Happy Birthday Justin !

Today is Justin's Birthday and I wanted to make him a card as special and unique as he is !

One of his great passions is gaming, XBox, PS4, PS3 you name it he does it but it gives a girl lots of crafting time ;)

I found a really cool cut file for my Silhouette cutting machine of a game controller and knew it would be just perfect for big boys and little boys that love to game.

Teamed with my Stampin' Up! supplies it turned out really cool and he was thrilled with it ...

I've used my new 'go to' set of Starburst Sayings stamps and the matching Starburst Framelits, don't they look fab layered up here and the largest one has been embossed with the Chevron Embossing Folder. The patterned papers are from the Modern Medley Designer Series Paper pack and they are so versatile!

My colour palette for this card is Raspberry Ripple, Black and Sahara Sand and I couldn't resist a little Silver Glimmer Paper , I don't know what I would do if that paper is ever retired maybe I ought to start stockpiling ! Once again I made a matching envelope with my Envelope Punch Board again what would I do without it ????

A little decoration on the inside as a finishing touch and I'm very happy with how it turned out.

I made a little 'coupon' book for him too which I'll share tomorrow.

PS - Don't forget last day for Sale A Bration orders to qualify for a freebie is Monday 31st March so let me know as I'll be placing a final order in the next couple of days :)

Nicola xx

Another 'Cardalope' ...

Hi everyone , hope the weekend is going just how you like it, I've had a busy but nice day making cards mostly a keepsake Mothers Day card and starting on a commissioned 50th birthday card too, I'll share pics of those when I can ;)

It was a busy morning too as Virgin Media came to jazz up our telly , we've not had 'proper' telly for a few months now and it's strange to have adverts and the same old repeats again ! We've been very selective with our viewing and I must say that in itself gives much more quality crafting time! The changes mean my email address has changed too so if you need me you can get me at ..

nicolakerridge@virginmedia.com

One of my recent 'makes' is another 'cardalope', not sure where that name came from , did I hear it somewhere else or did I invent it LOL ??

I love making these and they are great as Thank You notes, this one uses the Sweet Sorbet paper from the Sale A Bration freebies and I can't believe we have a just over a week till SAB is all over for another year ! Let me know if you want to place a cheeky order while you can still grab your freebie !

Hope you enjoyed a peek at today's craftiness, I have lots more to share this week. 

Nicola xx

You're Lovely !

That's the gorgeous stamp set that I made this card with , 'You're Lovely' its a Sale A Bration freebie and includes this pretty stamp that you can colour in to match your card perfectly...

I used Pool Party , Sahara Sand and Whisper White as my colour palette which matches this gorgeous paper from the Sweet Sorbet pack.

The Deco Label Framelits look fab layered up and a little bit of texture with the Decorative Dots embossing folder finishes it off nicely.

This was a perfect thank you to a dear friend for all her support and love , I'd be lost without her :)

Hope you all have a lovely weekend.

Nicola xx

There's no place like home ..

Well that's certainly true when you can share your home with good friends and even better when there's a Stampin' Up! Workshop at home too !!!

On Saturday I held a small Workshop at home, it was exciting getting everything ready for the project that we were making and preparing for a spot of tea and cake too!

I laid all the kits out and generally got more and more excited in anticipation of an enjoyable afternoon chatting , sharing and stamping.

Soon enough my guests arrived and we set about making a 'cardalope' using the envelope punch board here's a close up of the outside showing the gorgeous SAB free Sweet Sorbet Design Series Papers and You're Lovely Stamps ..psst you can still get these with a £45 spend before the end of March.

Here's the inside, it's a great way to send a little note to someone special!

If you'd like to spend a couple of hours with friends or family creating and having fun let me know and I can bring a workshop to your home !

Thanks for dropping by again ...

Nicola xx

Scallop Tag Topper Punch Class

Hello again everyone , I've been very busy this week planning a Workshop that I'm demonstrating at Eclectic Keepsakes Crop in Colchester this Saturday , I'm really excited and as I've shared the images with the Crop Ladies I thought I'd share them with you too.

Here's the full ensemble which is all using the fab new Scallop Tag Topper Punch from the Spring Summer Catalogue , it's really versatile and not just for tags as you can see ...

I've chosen a bold mix of the Birthday Basics Designer Series Paper and cardstock in Raspberry Ripple and Very Vanilla. The accents of Summer Starfruit and Gumball Green all co-rdinate perfectly.

Here's the Tag Topper closure design , I love how effective this looks and it's so easy to accomplish with the punch.

Here's a more traditional use of the tag but still so effective especially when set against the embossed background , that's the FREE Sale A Bration Decorative Dots Folder that you can get when you spend £45 or more before the end of March. The sentiment stamp is yet another freebie too, the See Ya Later set , I love it and you'll be seeing more of that soon!!!!

Finally a super cute little treat box with the Scallop Tag Topper too ! Such fun to make and even easier with my trusty Stampin' Scoreboard and Stampin' Trimmer.

Right , I have lots still to prepare for my Ladies on Saturday but I'll be back soon to show you the same items with a completely different look using another colour palette and a more classic theme.

Thank you for visiting :)

Nicola x

It was a Very Happy Valentines Day

Hello Dear Blog readers, I hope this finds you well and enjoying a nice weekend even though the wind has been howling and it's raining yet again!

Yesterday was St. Valentines Day and oh my goodness what a lovely day I had ...Justin and I had a lovely meal courtesy of M&S and their fabulous Dine In selection , I don't know how they do it for the money and it sure was a bit of a bun-fight in there to get the best dishes !

