Christmas Present Wreath

Last week I was part of the twelve blogs of Christmas. I have to admit that I had forgotten that I'd volunteered to join in and it was only when I received a reminder mail from the lovely Carolynne who kindly organised it all that I was part of it. I put together the previous post with some fun Christmas cards, but really felt I should have posted something more...............! So this week I've beavered away and made this present wreath. It also fits in quite well with challenges on the Sweet Stamping Challenge Blog and Corrosive Challenge Blog.I 'cased' the idea from the US demonstrators monthly mag which is often downloaded onto sites that UK demos can access and while reading the mag I found a present wreath which really appealed to me and so I've come up with my interpretation of it.

I've used lots of Designer Series Papers from Merry Moments and retired sets Dashing & Ski Slope. In some cases I used a wheel, Scandanavian, to decorate cardstock and then I've made lots of little boxes.

I think my favourite box though, is the one with the red glitter spots and old olive wide stripe grosgrain ribbon. These spots have their own story which I will explain soon.

Buttons, brads and the new filigree accents have been used to decorate the boxes along with lots of yummy ribbons all from Stampin'Up!. I've even had a go at making my own buttons as was demonstrated at convention recently by one of the German demonstrators.

I'm really pleased with the result. I'm only sorry it wasn't part of my 12 blogs of Christmas post, but at least you can enjoy it now, below you can see the whole wreath with the finishing touch of chocolate chip wide grosgrain ribbon.

I'm beginning to feel a bit Christmassy and so can't wait to hand it somewhere other than my craft room. I hope as the season approaches it brings joy to you and yours and hope that those who hate it can draw something from the festivities this year.

Back soon.

Hugs
Zx

The 12 Blogs of Christmas - Blog No 9

Hi and welcome to you if you have just arrived from Amanda's blog as part of the 12 Blogs of Christmas Blog Hop!!! If you've just dropped in then why not join in. 12 lovely Stampin'Up! demonstrators are all displaying Christmas projects for you to enjoy from today over the next week. You can visit each one by clicking on the link in the sidebar. Below are my offerings and I've detailed some information about what I've used. For the last card I've explained how simple it is to make it, but if you have any questions about the other two please don't hesitate to contact me via email or just leave a comment and I'll get back to you.
All 12 of the bloggers in this HOP would appreciate your comments, me included. It's always nice to see who's visited us and a nice comment warms the heart on a cold winter's day so be brave sign up and leave us all a little note!
My first project was inspired by some card swaps I received from a friend in the US. Rather than stamp baubles I've stencilled them and decorated them afterwards. I've drawn the strings in free hand, but if you've already bought our lovely Tree Trimmings Set then you could always stamp them in to.
This recipe is
Naturals ivory & choc chip cardstock
Creamy caramel, ruby red and versamark ink
Chocolate chip marker pen
Sponge daubers
Silver embossing powder
Oval & scallop oval punches
Scandanvian Season, Perfect Presents & Retired Best Yet stamp sets
Chocolate chip 11/4 inch striped grosgrain ribbon
Stampin' dimensionals
other - stencil

Here's a little bit of fun with punch art. It's amazing all the things you can produce just by punching shapes and Stampin'UP! make it easy with so many wonderful punches to choose from. This layout is a favourite of mine and I've reincarnated it from last year as I like it so much. It's an easy enough card to make, but not so good if you're looking to make lots as it can take a little time, but the finished product is well worth the time investment. In this card the recipe is as follows

Cardstock - real red, whisper white, basic black & blush blossom

Inks - basic black, blush blossom

Punches - scallop circle, 13/8'' circle, 1/2 '' circle

sponge daubers

white gel pen

dimensionals & snail adhesive

Stamp set Perfect Presents

I love the simple, clean lines of the card below and it's really easy to make. Stamp the snowflake from Perfect Presents in versamark onto bashful blue base card. Adhere whisper white cardstock onto base card to make snowy backdrop. Stamp Merry Christmas from Occasional Greetings in choc chip onto 'snow'. Cut strips of choc chip card for the tree trunks. Adhere tree trunks with tombow/snail adhesive. Stamp the trees from Perfect Presents in old olive on whisper white cardstock, cut out and adhere to trunks with dimensionals. Stamp one of the snowflakes from Snow Flurries in real red and punch out using 3/4 inch circle punch. Add a gold brad and then adhere to one of the treetops using dimensional. SIMPLE!!!! Go on you know you want to have a go! But before you do don't forget to visit the other 11 Blogs of Christmas. Just click on the link and it will take you to the lovely Carole's blog and she has some yummy ideas for you. If you've only just started on the hop Carole is at no 10 so just follow the links and you'll go round them all. Remember comments on all are very welcome.

Thanks for visiting Stamping Scene. Come back soon!

Hugs Zoë xx

Blog Hop to the 12 Blogs of Christmas!

Tomorrow I'm in with a team of Stampin'Up! demonstrators who will all have posted Christmas projects for your pleasure and for CASEING ideas as the festive season approaches. To move onto the next blog from mine you will just simply need to click on the icon and you'll be taken to the next blog and so on right through the 12 blogs of Christmas. I'll add the link tomorrow so it's a surprise until then. Now I'm off to sort out my projects.
Back soon.
Hugs Zx

Getting my prize!!!

