Merry Christmas everyone

This will be my last post before Christmas, so I thought I'd wish you all a very Merry Christmas and leave you with one of my favourite Christmas cards this year, using the gorgeous Evergreen stamp set.

Have a wonderful Christmas everyone!

It's here! The Stampin' Up trimmer

I don't know about you, but I seem to have been on a quest for years for the perfect trimmer, and have lost count of the number that I have had! At last Stampin' Up! have brought out their own trimmer, and it was with great excitement, and some nervousness that I opened mine last week. Well, the verdict was quickly in - and I love it! It feels so well built and has got some fab little features.

Features of the All-New Stampin’ Trimmer

• An extra-wide 15.9 cm cutting base and an extended 39 cm ruler
  • The extra-wide cutting base provides a large work area and is marked in 4 mm increments, allowing for small measurements.
  • The right-side grid helps you measure and cut very thin strips.
  • The extended cutting arm has a stabilizing leg to provide a sturdy and steady cutting surface for longer cuts.
  • When fully extended, the extended cutting arm sits flush with the trimmer base, providing more accurate and consistent measurements across the entire surface.
  • All rulers and measurements on the base are printed under a plastic cover so your measurements won’t wear off.
  • The base has non-skid feet, which keeps the Stampin’ Trimmer securely in place on your work area.
• A full 30.5 cm cutting and scoring track
  • The extra-long cutting track has space at the top and bottom so you don’t have to take the cutting and scoring blades out when you’re not using them.
  • The track gives you enough space to cut or score a full 30.5 cm without having to remove or switch out handles.
  • The cutting track locks in place for secure storage or transport.
  • The track includes an insertion point for cutting and scoring blade handles so you can easily insert handles into the cutting track.
• Specially designed handles and cutting track to ensure straight cuts
  • The hook on the scoring and cutting blade handles keeps the handles stable so the cuts are as straight as possible.
  • Handles come in two colours: dark for cutting, light for scoring.
  • The precision tip on the cutting blade allows you to pinpoint precisely where you’re cutting.
  • The point on the side of each handle shows you where the blade will cut, making it easy to see exactly where your cuts and scores will begin.
• Storage compartment under base
  • The storage compartment holds scoring and cutting tools such as a Bone Folder, Simply Scored Stylus, extra scoring and cutting blades and even business cards.
  • Separate compartments within the storage compartment keep your tools organized, and the clear cover makes it easy to see what you’ve stored.

If you would like one of these beauties just let me know - it's just £25.95!

Another note card set

Here are some co-ordinating cards made using the Happy You stamp set. This is a fab set which has 8 darling little images for all occasions. They also have a sentiment on each image but it's one of the current hostess sets, so you can only get your hands on it by having a party, or joining my stash club - hint hint!

 I think I may offer these as a class, but will use the In Colors - I adore the In Color ribbon this time so any excuse to use it is pounced upon!

New demonstrator offer!




Fantastic offer for anyone signing up as a demo in November!

As a Stampin' Up! demonstrator you'll enjoy exclusive benefits such as:

• A 20 percent product discount!
• A free subscription to Stampin’ Up!’s demonstrator magazine!
• Access to a thriving online community of stampers and
paper crafters from around the world!
• An open invitation to fabulous Stampin’ Up! events!

And what's more during November you can get a pack of FREE Designer Series Paper for SIX months when you become a Stampin' Up! demonstrator. 

Signing up is really easy now - you can  apply online here, or just give me a call on 07877042498.

Christmas Gift Box

I found this marvellous tutorial for a Christmas gift box, so thought I'd have a go! I used some retired papers - I couldn't resist the glitter, along with some of gorgeous gumball green ribbon! The sentiment is from the Perfect Punches set, I just adore this Christmas one.This should be quite simple to change to make different sized boxes - I just have to get round to it!

