Sale-a-bration 2011

Sale-a-bration has arrived! For those of you new to this special time of year it means..... EXCLUSIVE FREE STAMP SETS FOR ALL! From now until 28th February with every order of £45 you can choose from the following stamp sets absolutely FREE...

BLISS

PUNCH BUNCH

SO HAPPY FOR YOU

SWEET SUMMER

Not only that, the offer is for multiples of £45 so if you spend £90 you can choose 2 sets!

And if you host a workshop during this period, for sales of £300 the Hostess will receive another FREE Sale-a-bration set in addition to all the other Hostess Benefits.

If you'd like further details on how to earn all these FREE products and more, drop me an email at jodumbleton@aol.co.uk

Merry Christmas!

This is my final Christmas project (not that I've had the time to post many) using Contempo Christmas. I've loved using the Jolly Holly DSP this year and I'm sure I will continue to do so through the next, and not just for Christmas either. Such gorgeous colours in Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive and Very Vanilla.

Wishing ALL my visitors a Very Merry Christmas!

See you in the New Year when there'll be lots of exciting things going on.

Did someone mention Sale-a-bration???

I've gone crackers!

A quick post tonight as I've last minute preparations for a Charity Christmas Craft Fair tomorrow. I've made quite a few Chocolate Snowmen and Magic Reindeer Food to sell so now it's just getting everything boxed and ready to go.

Anyway, whilst watching X-Factor last weekend I russled up these little crackers. I'd been given one as a swap from Convention but there was no name on it to credit unfortunately. The first night in the hotel I bumped into this lady in the lift and I ooh'd and ahh'd over them. Luckily I managed to swap with her the next day ...phew!I couldn't find a template for these little beauties so after close examination of my swap I managed to come up with something close. They're only about 11cm in length so very cute. I've popped some chocolate balls inside - the one's you can buy in net bags. Another perfect little table gift for christmas don't you think?

Right, onward with my packing...

If you're near to Dorchester and in town tomorrow evening, the Christmas Craft Fair is upstairs at the Corn Exchange from 6.30pm to 9.30pm. It's in aid of Julia's House and there will be lots of festive stalls to browse along with Carol Singers and wine tasting... very nice! You won't be able to miss me (I've a big enough banner) so please come on over and say 'hi' if you can make it.

Birthdays in December

A little departure from the Christmas festivities today to show this card I cased from Convention. Charlotte Harding created this and I just had to make it. Love, love, love those colours! And how darn cute is this little monster?!?! It doesn't show that clearly on the photo but there is an aperture in the front and this is what's on the inside. Exactly as Charlotte had made - love it. Birthday cards seems to go out the window at this time of year being full swing into the christmas mode and I've 6 of them to make this week - 2 being today (tick!) so another 4 to go. One of them is for my eldest son who will be 20 on Friday. How did that happen? Hmmmm....I wonder if he would appreciate this card..... lol

Rudolph's Spares

I have to confess I'm not exactly a 'recycling' person but when it comes to crafting I do hoard lots of containers and things that 'may' come in useful some day.

I've been collecting these pots from SU! which had brads, buttons & clips etc. in and they've been mounting up in a draw. Until now that is, they're now...... Rudolph's Spares! I've used Sparkly & Bright again for Rudolph and added a bit of Dazzling Diamonds to his nose...so cute!

It wasn't that easy sourcing red sweets that looked like noses but eventually I found Very Cherry Jelly Belly. A bit pricey but they sure do taste good!

Aplogies for the naff photography today - these were taken at 3.30pm this afternoon and I had to have the lights on. I think a flash gun may have to be added to my Christmas list to get rid of the awful yellow ting...fingers crossed.

And for Debbie that asked to see a piccie of my Blue and Cream Snowmen, here you are.... I forgot to mention yesterday that the 'big boys' are printed onto shimmery cardstock and they look very cool!! ('scuse the pun.)

