Stampin' n Slimmin'

New Year - Fresh Start After a tough year last year I'm expecting another tough one.  In November I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia.  This wasn't unexpected, I thought I'd be okay with it, but I'm finding it difficult to adjust.  I also have another neurology appointment later this month, as there is a suspected neurological problem too.  I have had health issues on and off since uni, nearly 20 years now!  In some ways I am lucky as I am not as bad as some with the condition, but everyday life is very difficult at the moment.  My family are also finding it hard to deal with.  Anyway, after no more than 2 1/2 hours of sleep due to pain, unusually I am feeling quite positive today.  So, enough of the moaning and let's get on with the blog! Let's start with the Stampin' side of the blog: I've been a Stampin' Up! demo for almost a year now, but stayed as a hobby demo rather than a business one.  One of my resolutions for the year is to s...

Jem's January Blog Hop - New Catalogue! (Spring/Summer) Happy New Year everyone.  Hope you all had a great Christmas. You should be joining me from Sarah's blog.  If you missed it or are hopping backwards, use the following link: https://theragbagbadger.blogspot.co.uk/... I've made a few resolutions this year, one of which is Stampin' Up! related. I'm planning to Blog more and try to evolve from a Hobby demo to running a small business. I only pre-ordered one bundle from the Spring/Summer catalogue, but I love it's versatility.  I ordered the Sure Do Love You stamp set and Lots to Love framelits.  I decided to go with the obvious Valentine's creations, although I stayed away from cards. I made the box first using the box die and 'Powder Pink' cardstock, I then cut out an aperture using the heart die.  Next I stamped the 'Sure Do Love You' using 'Berry Burst' ink and die cut that, attaching it to th...

December Blog Hop - Christmas Decorations Hi everyone!  Hope you are more organised than me.  As usual, still loads of cards to make!  You should be joining me from Uma's blog, if you missed it or are hopping backwards use the following link  https://asenseofuma.blogspot.com/2017/12/christmas-decorations.html I decided to make a card holder,I made it by CASEing Hayley Shaher's wooden plaques.  I have been wanting to make a card holder like this for ages and this seemed like the perfect excuse (I hope it counts as a decoration, though!!).  I bought the wooden plaque from Hobbycraft, then sponged with white acrylic paint.  Once dry I used the Carols of Christmas suite to finish. I stamped the 'Deck the Halls' sentiment and baubles using Smoky Slate.  I decided to add some glitter by die-cutting the baubles from glitter card and using dimensionals to stick them on. I decided something was missing, but ...

Welcome to September's Blog Hop.  This month's theme is 'Autumn Colours' You should be joining me from Sarah's blog.  if you missed it, here's the link:  http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/hom...              I had lots of fun with this month's theme, even though as usual, I left it to the last minute!  Not as last minute as it now feels, as I have just spent an hour and a hour half writing this blog, pressed save, and it didn't save, therefore I had to do it all again, sooooo frustrating!!! For my 'Autumn Colours' I chose to use the following colours: Fresh Fig, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie and the retired Delightful Dijon and Watermelon Wonder.  I think I used all of these in all my cards this month. My first card was created using the Aqua painter's and the 'Beautiful You' stamp set.  I watercoloured the background, stamped, then used adhesive gems (non SU), and backed with Water...

Jem's August Blog Hop! Fingers crossed this works.  You should be joining me from  Amanda Bates blog.  In case you missed it use this link: https://thecraftspa.blogspot.com/2017/08/05-anything-but-card-for-august-jems-blog-hop.html The theme this month is 'Anything But A Card' This is my first blog as well as my first blog hop, so forgive me if it doesn't go to plan.  I'm hoping I can set this up and then edit tomorrow, as I have not yet completed my projects.  If not, then please view the previous post, but use the links from this one.  I will make sure it is scheduled slightly earlier than this one. The first project I am completing is a scrapbook page in a box frame, a present for our new great nephew.  I also decided to make a matching one for his older sister too. For the boy's frame I have used the Stampin' Up! 'A Little Wild' stamp set and matching thinlits.  I have used Dapper Denim, Marina Mist a...