{the year that was}

Hello folks!

Thank you for popping by, sorry it's been so quiet on the blogging front!

Got a lovely treat for you today.  Stampin Up have released the sweetedt little valentine's stamp set (actually some of the stamps can be used all year round) for the darling price of only £9.95, it is only available till the 21st of January, and if you purchase it you get the Sealed with Love Sim,ply Sent kit for FREE!

Click on {this} link to the flyer.

I have really enjoyed the challenge of being on the Paper Crafters Sampler Creative Take team (that was a mouthful) this last 6 months.  Mel has been very gracious even though I've been a bit late with my creations!

Here is a gift box made with the November template.  You can find the Yule Log gift box in that subscription {here}.

Used the gorgeous tulle that is in the current Autumn/Winter catalogue (finishes on the 31st)

• I'm hoping to be scheduling some workshops soon, children back at school and all that! Please let me know if you would be interested.

-{PCS October}-

This is the project I made with the template from the October edition of Paper Crafter's Sampler.

To have a look at some sneak peaks and to buy the edition click {here}

The template was to make a "Ghouls hangout", well you may know me by now, I like to play with Mel's templates to suit me, so I made this Christmas gift bag.

I used some of the lovely new tulle that's available in the Winter mini.

-{Acorn template blog hop PCS}-

Welcome to the PCS blog hop, and a special "hi" if you have come from Wendy's blog {here}

This month's template from the Paper Crafters Sampler is to make a shaped pocket to put a gift in (you can purchase it {here}. The original template is to make an acorn shape, however I had a play and came up with this strawberry.

The template is really easy to use, just print it out on the wrong side of the patterned paper or cardstock, cut it out, decorate and stick together.  I used the Square Lattice Folder to give it some texture, and cut leaves from the Leaves Sizzix die (which is retiring this month).  The flower is made from the 5 petal flower punch (also retiring) and the centre from the Boho Blossom punch. I added the seeds with the white gel pen from Stampin' Up!

To see what yummy creation Melanie has made with her Acorn template click below

-{swan card PCS}-

"Sublime Nuptials" is the theme of August's Paper Crafters Sampler.

Click on picture below for more details.

The template this month is for a Swan Boat.

Here is my first creative take on it.

I heat embossed with white, then brayered over it to make the background.

I sponged the swan and highlighted with Champagne Mist.

-{ floral handbag }-

Made this 3D card with the lollipop template which is in the July edition of Paper Crafters Sampler which can be found {here}.

Who doesn't enjoy the exuberant colors of summertime?   Those radiant colors that enhance our fun in the sun. 

The July 2012 Sampler celebrates the brillant array of summer colors.  Looking for a way to bring summer into your home without the heat, check out the "Summer Spectrum" issue.

The small flowers were wired with little pearl centres.

-{honoured and inspired}-

A few weeks ago Melanie Schulenberg of Pockets of Inspiration blog asked me to join Creative Take design team for the Paper Crafters Sampler (PCS).  The PCS is a monthly online magazine for Stampin' Up! customers and demonstrators packed full of ideas and inspiration using SU products.  Included in the magazine is a template to make a 3D object designed by Melanie.  My role is to have a play with the template and make something to inspire different uses of it.  I feel very honoured to have been asked and look forward to lots of inspiration and hopefully being able to inspire you.

"The June issue of the Sampler offers ideas to bring back the basics of letter writing. The "Penned Post" issue offers an abundance of stationary kits and elegant cards to script your thoughts and get back into the beautiful world of letter writing."

If you would like a copy (electronic) of June's Paper Crafters Sampler then click {here}

The template in the issue is to make a ink well holder - so my job was to see what else it could be used for.  So I've created a little gift box for a nail gift set.  There is enough room for a small bottle of nail varnish, some varnish remover, cotton buds and nail files.

The paper I have used is from the currently available (until stocks last) Everyday Enchantment.

For more information click {here}