Wow doesn’t time fly… hump day already which means the weekend is coming! 

Wednesday is the day I take my mum to parchment craft class at her church. I didn’t think I would enjoy it to be honest but I find it really therapeutic. I started earlier this year and took to it like a duck to water. 

I even managed to work it in with my first craft love… Stampin’ Up! of course. I rarely do any at home just the two and a half hours on a Wednesday with my mum… who goes as a way of getting out with me. She isn’t a natural bless but loves to get out and have a coffee whilst stabbing at parchment!

Today was super busy, with the class and then hairdresser so new do! It’s hard work covering all the greys! 

Sadly no crafting for me today but I thought I’d share a project I made earlier… 

This is a ‘wish I’d bought the orchid builder’ moment! It’s all made from Stampin’ Up! supplies but I had to cut out the orchid shape from a template online. The buds are actually the wings from the retired bird builder punch!

So guess what is now on my must buy list!

It does go to show you though that you don’t need to have everything… it’s OK to want but we don’t always need! Even if we feel we do. 

Anyway I’ll say good night and get on with unpacking a few more boxes!

Happy crafting, until next time…
Gillian x

Hello again

I’ve missed a couple of days as I’ve been so busy with life getting in the way! But anyway here I am on a lazy Sunday afternoon just chill axing and talking to myself.

Yesterday saw the first of my Christmas project classes, it was a marathon crafting day and as usual a lot of chatter and laughter. Everyone made ten cards using the Carols of Christmas. There was glitter everywhere… absolutely everywhere! But then you can’t do Christmas without glitter!

This first card was so simple, it utilised cherry Cobbler one of my seasonal favourites, I paired it with very vanilla to give a softer look than whisper white. The inside is stamped simply with some Christmas baubles. 

For my second card I went monotone with black and white with a flash of silver glitter. The music sheet die isn’t stamping up but without it there was a white space on the Dsp which I just couldn’t live with! 

The third card took me back to cherry cobbler, matched this time with tranquil Tide and whisper white. 

I added some gold sequin and little tiny pearls for the centres of then poinsettia. I won’t lie the inside of this card was fiddly, it’s stunning and pretty but definitely fiddly, laying in those fiddly bits of green, for me it’s worth it!

Next up I went for night of navy matched with tranquil Tide. Can you tell I’m loving tranquil Tide as a festive green? This was the really messy card… I reckon I’ll be finding glitter much past Christmas! 

I can’t take design credit for this card, it’s adapted from one I found on Pinterest and I simply love it! I used my stampin’ markers to colour the stamp so it’s two tone. Just remember to ‘huff’ on the stamp after colouring to remoistened the ink

Inside I coloured  the hanging baubles Stamp with markers again but if you want a quick make you could just stamp this in night of navy to contrast with the tranquil Tide card.

The final card was also cased from Pinterest. I love the rustic feel of this card. I used crumb cake as the base. 

You would never think that the DSP was white. It’s been sponged to give an aged look. Also in crumb cake. Inside I stamped the baubles in cherry cobbler to tie it all in. 

Everyone loved all the cards and I had an added option for this class which they all took… so they went home with fully prepped kits to make another ten.

If you would be interested in a kit for this class ten cards plus the stamp set, dies and a quarter pack of DSP costs only £60 and you will be sent a PDF instruction sheet. The kit comes prepped with all card stock cut to sizes you need. You will need dies for doing squares etc. If you don’t have them let me know and I will do these for you. If you want to add an extra ten cards on to this kit for the special price of £15 please let me know. Again they will be cut and prepped. 

So for the rest of today I’ll be tidying the craft room and putting my feet up with lovely chilled tin of Pepsi Max!

Enjoy the rest of your day whatever you are doing and thanks for stopping by! Don’t forget to follow my log by signing up for email updates!

Love Gillian x

Happy Thursday 

Also known as throw back Thursday! Today I’m Sharing a project I designed a while back for class. It was a beautiful box containing four cards all using the beautiful you stamp set. 

The box opens up and has a sleeve at each side. To be fair it could probably hold eight cards comfortably. I have created this in so many different colours and it makes a beautiful present. 

I used my favourite colours for this set… well my favourite for that day anyway! Sweet sugar plum and rich razzleberry and as always a generous splattering of rhinestones. 

