Inspiration from Training

I posted yesterday about the swaps that I made to give to people at the training event.  Another really great thing about these events is that there are so many samples of other peoples work for us to look at.  There were 'inspiration stations' and workshop wow's and so many ideas to take in.  Today I am going to share a few of my favourite.  I will credit people where I can remember but apologies if I miss someone, if it's your work or you know who it is please let me know!

Firstly I want to share one of the amazing items that Claire made usinf the owl punch.  I think that it almost looks like an owl family tree!

Next two items made by the very talented Dawn.  First are some beautiful bag/boxes, I love the vibrant colours in the one on the left!



The second pic from Dawn's table is a beautiful paper lilly - I must try this out very soon!  Dawn had also made roses using the ornament punch and you can just see one of these too.

Next for one of the workshop wows we were shown how to get more out of the Scallop Envelope die for the BigShot, I am sorry but I didn't catch the lady's name.  I love this idea as initially the size of the finished box seems a bit limiting - so many more ideas now though!

Finally another workshop wow and again I missed this lady's name, I think I was too excited by all the WOW'S!  This technique produces a fake patent crocodile skin effect and it looks so fantastic!  I hope you can see the detail on the black section of this cute little purse.  I will be playing with this technique as it looked like lots of fun!

That's all for today, I hope that you are feeling as inspired as I was.  I will be back soon and will share the projects that we got to make at the training event, I just have a few bits to finish up :)

Bye for now

Vicky x

Swaps for Training

I have just spent a lovely day in Bicester at Michelle Last's quarterly training event.  I love that everyone in this company is so welcoming, I feel very priveliged to be allowed to join in this training as I am not actually a part of Michelle's team.  I have also been to other teams events in the past too and always feel so welcome.  These days are always so much fun and one of my favourite parts of the day is swapping.  We make a card front or small 3d item and swap these with other demonstrators.  It's a great way to get some inspiration!  This time I decided that I wanted to have a go at some of the patchwork style embellishment that I have seen a lot of recently, I've stepped it up a bit by also using the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder.

Start with a piece of whisper white cardstock and a pile of pre cut (or punched) squares.  I used the 1 1/4" square punch as it's great for speed and accuracy!  On my swap I've used Greenhouse Gala designer paper.  Adhere the squares in a patchwork pattern to the white card, you don't need to follow a pattern.  I just played with what 'looked good'.  You then run this through the BigShot with the Top Note die and then run the Top Note shape through the BigShot again using the embossing folder of your choice.

I've only used half of each Top Note shape and I've added a strip of pear Pizzazz cardstock as an accent.  The sentiment is from Sincere Salutations.  I hope you like it! I'll try and be back later in the week to share more crafty goodies with you.

Bye for now

Vicky x

BLOG HOP

Good morning!  I am actually up very late on Thursday night scheduling this.  I'm using Hubby's work laptop as mine is still looking quite dead - I hope my brother can rescue my piccies at least!

Anyhow today's post is a blog hop based on the Stampin' Up! Colour Coach.  This is a fab bit of kit that suggests colour combinations - I love it, especially for those moments when the creative juices just aren't flowing.

You should have come here from Karin's blog.  If not pop over and take a look, Karin is a very talented lady!  I've chosen Real Red, Crumb Cake and Bashful Blue.  I made a card for my son's 6th Birthday today.  (Big birthday kisses xxxx)  The stamp sets are Party This Way and Just Perfect Alphabet.  I've kept it really simple as I've had 12 birthday cards to make over this week!  When I have more time with the computer I will try and get more posted.

I hope you like my offering.  Next it's time to hop on over to Jan's lovely blog to see what she's been upto.

BIG SHOT OFFER (this post to stay at top till end of June scroll down for posts)

Why do you NEED a Big Shot?

Well, it’s a sturdy manual die cutting machine that’s so easy to use. It can cut through 50 different materials including fabric, foil and chipboard. It is lightweight, doesn’t require electricity and so you can take it with you wherever you go.

