Inside their bags ( which they made)  is a bookmark, decorated pen, Smarties card, notepad and a pop up chocolate bar.

It was a lovely day, thank you for inviting me Izzy!

Happy Stampin’

Amanda

I love Christmas and for me preparation early is the key, so come December I can focus on the food and wrapping and enjoy it!

I have been running a Christmas in July card making class for many years and it’s a great event making 20 cards in a day!  This years class featured the Dasher stamp, Chocolate Chip satin ribbon and Icicle Rub-ons.

Here are a couple of cards from the class.

It’s very difficult to see but the trees have Champagne mist shimmer paint on them.  I think this will be my family Christmas card this year.

This card was using Serene Snowflakes and the Whisper White Craft ink, with Silver rub-ons over the top, quick and lovely!

A big thank you to all the lovely ladies who attended the class, it was a great day, with lots of smiles and laughter along with the stamping!

Happy Stampin’

Amanda

On Saturday I held my Mini Madness class, what an amazing group of ladies, we made 6 wow cards and a box and the class fee included the wonderful Vintage Vogue stamp set from the mini.

This card is using one of my favourite Tempting Turquoise and Basic Black combinations.  It is so vibrant. Lots of layers including the Dotty acetate from the Night and Day paper Pack and some rock and roll with the flowers and the “F” stamp.  If you have never heard of Rock and Roll, don’t worry I don’t make my ladies sing………..!  and even more importantly I don’t sing either!!!!

Rock and Roll is a technique where you ink up a stamp in a pale colour and then ‘roll’ the edges onto an ink pad of a darker colour, then stamp.  Lovely effect, minimum effort, got to love that!!

The most important thing is to clean your stamp each time before you re-ink or your pale colour ink pad becomes two-tone !

So now onto my day out, so we could all be together rather than driving around in cars we went on the Longleat bus, we where high up and got commentary all the way around……I learnt lots…….did you know a group of Flamingos is called a Flamboyance, and a group of Vultures in the sky riding the air currents is called a Kettle, or even that a group of Giraffes is called a tower?

The idea of the safari park was from Chipperfield ( of circus fame) who thought it would be a good idea to have the animals roaming free and the people caged in their cars………..

My favourite bit has nothing to do with the animals but we went on a tour of the House and booked to see Lord Baths Murals, they are amazing, vibrant, textural and like no other art work I have ever seen, do go and visit if you ever get the chance.

So here are some photos for you, if you don’t like snakes or spiders don’t scroll to the bottom.  The were all taken by Susie, a very talented lady!

Kimberley and me.

Connor !

Happy Stampin’

Amanda

Scrapbooking in a day is speedy, it’s a different way of scrapbooking to many as traditionally we scrap around the photos and when we scrapbook that way it can take hours………days even to finish a layout as we re-live memories with each picture. Scrapbooking in a day means you can have a whole album ready for your photo’s and journaling, I love speedy!   Then I can take my time adding the photos at a later date.

The pages are on Blush Blossom, teamed with Cameo Coral and Chocolate Chip.  I have used the Flight of the Butterfly stamp set and co-ordinating Butterfly punch too.

Here are a couple of close up’s.

Happy Stampin’

Amanda

Jane then demonstrated a great technique using the Heart to Heart punch, it made a lovely card.  Jane kindly packed up kits for everyone to make this card.

You can visit Elaine’s blog here and Jane’s blog here.

Here are some pictures of the day.

Happy Stampin’

Amanda

A quick reminder for you to check out my class schedule here I have just added an additional date for the year in a day scrapbook class, this will be held in Fareham.  There are only a few places left on the mini madness class too, so please get booked up soon.

Todays card is using the wonderful Good Neighbours Sale-a-bration set, along with my trusty Stamp-a-ma-jig !  I’ll be demonstrating this card at my February home workshops. If you don’t know what a Stamp-a-ma-jig is or you would like to earn this stamp set for free……..book a workshop with me during February.

Have a great weekend.

Happy Stampin’

Amanda

If you are here visiting the Inspiring Inkin’ blog hop please scroll down one more post to see the projects.

I have new Stampin’ Up! classes and clubs for the spring you will find all the details here and here. My first class for this year is Fun with Flowers and it’s a great way of banishing those winter blues!

