Sunday past was the day of my cheers to the year project class. We had the best of days finished off by our Christmas dinner at a local restaurant. There was much fun and frolics!

Anyway the crafts… Throughout the day we did six cards and four 3d projects… well most of us did. Two of my ladies wanted all cards so I redesigned the 3d projects and turned them into cards! Of course the ladies doing the bags and boxes loved the cards as well but there was just not enough time in the day!

I spent a long time coming up with the measurements for a giant sized cracker…. 

Isnt the copper foil paper lush? If you’d like the directions just leave me a message below.  

It was so simple to make this project into a Card and I just loved the result, which is your favourite… the cracker or the card? Or are you a ‘gotta have it all’ kinda girl like me? 

I think Im going to have to stock up on that fabulous designer paper before it bows out at the start of January. And how fab are those foil snowflakes? You get a pack of 24 half gold and half silver…. but they can be coloured and the back is plain… they are so beautiful the photograph just doesn’t do them justice!

Next we did a jumbo gift bag… this uses two sheets of 12” x 12” paper but is so worth it, it’s so sturdy and is sure to make any gift a WOW! 

The paper the bag is made from is stunning, in some lights it looks silver, in others gold. It’s so pretty! The cute little pom-pom trim is retired but I couldn’t resist using it! Of course I also had to make this into a card which I’ve posted below.

Clever right? I can tell you I was chuffed!

Pop back again and I’ll share the other two 3d projects and some more cards.

Catch you later!
Gillian x

Oh disaster of disasters… I dropped my iPhone and now the screen is totally smashed. I’m gutted :/

Anyway I managed to sneak a little time in my craft room and had a play with birthday delivery stamp set and dsp … I also had a play with my bow maker…..

I used to make dozens of journals. It haven’t made one in a while until this one. It has such a pretty vintage feel to it. I used soft sky and powder pink. And just look at my lovely bow…. isn’t it just so pretty!

This would look just as pretty as a card I think! AND if I had my Stamparatus it would have been even quicker and easier to make. I judged the background stamps by eye but the Stamparatus would have made perfectly spaced and perfectly aligned images!Anyway there we go a quick, pretty non Christmas themed make… but don’t worry I’ll be back with lots of Christmas inspired projects using the year of Cheer suite later in the week… and that will be a treat! Happy crafting!Gillian xPS don’t forget the online extravaganza happening now and keep your eyes open for another 24 hour flash sale coming on the 27th!Squeak!! So exciting!

Quick head on over to my shop for 20% off select stamp sets and many more offers!!

Don’t hang around these are fabulous offers so they won’t last long!!

Oh the joy craft stuff with money off… which means more money for more craft stuff!

Happy days!!

I’m off to shop!

Love Gillian x

Well I’m just back from the weekend convention which was great. I got to share fab projects and see lots of gorgeous new products. I also got some to bring home… the best being the new spring summer catalogue and the Sale-a-bration brochure!

This was my swap, a simple trim fold desk calendar.

Once home I received the very exciting news that I ranked #37 overall demo out of all the demonstrators in the UK! How chuffed and gobsmacked was I!

BUT that’s not the most exciting bit of news I have to tell you! Stampin’ Up! Have designed in partnership with leading demos from across be world the Stamparatus.

You may well ask the stamp-a-what? Well here it is…

Now I’m sure you’ve heard of other similar tools but I can tell you Stampin’ Up! have gone the extra mile over any other manufacturer with a unique design for this Stampin’ platform!

This product will change the way you stamp forever, you’ll soon wonder how you ever crafted without it!                                                                              So what are the benefits?

1). You can make multiples very quickly and very easily

2). You’ll get consistently crisp, clean stamped images

3). If your Image isn’t dark enough, you can re-ink and stamp again!

4). You’ll make fewer mistakes, and save time and money

5). You’ll be able to do 2-step, 3-step and 4-step stamping using the reversible plates. Clean up in one go at the end!

6). You’ll learn the art of hinged stamping with our easy system for getting all your images in a row and spaced evenly… it’s as easy as 1-2-3! You’ll be amazed by this!

7). It has two open sides to allow for larger sized cardstock

This video shows you everything this fantastic new tool has to offer!

https://youtu.be/3teCr7Xo4G8

The STAMPARATUS will be available to pre-order between 16th – 30th November 2017, for delivery on or around 1st February 2018 – this applies to customers and demonstrators!

If you miss this pre-order slot, you’ll be able to pre-order during 5th – 30th December 2017 for delivery from 19th March 2018.                                                                              The third and final slot will be 15th – 30th January 2018 for delivery on or around 15th April 2018.

After that, it will be available as normal in the 2018 – 2019 Annual Catalogue.

If you’d like to be amongst the first to receive one of these, visit my Stampin’ Up!

http://www2.stampinup.com/ECWeb/default.aspx?dbwsdemoid=5010299                                                                                                          you will see a link for the STAMPARATUS pre-order.  Follow the link and place your pre-order.

Once your STAMPARATUS has been received in the warehouse you will receive a notification and you can then confirm your order.                                                                              It’s at this time you will be required to pay, not before (note you will need to input your card details to pre order).

The good news is that at this point you can add to your order which is wonderful news as during January, February and March for every £45 order you get to pick an exclusive free product. The Stamparatus is £44 so one extra item and you get a freebie!

Well I’ve probably overloaded you with information but just so you know pre order slot opens tomorrow and spaces are limited…. ready, steady GO!

I’ll be back soon to share some more exciting news….

Gillian x

I’m so excited!!! I’m writing this on the plane en route to Birmingham… that in itself probably sounds rather dull BUT I’m travelling ON STAGE which is Stampin’ Up’s convention. This happens twice a year in April’s and again in November. 

