About Me

My photo
I have been a Stampin' Up Demonstrator for almost two years now, and when I signed up it was just for the starter kit and discount on products........ I never imagined it would snowball into being a business like it has. I am a new Mummy to my little boy, Isaac, who is almost four months old now. I am spending my maternity leave enjoying watch him grow up, becoming his own little person, and also trying to build my business up. Stampin' Up! have amazing products and I would love to share my crafting passion with as many people as possible. I am always putting through orders, so if you need anything, or just want some information or advise, please do not hesitate to contact me. If you want to try before you buy, then check out my classes and get booked on.

Sunday 29 January 2012

More Sale-a-bration Creations

Hi, I really hope everyone has had a fab weekend…….. it’s whizzed by!

I wanted to do a quick post to share a few more cards I made at Cate’s baggie book day a few weeks ago.

The lighting wasn’t great when I took these photos unfortunately.  Both cards are made with the Elementary Elegance stamp set.  The first card uses some of the gorgeous In Colours for 2011/2012.  The banner is a great way to get a ribbon effect without ribbon.  The sentiment has been stamped separately and punched with the Curly Label Punch, then popped onto the card with Dimensionals.

SAB Cards Jan 2012 007SAB Cards Jan 2012 008

The second card is very pink and girly.  Lots of the others girls at the craft day were putting 18 and 21 on there cards, and I think a few of them thought I’d put my numbers the wrong way round!  However, if I remember, I will use this card for my nieces 12th birthday in June.  Again the centre sections was punched out and popped up with Dimensionals.  The colour scheme is Rich Razzleberry and Pink Pirouette.

SAB Cards Jan 2012 011SAB Cards Jan 2012 012

Right, off to finish tidying my craft room after spending this afternoon making a mess.  Needless to say I didn’t get as much done as I needed to, so I’ll be hot-footing it in there tomorrow after work. 

   

Wednesday 25 January 2012

Sale-a-bration Showcase

Hello everyone, I hope you are having a fabulous week!

Over the next few days I am going to share with you a number of projects using the Sale-a-bration stamp sets and Designer papers.  I was very lucky to take part in a craft day with a number of other members of the Blue Angels – my stampin up nanna Cate’s team!!!  We spent the day making four cards with each of the four stamp sets, so 16 cards in all…………….

Here are just a few of the cards made with one of my favourite sets – Elementary Elegance

SAB Cards Jan 2012 010

The first is card is using one of the sentiments from this set which has been stamped inside the Designer Frame Embossed Oval.  A bit of sponge daubing, tearing, some pearls, a strip of SAB Designer Paper trimmed into a banner and a layer of Marina Mist card embossed with Perfect Polka Dots, all on a Crumb Cake base and voila!!!!!

SAB Cards Jan 2012 009 

This is a little square card with a Pumpkin Pie base.  The frame image has been stamped on Whisper White in Soft Suede, then stuck to a Night of Navy layer before punching out the centre with the Curly Label Punch.  The Hello image was stamped and cut into a banner, then the Crown image was stamped in Night of Navy and cut out to adorn the sentiment.

If you would like to get your hands on this lovely stamp set then you simply need to select products from the Main Idea Book & Catalogue and/or the Spring Mini Catalogue amounting to £45……..  And with so much to choose from, maybe you’ll end up needing to select two free sets – you get one for each £45 you spend after all!

Contact me to place and order, or if you’d like any further information about hosting a party and getting more products for FREE

Julie Halls

07786266722 / craftybugjules@yahoo.co.uk

Tuesday 24 January 2012

Sale-a-bration is HERE!!!!



Wow, it seems to have taken a long time to arrive, but finally Sale-a-bration time is here!
So what is Sale-a-bration……………  it’s Stampin’ Up! best offer ever – simply spend £45 on some fabulous Stampin’ Up! products and you can then pick one of four stamp sets, or a pack of gorgeous Designer Series Paper for FREE……….  And if you spend £90, you pick two items, spend £135 you pick three items……………  are you getting the idea????
So what are the items you can get for FREE
SAB Outlined OccasionsSAB Fresh VintageSAB Sprinkled ExpressionsSAB Elementary EleganceSAB Everyday Enchantment DSP
Not only can you get these gorgeous products for FREE with each spend of £45, but you can also get a FREE Sale-a-bration set if you host a workshop with sales of £300 or more, plus you still get the usual Hostess Benefits as well.
To place an order or to find out more about hosting a workshop and take advantage of this promotion please contact me
craftybugjules@yahoo.co.uk or call on 07786266722

Monday 23 January 2012

Crafty Bug Class Update

Come and be a Crafty Bug at my Saturday card classes. 

