Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator Catherine Carroll

Stamp, Snack and Chat

I hosted my first Stamp, Snack and Chat at a local community centre this week. I shamelessly stole the name from Shelli Gardner, and I think it completely sums up what is fun about getting together to make new friends (or just catch up with old ones!) and craft. I kept the projects simple, as most of the attendees were new to stamping. We made a card using Flowering Flourishes, embellished with butterflies (Papillon Potpourri and the coordinating Butterfly punch).

I stuck with a tried-and-tested colour combination of Mint Macaron and Tip Top Taupe, but some of the ladies chose to swap those colours round, which looked lovely as well.

I couldn't just send them away with a card, so we also made little matching Curvy Keepsake boxes - we all agreed they were perfect for a couple of Lindor chocolates!

If you'd like to join me for our next Stamp, Snack and Chat, or in fact at any of my upcoming classes, just drop me an email. We'd love to have you join our group!

 

 

 

 

Blog Hop for the Autumn Winter Catalogue

Thank you for joining us on another Pinkies Blog Hop! We're showcasing lots of gorgeous projects using products from the new Stampin' Up!® Autumn/Winter Seasonal Catalogue. Simply use the buttons at the end of each post to keep hopping!

I love the build up to Christmas, don't you? Waiting to see shops put out the Christmas stock, planning parties, and working out what to make for everyone's presents. But if you're anything like me, one second it's back to school and the next it's December and you haven't managed any of it. I'm determined it'll be different this year and at least I have one Christmas card made and ready to share with you today.

I'm a sucker for a good Christmas tree set, and Peaceful Pines (with matching Perfect Pines framelits to make life easier) was the first thing on my wish list. I've also used the Gently Falling textured embossing folder, layered over some Lost Lagoon cardstock. You can just about see the snowflakes stamped in Lost Lagoon from the Holly Jolly Greetings stamp set underneath the vellum layer. The Dazzling Diamonds glitter strips on the Smoky Slate label layer were created using double sided tape to give even strips without too much effort.

The pine itself is stamped in Mint Macaron - a perfect grey green to match with the Lost Lagoon and Smoky Slate. The sentiment is also from the Holly Jolly Greetings set. I added Silver Cording Trim and one of the lovely Winter Wonderland Embellishments to finish it all off.

Next stop on our blog hop is Tracy, and I know she has a lovely project to share with you!

 

 

 

 

Autumn Winter Catalogue from Stampin' Up!

This year's Autumn Winter Catalogue from Stampin' Up! is well worth a read. With no fewer than 17 bundles, there are not only amazing new products for your Christmas crafting but great savings to be had as well.

Here are some of my top picks - I won't be able to resist making these designs from the catalogue...

Aren't those reindeer clips lovely? I think I'd be able to use up the entire stock of those on my own.

The Festive Flower builder punch makes such a lovely tag topper, and the new Square Pillow Box thinlit is perfect for little gifts.

There are always some people on my card list who need a cute card and I will be making a stack of them using the adorable Snow Place set with matching Snow Friends framelits (one of the great bundles I mentioned before!).