Invitation in the post...and colouring opportunity

So today I received my invitation to the Stampin' Up! CentreStage event at On Stage in Solihull, England in November...

But I just couldn't resist pulling out my Stampin Blends for a minute's adult colouring!!! Loving my Stampin Blends markers...

Ah that's better... though I have to admit that the Colour Lifter did come in extra handy after I took this close-up shot!!! Amazing what that little pen can do to remove your "over-the-lines colouring" and smudges!

So what is CentreStage... This is an exclusive invite only event hosted by Stampin Up! to celebrate demonstrators that have worked hard and have achieved Silver Elite+ status in terms of their sales and team numbers/sales... and I am honoured to be amongst them!

Though I do have to admit that I ... and some of my team... do work really hard for me to be there... Thanks for all that you do ladies... and I do hope that at least one of you will be joining me next time! That would make me so so happy!

And for the rest of you... 

Live in the UK and would maybe like to have your own Stampin Up! journey... I would love for you to join my team... just click to contact me here for more information... or click here to join up straightaway... 

And not long to getting your hands on the new Stampin Blends now... just 6 more days... available from 1st November... lots more information on these later...

Watercolor Pencils #1 - Inside the lines

This is one of the projects we created in my Watercolor Pencil Intro class I am running this month....

Just £20 for half day (£25 full day) including a pack of Watercolor Pencils (RRP £14.50) if you are interested in joining us... next session Wed 22nd March... and happy to arrange an alternative date for 3 or more..

The Sale A Bration Inside the Lines Speciality paper is perfect to try out your pencils and then have something lovely enough to cut up to make a card later. And you could make 9 of these from just one 12" Square piece of paper ... as the panel is a 4" Square... 

Though I couldn't bring myself to colour all the paper sheet in... and I don't think it is necessary...

And a few tips for you.... 

I don't use the Aqua Painter when I am colouring on paper... too much water means the paper will tear! But the Blender Pen works well... and the Wink of Stella pen works brilliantly. Adding that subtle touch of sheen as you blend the colour out....

Hard to see... but a very subtle shadow is added around the images using the Pacific Point watercolor pencil... but more on that technique another day...

After colouring  - and drying for a while!!! - the panel is cut down to 2" squares. ( It will tear if not dry!!! Which I was very good at demonstrating the other day!)

The big bee on the right is from Dragonfly Dreams... which is a great set for lots of Watercolor Pencil techniques!! Do remember to only add a very light touch of pencil on those wings though....

Remember that the Sale A  Bration exclusive Inside the Lines paper is free with a £45+ order until 31st March 

As indeed is this Glimmer Paper I used for the glittery Hello You hello... 

Right off now to make more Easter makes for my classes next week... too much fun!!

When Joyful Nativity met Father Christmas...

Stand back in amazement... I have done some colouring in!!! Who needs adult colouring books when you can buy a lovely stamp set and colour in to your hearts content and then send your art out on your christmas cards...

These toys in a sack in the Father Christmas set are rather cute... but definitely stray into my "oh my word I can't see where to colour these... with or without the aid of glasses!!

Coupled with my much used JOY from Joyful Nativity... and the small greeting from Christmas Magic

And a bow from Perfect Pines has snuck in as well... Did I tell you that the co-ordinating Christmas Pines stamp set has 25% off this month!!? 

Now I am hoping to share some of my favourite & special Christmas projects this year over the next few days... so watch this space....

Adult Colouring - The Wings of a Dove (of Peace)

If you are into the current trend of Adult Colouring & Art Therapy - then you will love this stamp.... 

Why not use your colouring to good effect - and pop them on a simple  - but stunning - Christmas card! And even better - this image is not just for Christmas - it can be used all year round.... though you will need other greetings!

Therapy and money saving all at the same time...what could be better!

Now I have to admit that I don't usually enjoy colouring in...a little is OK...but a lot...not me! But I did rather enjoy this little subtle arty masterpiece... once I got into the groove... and I can see a few more appearing...

Colours used - Mint Macaron, Lost Lagoon and Sahara Sand. And I used a greeting from Peaceful Pines as it seemed apt...

And a big thanks goes out to fellow demo, teamie and friend, Sally Jo Houghton - she told me I would love this stamp - so much so she stamped some for me!! And yes, Sally-Jo - you are SO right!! Thanks again....

