open house today

yes its finally here and I think I am just about ready. Got to add the sparkle to the cup cakes, put all the stamp sets and punches out and then get myself dressed. So excited about it that I was up at half past 4 trying to remember what I had forgotten. Am I the only one who does that?

Here are a few cards the Lesley, Jaqui. Pam and myself played with at the Max Papercraft Show a couple of weeks ago









Thanks for having a read this Saturday morning and have a great weekend, whatever you are doing. For those that paying me a visit later, I look forward to seeing you

Tracey

A helping hand

As you know I had a table at the Papermax Show a couple of weeks ago which was all a bit last minute with only a weeks notice to get things ready. I hadnt had chance to make many samples and time was running out. A couple of nights before the show we had our crafty night at Ilkeston Arena and I asked everyone if they would like to enter a little competition. I had a 6x6 of some new designer papers, a couple of new stamp sets, the butterfly stamp and a few bits of cardstock. All they had to do was make a card or two using these items, which I would use on my table at the show. A young girl who was attending the youth club in the same building chose a winner who was Anne.

A big thank you goes to Liz, Anne and Sue for helping me out, it really was appreciated.

These smashing cards were created by Liz

This was the winning card that Anne made

This little stunner was made by Sue.

As well as getting everything ready for Saturday, which I am really looking forward to, I am trying to update my blog with different sections. The right hand side panel is getting very busy and very cluttered so I am doing a bit of housekeeping. Jayne dont worry, its not home housekeeping, its computer housekeeping.

You should now see two links just under my header, one for Stamperettes and one for Special Offers. These should be up and running properly over the next week or so.

Let me know what you think

UPDATED - There are now three links as I have added stamping events. I am quite proud of myself for being able to do this.

Comments Please

Sophia, one of my twins called today to say that she had been busy this morning, believe it or not, she has made her first card. It's her boyfriends bithday this week and she had spent a couple of hours with her big sis.

I told her that I would put it on my blog but she doesnt believe that people will look at her card and leave her a comment.

I think its lovely. Well done Sophia x x

Mid week already. I am on a countdown to my open house a week on Saturday. That is only 10 more sleeps and such a lot to do in so little time. Its a good job I work well under pressure.

Another picture from the show on Sunday although I think it may be a bit blury or do I need new glasses. This is Lesley having a play.



She created some wonderful cards with the new butterfly punch and Flight of the Butterfly stamp set.

The big day

The Derby Papermax Show was a great day out. I really enjoyed myself and it was all down to the help of Jayne, Jacqui, Pam, Lesley. Once we had set up stall we had a lot of interest from everyone who came to say hello. Lots of new faces and plenty of support from friends. A big thank you to all who

I had a great day on Sunday at the Derby Papermax Show. It had been a very hectic week getting everything ready but well worth it. Here are some pictures, lots more to follow during the rest of the week.
The colour theme for the table was red and green (old olive and real red.

some of the cards that were on the table



it does look a bit jumbled in this picture
but it didn't look like that in reality. This was just a corner of the table, I am not a very good photographer I am afraid.


THANK YOU's go out to Jayne, Jacqui, Pam and Lesley for everything that you did on Sunday. You made the day go so perfectly.

Sunday morning and its going to be a great day (fingers crosssed). I am looking forward to going to the Max Papercraft show at Moorways. Not been on the computer this week as I have been busy preparing everything for the table and I still dont think I am ready now, with just a couple of hours to go.

Another couple of little bits I made for the table.

Wish me luck and I will tell you all about it tomorrow.

Tracey

I came home from work Monday night to find my house in a state of chaos. Paul has decided to decorate the kitchen and dining room, dust sheets were over the floor and over the sides and as he has been painting the ceiling, splatters of paint are all over the kitchen units. As you can imagine I went into a state of panic as all the display items I had made on Sunday were right in his line of fire. Picked off the paint spots and you will never know they were there phew.


A very happy birthday to Karen for yesterday. I made a card using Fresh Cuts stamp set which is on page 53 of the SU catalogue. I actually CASED it from page 5 of the catalogue, which has so much inspiration for all the stamp sets.


Unfortunately the lighting wasnt too good to take the photograph, Paul has undone the lights and they are just hanging in the ceiling at the moment but he promises to put them back up tonight...hope so. A lighting box is on my Christmas list. Oh, I dont want to think about Christmas just yet as my cards are not ready, oppps

Have a great day, whatever you are doing

Tracey

Monday, a new week

and what a week it will be. I have got a table at the Derby Papermax Show on Sunday 18 October where I shall be promoting Stampin' Up! and I am really excited about it. I have spent the weekend trying to make things to put on the table and realise that I need about 5 tables to show everything I want to take with me - yes the lists have been started) me and my lists.

