Timeless Textures and thanks for the help!

hello all

well the lovely Kylie Bertucci - find out all abour her here! is hosting another of her International Blog Highlights  on Friday 6th May and is calling for entrants (and voters!)  to play along.

The theme once again  is 'thank you' to be interpreted as you wish and Kylie is giving us a chance  to enter and in doing so get to know other stampers around the world - a truly international event - How amazing and awe inspiring is that and certainly something to think about in terms of Stampin' Up!'s own Statement of the heart

"to love what we do and share what we love, as we help others enjoy creativity 

and worthwhile accomplishments... In this we make a difference"

My 'thank you' card for sharing is for my sewing teacher - who has been patient in the extreme to say the least...
I was set on making myself a jacket which I finally did after what seemed like months and months.  Only to have this morph into my then making the skirt to go with..! well fast forward to this week when am within kissing distance of having that finished as well as just have to hem the skirt lining!

am honestly sure she was fast losing the will to live as have carried that skirt back and forward to class for months on end... but now after all the hard work on her part helping me as she has done,  am intent on finishing it over the bank holiday so I can wear it to my next class instead of transporting it back and forth on a hanger...!

and this is what I came up with ..

Now Wisteria Wonder is not a colour I would turn to normally but I liked the overall effect here, contrasted against that real pop of Whisper White of the topper and the accent bits of inking in Elegant Eggplant and toning sponging on the butterfly,  in Perfect Plum.

...and with the tactile feel of the 'Thanks' from the Expressions Natural Elements pack - (I suggest you grab these while you can as they are being retired as we speak!)

and the little bit of Gold Metallic thread peeping behind the butterfly,  all set off with my customary bits of bling - well I think it came together as I wanted, by the time I had finished.

what do you think ?

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used

Just click on the items below to easily access them in my on line store

Wisteria Wonder A4 Cardstock	Whisper White A4 Cardstock	Timeless Textures Clear-Mount Stamp Set	Wisteria Wonder Classic Stampin' Pad	Elegant Eggplant Classic Stampin' Pad	Stamping Sponges
Perfect Plum Classic Stampin' Pad	Gold Metallic Thread	Butterflies Thinlits Dies	Stampin' Dimensionals	Expressions Natural Elements	Rhinestone Basic Jewels

Or please just contact me if you have any questions or to place an order for you, if you would prefer.

so a really big thanks Deborah,  I really could not have made them without your help..

til next time - and whatever you get up to this bank  holiday do take time out to check what bargains are to still to be had on Stampin' Up's Retired list 

- and don't forget to check out all the lovely posts on Kylie's blog and cast your vote. 

and if you wanted a quick look - this is the jacket that I finally finished with Deborah's help, complete down to the handmade custom trim.  - and yes .. skirt to hopefully follow shortly!

bye for now
Jan x

Bravo and well done to my two great nieces!

hello all

back again a bit sooner than my normal erratic schedule permits - this time with a little well done card - well, actually two of them, for my 2 great-nieces. They both did really well this term and had splendid reports fed back during parent's evening - almost prompting my nephew to enquire were the teachers sure they had the correct children they were all speaking about. !

but yes.. it really was them so couldn't pass up the opportunity to make them a little card and my absolute favourite,  'go to' accessory,  Thinlits of the moment - the fabulous mini-treat bag!

I used the aptly named Bravo and Hey Girl stamp sets to make a quick card for them both, complete with a little colouring using my Stampin' Write Markers, (so going to link it to this weeks challenge, no# 182)  over at  'Addicted to Stamps and More' where they want to see us 'make a mark' of some kind!'

I also used some toning candy dots, added  a bit of background texture,  courtesy of one of the stamps from a brand new set in the current Spring and Summer seasonal catalogue - Timeless Textures so thought that would stand me in good stead to link to the challenge for week 264 over at 'Less Is More' where 'Add some texture'  is the theme for this week!

Now, not sure about anyone else - but  I do buy lots of the gorgeous packs of Designer series papers but then find it really difficult to actually cut into the sheets but needs must and I really thought it was about time I set about trying to reduce my very own paper mountain -  well I have to make room for some new packs now, don't I!

so the paper you can see is an attempt at using  up some of my last year's scraps!! of  retired papers for accents and a  mini-treat bag which I used for an envelope, but of course any paper which tones in in with your project would do equally as well.

• Tip here .. Stampin' Up!'s Note cards (you get 20 in a pack, and the card themselves fit perfectly in one of those Mini-Treat bags if you wanted a change from the standard envelopes you get in the pack!)

and inside -  another of the sentiments from the 'Bravo set'  as their reports were so well earned!.

so,  despite my lack of painting skills  I think they look sort of cute..  what do you think.?

Am hoping the girls like them  - not withstanding the actual pennies we put inside as a treat!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used

Just click on the items below to easily access them in my on line store 

Whisper White Note Cards & Envelopes	Hey, Girl Photopolymer Stamp Set	Bravo Photopolymer Stamp Set	Timeless Textures Clear-Mount Stamp Set
Aqua Painters	Calypso Coral Stampin' Write Marker	Neutrals Stampin' Write Markers	Subtles Candy Dots
Neutrals Candy Dots	Big Shot	Mini Treat Bag Thinlits Dies

Or please just contact me if you have any questions or to place an order for you, if you would prefer.

well last week found me 'part timing' in the removals business aka - helping my sewing teacher to move.. but this weekend will be far more on trend here - as shall be spending some time with another local demo who is running a 'stamp a stack' session for some of her customers.

Aside from helping me to plan for what would be a first ever workshop, well you never know...
I cannot think of a nicer way to spend a few hours - crafting with friends.

til next time - Happy stampin' everyone
Jan x