My card today is my Stampers 10 project for December, I have several ‘virtual clubs’ these are groups who order each month for 6, 8 or 10 months and during one month they are the hostess and recieve the hostess benefits ( stamp set and free product).  I always like to give my clubs something special and these clubs recieve a project pack from me each month including all the card and paper they need, they just add glue and stamps. You can find more details about these virtual clubs and my wonderful Stampin’ Technique clubs at the bottom of this page here.

This is an easel card

Happy Stampin’

Amanda

This wonderful family of bears was made by a class I taught a week or so ago in Chichester.  Thank you very much to Anna for taking the photo for me as I managed to forget my camera again!

The bears are made by needlefelting a traditional craft that I have been teaching for a while, the class also made felt flowers.

I think it is amazing that we all start out with the same pattern and yet each one is such an individual.

Hope you are having a great weekend.

Amanda

Stamps : Season of Joy, Winter Post
Inks: Bashful Blue, Chocolate Chip
Cardstock: Ski Slope designer paper, Whisper White

Happy Stampin’

Amanda

Each card is easily duplicated at home to make your Christmas card making a fun and speedy crafting experience. The sentiment on the card is Seasonal Wishes, it is half price as it’s on the last chance list…….£7.98 for 6 wonderful sentiment stamps.

Stamps : Season of Joy, Seasonal Wishes
Inks: Old Olive, Versamark
Cardstock: Ski Slope designer paper, Old Olive, Whisper White
Accessories: Chocolate Chip Ribbon, 1 1/4″ and 1 3/8″ circle punch and White embossing powder

Happy Stampin’

Amanda

Come on over to Amanda’s for a morning of speedy paper crafting and stamping fun! We will make cards and 3D items in 2 hours suitable for a variety of themes and occasions. Space is limited to 6. All the materials needed will be provided (except glue, please bring dry adhesive) and a drink and biscuits.

10 – 12 noon Friday Class Cost £10 These classes are held at Amanda’s home.

Simple Christmas       11/09/09            (Booking closes 01/09/09)
Fun with Wheels      09/10/09             (Booking closes 25/09/09)
Birthday cards           27/11/09              (Booking closes 13/11/09)

Christmas made easy

Using a wonderful Simply Scrappin’ Kit we will get a kick-start on Christmas this year with this fantastic class. We will use stamps, stickers and die cut shapes to make an amazing Matchbox advent calendar and 10 Christmas cards. The class fee includes a Simply Scrappin’ set (value £15.50) and all the materials you need (except glue). The class is all day, hot and cold drinks will be provided, please bring a packed lunch.

10 – 4pm £35 Saturday 17/10/09            (Booking closes 03/10/09)

Decoupage Diva Day

Decoupage is an amazing craft whether it is 3D or Victorian style you can be as creative as you want and best of all anyone who can use scissors and glue can do decoupage! Decoupage using stamps is great fun and will add a new dimension to your crafting. We will decorate a picture frame, a box and a pendant or brooch, wonderful for gifts or to treat yourself.
All the materials needed will be provided (including glue).

10am – 4pm £35 Saturday 21/11/09         (Booking closes 7/11/09)

Fun with Flowers

Banish the January Blues with a fun filled flower class. We will use the Pretties kit of fabric flowers and rhinestone brads along with Felt Fusion flowers to decorate 6 cards with a box. We will also make a necklace and bracelet. All the materials needed will be provided (except glue).

10am – 4pm £25 Saturday 23/01/10        (Booking closes 09/01/10)

Venue: 10th Fareham Scout Group Hall, Highlands Road, Fareham, Hampshire. PO16 7XN

Important information

Glue is NOT included in the class price ( apart from the decoupage class). Please bring your own favourite dry adhesive or order some when you book. All classes must be booked and paid for in full in advance.

Please email me for a registration form or more details.

Happy Stampin’

Amanda

My current Technique Club will finish in June and I will have 3 different clubs for you to join, more information later in the week.

Happy Stampin’

Amanda

The card is made from a 12″ x 6″ piece of acetate and stamped all over using White Stazon ink using the small flower from a Rose is a Rose.  In order to stop the glue showing through each side of the card has some card or paper stuck to it to hide the glue.  On the front is the rose stamped in Pixie Pink and Chocolate Chip and layered with a dimensional onto a piece of Whisper White with the leaf stamped in Green Galore and Glorious Green.  On the reverse of that is a piece of Chocolate Chip Designer Series paper.

