Tuesday 4 December 2012

New Class Timetable!



I have just released my new timetable for January to March next year - I have really worked hard on these classes, and they will give you more product than ever before! If you have never been to one of my classes before, why not book before Christmas to receive an exclusive 10% discount (excludes the scrapbook weekend)?! Click the link below to see the full list: 


I look forwards to seeing some new faces,

Happy Crafting,
Becky

Ps: a big thank you to Julie Kettlewell my upline for her amazing photography!

Wednesday 28 November 2012

Braving the Brownies!

So today I did my first ever craft event for a brownie group - and boy was I nervous. You might be surprised that I was nervous when I tell you that week in week out for the last 3 years I have helped my very good friend Sally to run a girl guides unit. But trust me, brownies are a different kettle of fish altogether.

With our guides (over 40 of them!) they are aged between 10 and 14 years of age, and they are at that point where they can pretty much be trusted not to burn the building down or take someone's eye out if I turn my back for a second. Not so with brownies, aged 7 to 10 years old, as in my head they are scary! So trying to design cards for them to make I was having nightmares of reams of health and safety forms, risk analysis and more. 

Questions were spinning round my head: Is it ok to let them use scissors? Has the glue I intend to use had a COSHH report? What the heck is a COSHH report!!!!? Are they ALL obsessed with pink? Will the cleaners kill me if I give them glitter?

With my guides, they are pretty independent and most can be relied upon to have a modicum of common sense. Generally thinking of a idea, pitching it to the girls and ensuring they have all the materials is all that is needed to kick-start a creative session - and I love that I don't have to think through every little detail. Again, I was thinking the worst of the brownies.

So eventually I came up with a Christmas card and a thank you card design that I was reasonably happy with, (and a great deal of thanks goes out here to Sarah - your primary school teacher 'they don't bite' advice was invaluable) and rocked up at the school where they meet. In trooped 11 girls, 3 leaders and 2 young helpers. We sized each other up... some of the girls contemplating how difficult they were going to be... myself mentally maintaining the leverage of bright pink glittery paper and multicoloured buttons. Prepared for the worst.

Curve ball. I was doing well until they all said 'hello' in cute voices, and all said please and thank you every time I gave them another piece of material or kit. My resistance crumbled. 

Brownies = 1
Craft Leader = 0

Till we meet again...

Wednesday 14 November 2012

WOW! How? - Christmas Cracker Tutorial

As promised earlier, here is a tutorial on how to make a Christmas Cracker from one sheet of A4 card. It is a little late, but I have been really busy planing all the lovely classes I have for you in the new year!


You will need per cracker:

1 x Whisper White A4
1 x 12" length Night of Navy grosgrain ribbon (1/4" wide)
Stamps or embellishments to decorate (my list of materials/tools for this is at the bottom of the post)

Tools and Supplies needed:

Border Punch
Classic Stamp Pad (I used Pool Party and Night of Navy)
Stampin' Around Wheel (+ handle)
Stamp Set (I used Everything Eleanor)
Adhesive
Scissors
Simply Scored Scoring Tool


Instructions:
1) Take your A4 sheet of Whisper White and score at 2", 3" and 4" from the end. Rotate and repeat from the other side.


2) Now turn the page and score lengthways, from ONE side at:
1 1/4", 2 1/2", 3 3/4", 5", 6 1/4" and 7 1/2". You should end up with six sections all sized 1 1/4", and one end strip that measures 3/4".


3) Use a border punch along both short edges of the A4 card.


4) You should now have two sets of three score lines at each end (from step 1). Fold down the middle score line on one side only.


5) Use paper snips to cut V's along the fold line. Each point of the triangles you cut needs to finish at the 'cross' created by your score lines. Also it is IMPORTANT that you do not connect the triangles you cut - there must be a small gap, about a centimetre, between each.


6) When opened out, it should look something like the picture below. Note that the bottom strip is a bit different. All I have done is create tabs on the THIN end strip from step 2 by cutting away the excess. Repeat steps 4, 5 and 6 for the other side.


7) Open out any folds and roller you choice of design along the sides. 


8) Stamp your choice of design onto the third 'strip' in from the edge. I have used the worn label image from the Everything Eleanor stamp set.