Lastly, Amy asked me what settings I used when printing these out? I printed them from Powerpoint which ment I could resize the images however I liked. Kerry has done a further download here which might be a better one to use.

Bet you can't believe I've made 3 posts in 3 days....neither can I!! lol

Thanks for stopping by and see you soon,

Snowmen Chocolate Bars

Ok, so another idea that came from Kerry are these adorable Snowmen. The original design and template is from Laurie Furnell.Nothing Stampin' Up! in these...well only the silver elastic but I had fun making them, it's ages since I had my sewing machine out.

The large ones are Green & Blacks chocolate bars and the ickle ones are mini bars of Cadbury's Dairy Milk (my fave!). The big ones would make great gifts for Dads, Grandparents and Teachers while the smaller ones would be good as stocking fillers or for school friends. Jake has already picked his and decided who's having them in his class. Good job I've done plenty - I've another batch in pale blue and cream. I'm on a roll!!

Can't believe it's a month till Christmas...where has this year gone?!?!

Magic Reindeer Food

I've got a Charity Craft Fair coming up in 3 weeks time so over the last few cold nights I've been huddled round the log fire making a few items to sell, including Magic Reindeer Food. Aren't these so cute! The idea came from Kerry . She has some amazing craft fair ideas on her blog - very clever lady. She's also done a video tutorial on how they're made. The stamp set I used is Sparkly & Bright. Not a new one, it was in the catalogue last year and I'm so glad it stayed - I love it! The colours for these are Real Red, Chocolate Chip and Crumb Cake, coloured with SU! Marker pens onto Very Vanilla c/s. The ribbon is Real Red Satin and the Jingle Bell (they're on all my projects at the mo) tied on with Gold Elastic. I've also CASED Rudolph's Spares and the Chocolate Snowmen which I'll show you over the next few days. Soooo cute!!

Convention Card Candy Swaps 2010

You may remember the Card Candy swap I took part in last year at Convention which you can see here. There was huge excitement over them and this year even more people wanted to join in. In fact I think there was about 70 people! We were in groups of 10 - thankfully I didn't have to make 70 of them..phew! So here's what I received in my Group.....

Kirsteen - Tiny Tags

Michelle - Artistic Etchings

Val - Growing Green

Emma - Cottage Garden

Rachel - Vintage Vogue

Maggie - For Everything

Sara - Serene Snowflakes

Me - Cottage Garden

I have to make a HUGE apology to 2 ladies as a certain someone took a shine to the Christmas Candy they produced. Believe me I was mortified! They were appreciated by myself and the ladies that saw them on Sunday and I will be reproducing to go on my display boards. Chaz was definatley not in my good books yesterday at all.

Right, hi ho, hi ho, it's off to work we go.....

Christmas Paper Wreath

PLEASE NOTE:- I DO NOT HAVE THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR THIS WREATH - THEY WERE ORIGINALLY PURCHASED FROM FIONA DUTHIE.

Yesterday I held a class to make this absolutely stunning Christmas Wreath. Isn't it gorgeous?!?! It was designed by Fiona Duthie, a fellow Demonstrator from Scotland. I met Fiona last week at Convention and she kindly gave me permission to use her instructions for this class. Thank you Fiona!

The wreath is really big, something you can't quite get the feel for until you see it in real life and it makes such a statement. I've sprayed it with the Champagne Shimmer Paint so it has a lovely glisten to it - unfortunately it doesn't show up in the photos. I'm making a couple more for my Mum and MIL as a gift to say thank you for all the support they have both given me on my events over the last year - I couldn't do it without them and I'm sure my customers would agree, the scrummy food they always provide for us makes the day extra special.

Fiona sells the instructions on her blog here, or if you live local and would like to come along to a class, please email me at jodumbleton@aol.co.uk.

Still catching up on all the events from Convention so bear with me, I will be back again soon.