Well as I said previously I was shocked and not just a little surprised to find myself in the line up of Demonstrator of the Year. At registration we were given badges, a bag full of stamps and info and a letter. I knew I had achieved sales to be awarded a special pin, but had overlooked the top 25. I put all my pins in my bag and walked away. It was only when someone else asked me about the silver 'Demonstrator of the year' pin that I realised I had one too! Excitement ensued. I think it was more exciting for those of us who had not realised we could ever be in this list than those who knew they were up there in the top spots. It was a complete surprise and really made the weekend.I received my certificate and a beautiful rose from Shelli Gardner, the CEO and co-founder of Stampin'Up! She must be one of the most photographed women in the world!

It didn't occur to me at the time, but I 'walked' the stage twice. Once to be acknowledged for meeting a sales target and once for being in the top 25. It was only after going the first time, that lovely Bekka pointed out that I was the first person ever to walk the stage at a Stampin'Up! European Convention! Not much of a claim to fame, but right now it's the only one I've got so I'll take it. I hope that next year I might be nearer the end of the list of walkers as that will mean I've achieved even more! I now need to aspire to be the last person to walk the stage at a European Convention and any convention would do!!!!! You never know I might even be slimmer! Oooooo I think those pigs have just flown past my window!

My crazy, but adorable roomie Monica below with moi and above opening one of her Burberry prizes! Lucky girl!

Here's the full-time Stampin'Up! team. This pic includes Shelli and her husband Sterling along with our UK manager Paula, Demo Support Eileen & Chris and sparkly Charlotte on the front in gorgeous green top who is responsible for coming up with designs to show us all.

Convention Awards Dinner and I'm No 22!!! Whoohooo

On the Friday night we all attended an awards dinner. We put on our finery and headed for the dining room. In true Stampin'Up! tradition we had to wait for the doors to open and then join the stampede to get a table! Not very ladylike in your heels and posh frock, but hey 'when in Rome......' etc etc etc Here's me looking tired, but happy especially as I had discovered that I came in at number 22 in the top 25 demonstrators in the UK. Wow what a shock and how exciting. I was thrilled. You could have knocked me down with a feather. Thank you all my lovely customers and team for helping me achieve this accolade. Here are all the lovely people with whom I shared the table and some of the most memorable parts of convention.
Nicci & Bekka

Jeanette, Julie & Sarah-Jane

Monica & Stevie

Finally here's Emma, a demonstrator from Grantham. It was great to meet someone from Lincolnshire. We got on famously and look forward to teaming up again soon!

That's it for now.

Hugs Zx

The first ever European Stampin'Up! Convention

Well I never imagined that after talking about Convention to my US friend Debbie that it could really be as much fun as she said it would be. It was a blast. So wonderful to meet many of the people that I chat with on the ILWS forum and to get to know everyone better.

I arrived Thursday 5th and we started with a pyjama party and fizz kindly donated by Monica and Susan. We started with giggles and bubbles and that's how it continued throughout the weekend. Here are some more of the gifts I took with me. This was a set which included an address book, notepad & pen and a post-it note holder and pencil. I gave these to Eileen who is pictured below. She works in Demo Support in Frankfurt and tries to sort all our problems. Chris who is pictured with Monica & Julie works alongside Eileen. I took him some chocs as I he's not a crafter, but a patient man listening to all us gals!

Jo, Monica, Stevie & Kim Monica, Chris (demo support) & Julie

Eileen with picture created by Jenni from Germany

Kim & Jo

Tricia & Monica

Tia & Piggy Eyed Me
Note to self - Sleep more at convention instead of partying, nattering and having too much of a good time!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just kidding. The eyes look vaguely better now.

It was such a great weekend. I have lots more pictures to show in due course and I'll put some photos of the fabulous swaps over on The Stamping Hamster Blog to give you all lots of ideas. Of course if you have any questions about any of them let me know and I will try to explain how they've been done.
Back soon

Hugs Zx

Join my team for less!!! PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR NEW POSTS AS THIS IS HERE FOR A WHILE!!!

Here's the perfect time to sign up as a demonstrator with Stampin'UP! There is a discount of 10% on the starter kit which means you get £240 worth of kit for a single startup fee of £125. A very cheap beginning for a new business. If you'd like a little more information you can start here and then contact me at martin.tant@homecall.co.uk or call 07717855179 to find out more. I'm happy to answer any questions and would also like to tell you about some extra bonuses that I will provide you with if you decide to join my team. This particular offer runs until 13 November from Stampin'Up!, but my offer of support and other bonuses will continue beyond this date. I look forward to answering your questions.

My team is small, but perfectly formed and has room to expand with either business demos wanting to earn extra income for special hols or treats and build their own team, or hobby demos just looking to buy fabulous products at a discount. Near or far from Lincolnshire I'll be there to help you set up and get going. Contact me to find out how I can help with your business plan.

Thanks for looking in.

Hugs Zx