Tuesday 8 November 2011

Remembrance Day - Stampin' Up style

After seeing a glittered up poppy on Helen's fab blog there was no way I was not going to have a go! After all I'm not called Glittermum for nothing!

I used the brilliant heat and stick powder from Stampin' Up, and some of the amazing ultra fine glitter too. I am rather proud of the results, and have to say that I have worn it all day today without too much glitter fall out! The heat and stick is absolutely the best way ever of attaching glitter. I'm making a couple more for some of my colleagues - now what else could I cover in glitter.......



Monday 7 November 2011

Bah humbug!

These are blatantly CASEd from Helen's fabulous Fiddlefart Blog. I made some of these little sour cream containers for Halloween and I'm going to make 24 for a different advent countdown this year. These ones contain a couple of mint humbugs just for fun!

Friday 4 November 2011

Another cute reindeer

Just thought you might like to say hello to another reindeer friend of mine! I make quite a few of these each Christmas and they are so simple but so effective. A bar of soap, a flannel and a couple of pipe cleaners - and that's it!

Wednesday 2 November 2011

Stampin' Up! paper rosette wreath

I've seen lots of paper rosette wreaths around blogland so thought I'd have a go! I used some of last year's Stampin' Up! Christmas paper and some of the gorgeous stripy grosgrain ribbon. If you look closely there are some beautiful glimmer brads, tiny buttons and I even managed to use one of my extra precious filigree brads too! The rosettes are just so simple to make, and it's very relaxing creasing all those strips of paper! There are some fabulous You Tube tutorials if you fancy a go!

Monday 24 October 2011

Stampin' Up! In Colours share!


I've got a very special offer for you today. I am loving the new In Colours (especially Wisteria Wonder!) and so am providing a way you can  get your hands on some card, designer paper and ribbon - without breaking the bank!

For the grand total of £13 (if you collect)  you will receive 2 sheets of A4 card in each of the lovely new In Colours, 2 sheets of 12 by 12 designer papers in each colour and 1 metre of ribbon in each colour. Just contact me on 07877042498 or niki.ridge.nr@googlemail.com for a share!

Wednesday 12 October 2011

Stampin' Up! ruffled ribbon share

Now I absolutely love all the ribbons in the Stmapin' Up! catalogue, but don't always need 10 metres at a time, and as I want them all it gets very expensive! This is why I'm launching my 1st ribbon share today - you can have a metre of each of the new In Colour Ruffled Ribbons for £5.30 including p and p. If you would like a share of this just let me know - niki.ridge.nr@googlemail.com, or 07877042498. Just wait till you see them in the flesh - they are gorgeous!

Monday 10 October 2011

Dasher -the most handsome reindeer of all!

I absolutely love Dasher, and am really pleased with these Christmas cards. I have used the lovely striped grosgrain ribbon (which is now available in fab NEW colours), and added interest with the utterly gorgeous Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder.

If you book my class on 29th November you will have the chance to recreate this card in Real Red, Rich Razzleberry and Old Olive, so let me know if you want to come along.


Saturday 8 October 2011

It's time for cake - Stampin' Up! style!

I've got a few events coming up and thought I'd make a 'Book to Look Cake' that I'd seen on a couple of blogs - so here it is!



I found the pattern on Julie Davison's fab blog and spent a few hours cutting and sticking this weekend. You're probably wondering what it's for though - hidden in each slice of cake are some chocolates (of course!) and an IOU for a Stampin' Up! pressie from me. It's a pretty exclusive cake though - only people who book a workshop with me get to have a slice!

The lovely colours are Pumpkin Pie and Chocolate Chip - of course they had to be to do with food! I used the lovely Daisy die for the flowers on the top. I hope you like it - the only truly fat free cake!

If you would like to book a workshop with me I'll save you piece! Just give me a shout on 07877042498 or email me at niki.ridge.nr@googlemail.com.

Sunday 2 October 2011

Stampin' Up! new catalogue blog hop

Well, the big day finally arrived yesterday and the new Ideas Book and Catalogue is now live in all it's loveliness! The team over at In Love with Stamping are having a blog hop to show off some of the new items for you, and I am thrilled to be joining in. You should have arrived from Alison's blog - wasn't it fab?

Here are my projects:
This one uses the beautiful new Delicate Doilies set stamped and embossed on to vellum. A couple of fabric projects now (yes fabric!).
Not being a sewer(that doesn't look right!) I took to the internet for inspiration and discovered that you can stiffen fabric with glue and water - and then fold it! I made this cute origami box, and then put the fabric through my Big Shot to make the pillow box.

