SparklyShinyStuff

Ruby Anniversary

2010-08-13T10:53:00.001+01:00

GeoTagged, [N55.85899, E4.35212]

Oh look, it's a blog post! I know, I'm really bad at keeping this blog up to date, sorry!
I thought I'd pop this card on quickly. My boss at work has her 40th wedding anniversary his weekend, and we wanted to give her a little something to mark the event.
This is a simple 'joy' fold card, 4" square, using Kraft card (soon to be crumb cookie). The square in the centre is textured very vanilla layered on real red, then flowers punched out in real red and ruby red using the 5 petal flower and boho blossoms punches. Centres are the fire collection of rhinestone brads, then flowers fixed on with foam dimensionals and glue dots. Finally the 40 was hand drawn with a real red marker.

A very simple little card easily adapted to suit other anniversaries just by changing the colour of the flowers. Hope you like it!

New SparklyShinyStampers!

2010-04-29T18:01:00.001+01:00

I'm delighted to welcome FIVE new ladies to my team of SparklyShinyStampers!! Susan, Jayne, Maureen, Alison and Mandie have all decided to become Stampin' Up! Demonstrators, taking advantage of a special offer giving 10% off the Starter kit.
This offer runs until 7th May, so there's still time if you want to join in as well. Check the "Join my team" link at the top to see the starter kit contents, plus the exclusive New Demo kit you get when you join my team.

Host your own Party!

2010-04-17T00:02:00.004+01:00

Hosting a Stampin' Up! party is simple and easy, and can earn you fabulous rewards! All you need to do is pick a date and invite your friends, then enjoy the fun! You will receive a free Idea Book & Catalogue as well as invitations to send to your friends. You will get a demonstration of exciting craft techniques showcasing Stampin' Up! products, showing you and your guests how to make simple yet beautiful projects, with everyone getting to join in and make something to take home.

There is no obligation to purchase products, however as a hostess you can earn free stamp sets and free products based on the sales at your party.

Get in touch to secure your party date today!

Join the SparklyShinyStampers!

2010-04-16T23:50:00.005+01:00

Are you an enthusiastic crafter? Do you want to share your creativity with others? Ever dreamed of making an income from your hobby? As an Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator you can do all of these things.

We all begin with the Starter kit, which contains over £250 of craft and business supplies for the amazing price of only £139. You can customise your starter kit to suit your own style and tastes.

In addition to the Starter kit, every member of my team gets her own "new demo kit" as a personal gift from me. This includes card and ribbon sample sheets, a personalised journal, plus some other little goodies to help you get started, all in a hand-stamped canvas bag.

If you have any questions, or would like a free information pack, please e-mail me today.

April Year in Cards

2010-04-16T23:20:00.005+01:00

Here's the project we're making tomorrow morning at the Glasgow Card-making meet-up. The card is inspired by one Charlotte showed us at field training last month, and the pouch is a creation of Elaine's. I will be demonstrating the "rock and roll" technique, as well as faux suede and ink daubers.

This class is available to buy online, costing £10 for instructions and supplies or £25 to add in the stamp set used (RRP £19.95). Each class makes 4 cards and the matching pouch, and even includes a chocolate in the pouch! Email me if you are interested.

Ribbon rose tutorial

2010-04-16T00:24:00.005+01:00

This was the project that I made for the technique demonstration at the Stampin' Up! Experience Event in the Pond Hotel in Glasgow. I showed how to make ribbon roses using our 5/8" grosgrain in Real Red.
Cut a 50cm length of grosgrain and fold in half, with the two halves at right angles as above.

Fold one half over the fold.

Repeat by folding the other half on top over the previous fold.

Continue folding over and over on top until the full length is folded.

Don't worry if it slips out of your fingers as you fold. Once its completely folded, hold tightly to the ends and release, giving a twist as shown in the photo above.

Hold tightly at the base and pull on one of the ends, it doesn't matter which one.

You will end up with a beautiful rose on the end of a long tail of ribbon. You may need to untwist the rose a little to arrange the petals.

Secure the rose with a couple of stitches at the base of the flower, then trim the ends of the ribbon. Use the flower to decorate your projects as desired.

I hope you've enjoyed this tutorial. Please leave me your comments with links to your own projects.

Ribbon flower tutorial

2010-04-15T23:53:00.006+01:00

I've been making a lot of these ribbon flowers recently, so decided to write a quick tutorial. They are so simple to make!

For the small flowers, I've used 10cm 5/8" ribbon in Very Vanilla grosgrain, and Chocolate Chip grosgrain and satin. The larger flowers are made with 15cm 1-1/4" striped grosgrain ribbon in Chocolate Chip.