9) Turn your template over, and apply adhesive to the tabs (apply the adhesive to the side I have indicated with the scribbled pencil lines). Stick to the opposite edge to create a hexagonal tube.


10) Cut your length of ribbon in half, and use it to tie the ends in. If you wish to add a gift or snap then add this before tying the second ribbon. Decorate as desired! 


If you would like to create this cracker yourself, but don't have the necessary materials, then I have kits available to purchase. Please email craftingbecky@gmail.com for more details.

I hope you have liked this tutorial! If you use it, or find it helpful, please do leave me a comment as encouragement to do more. Also if you have any constructive feedback as to how I might improve future tutorials then suggestions are welcome!

Happy Crafting,
Becky


Recipe for decoration as seen in the first photo:
Snow Flurry Die and Big Shot
2 x Whisper White card scraps (approx 2" x 2")
Apothecary Accent dies
1 x Pool Party card scrap (approx 2" x 3")
Basic Rhinestones (as desired)

Thursday 1 November 2012

Christmas Cheer!

Wow, the new Be of Good Cheer Designer Series Papers are stunning! I am totally in love with them and can see me using the pack for all my Christmas cards and wrapping this year. Anyway, without further ado, here is my layout:


I really love all the space around the edge of the page and feel it draws the eye in. Using Crumb Cake for the base colour gives a lovely rustic warmth to the page, and grounds the layout - white or ivory would be just too bright.


Here I have shown you the detail of the baubles, simply 1/2" circles of the DSP punched out, then a beautiful pearl added to the centre. I have yet to find any pearls I like more than SU, they have a real lustre to them and seem almost real!


Finally a close up of the faux stitching done using the uni-ball Signo Gel Pen, and the Christmas word stamped with the set Beautiful Season.

I hope you like it? I would love to see your Christmas pages so why not leave me a comment and a link to your photos?

Happy Crafting
Becky

Recipe:
Stamp Sets: Beautiful Season
Card Stock: Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler
Inks: Basic Black, uni-ball Signo Gel Pen (white)
Ribbon: Gumball Green
Punches: 1/2" Circle
Other: Be of Good Cheer Designer Series Paper (DSP), Basic Pearls



Sunday 28 October 2012

Scrumptious Cake!

Anyone who knows me knows that I love cake! So when I received the Make a Cake set from Stampin' Up! for FREE at the beginning of this year as a reward I was absolutely thrilled. Stampin' Up have really superb rewards and perks for their demonstrators, so why not contact me for a no obligation chat if you would like these perks too?! Alternatively click HERE if you know you want to go ahead with becoming a demo and receive 6 FREE packs of paper if you sign up before the end of November!

So onto my card, which I have CASE'd from the new annual catalogue (check out page 43 in the catalogue to see the original) - for those that don't know, CASE stands for Copy And Share Everything.


I didn't have a couple of the supplies used in the catalogue sample, so have substituted in stitched grosgrain for the bakers twine, and used the fancy fan embossing folder to replace the argyle embossing folder. The stitching down the middle of the grosgrain is the most lovely detail, check out the bow in the photo below:


The highlight of the card is this fabulous cake, with details picked out in dazzling details glitter, and has been stamped using three of the lush new 'in-colours': Summer Starfruit, Primrose Petals, and Midnight Muse:


Finally a close up of the bunting for you to see, which has been cut from Patio Party Designer Series Paper. If you want to make your own bunting why not check out the Petite Pennants Builder Punch, which creates perfectly sized straight or frilled bunting every time?! Check out page 185 of the annual catalogue:


That is all from me today, so I hope you have fun crafting. Don't forget that the Stampin' Up! catalogue is full of brilliant ideas, so check it out if you want some inspiration!

Becky

Recipe:
Stamp Sets: Make a Cake, (sentiment only from Create a Cupcake)
Card Stock: Baja Breeze, Midnight Muse, Whisper White
Inks: Baja Breeze, Midnight Muse, Primrose Petals, Summer Starfruit
Ribbon: Whisper White
Punches/Dies/Folders: Beautiful Wings, Fancy Fan
Other: Patio Party DSP, White Pen, Dazzling Diamond Glitter

Tuesday 23 October 2012

A little jaunt...

