The Stampin' Grove

I am an Independant Stampin' Up! demonstrator based in Oxfordshire. I'm available for all your Stampin' Up! needs anywhere in the UK.

Promotion - Christmas Extravaganza Special Offer with FREE Tag Punch ! - read all about it here.

If you would like to order Stampin' Up products - please read here.

If you would like to host a party/workshop,please read here.

If you would like to know more about becoming a demonstrator,please read here.

You can email me if you need to know anything at all about Stampin' Up!

12 Blogs of Christmas Blog Cruise

Hello to you ! Today we are going on a very special journey. I hope you'll join me as we travel on the 12 Days of Christmas Blog Cruise. A bunch of very crafty girls, who are regulars at ILWS, decided to get together and create Christmas projects. A big thank you to Carolynne who undertook the task of organising the rabble !

We want to share our projects with each other, and with YOU, in the form of a blog hop. At the end of my post, you will see the link to the next blog on the Cruise. Hope you will follow on. (The link before me is Sandra at Cards Tags & Boxes). 

We had so many people interested in taking part that we had to organise 2...yes, two blog Cruises. After you've finished on this particular cruise, you can set sail with the other one - link here to start you off. But don't forget to complete this one first.

There are a LOT of photos below - hope they all load !

My first project is a little concertina mini-book. I thought a mini-book would be a good way of showing off some of the lovely Stampin' Up! stamp sets that could be used for Christmas. The front is 4" square - the length of the whole concertina is 28".

I embellished the front and the back of the concertina.

The mini-book is a mix and match of various Stampin' Up! stamp sets.

My second project is just a simple little card using the "A Holly Jolly Christmas" stamp set.

I decided on a Stepper card as I think it shows off this stamp set very well.

Thanks very much for joining us on the 12 Blogs of Christmas Blog Cruise.

The next blog on the cruise is Claire at Early Bird Stamps. She is waiting for your visit ! Please go and see what she's been up to.

Stamp sets used - A Holly Jolly Christmas, Autumn Days, Darling Dots (Hostess set) Fun & Fast Notes, Funky Forrest Wheel, Touch of Nature, Tree Trimmings, Trendy Trees, Wow Flowers

Stampin' Up! Flight of the Butterfly

I love butterflies (who doesn't ?). And when I saw this set of stamps in the Stampin' Up! 2009/2010 catalogue, I had to order it immediately. If you want to see the set for yourself, have a look here (turn to page 43)in the catalogue.

Such a sweet set. Of course, I had to get the butterfly punch that goes with it. I spent a couple of hours playing with it today, and decided to make a Shutter card. This is the view looking down on the card. I do love this design of card. It looks difficult, but it is so easy to do. 

It's not a card I made for anyone in particular, and, I must admit, I got a bit carried away. But it was so calming to sit quietly (while the little un was having her nap), and play with butterflies.

And having the punch made it so easy.

It's Friday - the start of my weekend ! I think I say that every Friday. Love the weekends - and I don't have to go shopping tomorrow...hooray ! I placed an order online so it will be delivered.

I want to tell you about a special Christmas Themed Blog Cruise that will be taking place tomorrow - starting at 10am UK time. A group of very crafty girls from ILWS have organised a little Blog Hop called the 12 Blogs of Christmas. If you pop by tomorrow, you can come along on the Cruise ! It should be great fun, and also very inspiring to see what everyone has created. Exciting. Hope you'll join us. Thanks for visiting.

Stampin' Up! Wow Flowers & A FREE Tag Punch

Just a little card tonight. I didn't have a lot of spare time today. I have been crafting though. I'm working on a couple of special projects for a blog hop this weekend. It's going to be great fun, and I'll give you the details later in the week.

I've had a busy day (when don't I have a busy day ?) We have howling winds here tonight, and they are supposed to get worse ! Real gales blowing out there. Unpleasant.

The little card I made uses the Wow Flowers set. This set of stamps is in the main Stampin' Up! 2009/2010 catalogue, but it is also one of the sets in the Christmas Extravaganza Promotion. The promotion is a really good deal. Click on the brochure below for details. For every £45 worth of goodies ordered from the brochure, you get a FREE Tag punch worth £12.50 ! You can email me for more info.

That's it for tonight. My fingers are typing in slow motion lol ! I'm off to find something to watch on the telly - something that doesn't require too much concentration. Thanks for visiting.

