DAY TWO HUNDRED AND EIGHTY THREE

 

Good morning and whoop whoop it is Friday, I do love my Fridays.  Sadly it is my last Friday with my daughters, son in laws and the grandchildren and a few friends.  A very sad day but, I will put a smile on my face, keep myself busy when I get home and count down the days until next time.

The weather has certainly improved today and my early hours visit to the beach was most pleasant.  Even though we were slightly later today, the 'gang' were there having their breakfast.

A few more 'committee' issues popped up after we got back from the beach trip, just some emails to send and a bit of head-scratching involved. Hopefully, we’ll have it all sorted within the next 12 hours.

The complex has security gates at the drive entrances that require key fobs to get in and out. After years of use, the gate motors were starting to wear out, so new ones have been installed. Naturally, that also means new key fobs for some residents—cue the inevitable dramas (which you can probably imagine).

To help manage any issues, a key press has been installed with mechanism keys inside. A few residents have been given access so they can open the gates manually if needed. However, not everyone has access to the key press, so it could get interesting over the next few days.

Did you grab something fun during the recent Stampin’ Up! kit sale? If not, no worries. There’s still a whole world of creative kits waiting for you. Whether you're crafting for yourself or gifting a little handmade joy to family and friends, there's always something inspiring to dive into.  Need a little spark of inspiration? I’m full of alternative ideas to help you get the most out of your kits!  Get in touch, whether it’s a quick chat online or a cozy catch-up in the Craft Room (kettle’s always on), I’d love to help you get creating!

To find out more about all the kits Stampin' Up! have, just click on the image below and a new page will open up for you.  If you have any queries, please get in touch. 

Here are some cards that were made from one of the Stampin' Up! kits and which I put together in Cyprus.  

Are you free for a couple of hours next Friday for a cuppa, chat and a bit of card making.  You are most welcome to pop in to see us and have a look at what we get up to.  

Stampin' Up! news and offers

You can flip through the new catalogue online by clicking on the image below or even download a copy to keep. 

If you would like to collect a proper copy from the Craft Room then get in touch.  I do have a few that I will happily pass on to you. 

Click the image below to browse the full collection in the Online Exclusive range of products, look out for the "new" stickers to easily spot the latest additions.

 

There are still products available in the Last Chance section of the Stampin' Up! Website. If you click on the image below a new page will open up and you can have a browse.

 

 

 

 

Here is the latest Scrapbooking Brochure that was released in January.  At the moment it is only a digital brochure.  

 You can click on the image below and a new window will open up where you can have a browse through the shop. Please do get in touch with me if you would like any help.  My contact details are at the end of the post and I really am happy to help as much as I can.

This is a new Starter Kit offer from Stampin’ Up! that is the best I have seen.

You have a choice of one of the following  two great value options either 

Option 1 Get £130 worth of products for £35 

or 

Option 2 Get £194 worth of products for £99 

You can customise your Starter Kit by adding any  Stampin’ Up! products, including items from the November Online Exclusive pre-order, the newly refreshed Last Chance section and new kits in to your basket and pay the option that you have chosen.  Plus, your Starter Kit will be shipped to you free of charge and will include current catalogues/brochures.

Here’s more of what you can enjoy during your first 6 months:

• Early access to the January–April 2026 Mini Catalogue (PDF available in November, plus pre-order privileges).
• Pre-order perks for the 2026–2027 Annual Catalogue
• Option to register for OnStage (March 12–14, 2026) — a fun and inspiring Stampin’ Up! event!
• Access to the Quick Start Programme, offering extra rewards for new team members.
• Discounts on your own orders and/or commissions on orders that are placed by others as well as Stampin' rewards on qualifying orders. 
• Join our wonderful community of crafters where you will find so much inspiration, lots of ideas and whole bunch of new friends, worldwide.
• Get togethers in The Craft Room, Derby and / or online.

To learn more, click on the image below or get in touch.  You can always come along to The Craft Room, Derby on October 15th at around 6.30pm to find out more over a cuppa or join us at Insomnia Cafe, Shelton Lock on 17th October between 10.00am - 12 noon.  

If you would like to receive my newsletter and be added to my email list of friends do let me know.  I would hate you to miss out on all our get togethers and socials.  Always lots of new friends waiting to be met. 

If you would like to get in touch with me, here is where I can be found.  

DAY TWO HUNDRED AND SIXTY TWO

 Good afternoon, what a day we have had so far. As usual it’s up around 5.30am to 6 am as at 6:30 we go to the beach. It’s only four minutes away in the car and we sit and admire the view, have a bit of a stroll and I take a few photos,  here are the photos today, in the rain. 

