My first stampin up event

So on Saturday I headed north to Telford for a UK event. It was a fabulous day, full of helpful demonstrations, product shares, make-and-takes and some prizes (more about that tomorrow). One of the things we were asked to do was make our own name badges. There were some gorgeous ones out there. Here is mine:

My favourite daisies had to feature of course, along with a bit of pink and green :-).

We could also take along some swaps. Bit of a pressured week so I only managed 12 and they were simple, but probably what I would send. Couple of terrible pictures here...

What you can't see is that the stamped flowers are on vellum which was very subtle and very stroke-able. Well I liked them!

Tomorrow I'll show you the swaps I received and also the special goodies I came away with! 

Helen x

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Gift bag and a seal of approval from Thomas

Who doesn't love a posh little bag as much as the presents inside?  Well I do! So when a friend requests 'no presents' at their birthday then it is really hard to obey orders. So I decided a small bag of thorntons and a hand cream didn't really count as a present and wanted to make it look a bit special. So how about this:

I was using up some free goodies from Stampin Up from the sale-a-bration event so that even more counts as 'no presents' :-). It was quite a tall bag, using a full sheet of 12x12 paper, with a simple ribbon tie and tag:

The beauty of the paper is that it also has a snazzy inside:

And one of my little friends had to come and give his seal of approval. Thanks Thomas x

Hope you like it as much as Thomas.


Helen x

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Swallowtail

I'm going to let this card and stamp just speak for itself.  The stamp is just stylishly stunning, and really quite huge!  Hence why I've barefly fit half of it on an A6 card.  And I didn't even stick a sentiment on it as I didn't want to distract from the beautiful image. But I still love it as it is...

Hope you like it too!

Helen x

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

A little chocolate treat!

So how's this for a tiny little treat:

I've used the Butterfly Basics set again to tie in with the cards I've made - see here and here.  I get the little chocolate bars from Aldi - 5 in a pack for £1.25 and they have loads of different kinds. And it is really good chocolate.  What's not to love!

I'm thinking of having sotruemething like them as little thank-yous for my customers (just a few that I'm hugely grateful for - early days and no card classes yet so not a surprise yet really!  Need to be patient!).

Ooo I'm getting a chocolate craving now...  Until next time,

Helen x

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Butterfly basics

Another stamp set I just had to buy, and you can get a matching 'framelets' set as part of a bundle with 15% off! I got this as part of my Stampin Up starter kit and have been dying to play with.

See the link the below if you are tempted!

I've picked up the theme and colourways of my previous card (and also the next project lined up for the blog will coordinate too- think chocolate!). I wanted to show how just a few paper colours and matching inks can be used in so many ways. As I've only recently started as a Stampin Up demonstrator I'm yet to build up a stock of items. But the versatility of the colour families can mean even crafting on a budget can produce some lovely projects. All three project just use the subtles colour family with a bit of crumb cake from the neutrals.

What's not to love about butterflies and pretty botanicals!

Hope you like it as much as I do!

Helen x

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Sheltering Tree

Oh my, how much do I love this stamp set! It is from the spring/summer catalogue but I'm really pleased to share it's not going anywhere (hint hint look out for the new annual catalogue next month!).

The sentiments are just perfect and the tree fits right in with my nature obsession. This past month I've been minding my 2.5 year old nephew on and off and I'm pleased to say he's definitely inherited the love of nature. We've spent many an mindful minute listening to the leaves rustling, guessing which birds are singing or just admiring the fields of golden rape on our car rides! My mindfulness tutor will be pleased!

Anyway I've just whipped up this beauty using crumb cake, pink pirouette and wild wasabi colour combos and I think it is so pretty. It's all ready for when one of my fantastic friends is there for me when I really need them. I hate relying on people but having two pretty awful medical issues means I often have to, and their friendships and support really are a sheltering tree.

I hope you like it as much as I do!

Helen x

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog