Beautiful Basics match report!

Well, I did my FIRST CLASS today - Beautiful Basics!

My aim was to help people release their creativity by showing them how to START card making. So, we covered cutting cardstock, scoring, matting, making the most of your stamps, colour coordination... etc etc. It was great because as I got them to do all the cutting, I just put the stacks of paper out & let them loose! That probably wouldn't work with too many more people but I am going to limit numbers. In fact, I already have 3 sign-ups for the next class, Embossing Extravaganza! (May 23rd - more details to follow)

Janette (and Solomon!) fiddling with ribbon.

Laura working away!

Janette's cards. Didn't she do a fab job!?

And Laura's cards! Can you believe it was her first time stamping?

It was lovely to stamp with friends today. I also did MORE stamping today, my upline Heather and I had a stamping lunch at Panera. I managed to get all of Jacob's (admittedly very simple - I'm ninja'd out!) thankyou cards done. All I have to do now is write them & mail them! 

Where WERE you Bexx?

So, looking at my blog last night I noticed it had been neglected for weeks earlier in late March/April. Well, I was very busy!

Both Jacob and Leo had the same due date (March 30th) however Jacob was 8 days overdue (April 7th 2008 he burst into the world!) and Leo was a planned c-section on March 27th 2012. So, both my boys have birthdays at around the same time. Well, as it was Leo's first birthday, I couldn't let that pass by unnoticed. And Jacob had his little heart set on a Ninjago party.

I thought I'd show a couple of pics from Leo's birthday tonight. I was inspired in the colour scheme by Stampin' Up!'s "Sent with Love" bundle.

I just love this paper & colour scheme! It'll be all gone come April 30th though so if you fancy it, you need to jump on it!

Here was Leo's party. I chose to use pinwheels as the main theme and did a candy buffet. It was a lot of work, but really fun & I was thrilled with the results.

Cake pops! Took ages but tasted divine.

Cupcakes. Not my strength, but my 2013 resolution is to learn to cook a good cupcake. Without a packet mix! 

The boys in the morning before the big do. Jacob chose the tunnel for his pressie for Leo. Leo was very puzzled by the whole concept!

I'll post a few more pics of what I've been up to in the last few weeks over the next few days.

Something slightly different!

I've been preparing for my Beautiful Basics class on Thursday (only two spots left!) and I thought I'd share the little handout I put together. It's full of hints & tips, such as guidelines for cutting & scoring cardstock, colour selection, matting, a few useful links, and all the details of the supplies I'll be using on Thursday.

Beautiful Basics Handout

I've tried to keep things very simple & used just one stamp set to create a versatile birthday card, a Christmas card and a fun general purpose card. It's a great starting point for newcomers to the craft & I know that more seasoned stampers would find the class interesting too. Here's a sneak peek:

I'll share some more pictures after Thursday. Don't want to steal my own thunder! Ha!

Beautiful Basics & Balti....more!

Just a quick heads-up about Beautiful Basics on Thursday. I am going to attempt to teach the basics of stamping, and we will be making 3 gorgeous cards from scratch. Nope, I'm not going to do all the cutting. Nope, you will not get a lovely little stack of all the pieces you need. YOU are going to LEARN how to do all that, all using one versatile stamp set & punch. Doesn't that sound brill? Well, I still have 3 spots left. A reminder of the details:

Beautiful Basics

Apr 18 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM  (Eastern )

OK so you have a few stamps, a bit of paper & some cardstock. How do you take the next step & turn them into gorgeous hand-made cards? This class is for you if:
 
- you bought stuff and now don't remember what to do with it (!)
- you want some fresh ideas for making the most of your stamps
- you just need a little prod in the right direction
- you just fancy stamping, chatting & giggling with friends
 
Class is $10 (this covers the cost of supplies) and you will come away with 3 gorgeous cards. Please bring your own scissors & adhesive. Place an order of $25 (before shipping & handling) and your class is HALF PRICE. Place an order of $50 (before shipping & handling) and your class is FREE. Can't say fairer than that! :D

I am going to have a sneak peek of one of the cards for you tomorrow. I'd love for you to join us so drop me a line if you're interested.

OK now another Baltimore snap! It was fabulous, and I am now really wanting to go to Convention. Sadly I can't this year, but I very much hope to be there in 2014!

Yup - it had to be done! (l-r) my upline & awesome friend Heather, SHELLI GARDNER (!!!!!!) and me. (If you aren't a stamper, Shelli Gardner is one of the co-founders of Stampin' Up! and a lovely person. I don't hug strangers though!) Spot the Brit - clue, it's all in the teeth! My hair started off all swooshy & straight too, then I had to dash out to a very sunny but very windy Charm City and it all went wrong. However here's a pic of me "mainlining" before kick off, when my hair still looked good! 

Please note, YES I am always that red! I have a naturally pink complexion & don't do makeup. Ever!

Do you like our lanyards? I sewed them with this fantastic tutorial! I fear the SU! fabric may not be around too much longer so if you have your eye on any of our beautiful designs, it might be a good time to stock up. But, what do I know!? :D

 

Right, enjoy your day, think of me as I catch up on chores I missed out on over the weekend!

Baltimore regional part 1!

Oh I have had such a fab weekend. My upline Heather and I came to Baltimore for the Stampin' Up! Regional. I have so much to share but here's a quick highlight whilst I'm on my iPhone...

Heather at breakfast looking... Sleepy! And me with just some of the awesome swaps. Can you tell I have been super energised?