The Gift of Cool Treats at a Discounted Price

Last week saw the last of my Cool Treats Classes where we made this ensemble of projects.

The gift box, offers a card and box in one to house a CD with spine, which would be perfect for a Teenagers Gift and the two cards ... well, just sweet and very cool. 

Many of my ladies weren't sure about this bundle until they started playing with it ... and then they were converted. Its such a fun set to play with ... as you really are playing. What flavour? What topping? Cone? Bowl? Sprinkles? ... the choices were endless.

I saw a similar idea to this on Pinterest and adapted it to take a full size CD case with spine. It's such a cool way of giving what can sometimes be a gift that's quite bland to wrap and give ... and often, very obvious. 

Loving the Stitched Framelits as I do, I couldn't not make use of them with the layering framelits to create something delicate and simple and coupled with Pool Party, quite Retro in its colour way.

Again, I'd seen a pin on Pinterest, which is a great source of inspiration, for this next card, switched up the colours and Ice Pops a little and a fresh, clean and simple card was created.

You'll be pleased to know that this set is carrying over to the New Catalogue, but be warned, the 10% Bundle price offering isn't, so if you want yourself some discount, then NOW is the time to get ordering it. 

If you like this selection of projects, then you might like to join in my classes to make similar projects of this type. Keep abreast of my Events by heading over to my Facebook page or my Official Stampin' Up! Page and register for your chosen event early. 

Hoping you liked these creations as much as we had fun making them. 

OnStage Live Amsterdam and my secret Presentation

SPOILER ALERT/ SNEAK PEEK of New Product

Now I'm not one for publishing new product too far ahead of a new catalogue launch, but this seems different and will be a one off. 

A while back, I was asked if I would be willing to do a Product Presentation at last weekend's OnStage Live event in Amsterdam, a secret that I've been hiding for a while.

I felt so honoured and excited to have been invited, but none more so than when I saw the email of what products I'd be presenting. Goodness me I was a lucky girl. The Suite was just adorable and I couldn't wait for it to arrive to get playing. 

I studied the papers a while, I researched and got playing and discreetly transported out my creations, managing to keep the entire presentation a secret from my team until we were checking in our suitcases at the airport. I didn't want the girls to think me twitchy, if suddenly I needed to open my case to lessen it's weight or appear overly anxious if my case didn't arrive.

On the day of my presentation, I met our lovely CEO, Sara Douglass, just moments before I went live. Eager to sit in on a Presentation, she chose to come and sit in on mine. I was both delighted and nervous all in one. Not just a presentation to our European market, many of whom I look up to, but to our very own VIP Sara Douglass. 

Thankfully I pulled my presentation off without fault. What a fabulous experience! I had just 10 minutes to present to nearly 200 experienced Demonstrators at a time. As if once wasn't enough, I had to repeat my presentation three times over, with my first presentation being to a Dutch market, fully translated. 

The Product Suite that I had to work with, was this nostalgic, retro style Birthday Memories suite. Oh my word, I nearly fell off my seat when I saw it. Those papers! That Stamp Set! Could I do it justice?

Following my initial excitement, the panic set in. My style doesn't usually involve such bold colours, so how would I be true to myself and come up with something I felt happy to present? ... by presenting a Party in a Box ... Yes, generate a Party. 

This sheet of paper had to be used in it's entirety to showcase the beautiful scene, so the Party in a Box was a must. The gift box could be used afterwards, but initially housed a stack of Birthday Invites, Cupcake Toppers and Cupcake/Treat bags. 

I made the decision to couple the set up with the Confetti Celebration Stamp Set to create this Surprise Birthday Invitation. 

I thought this worked really well. The little flag banners attached to cocktail sticks made great cupcake toppers. 

I simply embellished a Petite Cafe food safe bag to house the treats or cupcake that the child would go home with. 

This project lead to something a little more my colour palate. As the colours toned down somewhat, I started to feel more in my comfort zone. 

