?!?!

Yesterday was the Stampin' Up! Regional training in Telford. Approximately 300 demonstrators were there, including 50 Pinkies.

We saw so many sneak peeks and heard lots of exciting news... and I'm going to torment you because we have to keep 'Mum'.

There were Prize Patrols where randomly selected demo's got a FREE new stamp set from the new catalogue, five people got FREE entry to Convention in November. We saw loads of tips and different techniques, we all got a FREE Stamp Set.

There was a lovely lunch, tea, coffee and biscuits.

We spent a short time in the afternoon making a couple of items to take away too!

It was a fantastic day and we all left feeling so inspired... and there is still our own Pinkie training to look forward to in addition to the Stampin' Up! events.

Here is a picture of the swap I did - in return for 100 of these I got 100 back from the other demo's.

I used Secret Garden stamp set, Ovals Collection Framelits and the Beautiful Birthday stamp. Just look at the lovely selection I got in return! Just too many to show each individually!

The lovely Chris from Demo Support was there and I got a big hug - it was so lovely to meet him and the other SU 'staff' - Everyone is so cheerful, bubbly, helpful and nice!

Why not join the Stampin' Up! Family? Join my team and become one of the Pinkies!! There is no better time to do it - There are so many new and exciting things to look forward to... including the new catalogue in July and Convention in November. Click on the link above and remember that until the 30th of May you can choose £155 worth of goods for your starter kit and just pay £99!

It doesn't matter where you are in the UK, or if you just want to take advantage of the discount on the starter kit... call or e-mail me your phone number and I'll explain all!

Love (a very excited) Paula xxx

CAS Colours and Sketches Challenge

Although I have temporarily bowed out of the Design Team I still support the blog site - so I am sharing with you my take on the challenge this week.

It's a simple one layer card, using Bordering on Romance. I coloured the stamped image using blender pens... I hope you like it!

Here is a close up of the colouring...

And here is the sketch...

Why not pop on over and enter your own creation!

I have an exciting day meeting up with 50 other Pinkies at the Stampin' Up! Regional training on Saturday. Do come back and hear all about it!

xxx

Sunny Day!

What a spectacularly fabulous weekend! Lovely weather, I even have the customary 'pub tan' from helping on the ring at Vyne Agility Show today at Newbury Showground.

We didn't get a single clear round... in fact my handling was atrocious and we got eliminated on all three runs.  At the end of the day though I took the best dog home and he got thoroughly praised after each run, he thinks he went clear! Nothing is more upsetting to see than a handler leaving the ring in a strop because they didn't go clear and either moaning at the dog or ignoring it. As owners it is our responsibility to train our dogs to the appropriate standard and if we fail, give an early or late command, or even enter a dog for competition that isn't ready it is our fault - NOT the dog.

My last run of the day was in a class being judged by a lovely judge, by the time I had messed up the first half of the course we were laughing and joking about it... I don't care how foolish I looked in front of the other handlers - I was having fun with my dog. THAT is what it's about!

Anyhow - with all the fabby weather and my vain attempts to do more exercise and lose a few pounds... I have had very little time for crafting. Though I have a few cards 'on hand' and I will try to do better!

This is a stunning and simple card made using the Secret Garden Stamp set, a sentiment from Petite Pairs and 3 pearls just to add some dimension.

A great card to use as a Make and Take or for a Stamp a Stack.

Hope you like it!

Back soon! You may have noticed my Blog is no longer on the lovely Michelle Last's blog - this is because the Pinkies have grown so much as a team Michelle can only put links on for her direct downline. So please bookmark this blog so you remember to come back and visit!

Pxxxx

Tutorial - Framelit Partial Cut

I had quite a few enquiries asking me how I did the partial cuts with the framelits and Big Shot yesterday.

I'm rubbish at videos so I thought I would use a few photo's to illustrate the technique...

Firstly cut your cardstock and decide where the first cut needs to be.

Line up your framelit and put the cutting pad so it only goes as far onto the cardstock as you need to cut - as per the photo below...

Run it through the big shot and it will only cut the cardstock under the cutting mat.

repeat by lining up on the opposite side where you want to cut as shown here...

Then simply trim off the excess!

Dead simple!

I hope that makes sense!

Back soon!

Pxx

Neglect...

I apologise for neglecting you, but I have been doing some crafting. Today is a little something I prepared for CAS Colours and Sketches - please pop over and enter your own design here.

It is a colour challenge this week using the colours below.

I used the Chevron Embossing folder and Friendship Preserves (retired) Stamp Set.

I also did a clever little trick partially cutting the card stock with the Windows Framelits... it's really simple - get in touch if you would like to know how!

I will start posting more regularly again I promise!

Stampin' Up! have released some NEW products in lieu of the new catalogue (due 1st July) so I'll definitely try and post something about that tomorrow!

Paula xxx