A Stack of Christmas Joy

 Yesterday I held my first in-person stamping event since March. It was so nice to sit and chat in person whilst creating a stack of Christmas cards.

What made it even more special was that it was with some ladies that have been customers since the first year I joined SU back in 2006. I hadn't actually met in person with these particular ladies since last year! So we had a bit of catching up to do.

Since it's been so long, we did a catalogue walk-through as they had coffee/tea, before we got down to stamping and creating.

They got to make 10 cards each (2 designs) and used a bunch of new products.

Here is the first card, which had a slight variation to one for a bit of fun.

Supplies used were (Click on the above images to shop these supplies):

• Joyful Holly Stamp Set
• Real Red, Pretty Peacock, Pool Party & Old Olive inks
• Real Red, Pool Party, Pretty Peacock & Whisper White card-stock
• Label Me Fancy, Label Me Lovely & Everyday Label Punches
• Old Olive/Pretty Peacock Reversible Ribbon &  Real Red Double Stitched Satin Ribbon (I actually used a Retired ribbon as I had run out of the other!)
• Red Rhinestone Basic Jewels and Woven Threads Sequin Assortment
  

We used the Stamparatus to get these done. The leaf outline is stamped in Pretty Peacock ink and the inside of the leaf is Pool Party on one & Old Olive on the other.

This fun fold card uses and A4 piece of card-stock cut on the diagonal (left top corner to right bottom corner) and them scored at the halfway point to the center. I found it easiest to score the sheet of A4 first before cutting. They made just one each of the fun fold & then 4 of the other.

The next card was another fun fold and used a mix of stamp sets and dies....

(Click on the below image to shop the supplies)

I just love the cute little gnomes in the Gnome for the Holidays stamp set.

Here is the inside which has 2 "flaps" to open...

Supplies used in this card are:

• Gnome for the Holidays and Coming Home stamp sets
• Smoky Slate and Whisper White Card-stock
• Plaid Tidings Designer Series Paper
  
• Smoky Slate ink and Jet Black StazOn Pad
  
• Stitched Nested Labels and Stitched Shapes dies
• Stampin' Blends
  

It was fun to mix these 2 sets together. The image can be coloured with your preferred choice/method of colouring.

I had to leave (to pick my girls up from school) while they were still making these cards, so didn't get to see how they all turned out. But they have promised to send me some photos.... I always love seeing the variations as each person adds their own touch to each.

With these cards, they have made a good start to their Christmas cards and this will hopefully inspire them to continue to make some more.

Thanks for stopping by!

Natasha ox

COVID-19 Crafting and Home "Schooling"

Hello!

With everything shutting down to MAKE people stay at home, it's the perfect time to do some crafting!!

I am keeping my kids home from school and trying to manage some "school learning" mixed with "home learning" as well as just stay at home fun stuff that DOESN'T involve screens!!
Crafting is ALWAYS fun 😆

Also, Sale-A-Bration is in it's last week for 2020! so get your craft supplies and earn some free items with it!
SAB 3rd release was announced today with some catalogue items added to the "FREE" with purchase items.

Third Release items added TODAY

In times like this which are making so many people anxious and disconnected, it's the perfect time to send a card and bring a smile to someone's day.
Not feeling creative? Grab one of our kits with everything in it and ready to be put together with easy to follow instructions!
If you are feeling a little more creative, you can still purchase any of our kits and redesign what is in them to make a stack of cards to send out as happy mail 😊

I have still been working my way through the Lots of Happy kit making my own variations with the items there and maybe to addition of other stamp sentiments.

Lots of Happy Kit Variations

Get in touch and let me know what you are creating, or if you'd like some inspiration! I'd be more than happy to help 😀

Keep safe everyone
Thanks for stopping by
Natasha

Lots of Happy for a Sad Occasion

My family has had some bad news this week with my Aunt losing her 5 year battle with "Multiple Myeloma" which is a type of blood cancer.
Mum's family immigrated to Australia when my Mum was young, and the family has stayed close, with regular "Family Days" and get thogethers for weddings, birthdays, and more as we were growing up. My older sister and I are the oldest of the cousins, and got to spend time at different Aunties houses through many school holidays. Still now, with the cousins being adults and spread all over the world, those of us close enough in distance still get together when we can.
This particular Aunt was my Mum's youngest sister, and the usually the one who invited the whole extended family around.
Making a sympathy or "bad news" card of any kind is not my favourite reason or need for a card, but of course, making any card brings happiness to my heart, and in turn I hope, some happiness to the receiver.
In the process of finding suitable inspiration, I came across a refill pack I bought last year for the Lots of Happy card kit (unfortunately refills are no longer available, but the kit still is).

I have had the kit before and made all cards as per the instructions (as pictured above), so this time I thought I'd play around with it a little more & use some different sentiments.

The following cards came together first; everything is still from the kit, however I have used the Parcels & Petals Cling Stamp Set for the sentiments.

This got my creative juices flowing and paved the way to making this card for my Uncle, this time with additions from the Well Said Cling Stamp Set and Well Written Dies.

The Funeral was yesterday which was a gorgeous sunny day to farewell and celebrate her and her beautiful life. It was lovely to see extended family and share our memories together.
It was also comforting that we as cousins have resolved to continue the "Family Days" in the Dutch tradition of Sinterklaas (or now with the Aussie "St Nicks" Day) at the beginning of December each year.

Thanks for taking time to stop by
Natasha

Music From My Heart

The first time I look through a new catalogue, there is sure to be a stamp set (or a few) that particularly stand out as a MUST HAVE. There was no exception the first time I looked through the new "Handmade For You" Mini Catalogue.
One of those sets is the Music From the Heart set.

Music From The Heart Set

This set was in my first pre-order. (Ask me more about pre-ordering!)
And the first card I made with this set was for my wonderful husband's birthday.

Can you pick the song?? (if you can read music, the notes are correct and will give you a tune....)
This card also uses a piece of the beautiful Lily Impressions DSP from the 2020 Sale-A-Bration offering.
Looking forward to making more with this set soon.


Thanks for stopping by
Natasha

WELCOME - A Bit About Me

Well, where do I start?!

I have ALWAYS had a love of stationery, paper, crafting and making.
If you'd like to find out a little bit more about my story, you can find it in the "About Me" page of this blog.

I hope I can inspire you and share my love of making cards for those around you.

If you'd like to Join Me and be a part of my Paper Hugs team and the greater Stampin' Up!® family, we would LOVE to have you! See my Join My Team page.

You can find PDF copies of all current catalogues down the right side of the page.

And of course you can SHOP with me anytime! Make sure you look for the current Host Code to use in your order!

December Host Code: E44EKNCC
Use this on any order for a small gift from me

Thanks for stopping my, and hope to share with you again soon.

Natasha Bagge,
Independent Stampin’ Up!® Demonstrator, Australia