Convention 2010

The last few months I'm sure you've realised have been very busy for me, but at last I seem to be getting to grips with all that has happened and there is light at the end of the tunnel. I have so much news to tell you I don't really know where to start, so I shall start with the present because I'm so excited about the weekend I have just had! Every year in November Stampin' Up! hold their annual European Convention. Last year you may remember I went over to Germany and this year it was here in the UK. Well, what can I say......I had a fantastic time!!! We eat, swap, laugh, share ideas, inspire each other, learn new techniques...oh gosh, it's a full on couple of days spent in the company of other demonstrators from all over the UK, France and Germany. I met so many wonderful, amazing, creative, friendly people, some I've met before, some I've known only through email and many I've never met before but each and every person I spoke to was so friendly and inspiring. Wait till you see the swaps I received!!! I haven't had chance to look at them all properly but believe me they're amazing! I went with 5 other ladies in my downline:- Julie, Carol, Sue, Ali & Cath which was really lovely to have them there enjoying the experience for the first time. Our team name is the 'Stampin' Angels' so I organised for us to all have t-shirts printed to wear on the Friday. I blinged them up with a diamonte heart to finish them off. The day went so quickly by the time we got back to the hotel, the light wasn't good enough to get a group photo of us all wearing them and this is the best I got. :( We'll be wearing them again I'm sure...) I don't have as many photos as I would of liked because it was all so hectic from the moment we got up (6am - that's the middle of the night for me!), plus I'm a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to taking photos and have to have them just right...hence my lack of decent ones.

Thursday night we had a little get together with another group of Demo's - the Tartan Stampers for a buffet, lots of chatting and a make 'n' take - kick off to the main event didn't start till Friday morning. Of course we had a little crafting involved and there was lots of laughter as there always is with the Tartan Stampers ;)

Friday seemed to last forever with registration at Addington Palace for 8.30am, tons and tons of swapping going on, Momento Mall where we could purchase exclusive Stampin' Up! items, (will show you those goodies in another post), display boards. There were presentations and demonstrations in the afternoon - always a highlight to see how differently other Demomstrators use the products and of course Shelli Gardner, CoFounder and CEO of Stampin' Up! Such a warm, elegant and amazing lady. I didn't get chance to have my photo taken with Shelli but I did get this shot of her whilst presenting on day 2.

On Friday evening we had the Awards Dinner again at Addington Palace. Now last year I went to Convention with my good friend Jenny Moors and cheered and clapped as Jen walked that stage to receive recognition for her achievements. At that point I set myself a goal that I too was going to walk the stage at this years Convention and do you know what? I did!!!! 3 TIMES!!!

At this point I really have to thank ALL my customers and Downline for helping me in achieving...

The Incentive Trip to Prague

For my Sales achievements which I received a certificate and Stamp Set

And recognition for being the 8th Top Demo in the UK!

Thank you so, so much!

I've worked hard this year and exceeded my goal that I set myself in Germany, so thank you to everyone for your support! Things are changing with home life for the better - I mean that in the sense that I shall soon have more time to develop and grow and be able to offer more classes, more tutorials and more time for my customers who have also gone as bonkers over Stampin' Up! as I have...lol

Next year Convention is going to be at

EURODISNEY, PARIS!

If you would like to join my team and come to Eurodisney next year, or you'd like to discuss what it entails and the benefits of becoming a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, please feel free to email me at jodumbleton@aol.co.uk

I have one last photo though of myself with Kelly and Eileen who are part of the team from Stampin' Up! here in the UK (although Eileen is from Demo Support based in Germany). I'm usually the one behind the camera so this is a rare photo of me grinning like a cheshire cat..lol

Right, I must be off to work now. See you real soon with more photos!