Hello! I am not showing you one of my creations today, but instead wanted to share some of the fabulous textiles and crafts I saw when I went to the Knitting and Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace on the  12th of this month.

First up is the amazing knitted village organised by twisted thread:


I am not, and don't think I ever will be a knitter, but I cannot help but be awed by the imagination and skill shown by the entrants to this competition! So many little details and hidden gems, like this window cleaner complete with spray bottle and cloth:


Anyone can enter pieces to add to the village, and the best are awarded prizes, the one below of a vegetable patch and farmyard animals had to be one of my favourites!


The photos show only a tiny snippet of the whole village, so if you get the chance to see it for yourself then I highly recommend you do!

I hope you like what I have shown you, I have a few more pictures to put up, but will save that for another day this week,

Happy Crafting
Becky

Sunday 21 October 2012

Christmas is coming!

Well, I know that for some people it is still too early to be thinking about Christmas, but us crafting folk need a head start if we are going to get everything done in time! This month I have been running a few Stampin' Up! workshops, in which we have made the most beautiful crackers. If you would like a FREE evening in with friends, and the chance to earn FREE product as well then contact me at craftingbecky@gmail.com


The crackers are not too difficult to make, and the base is made from a single sheet of A4 card, then embellished very simply using some stamping, ribbon, some card scraps and a few rhinestone gems:


The colours I have used are very simple: White, Night of Navy and Pool Party, and all supplies used are Stampin' Up! I have had a lot of people ask me how to make their own crackers like these, so I will do a separate post on this later in the week :)

Lastly I apologise for not being particularly active on here for a few weeks, I have had a rather bad bout of flu! I am all better now, thankfully in time for Convention... But I will tell you about that another day :)

Happy Crafting
Becky

Recipe:
Stamp sets: Everything Eleanor, Stampin' Wheels: Jolly Jingles, Cheerful Christmas or Very Vintage
Card Stock: Whisper White, Pool Party
Inks: Night of Navy, Pool Party
Ribbon: Night of Navy
Punches / Dies: Snow Flurry, Apothecary Accents Framelits, Scallop and Scallop trim border punch.
Other: Rhinestones, Simply Scored Scoring Tool, Cuttlebug (non SU)


Tuesday 2 October 2012

Top Picks!


Well yesterday saw the launch of the NEW Stampin' Up! catalogue, so I thought I would share with you what I think are going to be some of the most popular items:

1) Elegant Butterfly punch, and matching set 'Papillon Potpourri'. I love this set it is so versatile with both realistic and more arty images, and the punch is a bargain at only £14.25! 




2) Framelits dies - and coordinating stamp sets! Wow, wow, wow these have been so eagerly anticipated by so many crafters! The example below uses the 'From My Heart' stamp set, and the Apothecary Accents Framelits - see where your imagination can take you!


We can't get enough of this stamp set that coordinates with Apothecary Accents die.


3) Fancy Fan Embossing Folder - The USA had this particular folder before us and I have been itching to get my hands on it! Adding texture to a card or project really adds the wow factor!

Peacock focal piece for any occasion!


4) Accessories! The right accessories make all the difference, and the NEW Vintage Faceted Designer buttons add a touch of drama and are the perfect finishing touch to any project. At just £5.50 a tub they are a bit of a bargain too!

Love the use of feathers here!


5) In Colours! Every year Stampin' Up! introduces 5 NEW colours to their range, and retires 5 old ones. Each set of new colours is only available for 2 years - and this year the range is beautiful! Three of the new colours are demonstrated below:

Birthday card with pennant banner.

The dark blue is Midnight Muse, the yellow is the stunning Summer Starfruit, and the pink colour is Primrose Petals. Two more colours complete the set - Raspberry Ripple (my favourite!) and Gumball Green (the perfect green for Christmas). 

Having regular new colours to play with means that your crafting always stays fresh and on-trend. There are some great products available, including inks, card, ribbon, accessories and pens that all coordinate! Check out page 152 of the annual catalogue for details.

I hope you have enjoyed finding out about my top 5 picks, and I will be back later to show you some items made using some of the New products available.

Happy Crafting,
Becky

Monday 1 October 2012

The NEW catalogue is HERE!!!

I am so excited to tell you that the NEW Stampin' Up! catalogue has arrived!


