Jolly Holidays

Afternoon everyone, what a dark one it is! I know the clocks altered last night, but still it seems darker than normal.

Yesterday I posted that we had delayed our trip to Alton Towers until later in the month when the rides may be quieter. However, we made a spur of the moment decision to go to Blackpool Pleasure Beach yesterday! The weather wasn't too kind, there were some really heavy downpours during the afternoon, but they didn't last too long, and didn't spoil the fun. After having a late evening meal and a drive through the Illuminations, we finally arrived home at 1am!!

Needless to say we gave the Big One a miss - much to Leanne's disappointment :-)

After seeing all the bright lights, thoughts turned to Christmas in the car and the kind of presents etc that Santa would bring. Which leads me nicely on to this afternoon's card. My class next week will be using the Delightful Decorations set and I have been busing prepping.

As I know my ladies view my blog, I shall be leaving the surprise of what we will be making until Saturday, so I thought I would share with you a card that I created playing around with the stamp sets and paper. Although I have been sweating it out for Very Vanilla to arrive, I was a little crafty (as you probably all are too) and used the packing card from the 12x12 paper set to stamp on to.



Card Stock: Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive
Paper: Jolly Holiday
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive
Stamp Set: Delightful Decorations
Punch: Ornament Extra Large, 3/4" Circle
Silver Elastic Cord

Do you have any plans for Halloween? Leanne likes to get into the spirit by carving the pumpkin and getting dressed up. I'm a little too tired tonight to be crimping all of that hair again! Of course, there will be lots of little ghouls knocking on doors, so we have a big tub of sweets ready (which is not a good idea when I've got a very sweet tooth!)

I hope your evening isn't too scary!!

Thanks for stopping by.

Becki
xx

Artistic Etchings

Morning, how is everyone? Hope you are all well. I have had a busy few days, starting with some really good news on Thursday afternoon.

Christopher went for his post-op follow up with the Orthopaedic surgeon and we were a little worried to start with as he had to have 5 sets of Xrays. As it turned out Student Radiographers were taking the images, so it was just a case of getting positioning right as when we saw the Consultant he got the all clear. After 3 years he has now been discharged. Such a relief. He may be 17 but he still is my boy (all 6' 2" of him).

Yesterday should have been theme park day, but we have delayed this as we did Alton Towers at Halloween last year and couldn't get near the rides. So decided to have a shopping day - actually it turned out to be nearly 3 hours stuck on the A1. When we finally got home, it was time to get ready for a Charity "Monster Ball" which was raising funds for one of the wards at the Hospital were I work. I personally don't do fancy dress, but there were some fab costumes and wigs about.

I have also been really busy prepping for next Saturday's class - which I'm really looking forward to it. It's the reason I joined up with SU, to get together with like minded crafters, share ideas and generally just have fun being creative.

I ought to post a picture of a card, after probably boring you silly by now with my ramblings!

It is a little card based on a layout in the Idea Book - I love the fact that if you ever get stuck for a layout just open the catalogue and hey presto loads of ideas :-)


Card Stock: Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Basic Black
Ink: Basic Black
Stamp Set: Artistic Etchings
Paper: Love Letter
Punch: Word Window, 1 3/8" Circle

Thanks for stopping by and thank you for your comments, it means a lot that you take time to have a read of my blog.

Have a fab weekend.

Becki
xx

Crumb Cake & Baja Breeze

Morning. I have to say it is wonderful to be able to start all my blogs this week with "morning", I could get quite used to not working!!

I didn't get much crafting done yesterday as Leanne and I had a busy day shopping and went to the cinema with a fab friend and her daughter. If you haven't seen Despicable Me yet, go see it, even if you haven't got little ones to take along. As my daughter said "it was a-ma-zing"

Today's card is made using one of the fab toppers that I won from Julie's blog. They are just so fab that all I have had to do is add it to a card with a little sentiment.