Stampin' Up! Trendy Trees

Stampin' Up! Trendy Trees! Oooo - I love this little set. Just love it. Its part of the order I had delivered yesterday. Did I mention that I got an order yesterday ? So exciting. In a couple of years I'll be 60 years old, and I'm like a kid with a new toy when I get new stash. I guess there's no age limit for excitement and enthusiasm among crafters. Does everyone feel this way ? I think we do. I'll show you the card I made in a minute.

its getting colder here in Oxfordshire. I had to wear a scarf and gloves when I was out today. Brrr ! Winter is definitely here. Today I was in a bit of a panic over everything I need to do before I go for my op. I will need to take it very easy afterwards, so all my Christmas prep needs to be done asap. I think I just need to take a few deep breaths, calm down, and make a comprehensive list. Then just tick it off as I get things done. That will really help !

On to today's Trendy Trees card. I think I am in a red and white mood. I made a few cards today - and they are all red and white lol ! (Maybe a psychiatrist could read something into that). I decided to use Trendy Trees, but I got quite a few new sets from the 2009/2010 Stampin' Up! catalogue, so I'll be sharing them with you as soon as I can.

I didn't have too much time to craft, so a simple card was called for. I started off wanting to make a Thank You card, but it turned into a Christmas Card lol ! Gosh, I love this stamp set. So very useful. I have seen some really great samples made by fellow SU demonstrators. I can see I'll be using it over and over.

And what do you think of this little stamp for the back of your Stampin' Up! cards ? I just had to order it. If you are selling your cards made with Stampin' Up! stamps, this little stamp makes your cards compliant with Stampin' Up!'s Angel Policy. Isn't it cute ? Very tiny too - not intrusive at all.

I'm off to read my favourite Forum - ILWS - and see what the girls are up to. Thanks for visiting  - and Hi to Laurie in Canada. Nice to hear from you !

Nothing Crafty Tonight

I've had a busy day today. Mondays always are. Then this afternoon I had to see the surgeon about my gall bladder. I'm to have it removed - I'm on the list. And the waiting time is from 4-6 weeks. So where does that take us to ? Just before Christmas ! Great timing eh ? I will have to get a move on with all my Christmas plans, and make sure they are all completed within the next 4 weeks. Can I panic now please ?

I have been busy crafting this evening, but have nothing to show as its too late to take photos. I ordered some lovely Stampin' Up!goodies for myself, and they arrived today. It's such fun unpacking the box and oohing and aahing over new stash. Don't you agree ? I got some new punches, lots of cardstock, and a few new stamp sets. So I have lots to play with, and share with you over the next few days.

Stampin' Up Animal Stories

Yes..its the Stampin' Up! Animal Stories set again. While I had it out I thought I'd make another card with it. It is such a cute set. I have an idea for another one too, which I'll get started on when I've posted this. But I won't be able to take any photos of it today. I've already put the lights on and its only just after 3 !

What a day we're having ! Its lashing down - and the wind. Terrible. Mum & I had to go out to do the shopping and we were nearly blown away. We have just finished packing everything away and are sitting down with a cuppa. 

On to the card. I made a square card, 5.5" x 5.5" for a change. I do like the square format, but I am a bit mean with my cardstock lol - so my everyday cards are usually A6. Of course, if I make a card for someone really special I like to make a big card - A5 or larger.

I used a stamp from the Good Friend set on the background. It may be a bit too bold - not too sure about it. The rest of the card is fairly self-explanatory.

Off to carry on crafting before I start cooking in a hour or two. Thanks for visiting.

Materials Used

Cardstock - Whisper White #109899, Brilliant Blue #109979, Ballet Blue #109996

Stamps - Animal Stories #116716, Good Friend #113740, Curvy Verses #104879,

Stampin' Pads - Brilliant Blue #109903, Brocade Blue #110062

Patterns DSP #113648

Punches - Scallop Edge #113654, 1 3/8" Circle #110105, 1 1/4" Circle #110104, 1" Circle #110106

Blue Button, Stampin' Dimensionals #109923, Snail Adhesive #104332, Paper-Piercing Tool #116631

Brown Owl with Stampin' Up!

How cute is that little owl ? Yes...its from a Stampin' Up! set - Animal Stories. I'll tell you all about it in a minute.

Weekend ! Hooray ! I love Friday nights. I think I've mentioned that before. Friday is my favourite night of the week. I feel as though I can really relax and start the weekend. Its raining - has been all day. And I had to go out in it this afternoon...walking...pushing a two year old in her buggy with one hand...and holding an umbrella with the other. I got wet ! Very wet. There is more rain to come over the weekend. Oh well...perfect excuse to get out the Stampin' Up! stash and play. Which I plan to do tomorrow. In fact, I feel like doing some scrapbooking. I haven't done any in a while.

Now on to the card. One of my neighbours has a daughter who is a Brownie (the younger version of a Girl Scout for my American readers). She wanted a card to give to the Brown Owl (the adult leader of the group). As soon as she mentioned it, I knew exactly which stamp to use. Its the little owl from the Animal Stories set. I love this little stamp. In fact the whole set is so cute. Great for kids & baby cards. And Brown Owls too !