I dressed our dinner table with jam jars decorated with doilies and die cut hearts tied on with bakers twine , i popped little tea lights inside and along with some heart shaped table confetti it looked very pretty indeed.

Anyway, on to the card ...

Having made several commissioned cards for the chaps in work I wanted something different for Justin . I deliberated over the flowers , too girly ? But then I thought what the heck it's a Valentines card and it's all about the romance right !

I used Real Red cardstock and the stripy paper is from the Fresh Prints stack available in the Spring Summer Mini Catalogue , I love the selection of prints in that set ! I die cut flowers and leaves using the Sizzlet Floral Fusions and Little Leaves dies and cut the banner using the Banners Framelits.

The sentiment and Eiffel Tower were from the Follow Your Heart stamp set. The die cut large heart is cut from my all time favourite Glimmer Paper in Silver.

Finally I decorated the inside with FREE Banner Blast stamps and matching punch which you can get as part of Sale A Bration by spending £45 before March 31st.

Don't forget to let me know if you'd like to to take part in my Virtual Hostess Club starting in March , I have a few places left and you can still join us :)

Have a Happy weekend.

Nicola xx

Texture Boutique ...

Get some texture in your crafting with this little beauty ....

It's a completely portable, lightweight marvel for all your embossing* needs. Click on the image to learn more :)

At just £26.95 it's a great little buy for yourself or as a gift and while your at why not accessorize with some new embossing folders -

• Ampersand Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (item 132970)
• Arrows Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (item 132187) 
• Scallops Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (item 132971) 

If you order the Texture Boutique Embossing Machine before March 31st 2014 and all three of the new folders (for a total of  £45 or more), you will also get a FREE Sale-A-Bration gift—the Decorative Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (item 133520) would be the perfect choice! 

If you need this little Fashionista in your life email me at nkerridge3@sky.com or click on my Online shop to order yours :)

Nicola xx

*Please note the Stampin' Up! Texture Boutique is not a die cutting machine.

Feeling the Love !

Hope you are all having a nice relaxing weekend, I've had a lovely time making cards and enjoying some time at home having a lovely Sunday Lunch with my Family :)

With St Valentines Day nearly upon us I thought it was time to get a bit 'lovey dovey' , with that in mind I made this card with the Petal Parade stamp set that I got a freebie during Sale A Bration ! I mixed in some Gold Embossing powder and used Gold Foil too, so on trend , you will be seeing so much Gold this season in crafting and of course Stampin' Up have it covered for us.

The colours featured are Pool Party , Crumb Cake , Jet Black StazOn and of course Gold , I also embossed a Very Vintage Button in the Gold too to pull the look together. It's a little twist on traditional Valentines colours but I love how it turned out , hope you do too.

I shall be back tomorrow with details of a Stampers Club I'll be starting soon and some more Valentines are on their way as special commissions for the chaps in work ;)

Thanks for visiting , see you soon

Nicola xx

Happy Saturday !

Hello everyone , its a lovely day here for the moment ...I seized the opportunity to snap some pics of a card I made this week.

A lovely fresh combination of Real Red, Pool Party and Crumb Cake which are the deliciously Spring like colours in the Fresh Prints Designer Series Paper Block, available in the Spring Catalogue. I've used the Banners Framelits Dies to get perfectly cut banners and stamped the sentiment using the Perfect Pennants stamps. A few little flowers from the Petite Petals bundle of punch and stamps at a bargainous  £18.95 completes a really pretty card.

I hope you like it ! 

If you'd like to treat yourself to anything from the Spring catalogue simply click on the 'Shop Online' button at the top left of my blog to take you straight to my online Stampin' Up! shop, or contact me directly , I'd love to hear from you :) And don't forget for every £45 spend during Sale A Bration you get a FREEBIE too !!!

Have a great day and thanks for reading 

Nicola xx

What's the big deal ? Sale A Bration of course !!!!

Yes , it's absolutely amazing , the free gifts are to die for and the best part is that you can get as many as you like , 1 free gift for every £45 spend. There are beautiful stamp sets , Designer Series Paper , a punch , embossing folder and so much more ...don't take my word for it though get the kettle on and click on the link below to see for yourself.
When you've ooh'd and aaah'd and decided let me know and I can get the loveliness winging its way right to your door , now that's a great way to end the week :)

Click here to view the catalogue !

Have a great Friday , hope to hear from you soon.

nkerridge3@sky.com

Hello ! I am so excited to have joined Stampin' Up! ...

And as it's Sale A Bration time it's a fabulous time to sign up :)

As a Demonstrator you get chance to order all the luscious new goodies first, how cool is that ! I've already been having a little play with some new stash and I have so many idea's buzzing in my head I think it might burst , I put that all down to the amazing products and the way everything co-ordinates just perfectly.

Anyway , without further ado here's my first 'official' Stampin' Up! card ....

I loved these refreshing colours , they really make me smile :) The palette used is Pool Party, Crisp Cantaloupe and Summer Starfruit. The gorgeous Designer Series Paper is the 'Sweet Sorbet' Collection , I've featured it on the card itself and the beautiful background paper is also from the set, the best thing is that its FREE during Sale A Bration when you spend £45, believe me there are so many lovelies to choose from you'll have no trouble LOL !

Here's a close up so that you can see the stamped flowers using the Mixed Bunch stamp set and matching punch and the cutest little envelope which was a breeze to make with the envelope punch board ...

Thank you so much for joining me on my blog today, I am so pleased to be sharing the journey with you all :) 

Till next time ..Nicola xx