Stampin’ Up Saturday ~ Keeping it Simple

Those of you who pop in regularly will know that I have recently become a Stampin’ Up Demonstrator. I’ve mentioned it in passing a few times, but haven’t dedicated any posts to it before . I feel very lucky to have 99 lovely folk following me and don’t want to turn you all off with (what feels like) shameless plugging.

I thought about starting up a separate blog specifically for all the SU stuff and I think that’s what I will end up doing, once I get established. In the meantime I wondered about a weekly post, on this blog, showcasing particular products and perhaps including a technique or tutorial.

I talked to a few friends (blogging and otherwise) about it and one suggested Stampin’ Up Saturday. Thankyou Sian. So here I am, with the first of a weekly series and we’ll see how it goes. All honest opinions welcome.

I was reading Jacky’s blog the other day and she was talking about making cards for men and a lot of people, including me, commented on how difficult they found it. It made me think of the card I made for my Dad recently, which was very simple.

I stamped one of the Four Frames onto Very Vanilla card, using Real Red ink, followed by a sentiment from Petite Pairs in Basic Black. I punched it out with the matching Decorative Label punch and adhered to Crumb Cake card using foam pads to give some dimension.

I faff for ages make my Dad a card every year for his birthday and try not to feel too hurt when it’s put to one side without remark. Not everyone realises how much time and effort goes into it. This took me about 10 minutes to make and was received with the most enthusiasm I’ve seen in years! I’ll be keeping it simple from now on.

OK shameless plug alert. If you don’t have a local SU demo and are interested in ordering anything then please contact me at angelfishcrafts{at}gmail{dot}com          

I’ll be running a virtual hostess club, starting next month, which gives everyone the opportunity to earn free goodies from the catalogue, without having to hold a party in your home. Ideal if you don’t have a lot of crafting friends that live nearby. For more details on this, or anything else, feel free to get in touch at the above address.

If you’re still with me, thanks for reading. Hope to see you next Saturday.

Friday Find ~ Hamburger Cakes?!

I’ve been looking around for birthday food ideas, for my soon to be 15 year old son and came across these inspired cakes at The Idea Room.

They might be a fun thing to make for Father’s Day too. If you don’t have a card yet and would like a quick printable, that will give you a great result, then check out my find from last week. We’ll be making ours tomorrow, while The Mechanic is at work.

Wishing you all a lovely weekend, no matter what the weather is doing in your part of the world. I’ll be back tomorrow with a new blog feature, that I’m going to trial for a few weeks. Maybe I’ll see you there?

What’s On Your Workdesk Wednesday #158

Crafting opportunities have been few and far between this last week or so. Getting everything out, just to clear it away again half an hour later, hardly seems worth the effort. But, I had some envelopes that needed decorating, so out came the ink.

Not very exciting, but there you have it. For more interesting desks make your next stop Julia’s place.

Apparently it’s Saturday….

….which makes me a day late with my Friday find. Half term and Bank holidays always leave me in a bit of a muddle.

It’s Father’s Day next Sunday (June 17th) here in the UK and these brilliant free printables by Kirsty Neale will come in handy if you don’t have a card ready yet.

There is a basic figure, which you can customise with a choice of clothes, quiffs, glasses and facial hair, to make your own bespoke ‘Dad’. Alternatively check out some ‘off the peg’ designs here.

Have fun!

What’s On Your Workdesk Wednesday #157

This is what was on my kitchen table, just before I had to clear it so that we could eat our dinner last night. So inconvenient this having to feed everyone.

I’ve mostly been covering notebooks and assembling owls.

It’s half term here and we all had fun at the beacon lighting on Monday night.

Today we’re off to Southampton and hoping the weather is going to feel something like June. I’ll be round to visit when we get home.

For more crafty goings on, head over to Julia’s place.

Storytelling Sunday 2 ~ Thirteen

I really wanted to share a Jubilee themed story today, but alas I cannot find a single photo of our Silver Jubilee celebrations back in 1977.

There was a celebration of a different kind in our house last month.

                                             Thirteen candles

                                                    One wish

These are the only two pictures I managed to take. You have to be quick to catch her unawares these days. No second chance to get a sharper shot, the blur will have to do. Better to have that, than no photo at all.

I’m linking up with Sian today and everyone else who has a story to share.

 

One Thing I’m Loving This Friday ~ Bunting #2

After the felt dolls last week, something a little more traditional today.

Just in time for your Jubilee celebrations. Printable bunting designed by Rob Ryan. Yippee! The downloadable PDF is available in this week’s online issue of Stylist.

Short and sweet today, but I’ll be back on Sunday with a story to share.