Card stock: Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Baja Breeze
Ink: Baja Breeze
Stamp Sets: En Francais, I Heart Hearts, Trendy Trees

ooh the UPS man has just been with my stock for my first card class.
I just love getting SU deliveries.

Well that's me easily distracted, I'm off to unpack.

Have a fab day and thanks for stopping by.

Becki
xx

Hostess Level 1 Set

Morning, it looks a little better out there today - at least it's not raining.

I have a girly day ahead filled with shopping, lunch and cinema with a lovely friend, and our daughters.

Leanne had a fantastic afternoon at her Halloween party yesterday. I know Halloween isn't everyone's cup of tea, but thought I would show you her costume, as it really reminded me of the Pirates stamp set. And, of course, her hair done with "crumpets"!


On to something a little less Pirate Zombified now :-) Todays card is made using the Punch Potpourri Hostess Set. The more I play around with this the more I like it.


Card Stock: Baja Breeze, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White
Stamp Sets: Punch Potpourri, Oval All
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Baja Breeze, Early Espresso
Ribbon: 5/8" Satin Rich Razzleberry
Punch: Butterfly, Scallop Oval, Oval Large
And finally some lovely adhesive pearls

Well I must go and get ready for my busy day. Have a fab day and thanks for stopping by.

Becki
xx

A little Xmas Tree

What a difference a day makes - well to the weather at least. What has happened to the glorious Autumn sun? At least rainy days are the perfect excuse to spend it indoors crafting :o)

Today's card is another from the extremely versatile Fun & Fastnotes. I have used the little Xmas tree for a really simple and easy to make card.


Card Stock: Crumb Cake, Real Red, Very Vanilla
Ink: Old Olive, Early Espresso and Read Red
Paper: Brights Designer Paper, Old Olive
Punch: Word Window Large
Pen: Daffodil Delight

Leanne's dancing school has a party 2-7pm today (another reason to spend the day crafting) and it is Halloween themed. She went shopping with her Dad for a costume at the weekend and came back with a Pirate outfit - hhhhmmmmmm I think I might just have to add this stamp set to my wish list!

For those of you who enjoyed the 80s you may remember crimping irons (I can only just remember the 80s, he he and if you believe that........ ) Well I have been out and bought some to do Leanne's hair. Although she did ask why I needed "crumpets". Will post some photos later today.

Have a fab day and thanks for stopping by.

Becki
xx

Pretty In Pink

Morning, how is everyone today? It looks very fresh out there - I think it is time to get the hat scarves and gloves out now. I know I said yesterday that I would be inspired by the Autumn colours, and I am, but I didn't get to use them. Instead I decided on something light and fresh.

The OH has had a request from a work colleague for a new baby card - but with a difference! I'm hoping to get this completed today so will show it you when it has been delivered. I am due to be a Great Aunt twice over in December, one of the little bundles is going to be a boy, the other little bundle is keeping itself top secret till he/she arrives.

I don't know why but I was drawn to make a baby girl card - will see if I'm right in December.


I don't know if you can see very well, but I have decoupaged the pram body, wheels and little love heart. I added a little colour by using my watercolour pencils.

Card stock: Pretty in Pink, Whisper White
Stamp Set: Fun & Fast Notes
Ink: Early Espresso
Paper: Regal Rose
Ribbon: Whisper White 5/8" Satin

I really do like this stamp set, as it covers all occasions. If you would like to get your hands on this set you can now pay by Debit/Credit Card, which is great news.

Well I'm off to get ready for a day out. The children are still slumbering in their beds so will be waking them up soon as they don't know we are having a day at the coast.

Have a fab day and thanks for stopping by.

Becki
xx

Wedding Scrapbook

Morning everyone, it's really good to be posting in daylight for a change. A beautiful morning it is out there (I haven't ventured out yet, but it looks beautiful), the Autumn colours are inspirational so will have to play around with my stamp sets later on.

