StamperNelly

Summer in our Garden

2010-10-11T12:02:00.000+01:00

Tim made this wheelbarrow planter and I planted it up -doesn't it look lovely?!
He also planted potatoes in our raised bed this year and when we harvested them

There was a bumper crop! I won't have bought potatoes for two months by the time we finish them.

Just a "Taste" of what we have been doing this summer
x Helen

Yes I am Here!

2010-10-02T18:19:00.000+01:00

Dear Blog Readers, I am so sorry I have been away for soooo long, I have had a very busy summer, hopefully I will get to show you some photos of what I have been up to soon. Please come back in a couple of days.
Until then
Happy Stampin'
x Helen

All the fun of the Fayre!

2010-07-07T11:15:00.000+01:00

Here is the latest wonderful collection of creations by Jackie Gardner (click on any of the photos to enlarge them). Jackie writes...."A friend asked me to make some bits and bobs to sell at her village fete. So I thought I would show you some of the things I produced. I so enjoyed making it all!!

I made some boxed sets of cards - my favourite - using the "Lovely as a Tree" stamp set. The backgrounds were made by chalking around a masked a 1 3/8" circle punched from card, in shades of blue then stamping on top using various combinations of the trees. I then used these to make six matching but different cards. The presentation box was stamped to match using Versamark and decorated with ribbon

I made 4 different sets of boxed cards so let's hope they sell!! I found the Stampin' Up! Designer papers (double-sided) ideal for all manner of bags and boxes to display my goodies to best effect. What a difference a nice box makes - I LOVE making boxes

My favourite new discovery is how to use Stampin' Up! stamps and inks to decorate candles. This wisso much fun to do and transforms a basic candle into something quite special....

So as well as enjoying all the crafting, I now realise how very versatile Stampin' Up! products are and how they can be used for so much more than just card-making

PS. My friend's stall raised over £150 for an Orphanage in the Philippines "

Wow! Aren't they beautiful? I think we may have to ask Jackie if she would do a few tutorials here to show us how to make these. Thanks Jackie for all your inspiration

x Helen

Competition and Prize Draw Results

2010-07-01T11:20:00.000+01:00

First of all.......
In the Spring Newsletter there was a Mini Catalogue Competition, the closing date of which was 25th June. No-one got all the answers right which was a pity but I hope you all enjoyed it anyway!
The Answers were:
(1) The stamp used was from the Tiny Tags set (page 15)
(2) It was made using the 2-Step Bird Punch (page 6)
(3) The stamp is All A Flutter on page 22
(4) There are Four Buttons on the card with the Owl (page 11)
(5) There are seven apples illustrated in the Hostess set (page 4)
(6) The yellow bird is on page 19
(7) There are 48 Designs in the Sweet Pea Paper Stack- as each page has a different design each side (page 13)

However there is a Winner for the Summer Draw for the Loyalty Card Scheme! All completed Loyalty cards for January to the end of June 2010 were put in the proverbial hat and the winning card drawn out.

Congratulations to Catherine T!

If you would like to be a part of this scheme, please ask for a Loyalty Reward Card. The card is marked for every £5 you spend. When the card is complete return it to me to claim the free product of your choice from the list I provide. All completed cards are then entered into the next Grand Draw which take place at the end of June and December each year (Please note that this scheme is only applicable through me and for purchases of Stampin' Up! products)

Thank you!

2010-06-28T16:52:00.000+01:00

This is the card I made for my lovely upline Jo after she took a class for me on Brayering. It uses the beautiful Greenhouse Garden Stamp set. To make the corner decoration I punched the base card with the Eyelet Border Punch, coloured some vellum with an ink pad and mounted it behind the aperture. (The photo is a bit shadowy but it highlights the design I think). This is such an easy stamp set to create elegant sophisticated looking cards easily. Have you got yours yet? Email me to place an order click here

Happy stamping
x Helen

Quote of the Day

2010-06-07T14:28:00.001+01:00

Having just finished a class whence there was an enormous amount of hilarity as we all struggled with Monday morning brain fog, I stumbled upon this thought provoking quote of Baseball and Life Coach John Wooden

"Make each day your masterpiece"

Hmmm.................

Happy stamping

Helen

Guest Blogger - Jackie Gardiner

2010-06-01T11:20:00.000+01:00

Today is the day of firsts! First day of the month, first of my changes for my Blog, and the first contribution to my Blog! I have invited Jackie to be my Guest Blogger and here is her lovely card;

Jackie writes "I have been attending Helen's classes for some time now and I am well and truly hooked!
It was my father's birthday recently so I needed a card suitable for an elderly gentleman (sorry dad but you are 84!) I came up with this design with which I was pleased and so was he. It uses the pheasant stamp from the "Autumn Days" set. I coloured the stamp with marker pens then stamped it onto "Very Vanilla" cardstock. "Chocolate Chip" cardstock was used to mount this and also to make a scalloped square using the scallop edge punch.
The paper was from the "To the Nines" speciality designer pack and the ribbon was also "Chocolate Chip". The pieces were mounted as shown onto a base card of "Sage Shadow". The sentiment is from my much used "Sincere Salutations" set.
I haven't tried it yet but I reckon the other stamps in the "Autumn Days" set would make lovely Christmas wreaths. All in all, a very useful and versatile set."

