I love school holidays!

Whilst many mums dread the summer hols, I love them. It gives me a chance to chill not having to whizz all over getting the children to clubs and parties. It also means I have more time to let them go mad in my craft room and do some stampin'! So much so that Charlie decided that he would do a picture for the ladies and gentleman (yes I've had my first man or should I say the dashing Paul is my first and very talented male customer!). Charlie also wanted me to tell them how to do it just like his submarine picture and I just managed to persuade him that I didn't need to rush to a copy shop to produce a copy for the guests at the workshop! As you can see he had lots of fun creating and I'm glad to say he received several very favourable comments written on the back of his picture from the workshop guests. Thanks everyone he was thrilled.

He's also been to a session at our local library to learn about and meet a hedgehog called Zippy; so called because sadly at only 4months he had unceremoniously been unzipped by a strimmer. He is recovering well though and entertained many children with his tales of life thus far. At the session the children were all able to make a cute hedgehog and learn a little about mini beasts and in particular the ones that Zippy likes to eat.

Meanwhile Olivia has been busy earning more skills as Drama Queen Extraordinaire!!! She's been at the drama club summer school learning circus skills, musical routines and stomp music, Morris & Modern Dancing, mime and voice exercises with the week culminating in a play in a day production of Alice in Wonderland. Olivia was the queen and shouted that famous line ' Off with her head' often and loud!

I have managed to craft also and here is the card I demonstrated at my friend Maria's workshop for everyone to try as the make and take. As usual I found that everyone gave their own interpretation and I've made a note of things I might try in the future. That's one of the main reasons I love being a demonstrator because I can always learn something from each workshop even though folk think I'm an expert. We all are as there is no right or wrong way to make cards. They all create a special joy for the recipients as they are individually handcrafted.

Maria has recently invested in our Many Marvellous Markers and asked if I would show some uses for them. I coloured the stamps with the markers to get different colours across the flower and stems.

The recipe for this is :-

Stamp sets - Live your dream & Circle of friendship

Designer paper - Haiku

Cardstock - so saffron & old olive

Punches 1'' & 1 1/4'' circles and spiral

Markers - really rust, pumpkin pie, so saffron, old olive

Ribbon - pumpkin pie1/4'' grosgrain

I love how the spiral punch offers a different decor element to the scallop edge. We had a great discussion about individual preferences over this.

Moving into the weekend and I'm hoping the weather will let us get out in the garden. So wishing you a good one too I'll close.

Have fun

Zoë x

Sweetie Box

The music concert at Olivia's school last week was fab. All the children played and sang their hearts out. They all really enjoyed themselves along with all the mums and dads. It was such a pleasure to attend.
The week progressed with regular trips to our lovely mini theatre where Olivia was playing a nun in Robin Hood and the Horrible Haunting of Horncastle. It was such a wonderful production with all the parts played by children aged 7-11. It was written by a great guy called David for the kids theatre group last summer. They performed it after just 2 days at the summer school and did such a good job that David extended the script for it to be a longer play that was the groups production this year. Again all the children had a great time and all their hard work paid off as it was brilliant and very enjoyable. They are such lucky children to have folk like David, Sheena the director and Gail, Wendy & Becky who give up their time to encourage them with their theatrical performances. Although I have to say my daughter is a drama queen at the best of times!!!!
Life continues to be busy, but I did manage to try out some instructions I received from a friend for this cute box which was so easy to make, but did take a little bit of time. You can make it in a size that suites you, but this one is just big enough for a couple of luxury chocolates or a mini stamp and ink spot and therefore a lovely gift. I made this one in real red and decorated it with Washington Apple Designer Series Paper and picked out the Pumpkin Pie and Real Red spots using various circle punches and the Circle of Friendship stamp set. It's finished off with Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon. Scrummy especially if it does get filled with chocs or sweeties.
I hope you've had a look at the details for the Stampin'Up! Summer Challenge. It's a great prize and there's no reason why it can't be yours. Get your summer fun hats on and design a winner!
Back with more soon.

Hugs

Zoë