What is it with birthdays??? They seem like buses at the moment. Tomorrow is Karen's birthday, thought it was today which is why I appear so organised. Had an idea in my head which ended up looking like this:

Karen's card

Okay, so it's not what I planned at all. At least I know she'll like the colours. I used 2 stamps from the Clockworks stamp set. the large one was stamped onto a white background in lucky limeade, wiseria wonder, old olice and perfect plum. The smaller stamp in rich razzleberry. Over that is a white piece of card die cut with one of the Apothecary Accent dies. On top of all this is vellum stamped with 2 stamps from (so glad this set has appeared in the main catalogue after disappearing at the end on the summer mini!), The words have been embossed with and the vellum attached with lucky limeade designer brads. the base card is wisteria wonder which has 2 lines scored above and below the stamped area, so easy with the simply scored board. The vellum softems the bright colours a little.

For this card I used:
Clockworks stamp set  
wood mount item no.127290 £21.95
clear mount item no. 127292 £17.95



Apothecary Accents Framelits Dies
item no.127003 £20.95



In Colour 2011 Designer Brads 
item no. 122940 £7.25



Simply Scored Scoring Tool
item no.122334 £25.95



Other supplies:
Cardstock in Wisteria Wonder and Whisper White. Vellum and ink.


Despite being organised, I then lost the card so Karen is the proud owner of an empty envelope! It's now turned up and in the post.
Better late than never???

It's my friend Eleanor's birthday and, just for a change, I've made a card for her ready.

Eleanor's card.

Luscious melon mambo, whisper white and a lovely sentiment from our Tea Shoppe stamp set, trimmed with the scallop edge border punch. The design at the bottom is a retired product - the Baroque stampin' wheel stamp.

If you'd like to make a similar card, here are some of the products I use:

Tea Shoppe

Scallop edge border punch

Item details:
Tea shoppe stamp set - 
wood mount item no. 125545 £ 30.95
clear mount item no. 125547 £ 24.95
Scallop edge border punch - 
item no. 119882 £ 14.25

Contact me to place your order - 
email     lesleylendon@gmail.com  or 
phone     07725 217695.

The brand NEW Stampin' Trimmer. Woo hoo!!! Not much longer to wait! I've been trying to be patient, after all, I do have 2 trimmers already. But, having seen videos of this new tool I'm SURE that I NEED it!

The Stampin' Trimmer (item 129722)

Here are some of the features that make it so great:

• Full 30.5 cm cutting and scoring track (You don't have to remove the blades to get a full 30.5 cm cut!)
• Extended 15.9 cm wide cutting base and 36.5 cm extender ruler
• Storage compartment under base to hold additional cutting/scoring blades
• Cutting track that locks into place
• Specially designed cutting track and handles for stable and straight cuts
• Full ruler, with additional printed grid lines under a plastic cover so measurements won't wear off
• And so much more

Take a look at the video and see for yourself......
PLEASE NOTE that our trimmer is in cemtimetres and not inches as per the video. For UK measurements see above paragraph.

   
This exclusive trimmer will be available starting in early December, it can be found on page 180 of the catalogue, item 129722  £25.95.

Sands ran a raffle at their Christmas fair last week to which all stallholders donated a prize - I've yet to be contacted by the winner of the stamping class that I donated. I did, however, run a little draw of my own for those visitors who took part in our 'Make & Take'. The first name out of the hat was Kati. i managed to contact her this evening, I'm delighted that she seemed surprised and pleased to have won. We'll be getting together after the holiday season and I look forward to sharing our craft with her.
Over the next few days I'll be contacting the entrants of our draw to update them with all things Stampin' Up!

Here are some photos taken at Thursday's Christmas Fair as everyone was prepping their stand. None of ours - felt a bit conceited at the time and now kicking myself for not being able to post any.











This is the 'Make and Take' CASE'd from a card made by Meg Loven which can be seen on her blog Lovenstamps. Her card is in pretty shades of navy, pink and wisteria. Click on the link to see her original and other work: http://lovenstamps.com/blog/page/3/  My card is in bolder shades of lucky limeade, cherry cobbler and new midnight muse.