It is packed with fantastic goodies, and is bigger than ever before - we now have access to the same stamp sets as those in the USA! 

So what do you need to know about the NEW catalogue?
  1. It contains over 200 EXCLUSIVE stamp sets - we are not in the shops!
  2. There are 4 pages of gorgeous Designer Series Paper - perfect for scrap bookers and card making.
  3. There are price reductions - over 10% discount on some of last year's prices!
  4. Prices are listed in both  EUROS and POUNDS - this is because as of next week I am allowed to sell to France, Germany, Austria and The Netherlands. Make sure you are looking at the lower price on the right for the price in POUNDS.
  5. The product range of dies and embossing folders has massively expanded! Check out pages 188 to 194 to see the EXCLUSIVE selection of designs from Stampin' Up!



In addition to the new catalogue, Stampin' Up! are offering you the opportunity to get 6 packs of Designer Series Paper (RRP £9.95 each) completely free! Sign up as a demo during October or November this year, and receive a pack of papers of your choice once a month for the next 6 months! If you would be interested in this fabulous promotion, just pop me an email (my address is at the top of the page!) with your details and I will contact you to have a no pressure chat.

My ladies and I have a great time, we would love you to join our growing team!

Check back tomorrow to see my top picks from the NEW catalogue!

Happy Crafting - I am off to go and play with my goodies...

Becky

Sunday 30 September 2012

Going, going...gone! (Newer posts below)


September is your last chance to say goodbye to hundreds of stamp sets and accessories retiring from the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalogue, some of which have discounts of up to 70%! These products are only available while supplies last, so be sure to get your favourites before they’re gone.

Check out the lists by clicking the links below:


ACCESSORIES

Contact me ASAP to place your order as items are selling out FAST! Email me at craftingbecky@gmail.com with your list now...

Saturday 22 September 2012

Clean and Simple Celebrate Card

Have you discovered the possibilities of Stampin' Around Wheels yet? I recently started to play around with my Very Vintage wheel, but wanted to add a splash more colour. I thought about using the triple cartridge to do this, but didn't like the result, so instead I thought: 'why not roll it out in 2 colours, chop them up and rearrange the pieces?'. The result is below, and I hope you like it - I certainly do and will be seeing what other effects I can gain using different rollers, colours and 'chopping' points!


The brown swirly heart is in the same colour as the base brown card and sentiment, unifying the design, then a simple Celebrate sentiment and a few rhinestone gems finishes off the card nicely.


TOP TIP: Repeat colours through your designs to create consistency and ensure elements co-ordinate!

This card has very few 'ingredients' really, so see my recipe below on what you need to create your own celebration card:

Stamp Sets: Very Vintage, Basic Phrases
Inks: Not Quite Navy, Real Red, Early Espresso
Card: Whisper White, Early Espresso
Other: Rhinestones, Cuttlebug, Stampin' Around Wheel, Heart Die (non SU)

Right, I am off to enjoy some of this lovely sunshine in my garden, hope you all have a great weekend!
Becky

Thursday 20 September 2012

Surfboard Card

Just a quick post today, to show you this card for somebody who likes surfing. I have used sandpaper at the bottom to recreate the beach, and a couple of shells picked up on holiday add a great textured detail: 


This could easily be customise to be more feminine or masculine by shifting the colours about, perhaps by using pinks and purples for a girl. Why not customise it by adding exotic flower stamp designs, or creating your own patterned papers?

Recipe:
Stamp Sets: Happiest Birthday Wishes, Starfish (non SU)
Inks: Lucky Limeade, Basic Black
Card: Whisper White, Pool Party, Peach Parfait, Sandpaper (non SU), patterned paper (non SU)
Other: Sea shells

Happy Crafting!
Becky

Monday 17 September 2012

Biker's Greeting Card

This card is similar to one I have made before, see it by clicking HERE. This one has a bit more of an American theme to it, and would make a great card for a motor bike fan. The stamps and punches are all by Stampin' Up! and the strip of patterned paper is from my stash.


Below is a close up of the sentiment, accented by the tiny star brads (not sure where they came from, but they are sooo cute!). If you like this card, why not come along to one of my classes? All materials are included in the price, just click the HERE to find out more.