If you are attending the show, which is at Moorways Leisure Centre, Derby, please do stop and say hello. I dont believe that it wil be too busy but I shall be spreading the word about SU to as many people as I can and there will be some demonstrations (when I figure out what to demonstrate).

Below are some photos of a few bits that I have made. The table will be old olive/real red (green and red to those that may not know). I will show you more pictures as and when I get things made (late nights and early mornings this week).

The popular mints
decorated candle tins

A candle

Favours but I think these need
to have pretties on them

A bag to put prize draw forms in

I look forward to reading your comments about what I have made so far

The weekend has been and gone

and it went by so quickly. I went back to the dentist and I am still going to be taking antibiotics for a few more days, just to be on the safe side. I am so happy that I am getting back to normal, normal for me that is.

Friday I actually managed to do a little baking. Now those that have tried my cakes in the past have been very nice about them, although I know I am not the best at baking. But wow, I am so proud of the cupcakes I made. It was the first time I did any icing and I know I need practice. Paula set me off with making cupcakes as she took some fab ones into Derby Dabblers, with edible glitter on them.

Once I had made them I decorated them with the frosting and of course, I had to put glitter over them. I thought they looked really girly cakes.

I managed to use the cake stand I purchased a few weeks ago and they did look nice. I was a bit puzzled about the cake stand though as it has 13 mini stands for the cakes. 13? Isnt that a bit of a strange number.

Friday 8 of them got eaten as some friends came to visit me Friday night. This afternoon I had another one with my bezzy mate and then this evening my sister and brother in law came to visit and ate the last 2. Bro in law was so impressed that he has asked me to make him 6 but that was before he realised that his face shone with all the glitter. He did look cute LOL

Here is a picture of them on the stand.

This picture shows them a bit closer, as I said I know
I need to practise with decoration.

Here is a very close up of them, can you see the glitter




The only downside to it all was the kitchen, I got so engrossed I didnt realise what a mess I had gotton into, oh well it was all worth it.

Next baking day will be this weekend as I would like to make some more for my table at a show I am attending on Sunday, but more information about that tomorrow.

Thanks for having a read and cant wait to read your comments about the cakes.

Friday Feeling

Although I haven't been at work for a couple of weeks, I have woken up today with that Friday feeling. I hope you know what I mean because I cant explain it to you. I got a good nights sleep last night, which always helps, and I am certainly feeling a lot better and more positive today. I may even do some housework, always a sign that you are improving.

I promised earlier this week to show you more cards from the Tall Stories and Animal Tales that I made so here is another.



I've done it Old Olive and Chocolate Chip but not too sure about it. It's one that I have cased from SCS and I really cant give credit to the person who originally made this because trawlling through all those wonderful creations will take hours. If you know who they are, please let me know so that I can give credit, where it is due.

I have done lots and lots of thinking about ribbon and paper shares this week and I can tell you all about those this weekend. I had a Brown Van Man (UPS) visit me earlier in the week but didnt open up the box until last night. Inside was the speciality papers which are wonderful. I have opened them, stroked them and put them away. I just cant use them, I cant cut them up to show samples and to be honest, I dont want anyone else to touch them......that is how scrummy they are, goodness anyone who is not a crafter reader this will think I am mad.


These are the papers, quality of the picture isnt so good. If you would like to see them in the catalogue just get in touch and I will get a catalogue to you (did you notice that I didnt offer to show you the papers that I have)?

Have a great day, whatever you are up to and I look forward to reading your comments.

A bit off it

Just to let you know that I haven't forgotton about my blog but I am a bit "off it" at the minute. I have been taking antibiotics for the last week or so to try and get rid of abcesses in my mouth. Unfortunately it didn't work and today I have had to have a tooth removed and drainage "yakky".

I will be back with a more positive posts towards the end of the week, when I feel better.

Tracey

We had a lovely evening at the Derby Dabblers Friday night. Liz very patiently showed us how to distress....and it wasn't distressing at all (sorry). A big thank you to Liz to for introducing me to shimmers and letting us use yours. I guess that's something else I need to invest in, okay so dont need to but want to. If there are any other cardmakers or scrapbookers in the Derby area, we would love to see you at one of our monthly get togethers. You dont have to be experienced, just interested.