Recipe:

Stamp Sets - Autumn Days; Sincere Salutations
Card Stock - Sage Shadow; Chocolate Chip; Very Vanilla
Ribbon - Chocolate Chip 5/8ths and 1/4 inch Grosgrain.
Paper - To the Nines.

I hope you have enjoyed looking at Jackie's card and if you want any of the supplies she mentions you can order them through me, just email me helen.cronin@hotmail.co.uk

Happy stamping

Helen

Blog changes update

2010-05-31T14:25:00.000+01:00

I see that I have actually posted very little this month and yet this was supposed to be the month of great changes! Well, as you know, I am technically challenged so although I have (what I think are) brilliant ideas, putting them into practice just takes me a bit longer than most. This has further been delayed by a Holiday at Our Gate (very homely) and a beastly cold that is doing the rounds of our village! So, hang on folks it will happen ASAP and I hope that you will agree that it has been worth the wait!
As the saying goes "All things come to (s)he who waits!"

My latest creation

2010-05-28T15:24:00.000+01:00

For the classes this week I was using an Embossing and Die-cutting tool. This card is one that I made by coating the inside of one of the surfaces of the of the folder with Chocolate Chip Ink and then embossing it on to Close to Cocoa Cardstock. The Tree image is from the Lovely as a Tree set, stamped in Not Quite Navy. I put a 1cm strip of Night of Navy through my crimper before mounting it onto the Chocolate Chip ribbon. The various elements are then mounted onto Sage Shadow Card.
I made a card very similar to this for my Brother-in-law's birthday last Sunday but I sewed linen thread in the corners of the Tree mat which added to the rustic feel (Unfortunately I didn't photograph it!)
If you would like me to show you how to make cards like this, why not come a Class? Click on the Classes in Dorset tab above or email me at helen.cronin@hotmail.co.uk for further details.
Happy Stamping
Helen

Sweet Pea Scrapbook Page

2010-05-12T17:01:00.002+01:00

Yesterday evening I showed some ladies how to make a simple Scrapbook page using A4 Card stock (Bashful Blue) as a base. They had been asked to bring one postcard size Black and White photo, so anticipating they may either bring a Landscape or a Portrait photo I designed a page that would accommodate either. Here is what I came up with! First my landscape layout....

...and here is the portrait version

There is plenty of room for journalling along the Taken with Teal strip. As this was a Stampin' Up! Workshop event, I wanted everyone to have the opportunity not only to use the wonderfully co-ordinated Sweet Pea Paper stack but also get to use the extra large Two-Step Bird punch and the Sweet Serenity Stampin' Wheel too. It was amazing to see the variations the ladies came up with by varying the colours used in the Bird embellishment and the position of it, amongst other things. They all thoroughly enjoyed playing with the punches, and were really pleased to find out how easy it is to use the Stampin' Wheels.

NEWS
In my last post I said I would be revealing some exciting changes here on my Blog, I was a little quick off the mark 'cos I am so excited but I'm afraid you will have to wait a little longer to find out all about it. As you know (if you have followed my blog for a while), I am technically challenged when it comes to IT so the changes I have planned are taking me a while to implement but I'm getting there. So come back soon and you may spot some changes....and an addition or two.....!

Until then
Happy Stampin
x Helen

And the Winner is....

2010-05-02T18:17:00.001+01:00

At my Open House in April I set up a challenge. I gave everyone who came a piece of Whisper White cardstock, then using the Very Vintage Stampin' Wheel, the Butterfly stamp from the Touch of Nature set and the Elegant Eggplant Ink pad, they were to stamp out the images and take them home to make a card. If they wished to enter it into the competition they had to return it to me by the 30th April. The cards were all beautiful and the standard very high. The judge, my DH, had a hard time choosing (I was not allowed in the room whilst the judging took place) but in the end decided this card was the winner....

This beautiful easel card was made by the very talented Jackie. Congratulations! Your prize will be winging its way to you shortly.

As the entries were all so good the next two cards were highly commended....

Well done Pat!

and Well done to you too Florence!

For my other exciting you will have to wait but be sure to check back in a couple of days when I should be able to tell you about some exciting developments on Stampernelly!
Until then Happy Stamping!
x Helen

What's All This?

2010-04-29T12:20:00.002+01:00

This is only one part of the fun you have being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator - receiving orders like this!

This was the contents of the boxes I had from Stampin' Up! after a recent Open House and all these items were waiting to be delivered to my customers! .....Then there are the opportunities to share your creativity, enjoy discounts and Special promotions, earn income and receive rewards. Wouldn't you love to be a part of all this? Why not click on the Tab above to read more about becoming a Demonstrator or email me helen.cronin@hotmail.co.uk

STOP PRESS sign up before May 7th to receive your Starter Kit for £125 (saving you a further£14)

Flying Butterfly mints

2010-04-21T18:00:00.001+01:00

For my recent Open House I made these

As usual I was short of time in making my "thank-you-for-coming" decorated chocolates that I like to do for all my Open Houses, so I came up with this simple idea using the "Flight of the Butterfly" Stamp set, Sage Shadow ink pad and Barely Banana cardstock. It was a whizz being able to punch all the butterflies out, I decorated the whole box of mints in less than 30 minutes and I was very good I didn't sample one!
Happy Stamping!
Helen

Longest Card-making class....Ever!!!