 

The possibilities to create are endless and with Stampin’ Up! exclusive dies and embossing folders, I can’t leave mine alone! The range of products available for the Big Shot will continue to expand, so get yours now before you get left behind!

I have a fabulous bundle offer for you to help get you started. The bundle does not only contain products, it includes hostess only items and a face to face or email PDF class.

Vicky’s £150 Big Shot Bundle:

(bundle onley available during May and June 2011) 

• 1 x Big Shot Machine
• 1 x Bigz L die of your choice
• 1 x Bigz die of your choice
• 2 x Textured Embossing folder of your choice
• 1 sizzlits die of your choice
• 1 Embosslit die of your choice
• 1 x Level One Hostess Gift
• £15 product of your choice
• FREE Idea Book and Catalogue and Mini Catalogue
• FREE P&P

PLUS - for everyone who buys a BigShot from me at any time

On top of their three year product guarantee you will get personal tuition (face to face or an email pdf) on how to set up and operate your Big Shot, an invitation to attend a Big Shot Technique Class for free, membership of my Big Shot Cub. Members get a monthly Big Shot Project Sheet

Places on a Big Shot Technique Class are available to those who already have a Big Shot or who purchase it elsewhere at a cost of £20 per person for a 2 hour class.

Membership of the Big Shot Club is also available to those who do not purchase their Big Shot from me at a cost of £2.50 per month.  Membership will get you a monthly project sheet featuring a project using Big Shot dies &/or embossing folders.

Contact me today to order your bundle: 07833957827

or vicky_wragg@sky.com

Birthday Blossom

I was recently asked to make a special birthday card for a lady's 60th and today I wanted to share what I made.  I didn't want to do a card with 60 on it as I wasn't sure this would be appreciated :)  I decided to use Build a Blossom.  This is rapidly becoming a favourite as with the co-ordinating punch it makes really impressive flowers incredibly easy to assemble.

I am still having problems with my laptop and can only get online at limited times, but I just wanted to remind you all about the monthly scrapbook club that takes place on the first Tuesday of every month.  Click on the classes and clubs tab at the top of the page for more deatails.  Also I am really looking forward to the owl punch class I am running on saturday!  I will share the results as soon as I can next week.  If you'd like to come along to one of these workshops get in touch to reserve your space.

TECHNICAL ERRORS

I'm having major issues with my computer at the moment.  I don't know how long it's going to be but please bear with me.  Hopefully I can grab some access at friends and family but I am able to post to facebook using my mobile phone so check out my facebook page Stampin' with Vicky

I'm back with NEW monthly class details!

Well I haven't really been anywhere but I had a really nasty case of tonsillitis which really knocked me for six and I only really recovered last Sunday.  Now it's half term so I'm busy with very important things like Lego and Power Rangers!  I just wanted to pop on and let you all know that I've not disappeared and for those of you who have asked yes I'm fine just need to get back into the swing of things :)

I wanted to share with you details of my new monthly classes, these will be running on the last Saturday of every month at my house in Northampton.  Check out the Clubs and Classes tab at the top of the page for full details.  The first one - Punch Art with the Owl Punch, is proving very popular so if you want to reserve your place please let me know ASAP.  Sneaky peek pics will be ready next week too so come back and check them out!

Also a reminder about Monday night craft club sessions.  These are going really well and I LOVE sharing my crafting.  I currently have 2 spaces available, sessions are every Monday from 7.30 - 9.30pm and cost £6.50 again check out the Clubs and Classes tab for more details and get in touch to reserve your space.  

Due to technical issues (well I can't find my camera lead!) I can't share the picture that I wanted to today but here is the card we did 2 Mondays ago.  We used two of my favourite sets Butterfly Prints and Flight of the Butterfly along with the co-ordinating punch.  Believe it or not the whole card is made using white cardstock - I've used a range of sponging techniques to add colour and depth.  It just goes to show that you can start card making with a very small amount of product.

    

I'll be back soon with details of the AMAZING offers for June and July!