In Color Note Cards

I had great fun playing with the new In Colors and the gorgeous new elegant butterfly punch to make these really simple note cards. Our notecards and envelopes are lovely quality and only £5.50 for a pack of 20, so great value too.

For the swirly circle background I used the fabby Confettit kit, that has 6 dear little background stamps for just £11.95. I also used this on the envelopes for a bit more colour, and Teeny Tine wishes for the sentiments.

Simple but gorgeous (even if I say so myself!)

I saw this card somewhere out there in blogland, but didn't make a note of where so I'm really sorry that I can't credit the creator. This uses my two current favourite items which are the glimmer paper and snow flurry die (as well as the beautiful flocked acetate from the Candlelight Christmas designer papers).

I shall certainly be making for of these for my extra special friends this year!

It's Patio Party birthday time!

As soon as I saw the gorgeous Patio Party papers I knew I had to have a play with them - they co-ordinate perfectly with the Make a Cake stamp set too! Here are a couple of cards - there will be a class on these very soon.

Gorgeous butterflies

Here are a couple of really quick cards using some of the new embossing folders and the beautiful new butterfly punch. There is a fabby new argyle style folder, as well as a fancy fan. The pinky backed card uses all of the lush new In Colors too. I will definitely be doing a Stamp a Stack based around these lovely butterflies, so watch this space!

A Christmas Wreath - Stampin' Up style

I've been making some lovely 3d stars from the Festival prints stack, and wandered upon an example of a Christmas wreath on Pinterest so thought I'd have a go.

I used a twiggy circle from Hobbycraft and just stuck the decorated stars to it. I used some glimmer brads, buttons and also some of the lovely clear faceted buttons from the new catalogue. The bow is the tulle from the Autumn/Winter catalogue, and of course I had to use my snow flurry die again for the glimmery snowflakes! The stars are so simple to make - Jamie now has the knack and is more than happy to do the scoring for me.

Free Ink Pads offer!

There is so much happening right now at Stampin’Up! We have some GREAT offers on this month and hostesses with workshops totalling £325 can earn 10 FREE ink pads. And it got me thinking why don’t I offer you the chance to win 10 of these FREE ink pads without spending £325 yourself? It will be like having a party but without you having to invite anyone although the quicker we find 7 members the quicker we can place the order so please share this with all your friends.

Here’s how it works
I need 7 people to each place an order of £50 plus £3.50 postage.
Everyone taking part is guaranteed to win a prize as follows
There are 5 Prizes worth £10 each for FREE merchandise to spend as you wish in any of the current catalogues including hostess only stamp sets.
One prize that will allow the winner to purchase an item at a 50% discount ( you could get a big alphabet set of dies or indeed the Big Shot die cutting machine for half price).
And one winner gets  to choose an entire collection of 10 Ink Pads, big and juicy ink pads :).
It’s a WIN WIN for everyone participating, what do you think? all you have to do to take part is email me your order by the end of next week and then I can let you know what prize you've won and you can choose how to spend your prize!.  Email me your choice at niki.ridge.nr@googlemail.com. You can even use your monthly club order for this too!. Look forward to hearing from you and good luck :)

Holidays are coming!

You know Christmas is coming when the Coca Cola truck is seen for the first time!

I had a fabulous day on Friday working on some samples for upcoming classes, and of course they include some Christmas items! My absolute favourite item from the Autumn/Winter catalogue is the lovely Snow Flurry die, which I've teamed here with the Northern Flurry embossing folder from the main catalogue for some really simple but very special Christmas cards.

You also can't miss the beautiful champagne and silver glimmer paper - this is so incredibly glittery, but no mess!

Don't gorget, you can order any of these items from me, so just shout on niki.ridge.nr@googlemail.com if you want anything.

Teacher pressies!

I had a little play with some of my retired papers and made up these cute calendar and magnetic bookmark sets. I cased the idea for the bookmarks from the amazingly talented Kerry - please pop over to her website to see her lovely creations. I used the Mixed Bunch stamp set along with the matching blossom punch to make the flowers.