Upcoming classes for 2012

18th February
 
10am - 1pm
Come along and have a fun filled morning making 5 cards
£7.50
(or free with a £20 order)


2 - 5 pm
An afternoon card class where we will be making a stationary box, plus 4 cards and gift tags to fill it!
£10.00
(or free with a £30 order)

Come along to both sessions for £15
*bring a packed lunch and have a fun filled crafty day*
(free with a £50 order)
*that also means you get to pick a FREE Sale-a-bration item as well*

Check back for sneak peeks of the projects to be made at these classes

A late arrival............

Just a quick card to show you today. 
This is one I made for my friends when their little girl finally appeared in the world!  Their baby was born at the end of November, but seeing as they have such a love for Penguins I couldn't resist using the Polar Party stamp set and adding this cute little penguin popping out of the pram!


The colour combo is So Saffron, Certainly Celery and Pretty In Pink.  The shading on the pram image from Bundle of Love was done using an Aqua Painter with the ink pads, though you have to be careful not to overload the paper with water or it will buckle.  An alternative would be to stamp the image on water colour paper.

I used the Scallop Border Punch for the bottom strips of card and added the name using the Medium Sizzlit Alphabet Dies.

Sunday 22 January 2012

May the force be with you................


Hello,

I just have a quick card for you today.  This photo has been sitting on my laptop since before Christmas and I figure it's time to let him shine!!!!

I found a version of this card on a blog called Sherry's Stamped Treasures, and she'd CAS'd it from Debbi's Design's Blog..............  lots of sharing going on.  


My brother loves Star Wars, and seeing as I'd got him a t-shirt from Disney Convention that said 
" Jedi Training Academy" on it, the card seemed to fit perfectly with the theme!

Having one to copy certainly saved me a lot of time, though I had to improvise and change a few of the punches used as I didn't have them (well my Bird Punch was on loan).  The other main change was due to my OH telling me the Light Saber is actually meant to have a green glow if it belongs to Yoda!!!!  Boys............  So I added this in!

My brother loved the card, so I was pleased I took the time to put it all together.  Goodness knows how long it would have taken to do it from scratch!

The Details: 
Card / Paper - Sahara Sand / Chocolate Chip / Wild Wasabi / Basic Gray / Whisper White
Stamps / Ink - Crumb Cake / Chocolate Chip / Happiest Birthday Wishes (hostess)
Embellishments - Mini Brads / Brights Brad
Tools - Blossom Petals Builder / Word Window / Modern Label / Extra-Large Oval / Large Oval (trimmed) / Boho Blossoms / 1/2" Circle / Decorative Label / 1 3/4" Circle / Sponge Dauber

Stampers 6 Club and Products Shares

Hello,

I have posted details for a Stampers 6 Club – click for a link to the page HERE

For details on the products shares I am offering please click HERE

Thanks

Julie x

Friday 20 January 2012

Convention Swaps – a little late!!!!

Hello everyone,
I have yet to share with you the swaps I made for convention back in November.  It seems such a long time ago already!
Annoyingly, I was so late in finishing these up – about midnight prior to boarding a train at 6am to head for Paris – that I forgot to take pictures myself.  Thankfully I kept one swap, and a couple of other convention friends send me some pictures to use.  It’s still a shame, as I made about 70 of these and they looked fab all together.
So what did I make – they are bracelet charms with mini drawstring bags!
My mum, bless her, helped me out by making all of the bags for me.  They are made from two pieces of 3”x3” Flirtatious Designer Fabric which my mum stitched into and bag and used Very Vanilla 1/8” Taffeta Ribbon to the bag could be close up.  She was a superstar in getting these all done for me, and they looked brilliant.

Bracelet Charm and Bag Convention SwapBracelet Charm and Bag Convention Swap a

My part was to make the charm.  I used an A4 sheet of Pretty in Pink card stock and did a one sheet wonder using the Delicate Doilies stamp set inked in Melon Mambo and Wisteria Wonder.  I then cut this sheet into little squares that fitted over the third biggest butterfly on the Beautiful Wings Embosslit.  I had to do a lot of running it through the Big Shot as I only had one of these embosslits…………..  Once this was done I then proceeded to cover each side of the butterfly in Crystal Effects.  I left it over night after doing one side, then did the other and left over night again.  I then thought this wasn’t making it stiff enough, so went on to do each side twice more, so three coats all over in total.