Long awaited

It's been an awful long time since I've actually posted without advertising one thing or another but by golly have I had a busy couple of months! So without too much blethering on I suppose it's about time I showed a project.
Back in September I went to a training event at High Wycombe. Whenever there's a gathering of Demo's we always swap samples and this was my swap. I know, it's those pesky birdhouses again but made into this very cute Christmas version. Wouldn't they look good on a festive table instead of crackers? Filled with those delicious Lindor chocolate balls......yum!
I've updated the template of this so you can get 2 birdhouses from 1 sheet of A4. Please feel free to use this template but if you make one and showcase on your blog or use in a class, please direct people back here to where you got the template from. Instructions on how to put the birdhouse together can be found here.
I'll be back soon with some Halloween projects...
Thanks and enjoy!

Stampin' Up! Experience Day - Sunday 24th October

CRAFT 'TABLE TOP' SALE

This coming Saturday my local crop and crafting friends are having a

CRAFT 'TABLE TOP' SALE

We have lots of fabulous items for sale i.e. 12 x 12 papers, embellishments, stamps, inks and lots, lots more!

If you're in the area come along and grab yourself some amazing bargains!

Stampin' Up! Experience Day

Sorry I've been MIA for what seems like ages but it's all been in the name of Stampin' Up! August and September have been very busy months for me and I really had to give my full attention to my wonderful customers. I've had workshops, events and what with the Last Chance List...that went down really well! I'm not surprised though with all those bargains. The half price cardstock and inkpads weren't to be sniffed at now were they? Hope you all managed to nab yourself a nice load of stash - even I stocked up on a few items I was sad to see disappear. Anyway, we're now into October and of course that means we have a NEW Idea Book & Catalogue to oooh and aaah over. There's lots of gorgeous new stamp sets, beautiful patterend papers and I need them all!! Also the NEW colours that have been introduced, wooow... they're fabulous! Sorry I've no samples to show you just yet as I'm saving them for an event in a few weeks...

STAMPIN' UP! EXPERIENCE DAY

HOLT VILLAGE HALL

SUNDAY 24TH OCTOBER

10.30PM - 4PM

Advance Tickets - £3

On the Day - £4.50

Last year I had my Open House, which was a great success, but this year I decided I'd have something a little larger. Something that everyone could come along to, not just my customers, and experience a little bit of what I love - Stampin' Up!

There'll be Make 'n' Take's, Demonstrations from myself and my team members, samples and displays of the new products, a Free Door Prize entry and some fabulous Raffle Prizes. Of course there will also be the obligatory home made cakes and tea served by my dear Mum.

If you're interested in coming along to this event and would like further information or to purchase a ticket, then please email me at jodumbleton@aol.co.uk

That's it for now but hope to be back with the new template for the birdhouses in the next few days. Also thanks for stickin' with me. I know I've not given you much in the way of eye candy lately but I hope to rectify that real soon.

Take care!

So tweet!

It's been pretty quite round here lately but my gosh have I been a busy bee. I really do need an 8th day in the week to get everything done you know! lol So another quick post....I love making these adorable birdhouses. These were a make 'n' take I did at a workshop last week. Slightly more involved than I would normally do but it worked in well and everyone completed the project perfectly! The colours are Barely Banana (so sad that's going) Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink and Regal Rose. I used the Watercolour Vine Jumbo wheel across the roof - another sad loss. Thank goodness we're keeping the XL Bird Punch, I don't know what I'd do without him. The template for this can be found here. I will be updating this template next week as I've some new measurement to add. This will be so you can get 2 birdhouses from one sheet of A4. Sorry I can't do it this week, I have 2 events on over this coming weekend so I'm frantically getting everything prepared. Now some items have sold out from the LAST CHANCE LIST but there are quite a few bargains still available so if you're debating, don't leave it too long.

If you order from me this month I have a very SPECIAL FREE PRIZE DRAW and this is for September only. Available only to those on my mailing list so if you'd like to know more about my Special Offers, Promotions, Classes and Events, email me at jodumbleton@aol.co.uk and you too could be in with a chance for an AMAZING PRIZE! Ok so onward! I'll probably be back next week now and I should have some photo's of this weekends events. Can't wait!