Finally, I'vegot a really quick Christmas card using the fab Something for Christmas stamp. This little beauty is just £8.95 and we had great fun making this card at my launch yesterday.
I hope you enjoyed these and just contact me if you want to get your hands of any of the new (or existing!) products.

Right, grab a cuppa and head of over to Theresa's blog for some absolutely fabulous projects.

Thanks for stopping by.







Saturday 1 October 2011

New Stampin' Up! year and new Ideas Book and Catalogue!

After all the waiting it's finally here - the new Stampin' Up! Ideas Book and Catalogue. You can have a look on my sidebar, or you can get your hands on your own lovely copy in lots of ways! You can join one of my virtual clubs, host a workshop, or I will send you one for £4 inc postage.

There are some fantastic new Stampin' Up! products, including fabric which co-ordinates with our papers and stamps. I'll be posting some no sew projects tomorrow for you to have a look at.

Something else new this year is the hostess benefits. This year instead of earning hostess sets and additional spends you earn more free spends - a minimum of £25 for a qualifying workshop (£150 sales). You can spend these on anything in the catalogue, but Stampin' Up! have also introduced exclusive specially priced sets that only the hostesses can buy, so your free spends go further. Another great change is the addition of 50% discount on an item for workshops with sales of £300. You can earn more items at half price if there are even more sales!

Grab me quick if you want to hold a workshop and get your hands on some of these new items - I' ve got some great projects planned.

Anyway - grab yourself a cuppa and have a good old browse! Call me on 07877042498 or email at niki.ridge.nr@googlemail.com if there is anything I can help you with.

Tuesday 27 September 2011

A sneaky peek - Halloween Stampin' Up! style

With less than a week to go I thought I'd let you have a sneaky peek at a couple of projects that I've made with the new Halloween papers and stamps from Stampin' Up. I love these little pumpkins - the set is called Jack of all Trades, and the  designer paper set is Frightful Sight. The orange ink used could only be one colour - Pumpkin Pie!

I was lucky enough to get my hands on these early, but you can order from me from 1st October. Check below for details of my launch party if you are free on the 1st.

Sunday 25 September 2011

Announcing Stampin' Up! Christmas Classes for Swindon.


I'm thrilled to announce my Christmas classes. Full details can be found on the Adult Classes tab but here are the dates and some sneak peeks!

Tuesday 11th October 7.30pm
Tuesday 1st November 7.30pm
Tuesday 29th November 7.30pm


Monday 19 September 2011

New catalogue launch party

October is the most exciting time of year for devotees of Stampin' Up - it's the launch of the new Idea Book and Catalogue!

I'm going to host my first ever new catalogue launch party to celebrate and introduce you to all the lovely goodies on offer. It will be on the very day the catalogue is launched - 1st October and will run as a drop in from 12 until 4pm at my house.

As a special deal for the 1st you will be able to buy the new catalogue at just £3.50 (RRP £5.95) and I will also be offering a very special BOGOF deal! I will have lots of retiring items including stamps, ribbons and designer papers and for every pound spent on the retiring items you will be able to spend another pound in the new catalogue!

There will be a chance to play with some of the new items that I've been able to get my hands on early with a Make and Take. So that I can be fully prepared could you please let me know if you'll be coming along by 23rd September, and if you are going to bring a friend along. Remember that there is no charge for this launch party! I will also be having a raffle with some fabulous prizes and a catalogue treasure hunt. You will get 1 ticket for coming along, and another 1 if you place an order on the day, and yet another 1 if you book a workshop on the day.

I've also been finalising some of my projects for the next couple of classes too - I've got some great Christmas items ready so I'll let you have the details in my next newsletter and full details will be available at the launch party.

Friday 16 September 2011

Test Drive the Starter Kit

With the new catalogue out in just 2 weeks now is a perfect time to think about signing up as a demo.
I signed up when I discovered that I could substitute items from the starter kit for ones of my own choice, and that there was absolutely no obligation to do anything after I had bought the starter kit!

The kit is £119 and for that you get £230 worth of goodies, once you are signed up you will get 30% of your first order and you get to keep 20% of every order that you place.

If you are interested then there are more details on my 'Join My Team' page, or just call me on 07877042498 or email me at niki.ridge.nr@googlemail.com.

Saturday 10 September 2011

Stampin' Up Last Chance Blog Hop

The lovely ladies at ILWS are having a blog hop to see off some of our retiring old favourites in style! We're not too sad because it means that our lovely new catalogue with all it's new gorgeous items will be live from 1st October.