I normally use invisible thread, but I've used yellow here so you can see the stitching easily. Start at one end with 3 or 4 stitches to secure the thread, then run the stitches along one edge of the ribbon.

Fold the ribbon in half and pass the needle through next to the start of the stitching.

Pull the thread tightly and stitch 3 or 4 times to secure. Then stitch along the ends of the ribbon and secure again.

Open out into a flower and push a brad through the centre, opening out at the back of the flower.

And there you have it! A very simple ribbon flower to embellish your projects. I hope you found this tutorial helpful. If you try this yourself, please leave comments linking to your creations!

Downline journals

2010-04-15T23:24:00.002+01:00

I've had a lovely evening making these journals for my lovely downline. They are based on a pin I received at Convention last year. The writing on the pin tells us to "inspire, create & share", which is what we try and do as Stampin' Up! Demonstrators.

If you're interested in joining my team, April is the perfect month to sign up. Email me for a free demonstrator information pack. New demos get the Starter kit, personalised to suit your tastes. After joining, I have my own demo starter kit which I give to all my SparklyShinyStampers, full of little goodies to help you get started. You'll also get all the support and advice you could wish for!

Test Post

2010-03-17T11:29:00.001Z

I think I've set up blogging from my iPhone. If this works, you could see the volume of blog posts shoot up dramatically!

2010 - A Year in Cards

2010-01-02T18:04:00.006Z

Happy 2010 everyone! I hope you all had a lovely festive season. This time of year is traditionally one for new starts and new plans, and I like many others have been making new years resolutions. And yes, surprise surprise, one of mine is to blog more!

This should be made easier by my planned projects for this year. Each month there will be a new instalment in 2 new 12-part projects: "A Year in Cards", and "My Life in Scrapbooking". Pictures of each project will be posted here as the month goes on.

Here's a sneak-peek of the YiC project. We will be working on a Card Journal, which will have a double-page spread for each month. Every month there will be 2 birthday cards, and 2 other cards, covering topics such as thank you, get well, anniversary, new baby, sympathy, as well as event cards such as Valentines, Mothers day, Fathers Day etc. Each month will also look at a different technique.

Each class will include 4 cards and 2 card-pockets to fit into the journal. The journal itself will be made in a separate class, which will run in January, April, July and October. There is no obligation to attend a journal class, and the card classes will stand alone without the journal. All classes are limited to 8 attendees.

January's technique is spinner cards. Check out the Meetup gallery (under Year in Cards) to see examples. We will be making 2 x birthday cards and 2 x thank you cards.

To sign up for a class please visit the Meetup page

Christmas from the other side of the tracks

2009-12-19T00:51:00.002Z

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

2009-12-05T22:32:00.003Z

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!

2009-10-31T21:50:00.003Z

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

2009-10-19T01:08:00.002+01:00

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

2009-09-19T10:39:00.005+01:00

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

2009-09-10T19:06:00.003+01:00

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

2009-09-10T17:44:00.005+01:00

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

2009-05-23T00:49:00.002+01:00

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

2009-05-09T10:03:00.002+01:00

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

2009-05-07T18:45:00.010+01:00

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

2009-05-06T18:45:00.003+01:00

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!

2009-01-31T12:11:00.004Z

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

2009-01-25T18:50:00.004Z

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.

New samples

2008-12-13T11:00:00.006Z

Here are some samples made with my new SU! sets, Simply Said, Wonderful Words and a hostess level 1 set.

Christmas tree decoration

2008-12-08T20:50:00.006Z

So, I've been playing with my lovely shiny new stamps and made this little tree decoration. It's inspired by a card Vicki showed me, but I can't remember if it was Maggie who made it - sorry ladies, but credit to whichever one of you it was!

Anyway, watch this space for more samples as they come. Being off work ill with flu kinda gives me more time to stamp, in between the shivers and the fevers, that is!

First post!

2008-11-23T15:45:00.003Z

Well, I think I've just about figured out how to do this blogging milarky! I officially signed up to Stampin' Up! on Friday, and I've spent the weekend messing about online while waiting for my starter kit to arrive. I'm almost glad it didn't show up in yesterday's post, coz I'd never have done all this if I had new stamps to play with!

I've been looking at all the links Vicki sent me, and replying to e-mails from Vicki and Maggie, and checking out everyone elses blogs. There's just so much to learn! But I'm keen and excited, and can't wait to get started properly!

If you've found this site, then hello! Sorry it's a bit of a mess at the moment, but I'll get sorted out eventually. Feel free to drop me an e-mail and chat, I promise I'll get back to you!

Ok, now back to work. (And by work, I mean browsing through the catalogue again to figure out what should be in my first order!)

E x