2010-04-20T11:05:00.002+01:00

It all started when my DH suggested I tried to teach him how to make a card and I reminded him of his parents Wedding anniversary the following week. The 'class' started at 11am. He cut.... measured.... stamped.... glued.... matted.... punched.... (anything that used tools was much enjoyed) and carefully listened to all my instructions and SIX hours later he had achieved this! (We did break for lunch)

I think he did really well...and yes we are still speaking!
So you see, anyone can make cards with the right instruction :)
Happy stamping!
Helen

Classes in Dorset - update

2010-04-15T14:26:00.001+01:00

Phew! I have managed to put all the up-to-date information on the page for my classes for May to August this year, just click on the Tab above to see for yourself. Classes are filling up very quickly many of them only have one or two places left and the List has been out less than a week! So don't delay in booking your place or you may miss out.
Happy stamping
Helen

New Class List

2010-04-14T15:12:00.001+01:00

Yes! The new Class list is out for May to August and the classes are filling up fast, so if you are interested in coming, click on the Classes in Dorset Tab above to check availability and then send me your booking form and payment asap.

See you soon - happy stamping

Helen

ps I'm not sure what has happened but whilst editing the Classes page but the edit box has gone to HTML and I can't continue, so I will have to wait until it rights itself and then finish what I was doing!

It's Mini Time!

2010-04-01T08:33:00.001+01:00

Yes! Its time for you to see the lovely new Mini Catalogue we have from Stampin' Up! The beautiful new Punches,Papers, Ribbons, Stamps and Accessories are sure to get your creativity going...and just wait til you see the Felt Flowers and Shimmer Paint....aaaahhhhhh!

Click here to see it online or email me to send you a copy!

Happy, happy stamping

x Helen

Vintage Butterfly

2010-03-24T10:06:00.001Z

So here it is! The first of my Mini sneak peeks. The background is a lovely new Stampin' Wheel. Do you recognize the butterfly? It is available in the stamp set "Touch of Nature" in the Current Idea book....and what's that greeting.......? Come back again and you may spot it featuring in another card.

Happy stamping

x Helen

Medallion - Friendship award

2010-03-23T10:06:00.001Z

I really meant to post some new piccies for you last week but it just got busier and busier. One of the reasons for being so busy was getting my swaps ready for a Demonstrator Training Day on Saturday, in Reading. I thought you might like to have a look....

I have used the Medallion Background Stamp for the flowers (and Sage Shadow Ink), punching them out with the Scalloped Circle and topping them with Boho Blossoms punched from Chocolate Chip and Sage Shadow cardstock. The greeting is from the Oval All Stamp set.
Must dash now as I've loads to do today but come back again tomorrow and I will have the first of my sneak peeks from the new Mini Catalogue.... ooh! aren't I a tease?!

Happy stamping

x Helen

Getting ready for a class

2010-03-08T14:33:00.001Z

People are quite curious as to how I get ready for a class, where I get my inspiration from and...oh! how wonderful it is for me to have a dedicated space to craft in. Well I will let you into a little secret....this is what happens when I am in full crafting mode,......packaging orders...... and organizing a Ribbon Share..........

However 48 hours later all is sorted and I am ready for a Class!

We had a lovely morning making Cards using the Garden Whimsy set. There is always a lot of laughter, refreshments and biscuits at my Classes, and everyone loves it if I make a mistake (which I generally do at least once in a class). To find out more about my classes click on the Classes in Dorset tab at the top of this page, or email me to receive a copy of the Class Programme for May to July 2010. I hope to see you soon.
Happy stamping
x Helen

Easel Card

2010-03-04T12:46:00.001Z

I have seen this style of card on various blogs so I thought I would have a go, then last week I taught it at a couple of my classes and everyone loved it, so I thought it was about time I showed it here! At last a tent fold card that stands up by itself! I used the En Francais background stamp and the solid flower image from the Garden Dream Hostess set (level 3). The greeting is from the Oval All set

If you like this, you really want to see what Jo has done with her take on the Easel card, click here to see for yourself. Her work is absolutely beautiful!

Thanks for stopping by and looking

Happy stamping

x Helen

Darling Dots Pocket

2010-02-24T15:22:00.001Z

Ooops! I seem to be going through a bit of an Old Olive phase at the moment! But at least I am using stamps from different sets - the leaf is from Darling Dots (Hostess set level 1) and the flower centre is from the Seeing Spots set. This idea was prompted by something I saw on Becky Roberts website but she used totally different colours and Stamps! The fold for this pocket is at the bottom, the front cover is folded back on itself to just cover the edge of the Designer Paper and the sides sealed with red Sticky Tape. The leaf is also stamped in the top left corner of a piece of Very Vanilla card stock that just slips inside

You know.... I do just the same thing with food recipes...see something I really like the sound of, then change all the ingredients I don't like or don't have, and finish with something that only vaguely resembles what originally inspired me! Oh well! Such is my life

Happy stamping
x Helen

Flight of the Butterfly Blog Candy

2010-02-22T15:19:00.000Z

My lovely friend and upline Jo has posted a beautiful Kit on her Blog using the Flight of the Butterfly Stamp set. To visit her blog click here to see it for yourself, and have the chance to win this kit for yourself. To win, just leave a comment on her blog but you must hurry over there, you only have until the 1st March!

