Christmas from the other side of the tracks

What a terrific night I've had. I'm just home from my works Christmas night out, and I've been inspired to blog. Before I start, let me say this is not like me at all. I don't usually pour out my thoughts and feelings like this. But, wine has been drunk, fun has been had, and my thoughts and feelings are bursting to get out.

I've had a great night out. It's been your standard works Christmas party. Dinner. Dancing. Fun had by all. But it's touched me in a way I'm finding hard to describe.

For the last...oh, many many years, I have worked in various clubs and restaurants over Christmas. I've been the anonymous waitress who's served your drinks, handed you your turkey dinner, and cleared the tables after you. I'm the one who has set up the venue with all its glitter and decorations, laid the tables with cutlery and crackers, tended to your every need. I've picked up broken glass from the dancefloor so you didn't cut yourself. I've mopped up your spilled drinks. I've gien you safety pins for your dress that burst. I've gathered up your coats and scarfs at the end of the night. I've called your taxi. I've looked for your girlfriend who was being ill in the toilets. And I might have even shown you the door after you had one too many. I've cleared away your dirty glasses. I've wiped down the tables and swept the floor, and set up all over again for the next night.

But tonight. Tonight I got to be the one who sat at the table and was served. An anonymous waitress gave me my dinner. Someone cleared our plates away. I was handed my coat at the end of the night with a smile. And it felt odd. Good, but odd.

It only really hit me when I was on the dancefloor, and the song "Let me entertain you" by Robbie Williams came on. This song was the intro to the start of the comedy in Jongleurs, one of the clubs I worked in for several years. I cannot hear this song but I remember the exact point the dj Jay would introduce that night's act. Listening to the song tonight, I realised that I didn't have to run to a schedule. I didn't have to look out for the needs of my customers. I didn't have to do anything. I could just relax. Enjoy the music. Dance. Have fun.

Tonight I learnt how everyone else spends these sorts of nights. And it felt good :o)

Merry Christmas

Can you believe it's already December? I think because I've been working on Christmas projects for the last couple of months, it hasn't seemed real, and so now I'm excited it's here!

The latest project is a decorated chocolate box. This uses the 5-petal flower punch, some real red and glorious green cardstock for the flowers, some of the simply gorgeous gold glitter in the centres, and the box finished off with some gold elasticated cord and a stamped tag.

I think these look fun and festive, and they were really easy to make. I can't claim credit for the idea, it was something I saw at Convention in Germany last month. If I find out who was the original creator I'll let you all know.

Wish List!

I can finally show you what's been keeping me so busy recently! I've been setting up a Wish List on my main website, for everyone to keep track of the things they want from the new Idea Book & Catalogue. You can share your wish list with your friends and family - a great way to tell them what you really want for Christmas!

Visit www.sparklyshinystuff.co.uk to create your wish list today!

Work behind the scenes

So, after my post a few months back when I promised faithfully to blog more...I have hardly blogged since! I feel a little guilty, but not too much, as my time has been spent on a new project! It's not ready just yet (although so very nearly), but I hope to be able to share it with you all soon.

There have also been a few Christmas card-making classes recently, with more to come. I promise to take pictures of the projects for the next card-making meetup, plus previews for the mini scrapbook class in November.

So, come back soon, there will be more to see, I promise!

Christmas Card Stamp-a-Stack

You can never start making your Christmas cards too early! Too help you get started, I am running a Stamp-a-Stack in October and November, where there will be 3 or 4 different designs and you will be able to make several cards. Join this class and make 12 lovely handcrafted Christmas cards for £10 (or £8 if paid in advance). Visit http://www.meetup.com/The-Glasgow-Card-Making-Meetup-Group/ for information or to sign up. These are some of the designs we'll be making - simple but gorgeous!

Last Chance List

Stampin' Up! will be launching their BRAND NEW Idea Book & Catalogue on the 1st of October, and there are lots of fantastic gorgeous new products! I'm afraid I can't give anything away just now, but watch for some very special offers next month for the launch.

To make room for the new stuff tho, unfortunately we have to say goodbye to some of our current stamp sets and accessories. To make this parting easier, there are discounts on many items of 25% and even 50%! Check out the Last Chance List and snap up these items at bargain prices before it's too late! There is limited stock, so all orders will be filled on a first-come first-served basis. Please e-mail me for more information or to place an order.

September class project

Here's a peek at the project we'll be making at the September class this weekend. It's a lovely little gift carton for some miniature shampoo and bath smellies from a hotel. The class will be on 2 different levels, to suit beginners and more advanced crafters alike. For more information or to sign up please go to http://www.meetup.com/The-Glasgow-Card-Making-Meetup-Group/calendar/11116724/

Mum's birthday

This is a card I made for my Mum for her birthday. It's been a busy month in my family, and I'll try and post a picture of the card I made for my Dad, who's had a birthday too. This card was made using the cupcake stamp out of the Cause for Celebration level 2 hostess set, which can't be bought but is earned by hosting a party and making sales. This set is free in addition to free products from the catalogue. E-mail me for more information on arranging a party (not just in Glasgow, but anywhere in the UK, as there are Demos in most areas.)

Past class project from Saturday 18th April

I realised I haven't posted this picture here. This was the project from the April class. Everyone had fun making these cards and the matching box of sweets. If you'd like the project instruction sheet, with photos describing how these items were made and a template for the box, please e-mail me.

Class preview - Saturday 16th May

This is the project we'll be making at the class on Saturday 16th May in the Junction Bar on West George Street (right next to Queen Street station, near George Square). Head up to the first floor and join us!

We'll be making a tiny magazine holder with 4 assorted cards and envelopes. The sample includes birthday, thank you, get well and new baby. This version uses Rose Red card, ink and Designer Series Patterned paper, plus Very Vanilla card and ribbon. Alternative options will be available in blue and chocolate brown.

All supplies will be provided, and a template and design sheet will be e-mailed after the class.

To sign up visit http://www.meetup.com/The-Glasgow-Card-Making-Meetup-Group/. Classes cost £10 on the day, or £8 in advance.

A New Chapter

I've made a new resolution, kind of a new years thing. (I know it's not New Years, but it's a new chapter for me, so I'm running with it!) Here it is:

I will post something on this blog once a week.

Whether it's a project, a picture, or a quick update, I will endeavor to post regularly. There are so many fantastic blogs out there that I read every day, I want to follow their example and share with anyone who stumbles upon my humble little blog.

So there you go! Watch this space!

Party madness!

Well, last nights party was a huge success! Plenty of people turned up, and fun was had by all. The projects seem to go down well, and everyone left with a beautiful little box of sweeties. More parties planned for the future, so watch this space!

Party preview

So this week I'm having not one, but -two- parties this week! One of them isn't a SU! party but I'm hoping it will be fun. The second is a party my Mum is holding, but she's already talking about her next one!

The cards are the invites I made for her to give to people she wants to the party, and the boxes are the projects that the guests will get to make. I've found a couple of games for people to play, and I have prizes, catalogues, forms - hopefully everything I need. I've even got an unmounted stamp set to show people how to mount.