I've chosen 2 of my absolute favourite sets that are retiring, Beware Pirates and Plane and Simple which was in our mini this year. Both cards are based around crumb cake and black card and use the linen twine for a highlight. The gorgeous papers on the plane card are also retiring - if you want to get your hands on either the stamp sets or the papers give me a shout on niki.ridge.nr@googlemail.com. They are around until stocks last or the end of this month depending which happens first, so if you want something don't delay! You can find the full list of retiring items here

Make sure you hop on over to Sarah-Jane's awesome blog to see what wonderful creations she's come up with - Happy Hopping!


Friday 2 September 2011

Last chance list and a chance to grab some bargains.


The new Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalogue will be with us soon and while that means that there will be lots of exciting new goodies on their way it also means we have to say goodbye to some things in the current Idea Book and Catalogue.

You can find the list of these last chance items here.
The things on this list are only available while stocks last so don't delay, check the list and then either phone me or email me with your orders.
I will be placing orders over the next couple of weeks - if you want to collect your orders from me there will be no post and packing charge.

How to Order
Email or phone through your order details.

Decide if you would like your order delivered direct to you (costs £4.95) or if you would like to collect it from me.

Once payment is received your order will be placed with Stampin' Up! Payment can be made by credit card, cheque, cash, bank transfer or even paypal.Then all you have to do is wait for your new goodies to get to you!

So Don't Wait - Email niki.ridge@ntlworld.com or call on 07877042498

An extra treat
If you would like to be among the 1st to receive the new Idea Book and Catalogue then I will be sending one free of charge to anyone who spends more than £30 in September.

Wednesday 13 July 2011

My first one page wonder

I've seen one page wonder mentioned a few times recently so thought I'd better check it out! What a fab idea - for those of you like me who had no idea it is so simple. You take 1 A4 sheet of card and stamp all over it. You then cut it into various shapes and use to make several co-ordinating cards. I used the lovely Greenhouse Garden stamp set and stamped it in Baja Breeze, Pretty in Pink and So Saffron. I've seen this used for Christmas cards so can't wait to have ago with Serene Snowflakes! I hope you like them too.

I really love the bottom one, i'll definitely use the technique on larger cards too - the window effect is really lovely.


Sunday 10 July 2011

Children's class- Teacher Gifts

I can't believe how quickly this school year has gone - there is no way I'll have a Year 4 and a Year 1 next year!

Anyway here is a sneaky peek at some of the projects I've got in store for the class on Saturday. Don't worry, there will be lots to choose form otherwise Mrs Smith will be having several of the same thing! If you want to come along let me know on 07877042498, or niki.ridge@ntlworld.com. It's Saturday at 3pm at my house and costs £10 for parent and child - additional children just £4.00.

I would like to enter these projects in the following challenges too:
Stamping for the Weekend - Wings and Things
The Poodles Parlour - Birds Eye View
The Fuzzy Wuzzy Challenges - Punches (the owl is a punch!)
Riley and Co - Dies and Punches
City Crafter -Birds of a feather
Scrapbook SIsters - Just for teacher

Friday 1 July 2011

My first blog hop!

The lovely ladies at In Love with Stamping have organised a blog hop to inspire us all. The hop is based around the colourways that can be found in the Stampin' Up Colour Coach. This is an ingenious tool that suggests colour combinations from the range of lovely colours available - especially useful for those of us who are sometimes lacking in inspiration for colour schemes!

I chose the bright fresh combination of So Saffron, Poppy Parade and Baja Breeze. I have a confession to make because I shamelessly CASEd this card from one that I made at a craft day with the talented duo of Natalie and Zoe and just changed the colours around.

I hope you like my creation - do hop along to Sarah-Jane's amazing blog and see what she's come up with.

Sunday 26 June 2011

Quick and simple - and male!

I don't know about you but I always struggle with cards for men so I was really pleased when the Stampin' Up mini catalogue had a fabulous set in it called 'Plane and Simple' containing some fabulous masculine images. This card was so simple to make using chocolate chip, soft suede and crumb cake card and soft suede ink. The images stamp beautifully and have a real vintage feel about them.

I'd like to enter this card in the following challenges:

Crafty Sentiments design - Monochromatic
Paper Creators Crafts - For the men

Sunday 19 June 2011

Parent and child

Last call for anyone who wants to come along to the exciting class this Saturday using the fabulous 'Make a Monster set' It's at my house at 3.30pm and costs just £10 for an accompanied child (over 5s please!). Just email me niki.ridge@ntlworld.com or call me on 07877042498 if you want to come along.