Stampin' Up! versatility

2010-02-19T16:41:00.001Z

I am amazed at the versatility of Stampin' Up! Stamp sets. This card was inspired by a Magazine article by Kym Smiley using the Soft Summer set and a couple of card stock colours that we don't have (in the UK at the moment - LOL) But not one to be put off by this, I set about creating a card using similar colours and a different Stamp set - Autumn Days. The basic layout is the same but I just used everything I do have, creating my own lacy border effect with the Scallop border punch, 1/16th inch hole punch and Paper piercer. The scalloped oval punch and large oval punch, Not Quite Navy,Old Olive and Chocolate Chip cardstock and Old Olive Ribbon and Oval All Stamp set I already had in my craft room. I made the little button by punching out a flower with the Boho Blossom punch, piercing two small thread holes and then using a Uni-ball Signo gel pen to look like thread joined up the two holes. So next time you see a layout you like, have a go creating it with a stamp set you do have - you'll be surprised how satisfying it is!

Happy Stamping

x Helen

ps All the above mentioned items are available in the UK and can be purchased through me! Just email me

pps OK I admit I did use one stamp from the Soft summer set for the background stamping but I could just have easily used the pine-cone sprig or small maple leaf from the Autumn Days set. If the truth be known, I made this card sometime ago but as I wanted to highlight "Autumn Days" this week I thought I would post this card inspite of this small discrepancy.... I hope you like it anyway!

Have a Pheasant Day!

2010-02-15T11:02:00.001Z

I cannot remember what inspired this card (or who - sorry) but it gave me the opportunity to showcase the water colour technique. Looks complicated but it is easier than you think. Using the corner or your Stampin' Spot ink pads tap the the ink onto the area of stamp you wish to colour, starting with the lightest colour first. For this Pheasant I started with So Saffron then Taken with Teal and finished with Bravo Burgundy, lightly spritzed the stamp from about 10" away with a small bottle of water -one spritz is enough or you make the ink too wet - then stamped onto Whisper White cardstock. it is always exciting as you never quite know what the image will look like as the colours blend. We did this in class last year and everyones pheasant came out differently although we were all using the same colours, it just depended on how they had inked up the stamp.

Go on have a go for yourself and see how much fun it is!

Happy stamping

x Helen

Recipe

Stamp Set: Autumn Days

Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Old Olive and Whisper White

Ribbon: 1/4" Grosgrain Chocolate Chip

Inks: So Saffron,Taken with Teal and Bravo Burgundy

Tools: Mat Pack and Paper Piercer, 1/2" circle punch

Autumn Days

2010-02-13T12:36:00.001Z

Totally out of season - name wise -this lovely set of stamps from Stampin' Up! called Autumn Days is so versatile, as you will see over the next few posts. Here I have teamed it with stamps from the Frames with a Flourish and Sincere Salutations sets for a card with a masculine feel. The greeting looks as if it is suspended on the linen thread but is actually popped up on Stampin' Dimensionals.

Have you clicked on any of the page tabs yet which are just under the Title Banner? I have posted details of my Classes on one page and will be adding more info to the other pages over the next few days.

I hope you had a good laugh at my last post, I'm not sure whether it is a sign of brain cell deterioration or just a mad moment but good for a laugh anyway,....and they say laughing IS good for you. For me creating and laughing go together, come to one of my classes and you will see what I mean!

Thanks for stopping by

x Helen

Welcome to my Blog

2010-02-10T17:53:00.001Z

For a professional Card maker I am an awful correspondent (as many of my family and friends will tell you)! However change is on the horizon...as you will no doubt have realized from the change of appearance of this blog. I have been inspired by a book I have just read entitled "Blogging for Bliss" by Tara Frey, in it are all sorts of wonderful samples of beautiful blogs.....So in fear and trepidation I have set out to make a few changes to mine, (and as you know I am technically challenged when it comes to the computer) and not only to the Blog but to my approach to it too. I am determined to post more often, which shouldn't be too difficult considering how few the posts have been in the last three months. I won't make any promises for the moment but I am going to make a real effort to change....mind you if you could see what I was wearing one day.................

......you will know that not only is there plenty of room for improvement but also I am ever so slightly crazy!!!
And before you ask, yes those are my feet and I had been walking around like that for a couple of hours before I noticed! Mind you the person staying with me hadn't noticed either...! Like Mother, like daughter so they say (love you M!).
Happy ~~Stomping~~ Stamping
x Helen

Yum, Yum! Open House!