Yesterday was spent at Julie's Scrapbook class. It was, as always, a double page layout, with Weddings as a theme. No giggling at the perm please, it was 1995 :-)

Colour combination is: Very Vanilla, Baja Breeze, Crumb Cake & Early Espresso
Stamp Set: Vintage Vogue, Artistic Etchings
Wheel: Bella's Border
Ribbon: 1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain Early Espresso


The new flat back adhesive pearls are just fab for that elegant finish




I went a bit pearl crazy, and added them all way along the scallop border


Not just Julie over on Paper Wishes and Ribbon Kisses that makes the punches work hard :-)

Punches: Scallop Border, Heart to Heart extra large, Scallop Trim Border (I must get this one), Eyelet Boder, Full Heart Extra Large

My friend and work colleague, Angela, came along and very kindly did a page layout of Leanne when she was a bridesmaid for my best friend. I am terrible at remembering years, (I know the date was 28/6), looking at Leanne I would say it was 2003 (sorry Karen if I've got it wrong).



I'm really getting into scrapbooking, my next book will be on Leanne's dancing shows that she has taken part in. Something, I hope, that she will enjoy showing her children (we are many many years off me becoming a Grandma!).

If you have ever been interested in starting scrapbooking, or have been doing it for years, and would like to attend a monthly class email me for more information.

There is a big craft event taking place today local to me. I am not going... I am not going... I am not going............ well I might just pop along this afternoon :-)

Have a fab Sunday and enjoy this lovely Autumn day.

Thanks for stopping by.
Becki
xx

Punch Potpourri

Evening everyone, how are you? Another late post from me today. An SU delivery came today, this time with orders from my Open House. Even though not all the goodies were for me, it still feels like Christmas unpacking the box :-)

Thursday is craft night with a fab bunch of ladies, all busy beavering away with their own projects. I decided to take with me the Punch Potpourri hostess set. This can be yours if you hold a workshop and orders total £150 or more. Email me on rebw04@aol.com if you would like to host a workshop. You could even treat yourself to the Boho Blossoms Extra Large punch that co-ordinates with the stamps (£15.50) just like I did.

Here's my little project:-



Card Stock: Whisper White and Baja Breeze
Ink: Early Espresso, Baja Breeze and Pacific Point
Stamp Set: Punch Potpourri and Oval All
Punches: Boho Blossoms Extra Large, Scallop Oval Extra Large, Oval Large
Ribbon: Marina Mist 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon

Pearls from my stash, however SU have now brought out a pack of flat backed self adhesive pearls for just £4.50. The pack consists of 150 pearls in 3 different sizes.

I'm looking forward to being able to blog and upload photos during daylight hours next week as the quality of the pictures are much better.

Have a fab evening, what's left of it.

Thanks for stopping by
Becki
xx

Sparkly Xmas

Evening everyone. Hope you are all well. A late post from me today.

I have used a layout that I have seen on another blog, but for the life of me I can not find it again tonight to reference it. So if you do so it, please let me know. My take on this card was to use the tree trunks from Trendy Trees and the little Rudolph from Sparkly & Bright. With a little bit a sparkle added on the hill horizon. (apologies fir the darkness of the photograph)


Card Stock: Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Certainly Celery
Ink; Early Espresso and Real Red (for his nose)
Ribbon: Old Olive 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon

Tomorrow will be my third Christmas Day since becoming an SU Demonstrator - a delivery is due :-) I love getting home from work to find the box of goodies waiting for me.

Only two more days to go at the day job, then a full week off. I wonder if I can fit in some crafting next week?

Thanks for stopping by.
Becki
xx

Very First Craft Class

Hi there, how's your Monday been?

I have today set a date for my very first Card Class. Picking a topic was easy - Christmas of course. Picking which wonderful SU Stamp Set to use has been the hard part. There are so many fantastic ones in the catalogue. Without giving too much away, I think I have come up a set that everyone will love.

The date will be Saturday, 6th November 2010, starting at 2pm

If you would like to join me for an afternoon of Christmas fun, email me on rebw04@aol.com and I can send you details of the project; cost and venue.