Wednesday 1 June 2011

Fabulous hostess promotion

Stampin' Up have just announced an amazing promotion for June and July. Everyone loves getting something for nothing and this promotion does exactly that. If you've already booked a workshop with me in June or July you're going to be very happy, if you haven't you're going to want to book now!

That's because during June and July you can earn and EXTRA £20 of hostess benefits of your choice when you host a workshop totalling £250 or more in product sales. Check out the rewards table below to see just how much FREE products you can earn:

How amazing is this? You still get your exclusive hostess gift as well as the extra catalogue spends.

Now of course if you are unable to hold a party at home you can order direct through me and still qualify for these benefits if you place an order of £250 or more during June and July. You don't have to spend it all yourself, you can show a catalogue to your friends and family and collect orders that way. Just ask me for a catalogue.

If you join in with one of my Stampers Clubs you could be a very lucky hostess and if sales hit the £250 mark you would benefit from the additional freebies too.
 
Don't forget if you've been thinking about becoming a demonstrator yourself, now is a fabulous time to sign up and join my team. Not only will you get the Starter Kit with over £230 of product for £119 but you get 30% off your first qualifying order and can earn loads of FREE product too.

Contact me today:
07877042498 or niki.ridge@ntlworld.com

And the winner is.......

Ziggy!

Thanks to everyone for entering my giveaway - I hope you enjoy the ribbons Ziggy. Could you contact me on niki.ridge@ntlworld.com with your address so that I can get your goodies in the post.

Blog Candy Alert - for ribbon lovers!

Calling all you ribbon lovers! I've got a huge supply of ribbons in a fabulous storage bag. There must be over 100 lengths in there as well as some reels of various ribbons. How do I get my hands on these goodies I hear you ask? Well, it's as easy as 1,2,3.
1) Just become a follower if you are not one already
2) Leave me a comment on this post
3) Tell everyone about this candy by posting on your blog.

See, I told you it was easy!

I'll keep this going until 1st June, so you've plenty of time to enter.
Good luck!

Sunday 22 May 2011

Clean and simple Elegant Bouquet

I just received the lovely Elegant Bouquet embossing folder and had to have a play. I remembered seeing some fabulous ideas on how to use this folder at Margaret's fabulous blog - so shamelessly CASEd one of her cards!

I used the gorgeous Stampin Up glossy card, and stamped the butterfly from the Punch Potpourri hostess stamp set in Old Olive. You can get your hands on this stamp set for absolutely nothing by hosting a Stampin'Up workshop - just contact me on niki.ridge.nr@googlemail.com if you are interested.
I'd like to enter this card in the following challenges:

Purple Frog - Mono
Alphabet Challenge - C for Clean and Simple
CCEE Stampers - May Flowers
Aud Sentiments - No Sentiment
The Shabby Tea ROom - Monochromatic
Incy Wincy - Clean and Simple

Friday 20 May 2011

Wedding Invitations

I was honoured to be asked to make the wedding invitations for my friend - so here they are. They were a bit fiddly I have to admit but I love the way they turned out. The Elegant Eggplant looks beautiful with the bright yellow sunflowers. All I need to do now is 100 orders of service!


Friday 13 May 2011

Stamp Class Next Tuesday.

There are just a few places on my card class next Tuesday. Full details of the projects we'll be making can be found on my Classes page. If you want to come along just give me a shout on 07877042498, or email me at niki.ridge.nr@googlemail.com. Hope to see you there.

Friday 6 May 2011

Launch of my virtual stampers clubs

I am delighted to announce the launch of my new Stampers Clubs. Now you can spread the cost of your Stampin' Up goodies, and also get the hostess benefits without even leaving your house! Full details on my Virtual Clubs page.

Tuesday 3 May 2011

Winners of my teeny giveway!

Congratulations to Addams and Flying Freisan who were picked by the very sophisticated method of me asking my hubby to pick 2 numbers! Could you both contact me to let me have your addresses - my email is niki.ridge@ntlworld.com.

Have a lot of ribbons to giveaway next so watch this space!

Monday 2 May 2011

Next class - Celebrations

Here is a sneak peek at the projects for the next class on Tuesday 17th May. Full details can be found on my Adult Classes page.





Wednesday 27 April 2011

A little giveaway

I'd hesitate to call this actual blog candy....but I've got 4 uninked little stamps from Craft Stamper magazines that need a new home. Just leave me a comment and become a follower if you're not one already and I'll pick a couple of winners on Monday evening. Thanks all.