LAST CHANCE LIST

It's the Last Chance List of items that will not carry over to the NEW Idea Book & Catalogue on 1st October, so if there's something on the list that you would like, grab it while you can. There's a few bargains too down by 50% and 25%! We all like a bargain don't we.

Click on the above image to be taken to the FULL LIST.

You know where I am if you would like to place an order and if you're on my MAILING LIST you should of by now had details of a FANTASTIC FREE PRIZE DRAW for September. For those that aren't on my mailing list and you would like to receive info about CLASSES, EVENTS, PROMOTIONS and my own SPECIAL OFFERS, please email me at jo.dumbleton@aol.co.uk

Happy browsing!

Wheely Lovely Bella's Border

My customers love the Stampin' Around wheels and I'm always being asked to demonstrate them at workshops. One thing I didn't have was some samples to show so I thought I'd put together a scrapbook page featuring three different methods of using the wheel with 'Bella's Border'.

The first method is what we would all use, a straight border across the top and bottom. The Stampin' Around Wheel Guide is a really clever gadget to make it dead straight. It's a neat ruler that's invaluable if you use your wheels alot like me.

The Second method was to create a frame with perfect mitred corners around a page. I've done this on the chocolate chip cardstock. Again I used the Wheel Guide to help me with this and I have to say it's brilliant. Full instructions come with the Wheel Guide (a bargain at £6.95) and it can be used for both the Jumbo and Standard Wheels.

And thirdly I wheeled over a complete piece of cardstock to make my own unique patterened paper shown on the centre piece of Very Vanilla which has been matted onto the Bashful Blue cardstock.

So if you've got these wheels and don't use them as much as you should, get yourself a Wheel Guide - you'll love what you can do with it!

Pretty 'thank you' cards

'Live your Dream' is a set I'll always go back to time and time again. Those flowers are gorgeous and the little butterfly...cute! I made a batch of these 'thank you' cards awhile back and it's only recently I've got round to taking a photo. The colours are Melon Mambo and Pretty in Pink with a dash of Old Olive. Short and sweet today but I'll be back real soon with details of another All Day Craft Event.

Alison's Creations

One of my downline, Alison, brought along some absolutely gorgeous gifts she'd made for all of us at the team training we had on Friday. We were all 'Ooooing' and 'Aaaaahing' over what she'd made and I just have to show you. Now look at this gorgeous box with the lid made from the window sheets! Inside is a little bottle of bubble bath wrapped in pink organza. The stamp set is Vintage Vogue with Tiny Tags and the colours are Rich Razzleberry and Melon Mambo with Very Vanilla - beautiful!

And she also made this milk carton filled with sweeties. (the template for this can be found here.) The stamps sets for this are 'Fresh Cuts' and 'Oval All'

Fabulous aren't they?!

Thank you Alison, I must get my finger out and return the RAK.

Craft Room

Well I've made it to the end of the week and achieved almost everything I'd set out to do at the start. The decorating of the conservatory came together brilliantly despite a few hiccups with the tables. I ordered and paid for them a month ago and was told they would be delivered on Monday. Did that happen?? No! Straight on the phone to them on Tuesday morning to be told they'd be with me by lunchtime. 2.30pm came and went and they still had not arrived so back on the phone. They were eventually delivered at 3.50pm just as I was on the way out the door to take Jake to his swimming lesson...phew! It wasn't until I opened them later that I found one of the tables damaged. Nothing to serious but the top surface was cracked. The company have been really good tho and are making another for me. I'm keeping this one till the new one arrives...another relief. Then, when I put the tables up I suddenly realised that there is one big factor I hadn't taken into consideration.......we have flagstone flooring! It's been ok though and as long as I get the tables in the right position there's no wobble....thank goodness. :) So, here's a few pics of the set up.

It's not that big so there isn't much to see however it isn't my main craft room, this is purely for classes. When there isn't a class everything folds up neatly and gets stored in the garage and back comes the dining table and chairs. The storage unit in the corner will hold all my essentials for classes so I haven't got to keep running up and down the stairs. I'm really pleased with how it's turned out.