I'm busy with another card from this set - using the giraffe. I'll show it when its finished.

Right...off to make a lovely cuppa. Then I will snuggle up next to hubby (with my laptop - lol) and browse my fellow demonstrators sites. They are always good for inspiration.

Have a great evening wherever you are.

Materials Used

Cardstock - Very Vanilla #109898, Chocolate Chip #109982

Stamps - Animal Stories #116716

Stampin' Pads - Chocolate Chip #110065

Punches - Scallop Edge #113654, 1 1/4" Circle #110104, 1 3/8" Circle #110105

Accessories - Paper Piercing Tool #116631, Stampin' Dimensionals # 109923, Snail Adhesive # 104332, So Saffron Ribbon

Vintage Christmas

My ideal Christmas would definitely be a vintage Christmas. I really love old fashioned Christmas decorations and decor(I can hear my children saying yuck!). I love all the old pictures of Victorian families celebrating Christmas. You know...the Dickensian images of Christmas carollers, huge trees, lots of snow, a roaring fire and turkey on the table etc. etc. I think I must be stuck in a time warp lol. My decorations for the last few years have consisted of a small tree (artificial - haven't even got the scent of real pine), a dressed mantelpiece (lots of old fashioned figures), and a few garlands around the fireplace ! Mind you, having a small cottage doesn't help.

But...this year, I'm planning on changing all that. I want a really old-fashioned feel to the decorations, and started planning this months ago. I've been buying up vintage decorations in the charity shops and wherever I see them. I've got quite a collection. I'm really looking forward to decorating this year, and I'll make sure to take plenty of photos for the blog.

I think I was feeling very vintagey (is that a word ?) when I made this card earlier. The base card is Kraft. I stamped it with clear Versamark, and embossed it with clear embossing powder. I had fun creating and colouring the main image. Not everyone's cup of tea - but definitely mine.

Thanks for looking. Don't forget to leave a comment - it feels great when someone takes the time to say hello !

 Materials Used

Cardstock - Kraft #117360, Basic Black #110031, Whisper White #109899

Stamps - Touch of Nature #106322, Autumn Days #115452,

Stampin' Pads - Glorious Green #109929, Chocoalte Chip #110065, Versamark clear #109956

Punches - Large Oval #115156, Scallop Oval #115429,

Stamp-a-ma-jig #101049

Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder #109928, Vintage Brads #109891, SU Markers,

Stampin' Dimensionals #109923, 2-way Glue Pen #100425

Another Christmas Card

You would think I could come up with a more exciting title than that ! But, believe me, by this time of the evening, I am almost brain dead. All I'm good for is sitting in front of the telly or computer and vegging. I always mean to do some crafting at night as I have the time, but it never seems to happen. We had a busy day today - got plenty done around the house. Nothing interesting though - just the usual stuff...cooking, cleaning etc. My garden needs a good going over, but it's been so damp and cold this week that I haven't done anything at all out there.

I made another Christmas card today. If I keep going on like this, my cards will all be different designs lol. I enjoyed making this one. I'm not a monochromatic type of person. I usually love plenty of colour. But this card made itself, and...it made itself in red and white. I rather like it. It was so simple and quick. On the background I used the So Swirly wheel (love that swirl), and also the Polka Dot background stamp. The baubles are from theTree Trimmings stamp set.

Thanks for visiting.

Materials Used

Cardstock - Whisper White #109899

Stamps - So Swirly Jumbo Wheel #109683, Polka Dot #109276, Tree Trimmings #116722

Stampin Pads - Real Red #109924

Stampin' Dimensionals #109923, Snail Adhesive #104332, Ribbon from my stash

2 Days Left ! Time's nearly Up for the New Demonstrator Promotion !

Just wanted to remind all those thinking of becoming a Stampin' Up demonstrator, that the special promotion has nearly expired. You have until 13th November to take the plunge.

There has never been a better time than right now ! Stampin' Up! is gathering momentum here in the UK, and we are always needing new demonstrators.  You can become one of my team and enjoy all the benefits that being a demonstrator brings. Plus, you'll be joining a lovely Stampin' Up family of crafters. Email me today for details or read all about it on thePromotions Page !

I'm on the Internet early today. My youngest granddaughter is fast asleep on the sofa, so I thought I'd sneak in an hour on the computer and post a card I made last night. I used the Rustic Rooster stamp set , but used the pheasant from Autumn Days. Gosh, I love this set - makes me go all warm & fuzzy. It's such a good set for this time of year. I'm working on (yet another) a design for a Christmas card using it.

Back later to add the recipe when I have more time.