More Tote's and a Thank you

June is a busy month for Birthdays but firstly I needed to catch up with some 'thank you's'. Love making these little tote's and thank you cards.

The colours are Regal Rose, Night of Navy, Bashful Blue and Whisper White with Pretty in Pink Ribbon. I'm giving this set away as a gift but I can see I'll be making more of these.

Changing the subject just slightly, if you would like to be in with a chance of winning a FREE stamp set, Stampin' Up! have a competition running here. To enter simply answer the question. You never know - someone's got to win, right?

Jo

Top Note Tote

This was the mini class everyone made from Friday nights Open evening.The idea came from an online class I've been doing with 'UStamp' created by Twila Davis. The original was a bit smaller so I've adapted it to fit 3, 3x3 thank you cards. So easy but a fantastic little gift for someone. Made with the exclusive Top Note Die, Elegant Bouquet Embossing Folder and Beautiful Wings Embosslit. These products are only available through Stampin' Up! If you'd like to know how to make this, or you'd like to purchase these items, it will be the Make & Take for next months workshops. Please contact me if you'd like to book a date for a fun couple of hours crafting with friends and you could earn some of these items for free!

Ending on a high.

What a week I've had! Not the best but it's ended on a high which is better than the other way round. Last night I had a craft evening at Holt with a fabulous turnout. The evening was open for everyone to bring along their stash and craft and have a lovely social evening with refreshments and nibbles. Now I did take the camera along but I was so busy I completely forgot until we were packing up. Not a lot of use then eh?!?! I also did a mini class during the evening which was a big hit - pics will follow tomorrow. This afternoon I had a workshop at Karina's which was definately the highlight of my week. Karina had made these A-MAZE-ING cakes! OMG, they were to die for. No good for the diet but it's rude to refuse isn't it? And I now know the secret ingredient....wavy eggs!!! Yes, 'wavy eggs' is what I thought I heard. We all laughed our heads off when we realised she'd actually said 'weigh the eggs'. Honestly I'm still chuckling over it now. So, so funny. Thank you ladies for coming along and making it so wonderfully entertaining. Crafting, cakes and laughter - what more could I ask for! So, a decorated bag and card for today. My mojo has been a bit absent lately and you wouldn't believe how long it took me to create this, but here it is. Using the Lap of Luxury Designer papers and Clearly for You. Be back tomorrow with the Mini Class from last night. Jo

Thoughts and Prayers

When you hear sad news from someone you know, there's no better way to let them know you're thinking of them than to send a card. It says it all don't you think? Other than a hug that is. Stamp Set: Thoughts and Prayers

Ink & c/s: Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Old Olive and Rose Red

Accessories: Crumb Cake Seam Binding Ribbon, Pearls, Top Note Die and the Lattice Embossing Folder, Ornamental Punch

Shabby Chic

I've gone all Shabby Chic over the last week. I don't even know what started me off, but I went to a Vintage Fair last Monday and bought myself a bargain printers tray to decorate, and then I went to the local Market on Friday and found some very old scales and an enamel jug. I do live in a country cottage so I suppose it should follow. Whilst on the theme I thought I'd have a go at doing a Shabby Chic card. I made a very similar one for Lesley's birthday on Saturday. It took me all day inbetween chatting and laughing at the local crop, but it was well worth it. This one took a lot less time than the original. My old faithful the 'En Francais' large background stamp definately came in useful here. Do you know that 'en francais' was one of my original stamps I chose as part of my Starter Kit? I hope they never retire this stamp. I've also used 'Artisic Etchings' for the Eiffel Tower and the greetings came from 'Clearly for You' and 'Something to Celebrate'. The colours are Crumb Cake, Pink Pirouette, Very Vanilla, Rose Red and Marina Mist. Although a little fiddly the ribbon roses were made from the Rose Red Seam Binding. Hope you had a great day Lesley!