Will be back with some cards later in the week.

Thanks for stopping by
Becki
xx

Open House

Good morning, and what a lovely one it is. If you hadn't already guessed I had my Open House yesterday. Firstly I would like to say a huge thank you to the lovely ladies that came along, we had a great afternoon. I even got my sister making a card! A few photos to share with you as promised.

Display table of SU products

A selection of cards (most have already made an appearance on my blog)


Make and Take table



And finally the Make & Take card


Card Stock: Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler and Whisper White
Ink: Cherry Cobbler
Stamp Set: Sparkly & Bright
Wheel: Sparkly
Punch: Scallop Border Edge

Finally, a thank you to my Thursday night friends, as my practice run really helped me for yesterday.

Hope you have a fab Sunday planned and thanks for stopping by.

Becki
xx

Dasher

Morning everyone. Today's the big day - it's my Open House this afternoon and I am really looking forward to it. In fact I am almost ready to set up my table and it doesn't start till 2pm! Thank you to everyone who has sent me good luck messages, it means a lot to me.

Well what can I do between now and 2pm? I could show you a little card I made :-)

Here is the dashing Dasher, isn't he just lovely?



Card stock: Cherry Cobbler, Basic Black and Crumb Cake (or cake crumb like I put on my last post!)
Stamp Sets: Dasher, Sparkly & Bright
Ink: Basic Black
Ribbon: 1/8" Real Red Taffeta ribbon
Punch: Eyelet Border

I have heat embossed Dasher with a sparkly black powder from my own stash.

Well I must dash (if you'll pardon the pun) and I'll be back tomorrow with an update on how today went.

Thanks for stopping by.
Becki
xx

Christmas Tree & Baubles

Afternoon everyone, hope you are all well. I can't tell you how good it feels to be posting during daylight on week day. A well deserved day off from work was booked today, but I have been busy tidying up and putting my washing machine into overdrive. But you know what? In the middle of all that there was time to craft :-)

My very first Open House is tomorrow and I am really looking forward to it. To help with the nerves my lovely friends at Thursday night craft agreed to let me do a dummy run (none of them are dummies by the way). I wish I had taken my camera with me as we had a really good night. There were a few hecklers on the naughty side of the room, (you know who you are) but all in good spirit. And we were treated to sudden outbursts of song from the ever musical Janet. It was also nice to meet some new crafters. A fab night - thank you.

I'll be sharing my make & take with you tomorrow.

So onto to today's post. I have "borrowed" a brilliant idea from Julie who I hope is taking it easy and recovering well. Julie created a Xmas tree branch using one of the tree trunks from the Trendy Trees Set.

Here's my version (I nearly got the post lady in the photo, bet she wondered what I was up to!):



Card Stock: Cake Crumb, Whisper White, Baja Breeze
Paper: Spotty Old Olive from the Brights Designer Paper Series
Ribbon: 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon Real Red & Marina Mist, 1/4" Grosgrain Old Olive
Stamp Sets: Trendy Trees and Sparkly & Bright
Ink: Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White
Dimensionals

And finally, just for Janet, some Glitter from my stash.

Now I know the ribbons are not the same colours as the card/ink, but they go ok. Hope I've done your idea justice Julie.

I'm off to prep some more make & takes for tomorrow.

Thanks for stopping by
Becki
xx

Silhouette Sentiments

Gosh what a day it has been. I had to go to work today whilst the UPS man was making his way with my first order. I suppose it was a good job I was working, as I would have had my nose pressed against the window all day.

It was like Christmas coming home to a lovely big parcel waiting to be unwrapped and all for me - well not quite, but it was still exciting.

So after unpacking and checking my presents I set too preparing my very first make & take. I had in mind what I wanted to do, but then changed it, then went back to where I started. I'll post a picture after my Open House on Saturday - can't believe it has come round so fast. If you would like to join me drop me an email on rebw04@aol.com.