2010-01-21T10:35:00.001Z

I had this post all planned out in my head, doing before and after shots with text wrapped around it.... I am still having technical problems... although it might actually be me being less than competent :) The first picture are the components of the Thank You gifts I made yesterday
and the next is what I made, 30 little card folders for the Mint Chocs. I was very good I only ate two! And what are they for, I hear you ask.....Well Friday is my Stampin' Up! Sale-a-bration Open House, and I always make a little Thank-You-for-coming Gift for everyone. I always bake home-made Biscuits too. Everybody has a lot of fun at my Open House, chatting to fellow crafters, doing Make-and-Takes, browsing through the Idea Book and Catalogue, asking me questions of 'How do you do so-and-so....' and sharing their love of all things crafty. If you are in the area why not come along? Too short notice? then send me your email address and I will notify you of the next one well in advance

Roll on Friday!
Happy stamping,
x Helen

Technical problems

2010-01-08T17:31:00.001Z

Hello everyone and a very happy New Year to you all!
Christmas has come and gone with the usual frenzy of activity. I did get all my cards made and posted in time but there was little time for other crafting. I had planned to post some of the lovely cards I had received but it didn't happen, then disaster struck! I haven't been able to access my Blog for about two weeks, and it was only when someone suggested that I change my Internet browser that there was light at the end of the tunnel...so here I am. I am sorry there isn't a picture to show you this time, I'm afraid I had rather given up all hope of ever being able to access my Blog ever again, so now that I have I have been taken totally off guard!!! But be warned I will be back.
Until then keep warm, keep well and Happy Crafting
x Helen

Tag Banner

2009-11-14T13:54:00.000Z

Woohoo! Hows this! I actually managed to crop the photo and get it on my blog - so two posts in 24 hours!!!

To make this banner I cut out rectangles of Real Red and Garden Green card, trimming the top corners with a pair of fancy scissors I have and leaving a "flap" of card to one side so that I could stick each one to its neighbour, I then cut-out the smaller rectangles and trimmed the top corners of those too before adding faux stitching with a white gel-pen. All the letters are chipboard which I inked up, and heat embossed using Clear or White embossing powder as you can see. The coloured letters were then mounted onto Very Vanilla cardstock before the whole thing was finally assembled. I thought this would be quite a quick project but it actually took me ages!

Hope you like it

x Helen

All materials were Stampin' Up products

Beautiful Colours

2009-11-13T13:28:00.000Z

Hello! You must have wondered where I had gone to, I have been absent soooo long but here I am again, with a couple of photos this time to cheer you up on this wet and soon to be very windy day. I love the colours of Autumn and the trees around my home never fail to put on a wonderful display. centre of this photo is my favourite tree of all, a Japanese Maple

Isn't this tree absolutely beautiful.....

I am hoping my next post will be this side of Christmas as I have some photo's of some rather lovely decorations my dear husband helped me to make for my Open House at the beginning of November...yep!...I have got a bit out of step with the Seasons this year!!! Now all I need to do is to work out how to crop the photo's so that actually fit on the screen.....and then I simply must get on with making my Christmas cards.

Thanks for stopping by

x Helen

Soft Summer Birthday

2009-09-22T14:54:00.001+01:00

I wanted to post this picture last week but couldnt until after Jo's birthday. For this layout I have used the Holiday Treasures Designer Paper but I have also used the Haiku pack on other versions of this card that I have made - both papers are only available until the 30th September, so if you have fallen in love with them you need to get them now before they disappear......

Apologies again for the long absence, I wish I could tell you I have been away on some long holiday in a faraway land but the truth is I have been working very hard with classes and Stampin' Up! workshops as well as planning the next few months classes and events. If you live in the Dorset area and would like details of my events please email me and I will send you full details. Alternatively, if you would like to host a party for your friends why not get in touch and we will arrange a time of papercrafting fun with lots of laughter, Stamping tips and prizes!

Happy Stamping

Helen

Recipe

Stamps: Soft Summer

Designer Paper: Holiday Treasures and Old Olive

Choc chip, Ruby Red, Old Olive Cardstock

Old Olive ribbon, Stazon Ink and Blender Pen

Going, going....soon be gone!

2009-09-02T12:55:00.000+01:00

Yes! this is your last chance to buy these lovely Stamp sets and accessories, some at 25% off and some at 50% off the usual price but they are only available whilst stocks last or until 30th September 2009, so hurry and bag yourself a bargain! Click on the image above to see the list larger and select your purchases, then contact me with your order and I will do the rest. Orders over £45 will receive a free gift from me (personally)

Speak to you soon

Helen

Chips with everthing (3)

2009-08-25T10:04:00.000+01:00

I had hoped to be able to post at least three times a week but I see that a whole week has passed since I last posted anything! So to make up for that... this is the third part of my Chips with everything Class and I am going to show you 3 photo's!!!
The first shows the Gift wallet we actually made in class using an ordinary C6 envelope:

This version uses a DL envelope

...as you can see from this shot of the inside of it I CASE'd this idea from Angie Kennedy. She has an excellent tutorial called "Stampin' Up! Envelope Card" which you can see by going to http://www.mychicnscratch.com/envelope-projects/
Such a simple idea an yet so versatile and easy-to-make.

Thanks for stopping by and looking.