Looks as if I've used stripey ribbon but that's just the way the light catches on the cherry cobbler seam binding in the photo
This last photo shows a young lady by the name of Sophie who did her own version of our 'Make and Take'. And a super card it is too!

Thanks to all of you who came along to support the Christmas Fair at Sands yesterday evening. Cathryn and Pat assisted and worked hard to make a visit to our stand an enjoyable one. Thank you to both of you, your help was vital in the smooth running of our Make and Take which was quite busy. It was lovely to meet new people as well as our friends..
I still haven't heard who won the free stamping class in the raffle but will shortly list our draw prize winner.  So pop back back to check it out.

Remember this?

Christmas Fair - Sands at Bleak House

This will be my first time at the fair, also as a demonstrator and I'm not at all sure what I should be planning/doing in preparation. I'm aiming to provide a simple free Make & Take and have already started cutting up the card. But what else??? I don't know if there will be room for display boards (which I have ready) but still feel I should I need to make stuff, not for sale but to show that Stampin' Up! isn't just cards or for card makers. So, I've made a few bits and here is one I have to show you....

My Snow Flurry Box

...a 6inch square box in baja breeze and very vanilla with just a touch of bling in the form of our latest champagne glimmer card.
This, slightly fuzzy shot, is a close up of the top. The 'bellyband' has been trimmed using a scallop edge punch, layered with baja breeze card and very vanilla seam binding. This is all topped with snowflakes in very vanilla cardstock and champagne glimmer paper (make no mistake, this is no flimsy paper, more  the thickness of card) using our latest Snow Flurry Bigz Die. At the centre is a 'pearl' accent.
 

Close up of the top of my Snow Flurry Box

The box was quick and simple to make using our fab Simply Scored Scoring Tool - item no.122334 £25.95, Metric and diagonal scoring plates are also available to fit the tool. 
Both the Champagne Glimmer Paper - item no. 127885 £4.50 for two 12"x12" sheets - and the Snow Flurry Bigz die - item no. 127813 £18.95, are available to order from our Autumn/Winter 2012 until the end of January.

You, too, could be giving your gifts in personalised, handmade boxes this Christmas. If you're interested then contact me on 07725 217695 or email lesleylendon@gmail.com.

Stampin' Up! bring us their latest promotion as we celebrate 5 years in Europe:


Purchase either the Ornament Keepsake Stamp set (clear or wood mount)  and the Candlelight Christmas Speciality DSP and you get the Festive Paper Piercing Pack absolutely FREE! This offer also applies if you prefer to buy the Ornament Keepsakes Bundle and the Candlelight Christmas Speciality DSP. All the tools you need to make the ornament on the cover of the Autumn/Winter Catalogue, just add card, ink and a little tulle. Not only that, you can also make the other decorations shown inside the catalogue
This offer only lasts for the month of November. What better time to treat yourself!

Celebrating Five Years

Stampin’ Up! opened its doors in Europe five years ago and people here have been enjoying our quality products, and the exceptional service of our Stampin’ Up! demonstrators ever since! We celebrate this wonderful achievement, and look forward to the many years ahead. Since 1988, we’ve cultivated a positive reputation with our wide assortment of stamps and accessories that have been helping crafters discover and express their creativity. 
Stampin’ Up!  is a 24-year-old, reputable company that:

• Offers high-quality product and exclusive artwork and designs.
• Provides unparalleled customer service.
• Regularly receives top business and artistic awards.

Join the Fun
As a Stampin’ Up! customer, you can feel great knowing you’re part of a long-standing company that’s in business for the long haul! Stampin’ Up! has been changing crafters’ lives everywhere and will continue to do so for years to come.
The best way to enjoy all that Stampin’ Up! offers is to become a demonstrator yourself! By joining Stampin’ Up! you’re investing in a  secure business opportunity and experience. In addition, being a demonstrator gives you a chance to explore creativity, make friends, and supplement your income--all while doing what you love. Join us, and experience the joy of being a demonstrator; start discovering how it can transform your life today!