My new shoes!

Nothing to do with crafting-just my new shoes!
Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

Sunday 24 April 2011

My dsp wreath - thanks Hayley!

I was recently lucky enough to visit the lovely Hayley Gs gorgeous craft room and she shared her DSP wreath with us and I thought it was gorgeous. While idly bloghopping yesterday I spotted a tutorial for it (unforgiveably I can't remember where) and so I had a go. I can't believe how quick it was, probably not much more than an hour and if I say so myself I think it looks great!
I used the retired Sweet Pea DSP from last year's mini, only got a couple of these gorgeous pages left now.
I got a couple of smaller rings from Hobbycraft so will try a couple of wee ones too. Hope you like!

I would like to enter this in the following challenges:
Wee Memories - Girls just wanna have fun (well I think it's girly!)
Shannon's Sentiments - anything but a card
Delicious doodles - anything goes
Ellephantastic - anything but a square or rectangle
Lexis Creations - anythings but a card
Make it Monday - anything goes

Tuesday 12 April 2011

Never Ending Card

I really love this cute wedding card I've made as a commission for someone at work. Even though I put it together myself I am in awe of how cleverly it works! I think I will make a few of these and leave the big panels blank so that I can personalise them later. Who knows,I may include one in a class one day! Sorry for the poor pics!

I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:
Claudia and Company Monochromatic
Lexi's Creations Monochromatic
Alphabet Challenge W for White with one colour
Charisma Cardz Weddings/Anniversaries
The Paper Shelter Anything Goes







Friday 1 April 2011

Easter/Spring Class


At last here are the projects for my very first class! It's a bit of a cross between a stamp a stack and a technique class, so you should get a chance to make a few of each of the card as well as the cute little birdhouse -all using fabulous Satmpin'Up products. I adore the little punch bunny - you won't believe how simple he is to make!
I've still got a couple of places left so please let me know if you're interested, the cost is £10 for 2ish hours.
I look forward to seeing you next Tuesday at 7.30!




Friday 25 February 2011

Hopeful thoughts

I really love this stamp set from Stampin Up  - I have always struggled with sympathy cards and there are some lovely sentiments with this set. Luckily I don't have a need for any sympathy cards at the moment so just made a couple of 'Thinking of You' cards that fit so many different occasions.

This one is made with Baja Breeze and Crumb Cake (again!) and the Elegant Soiree papers (again!) and stamped in Baja Breeze.  I've just thought that this tree would look beautiful embossed - must have a play!

This one is in Old Olive and gorgeous Poppy Parade, with papers from the awesome Designer Paper Stack in Brights! I used Old Olive and Poppy Parade markers to stamp with - now not sure whether to get more markers or stick with ink pads - decisions decisions!

Sunday 20 February 2011

A new toy and some playing!

After seeing a fantastic light tent on Lauras Blog I decided that of course I needed one, and I think it makes a huge difference to my photos - let me know what you think?

I've also been having a play with some of the gorgeous Sale a Bration stamps. Don't forget you can still get your hands on these lovely stamp sets with any order over £45.00.

The first card is using the beautiful bliss set, with Old Olive and Crumb Cake card and Old Olive ribbon and ink. I think I'll be doing a few more of these in different colourways as they are so quick!

This card was made using a stamp from the Punch Bunch set. The papers are from the gorgeous Elegant Soiree set, and the card is Baja Breeze and Crumb Cake - hope you like it.


Friday 18 February 2011

My First Workshop

Well, I did it - my first SU workshop. Thank you so much Debbie for hosting for me and for having an amazing 8 ladies join us. We all had great fun with the Make and Take and unbelievably I managed to remember to bring everything I needed - apart from my camera to take a picture of the mayhem!

I'm sure you will all be thrilled when your lovely stash arrives next week!

Wednesday 2 February 2011

My first project as a demo!

I thought I'd have a play with a little card box, as inspired by Sarah and Claire. I thought I might demo it as a hostess gift in my first workshop!

I used my absolute favourite colour in the world - Elegant Eggplant as the base and co ordinated with More Mustard  and then used the matching papers from the Regals Paper Stack. The gorgeous ribbon is Daffodil Delight - I really must focus on increasing my ribbon supplies! The stamp is So Many Thanks, I use this so much now and think it is a real must have.

I used some flowers from the retired Pretties kit and dies one with an ink pad. I filled the little box with some of the flowers too!

Hope you like it!