Happy stamping

Helen

For my samples I used
Stamps: Carte Postale, Best Yet (Hostess Level 1 set)

Inks: Elegant Eggplant, Green Galore

Cardstock: Lavender Lace, Old Olive

Patterned Paper from the "Love Stories" Simply Scrappin' Pack

Chipboard shape from the On Board Batch of Blooms pack

News and Chips (2)

2009-08-18T20:09:00.000+01:00

This is another of the cards we did in class last week. We heat embossed chipboard flowers with Bravo Burgundy ink and clear embossing powder. The back left Very Vanilla panel has been embossed with a Cuttlebug folder, and Chocolate Chip Cardstock and Ribbon were used to complete the card.

Well I may not have been blogging in the last few days but I have been working very hard!

Firstly, trying to get my Autumn Class programme together and distributed. If you would like a copy just send me an email and I will get one to you one way or another.

Then I have been organizing the open House I am having for all those last minute buys from the current Stampin' Up! Idea book on the 4th September, the last opportunity to buy some products that will not be in the new Catalogue when it appears in October.

And finally, I have been working on re-organizing my Craft room. Boy did it need it! Now it is sooooo much better there is a real possibility of me being really organized and even managing a class in it. I will try and post some photos next week.

Thanks for visiting.

Happy stamping

Helen

Chips with Everything! (1)

2009-08-12T08:37:00.000+01:00

Well, that was the name I thought up for the class I had last Monday ! I cant remember what was inspiring me as my class programme is planned several months ahead but I knew I wanted to do a class using chipboard, and this is the first card we made. Brilliant Blue cardstock and ink , Whimsy wheel and Seeing Spots stamps, Brocade Blue grosgrain Ribbon and, of course, Dazzling Diamonds for the butterfly bling. The white 'button' is in fact a chipboard circle heat embossed in white.

Thanks for looking!

Helen

Summer by the Sea

2009-08-08T18:44:00.000+01:00

I can't resist using this lovely stamp! I used the set for a Class last week but the design is freely CASE'd from the current Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalogue. Whilst my husband and friends all think I own everything there is to buy from the catalogue, this card proves I don't! I haven't got the Sanded or Canvas Background Stamps, so I had to use a bit of inventiveness to get around that small problem!!! Can you guess what I did?! It certainly would have been cleaner and easier if I had the real thing (Are you listening dh?!)!

Happy Stamping!

x Helen

Recipe

Stamp: Summer By the Sea

Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Bravo Burgundy,Sahara Sand

Ink: Bravo Burgundy

Ribbon: 1/4" Chocolate Chip Grograin

Sunshine and Soft Summer

2009-08-07T18:28:00.000+01:00

Oh the sun has been shining today! I havent' been able to decide whether to make the most of it or get on with some crafting, so I've done both! The dog had a long rather warm walk, and I've finished making the sample cards for next weeks class "Chips with everything!" Come back in a couple of days to see what I made....
Todays picture is one I made for a class a few weeks ago inspired by Andrea Walker but the background is my own, made by heat embossing "Soft Summer" images in clear powder and then swooshing Bordering Blue ink over it

I've lots more cards lined up to show you. But I must away now as I need to finish putting together my Newsletter for release on Monday. If you would like a copy either by email or snail-mail, just send me an email and I will whizz one off to you.
Happy Stamping
x Helen

Soft Summer

2009-08-01T17:01:00.000+01:00

Firstly, apologies for the rather poor quality of this photo! Without a proper photographic lighting booth in which to capture my masterpieces, I have had to resort to trying various places around my home where I can get a strong, even light without shadow! Nearly impossible with the lack of sunshine we have been having!!

Secondly, my apologies for not giving the proper credit to the person who designed this card, I cannot remember who it was or even if it is entirely 'my own' design.....how bad is that? However I hope it will bring a little sunshine into your life as you look at it.

I have really been wanting to show you this lovely stamp set and its versatility for sometime. But have had to wait until after my M-I-L's Birthday! The left hand card uses 2-step stamping technique but for the right hand one, I coloured the image with Stampin' Pastels. I used the Haiku Designer Paper as a background on both, and Really Rust cardstock as the base card

Below is my favourite version of the two cards, having used the two-step stamping technique to create the image I stamped out another one, cut out the flowers and leaves, and fixed them with Stampin' Dimensionals to make it really 'pop'

For the inside of the card I cut a piece of the Haiku Designer Paper to size and a smaller piece Barely Banana cardstock to fit inside it, and fixed it by punching the designer paper with a clever lacy photo/corner punch that I have had for quite a while, but not SU! I am sorry to say :( You cannot really see the detail in this photo unless you click on it but I hope that you get the idea......

Thanks for stopping by and looking at my Blog.

Happy Stamping

Helen

2009-08-01T16:20:00.000+01:00

FREE RIBBON PACK!