Here I created a Box Frame Gift idea for a little boy. Perhaps for a 1st Birthday? 

I just loved the simplicity of this Box Frame and the Honeycomb Balloons and couldn't resist but couple it with a card that offered such fun. 

This suite offers Framelits to die cut many of the gorgeous images and characters in the Designer Series Papers, so I die cut the fox and fussy cut the Racoon and Turtle to produce this cute card.

I just love the font of this Birthday sentiment.

I was feeling happier now that I had started to produce something a little less vibrant, but felt I needed to cover the softer female palate. 

When I first saw the Pink Papers of this suite, I immediately thought of my Auntie's picture hanging on her wall. It was an Illustration by the Famous British Illustrator, Mabel Lucie Attwell. Researching her work and the era in which she worked, it became clear that large numbers on Birthday cards were very much the norm and that both bold colours, but equally soft muted colours were often seen. This lead me to designing this card ... which soon became my favourite. 

Isn't she cute?! Stamped onto Crumb Cake cardstock, I then used the super soft Watercolour pencils to add a wash of colour around her and to colour in the balloons. The ribbon from the suite edged the sentiment panel to pull in the colour of the number balloon. 

Still wanting to produce something femininely pink and girlie, I moved on to designing these two cards. I used the floral bouquet to edge the white cardstock to add a kind of vintage look to the card.

Finally the Make & Take that everyone had supplies to make, involved die cutting the fox and his banner, to create this great celebratory card.

Can you tell that I absolutely love this suite now and I do believe you will do too. 

If you'd like to receive this bundle soon after it's release on 1st June, then be sure to get in contact with me and I'll happily help process your order.

Well that's all the sneak peeks from me for a while, but I hope this has given you a taster of what amazing things are to come in the up coming catalogue ... but in the meantime, don't forget the fabulous deals that could be had from the Retirement List. Up to 50% off some items. 

Use this code at checkout for a free gift from me. 

Place a qualifying order and not only receive a gift, but be put into a Free Prize Draw, in my 5 year Celebration (Click the image below for more details).

OnStage Live Amsterdam Friendships and Team Gifts

This time last week, I was in Amsterdam at OnStage Live, our annual Stampin' Up! event where hundreds of Demonstrators come together to Inspire each other. 

It's an amazing event and one I love to attend. I've attended a few Live events in Europe now, but not one in Amsterdam before. I was fortunate enough to share this event with five of my Team, who had never experienced a Live event before. 

I always like to give little Team Gifts out to my girls at events like this and Amsterdam was no exception. The first gift was given as we reached the Airport for our departure. A little wallet card with a magnetic closure. 

This cute little Piggy badge attached beautifully to the magnet and when opened, the girls each found inside a few personal words and an OnStage Luggage Label. 

They could either use this tag on their case or the OnStage bag that they would be presented with at Registration. It had their name on the reverse to help them identify their bags. It was only a little something, but a useful something from a practical me. 

Their main gift came once we arrived into Amsterdam and shared our first meal together. 

The girls surprised me by giving ME a beautiful Bracelet. A delicate little heart that sits beautifully with my watch. I absolutely love it and was totally bowled over at receiving it, even if a little embarrassed. 

Well the funny thing was ... I had chosen them each a Windmill Charm for their Recognition Bracelets. They can earn similar charms for gaining promotion, but the Windmill seemed only right and fitting for them to receive as a gift for attending their first ever Onstage LIVE event ... and this was how I packaged them. 

Swaps are something else that we tend to do at events like this to engage with others and obtain an abundance of inspiration from the many different styles out there. I made 60 of these Welcome cards that I exchanged for a fabulous array of swaps. I'll share those with you in another post. 

A LOT about OnStage events, be it Live or Local, is to do with the friendships and people that we meet and share our time with, so to share the experience with 5 of my team made it even more special. Here we are top left of this collage. 