I’ve come armed with 73 swaps so hope to takeaway 73 new ideas, a gift for my upline and one for my downline. This is the first time I’ve attended an event accompanied one of my own downline so it’s doubly exciting! 

I’ve seen a few sneak peeks of our attendee goody bag oh facebook. There s ems to be mixed feelings about it but I think it looks fab!

Besides meeting all the other demos I know the highlight of the weekend will definitely be getting my sticky paws on the new spring and summer catalogue and of course seeing what Sale-a-bration 2018 has to offer, I’m hoping for great things as next year is Stampin’ Up’s 30th anniversary! It’s also my 5th anniversary with the company next october!
Well I started writing it in th plane. I’m signing off in my hotel room. Knackered time for bed. 
Night night peeps xxx

Hello crafty friends, 

I hope you are all well and managed to bag some of the special offers Stampin’ Up! had available last month. 

I’ve no freebies from Stampin’ Up! This month but I do have other really exciting news…
 Today 1st November 2017, Stampin’ Up! launch their new alcohol markers (drumroll please)
STAMPIN’ BLENDS!

Check out the flyer here: Stampin’ Blends Catalogue

Stampin’ Blends Flyer
 Stampin’ Blends are high-quality, dual-tip markers which come in twelve exclusive Stampin’ Up! colours. 

They each have a light and a dark shade, which will give you the utmost blending experience!

To help you get started, we’re also happy to introduce the Colour Me Happy Project Kit and coordinating stamp, which include beautiful line-art imagery that will give you ample opportunity to test these markers’ superior blending abilities. 
You’ll see that you don’t have to be a Van Gogh to achieve great results with these products!
Would you like to know more about our alcohol markers? If so watch this YouTube video Basics of Blending by Stampin’ Up!

Basics of Stampin’ Blends

If you are ordering from me online this month and your order is under £150 please use the hostess code below. You will get a little surprise from me at the end of the month!
6FEBJZDT
If you are ordering over £150 you are the hostess and get all the benefits for yourself. 
 CLASSES

November classes are on the following dates:
Friday 3rd November 2pm

Sunday 5th November 12 noon (hearts come home project class)

Tuesday 7th November 7pm

Tuesday 21st November 7pm

Friday 24th November 2pm

Saturday 25th November (various times at Grandshaw Presbyterian Church, Comber)

Sunday 26th November at 1pm (project class) 
Please contact me ASAP if you’d like to book yourself a space.

This is one of the cards we made during one of the October crafting sessions… 

 I’m very excited to be going to Stampin’ Up! On stage event in Solihull next weekend… apart from all the swaps and crafting fun we get a sneak peek at products from the next catalogue…. eeeek.
That’s all for now. Happy crafting!
Gillian ❤️

How often whilst we are waiting for that BIG moment do we miss the little moments?

The little things that pass by unnoticed and then suddenly looking back we realise all those little things that in the moment passed us by without realising…

Like me and my children, sometimes we are so busy being Mummy the time just passes and before we know it are babies are grown.

My son barely pauses for a photo with his old mum anymore but I managed to capture one this week at my awards ceremony… doesn’t he look wonderful…

And my daughter seemed to suddenly changed from my inquisitive little princess into a young lady… how did that happen? Did I fall asleep? 

To get them both in the same photograph is like catching a flying pig, so I’m honoured!

When I was trying to think of a name for this wee craft thing I’ve got going on, all these jumbled thoughts were in my mind and I realised that all the BIG moments in life are made up by all the little things. Little things matter and I love making little things and sharing little things that might just bring a smile to someone’s face, or comfort when they need it.

I still love what I do, I love to share what I do and I love to just stop and take notice of all the little things and enjoy them before they are gone forever…
Happy weekend peeps ❤️

Yesterday we held our first Northern Belles get together in Belfast #creativityinNorthernIreland.

This was an event organised by Stampin’ Up! demonstrators in Northern Ireland for Stampin’ Up! Demonstrators.

For our debut event we met at the Crumlin Road Gaol in Belfast and we had guest speaker Paula Gorry the Stampin’ Up! UK business development manager who gave a motivating talk about self belief and told us about her personal journey. 

We had groups activities, make and takes, inspiration stations and swaps. I’m honoured to have been part of the organising committee and a demonstrator panel… I even managed to speak in front of a room feel of people! 

It was great to have two of downline with me, Carol and Louise. Carol even brought another friend Carole who isn’t a demonstrator (yet)! 

The lovely Helen who is is in the same downline team as me was also there. 

(L-R Helen, Carol, Me, Carole and Louise)

It really was a fun filled day! My lovely friend Lilian and I co ordinated one of the make and takes and we made a beautiful box using the Christmas Carols suite. It was a real hit! 

(L-R Jeanette, Lilian, Me, Clare and Lyris)

Below is the beautiful box we showcased, full design credit to Lilian @craicandcrafting. 

These events and others like it are such a big part of the Stampin’ Up! Community. If you would like to join the fun and my stampin’ Up family please get in touch. I would love to welcome you and share creativity with you ❤️

Until next time, keep crafting!

Love Gillian x

It’s Friday 13th October, which means it’s my niece Alana’s birthday! It also means it’s Friday crafternoon!

Today’s class theme is Hearts come Home. We are making six cards and six matching tags! There was a lot of prep involved yesterday!

I’ll share the projects later but for now I wanted to remind you that time is running it for our fabulous October offers. Whilst the world card making day offers have expired there is still time buy three get one free on selected Designer series paper (DSP), and don’t forget if you spend £250 or host a class to that value you get a totally free Merry Patterns stamp set in addition to the usual hostess benefits! 
Catch you later!

Gillian x