This months offer from Stampin' Up! is a free pack of gorgeous Ribbon with every order over £45 (excl. postage) or if you host a workshop with Sales of £300 or more. The pack is for 9.1 metres each of Certainly Celery 5/8" Poly-twill and So Saffron 5/8" Grosgrain ribbon. Who can resist these lovely colours? To earn yours, email me for more details or to arrange a Workshop. Remember this offer is only for August, so hurry and get in touch to qualify for your Ribbon Pack. My email address is helen.cronin@hotmail.co.uk

Pop-Up Card

2009-07-23T12:49:00.000+01:00

I made this card for a special little boy for his third Birthday! I hid his gift, wrapped in matching paper behind the letters. I admit this is the first pop-up card I have made but I was really pleased with the result, and it was relatively easy to make once I had worked out the spacing for the letters...hmmmmm...Now there's an idea for a Workshop, although it will need a big card to fit in all the letters for Ozymandius and the like!

Gift Vouchers

2009-07-22T12:18:00.000+01:00

I nearly posted this card the other day then I realised that the lady to who was going to receive it may well see it here on my Blog before she was to be given it!!!

It all began when her husband approached me for a Gift Voucher for Stampin' Up! I had to make a pretty card to go with it didnt't I? So here it is, using the Soft Summer stamp set from the Mini Catalogue and the Two Step stamping technique. I used Bravo Burgundy ink on Taken with Teal, Apricot Appeal and Whisper white Cardstock. I cut out a couple of extra flowers and popped them up on Dimensionals to create a bit more interest.

If you would like to receive a Gift Voucher as your next Birthday/Christmas present just give your friend or relative my contact details and I will arrange for one. Gift vouchers can be for any amount and are valid for 12 months (not that anyone could keep from spending them in that time with all the lovely products there are in the Idea Book! LOL) Vouchers bought from me, are only redeemable through me. All come with a handmade card (of course!) and the value of the gift counts towards the free gift in my Loyalty Card Scheme.

Alternatively give them a Wish -List with suggestions of what you would like as a gift, put them in touch with me, and I will do the rest, as they say.

Concertina card

2009-07-21T12:05:00.000+01:00

Here are a couple of cards we made in class the other day. Each is cut from a single sheet of A4 Whisper White cardstock and decorated with stamped images and designer paper. Oh, it so much more enjoyable making cards when everything co-ordinates, and instead of stressing about what matches you can relax and enjoy the process of creating.... Am I repeating myself?! Sorry if I am but it is one of the things I love about Stampin' Up! products, that and the quality of everything too. (Oooohh! Can you hear me purring contentedly?)

Cross Fold Card

2009-07-08T12:23:00.000+01:00

Just a quick post to show you the card I made for my Father-in-laws Birthday. He was really chuffed with it (and so was I). It is called a cross fold card because of the way it is made! Slide off the the birthday Wishes belly band and the inside of the card opens up. The tabbed insert card had a special gift attached to it...! (oohhh! I wish I knew had to post photos in order, this is my second attempt and I still haven't got it as I wanted but I've no time to try again as I need to prepare for my class on Monday).This idea was cased from this http://www.allthingsstampy.blogspot.com site.

I hope you have enjoyed looking at both versions of this card design

Happy stamping

Nelly

One of Many(!)

2009-07-02T08:21:00.000+01:00

Cards not Babies!

Here is one of my latest creations, a card I made to celebrate the latest addition to the family. It is based on a design I have done in one of my Classes using embossed and die-cut Cuttlebug images but all the cardstock and paper are Stampin' Up! products. Oh it does make life so much easier when everything co-ordinates so beautifully, you can spend your creative juices on design instead. I even lined the envelope with Designer paper, which is so easy to do and you dont need to prise an envelope undone to do it. I will try and post instructions in the next few days.

Life in our house has been quite hectic in the last couple of weeks as my husband is setting up his own business. There is an awful lot of paperwork to do, phone calls to make, people to see...but we are getting there. (Did you notice how I used the Royal "We" there?!) More of that in due course. Must dash now.

Thanks for stopping by.

2009-06-29T16:47:00.000+01:00

Phew! I (somehow) have managed to rescue my Blog... I don't know how...and I am signing off for the day before anything else goes wrong! LOL!

New Blog Layout

2009-06-29T16:11:00.000+01:00

Oh dear!
I was so hoping to make this Blog look much better.
I found a lovely background, and was going to personalize the header banner and then get on with posting. Now I've lost everything (including the necessary tab on Blogger page to arrange elements on my Blog) and ended on with this rather boring page! I am technically challenged but I won't be beaten! Watch this space - it may yet happen!

Blog Candy

2009-05-18T08:04:00.000+01:00

Oooohhh! There was I saying that I should have more time for my blog! This month has been busier than ever!! I have been doing a lot of work with Class preparations and over the next two weeks I have 2 Crafty me classes, 2 afternoons teaching Card-making at a local school, a beginners Rubber stamping class and 2 Stampin' Up! workshops to do. It seems two of most things - dare I say too much to do?!
Anyway this is just to let you know that there is some reeaaallly lovely Blog candy up for grabs on Debbies blog go to http://www.passionforcrafts.blogspot .com to see what I mean. What a very generous lady.
I will be back soon with some photos of what I have been upto, until then
Happy Crafting

Thanks so much

2009-04-16T17:45:00.000+01:00

Hopefully, if I can load them, these photo's will show you what I've been doing today!