I used some sticky magnetic paper I'd been storing some tiny dies on and just snipped it up to make the closures! I'll be making some of these at my teacher gifts class in December - please shout if you'd like to bring a small person along to make some!

Stampin' Up! November offer

Everyone's been going mad for the Ornament Keepsakes bundle that is used to make the amazin ornament on the front of the Autumn/WInter catalogue, and now it gets even better!

If you purchase the Ornament Keepsakes and the Candlelight Christmas papers together you will get the matching Paper Piercing set absolutley FREE! Full details below!

If you'd like to place an order for these just let me know on niki.ridge.nr@googlemail.com.

I had a play this weekend and made my own version of the ornament - what do you think? My tulle needs sorting out I think!

Summer Mini Launch Party

Just a quick post to announce my Summer Mini Launch Party. It's on 24th May at 7.30pm at my home, and I'll be showing off some of the new products from the new mini. There will be goodie bags for everyone who comes along, and if orders on the night reach £150 one lucky attendee will be given the hostess benefits! Let me know at niki.ridge.nr@googlemail.com or 07877042498 if you want to come along.

Wow - what an exciting Stampin' Up! day!

Those of us who are lucky enough to have known for a while that there was a new Summer Mini Catalogue coming up - but we didn't know there was going to be a new LOWER PRICED starter kit coming along too!!

With the new, flexible Starter Kit, you can customise the kit - your way!. Each kit contains a business supplies pack (valued at £45 )—things that every demonstrator needs to start her business. After that, you can choose up to £130 worth of product from the catalogue - and just pay £99 and no postage!!!! 

I've got loads more information, and suggested ways to put together a kit so just shout on 07877042498 or niki.ridge.nr@googlemail.com if you are interested.

Now, back to the Summer Mini. You can see the catalogue on my right hand side bar, if you'd prefer a paper copy just contact me and I'll send you one. On top of all the gorgeous stamps and ribbon there is one of my most favourite products - the Simply Scored Scoring Tool, and I'll be posting some exciting projects using this over the next few days. It also comes with a diagonal plate which is amazing for making envelopes - can't wait to get my hands on one, but not even demos were allowed to order till today!

 

Facebook Page

I've also got a facebook page for my Stampin' Up! business - it's at https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Stampin-Up-with-Niki/111067158933772

I'll try and post most important news both on here and there (and believe me there is lots of important news coming...) and it would be great if you could pop on over and 'like' my page too!

Thanks

My first official training!

I've got my first official Stampin' Up! training day on Saturday - can't wait to meet everyone in Reading! We have to make our own name badges so here's mine. It's using a new product that I am so excited that we are getting in the Summer mini! I expect it will end up as IKI or NIK or N KI by the end of the day but never mind!

I've used the Sale-a-bration papers - I know we can't get them anymore but I loved these so much I got a few packs!

New class - and I've actually made something!

I thought it was about time I actually made something instead of reading about crafting and buying stash to craft with!

I've had the Button Buddies set for a while and wanted to come up with some little note cards. I used the scallop square die to make the card blanks and then just had a play! I'm going to run a class to make this little set of cards on 30th April, and we'll probably be able to make a couple of sets of them. I also used the Teeny Wishes sentiments set which fit perfectly on these 12cm square cards. I love the little snow man, and in my Summer mini pre-order will be getting hold of something stripy that will make a fabulous scarf!

I'm going to do something a bit different for this class, and am offering the class as normal for £10, or with a clear mount stamp set included and half a packet of buttons for just £25. That way you get the class for free! Please let me know by Wednesday18th if you'd like to come along.

Here are the cute little cards

As always, give me a shout on 0787704298 or niki.ridge.nr@googlemail.com if you'd like to come along.

