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!