And yes - you are definitely costing me money again....! Actually I have to laugh... we borrowed/swapped/stamped each other's stamps at a Training event - and both of us have ended up buying the ones we borrowed!! Wonder if we will try that again....!

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Bright and Beautiful Corner Garden

OK... so I was set a challenge... to go bright with those beautiful flowers in the Corner Garden image..

And so here is the result... still with the gold embossing...but direct marker colouring of the flowers ... so really bright! Adult colouring at its best...as you can do it over and over again.... #arttherapy

Actually reminds me of some painted china that used to be around...

And I love the Watercolor Wings butterflies with their gold tips and bodies... they really pop!

And a product highlight for you... the Adhesive Remover aka the Mistake Rubber Outer!

I am sure that you will all have the sense to have this little must have item.. I definitely wouldn't be without it...and I do use it a lot...

I do find that I wreck lots of my makes  - right at the last minute - with a careless straying of a glue covered finger.... and that is SO annoying....

So here is the Before (see left above the foil mat - above the stalk of the red flowers) Lovely big glue splat!!

And here is the After - glue be gone - MAGIC - phew!

Rather glad I was set this challenge... I actually love the final result! Just goes to show that you can't go wrong with this Corner Garden stamp set

You're in My... Best Thoughts

Another quick card featuring the new hostess stamp set - Best Thoughts. 

Another lovely exclusive hostess stamp set - we really do have some great ones this year... quick picture of the 5 of them here...

Want to get your hands on some of these hostess sets?? Well here is how...

(1) Place an order of £150+. 

All for you - or for you and a few friends!

Through my Online Shop or via email. 

You will get £15 Stampin Rewards - which means you can get your hands on a couple of them... (or alternatively you can still choose any current products of £15+ value)

(2) Join my Rewards Club. Details here.

(3) Email or phone me with your order of £75+... and choose 1 free hostess set as well.

I will add your order to my next order. 

For collection or postage at cost

(4) Host a Stampin' Up! party... earn rewards whilst having some fun with your friends as well....

So back to the card... again clean & simple... just adult colouring with my Blushing Bride & Pear Pizzazz marker pens... Crystal Effects added to the flower heads and Dazzling Details to the butterfly to make them pop..

Stampin᾿ Up! Supplies

Table built by craftingbecky.com

Best Thoughts Wood-Mount Stamp Set	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad	Dazzling Details	Crystal Effects
Many Marvelous Markers	Blushing Bride A4 Cardstock	Basic Black A4 Cardstock

Awesomely Artistic and a Brick Wall

We got all artistic at this weeks Monthly Training... Awesomely Artistic that is .... 

Loving this stamp set... definitely on my next order...lots of ideas buzzing through my head.... could be a Stamps & Class in the Mail Kit if you are interested... just contact me if you are....

Love Julies colour combination of Perfect Plum, Elegant Eggplant, Mint Macaron, Mossy Meadow & Early Espresso. Lots of therapeutic colouring of the flowers and leaves...

And I love the touch of the scalloped oval behind the Friend frame... perfect finishing touch

And I love that there more "WE" at our Monthly Training this month... I travelled over with a car full of my new team members. The North Yorkshire crew on tour! aka The Craft Therapists... Welcome girls - I can't wait to see where each of your Stampin' Up! journeys take you - and to us all having some fun on the way.... #lovethisjob

Stampin᾿ Up! Supplies

Table built by craftingbecky.com

Awesomely Artistic Wood-Mount Stamp Set	Awesomely Artistic Clear-Mount Stamp Set	Brick Wall Textured Impressions Embossing Folder	Scallop Oval Punch
Blackberry Bliss 5/8" Striped Cotton Ribbon	Perfect Plum Classic Stampin' Pad	Elegant Eggplant Classic Stampin' Pad	Mint Macaron Classic Stampin' Pad
Mossy Meadow Classic Stampin' Pad	Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad	Perfect Plum A4 Cardstock	Mint Macaron A4 Cardstock
Mossy Meadow A4 Cardstock	Sahara Sand Classic Stampin' Pad	Stamping Sponges	Blender Pens
Aqua Painters	Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter	2-Way Glue Pen