I’m not sure about you but I am such a particular person when it comes to colouring. For me you shouldn’t see the pen lines, it takes the professional look away (but then I am amloytle OCD when it comes to my crafting). I achieve this look by colouring it twice this seems to work like a blender and makes the colouring smooth and flawless.:: give it a try and let me know what you think. 

The card above also uses a little paper piecing. If you haven’t done this before it’s so simple. Just stamp onto DSP and fussy cut before adhering to the image on your card front. I particularly liked this pattern for the middle ladies dress, classy! 

For the third card I sketched a longer dress and instead of long sleeves I made a strappy dress and gloves just with a few clever lines. I can’t take credit for this idea though I saw it on Pinterest! I used the itty bitty punches bird builder for the floral detail and I know hey are retired but sometimes you just gotta keep old stuff! There are lots of new alternatives you could swap in. 

And the final card… lots of torn edges, ribbon and LOTS of bling! What’s not to love?

If you would like the pdf tutorial for this project simply place an order for Beautiful You through my online shop. I’ll then send you the tutorial free of charge. That’s on top of the free gift I’m already offering this month for all orders! 

If you would like the tutorial and already have the stamp set it is available to purchase for £3. Just click buy now below. 

Buy now 

That’s all for now. In the words of a famous character… I’ll be back!
Love Gillian 

It’s Tuesday… one of my favourite days… you may ask why? And it’s simple really Tuesday night means craft night. A night of great fun… lots of craic and friendship and of course crafty makes and cake!

I started doing these classes three years ago now and time has just flown by, there is nothing quite like a evening spent with friends! When you’re feeling blue it’s good to talk and generally spirits are raised. 

Crafting is such fabulous therapy, when I’m at my craft desk I immerse myself in my stamps and card and I switch off my mind to daily troubles and just create! It’s my quiet time, time to recharge. I also find I regularly use this time to talk to God and generally if I’ve music on in the back ground it’s worship music. Thankfully my new house isn’t near enough for the neighbours to overhear me… I haven’t been blessed with a singing voice! Thankfully I have been blessed with creativity… I was created to create! 

This evening in class we will be making a special male card at the request of my lovely ladies. So my design is for my step son who will be 21 tomorrow! Time flies. I can’t share it until tomorrow but I thought I’d share a closer look at the cards I did with the lovely Carol on Friday, we will be recreating these tonight after the speciality card!

These cards are based on Love and Faith, I used the ribbon of courage stampset for these.

These little cards measure 3″x3″ and are perfect little notes to send someone who just needs to know you care. Who would you send one to, and why? 

Anyway time for me to go and buy the buns for tonight, all crafters of any experience level welcome!
Love Gillian x

And hello crafters 

I hope September treated you well and October treats you more so!
It’s not really that long to Christmas at all, every year it seems to sneak up on me…. no matter how prepared I think I am, I always run out of time! This year I’m planning well ahead and my Christmas makes are getting well under way!
Speaking of Christmas and cheer Stampin’ Up! Have not one, not two BUT three special offers for October just for you!
Firstly the Merry Patterns stamp set offer continues until the end of the month! If you spend £250, or host a party that’s totals £250 then you get this fabulous stamp set for free…. and that’s in addition to the normal hostess benefits!


Next to celebrate world card making day Stampin’ Up! Is offering you 15% discount on selected card making materials! These offers run between 1st and 10th October! 

Did you notice the exceptional offer at the end? Buy a fast fuse and receive TWO free refills!! I know I for one will be stocking up on this fantastic adhesive.

Feeling spoilt? I’m not done yet!! Throughout October when you order any three packs of selected designer series paper you will get a fourth one absolutely free…. essentially that’s 25% discount!!!

Please remember if you are ordering online this month to use the hostess code below unless your order is £150 or more because if it is you’ll bag so more freebies!!
Everyone who places an order with me this month will receive a small thank you gift from me at the end of the month, so please remember to share your contact details! 
HOSTESS CODE FOR OCTOBER – AWZMFWXC

CLASSES
Classes are back and up and running in our new craft space based near Portaferry. Classes for October are as follows:

Tuesday – 3rd, 17th and 31st from 7.30pm.This class is now bi weekly but so you do t miss out on projects each class is now offering three (or more) projects for £15 each night. Please prepay your class contacting me on 07446 899418.

Friday – this month it’s on the 13th and is a special Christmas Project class, Hearts Come homes. The cost of this class is dependant on whether you want to include the stamp set and dies (£60) or just the supplies (£30). This is a fantastic price and we will be making multiple projects (six cards and six tags). Contact me for full details and to pre book your seat.