I've created a wealth of friendships over my 5 years as a Demonstrator and love to spend time with these friends. Some I don't get to meet from one event to the next, but chat with often. We all support each other and cheer each other on ... it's wonderful and was great to see them ... Eimear, Gina, Joanne, Louise and Pip.

The smiles and laughter say it all really ...

I was last in Amsterdam as a child when I did a coach trip with my Mum and some friends. I had no recollection of the place from my first visit, so went with fresh eyes this time. 

Amsterdam has some beautiful waterways and some fabulous architecture. Allison, Holly and I took ourselves off for a late afternoon walk to take in the atmosphere. I'm so pleased we did, however brief it was, it was great to see. 

It was so lovely to share quality time with the girls, to really get to know them. We all looked out for each other, shared our aspirations and cheered each other on to achieving them ... it really was a heartwarming time to see how we each grew with confidence as the days passed. 

Here's to the next one now!

5th Anniversary Prize Giveaway

click on the image to read all about it

Oh, So Succulent Gift Bag on your Special Day

Aren't these succulent flowers oh, so beautiful?! I absolutely love them. They are so effective and look so very real when inked up on the tips. The delicate nature of them

This was just one of the projects that my ladies made at my recent overnight Retreat, where the Succulents Bundle played a big part. I'll be sorry to see this wonderful bundle leave us. 

Made using the Gift Bag Punch Board, the top and bottom of this gift bag, slide into each other, allowing adjustment for size and allowing the bow to remain tied.

A super pretty little bag.

FREE Giveaways available with Qualifying orders. Click on the cake below to read more about it. 

RETIREMENT LIST

Creation Station Design Team - Boxes, Baskets and Bags Oh My!

A warm welcome to this month's Creation Nation Blog Hop and one that's all about Boxes, Baskets and Bags ... oh my!

If you've hopped on over from the talented Jennifer Downey, then you'll have already been treated to some fantastic inspiration, well this is what I have to share with you today. 

The Falling in Love Designer Series Paper pack is just gorgeous and this particular striking print, is one of my favourites. It's the boldest of the pack, which was why I felt it suitable for this project, coupled with Very Vanilla.

Just half a sheet of Designer Series Paper created this bag, that I embellished with a simple coordinating tag and the beautiful rimmed Pearl Embellishments. It's a simple bag I grant you and one that I've seen many times, but sometimes its the paper or embellishment that you use that creates the wow factor. 

I hope this has inspired you to get creating your own gift bags and boxes. Now hop on over to see what delights the lovely Cindy has in store for you. 

        

Thanks for hopping by ... 

   

Stylish Stems Framelits Dies for a Special Reason

At first, I saw Special Reason as just another floral stamp set ... until I used it. Oh my goodness was I then taken with it. It really does have a special reason to be on my shelf. 

This gorgeous set, coupled with a clean, crisp, spring colour palette, looks so fresh and pretty and using the Rock and Roll technique for the flowers and the leaves, just adds real depth of colour and brings it to life. 

The Framelits that coordinate with this set are just gorgeous. This leaf is possibly my most favourite leaf of all and layer up the flower with the overlay in Dazzling Diamonds and you've a stunning, feminine shimmer to your centrepiece. 

One of my favourites is white on white with a pop of colour and here, using texture, I have added interest to the background, without detracting from the main focal point. 

The Gift Bag Punch Board is a super tool to have and you can quickly create little gift bags like this that you can again, beautifully embellish. Just look at those beautiful leaves!

Take a look for yourself at these beautiful framelits and see what other stunning creations you could make with this bundle.

Buy this Bundle in Clear Mount and add a pack of Dazzling Diamonds and you could choose this stunning Stamp Set for FREE from the Sale-a-Bration offering, until the end of March. 

I hope you liked this creation I shared with you today. If you fancy coming along to one of my classes and creating similar projects, then be sure to check out my Events Tab and reserve your seat. 

Use this code at checkout on all online orders

to receive a gift from me.