Free designer papers

Sale-a-bration may be over for another year, but those lovely people at Stampin' Up! HQ have given us a another freebie for April. For all orders over £45 you can choose 1 set of designer papers - absolutely free! Here are the available sets

Berry Blossom (from Spring Mini)

Nursery Nest

Pocket Full of Posies (Spring Mini)

Beyond The Garden

If you'd like to get your hands on some of these free papers, just contact me to place your order on niki.ridge.nr@googlemail.com.

Just to let you know - this isn't like Sale-a-bration where you got 2 freebies for £90 etc, so it's just one free set for any order over £45.

Stampin' Up! Scallop Dots Ribbon Share

Jusr found a few minutes to pop on to let you know about a new ribbon share. I've got 9 lovely colours of the scallop dots ribbon, and you can have a metre of each for just £8 including postage! I've got all the colours below except the black one. Please email on niki.ridge.nr@googlemail.com if you'd like some. I'll be throwing in some extra stripy grosgrain too!

My first wedding fair

Well, today I dipped my toe into the world of weddings! I took my invitation designs along to a wedding fair mainly to see what people thought of them - luckily they seemed to like them.! Here's a pic of my table at the fair. Spot the Stampin' Up colour coach at the front - it came in very handy during the day and looked extremely professional!

Stampin' Up! beveled window panes.

I've only just ordered these lovely little embellishments and wish I'd done it ages ago! They can make such a big impact on a card. I've used the gorgeous Sale-A-Bration papers 'Everyday Enchantment' (can be yours free with any order over £45!). I haven't wanted to cut them so far, but I think that this card is special enough to warrant it!

I also used some of the divine crochet trim, I think the whole thing has quite a nice vintage feel to it - what do you think?

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

DYSU - Things with wings
MSE - Spring
Crafters Companion - Spring
Cupcake Craftroom - Spring Bouquet
Sparkles - Things with Wings

Stampin' Up! Sale-a-Bration is here!

My first Sale-a-Bration as a demonstrator is here!

For those of you who don't know, from today until 31st March, for every £45 you spend you can receive one of the following gorgeous stamp sets or paper stacks absolutely free! Also, if you have a workshop that totals £300 or more, you also get a free set! I signed up as a demonstrator during Sale-a-Bration last year because you get to choose any stamp set from the catalogue too (can be up to £45 value!)

Here are the lovely stamp sets and papers that you can get your hands on for free!

This one is my absolute favourite - Sprinkled Expressions. The images look absolutely amazing in glitter!

This set is Elementary Elegance.  A beautiful set which co-ordinates with many other SU! sets, most notably Artistic Etchings.  Note that the inside of the main frame is tailor made for the Curly Label Punch (119851).

 This set is called Outlined Occasions and is perfect for any celebration you can think of.  It looks fab coloured in with blender pens where you can shade the lettering!

This one is called Fresh Vintage! You will notice that the square stamp has an outline - in the new mini catalogue there is a postage stamp punch to match!

There are even designer papers this year - these are called Everyday Enchantment and are just beautiful. The keen eyed amongst you will have noticed that they actually match the Fresh Vintage stamp set, so if you can stretch to £90 in sales they can both be yours!

Just contact me on 07877042498, or niki.ridge.nr@gmail.com if you would like to place an order or book a party.

Sail Away!

I always struggle with male cards, so when I saw that the girls at MSE had a challenge for a male card I thought I'd join in. I was so pleased when I remembered this great a la carte stamp from Stampin' Up- it's called Sail Away and perfect for the tricky male cards (and only costs £8.95!). I've used some retired designer paper on here - and one of my favourite Stampin' Up! products - linen thread!

Last chance for card class next week

I've got a couple of spaces left for my card class on Monday. Let me know if you'd like to book a space! Hop on to the 'Adult Classes' tab if you'd like to see what we'll be making.

One card - two different looks

I've really enjoyed playing with the Perfect Postage stamp set and matching punch from the Spring Mini catalogue - here are a couple of my creations!