Last week a lovely lady called Barbara hosted a workshop for me, so the first card is for her. The second card I made for each of the ladies who placed an order, I like to pop a little card in their bag along with their purchases.

I have had a busy few weeks with classes and the workshop. The Spring Newsletter is available and although it is not at its most beautiful in PDF I can email copies to those interested (you dont get to see the beautifully co-ordinated staples though! Tee-hee) Tomorrow I have a class for Dry Embossing and in 10 days time a class where we will be making lots of mess creating background Papers!

My husband has spent the week building a shed which I am sorely tempted to commandeer for my new Stamping Studio, its sooo gorgeous, just a bit small to teach classes in. I keep hinting I need more space!! He really wants to re-do my Craft Room, so I have been checking out websites for inspiration, however it is some way down the to-do list so plenty of time to gather ideas.

Now I have caught up with things a bit (ha-ha) I am hoping to be able to post more often, so come back soon.

Recipe for Cards

Whisper White & Taken with Teal cardstock, Bravo burgundy Ink spot,Chocolate chip grosgrain ribbon,Tea & Crumpets Designer Series Paper, Sincere Salutations Stamp set, Round Scallop and Boho Blossoms Punches

2009-03-26T12:05:00.000Z

Important announcement!
My newsletter and programme of classes is due out at the beginning of April. If you want to receive one hot off the press (ahem, for that read "printer") then please email your address to
craftycronins@mypostoffice.co.uk and I will get one off to you asap. If I can get it into a pdf format I will be able to email it otherwise we will have to rely on snail mail but it will be worth the wait, I promise!
Happy stamping
x Helen

Open House

2009-03-12T11:46:00.000Z

Here is a photo of the Writing Desk set up I did using the Stampin' Up! Patterns Designer Series Papers in Bashful Blue, the Garden Whimsy Stamp set, Whisper white cardstock and Brilliant Blue inkpad copyright Stampin' Up!

This shows a complete place setting I produced using the Stampin' Up! Carte Postale Stamp set, Brilliant Blue and barely Banana Cardstock and the Brilliant Blue Ink pad - Candle wraps, Placemat, Coaster, Napkin (or should that be serviette? "It depends whether it is paper or linen, my dear!") Place-card and Favour Box

It was a fantastic day! Lots of lovely people came to look at all the samples Jo and I had made, drink coffee and tea made by Florence, and eat biscuits made by me! I know some of the ladies who came in declaring they were not crafty went away feeling really encouraged that they could make cards after all. The last visitors left at 5pm, Maisie and Zeph having had a 'Make and Take session all to the selves whilst their Mum perused the Idea Book at her leisure! I had a wonderful day but shock!horror! realised that I hadnt taken any photo's! :( So I'm afraid the light was very poor by the time I took these but perhaps it will give you some idea as to what I have been upto. (All thats assuming I can load the pics onto my blog which doesn't look promising considering the trouble I had yesterday just downloading them!!!)

WooHoo! I've managed to load the photos even though I haven't managed to arrange this post around them the way I would have liked......but...I'm getting there! Thanks for dropping by to look.

Happy crafting

Helen

p.s.

2009-03-05T08:43:00.000Z

ooops! being a newbie at this blogging lark I managed to publish that last post before I had actually finished it!!! And I do so want to say a big thankyou to my lovely upline Jo, who has put in a lot of time in preparing Me and other things for this Open House too. Jo has very kindly agreed to come for the day and demonstrate various techniques. You can view her lovely creations at www.stampin'n'stuff.blogspot.com
Thanks Jo for all your help and encouragement.

Open House

2009-03-05T08:21:00.000Z

Tomorrow is the BIG Day! I have been working very hard to put together a really good display for my Open House . I have made umpteen cards and decorated all sorts of things to show how wonderful Stampin' up! products are, I've made........nope, you're gonna have to what and see! I don't want to spoil the surprise!

I may sound somewhat biased here but I have to say that I am totally convinced that Stampin' Up! products really are the best, the quality of everything is superb, and it has been a joy to use them. My other stash has paled into insignificance. I've already sorted through my tool-box and chucked out the rubbish. On Monday I took my light- weight rotary trimmer to class and had to use it to cut some card for the girls........well first there was a howl of protest at the awful squeak it made (nails on the blackboard -uggghhh!) and then we discovered the measuring scale was out of alignment by 5mm. Disaster when you are trying to make an accurate cut for a penny-spinner card!!!

Right, I'm off now to make my final prepations and blitz the house ready for all the lovely people to come and fall in love with Stampin' Up! Check back in a few days when there should be photos for you to see.

Happy Crafting

Helen

Busy,busy,busy!

2009-02-21T22:45:00.000Z

Hello!
Well getting this blog up and running is taking me longer than I thought it would. I am very busy at the moment preparing for my next class which is an introduction to Rubber Stamping, and I have been preparing too for an Open House for showcasing Stampin'Up! I having been making lots of samples for everyone to look at, as well as distributing flyers and invitations to advertise the event. Want to know more about this or my classes? Then contact me by email craftycronins@mypostoffice.co.uk I hope it won't be too long before I can show you some pictures of what I've been up to and give you some more information about what exactly I do!