Just before you get to the beach after you get out of your car,  you can hear the chatter and the laughter or what we call ‘banter’ from 15 to 20 people that are out in the sea swimming. This group of people (who I believe are all of an age where they have been long retired), are there every single day and you hear them before you see them. I think they have been doing it for years as they are all so comfortable with each other and telling each other stories, it’s one of those relationships where you believe they have all grown up together and stayed friends. Around 45 minutes after this we pass the café on our way back to the car and there are the same 15 to 20 people sat there sharing bread, tomatoes, olives, cheese and Cyprus coffees. Still lots of laughter still pulling legs sometimes we hear the happy birthday song. The best thing about it all is, the café isn’t open, it’s too early.  Everyone around the tables has put fresh bread, cheese, tomatoes etc. for each other to share.  It makes me smile every day and I feel extremely privileged to witness such friendships.  

Once we get back to our apartment we are met with one or two complex issues, one of the joys of being on a complex committee.  Today is was checking the levels of cleanliness of the swimming pool, sorting out the lack of water supply and helping the weekly cleaners.  All this is before breakfast.

That got done, breakfast ate and off to get my nails painted.  There is a lovely young lady that I have been seeing for a while now, she is a friend of the girls and looks after me so vey well.  There is something about having pretty nails that makes me feel lots better about myself.  Due to the medication I take, my nails need looking after a little bit more than others.  They don’t grow, they split and it’s so difficult to have them looking nice with all the ridges but Stavroulla brings them back to life.

As it was lunchtime hubby suggested a burger at a posh hotel, now who am I to turn that down?  Even though I hadn’t showered nor washed my hair, as we hadn’t got any water…. Oh well.  

Burger eaten and then off to see what the situation was at the apartment.  Another problem or two to sort out which is still ongoing.  But yeh, the water was back so at least we could shower.  It was time for weekly injection, washer on and a well earned cup of tea.  After face time chats with mum and dad and sister, it was then time to get ready to go out……now where did my day go?  

No time for crafting, painting nor reading but I am making precious memories and that is what life is about.

More about what is happening in my Stampin' Up! world tomorrow.  Thanks for having a read and I hope you have a wonderful evening.  Tracey x

DAY TWO HUNDRED AND SEVENTY FOUR - A new Stampin' Up! Year and all the latest news

 

We have started a brand new year in my Stampin' Up! world.  It runs from 1st October - 30th September and boy, what a way to start it off.

First of all, the Last Chance section has been updated with further reductions and more products added.  As usual, by clicking on the image below, a new page will open up with all the offers that are currently available.  I wouldn't wait too long though as things are selling out rather quickly.

Three new kits have been added to the store, Remembering Christmas Kit, Nutcracker Tag Kit and Calm & Bright Kit.  As usual, if you click on the images below, a new window will open up and you can find details of all the kits.

And there is more.  Starting today, you can purchase the Stampin' Up! Virtual Class.  The first one will be The Traditions of Christmas Craft Class

After you purchase the Craft Class, you’ll receive an email with a link to an exclusive Facebook page. The live class will stream on the Facebook page on 23 October at 9:00 p.m. Once you’re on the Facebook page, you can download the instructions for the projects you’ll make during the class.   More details can be found when clicking on the image above.

I have saved the best offer until last.  This is a new Starter Kit offer from Stampin’ Up! that is the best I have seen.

You have a choice of one of the following  two great value options either 

Option 1 Get £130 worth of products for £35 

or 

Option 2 Get £194 worth of products for £99 

You can customise your Starter Kit by adding any  Stampin’ Up! products, including items from the November Online Exclusive pre-order, the newly refreshed Last Chance section and new kits in to your basket and pay the option that you have chosen.  Plus, your Starter Kit will be shipped to you free of charge and will include current catalogues/brochures.

Here’s more of what you can enjoy during your first 6 months:

• Early access to the January–April 2026 Mini Catalogue (PDF available in November, plus pre-order privileges).
• Pre-order perks for the 2026–2027 Annual Catalogue
• Option to register for OnStage (March 12–14, 2026) — a fun and inspiring Stampin’ Up! event!
• Access to the Quick Start Programme, offering extra rewards for new team members.
• Discounts on your own orders and/or commissions on orders that are placed by others as well as Stampin' rewards on qualifying orders. 
• Join our wonderful community of crafters where you will find so much inspiration, lots of ideas and whole bunch of new friends, worldwide.

To learn more, click on the image below or get in touch.  You can always come along to the craft room on October 15th at around 6.30pm to find out more over a cuppa or join us at Insomnia Cafe, Shelton Lock on 17th October between 10.00am - 12 noon.  

Have you registered for World Card Making Day yet?

There is still time to register for the one hour virtual event that Stampin' Up' are holding to celebrate World Card Making Day.  Just click on the link below and if you can't watch at the time it is shown, at least you will be able to see it on a replay and Stampin' Up! will pop something in the post to you to say thank you for registering. 

https://mailchi.mp/stampinup/worldcardmakingday

Well, I think that is about all the news we can cope with for one day, so much to take in. 

If you need any help at all please, do get in touch.  Looking forward to spending more time sharing makes with you during the next Stampin' Up! year.  Tracey x