On to tonight's post - I have used the Silhouette Sentiments set, which is available as a Level 1 Hostess gift. The card combo is Crumb Cake and Baja Breeze (Julie's favourite colour). Inks used are Early Espresso, Whisper White and Baja Breeze. Such a pretty set, shame the dark nights mean photo quality isn't so good.


Right then, I'm off for a well deserved cuppa.

Thanks for stopping by.
Becki
xx

Fun & Fast Notes

Evening everyone, hope you are all ok. I certainly wasn't expecting the day to turn out as beautiful as it did - I put my winter coat on this morning. The only downside to all this lovely autumnal sun is that it points out that my windows are in need of a clean!

So did I clean the windows when I came home from work? Nope - I made a card :-)

Today's card is made using another one of the cute stamps from the Fun & Fast notes set, and a tutorial from Jenny Moor's Blog. The card stock is Early Espresso and Whisper White. The spotty paper is from the new designer paper set, picking out the Pumpkin Pie colour. To finish off I used my water colour pencils. (sorry the pic quality isn't too brilliant)


I am trying not to get over excited, but my first order has been shipped - really hoping it arrives tomorrow. When I saw the new catalogue my first MUST have was the Artistic Etchings stamp set and there are some fab cards and projects out there using this new set. Can not wait to get my hands on it. Then it was followed by..... well everything really, but I showed restraint - not sure how long that will last.

Well I'm off to have another browse of my now well worn catalogue - if you would like to get your hands on one (a new one that is!) email me at rebw04@aol.com.

Thanks for stopping by
Becki
xx

Greenhouse Garden

Hi there, how's your Monday been so far? Not much to report on today, full day at work, followed by some chores at home, seeing as though I didn't do any yesterday.

I had a lovely lunch out at my SILs pub in Bolsolver, followed by basking in the afternoon sun at Mia's party. What a glorious day it was, it could have been mid Summer. Here's a pic of the birthday girl and Leanne hiding out in the playhouse.



Today's card is a quick one made with the Greenhouse Garden set. Card stock is Old Olive (not your sister Jean :-) Pretty in Pink and Rich Razzleberry. The flowers are stamped in Pretty in Pink and Rich Razzleberry using the two step stamping technique. A quick and simple card.



Just a little reminder about my open house on Saturday 16th October at 2pm. Would love to see you there, email me for more info if you would like to come along.

Thanks for stopping
Becki
xx

Fun & Fast Notes

Morning, well the weather hasn't been what I expected, still at bit overcast and miserable here, a perfect crafty day.

A busy day ahead though today, but no housework involved :-) Sunday lunch out to start with followed by neice Mia's 2nd birthday party later in the afternoon. Leanne and Mia will be bridesmaids together next year, they will be so cute.

Thinking of cute, today's card is made using the Fun & Fast Note stamp set. The card stock is Real Red, Early Espresso and Whisper White. I used the co-ordinating wheel to create the backing paper using Real Red ink. The image is stamped with stazon timber brown and coloured using water colour pencils. The twine is from my stash.



I quite like how this has come out.

Off to get ready now, have a fab Sunday and thanks for stopping by.

Becki
xx

Daffodil Delight

Morning, how is everyone? An early post from me today as I have lots of housework waiting for me :( So to cheer me up I have chosen Daffodil Delight for my card base today, with a bit of Old Olive thrown in.

Greenhouse Garden is a stamp set that I have had my eye on for some time, but never got round to buying. Well lucky for me it came in my starter kit. Isn't it pretty? It is so versatile too, yesterday I used it just to create a backing paper, today it is shown in full.

The image is created in two steps using a stamp-ma-jig. The flower is stamped in Summer Sun (now retired) onto Whisper White card finished off with the Scalloped Border punch.



The spotty paper is from the new designer paper pack - which is huge! I also like the fact that is in a book format so it's easy to store.

The sentiment is from the Oval All, punched out with the Oval Large punch.

I'm off to make a start on some housework now, I'm sure there will be time for crafting later today :-)

Have a fab day and thanks for stopping by.