So here is the recipe, everything used is by Stampin' Up! unless otherwise stated:

Stamp Sets: Motorcycle, Basic Phrases, Dot dot dot
Inks: Pacific Point, Cajun Craze, Always Artichoke, Black StazOn
Card: Island Indigo, Mirri-board, Whisper White, Peach Parfait, patterned paper (non SU)
Punches: Word Window, Modern Label
Other: Piercing Tool, Brads (non SU)

I have entered just the one challenge with this card - a new one on me, but loving the Design Team's work so I will be back for more:
hooked on craft challenges - challenge 24 - Cards for Men

Happy Crafting
Becky

Friday 14 September 2012

Men's Vintage Games Card

This card has to be one of my recent favourites so I hope you like it! 


I have used some lovely Stampin' Up! colours in a limited colour palette: Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Basic Black and Whisper White.


Top Tip: Create great impact in your cards by using a base of black and white, then adding pops of only one or two other colours! I have also added a little depth by mounting the central panel of playing cards on foam pads. The playing cards are from one of those tiny packs you get out of a Christmas cracker, and are just the right size for a greetings card.

Happy Crafting,
Becky

Recipe:
Stamp Sets: Vintage Games (non SU)
Inks: Daffodil Delight, Real Red, Black StazOn
Card: Real Red, Basic Black, Whisper White
Other: Foam Pads, Playing Cards (non SU), Mica Powder (non SU)

Thursday 13 September 2012

I'm Back!

Hello all, well I have not posted much in the last couple of weeks as I have been on a wonderful holiday to Cornwall. We had beautiful weather and it is so refreshing to get away on occasion. On route to Cornwall we spent a day at Longleat Safari Park, and I had just one or two photos I thought you might like to see...


I have never been so close to a giraffe and I was awed by their grace and elegance. We were very lucky to be able to hand feed some of them - I can't wait to scrap book the day and show you all... But I know there is a stamp set in the NEW catalogue that I will need to use for my layouts, so I can't wait to share it with you on Monday 1st October 2012!


This cheeky chap decided to hitch a short ride through the enclosure on our car bonnet!


Finally I wanted to show you this photo I took of the Lions having a bit of a game with a license plate... I have had several suggestions for captions - leave me a comment with your suggestion below!

Right, off to go and get inky fingers...
Becky

Friday 31 August 2012

AUGUST SPECIAL OFFER (Sticky Post - Newer posts below)



Promotion dates: 1-31 August 2012

Promotion Details: During August, you have the opportunity to purchase—or earn for FREE—an exclusive stamp set, available only through this special offer!
Get the Reason to Smile Set FREE when you spend £60 on any Stampin’ Up! products. Or purchase it at the regular retail price.

Ready to order? Contact me today!  Email me at craftingbecky@gmail.com

Monday 27 August 2012

Frou Frou Flower

My ladies seem to really like this card - the flower in particular has proved popular. I have again utilised the beautiful Mixed Bunch Stamp Set and Blossom Punch from Stampin' Up! Let me know what you think...


The flower is super easy to make, and I will be doing a WOW!How? feature on them... look out for that soon!


Well that is all for today, short and sweet, so I will leave you to enjoy the last week of the summer holiday...

Have Fun!
Becky

Friday 24 August 2012

A bit of stitchery...

Well I have to confess to being very behind on my crafting the last couple of weeks so for today I thought I would show you this darling vintage style scissor keep I made:



I love it so much! At the beginning of this year (Way back in March) I went to Olympia Stitch and Craft show with my Grandma, and boy did we have a good time! We spent the day in almost back to back classes and workshops and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The scissor keep is the result of one of the workshops by Angela Richardson, and you can check out her blog by clicking the link: theenglishromantic.blogspot.co.uk it is chock full of beautiful quirkiness that I just adore!


All the felt, thread and woven fabric (used for the leaves) have been dyed by Angela, to create these lovely soft colours, which complement each other beautifully.


I have used various stitches on this piece, including blanket stitch, fly stitch, french knots, bullion stitch and straight stitch. Now I can always find my scissors, even at the bottom of a bag of projects!

Happy Crafting, and maybe I will see some of you at the Alexandra Palace Knitting and Stitching Show in October? Leave me a message if you are going!

Becky