Bracelet Charm Convention Swap

I used the 2mm Handheld Punch to give me a hole to put a jump ring through and this was then connected to a small clasp.  My other half really helped me out as the last hours before leaving for convention were upon us, and he did most of the jump ring / clasp connections.

Bracelet Charm Convention Swap (1)





I printed a label topper onto Melon Mambo, Pretty in pink and Wisteria Wonder card and punched them out with the Decorative Label Punch.  I used Basic Black card as a backing which had a recipe label on the back, then popped then into little cello bags and stapled on the topper.
I think it was a rather ambitious swap for my first convention, but they seemed a big hit which I was pleased about.  I didn’t come home with any, but I certainly had a lot of wonderful swaps back that give enormous amounts of inspiration.
So – it just goes to show how versatile Stampin’ Up! products are.  I went left field and made jewellery!
I hope you liked them and maybe you’ll think of something else to do with your craft stash……….

Thursday 19 January 2012

ILWS – Simply Adorned Insert Swap

Oh wow, I’m really loving the new Simply Adorned product range in the Spring Mini Catalogue.  have you seen what’s on offer????

Chains, bracelets, jewels and charms……………….  all so fabulously gorgeous, and they can be simply altered to suit any outfit!

The charms come in four sizes, all locket style with a hinge that easily allows you to insert customised artwork or photos.

I joined in a swap on In Love With Stamping so I could get lots of lovely inspiration and samples.  I  made 10 of each inserts to fir the larger size charms, 2.5cm x 2.5cm and 3.2cm x 2.5cm.

This first one uses the Charming stamp set, specifically designed with images to fit the inserts.  This insert is for the largest charm.

Simply Adorned Insert Swap Jan 2012 (4)

The first side has the script background inked in Pool Party, then stamped off before stamping onto the Confetti Cream base card.  Over the top I have inked the circle image in Wisteria Wonder and added tiny pearls.  The butterfly image is inked in Perfect Plum and daubed with Champagne Simmer Paint before stamping onto the card.

Simply Adorned Insert Swap Jan 2012 (5)

Flip the card over and on the other side we have the floral image.  I used markers to ink this image so I could get the flowers a different colour from the foliage.  Marker used were Perfect Plum and Pear Pizzazz.  The wording is from You’re a Gem stamp set and is inked in Chocolate Chip.

Simply Adorned Insert Swap Jan 2012

The second insert for the swap is for the square Charm.  I’ve used an old favourite, Clearly For You, and one of the lovely new sets in the Spring Mini, Perfect Postage, an absolute steal at only £8.95 in Clear Mount or £10.95 in Wood Mount – there are four images in the set and there is also a matching Postage Punch.  Once again the base is Confetti Cream card.

Simply Adorned Insert Swap Jan 2012 (1)

The first side I have stamped the Heart image from Perfect Postage in Real read ink.  I them used a sponge dauber to take the colour right to the edges.  The love sentiment is from Tiny Tags and I’ve used Chocolate Chip ink.  My trusty stamp-a-ma-jig allowed me to line this up perfectly, and then I added a Basic Rhinestone.

Simply Adorned Insert Swap Jan 2012 (2)

On the other side I have stamped the background image from Clearly For You in Daffodil Delight.  Like with the other insert I stamped off first to give a lighter shade.  The bird were added over the top in Cherry Cobbler ink.  The top section is a piece of Cherry Cobbler card punched with the wonderful Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch.

 Simply Adorned Insert Swap Jan 2012 (3) 

I cannot wait to get my package of swaps from the others involved.  I will show you what I get over the coming weeks.

These charms really are great value as you can simply change the inserts with every change of outfit and they become completely unique!

Thanks

Julie xxx

Saturday 14 January 2012

Time for a challenge

I have not done a challenge entry for a long, long time.  I decided this morning that it was time to rectify that.

I went over to Stamping 411 for the weekly sketch and decided to play along.

I have been wanting to use the stamp set Everything Eleanor for ages, but with Christmas taking over my crafting for the last few months it never made it out of the box until now.