Becki
xx

With thanks

I am loving my new starter kit. It was hard to choose where to start tonight. So I thought I would go for colours that I haven't used before.

Colour combo is Marina Mist and Rich Razzleberry and Whisper White. Stamp sets used are Greenhouse Garden, So Many Thanks and Trendy Trees for the sentiment.

A first for me with this one is tearing the card

As any new Demonstrator will tell you placing your first order is quite easy, deciding which fab sets to choose is the hard part. I think I have made a good inroad into feeding my SU habbit. Chris commented on my last post that it's like Christmas and Birthday rolled into one when the delivery man arrives - I have to agree, I'm like a little kid waiting for the next delivery to come :-)

Well I hope you all have a lovely weekend - let's hope the weather is as promised.

Thanks for stopping by

Becki
xx

It's Arrived!!!!!

I'm really giddy this evening - guess what was waiting for me when I got home???
No not Patrick Dempsey or George Clooney.

You got it - my Starter Kit!! Ooh what to open first, what to play with. I don't think anyone will be getting any tea tonight :-)

Here it is, the long awaited kit.





I remember meeting Julie for the very first time in January this year at the lovely Elaine's workshop. Julie saw the potential in me becoming a demonstrator - I just saw products that I couldn't wait to get my hands on.

I'm really looking forward to my first Open House on Saturday, 16th October 2010, would love for you to come along and have a go with these fab products, meet some like minded crafters, have a cuppa and a cup cake and a chance to win a prize. Email me for more details on rebw04@aol.com

I'm off to play - errm I mean cook tea.

Thanks for stopping by
Becki
xx

Delightful Duo

Hi there, how is everyone this evening? I have two pieces of news to share with you tonight.

On Monday, when I got home from work, there was a package waiting for me. A couple of days ago I had correctly guessed on Julie's blog (Paper Wishes and Ribbon Kisses) that her new favourite colour from SU would be Baja Breeze - doesn't it just sound like you could be on some tropical island??

Julie had promised that the winner would get a little surprise. And here it is.



A pretty note book, to fill with my wish list (which will be catalogue length) and some beautiful samples using the new colour. Aren't these fab? I love them - thank you Julie xx

Last night I attended my very first team training. I have to say hi again to Lynda and it was great to meet Karen and Gemma (make do and gem). Julie presented me with a beautiful broach for becoming a member of her team - Julie's Gems. It was great to get ideas and inspiration from everyone. We also put together a make and take which I will be sharing with you soon.



Also last night I had confirmation that my stock has been shipped and will be with me soon. I am hoping that it will be tomorrow - fingers crossed!!

My next task tonight is to decide on a colour way for my Open House
on Saturday 16th October. This could take all night!!

Thanks for stopping by

Becki
xx

Scrapbook Front Page

Hi there how's your Saturday? It's nearly time for Strictly, then X-Factor so a very quick post tonight.

I decided to use up some of the retired Designer Paper Series to make up the front page of my Scrapbook. Perfect Plum just jumped straight out at me :-)

Not sure if I have gone a little OTT, but hey experimenting is what it is all about. Used Schoolbook Serif Alphabet for the letters, stamped onto a pearlescent card with Perfect Plum ink then punched out with SU 1 3/8" circle. Also used SU butterfly punch and my own heart and flower punch. Topped it all off with some adhesive pearls.



Have a fab evening and thanks for stopping by.

Becki
xx

Exciting News

I have come home from work on a miserable wet Friday to some fantastic news sitting in my inbox.

Not only did the new catalogue come out today but I am officially an SU Demonstrator!! I'm sooo excited to be joining Julie's team and look forward to meeting everyone. I can't wait for my kit to arrive - good job I'm at work every day otherwise I would wear out the floor pacing up and down waiting for the delivery man :-)

I'm off to read through all my emails again, will post again soon.

Thanks for stopping by

"The ever so giddy Becki"
xx