Swaps and swapping

A big part of any Stampin' Up! event is 'swapping'. This is an exchange of cards (or card fronts, or other small 3D items) with other demonstrators at the event. We make as many as we want to of a design and swap them to receive the same number back. It's a great way to meet new people and share ideas and it's lots of fun!

I decided to create 100 swaps, and I wanted to add a little memento from Yorkshire - of course it had to be a teabag! So I made 100 mini envelopes to hold the teabags and a business card.

I packed all the bits ready to assemble once I got here to America and spent yesterday afternoon gluing the bellybands and adding the leaves.

It's highly unusual for me to have finished something a week in advance, I'm usually Mrs Last Minute!

I have used the Garden Impressions 6" by 6" paper stack, which was the perfect size to make the envelopes with the Envelope Punchboard and really bright and colourful. I used the stamp set Love What You Do for the sentiment and flower decoration, and die cut these with the Stitched Shapes framelits. Lastly, I used the Leaf Punch to add some foliage.

I'm looking forward to seeing the swaps I get back in exchange - of course I will share photos here next week!

Kylie x

I'm in Florida!

I'm so excited!

Next week I will be joining 7,500 other Stampin' Up! Demonstrators at the OnStage Live conference in Orlando, Florida!

Stampin' Up! events are always fantastic fun, we get to see sneak peeks of the new products and upcoming catalogue, watch craft demonstrations, join in with make & takes, and much more. We always leave with a bagful of new product and a head full of new ideas and inspiration.

This one, however, is going to be a truly monumental event because Stampin' Up! are also celebrating their 30th Anniversary.

I have no idea what to expect. But I can't wait to find out!

In the meantime, I am relaxing in Amelia Island on the north east cost of Florida, tortoise-spotting, cocktail-sipping, sunset-watching and catching up on my sleep!

I do need to finish my swaps at some point - maybe tomorrow!!

Anyone else travelling from the UK for OnStage Live?

Kylie x

A new craft group

I have recently started leading a new craft group for over 50s at my local community centre in Shipley.

Before the first session I had no idea what to expect, who would come, how many, and what their interests and abilities would be. Coming up with a craft project was easy though - I thought I'd start with what I know - stamping!

Without a proper budget for materials I needed to raid my stash of card stock and design a couple of cards that would be simple enough for the beginner, but impressive enough to please an avid crafter.

The Painted Harvest Stamp Set caught my eye as I browsed my shelves of stamps - the gorgeous Autumnal images are perfect for this time of year.

We did 2 cards and a bookmark and had a go at stamping, punching, embossing and die-cutting.

I had 8 lovely ladies attend the session, some crafters, some not, but and all enjoyed it and all promised to be back in a fortnight!

Now to come up with the next project!

Kylie x

Dandelion Wishes Watercolour Rainbow

I have been prepping for my upcoming Dandelion Wishes class and really enjoying myself playing with this gorgeous Stamp Set. It has become a recent favourite.

I decided to have a go at embossing the dandelions with clear embossing powder onto watercolour paper and going crazy with the inks! This is what happened....

An unplanned but surprisingly good result!

I make use of my larger acrylic blocks to drop the reinkers onto - easy to clean afterwards too.

To get the drip effect I just added more water and ink to the dandelion heads, held up the paper and let gravity do the work!

Once dried I mounted the watercolour paper simply onto white and black cardstock, but I think I will look for a proper frame.

Christmas in August

It's that time of year when our crafting starts to turn a bit more festive. As demonstrators we get to see what's coming before everyone else and most of us have already devoured the upcoming Autumn/Winter catalogue and even got our hands on some wonderful christmas products early. I've been so excited to play with my new goodies and have already completed a 3D project that I will be running as a class later in the year.

Would you like a sneak peek??

Thought so...

If you'd like me to send you a new Autumn/Winter catalogue, please send me an email to request one, with your address. You'll get it in the post together with some sneak peek new product samples!

hellostamper@gmail.com

For free gift when you spend £25+ in my online shop during August, enter the Hostess Code FMWEZYNA at the checkout

Retiring Products up to 50% off

Evening everyone. Just a quick update to let you know Stampin' Up!s annual clear-out ahead of the new catalogue coming in June has started tonight!

A whole list of products, some with a discount, are on the website and only available while stocks last.

This could be your last chance to get that stamp set or punch you've had your eye on for a while, or to stock up on the 2015-17 in-colours.

Head over to the retirement list now and get your order in quick. If ordering online use the Hostess Code C2KH22CR at the checkout and receive a free gift from me in the post.

Click here to see all retiring products

Jems Monthly Blog Hop December

Hello again! Thanks for popping by. This month the blog hop theme is 2016 in Review.

2016 has been so busy hasn't it? It's gone by in such a flash, I can't believe it's December already. I feel like I've not done enough crafting this year with so little spare time to sit and make, but taking a look back through all my pictures I realise I've done more than I thought! So I've gathered together 12 of my favourite makes and event highlights from throughout the year...

Go to the next Blog - Kate Martin
Previous Blog - Lucy V Brown