I used Perfect Plum for the card base and stamped this in the same coloured ink with the flourish from the set.  I used Sahara Sand ink for the label stamped onto Confetti Cream card which has lovely little flecks in it.  I over stamped this with one of the flower images.  First I inked it with Melon Mambo and then did the rock n roll technique with some Elegant Eggplant ink.  I trimmed around the label shape, mounted it onto some Melon Mambo card and then trimmed again.  I think my trimming skills need some work!!!!    

Everything Eleanor Jan 2012 (1)

I used some red stick across the middle of the card and ruffled some Chantilly Crochet Trim along it, adding in the Happy Birthday sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes in Melon Mambo punched with the Decorative Label Punch.  
The sketch had a bow in that area, but I decided to top the ribbon with the little bird image from the stamp set.  I used markers to colour him in Chocolate Chip, Sahara Sand and a little Pumpkin Pie for the beak and feet.  I cut him out and added him with a Dimensional.

Everything Eleanor Jan 2012

The flower image piece was then added with Dimensionals as well.

Why not follow the link at the top of the post to Stamping 411 and see what everyone else has been creating?

Thanks xx

Thursday 12 January 2012

COMING SOON...........

I am going to be setting up a stampers 6 club, running from March to August....................  and I will shortly have some product shares for you as well.

I will post full details shortly, but please drop me an email to register your interest - craftybugjules@yahoo.co.uk

I will also be posting some more gorgeous projects using new Mini Catalogue products, and lots of Sale-a-brations lovelies, over the weekend :o)

Until then, big hugs
Julie x

Sunday 8 January 2012

Cupcake Class Update

CUPCAKE CLASS UPDATE

The 10am - 1pm session for this class is now fully booked.

I am adding a second session on the same date
2 - 5pm

Please book by Saturday 14th January
Come and be a Crafty Bug at my Saturday card classes. 
21st January

Cupcake Class
Using the NEW Create a Cupcake stamp set and Cupcake Builder Punch
(available in the Spring Mini Catalogue from 4th January)
£12.50
This class includes a product bag containing buttons, brads and ribbon.  
You will be using some on your projects, but there will still be plenty to take home.

Sneak Peek


You'll be surprised at how much you can create from a cupcake!
For further information, more class dates, and booking information click HERE 

Wednesday 4 January 2012

Spring Mini Catalogue Blog Hop

Hello,

Welcome to The Crafty Bug stop on this Spring Mini Catalogue Blog Hop!!!!!  I hope you have been enjoying your journey, or if this is your first stop, then please just keep following the links and work your way around all 22 stops.  If you've come from Jayne's blog, then I'm sure you will have loved her card using the Marry Me stamp set and Pocketful of Posies DSP - gorgeous............

I am so excited that for the first time ever, the UK has a Spring Mini.  It's packed full of wonderful crafting products that will be available through until 30th April 2012.

Let's get cracking:

First up is a card made with a new a la carte stamp that I got during convention when I won a prize patrol.  It's called Liebe, Love, Amour which is just perfect for Valentines without being too cutesy.  It co-ordinates with the new 2 3/8 " Scallop Circle Punch - I apologise for my dreadful photography skills, the card is straight in real life!


The card base is Basic Gray, layered with the gorgeous new Red Glimmer Paper.  It's so sparkly and shiny, I just love it.  I've rounded the corners, and then stamped the Liebe, Love, Amour stamp several times on Very Vanilla with Basic Gray and Real Red ink.  These have been punched out and layered using Dimensionals, then finished off with a Red Rhinestone Brad in the centre.  


This second card uses the products and colours from the new Spice Cake product suite. 
The card base is Soft Suede, layered with More Mustard which was run through the Big Shot with the Lattice Square Embossing Folder, and Pool Party, one of the In Colors of 2011/2012.


The Pool Party card has been stamped in Soft Suede with the border image from the Spiced Paisley stamp set.  I have created a woven paper mesh with 1cm wide strips of Spice Cake DSP. 


I finished this card off with the floral image from Spiced Paisley stamp set inked in Pool Party.  The sentiment is from the Hostess stamp set, Happiest Birthday Wishes.  I used a Soft Suede marker to ink just the wording of this stamp, then stamped it over the Paisley image using my Stamp-a-ma-jig to line it up just right.