No card to show you at the minute as I haven't had a lot of inspiration but Ihave been looking on blog, after blog after blog and I think I may have found a little twinkling....something that may inspire me to go and do a bit of playing in the craft room (that ironing is still waiting to be done oops).

Please click on picture to get a larger (and better) view

The Animal Stories and Tall Tales designer papers go so well together that I must go and make a start. Who knows, I may be back later with something to show you.

Have a great Sunday, whatever you are doing
SECOND POST OF THE DAY
Yippee I went and played and made 4 cards, made a mess and feel a lot happier. Not happier cause of the mess but because I found mojo. I dont see how anyone can not love Tall Tale papers and Animal Stories stamp set-sorry, perhaps some people wont like it but then that is what makes us all different, our tastes. I dont want to overload you with all four photos but

I had a whale of a time making this, okay its simple but that's good to start with.

Did you know, perhaps not, but you soon will, the whale stamp is exactly the same size as the whale on the papers, good uh?
I used the new word window punch on this card AND the linen thread on the button is actually coloured with ink, although you cant really tell.
Here are the details of the word window punch

And then I have this one to show you, again its using the Tall Tales paper. The knot in the ribbon was a happy accident.

Guess what I am off to do now, yeap clean the craft room and some ironing.
Sorry about the long posts

Last day off work today. I am feeling a lot better although I can still feel the abcess on my gum and my jaw aches (okay yes I have been talking alot ).

Today I discovered shops that dont sell crafting goodies, yep they do exist. I was let loose at the supermarket as Paul is away and I must eat next week. They have 25% discount on their clothes and ooohhh the cardis were to die for. I really really dont know how four of them, yes 4 fell into my trolley....but they did. Then taking a bit of a shortcut home I saw homebase. Now that is a lovely store. I have two little potted plants on my kitchen windowsill and wanted to put them in proper matching pots and homebase had just the thing. Obbviously I purchased them AND I found cake stands,oooohh I was so excited (I know you ask yourself why but I have a thing about cake stands), they are not only for cakes you know, you can put ribbon budles in them, or cake cases filled with embellishments etc. etc. So I got those as well , yes plural but they were in the half price sale.

Just about made it home when I remembered Dunelm. I havent been there for ages and WOW, a lovely set of everyday plates and mugs caught my eye - and my purse. Did you know that Dunelm sell crafting goodies? No, nore did I, honestly. They now have a craft section and guess what, I am so proud of myself cause I didnt buy anything from that section (I can just hear you say "I am not surprised after everything else I purchased")

Just to let you know that Christiana had a class at Just So Crafty this morning, boxes with cards in. I am still waiting for photos of her other creations so I will just add this to the list....are you taking note Tana?

Oh, the reason I wanted to make this post was to show you the card I made. During my hours of blog hopping I have seen something similar. I actually inked up the linen thread. The card is missing something but not quite sure what it is, do you have any ideas?




CONGRATULATIONS go to our Lesley. She was one of the lucky winners on the SU blog hop yesterday.


Look forward to reading your comments, and sorry for rambling on a bit - I did warn you that I felt better

Yeah... its out and BLOG HOP

Does anyone know why the date above says Wednesday 30th September when its really THURSDAY 1st OCTOBER???


The new stampin up catalogue is out. I will get a link on my page around lunchtime today. Well, when I first looked at it I thought mmm, not sure. But now that I have been looking through it again, and again, I like it more and more and more. It gets even better when you see all the stunning cards that have been made by those talented people out in blog land.

I am really pleased to say that along with all the new and wonderful stamps, ribbons, papers etc, there are still quite a few favourites remaining in the catalogue

If you would like a copy of the catalogue please please please get in touch. There will be a money off voucher in every catalogue that you purchase. Even better, if you would like a play with some of the new products, I am having an open house on 31 October with make and takes, raffle prizes and lots of treats which you are most welcome to attend. Signing up for Stamperettes series 3, Stampin Write Marker Share and monthly stampin start to the week will all be finalised on the day too so please, do come along for a couple of hours (or the day if you wish).

Here is another card I made from a new set that is available in the latest catalogue, A Flower For All Seasons



BLOG HOP - 3 very talented ladies have a SU blog hop today. There is even some blog candy on offer so you need to have a visit to their sites and see the creations that they have come up with using SU goodies, all very stunning Suzanne, who is also from Derbyshire, Lousette and Jenny.

Have a great day whatever you are up to and thanks for having a read of my blog today, now go on, have a look at those taking part in the blog hop, you know you want to