Here inside the card is a piece of Whisper White stamped with the flower in Pixie Pink so you can write your greeting.

and on the back a Made with Love stamp punched using the Scallop square.

Did you notice the blue background…………Well in my lovely light box I have 3 different colours of background I can use, so I’ve been playing with them over the weekend.  The light box does work best outside ( when you can fold it up………see previous posts on how difficult that is!) but it’s not great when it’s breezy!

Happy Stampin’

Amanda

So 2 places for you to go and visit and this is my version……..we made it at the for the love of Chocolate class yesterday, oh and yes my lovely ladies all got choccies to put into their baskets……….

Happy Stampin’

Amanda

I made this gable bag from Naturals Ivory card stock, it’s a lovely creamy colour with brown flecks.  It has been stamped all over with 3 different flowers from the Seeing Spots and Simply Said stamp sets using Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa, and Chocolate Chip ink. The bunny is from the new Forest Friends set matted into a scallop of Chocolate Chip with paper piercing around the edge, finished with Chocolate Chip ribbon.

8 1/4″ x 11″ piece of Card stock

1. Score 11” side of card stock at 1/2″, 3 1/2″, 5 3/4″, and 8 3/4″.
2. Score the 8 1/4” side at 3″ and 6 1/2″.
3. Stamp the card stock.
4. Cut each score line up to the intersecting score line to create flaps top and bottom.
5. On one edge of the card stock, you’ll have 1/2” flaps. 

Cut off the two 1/2″ flaps on the ends, leaving the centre flap.
6. Place double sided tape on the 1/2″ flap. 

Be sure to place the adhesive on the front (stamped) side. Leave the liner on the adhesive.
7. On the 2 largest panels centre punch over panel and push the card stock all the way into the Oval punch to create handles for the box.
8. Place double sided tape on the 2 large flaps and stick down to the inside of the box for added strength.
9. Use the corner rounder on the corners of the handles.
10. Peel the liner from the 1/2″ flap on the side of the box (mid section). 

Fold the box into shape so that the ends meet the adhesive.
11. 

Fold in the two smaller bottom flaps and then adhere one of the longer flaps to the smaller flaps. 

Fold the remaining flap into place and stick down.

12. Decorate the front of the box.
13. Use the Crop-a-Dile to punch holes for the ribbon closure.

This is the pop up Chocolate bar.

I have taken a small Chocolate bar and wrapped Sweet Always designer paper around it. The bar then has a piece of taffeta ribbon tied around it with a tag, the sentiment is from Crazy for Cupcakes.  The choclate bar is then wrapped with a piece of Chocolate Chip cardstock, sealed at one edge, leaving the top open.  I haven detailed sizes because it depends on how big your chocolate bar is…………

I make a template from a piece of computer paper and then cut my ‘proper” card stock to fit, you need about 1″ more than  the length of the chocolate bar and an extra 1″ to flap around the back.  The pouch is finished with a piece of Pretty in Pink card stock and some more Sweet Always paper.

Pop back tomorrow for my Sunday share, a new bunny……..

Happy Stampin’

Amanda

I also have a crafting commission due in 6 weeks……I can’t tell you about it……….shhhhhh……….but it’s very exciting the downside is I can’t post any of the things I am making, but I do have lots of lovely Stampin’ Up! creations to share with you.

This card is made with all new products from the mini catalogue.  The base card is Textured Certainly Celery card with a Pretty in Pink and So Saffron mat layer.  I have used a piece of Tea Party paper ( it is sooooo beautiful!).  Then I stamped the large flower from Playful Petals and using my blender pens and ink from the lid of my ink pad I coloured it in. I stamped the centre flower again and cut it out and popped it up onto a dimensional.  The striped ribbon is the new Pretty in Pink ribbon from the mini catalogue and the sentiment is from Oval All stamped onto So Saffron and punched with the plain oval punch on a mat layer of the scallop oval punch.  All of the products are now available, please email me to place you order.

Today I’m teaching 2 classes For the love of Chocolate and Stampin’ but not on card ! I’ll be back later to post some of the projects we made.

Happy Stampin’

Amanda

The pictures above are of the card keeper, which has 12 monthly pockets in which to keep your cards safe and ready for posting.  We are also making 6 cards in this class, I have gathered from the comments your favourite card from the other day was Chocolate Lime ( mine too! they are one of my favourite sweets) so below is a picture of one of the cards we are making another Chocolate/Lime combo!