Next up is a very cute and simple card made using the Perfect Postage stamp set and co-ordinating Postage Stamp Punch.  


The card base is Crumb Cake, and I have then used each of the five 2011/2012 In Colours with the new Postage Stamp Punch.  These have been layered on top of each other.  The final one is Very Vanilla and I stamped it with the Bunny image in Crumb Cake ink.  I stamped a second time onto Calypso Coral card and then cut out the little balloon and layered it on top.  The sentiment Sweet Friend is from the gorgeous You Are Loved stamp set - that's coming up in a minute :o)

Here's another potential Valentine creation, again using the Perfect Postage stamp set and punch, along with that lovely Red Glimmer Paper.
 

The base is Real Red card, with a layer of Chocolate Chip which has been embossed with the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder using the Big Shot.  I stamped the i and u from Just Perfect Alphabet in Real Red ink onto Very Vanilla and punched them out.


The Heart image is stamped in Chocolate Chip ink, then layered onto a piece of Red Glimmer Paper punch with the Curly Label Punch.  A couple of strips of Red Glimmer Paper were also added under the i and u, with each element being stuck on with Dimensionals to give some height.


I've saved my favourite for last - this card is made using the You Are Loved stamp set.  The set includes a sentiment that reads Happy Valentines Day, but with 6 other stamps in the set that can be used all year round I think this stamp set is just beautiful.


I've used the large heart image and inked it with markers before stamping onto Very Vanilla card.  The colours are Lucky Limeade, Wisteria Wonder, Cherry Cobbler and Pink Pirouette.  I cut the heart shape out free hand, simpler than you might think, then used Sticky Strip to attach Lucky Limeade Ruffled Ribbon, which I ruffled even more.  


The card base is Wisteria Wonder and I have stamped the flower image to give a subtle background.  I inked the stamp with Wisteria Wonder ink, stamped off on some scrap paper then stamped onto the card front.  The sentiment wasn't stamped off, so is slightly darker.  I love the tone on tone effect of this card.


I hope that the creations I have made will inspire you - please leave a comment and let me know what you think.

Now it's time to head off to see what Fiona has in store for you!

Thanks so much for visiting - Enjoy xxx


If any links are not working, or you find yourself a little lost along the way, here is a full list of all participants in the Spring Mini Catalogue Blog Hop

1. Alison P - www.craftyalisoninlyon.blogspot.com
2. Daisydaye - www.emma-daye.blogspot.com
3. Sarnie - www.kraftybiker.blogspot.com
4. CarolynUK - www.stampaholix.blogspot.com
5. Tracey R - www.derbyshireducks.blogspot.com
6. Kara M - http://karascraftycorner.blogspot.com
7. Hayley (craftydevils) - www.mycrafthaven.blogspot.com
8. Emma_H - www.emma-letsstamp.blogspot.com
9. Kate - http://stampinupwithkate.blogspot.com/
http://my-next-chapter.blogspot.com
11. TinaFaghy - http://littlewhitehousecrafts.blogspot.com
12. Donna M - http://www.head-over-heels-by-dlm.blogspot.com
13. Laura - http://airingcupboardstamping.blogspot.com
14. Charlie - http://craftylittlemoos.blogspot.com/
15. Sara (craftingandstamping.com) - http://craftingandstamping.com
16. Leanie - http://www.beautifulimpressions.co.uk
17. LittleBeckie (Beckie) - http://www.bextiesandstickytape.blogspot.com
18. Jayne (charliemenace) - http://jaynescraftycorner.blogspot.com
19. Julie H (craftybug) - http://www.the-crafty-bug.blogspot.com
20. Fiona W - http://oakfieldcrafts.blogspot.com
21. Natalie - http://www.natalieoshea.co.uk/blog.html
22. Rozelle (LittleMoo6) - http://thepapercraftsessions.blogspot.com

Monday 2 January 2012

New Year, New Classes

A new year means new classes
 
Come and be a Crafty Bug at my Saturday card classes. 
21st January

Cupcake Class
Using the NEW Create a Cupcake stamp set and Cupcake Builder Punch
(available in the Spring Mini Catalogue from 4th January)
£12.50
This class includes a product bag containing buttons, brads and ribbon.  
You will be using some on your projects, but there will still be plenty to take home.

Sneak Peek


You'll be surprised at how much you can create from a cupcake!
 
For further information, more class dates, and booking information click HERE