Last Chance Discounts

Just a very quick post from me to let you know that there have been some discounts applied to the last chance list in my online shop. Up to 50% off selected items.

Publication	Page	Item ID	Description	Retail Price	Discount Percent	Discounted Price
2017–2018 AC	195	142001	6" x 17" (15.2 x 43.2 cm) Gusseted Cellophane Bags	6	50	3
2017–2018 AC	208	141843	Holly Berry Builder Punch	16	50	8
2018 OCC	29	145657	Itty Bitty Fruit Punch Pack	21	50	10.5
2018 OCC	37	145601	Myths & Magic Glimmer Paper 6" x 6" (15.2 x 15.2 cm)	13.5	50	6.75
2018 OCC	13	145643	Sweet Soirée Decorative Masks	4.25	40	2.55
2017–2018 AC	196	141680	Brights Enamel Shapes	8.25	25	6.19
2017–2018 AC	207	141846	Bell Punch	16	25	12
2017–2018 AC	213	143658	Birthday Friends Framelits Dies	28	25	21
2017–2018 AC	213	143703	Celebration Thinlits Dies	27	25	20.25
2018 OCC	6	145658	Picnic Basket Builder Framelits Dies	27	25	20.25
2017–2018 AC	160	142485	Alles Palette (Clear; German)	16	20	12.8
2017–2018 AC	196	141679	Subtles Enamel Shapes	8.25	20	6.6
2017–2018 AC	186	116203	Pink Pirouette A4 Cardstock	7.25	15	6.16
2017–2018 AC	186	131292	Soft Sky A4 Cardstock	7.25	15	6.16

My Creative Process

At the start of February, myself and 2 other Stampin’ Up! Demo’s ran a crafty event over a weekend for 42 ladies called Let’s Get Creative, and the one question I was asked more than any other was “How do you come up with ideas?”

 

So today I’m going to attempt to answer that question for you in the hope that it may give some of you a helping hand if you are ever stuck. This is just my way of doing things. There is no right or wrong in the creative process. You need to find what works for you.

 

 

1.  When I get a new stamp set / stamp and die set / stamp and punch set, the first thing I do is take a piece of Whisper White cardstock, a random ink pad (usually a Bright or Regal colour) and I stamp every image in that stamp set. I than take some coloured cardstock and I punch / die cut all of the coordinating shapes. Then I know exactly what I have to play with. Sometimes by just looking at the packaging, it’s not always obvious what you have in a set so I would always recommend stamping the lot first.

 

2.  Next I’ll do a little research, then I’ll plan, then I’ll make. My research consists of my Stampin’ Up! catalogues, Pinterest, YouTube or photos I may have saved on my phone from things that have caught my eye as I’ve been browsing online.  My research will also involve thinking about the recipient of my project, or the event that I am making my project for.

 

3.  My planning happens in one of 2 ways. I either gather supplies on my craft table because I have an idea in my head, or I sit down with a notebook and pencil and jot down as many things I can think of to do with that set.

 

4.  My making often starts with a direct CASE (copy and selectively edit / copy and share everything) of something I’ve seen that I liked. Then I might change up the colour. Then I might change up the layout. And before you know it, I’ve created something unique to me.

 

5.  Sometimes I start with a technique in mind. I have always kept a notebook of techniques and as I learn new ones, I add them to my list. I especially like to include techniques in my card classes so that everyone goes away with something new that they can try at home.

 

6.  Sometimes I start with a colour combination in mind. I was recently watching Frozen with my Grandaughter and jotted down the Stampin’ Up! version of the costume colours as I loved them and I wanted to create something with them.

 

I have to admit, I’m finding explaining this harder than I thought I would. I guess a lot of my creativity just happens and flows out of my head and onto the paper because I have been doing it for a number of years. But if I try and take myself back to when I first started, I think much of what I did was heavily based on the work of others. I would look and try to work out how they created something then I would try and copy with the materials that I had available to me. So it might end up a different theme or different colours, but that is what makes it your own.

 

Sometimes it’s good to walk away from something for a while if you’re not quite happy with it. Or take a photo of it and look at it from an alternative perspective.

 

And finally, never be afraid to throw it in the bin if it just isn’t working out how you’d like. It’s not worth losing any sleep over. It just a piece of cardstock and you can start again and you’ll probably love it.

 

April 2018 FREE Card Making Tutorial

Hello everyone.

Today I’m going to share a watercolour smoosh technique.....that is an actual bona fide crafting term.....honest!