The Holt Hoot! revisited

As the weather wasn't quite sure what it was doing today I stayed in and had a long overdue tidy of my craft room. There's no way I was taking a picture of it though, there wasn't even an inch square space to create on - it really was/is that bad. (I write this in the past and present tense as it's still a WIP.) Anyway, I though I'd post a few photo's from the Holt Hoot! last month. My camera battery died part way through the day so there's not as many as I'd like but at least I managed to take the 'Crafters Choice' projects and the food....yum! 'Crafters Choice' is for everyone to bring along a handmade project made mainly with Stampin' Up! products and everyone gets to vote for their favourite. It's a free competition and this time we had 2 prizes to give away. The project with the most votes was from Irene - this absolutely gorgeous 'I can count' book made for her grandaughter. Isn't it gorgeous?!?!?! And here's some of the pages inside... And the second most voted for was Aly's stunning stationery box. Irene and Aly both won themselves a Designer Printed 12x12 Album. Well done ladies!! And here are the other fantastic entries - all of them were absolutely superb!My Mum prepares the 'buffet' at my events and I'm very lucky that she does. Scrumptious is all I will say, along with my MIL's HUGE cupcakes! These are real whoppers and I dare anyone to eat one without getting the butter icing up their nose..lol Everyone sure does get stuck in and I can't say I blame them...And here's my Mum with her friend Joyce who helped with the teas this time. My mum is on the right looking like Mini Mouse ;) I gave up trying to take a picture of the third project we did on the day but you can see the basket on the left hand side of this photo. This was the table with the afternoon sample projects along with the Raffle Prizes. It was a fantastic day, I only wish I managed to take more photos. Sods law the battery went! I must also give a big thank you to Julie for helping out on the day too - you were a great help to me Julie. mwah! I love organising my All Day Craft Events and the next one, as I've already mentioned, is now in the planning. A little different with a change of Venue, more classes and when I say all day I mean ALL day....

Saturday 10th September

10am to 10pm!

Cobham Sports and Social Club Merley Wimborne Save the date!

A little excited...

I had a special delivery this morning. I didn't even know what it was as I was too busy chatting with Rich, my UPS man to take any notice of the package. At the time I just thought it was part of the deliveries I was expecting. As I started to open the envelope it suddenly dawned on me.....Oh yes.... details of the Prague Incentive Trip!! OMG, am I starting to feel nervous or what!Inside the Old Olive wallet was my flight details, baggage labels and Itinerary for the 3 days we will be spending at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in June. This is all because of my wonderful customers and team of downline that helped me achieve this amazing trip. I cannot thank them enough for their support and encouragement. I love doing home workshops - showing customers new techniques and seeing their enjoyment from my passion of crafting - it's immensely rewarding. The events I hold may be hard work in the planning and preparation but the end result of happy customers makes it every single bit worthwhile. And my team of downline that also enjoy Stampin' Up! so much, without their hard work, support and love for the product, I wouldn't of received this amazing achievement. Thank you everyone! If you would like to join my team of downline, the 'Stampin' Angels', the month of May is the perfect time to do it! Whether you'd like to treat yourself to a bargain Starter Kit of £230 worth of product for just £119 and then continue to receive discounts on all future orders, or to start a little business earning a little extra towards your monthly income and working up to a Full Time job doing something you may have always wanted to do, now is the time to do it.

The 'Stampin' Angels' are having a Shoebox Swap.

Friday 20th May

7pm

Holt Village Hall

It's a very social evening of crafting, chatting, tea drinking (with cake of course) and the opportunity to find out more about becoming part of the Stampin' Up! family. The cost is £10 but if you decide to sign up during May, this will be refunded.

Plus, for signing up during May you will also receive aFREE pack of 12x12 Designer Paper of your choice! (to the value of £8.75).

That will make your starter kit HALF PRICE ...bargain! If you're interested in becoming a Demonstrator and you'd like to receive a discount on all your crafting supplies, my email is jodumbleton@aol.co.uk. I'd be more than happy to answer any questions and send you an information pack with everything you need to know. No pressure, no hassle, just the bare facts of a win, win situation and a fantastic kit to boot!

Who knows, you could be on the Incentive Trip for 2013!