Saturday – 7th is our first Christmas Project Class – Carols of Christmas. We will be making ten cards, priced from £30 or to include the stamp set and dies only £60!

If you would like to come to any of these classes or would like me to consider additional dates please do get in touch!

In the meantime happy crafting! 
Love Gillian x

Gillian Whitcombe 

Uk Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator 

Mobile : +44 (0) 7446 899418

Email : littlethingsbyg@gmail.com

Facebook : facebook.com/littlethingsbygillian 

Blog : littlethingsbyg@wordpress.com

Online shop : www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/littlethingsbyg

Happy Saturday crafters!!

Just a quick hello from me today.  I thought I would share a close up photograph of yesterday’s project. 

This beautiful card measures 5″x7″, and really has a luxurious look and feel. I had such fun making it! 

If you would like a PDF project sheet simply leave me a comment and subscribe to my blog and I’ll get it too you within the next few days! 

And of course a beautiful card front requires a beautiful insert…. and don’t forget to get artistic on your envelope too! 

I had such fun designing and creating this card, I’m so loving the eclipse technique which is everywhere at the minute! 

I’ve attached links below to all the products I used to create this so feel free to shop to your hearts content! And for all those shooing through me in October you will get a lovely surprise in the mail (just remember to leave your contact details)!

Have a fabulous Saturday!

Gillian 

Product List

Good Tidings Polymer Stamp Set

Star of Light Polymer Stamp Set

Tranquil Tide A4 card stock

Cherry Cobbler A4 card stock

Very Vanilla A4 card stock

Tranquil Tide Ink Pad

Cherry Cobbler Ink Pad

Early Espresso Ink Pad

Tombow Multi purpose adhesive

Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals

Acrylic Block D

Acrylic Block G

Large Letter Framelits

Big Shot Die Cutting Machine

Stampin’ Trimmer

Wow, twice in one week, you’ll be begging me to stop!!

So I’ve worked tirelessly all week to get my craft studio, if not finished at least ready to host my first class. Sadly two of the regulars to my Friday class are on holiday and one wasn’t feeling well… but I’m not gonna let that stop the fun! Whether there be two of us or ten the craic is always guaranteed to mighty! 

So today it was Carol and myself, and the mess we made couldn’t have been more if there had been six of us! Carol was delighted to be the first person to craft with me in our new space and I’m so happy to share it with her and all my lovely ladies!

Today’s projects were the beautiful Merry Christmas and the three mini cards on the far right… when we worked out that shaving millimetres off the 3×3 card meant we could get four from the sheet of powder pink that’s exactly what Carol did… so they are 2.74cm square to be precise! Carol added the one with the ribbon to the other three. The live, laugh, love I cased from Pinterest, all other cards are my own design. 

Our next Friday afternoon class is on the 13th October, if you want to join us let me know! 

Have a crafty weekend! 

God bless, Gillian x

Hello strangers!

I haven’t been blogging in forever! Instead I’ve been using my Facebook to share my crafty makes, but I’m trying to take a more organised approach to everything in my life including my crafting and project sharing!

Since last I wrote I’ve retired from work due to ill health and moved house! I’m working on getting my new craft studio sorted and it’s coming along nicely!!

My hubbie is an absolute star and worked like mad to get it painted and floored for me!

I’m so excited to get it finished and I welcome my first classmates on Friday, they may have to navigate boxes to make it there but we will definitely have a ball!

So that’s all for now, hopefully it won’t be so long next time!

Happy crafting ❤️

Gillian

I’ve had a really busy week with work and life getting in between me and craft!

This wee card was an order from Etsy, the fairy and flowers aren’t stampin’ up up the rest is! I’ve water coloured the fairy and highlighted it with white gel pen. The wings are coated with a fine mist of glitter using my wink of Stella pen. If you don’t have one of these and are a glitter guy or gal you need one in your life! And I’m the girl to get you one!

Gillian x

Tuesday again… So quickly. Tonight we did two Father’s Day cards, this one is a fancy swing style card.  The card structure came from a tutorial by another fabulous Stampin Up demo by name of Kirsteen Gill.

I used basic black card stock, neutrals paper stack, whisper white card.  The stamp sets were Guy greetings and suite sayings.

The girls loved this card, so much so they want to make another one next week! 

So that’s it from me tonight… I’m crazy tired and the bath is beckoning!!
Catch you soon Gillian x