I had a training session today with my downline and we were all very comfy (they were my guinea pigs). The conservatory's adjacent to the kitchen so it's handy for cups of tea and a nice bit of lunch too. Oh and my blinds...love them! We've lived in our house for almost 7 years now and I've always wanted blinds in this room. How sad am I getting all excited about blinds eh??? lol

So there you have it. My new craft area. Must get these classes sorted now eh?!?!

Thanks for poppin in and have a great weekend. I'll be back soon to show some lovely things one of my downline has made.

Trendy Trees

As promised, a card from me today using Trendy Trees. It's for a good friend and customer of mine that's having a little Op this morning. You even get this sentiment in the set which is really appropriate as I will definately be thinking of her. The patterned paper is from the Sweet Pea Paper Stack which I'm still working my way through - all the papers are beautiful. It's another item that'll be discontinued at the end of the Mini Catalogue come 30th September or until it's sold out. So if you like it, grab it while it's still available. Trendy Trees by the way is £10.36 with this month promotion...bargain! Ok so I'm not sure when my next post will be. I've another busy week what with work, decorating and a training/chatting and crafting session for my downline on Friday. We're having it in my newly decorated and furnished teaching area! Now it's nothing exciting as it's my conservatory but it's bright and airy and all mine. The tables have been ordered and arriving tomorrow, chairs have been collected, blinds are bought and ready to be fitted on Tues so all that's needed now is for me to finish the painting. It's coming along perfectly! If you're lucky I might even take a few pictures. Once it's all done I've then just to plan some classes! I know there's some eager beavers out there that are keen to know what, when and where but honestly, as soon as I can I will let you know the details. If you would like to be added to my mailing list to receive information on promotions, specials, classes and events, please email me at jodumbleton@aol.co.uk See you real soon!

Tiny Tags is so cute!

A flying visit from me today as I've a bit of decorating on the go. Another of the sets on offer this month with the 20% Off is 'Tiny Tags'. Probably my second favourite set from the current Mini Catalogue next to Vintage Vogue. There's also a co-ordinating punch for these little tags - so cute.The colours on this card are Barely Banana, Pretty in Pink, Old Olive and Rose Red and the sentiment was stamped in chocolate chip. The alpha set used is 'Just Perfect' which I bought to use on my scrapbook pages. Some of the letters were cut out out with my paper snips - madness I know as they're really small but I do like a bit of cutting out. ;) The spotty paper is from the Cottage Wall DSP which will no longer be available from October. Ok, so onward with my painting. I've more cards to show you tomorrow using Trendy Trees. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Greenhouse Garden Revisited

Where on earth to does the time go? Since I've been back from my hols I haven't really had the chance to do any stamping... :( Wish I could give up the day job and concentrate solely on SU! but you know how it is....bills to pay, mouths to feed... Still, at least I do have a fantastic hobby that keeps me happy. So last Friday I did a workshop which was combined as a charity event for Julia's House. Annette kindly hosted the event which was a great success with over £200 being raised. There were homemade cakes, tea and coffee coming out of ears, thanks to Jeeves (Annette's wonderful hubby, Ray) and an amazing Raffle of gifts that were kindly donated. All the Hostess Benefits were part of the Raffle too. Thank you to everyone who came along and supported Annette in her fundraising, is really is a worthwhile charity as you can see from the website. If you would like to make a donation, there is a donation box on the site to do so. So, with not much crafting going on I thought I'd revisit one of my most favourite cards cased from the current Idea Book and Catalogue using Greenhouse Garden. This set is also in the 20% OFF offer this month. Usual price £22.95 now down to £18.36...now that is a bargain! This was a very popular set last Friday when I demo'd how to do the two-step technique. If you'd like a workshop to see how to get the most of this fabulous set, drop me a line at jodumbleton@aol.co.uk You'll be amazed at what you can achieve with it. Right, onward! I have a Craft Day in the planning.....