If you would like to make this card keeper and the 6 cards I am selling kits, the cardstock is cut and scored for you and the kit comes with full instructions, the bookrings, ribbon, printed calendar dates, 6 envelopes, and my phone number just in case you get stuck !  You will need your own glue and a cropodile or other hole punch.

A kit costs £12 plus £1 p&p please email me to order.  I can only send to addresses in the UK.

Happy Stampin’

Amanda

This is my version, simple as always “I don’t do difficult !”  this is the standard saying in my classes………..

We often make challenging cards but never “difficult” ones!

Secret panel card

5 ¾ ” x 8 ” Close to Cocoa Card
4″ x 5 ¾ ” Bashful Blue Card (2)
1″ x 5 ¾ ” Chocolate Chip Textured Card (3)
1 ¾ ” x 2 ¼ ” Close to Cocoa Card
1 7/8″ x 5 ¾ ” Bashful Blue designer paper (2)
Fast Flowers Wheel and Chocolate Chip ink
Chocolate Chip and Close to Cocoa ink
Pocket Silhouettes Stamp set
Variety of Sentiment Stamps

1. Take the large piece of Close to Cocoa cardstock and score at 2”, 4”, 6” from the short edge. Crease and fold over each score mark using a bone folder, a mountain fold on the centre line and 2 valley folds either side. This will give you a ‘W’ shape.
2. Fold this piece in half along the 4” score line and cut 2 slits from the centre to the 2” and 6” lines approx 1 7/8” from the top and the bottom. This will give you 3 even sized sections.
3. Open it out so it is a ‘W’ again, start on the left side of the centre portion with the slits you cut. You are going to weave the one piece of the patterned paper, starting by going OVER the top left rectangle, then under, then over. Slide it all the way to the left. Now take the other piece of patterned paper: Weave starting UNDER the top rectangle, over and then under.
4. Turn this piece over giving you an ‘M’ shape and attach the two 4” x 5 ¾” pieces of Bashful Blue card to make the front and back of the card, placing one long edge against the 2” fold and the other along the 6” fold line.
5. Turn the card over to the ‘W’ shape and attach 2 pieces of textured Chocolate Chip card to cover over the join lines and decorate the inside Bashful Blue card with the Fast Flowers Wheel.
6. Turn the card over again ‘M’ shape and decide which is the front of the card, run the wheel along the right hand edge, stamp an image onto the small piece of Close to Cocoa Cardstock and attach to the front using the Textured Chocolate Chip card to secure it.
7. Turn the card over so the folded piece looks like a ‘W’ and decorate the inside with images and sentiments.
8. Pinch the two points of the ‘W’ together. Now it looks like an upside down T. When you do this, you’ll see the centre starting to separate from the top and bottom layers. Put one hand on the centre section and the other on the top and bottom sections and pry the layers apart. It now looks like a ‘K’, decorate these pieces.
9. When you want to switch back to the inside of the card, pull gently on the front and back pieces of the K and reveal the inside.

Happy Stampin’

Amanda

Embellishments and Tools

3” Paperclip
Hot glue gun or other strong glue
Old Olive Ribbon
Black marker pen and White gel pen
1 3/8 ” Punch
½ ” punch
Boho Blossoms punch
Scallop circle punch
Round Tab punch

1. First punch and cut out all your pieces 1 3/8” punch 4 x Chocolate Chip, 1 x Close to Cocoa, ½ ” Circle punch 2 x Old Olive, Round tab punch 1 x Chocolate Chip, Boho Blossoms punch 2 x Creamy Caramel. Cut a small triangle for a beak from Creamy Caramel.
2. Stick 1 of the Chocolate Chip circles to each side of the top of the paperclip.
3. Draw black and white eyes onto the Old Olive circles and attach them with the beak onto the Chocolate Chip round tab punch.
4. Make wings by punching part of the Chocolate Chip circles through the scallop circle punch, about 4 scallops is the right size.
5. Stick 2 of the small flowers underneath the Close to Cocoa 1 3/8” circle to make feet and attach the wings to the top section., Then add the head.
6. Put glue onto one of the Chocolate Chip circles attached to the Paperclip and stick the owl to it.
7. Tie the ribbon to decorate the bookmark.

Happy Stampin’

Amanda