DAY TWO HUNDRED AND THIRTY SIX - Mishaps and Stampin Up 2026-2028 In Color Cards

 

 

Good morning, oops… it happened again. Remember earlier in the year when the wheelchair and Zimmer frame became rather unexpected best friends? Well, it seems they’ve made a comeback and I’m going to be out of action for a little while again.

 

Friday night brought another unexpected “incident”, which resulted in a call to 111 in the early hours. The response was fantastic. After going online for advice, a doctor called back within just two minutes and an appointment was arranged for the Walk-in Centre at around 8am Saturday morning. 

 

The doctor there was absolutely wonderful, thorough, reassuring and taking the time to explain everything properly. Just to be on the safe side, though, X-rays were needed, so off to the Royal Derby Hospital we went. And I have to say, what an experience.  From the lovely lady on reception, to the smiling member of the medical team who triaged me within minutes, to the nurses, doctors, porters, X-ray team and pharmacy staff, everyone was kind, cheerful, professional and incredibly efficient.

 

There was no hanging around for hours in crowded waiting rooms. People were constantly being moved through to wherever they needed to be and before long, I was being seen by the next member of the team. Even the porter who whizzed me through the hospital in my wheelchair seemed determined to make sure I didn’t miss out on a bit of fresh air, at the speed we went my hair was flying. The X-ray team were a proper comedy duo and made what could have been a rather daunting experience much lighter. Once everything was done, the doctor explained the situation, gave clear advice about resting, walking gently and eventually starting physiotherapy when comfortable and arranged some stronger pain relief.  Even the medication arrived within minutes.

 

I honestly have to take my hat off to everyone at the Royal Derby. Perhaps being there early on a Saturday morning helped, but the whole department seemed so well organised and incredibly slick. Most importantly, there wasn’t a grumpy face or a harsh word anywhere, just smiles, kindness, patience and genuine care.

So, although being back on the Zimmer frame isn’t exactly how the weekend was supposed to go, I’m feeling very grateful for the wonderful NHS staff who looked after me so well.

Now it’s time to follow their advice… rest, walk, rest, and hopefully get back on my feet properly before too long.

I do appreciate not everyone has the same experience, I just wanted to share mine. Sunday was spent in the chair followed by a few steps, then sitting in another room, followed by more steps and then it was repeat for the whole day.  I imagine that the same will be happening today with a few extra steps and this is how it will play for the rest of the week I guess, until I no longer need the zimmer frame, opps. 

Friday morning a group of us got together to have a play with our 2026-2028 In Colour products.  There are so many In Colour products at the moment.  Not only the card and the ink but co-ordinating ribbons, embellishments, two lots of designer series papers, pearlised papers, ginghams and the list continues.  We had a bit of a mix it up, new and old and it was a lovely morning with lovely company. 

We cased a card that fellow demonstrator Wendy Lee shared, the one on the right.  I used the Golden Glow In Color.  The pretty background paper is called Irresistible designs and it is white, it has a UV coated pattern that resists ink.  We applied the same colour ink as our card layer with a blending brush.  Then went over it with a piece of kitchen roll and it removed the ink from the UV giving it a brighter look.  

Next came the very popular Artisan Sketched Garden Designer Series Paper.  Have you seen this?  It really is a great pack of pretty papers and currently it is reduced by 15% .  We cut out one of the vases/plant pots and adhered this to the left hand corner of our layers adding a piece of ribbon with a knot in it.  Sentiments came next and mine was a very old one, which gets a lot of use.  Once everything was adhered I added three of the In Color dots to finish the card off and I love it.  

 

 

 

Next came the card on the left and the layout was also cased but I cant find where from?  If I do spot it, I shall update this post.  I used a retired stamp set in Strawberry Slush against the Barely Blush cardstock.  The sentiment is from my stash.  

Everyone had a wonderful time recreating these cards in their own style.  It was a lovely morning with lots of happy folk, just what was needed.

Thank you for having a read today, I need to go and get a few steps in now so that I dont seize up.  Tracey x  

 

STAMPIN' UP PROMOTIONS

Stampin' Up! currently have a sale with 15% off selected Designer Series Papers and card stock, for the whole month and whilst supplies last.  

 

PRODUCT OF THE MONTH 

I'm delighted to introduce the Stampin' Up!  August Product of the Month.

Throughout August, when you place a Stampin' Up! order of £70 or more (before postage), you'll have the opportunity to purchase this month's featured product for just £5.  The Product of the Month is exclusively available with a qualifying order and is limited to one per person. As with all Stampin' Up! promotions, it is available whilst supplies last, so once it's gone, it's gone!

If you're planning to place an order during August, this is a great opportunity to add an extra product to your collection at a fantastic price.

This is the May - August 2026 Catalogue that you can click on and have a browse but better still, why not pop into the Craft Room, Derby and grab a copy of your own.  This catalogue will no longer be available after 31st August as it will be replaced with a new one.  

The Last Chance List has lots of beautifully colour co-ordinated favourites, all with that signature Stampin' Up! quality we know and love, but only whilst stock lasts.  If you click on the image below, a new page will open up and you can have a browse in this section.  

Please do get in touch if you have any queries or if I can help in any way. 

Paper Pumpkin is now available in the UK, I did write a whole post on all I know about this and we can subscribe in the UK.  Subcriptions are now for the September kit.   To find out a little more, click on the image below and a new window will open.  But please, do get in touch if I can help in anyway, I am always happy to help.

 

 

 The new foiling system from Stampin' Up! has its own brochure, which can be seen below.  Just click on the image and a new page will open up.

 

 

 For Scrapbooking and Memory Keeping products please click on the image below and a new page will open up for the Memory Keeping section of the online store

 

 

You can click on the image below and a new window will open up where you can have a browse through the WHOLE 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.

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.