·       Create a Melon Mambo A2 card base by cutting a piece of A4 cardstock in half and folding that in half

·       Cut a mat of Basic Black cardstock that measures 10cm x 14.4cm and adhere that to the Melon Mambo card base

·       Cut a layer of Watercolour Card that is 9.5cm x 13.8 cm

·       Spritz the Watercolour Card with water

·       On a slick surface (I used a piece of laminated white card) press down some Melon Mambo ink and some Pacific Point ink directly from the ink pad and them spritz with water until the ink puddles

·       Use a piece of Window Sheet to pick up some of that wet ink and transfer it to the damp Watercolour card. Repeat until you are happy with the result, then set it aside to dry

·       Stamp the decorative cake from the Sweet Soiree stamp set in Archival Black ink onto to Whisper White card

·       Die cut the stamped cake and a cake stand on the Bigshot using the Cake framelets.

·       Once the watercolour piece is dry, wrap Silver Edged ribbon around it and create a bow or a knot for interest, then adhere this panel to the black mat on the card base.

·       Adhere the cake and the stand to the watercolour piece using Stampin Dimensionals

·       Add a sentiment to the inside if you wish.

All the products used are available to purchase in my online store or can be ordered through me.

Hope you all have a wonderful day,

Karen

"If you can be anything, be kind"

Retiring List, Colour Revamp and New Ink Pad Design

The Stampin' Up! retiring list has now gone live. Click on the Shop Now button to see all the items. Among them you will see all of our ink pads on there, but don't panic. Let me explain why they are there..

To keep the colouring offering fresh for us, Stampin' Up! periodically gives the colour families a shake up. The following colours are retiring from the selection at the end of May, but don't be sad, there are a gorgeous bunch of colours ready to take their place.

So if you have any of these colours of ink pad, but no refill, consider purchasing them ASAP before they are gone forever. Likewise, if you don't own the ink pad yet, but love it and NEED it in your life, don't leave it too long. It's a while stocks last situation. And also ditto for the coordinating cardstock. Click on the Shop Now button to go straight there.

In addition to retiring some colours and bringing us some new ones, Stampin' Up! has also redesigned the ink pad itself so that is why all ink pads are appearing on the retiring list, even those colours that are carrying forward. I was lucky enough to play with the new pads at the weekend at our twice annual demo only event and they are brilliant. Easy to open, stackable, great new ink formulation too. You will love them.

Let's Get Creative - 1 Day Craft Retreat

After the success of the Let’s Get Creative Events in September 2017 and February 2018, we are delighted to announce that we are returning in the Summer!

Here are some customer testimonials -

“A really enjoyable day with lots of friendly people. We completed six projects that were all lovely. I would thoroughly recommend these events to anyone who enjoys crafting and likes learning new techniques.”

“What a fantastic day! I would highly recommend this day - great value for money, amazing projects and cards, lots of little freebies and a brilliant energy in the room. All your craft geek dreams come true!”

“I thoroughly enjoyed the craft event, I would recommend this to anyone who loves to craft and who wants to learn new techniques or improve their crafting knowledge. Excellent day 10/10 to organisers”

 

 

On to the details…

A creative paper craft day with Me, Jenny McCormac and Tara Fowler. You will have the opportunity to craft with different teachers, learn lots and play with a variety of Stampin’ Up!© products. An ordering discount opportunity will be also be available at this event.

Featuring:

3 creative teachers
6 projects to make and take home
Amazing raffle prizes
Prize patrols (freebies)
Goodie bag worth over £30
Tea/coffee/cake
Special ordering offer on the day

When

Saturday 3oth June 2018 10am-4pm
OR
Sunday 1st July, 10am - 4pm

 

Where

Evenley Village Hall, The Green, Evenley, Brackley, Northants NN13 5RY

 

Book Now At:

lets_get_creative@yahoo.com

 

Gift Vouchers Available:

Terms– the gift voucher secures a place at the event. We will require a recipient name upon purchase. Please also indicate which event day you wish your voucher for. If the voucher is not used, the purchaser will receive the goody bag, as per cancellation policy.

 

Cost

£40 per person

 

Final Payment Date: 30th April 2018

The payment must be made by this date to secure your place at the event.
If you need to switch your chosen day and we have space available, you can do so up to this point, but not after. We have limited spaces and a reserve list should spaces become available.
In addition to this email, you will be added to Let’s Get Creative! VIP Facebook group upon booking. You will receive updates and sneak peaks on this page. Do not worry if you are not on Facebook, you will still get the updates!

 

Payment -

 

Cash Payment:

 

Please give to Karen Spreckley, Jenny McCormac, or Tara Fowler before the above dates.

Bank Transfer:

Mrs K Spreckley
Act no. 03857468
Sort code 20-54-89

CANCELLATION POLICY

There will be no refunds given after 30th November unless your place can be filled. If your place cannot be filled you will receive the goody bag. This bag will not include stamped images, instructions or tools. In the event your space can be filled you will receive a full refund. If we need to cancel for any reason, a full refund will be given.
Any Questions or to book, contact us at lets_get_creative@yahoo.com

 

See you again soon,

 

Karen

 

"If you can be anything, be kind"